112 Life and Immortality. 



explodes, looking very much like a discharge of powder from 

 a miniature artillery. In consequence of this phenomenon the 

 insect which produces it is popularly called the Bombardier 

 Beetle. 



So small a coleopter, being scarcely one-fourth of an inch 

 in length, and so comparatively weak, is likely to be attacked 

 by the larger Geodephaga, or Earth Devourers, and espe- 

 cially by the Carabi, which inhabit similar retreats. But for 

 this curious defence the smaller insect could have but the 



BRACHINUS PURSUED BY AN ENEMY, 

 His Curious and Unique Method of Defence. 



barest chance of living in the struggle for existence. Often 

 have I seen a Carabus in hot pursuit of Brachinus. The 

 chase is always an interesting one, and never fails, however 

 frequently it has been observed, of attracting attention and 

 exciting admiration. But the wide-awake, ever watchful 

 Brachinus never loses his head for a second when thus pur- 

 sued, but like the clever artilleryman that he is, awaits the 

 opportune moment, and then pours a heavy discharge of his 

 fulminating fluid into the very face of the enemy. Baffled, 



