LARVA OF THE TIGER BEETLE. 117 



a sort of covering for itself, and finally buries 

 itself in a shroud partly made of 

 the spoils of former victims. 

 Perhaps the carnivorous larva 



, , -, The Larva of a Wasp in its 



of the tiger-beetle, or cicindela, coat of win gs and umbs, 

 is as ferocious a being as any in this state. 

 In this respect, indeed, it resembles the perfect 

 insect, whose title sufficiently indicates its swift- 

 ness, cunning, and bloodthirsty nature. " These 

 Iarva3," writes Mr. Westwood, " burrow cylindric 

 retreats in the earth, to the depth of a foot or 

 more, employing their legs and jaws in loosen- 

 ing the particles of sand and earth, which they 

 carry to the surface upon their broad, saucer- 

 like head, ascending by the assistance of the two 

 hooks upon the back, somewhat after the fashion 

 of a sweep going up a chimney ! Having com- 

 pleted this burrow, they station themselves, by 

 means of their legs and back hooks, at its mouth, 

 their large flattened head and great segment 

 filling the hole." Here they remain all day long, 

 and many an insect might pass close by, little 

 dreaming of the terrible foe who lay under that 

 trap-door. Presently comes a spider scrambling 

 over the ground in haste to mount up a branch 



