102 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



each an ear-like joint fringed with colourless flat hairs, which 

 shuts it into the cavity in front of the eyes. 



LEG OF BRACHINUS. 

 (Bombadier Beetle.} 



A small red and black Beetle, common near London, 

 which has the power of defending itself by letting off smoke 

 with the noise of a pop-gun. It is furnished with an internal 

 bladder capable of firing off twenty shots in succession. If 

 this smoke gets into the eyes it makes them smart as if they 

 had been bathed with brandy. This little fellow has a 

 bitter enemy in the Calamosa, a larger beetle, which hunts it^ 

 without mercy. As it finds it impossible to escape by speed 

 of foot, it stops short and awaits its pursuer; but just 

 as he is about to seize it, he is saluted by a discharge, and 

 while he is for a moment stupefied with surprise, the 

 bombadier endeavours to gain a hiding place. (See 'Insect 

 Miscellanies/ also Bonche de Brachinus, in Baker's col- 

 lection.) 



LEG OF ANCHOMENUS, 



a small green Beetle, nearly allied to Brachinus, as the 

 leg will show ; both of them have that very curious curve 

 in the tibia which is peculiar ta the Carabici. These are 

 swift-running beetles, and many of them have no wings 

 under their elytra : they belong to the Pentamera, having 

 Jive tarsi or ankle-joints. (See also Bouche et Palpes, in 

 Baker's collection.) 



LEG OF CALATHUS CASTELO1DES. 



A very abundant and pretty Beetle about half an inch 

 long, black or brown, with black, or sometimes red legs. 

 Found under stones near London. It has five joints in the 

 tarsi, therefore belongs to the first order of Coleoptera, the 

 Pentamera. The claws are toothed like a comb, and 

 the male has three joints of the anterior tarsi dilated. 

 (See also Bouche et Palpes de Calathus, in Baker's col- 

 lection.) 



