112 Life and Immortality. 
explodes, looking very much like a discharge of powder from 
aminiature artillery. In consequence of this phenomenon the 
insect which produces it is popularly called the Bombardier 
Beetle. 
So small a coleopter, being scarcely one-fourth of an inch 
in length, and so comparatively weak, is likely to be attacked 
by the larger Geodephaga, or Earth Devourers, and espe- 
cially by the Carabi, which inhabit similar retreats. But for 
this curious defence the smaller insect could have but the 
BRACHINUS PURSUED BY AN ENEMY. 
His Curious and Unique Method of Defence. 
barest chance of living in the struggle for existence. Often 
have I seen a Carabus in hot pursuit of Brachinus. The 
chase is always an interesting one, and never fails, however 
frequently it has been observed, of attracting attention and 
exciting admiration. But the wide-awake, ever watchful 
Brachinus never loses his head for a second when thus pur- 
sued, but like the clever artilleryman that he is, awaits the 
opportune moment, and then pours a heavy discharge of his 
fulminating fluid into the very face of the enemy. Baffled, 
