350 Miscellaneous. 



H. caliginosics is likewise found eating the seeds of Ambrosia arte- 

 misicefolia. 



H. herhivagus feeds largely upon the tender shoots of grass during 

 March, cutting them off just below the surface; but later it selects the 

 tender blades and the discoloured parts usuallj' found under boards, &c. 

 Amara angiistata, Say, is found quite abundantly upon the heads 

 of June grass {Poa jiratensis, L.). But the most voracious Carabid 

 enemy of this grass is the Anisodactylus sericeus, Harris. 



Early in June 1878 vast numbers of those beetles were noted 

 upon the heads of this grass ; in fact, spots several yards in 

 area were literally covered with them. Alter patient watching 

 (for they are very timid) the proof was conclusive that the unripe 

 seeds were what they were after, and not microscopic insects, as 

 was at first supposed. 



The insect is not only cunning, drawing up its legs and dropping 

 to the ground upon the least disturbance, after the manner of a 

 Chrysomelid, but also shows considerable ingenuity. It grasps the 

 lower extremity of the glume tightly in its mandibles, then relax- 

 ing slightly, passes upward and again tightens its grasp — a series 

 of movements which finally force the seed, which is now of the. 

 consistency of ci'cam, out at the apex. This it at once proceeds to 

 devour with an appetite which reminds one quite forcibly of a tramp 

 Avho has been obliged to earn his dinner in advance. Later in the 

 season it is found feeding in the same manner upon the seeds of 

 Agrostis vtdgnris, Witt. Specimens of Anisodactylus bcdtimorensis, 

 Say, were observed feeding i;pon the marrow and fatty matter 

 clinging to the tibia of some dead animal, probably that of an ox. 

 Attention is called to this as being in perfect accord with micro- 

 scopic observations reported by Mr. Forbes upon another specimen 

 found upon grass a few months later. 



CaJathus gregarius, Say, may be found abundantly upon the heads 

 of timothy grass during tlie earl)- mornings of the beginning of July. 

 Of the genus PJatijmis only a single observation has been obtained ; 

 and this was during the latter part of June of the present year, when 

 two specimens of P. cupripennis, Say, were seen harassing a half- 

 grown cricket, which they had already disabled. The carnivorous 

 habits of beetles are often as difficult to discover as their vegetarian. 

 Usually they are not at aU in favour of public dinners, and, like 

 beasts or birds of prey, prefer to drag their victims to some secluded 

 nook to devour them ; hence if the observer gets any insight into 

 this part of their domestic affairs, he must take them by surprise. 

 In this manner a Stapliylinus cinnamopterus, Grav., was surprised 

 while in the act of devouring an Ayiomoglossus pusillus. Say, having 

 first, to guard against its escape, eaten off four of its legs. 



In another instance, a Dyschirius globulosus. Say, was observed 

 to spring upon a small salmon-coloured maggot-like larva, and, after 

 disabling it, to start off to select a proper place to devour it. After 

 the lapse of several minutes it returned to drag its victim under a 

 small clod of dirt and leisurely feast upon it. 



After the same manner a Bradycellus rupestris, Say, was surprised 

 under a stone while eating a small white thread-like worm. 



