OF THE FARM AND OAEDEN. 285 



it is equally rapacious and will ascend trees in pursuit of 

 prey, or burrow in the earth after Cut-worms. 



The Elongated Ground-beetle, Pasimachus elongatus 

 (fig. 166), is another of our handsome carnivorous beetles. 

 Its color is shining black, bordered with deep blue. It 

 is often met with in our gardens, and preys indiscrim- 

 inately upon all soft-bodied larvae — especially upon the 

 larvae of the Colorado Potato-beetle. 



Several other large predaceous beetles are common in 

 gardens and cultivated grounds, but most of them are 

 plain black or dark brown, and can be easily recognized 

 by their powerful sickle-shaped jaws, 

 and by their quick, active movements. 



Cicindelidce is a family of beetles 

 whose popular name — Tiger-beetles 

 — is very appropriate and signifi- 

 cant. They are somewhat less in 

 size than the above mentioned, and 

 their haunts are mostly confined 

 to sandy soils. These beetles are 

 very alert and swift on the wing, Fig. 166.-elongatbd ' 

 and they pounce down upon an un- GBonnD-BEEiLE. 

 suspecting victim with lightning- (^««'««<^a« .!<«iya!«..) 

 like rapidity. Under a magnifying lens their colors are 

 indescribably beautiful ; the eye is fairly dazzled with 

 their brilliant hues of metallic luster. But the young 

 Tigers are the oddest looking creatures imaginable — as 

 ugly as their parents are beautiful. They are of a dusky- 

 whitish color, with broad, flat heads, and strong curved 

 jaws. They live in burrows or tunnels from eighteen to 

 twenty inches in depth, and their bodies are furnished 

 with a pair of hooks, by which they can hang themselves 

 up and rest at the top of their burrows while waiting for 

 prey. When an unsuspecting insect comes within reach 

 of this ferocious creature it seldom escapes, for the con- 

 cealed watcher springs upon it and takes it to the hot- 



