BRITISH INSECTS 



the extremity of its body a volatile fluid which vaporises 

 with a slight explosion when coming into contact with 

 the air. When being pursued by an enemy, and the 

 Bombardier fires a " shot," the effect on the former 

 can be better imagined than described. If the first 

 " shot " fails, quite a little cannonade is kept up until 

 the ammunition gives out. 



The Devil's Coach-Horse, or Cocktail Beetle [Ocypus 



iq" 10. 

 Devil's CoacK Hor-se.. 



olens, Fig. lo), is a familiar tenant of the garden, and its 

 mourning attire, and threatening attitude as it turns 

 up its head and " tail," are well known. It has quick 

 powers of movement, is about an inch in length, and 

 has very short wing-cases. It produces the largest 

 egg of any British insect. It is a useful species, the 

 larva and adult feeding upon slugs and the larvae of other 

 insects. It is called by the specific name of olens = 

 stinking, because of the odour it gives off. 



The ceaseless gyrations of the Whirligig Beetle {Gyri- 

 nus natator) as, joined by numerous companions, it 

 rushes round and round the surface of pond or stream, 

 is another common water-dweller. As it pursues its 

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