Objects for the Microscope. 97 



these filaments are on both margins, on the hindmost only 

 on the outer margin. 



The tarsi are five-jointed, but the three upper ones are 

 most curiously fashioned into long leaf-like lobes, fringed 

 with spines, the fourth joint is about the same size and 

 semi-circular, and the fifth very short-armed, with two 

 claws, as indeed is each tarsal joint. 



Circulating currents may be seen in the hind-legs. Also, 

 if you catch one, examine its very curious eyes divided into 

 two parts, the upper group for viewing objects in the air, 

 and the lower those in the water. The antenna? are remark- 

 able, not only in shape, but in being retractile and having 

 each an ear-like joint fringed with colourless flat hairs, which 

 shuts it into the cavity in front of the eyes. 



LEG OF BRACHINUS. 



(Bomladier Beetle.) 



A small red and black Beetle, common near London, 

 which has the power of defending itself by letting off smoke 

 with the noise of a pop-gun. It is furnished with an internal 

 bladder capable of firing off twenty shots in succession. If 

 this smoke gets into the eyes it makes them smart as if 

 they had been bathed with brandy. This little fellow has a 

 bitter enemy in the Calamosa, a larger beetle, which hunts it 

 without mercy. As it finds it impossible to escape by speed 

 of foot, it stops short and awaits its pursuer ; but just as 

 he is about to seize it, he is saluted by a discharge, and 

 while he is for a moment stupefied with surprise, the 

 bombadier endeavours to gain a hiding place. (See ' Insect 

 Miscellanies'; also Bouche de Brachinus, in Baker's col- 

 lection.) 



LEG OF AXCHOMESUS, 



a small green Beetle, nearly allied to Brachinus, as the 

 leg will show ; both of them have that very curious curve 

 in the tibia which is peculiar to the Carabici. These are 

 swift-running beetles, and many of them have no wings 

 under their elytra : they belong to the Pentamera, having 

 jive tarsi or ankle-joints. (See also Bouche et Palpes, in 

 Baker's collection.) 



