COLEOPTERA. 37 1 



mentum. The ligula is similar to that of the Graphipteri, but the 

 lateral divisions form a small jjointed projection. What particularly 

 distinguishes this, as well as the following subgenus, is the fact, that 

 the oval and thick abdomen contains organs which secrete a caustic 

 liquor of a penetrating odour, that issues from the anus with a cre- 

 pitus and instantly evaporates. This fluid produces a discoloration 

 of the skin similar to that caused by nitric acid, and if the species be 

 large, a burn, accompanied with pain. M. Leon Dufour has described 

 the organs which secrete it *. 



These Insects are frequently found in society, at least in the spring, 

 under stones. They employ the above mentioned mode of defence 

 to terrify their enemies, and can repeat the discharge a number of 

 times. The larger species inhabit tropical and other hot climates to 

 the limits of the temperate zone. 



Apt. balista, Dej., Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d'Eur., II, viii, I • 

 Brachinus displosor, Duft. From five to eight lines in length ; 

 black, with a fulvous thorax and sulcated elytra. Navarre and 

 various parts of Spain and Portugal. 



Apt. pyrenoius, Dej., Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d'Eur., II, viii, 

 3. From three to four lines in length ; deep black; antennae 

 and palpi fulvous ; feet of a russet yellow f. The elytra are sul- 

 cated. It was discovered by Count Dejean in the department of 

 the Pyrennees-Orientales. 



Brachinus,. Web. Fab. 



The Brachini only differ from the Aptini in being furnished with 

 wings, and in the circumstance of the emargination of their mentum 

 having no tooth. 



Some, generally the largest and mostly foreign to Europe, have 

 their elytra very sensibly sulcated or ribbed. Of this number is a 

 species common to the Antilles and Cayenne, the 



Brack, complanatus. Fab.; Car abus planus, Oliv. Ill, vi, 63, 

 From six to eight lines in length; russet yellow; the elytra 

 black, no humeral point, a sinuous band traversing their middle, 

 and a russet yellow spot at their extremity ; their external mar- 

 gin of the same colour ; posterior angles of the thorax prolonged 

 into a point. 



The elytra of the others are smooth or but slightly sulcated. In 

 the environs of Paris the following species are usually to be found. 



Brack, crepitans. Fab. ; Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d'Eur., II, viii, 

 6; Panz., Faun., Insect. Germ. XX, 5. Average length four 

 lines; fulvous; elytra sometimes deep blue, at others bluish- 

 green, and slightly sulcated ; antennae fulvous, but the third arid 

 fourth joints blackish ; the pectus, its middle excepted, and the 

 abdomen, black. This species has been confounded with the 



* M(?m. sur le Bractiine tirailleur, Ann. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat. XVII, 70, 5, and 

 the Ann. des So. Nat. VI, p. 320. 



t See Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d'Eur., and the Species des Coleop., Dej., 1. 



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