484 THE INSECT WORLD. 



at a great distance. They take refuge under stones and under the 

 bark of trees ; but in tine weather they are also to be seen running 

 along roads. Ardent and audacious, it is by no means rare to see 

 them attacking species much bigger than themselves. The activity 

 which distinguishes these insects is found also in their larvae, which 

 pursue living prey, instead of remaining shrouded in the midst of 

 their food, like the larvae of the Scarabceida, 



These carnivorous insects are very numerous — a fortunate cir- 

 cumstance, considering the immense quantity of small noxious 

 creatures, caterpillars, weevils, and an infinity of other parasites, the 

 pests of agriculture, which they destroy. The popular prejudice, 

 then, is to be regretted, which leads ignorant farmers to exterminate 

 them. They ought, on the contrary, to be introduced into market 

 gardens, as toads are, and as cats are into granaries. " The 

 Carabidce,'' says M. Michelet, " immense tribes of warriors, armed to 

 the teeth, which, under their heavy cuirasses, have a wonderful activity, 

 are perfect rural constabulary, day and night, without holidays or 

 repose, protecting our fields. They never touch the smallest thing. 

 They are occupied entirely in arresting thieves, and they desire no 

 salary but the body of the thief himself." But ignorance destroys 

 these useful hunters. Children, seduced by the richness of the elytra 

 of the Carabiy amuse themselves in catching these vigilant protectors 

 of our farms, without knowing the bad effect of what they are doing. 

 Fortunately, education is spreading little by little in the country ; 

 the farmers begin to be awakened to their true interests, and to know 

 how to distinguish the useful animals which it behoves them to 

 preserve in their fields for the safeguard of their crops. In some 

 places in France they have already made attempts to introduce the 

 Carabidce and the Cicinde/idce into gardens, and they have found 

 them succeed very well. 



The true Carabi are to be known by their oval convex body, 

 their long antennae, and elegantly-carved thorax. They are, in gene- 

 ral, of more massive forms than the CicindelidcB^ which compose a 

 kindred family. The latter form, in some sort, the vanguard and 

 the light troops ; the others, the heavy battalions. The Carabi 

 coming out in general at night, or at least at twilight, and keepingj 

 themselves hidden under stones during the day, it is not easy tc 

 observe their man(xuvres. 



The Carabiis auratus (Fig. 499), which abounds in fields an< 

 gardens on the Continent, may be considered as the type of this 

 genus. It has elytra of a beautiful green, with three ribs, and th< 

 legs yellowish. When it is touched it disgorges a black and acric 



