COLEOPTERA. 
371 
mentum. The ligula is similar to that of the Graphipteri, but the 
lateral divisions form a small pointed projection. What particularly 
distinguishes this, as well as the following subgenus, is the fact, that 
the oval and thick abdomen contains organs which secrete a caustic 
liquor of a penetrating odour, that issues from the anus with a cre- 
pitus and instantly evaporates. This fluid produces a discoloration 
of the skin similar to that caused by nitric acid, and if the species be 
large, a burn, accompanied with pain. M. Leon Dufour has described 
the organs which secrete it ■*. 
These Insects are frequently found in society, at least in the spring, 
under stones. They employ the above mentioned mode of defence 
to terrify their enemies, and can repeat the discharge a number of 
times. The larger species inhabit tropical and other hot climates to 
the limits of the temperate zone. 
Apt. balista, Dej., Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d’Eur., II, viii, 1 ; 
Brachinus displosor, Duft. From five to eight lines in length ; 
black, with a fulvous thorax and sulcated elytra. Navan’e and 
various parts of Spain and Portugal. 
Apt. pyrenceus, Dej., Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d’Eur., H, viii, 
3. From three to four lines in length ; deep black; antennae 
and palpi fulvous; feet of a russet yellow f. The elytra are sul- 
cated. It was discovered by Count Dejean in the department of 
the Pyrennees-Orientales. 
Brachinus, Web. Fab. 
The Brachini only differ from the Aptini in being furnished with 
wings, and in the circumstance of the emargination of their mentum 
having no tooth. 
Some, generally the largest and mostly foreign to Europe, have 
their elytra very sensibly sulcated or ribbed. Of this number is a 
species common to the Antilles and Cayenne, the 
Brack, complanatus , Fab.; Carabus planus, Oliv. HI, vi, 63. 
From six to eight lines in length; russet yellow; the elytra 
black, no humeral point, a sinuous band traversing their middle, 
and a russet yellow spot at their extremity ; their external mar- 
gin of the same’ colour ; posterior angles of the thorax prolonged 
into a point. 
The elytra of the others are smooth or but slightly sulcated. In 
the environs of Paris the following species are usually to be found. 
Brack, crepitans. Fab. ; Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d’Eur., H, viii, 
6; Panz., Faun., Insect. Germ. XX, 5. Average length four 
lines; fulvous; elytra sometimes deep blue, at others bluish- 
green, and slightly sulcated ; antenme fulvous, but the third and 
fourth joints blackish ; the pectus, its middle excepted, and the 
abdomen, black. This species has been confounded with the 
* Mem. sur le Brachine tirailleur, Ann. du Mus. d’Hist. Nat. XA’^II, 70, 5, and 
the Ann. des Sc. Nat. VI, p. 320. 
t See Hist. Nat. des Coleop. d’Eur., and the Species des Coleop., Dej., i. 
B n 2 
