The Bionomics of the Tiger-beetle. 9 
The little larve in captivity were fed on small caterpillars and maggots. 
When about six weeks old they closed their burrows. Those that did so 
before the end of August (approximately) re-opened in about 10 days, 
having accomplished a moult. Their heads were now much larger than 
before, and the diameter of the burrows was correspondingly increased. The 
newly-moulted grubs were always anxious to feed, and were sometimes 
successful in catching small flies for themselves. Three of the newly- 
moulted larvee gave the following measurements. One was slightly over half 
an inch long, another measured 2 of an inch, and the third 74. Throughout 
September the larve were fed mainly on the mining maggots of the 
chrysanthemum fly. These were offered them almost daily, but were not 
always accepted. If the maggots were dropped bodily into the burrows this 
was resented, and the intruder promptly ejected. In the first half of 
September there was much sunshine, and small flies abounded, some of 
which fell a prey to the Tiger larve. The latter half of the month was cold 
and sunless, and the larvee began to close their burrows for hibernation. No 
more freshly moulted individuals appeared ; those which had retired as for 
ecdysis remaining in retreat. One of these was dug up for examination, and 
found to have moulted. The youngest burrows were the last to close. By 
8th October all the burrows had been closed up. 
ADULTS IN CAPTIVITY. 
During all these observations the adults remained perfectly healthy in 
captivity. They were supplied with flies, maggots and caterpillars, as well 
as small bits of raw meat. These last were particularly relished if dipped in 
water and presented wet. In hot weather the sand on the floor of the cages 
was watered daily, and the beetles eagerly sucked up the water. They might- 
be seen lying with their mandibles thrust into the wet sand, or into water 
drops. It sometimes appeared as if the beetles were capable of learning 
through experience. When, for instance, a new form of food was given them, 
the first time they would take it with hesitation—experimentally as it were ; 
but the second time they would at once recognise it, and jump at it (literally) 
with avidity. In the small breeding-cages, also, they became quite indifferent 
to being closely approached and watched, the females even continuing their 
egg-laying perfectly undisturbed by the nearness of an observer. On the 
other hana, a beetle newly imprisoned from the hillside would for some days 
be too excited to settle down. Pairing and ovi-position continued to take 
place all summer, and even in the first half of September in warm sunshine. 
After that the beetles became more and more retiring, moving but little when 
they did appear, and showing no eagerness for food; though, occasionally, when 
