COLEOPTEKA. 481 



line baited with a bit of red cloth, which it attacks. It is found, 

 also, in a mineral spring in Algeria. The Epinectes (Fig. 498) 

 are large Gyrinidcn from Brazil, with very long front legs. 



\ 



Fig. 496. Gyrinus stilatus. Fig. 497.-Gyrinus dislinctus. Fig. 498. Epinecles sulcatus. 



The carnivorous land insects par excellence those which are 

 most formidable, on account of their ravages and voracity are the 

 Carabici. 1 his family, one of the most numerous of the Order 

 Coleoptera, consists of insects with long legs, and armed with 

 powerful mandibles, suited for tearing their victims to pieces. They 

 are the lions and the tigers of the Coleoptera, whilst the Necro- 

 phori and the Silpha play the part of hyaenas and jackals. The 

 eyes of the Carabici are very prominent, which allows them to 

 see their prey at a great distance. They take refuge under stones 

 and under the bark of trees ; but in fine 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 them- 

 selves. 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 Scara- 

 b&ides. - 



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 pre- 

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

 exterminate them. They ought, on the contrary, to be intro- 

 duced into market gardens, as toads are, and as cats are into 

 granaries. " The Carabici," says M. Michelet, " immense 

 tribes of warriors, armed to the teeth, which, under their heavy 

 cuirasses, have a wonderful activity, are perfect rural con- 



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