BRIGHT RHD SHlHlflG OflES. 



pROBABLY more than ninety thousand different species 

 of beetles exist in the world, first and foremost among 

 them standing the Cicindelidse, or Tiger Beetles. From 

 their high position in the coleopterous world they may well 

 demand our attention, but they have other claims upon our 

 consideration. They are beautiful, courageous little creat- 

 ures, and accomplish a vast amount of good to man. The 

 name Cicindela, by which they are known to scientific people, 

 tells us that they are the " bright and shining ones;" while 

 the cognomen of Tiger Beetle reveals to all English-speak- 

 ing nations the story of the incessant warfare which they 

 wage upon their fellows. 



The Cicindelae love the merry sunshine. On any bright 

 summer day they may be found running and flying about 

 sunny banks, or revelling in sandy places where the day-god 

 smilingly rejoices. They mostly avoid vegetation, as it 

 checks their easy rapid movements, although some kinds 

 affect grassy spots among the trees. They are the most 

 predaceous of the coleoptera, and behave like the tigers 

 among mammals, the hawks among birds, the crocodiles 

 among reptiles and the sharks among fishes. In the tropics 

 some few genera seek their food on the leaves of trees, but 

 in temperate and sub-tropical regions, where the species are 

 more abundant, they are terrestrial in habits. 



Let us now take our instruments of capture and go in 

 quest of some of the dozen or more species that have their 

 home with us. The day is auspicious. Here is a likely 

 spot. See there upon the ground are some specimens of our 



