Bright and Shining Ones. 117 
SS 
COMMON TIGER BEETLE. 
Larve in Burrows. Two Other Species in Background. 
dusty road-sides suit him best, and there, what time the sun 
looks down in all his burning ardor, our little friend is met, 
his purpose bent on slaughter. Other species might be 
instanced, for North America contains at least a hundred, 
but enough have been given for our present object. 
Tiger Beetles may well be called beneficial insects. 
Although they do not, like that brilliant murderess, the 
dragon-fly, clear the atmosphere of the gnats and flies that 
torment mankind, but still, with their powerful curved dag- 
gers, which serve them for jaws, they accomplish a swift and 
almost incredible havoc among the smallerinsects. We should 
take care of them, and respect them, for they are an invalu- 
able auxiliary to the farmer. 
The ferocity of these insects is remarkable. No sooner 
have they taken their prey, than they quickly strip it of 
wings and legs, and proceed at once to suck out the con- 
tents of its abdomen. Often when they are disturbed in 
