INSECTA. 113 



the abdomen. This is their only means of defense, and, 

 escaping with a noise, the creature makes use of it to 

 alarm and drive off its enemies. 



The Hessian Fly Root Beetle (zabrus gibbus) is one 

 inch long ; flat and brown ; the larvae are very injurious 

 to fields ; they begin the work of devastation in autumn, 

 and eat the roots of winter grain. The following sum- 

 mer the beetles feast on what the grubs have left, saga- 

 ciously keeping under clods in the daytime, but at night 

 climbing on the stalk, they devour all before them, and 

 thus ruin the harvest. 



The Golden or Dor Beetle (carabus auratus) is ob- 

 long, with arched or convex wings ; as these are elytra 

 only, and not genuine wings, it does not fly ; the mandi- 

 bles are strong ; its length is one inch, breadth three 

 lines ; its color is brilliant green, something resembling 

 polished copper, hence its name. It is found under 

 stones, and in the neighborhood of dunghills, and is the 

 most inveterate foe of the maybugs, pursuing and devour- 

 ing them without mercy. 



The Ground Beetle (carabus coriaceus) is one of the 

 largest found in Europe; its length is more than an 

 inch, its color dull black. 



The Little Caterpillar Hunter (carabus inquisitor) 

 is eight lines long, winged ; its color is a beautiful cop- 

 pery green, resembling verd antique. The posterior 

 portion of the body is angular. It is rather rare, and 

 feeds on caterpillars, going out to hunt them in the 

 morning and evening. 



The Larger Hunting Beetle (carabus sycophanta), 

 plate 17, fig. 6, measures more than an inch ; its color 

 is a dark violet, but on the abdomen and wing-cases 

 golden-green or brilliant copper ; it goes after all cater- 



