On Kntomnlugy. 
421 
sometimes black. The insect? of this family, like their predece'^sors, 
do not confine themselves to vegetables, but destroy and eat all 
kinds of insects they can overcome; and the C. auratus, is sup- 
posed to destroy more Cockchaft'ers, (^Melolontha vulrjaris) than all its 
other enemies put together; it attacks and kills the females at the time 
of oviposition, or egg-laying, — thus preventing the birth of thousands 
of young grubs. The C. nitreus, chiefly inhabits heath. This fa- 
mily contains 8 genera, all of similar rapacious habits, amongst which 
are the famous Calosoma sycophanta, and inquisUor, [figs. 69 & 70] 
69 
70 
\\ 
The larv'fe of the former, not only devour — to a degree of gluttony, 
other insects that fall in their way, but likewise show a disposition to 
eat one another, and when their appetites are satisfied, to wantonly 
destroy each other ; they are universally allowed to be the most vora- 
cious grubs upon record ; and the latter one, is most remarkable for 
its determined manner of hunting its prey, (particularly the little 
Bombardier, (^BrachinjtrS crepitans,) when in the perfect, or beetle 
state. 
Family V. — Harpalidce. (Imps, Sun-shiners, &c.) — This family 
contains 40 genera. The species that has created the most alarm 
amongst agriculturists, is the Zahrus gibhus, 
[fig. 71] which was supposed, both when in its 
grub and perfect state, to be a great destroj'er 
of corn. — In 1813, no less than 230 acres of 
young wheat were said to have been destroyed 
by it. It was also supposed to be the same 
insect which caused such great destruction 
amongst the corn in Italy, in 1776. Mr. 
Stephens, howevei-, in his Illustrations, Vol. 1, 
jtages 4 and 140, thinks it unjustly blamed, 
71 
