THE CARABUS. 301 
leaves off the attack; and, finally, it rolls over on its back and 
becomes an easy prey. 
In the engraving a May bug is seen on its back, and a Caradus 
tearing away at it. Behind the beetle a larva is just pouncing on 
an ant; and above the May bug a larva is under the shade of a 
stone, upon which another beetle is about to attack an insect. 
The larve of Carabus are of a shining black colour, and 
do not come out in the daytime ; they hide themselves up under 
stones, in holes, or under clods of earth. They chase their prey 
like the adults. There are nearly two hundred species of this 
genus, and they have the wing-cases more or less soldered 
together; for as the beetles run in search of their prey, their 
wings are not always required, and, therefore, are imperfect. 
The Calosome sycophanta, which we have already noticed in 
treating of the Lepidoptera, belongs to this family, and is, perhaps, 
the most beautiful beetle in Europe. It has wings, although it 
runs quickly and well; and it has a large body, which is of a 
deep violet colour, the elytra, which are striated and punctuated, 
being of a green and gold tint. Its decorations are superb, and 
its habits are most attractive; and it runs about the trunks of 
large oaks with incredible rapidity. It attacks by preference the 
processional caterpillars; and the adult insect and the larva are 
often seen destroying them together, caring little for the webs, 
or the dangerous hairs. If the engraving of the metamorphosis 
of Bombyx processtonea is examined, a Calosoma beetle will be 
seen on the trunk of the tree, about to attack the leader of the 
caterpillars with its sharp mandibles; and low down on the 
trunk a Calosoma larva is evidently choosing a fat caterpillar 
from a nest. In the ground at the base of the tree the nymph 
of Calosoma may be noticed. The larva resembles those of the 
genus Carabus, and is larger than they are. When full grown, 
it grubs into the earth, makes a sort of cell, and is transformed 
into the nymph, which is decorated with small tufts of hairs, 
that are very prettily arranged. There are some beetles be- 
longing to this great family whose habits are very different 
to those of the species just mentioned. The Calosoma and 
the Carabus enjoy the full sunshine, and pursue their prey like 
hunters, and scramble over the trunks of trees, and do not like 
