18 INSECTS AMJOAD. 



detected by t lie eye alone, while the innumerable cells of the 

 elytra cannot he seen without a microscope. 



The arrangement of these folds or wrinkles is worth notice. 

 A lino runs along the centre of the head, from which the 

 wrinkles sweep in curves on either side, much like the lines of 

 haii' parted in the middle. Thus much can be seen with the 

 nuked eye; hut if the microscope be used, it will be seen that 

 each wrinkle is regularly and elaborately waved throughout its 

 length, thus, ~ — ■ — ~- ; so adding to the richness of the effect. 

 Still taking the human hair as our illustration, the waved 

 structure of these wrinkles produces a similar effect to that 

 which is obtained by ladies when they crimp their hair by 

 artificial means. 



I have already mentioned that the upper surface of this 

 magnificent insect is entirely covered with wrinkles or cells, so 

 as to give it a satiny or velvety appearance. The violet under 

 surface is quite smooth, and looks like burnished metal, affording 

 a fine contrast to the softly brilliant hues of the upper surface. 

 The one dazzles and startles the eye, the other soothes and 

 satisfies it. The principle which is so perfectly carried out in 

 this insect is followed imperfectly by ourselves. When a draper 

 shows a piece of silk, satin, or velvet to a lady, he does not spread 

 it out fiat, but gathers it into folds and artistic wrinkles. 



The reason is evident enough. .Supposing that a yard of silk 

 or satin he spread flat, there is a certain amount of colour, with 

 a tolerably uniform distribution of light and shade. But, let 

 three yards of the same material be gathered into the same 

 space, it is evident that three times the amount of colour is 

 obtained, while each fold gives different gradations of hue 

 according to the depth of shades. This is one of the many 

 instances where man unconsciously borrows from Nature, and 

 complacently thinks that he has invented something quite new. 



Of the habits of this Beetle I know nothing by practical 

 experience, but the specimen which has been most imperfectly 

 described gives a curious proof that it must be quite as fierce as 

 our British Tiger Beetles. The jaws of this species are long, 

 sickle-shaped, deeply toothed on the inner edge, crossing each 

 other when closed, and very conspicuous from their shining yellow 

 colour. The jaws of this specimen are firmly closed, and hold in 

 their grasp the fore-leg of* another r.eotle of the same species. 



