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Genus XXV. CARABVS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna filiform, about halt as long as the body. 

 Palpi six. Thorax somewhat heart-shaped, 

 with the apex truncated, and margined. 

 Elytra margined. Tarsi with five articu- 

 lations. 



General Observations. 



This is a numerous genus, and most of the 

 species are apterous. They have wing-cases, 

 indeed, but when they are separated from the 

 body, the rudiments only of the wings appear; 

 that is to say, a little, thin, strait, membranous 

 film, differing in length, but always too short 

 for the purpose of flight. Such as have wings 

 rarely make use of them. 



The larvas of the Carabi live in the ground, 

 and in rotten wood. They are difficult to meet 

 with, and consequently but little known. They 

 have a long soft body, with six scaly feet, and 

 a pair of strong jaws, with which they seize 

 the larvae of such insects as serve them for food. 



