54 



INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



same plant, indeed, where these caterpillars were 

 feeding, we saw one of the latter lurking about, no 

 doubt with evil intent*. 



A small green beetle (Anchomenus prasinus, 

 BONELLI), not uncommon near London, gives battle 

 to its most formidable enemies by repeated dis- 

 charges of smoke and noise. This species, however, 

 is not perhaps so well known as another, called by 

 Latreille the bombardier (Brachinus crepitans, 

 WEBER), known by its head and thorax being brick- 

 red, and the rest of the body a deep blackish-blue. 



a, Bombardier (Brachinus crepitans). b, Calosoma inquisitor. 



When we attempt to catch it, we are surprised by a 

 discharge resembling a pop-gun, accompanied with 

 a sort of smoke, of which it is furnished with a bladder 

 sufficient to fire off, according to Rolander, twenty 

 shots in succession. If this chance to get into the 

 eyes, it will make them smart as if they had been 

 bathed with brandy. Its chief enemy is a beetle 

 * J. R. 



