THE EIGHT-SFOT TIGER BEETLE. 



19 



Two pieces of information are thus given. The first is, that 

 the bold tooth on the inner edge of the jaw most effectually 

 prevents the escape of any insect that may be seized. Let the 

 reader imagine a pair of sickles, each having a sharp tooth some 

 three inches long on the inner edge and about four inches from 

 the base. Suppose the handles of the sickles to be joined at their 

 ends by a rivet on which they can play, and we shall have a 

 very tolerable imitation of the Tiger Beetle's jaws. The reader 

 will at once see that if the sickles are closed so as to brin^ the 

 handles together, the points will cross each other, and that if the 

 leg or arm of a man be clasped in them the two teeth will give 

 an additional hold, and, being nearer the base, will have a more 

 powerful leverage than could be given to the points alone, how- 

 ever sharp they may be. A familiar illustration of this principle 

 is afforded by the schoolboy in cracking a nut. He does not 

 place it between his front teeth, but as far back as he can, so as 

 to add as much as possible to the leverage. 



The second piece of information is, that the insect was not 

 killed as soon as caught, but was placed alive in confinement 

 with others of its own kind. After the habits of such insects, 

 the fellow-prisoners set to fighting, and this particular specimen 

 succeeded in wrenching off the leg of its antagonist. The force 

 required for such an act is wonderfully great. There are many 

 insects that shed their limbs without seeming any the worse for 

 it, but the Tiger Beetle is not one of them. It is predacious, and 

 wants its legs for the purpose of chasing its prey. Consequently, 

 these limbs are firmly 

 jointed to the body, 

 and the insect must 

 have exerted very 

 great strength to tear 

 away the entire limb 

 as it has done. 



Fig. 4— Eight-spot Tiger Beetle. (Ciehulela octonotata.) 

 (Blue-green and yellow.) 



Another lovely 

 species is the Eight- 

 spot of India (Cicin- 

 dcla octonotata), which is shown in the accompanying illustration. 

 The colours of this most beautiful insect are much the same as 

 those of the Chinese species, but their arrangement is more 



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