COLEOPTEEA. 



485 



larva of the Calosoma often chooses a home in the nest of the 

 Procession-moth caterpillar (Bombyx processioned), on oak trees, 

 and it very soon rids the tree which is infested by them. 



The Calosoma auropunctatus is peculiar to the south of France. 

 Its larva (Fig. 507) devours snails, and establishes itself in their 

 shells. These larvae have been known to fill themselves so full 

 of food as to become double their natural size; in which state 

 they are sometimes devoured by those of their own species. 

 A smaller kind, the Calosoma inquisitator, is very frequently to 

 be met with in woods. Fig. 508 presents this insect pursuing a 



Fig. 508. Calosoma inquisitator pursuing a Bombardier Beetle (Brachinus explodens). 



Bombardier (Brachinus explodens), which squirts out a vapour of 

 pungent odour. 



In the countries of the south-east of Europe and in Asia 

 Minor, one finds enormous Carabici, the Procrustes and the Pro- 

 ceri, which attain nearly two inches in length, and whose in- 

 teguments resemble very rough shagreen. One species alone is 

 met with in France, the Procrustes coriaceus (Fig. 509). In 

 Austria is found the Procerus gigas (Fig. 510). 



The genus Omophron (Fig. 511) contains small, almost globular 

 Carabici, of a pale yellow, with green lines, and which live in the 

 sand bordering rivers. The Nebrias in general prefer moun- 



