OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS. 



ment in it ; whereas the latter make the selection 

 in the first instance, burrowing, as their small size 

 enables them to do, between the upper and lower 

 cuticle, and swallowing the pulp alone. 



CARABUS VIOLACEUS. * 



SOME years back, in the month of July, observing 

 a remarkably fine specimen of this insect, I made an 

 endeavour to lay hold of it. It escaped between my 

 fingers in the first instance ; but shortly afterwards 

 turning upon its back (accidentally as I conceived), 

 and not being apparently able to recover itself 

 readily, I took the opportunity of renewing my at- 

 tempt to seize it, as it lay struggling. I had hardly 

 secured it, my arm being nearly at full length, and 

 the insect with its anal extremity towards me, before 

 I felt a sensation as if struck across the face with a 

 stinging-nettle, followed by the most intolerably 

 foetid odour that can be conceived. There is no 

 question but this proceeded from some acrid fluid 

 or vapour ejected by the insect per anum, on to my 

 nose and lips. The irritation which ensued was 

 very considerable, and gave rise to a number of little 

 blisters on many parts of my face, which, though 

 washed immediately with water, continued painful 

 for several hours after. 



Many of our indigenous Carabidte, when handled, 

 emit from their mouths, by way of defence, a brown 

 fluid, of an acrid caustic nature, highly nauseous to 



* Stephens's Man. p. 15. 



