182 HALF- HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



tail as if defying all sorts of passers-by, human or 

 otherwise. The power of emitting noisome stenches 

 which characterises so many beetles, seems to reach 

 its maximum in the Bombardier beetle (Bracliinus 

 explodens). It is a rather gracefully-shaped, sober- 

 coloured and smallish insect, and derives its popular 

 name from being able to explode a quantity of the 

 volatile noisome odour, so that it looks like a jet 

 of vapour or smoke. This is used solely for defensive 

 purposes, and is emitted when chased by some larger 

 carnivorous neighbour. How offensive it is may be 

 judged of by the fact that, though the large beetles 

 can stand a good deal in the way of stench, having 

 been pretty well brought up to it, they always 

 recoil at the discharge from the tail of the bom- 

 bardier, and not unfrequently retreat even faster 

 than they commenced the attack ! Indeed, even 

 among the numerous species of beetles with which 

 we are haunted in this country, it is wonderful to 

 .see the variety of means put into use by them for 

 self-defence. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the 

 benefit accruing from these " dodges," but that 

 they are useful in the economy of the insect there 

 can be little doubt. A common object in one's 

 country walks is the Oil beetle (Meloe ticatricosus). 

 It is of a dark indigo blue colour, slow in its motion, 

 and wingless. Here, therefore, we can see the use 

 of the offensive oil which it distils from every joint 

 svhen frightened. The larva manages to attach 

 itself to bees when the latter are seeking pollen or 



