OF THE ORDER COLEOPTERA. -267 



denomination, because it does not apply to all the insects 

 comprehended in the division, and even says that the harpa- 

 v^ lus prashms combats its enemies by the same means as the 

 brachinus crepitans. On this M. Latreille makes a singular 

 remark, that this harpalus possesses this property in Switzer- 

 land, but not in France, as appeared from this eminent 

 naturalist's researches on a very great number of individuals. 

 M. Bonnelli was not more fortunate in discovering this pro- 

 perty among the harpali of Italy. 



The following is Mr. Kirby's account of this very curious 

 phenomenon : — " The most famous for their exploits in this 

 way are those which, on this account, are distinguished by the 

 name of Bombardiers. The most common species {B. cre- 

 pitans), which is found occasionally in many parts of Britain, 

 when pvu-sued by its great enemy, Calosoma inquisitor^ 

 seems at first to have no mode of escape, when suddenly a 

 loud explosion is heard, and a blue smoke, attended by a 

 very disagreeable scent, is seen to proceed from its anus, 

 which immediately stops the progress of its assailant ; when 

 it has recovered the effect of it, and the pursuit is renewed, 

 a second discharge again arrests its course. The bombardier 

 can fire its artillery twenty times in succession, if necessary, 

 and so gain time to effect its escape. Another species B. 

 Displosor, makes explosions similar to those of B. crepitans^ 

 when irritated it can give ten or twelve good discharges; 

 but afterwards, instead of smoke, it emits a yellow or brown 

 fluid. By bending the joints of its abdomen, it can direct 

 its smoke to any particular point. M. Leon Dufour observes 

 that this smoke has a strong and pungent odour, which has 

 a striking analogy with that exhaled by the nitric acid. It 

 is caustic, reddening white paper, and producing on the 

 skin the sensation of burning, and forming red spots, which 

 pass into brown, and, though washed, remain several days." 



The brachinus biniaculatus also produces a very strong 



