DISEASES OF THE -COTTON PLANT. 
229 
any passing insect that may be crawling about on the 
ground, which, when within reach, is seized, dragged to 
the bottom of its subterranean den, and there devoured at 
leisure. They are of a dirty yellowish white, and are 
furnished with two hooks on the back In the Southern 
States, they are often taken by the boys, by means of a 
piece of grass or straw, which being inserted into their 
dens, is seized by the insect in its crooked jaws, and held 
with such tenacity that it will not let go until, by means 
of a sudden jerk, it is brought to the surface of the ground 
and secured. 
The Carolina tiger-beetle is about seven-tenths of an 
inch in length, of a most beautiful metallic blue, violet, and 
green ; and, when placed in certain positions, it assumes 
the lustre of bronze or gold. It may also be known by a 
yellowish curved spot on the extremity of each wing-case. 
It appears not to be so partial to the light of the sun as 
some other species, but often conceals itself under stones. 
It is also seen much more frequently in the cotton fields 
during cloudy weather, or toward evening, than in a fervid 
mid-day sun. 
The Predatory Beetle — [Harpalus?) 
A beetle belonging to the genus HarpaUs, is very 
beneficial to the cotton planter, inasmuch as its food con- 
sists principally of other insects, and of dead putrescent sub- 
stances. Numbers of them may be seen running about the 
surface of the ground in search of food, and when disturb- 
ed, hide themselves under grass, roots, or stones. The 
formation of their jaws is peculiarly adapted to a predatory 
life. As they are very strong, and hooked at the extremity, 
they are enabled to seize and hold fast any soft-bodied in- 
sect, which they generally kill and devour. 
