THE BOMBARDIER BEETLE. 



cially by those belonging to the genus Carabus. The 

 lesser insect could have no chance of escape but for 

 its curious wea- 

 pons of defence. 

 When the Cara- 

 bus chases the 

 Brachinus, the 

 latter waits until 

 the former has 



nearly reached itS Carabus monilis. Brachinus crepitans. 



prey, and then fires a gun, so to speak, in its face. 

 The effect on the Carabus is ludicrous. The insect 

 seems quite scared at such a repulse, stops, backs 

 away from the tiny blue cloud, and allows its 

 intended prey to reach a place of safety. 



The Brachini may be identified by the very 

 convex body, and their palpi without the axe-shaped 

 terminal joint. The Bombardier Beetle is reddish- 

 yellow, with dull deep-blue elytra. It is, however, a 

 variable species, as are all, or nearly all, of those in 

 which green or blue is the prevailing colour, and, 

 though most specimens are blue, or blue-black, some 

 are deep blackish-green. It also varies greatly in 

 size, some specimens being not a quarter of an inch in 

 length, and others more than the third of an inch long. 



These Beetles love wet situations, especially when 

 the water is brackish, and hide under stones and in 

 crevices, so that they are seldom seen except by 

 insect hunters. The banks of tidal rivers are good 

 hunting grounds for the searchers after Brachini, such 

 as the Thames, from Erith, or even Woolwich, to its 

 mouth. They are found in greatest numbers below 



