SHEATH-WINGED INSECTS 237 



regale themselves on it. Their trade of making 

 these little balls or pills has given them the express- 

 ive name of pill-mixers. 



"Let us pass on to other kinds. This one, for ex- 

 ample, is called the calosoma. By reason of the ele- 

 gance of its form and the richness of its coloring 

 it is one of the most beautiful insects of our region. 

 Its back has the brilliance of a gem such as no jeweler 

 ever possessed. One would really take it to be made 

 of gold, but gold of a peculiar sort and much richer 

 than ours, flashing as it does with red, green, and 

 purple glints. There is nothing to compare with 

 this dazzling costume. It should be added that if the 

 insect is taken between the fingers it emits, as a 

 means of defense, a strong odor reminding one of a 

 chemist's disagreeable drugs. 



"The calosoma does not share the scarab's peace- 

 ful habits : it is an ardent hunter and leads a life of 

 carnage. Its prey is the caterpillar, the bigger the 

 better, whether smooth-skinned or hairy. If you 

 happen to find a calosoma, put it into a good-sized 

 bottle and give it for dinner a lusty young caterpillar 

 as large as your finger. You will see with what fero- 

 cious satisfaction this drinker of blood will disem- 

 bowel the poor worm, despite all its writhing and 

 squirming, and will feast on its green entrails. 



"The carabid, which is also a passionate lover of 

 game, has the calosoma 's activity and brilliance, but 

 is of smaller size. Some are bronze in color, others 

 golden, still others of a copper tint, or black edged 

 with a superb violet. All explore with keen scrutiny 



