SECRETARY.'S REPORT. 137 



" bombardier beetles," and the technical one of BrachinuSy 

 from the Greek Bracho, meaning to rattle or make a noise. 

 The species figured is of a reddish yellow color, on the head, 

 thorax and feet ; the eyes black ; antennae dusky ; abdomen 

 darker beneath, clothed with short yellow pile ; and elytra dull 

 blue. It measures about .40 in length, and not far from .16 in 

 breadth. Like both the preceding species, it is found under 

 stones and boards, in the spring, searching for other insects 

 upon which it preys. 



Cymindis pilosa of Say, or pilose ground-beetle, (^Cymin- 

 dis signifies a night-hawk,) with others of the same genus, may 

 be found under the loose bark of trees, and in damp situations, 

 preying upon the small herbivorous insects that frequent such 

 places. The pilose or hairy Cymindis is about .40 in length, 

 and .13 in breadth, the neck or thorax shaped much like those 

 of the " bombardiers," flattened above, and in the outline like 

 the letter U, dilated at its anterior corners ; the color is dark 

 brown, with a short thick pile, which gives it a glistening or 

 velvety appearance. It is common throughout North America. 



The different species of Lebia, which may be compared in 

 appearance to a flattened and burnished Brachinus or " bom- 

 bardier," are active in their habits, climbers, being often 

 found on flowers some feet from the ground, and in general of 

 a burnished metallic lustre. 



Lebia grandis of Hentz, or the large Lebia, is about .40 

 in length, and .18 in breadth, and is the largest species found 

 in this country. It is of a reddish yellow throughout, with the 

 exception of the elytra, which are a dark steel blue, and the 

 abdomen, which is dark brown. In most of this genus, as in 

 Cymindis, the abdomen projects slightly beyond the tips of the 

 elytra, which are very squarely cut. We have in this State 

 some eight or ten species of this genus, some of which are very 

 beautifully marked with stripes, or spots upon the elytra ; 

 they are all of service to the agriculturist, feeding upon the 

 smaller caterpillars. Aphides, (fee, which frequent various plants. 

 Their larvse are supposed to live in the earth and to prey upon 

 injurious insects. 



Calleida punctdta of Leconte, or the punctured Calleida, 

 (the latter name signifying beautiful form,) is found less 

 commonly in this State. It is of a more slender shape than 



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