COLEOPTERA: CARABID^. 



CARABID^E, Leack, OR PREDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLE 

 FAMILY. This Family Fig> 3II 



comprises a large num- 

 ber of predaceous beetles 

 which have the upper 

 jaws very powerful and 

 hooked, body oblong and 

 firm. Some are without 

 wings, having only elytra. 

 They prey upon the larvae 

 of other beetles, upon her- 

 bivorous beetles, and oth- 

 er insects. The Genus 



CaloSOma Contains large Caterpillar-Hunter, C. scrutator, Fabr! 



and splendid species, which prey upon canker-worms. 

 The Caterpillar-Hunter, C. scrutator, Fabr., is green. The 

 Glowing Calosoma, C. calidum, Fabr., is black, with six 

 rows of sunken brilliant red metallic spots. Fig. 312 . 



DYTICID.E, McLeay. This Family em- 

 braces aquatic beetles of an oval or rounded 

 form, with the posterior legs longest, and 

 strongly fringed to aid in swimming. They 

 are excessively voracious both in the adult 

 and larval state, devouring not only other 



f Water-Beetle, 



insects, but also young fishes. Dyticus. 



GYRINID^E, Latr., OR WHIRLIGIG-BEETLE FAMILY. 

 This Family comprises aquatic beetles which have an 

 oval, generally glossy and brilliant body, of small or of 

 moderate size, and which are found on the surface of still 

 waters, where they appear like brilliant spots gliding in 

 all sorts of curves and gyrations. They swim by means 

 of the four hinder legs. 



H YDROPHiLiDjE, Leach. This Family comprises aquat- 

 ic beetles which are ovate, hemispherical, and with the 

 thorax broader than long, the edges and the tibiae slight- 



