Bright and Shining Ones. 



117 



COMMON TIGER BEETLE. 

 Larvae in Burrows. Two Other Species in Background. 



dusty road-sides suit him best, and there, what time the sun 

 looks down in all his burning ardor, our little friend is met, 

 his purpose bent on slaughter. Other species might be 

 instanced, for North America contains at least a hundred, 

 but enough have been given for our present object. 



Tiger Beetles may well be called beneficial insects. 

 Although they do not, like that brilliant murderess, the 

 dragon-fly, clear the atmosphere of the gnats and flies that 

 torment mankind, but still, with their powerful curved dag- 

 gers, which serve them for jaws, they accomplish a swift and 

 almost incredible havoc among the smaller insects. We should 

 take care of them, and respect them, for they are an invalu- 

 able auxiliary to the farmer. 



The ferocity of these insects is remarkable. No sooner 

 have they taken their prey, than they quickly strip it of 

 wings and legs, and proceed at once to suck out the con- 

 tents of its abdomen. Often when they are disturbed in 



