CHAPTER V. 



BRACHELYTBA. 



The group of Beetles which comes next in order is fqually 

 conspicuous with the Hydradephaga, but utterly i.nlike it or 

 any of the groups which have been described. These Beetles 

 are long-bodied, agile, and seem to play the same part among 

 Coleoptera as the weasel tribe among the Mammalia. Most, 

 though not all of them, are predatorial, and some of them, 

 especially the larger species, are exceedingly fierce as well as 

 voracious, and will fight any foe, no matter how much they 

 may be overmatched.. 



The name Brachelytra is a very appropriate one, signifyiDg 

 sliort elytra. These insects have the elytra very short and 

 squared, so short indeed that six or seven segments of the 

 abdomen generally protrude beyond them. Although the elytra 

 are so small, the wings are very large ; and, though they 

 must necessarily be folded in a most complicated manner 

 before they can be packed mider tlie elytra, these insects can 

 take the air witli more readiness than any other Beetles, ex- 

 cept, perhaps, the Tiger Beetles, whose manner of flight has 

 been described on page 16. In folding the wings under the 

 elytra, the Beetle is obliged to act in a very curious manner, 

 bending the tail over the back, 'and with the extremity of the 

 body arranging the wings under their sheaths. The earwig 

 uses its forceps for a similar piu-pose, as we shall see when we 

 come to that insect. Fig. c, Vv'oodcut No. VII., shows one of 

 the large Brachelytra in the act of packing up its wings. In 

 conseciuence of their activity both on the wing and on foot, 

 these insects have gained the popular name of Kove Beetles. 



All these Beetles have the habit of bending their bodies 

 upwardri vvlien alarmed, for wliich reason they liave received 

 the popular name of Cocktail Beetles. This act has, in the 



