382 THE OIL BEETLE. 
TowArps the middle of spring and for the next month, may be found certain very hand- 
some looking beetles of a deep, rich, red color, and remarkable for the beautifully-toothed 
antennee. This insect is to be seen mostly upon flowers, and is popularly known by the name 
of CarpinaL BrerLe. The scientific title is Pyrochréa rubens. This is the only European 
genus of the family to which it belongs, and which is called Pyrochroide, in allusion to the 
typical genus. The word Pyrochroa, or Flame-colored, is given to this beetle on account of 
its bright red exterior. 
A succeeding family, the Mordellidee, is chiefly remarkable for the curious fact that the 
larvee of several of its genera, those of the Ripiphorus, for example, inhabit the nest of the 
common wasp, undeterred by the poisoned stings of their involuntary hosts from taking pos- 
session of their home. It seems that each specimen of this beetle monopolizes a single cell, 
and entomologists are of opinion that the nurse wasps feed the intruders, together with the 
rightful owners of the cells, not being able to distinguish between them. 
THE insect represented in the accompanying illustration is found in Europe, and is here 
given as an exampie of the family Cantharide, of which the Buister FLy, sometimes called 

BLISTERS, OR SPANISH FLIES, WITH LARVA.—Ly(ta ve-icatoria. 
the Spanisu Fiy, is the typical species. In the illustration, both insects and the larva are 
magnified. 
In the whole of this family, certain noxious elements are strongly developed, which, like 
all other noxious things, can be transmuted and modified into benefits by those who know how 
to use them. There is a certain substance secreted within these creatures technically called 
Cantharidin, and looking, when separated from extraneous matter, like minute crystalline 
flakes of snowy whiteness. It can be dissolved in spirit, but not in water. — 
Spain is famous for the multitudes of Blister Flies which are found within its limits, and 
the whole of South-western Europe is prolific in this remarkable beetle. Whenever it may be 
present, its vicinity is known by the powerful odor which it exhales, just as the musk and 
tiger beetles may be detected by the nostril, though unperceived by the eye. On account of 
its peculiar properties, it is not easily prepared, the dust which flies from the dried and drying 
insects being light, searching, pungent, and inflammatory to the last degree. 
The larva or grub of this beetle is said to reside under ground, and to feed upon the roots 
of vegetables. 
The Spanish Fly is a handsome insect, nearly an inch in length, and of a rich silken green, 
with a gold gloss in certain lights. It is a very remarkable fact that fish will eat the Cantharis 
without injury, and anglers have found, rather to their surprise, that if they could fix a Can- 
tharis on their hook, it proved to be a very effectual bait for fish, the chub seeming particu- 
larly fond of this very stimulating food. The common hedgehog has been known to eat these 
insects with impunity. 
3HLONGING to the same family, and very common in Europe, is an insect which popularly 
goes by the appropriate name of Orn BEETLE, because, when handled, it has the property of 
pouring a yellowish, oily fluid from the joints of its legs. 
The abdomen is extremely large in proportion to the rest of the body, and the short, 
