86 Psyche [June 
the rare occasions, when this happens, important organs like the 
mandibles, antenne, labium, maxille, palpi and eyes are kept 
scrupulously free from the parasitic growth. Although, as pre- 
viously stated, many of the L. neoniger bristled with the Laboul- 
benia, there were scattered over their chitinous integument numer- 
ous minute black dots representing the points of attachment of 
fungi that had been completely torn away, either by attrition 
against the walls of the nest galleries, or more probably, by the 
strigils and tongues of the ants themselves. The observations at 
Ellisville indicate that the parasitic fungus can luxuriate only on 
the members of ant-colonies which have become enfeebled or 
depauperate through nesting in soil which is too moist, saline or 
foul, or of an abnormally high temperature when exposed to the 
sun. 

ON THE REPUGNATORIAL SECRETION OF CARABUS 
VINCTUS. 
A rather unexpected occurrence happened at the capture of my 
first specimen of this species, which I had discovered under some 
old boards near the Shawshine River in Andover, Mass. I picked 
it up between the thumb and finger for a closer examination and, 
when perhaps a foot from my face, heard a slight snapping noise 
which was followed by the sensation that might be produced by the 
application of red hot needles to one’s face. This intense burning 
lasted until I bathed my face in alcohol. Since then I have taken 
two specimens in Framingham and, in each case, noticed the same 
snapping noise, but as I took good care not to get the insect very 
near my face, I did not experience the previous unpleasant results. 
The elytral edges are strongly reflexed in this beetle and at the 
apices a slight hollow is formed which would hold a small quantity 
of the fluid secreted; and when the elytra receive the pressure of 
the thumb and finger they snap past each other and the resultant 
spring throws the fluid off in a fine spray. 
C. A. Frost. 
