SAMOUELLE'S 

 ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



CICINDELA GERMANICA. Linn. 



T INNE has with justice denominated the Cicinde- 

 lidce the tigers of insects. Though decorated 

 with brilliant colours, they prey upon the whole in- 

 sect race ; their formidable jaws, which cross each 

 other, are armed with fearful fangs, showing to what 

 use they are applicable ; and the extreme velocity 

 with which they can either run or fly, renders hope- 

 less any attempt to elude their pursuit. Their larvae, 

 which inhabit sand banks and dry and hot situations, 

 are also equally tremendous with the perfect insect, 

 having six single eyes, three on each side, seated on a 

 lateral elevation of the head, which look like those of 

 spiders, and besides their threatening jaws, armed 

 with a strong internal tooth, being furnished with 

 a pair of spines, resembling somewhat the sting of 

 a scorpion, which stand erect upon the back of the 

 abdomen, and give them a most ferocious aspect. 

 This last apparatus, according to Clairville, serves 

 the purpose of an anchor for retaining them at any 

 height in their deep cells. 



This elegant little insect, C. Germanica, which is 

 the smallest of the British species, is of a splendid 

 blue green and subject to great variation in colour : 

 the head and thorax have a most beautiful silky ap- 

 pearance, and are, more or less, of a coppery tint ; the 

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