114 NATUKAL HISTORY. 



pillars, but seeks principally those of the processionea, 

 which are found on the oak trees. 



The Tiger or Sand Beetle (cincindela campestris). 

 The abdomen is oval and flat, the elytra flat, the head 

 thick ; it is six lines long, and two and a half broad ; 

 blue above, golden-green below, and each wing-case 

 ornamented with six white spots. These beautiful insects 

 are met with everywhere on sandy banks, either flying 

 or moving about with great activity, and, sparkling in 

 the sunbeams, appear like flying gems. Very ferocious, 

 and a deadly enemy to other insects, they receive their 

 name from the inveterate pursuit they maintain against 

 them. Their soft white larvse bury themselves in the 

 sand, keeping only their heads above it, and maintain a 

 steady watch for the approach of prey. There are other 

 varieties, some of which are red, others black. 



The Water Flea (gyrinus natator), sometimes called 

 Whirlwigs, are barely two and a half lines long ; of a 

 brilliant black, with yellow feet, they are frequently 

 seen in spring time on the surface of quiet waters, over 

 which they swim or glide with extreme agility. 



The Water Beetle (dytiscus latissimus), plate 22, fig. 

 15, is nearly an inch and a half long, and about one inch 

 broad; dark brown above, head, neck, and elytra bor- 

 dered with black; the posterior pair of feet are fur- 

 nished with strong hairs, which aid them in swimming, 

 and in the males the first pair of anterior tarsi are cov- 

 ered with small bodies, like suckers, by which they hold 

 fast. They are very voracious, and feed on all the small 

 animals that are usually found in water, whether living 

 or dead. If taken out of the pond, which is not easily 

 done, being hard to catch, they discharge a drop of 

 white fluid, which emits a very disagreeable odor. They 



