COLEOPTERA. 497 



head, climbs along the chimney by twisting itself into the form of the 

 letter Z, and thus transports its load, as a bricklayer's labourer carries 

 a hod of mortar up a ladder. Arrived at the mouth of the hole, it 

 throws to a distance the rubbish with which its head is loaded ; or, if 

 too heavy, it simply deposits it, pushing it away as far as possible. 

 It is difficult to watch their proceedings, for they are very mistrustful, 

 and retire immediately into their hole when alarmed. They remain in 

 ambush at the entrances of these subterranean passages, which they 

 hermetically seal with their head and thorax. It is a species ot 

 pitfall which sets itself in motion the moment anything endeavours to 

 pass it. The unfortunate who ventures is precipitated into the well, 

 and the Cidndela fortrnvith devours it. These habits remind one of 

 those of the ant-lion. When the time arrives for the metamorphosis, 

 the larva of the Cidndela enlarges the bottom of its hole, and stops 

 up the entrance with earth before changing. The pupa (Figs. 532, 



Fig. 536. Tetracha bifasciata. 



533) is of a pale glossy yellow, covered with small spines. The 

 metamorphosis takes place between August and October; the perfect 

 insect emerges in spring. 



Nearly akin to the Cidndelas are the Tetrachas (Figs. 534, 535, 

 536), from Africa and tropical America ; the Manticoras (Fig. 537), 

 which are distinguished by their robust and thick-set appearance ; the 

 Pogonostomas (Fig. 538), which live in Madagascar; the Ctenostomas, 

 peculiar to America (Fig. 539), remarkable for the length of their 

 pendent and bristly palpi ; the Omus, of California ; the Therates 

 (Fig. 540), insects of the East Indian Islands, &c. 



The tribe of Tcncbrionidoe, called formerly Melasomas, because 

 they are nearly all black, resembles in some points the Carabid. 

 They seek after dark places, and avoid the light, and are found on 

 the ground under stones ; their movements are slow, and they walk 

 with difficulty. The best-known insect of this group is the Blaps, of 

 repulsive smell, inhabiting dark damp places, such as cellars, and only 

 coming out of its retreat during the night. The elytra are joined 



G c 



