24-6 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 



Sometimes two are engaged opposite to each other on 

 the same leaf. They collect in groups often of more 

 than a hundred, and keep as close to each other as they 

 can. When a branch is stripped they all move together 

 to another. If one of these caterpillars be touched or 

 disturbed, it immediately with a twist lifts the anterior 

 part of its body, and emits from its mouth a drop of 

 clear resin, perfectly similar both in odour and consist- 

 ence to that of the fir a . What is still more remarkable, 

 no sooner does a single individual of the group give it- 

 self this motion, than all the rest, as if they were moved 

 by a spring, instantaneously do the same b . Thus these 

 animals fire a volley as it were at their annoyers, the 

 scent of which is probably sufficient to discomfit any ich- 

 neumons, flies, or predaceous beetles that may be de- 

 sirous of attacking them. 



Amongst those which annoy their enemies by the 

 emission of fluids from their anus are the larger Carabi. 

 These, if roughly handled, will spirt to a considerable 

 distance an acrid, caustic, stinking liquor, which if it 

 touch the eyes or the lips occasions considerable pain c . 

 The rose-scented Capricorn (Cerambyx moschatm) 

 produced a similar effect upon Mr. Sheppard by si- 

 milar means. The fluid in this had a powerful odour of 

 musk.* -The acid of ants has long been celebrated, and 

 is one of their most powerful means of defence. When 

 the species that have no sting make a wound with their 

 jaws, they insinuate into it some of this acid, the effluvia 

 produced by which are so subtile and penetrating, that 



a DeGeer, ii. 9/1. 



fl I owe the knowledge of this circumstance to Mr. MacLeay. 



f De Gccr, iv. 86. Geoflr. i. 141. 



