CAR A BUS, 69 



Their voracity is exemplified by Reaumur, in 

 his account of the larva of the Carabus Syco- 

 phanta. That insect, with its scaly pincers, 

 will attack a caterpillar by the belly, and bury- 

 ing its head in the body, notwithstanding the 

 writhing of the sufferer, will persevere till the 

 whole is devoured. The largest caterpillar is 

 hardly sufficient for one day's nourishment; and 

 it will eat several in the same day, when they are 

 to be found. They are so gluttonous, that when 

 they have an opportunity, they stuff themselves 

 to such a degree, that the skin seems ready to 

 crack with repletion. This inordinate appetite 

 does not always go unpunished ; for Reaumur 

 says, that he has sometimes seen the largest of 

 these worms, when from repletion they have 

 been unable to move, attacked by the young 

 and active of their own species, who in their 

 turn have fattened on the bodies of their bre- 

 thren. It seems these young barbarians were 

 not driven to this act from necessity, since there 



were abundance of caterpillars to be had at the 

 time. 



The Carabi are very active insects, and are 



