CAN 
analized, yield a confiderable quantity of volatile 
cauftic fait, mixed with a little oil, phlegm, and 
earth, 
Cantharides are penetrating and corrofive ; and, 
when applied to the fkin, raife blifters from which 
proceed a great deal of ferous matter. They are 
ufed both internally and externally: however, they 
ought to be prefcribed with caution, as their etfefts 
fall very violently on the urinary paffages; and, in 
many cafes, have proved mortal, either through the 
wantonnefs or injudicioufnefs of the prefcriber. 
Though feveral authors have endeavoured to ac- 
count for the effefts of Cantharides on the human 
frame, we are ftill in the dark j for all they have faid 
on the fubjedl amounts to no more than this, that 
they univerfally affedl the urinary paffages, in a 
manner which may be very fcientifically defcribed, 
but very obfcurely comprehended. 
Linnaeus takes notice of ten different fpecies of 
Cantharides ; the ni-ft of which he calls the female 
Cantharis without wings, which is ufually found on 
the juniper-tree. He informs us that, though he 
has never yet feen the male, he does not doubt 
that there is one, becaufe the female fliines in the 
dark ; as he thinks, with an intent to difcover her- 
felf to the male. This feems to be the fame as the 
glow-worm; and confirms, in fome meafure, what 
Dale has advanced Concerning it. 
Cantharis, with a red breaft and blackifli cafes 
to the wings. This fpecies is very large, being 
above an inch and a half long, and a quarter of an 
inch in diameter. It is fofter to the touch than 
moft other infefe of the beetle kind ; and has a 
flattifh head and back, except under the eyes. 
The mouth is fmall and forked ; and the feelers are 
very fliort and Irnall ; but there are others half tlie 
length of the body, confiding of eleven joints, red- 
difh near the bafe, and brown in every other part. 
The breaft is deprefied belund, and cordiform; 
but the edges are fomewhat prominent ; the whole 
being of a reddifh colour, except a black fpot on 
the upper part, clofe to the head. The cafes of 
the wings are plain, fmooth, and oblong, but vei-y 
foft and flexible, and of a brownifh-black colour. 
The body is brown, except the laft joint, which 
is reddifhj a tinge of the fame colour runs along 
the fides, which are compreffed ; and the joints, 
which are in a manner folded over each other, are 
covered with a fort of pimples. This fpecies of 
Cantharis is common about houfes in the country, 
and under hedges. 
Cantharis, red-breafted, with red cafes to 
the wings. This fpecies is fmall. The body is 
black ; and the cafes of the wings, as well as the 
breaft, are of a bright elegant red, except that there 
is a black fpot on the latter. The feelers are flen- 
der^ the cafes of the wings are foft, filky, and flex- 
ible 3 and the wings are thin, and of a brown co- 
lour. This infe6t is not very common. 
Cantharis, witli black cafes to the wings, 
marked with two red tranfverfe lines. This 
infeft is not larger than a loufe. The legs and 
feelers are black; the head and breaft are of a 
greenifh colour; the cafes of the wings are of a 
deep glofly black, marked with two tranfverfe red 
ftreaks, one of which is near the bafe, and the other 
near the point or extremity ; and the fides of the 
body are reddifh. This fpecies is frequently found 
in pafture-grounds, and under hedges. 
Cantharis, with teftaceous cafes to the wings, 
and a red breafl. This infed, which is very com- 
mon, refembles the laft fpecies in every rcfped, ex- 
CAS 
cept the colour of the cafes of the wings, which are 
of a pale yellow. The breaft is deftitute of fpots, 
and the eyes are black. 
Cantharis, with black cafes to the wings, and 
a red breaft marked with a white fpot. This fpe- 
cies, which is called the tree-beetle by fome natu- 
ralifts, is of a blackifli-brown colour; and the cafes 
of the wings are flentler. 
Cantharis, with red cafes to the wings, and a 
red breaft marked with a black ipot. This crea- 
ture is found in various places, and fometimes 
among heaps of iron ore. The body is entirely 
black; the feelers are very ftender; the cafes of 
the wings are of a deep red, or faffron-colour, 
flightly ftreaked; but the wdngs diemfelves are 
brown. 
Cantharis, green copper-coloured, with the 
cafes to the wings externally red. This infe<51:, 
which is of a middling fize, is found on nettles, 
and lbm.e other plants, ^hc head, breaft, feelers, 
rings of the belly, and the lower part of the cafes 
of the wings, as well as their interior edges, are of 
a greenifli coj^per colour ; but the extreme part of 
the cafes of the wings, as well as the fides, are red, 
and the remainder of a greenifti copper colour; 
but the wings are brown. 
Cantharis, of a greenifli copper colour, with 
red tips to the cafes of the wings. This infeft is 
fmall. The wings are of a blackifli brown; and 
the feelers are entirely black. The breaft, head, 
and cafes of the wings, "are of a deep green-colour, 
inclining to copper, with red or faffron-coloured 
points. The belly is longer than the cafes, and, 
underneath, of a copper colour; but the wings are 
internally red. This fpecies, however, varies with 
refpeft to the cafes of the wings, which are fome- 
times blue, and at others red. 
Cantharis, with black cafes to the wings, 
marked with two red ftreaks. The head and brcafi 
of this infecl, which is no larger thau. a loufe, arq 
green. 
Cantharis, with black cafes to the wir^gs, yel- 
low points, and a black breaft. This fpecies is 
likewife of the fize of a loufe ; but the head and 
breaft are entirely black. The tips of tlie cafes of 
the wings are of a yellow fulphur colour; and the 
fides of the belly are of a bright yellow. 
Cantharis, brown, with the cafes of the wings 
yellow at the points, and a red breaft. This fpe- 
cies is very fmall. The breaft is of a rufty red 
colour, with a black fpot ; the cafes of the wings, 
which are brown, fcarcely reach half way down the 
belly; the thighs are black; the legs are pale; 
and the fegment on the belly is yellow on the 
edges. 
Cantharis, black, with livid cafes to thewings. 
This is the moft minute infed of the kind, and is 
only found on plants. 
CANTHARUS. A fea-fifti nearly refem- 
blingthe fparus and fargus in fliape, but of a darlcer 
colour, and covered with fmall fcales, without the 
annular black fpots which thefe fifties ufually have 
near their tails. It is common in the Mediterra- 
nean feas ; and is frequently brought to market at 
Rome, where it is efteemed a well-tafted fifh. 
The Cantharus of antiquity is called by Artedi 
the filver-eyed fparus, with longitudinal and pa;-al- 
lel yellow lines on each fide. Gaza gives this fifh 
the appellation of fcharabseus. 
CANUTI AVIS. SeeTRiNGA. 
CAOUANNE. A fpecies of tortoife which 
bears, a ftrong refemblance to the jurucua of the 
Brazilians ; 
