118 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



The tribe which next ^resents itself to our notice 

 is of very great extent, including a vast assemblage 

 of species which differ considerably from each other 

 in appearance and habit. They are named CARABICI 

 by modern authors, a term which corresponds to 

 the old and comprehensive genus Carabus of Linne. 

 They are readily distinguished from the preceding 

 tribe by the structure of the lower jaws, which ter- 

 minate simply in a hook without any articulation. 

 The form of the typical or characteristic kinds is 

 handsome ; and although the prevailing hue is ob- 

 scure, not a few of them are ornamented with 

 colours of great brilliancy. The head is usually 

 somewhat triangular, and borne horizontally or slight- 

 ly inclined ; the thorax more or less heart-shaped 

 and truncated, with a longitudinal impressed line in 

 the middle ; and the abdomen is long and oval, hav- 

 ing a considerable degree of convexity both above 

 and below. The legs are generally long and power- 

 ful, and most of the species run with great rapidity ; 

 but few of them fly well, and no inconsiderable num- 

 ber are entirely destitute of wings. The organs of 

 the mouth are very fully developed, demonstrating 

 a decidedly carnivorous disposition ; but the mandi- 

 bles are never furnished with such prominent teeth 

 as those of the Tiger-beetles. 



Many of these insects are characterized by having 

 the hinder extremity of the elytra truncated or cut 

 across ; and they seldom completely cover the ab- 

 domen, but leave a small portion of its apex exposed. 



