THE WATER BEETLES. 
375 
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VW, K* 
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A very large and important family of Beetles, the Carabidse, now comes before ns, which 
is represented by very many species, the common Ground Beetles being familiar examples. 
The accompanying illustration represents the celebrated Bombar- 
dier Beetle ( Brachmus crepitans ), which belongs to this family. 
This little beetle is plentifully found in many places. When this 
beetle is handled, a sharpish explosion is heard, and on looking at 
the creature, a tiny wreath of bluish vapor is seen to issue from the 
body. This vapor has a very pungent odor, and when discharged 
against the skin, leaves a yellow mark like that produced by nitric B0MBAR ? I f R BEB ? LE : ~^ racUnus 
acid. Originally, it is a liquid, secreted by a certain gland, but as 
soon as it comes in contact with the atmosphere it becomes suddenly volatilized, thereby pro- 
ducing the explosion and causing the smoke-like vapor to arise. The insect can fire off its 
miniature artillery seven or eight times in succession. Even after the death of the insect, the 
explosion can be produced by pressure. 
One species of this genus, Lebia crux-minor , is given in the former illustration. It is 
notable for the cross-like mark from which it derives its name. The largest species belonging 
to this family are to be found in the exotic genus Anthia, an example of which is given in 
the same illustration. The males are remarkable for the enormous size of the mandibles, 
and the thorax, or chest, seems to be divided into two parts. Most of the species are found in 
Southern Africa. Anthia sulcata is a native of Senegal. 
It may be here remarked that the very largest of the Carabiche is a Javanese beetle, 
named Mormolyce, which is mostly found under the 
branches of trees. Mr. Westwood mentions that one 
of these insects in his possession has attained the 
extraordinary length of three inches and a half. As 
may be seen from the engraving, it is a very odd- 
looking insect, hardly recognizable as a beetle, and 
more resembling the mantis than the beetles. It will 
be noticed that this creature has a very long neck, a 
very flat body, elytra wide and flattened like those of 
the leaf-insect, and a thorax also flat and deeply 
toothed at the edges. 
The Oarabidce are represented in North America by numerous species, one of the most 
familiar of which is the one prettily shaped, black, and with gold spots, Calosoma calidum , 
very common in fields. Its habits are somewhat voracious, the Juneb ng sometimes being 
assailed by it, and torn to pieces. A species of Anophthalmus is found in the Mammoth Cave, 
in Kentucky, which is blind, no eyes being visible. 
MORMOLYCE .— Mormolyce phyllodes. 
Passing by the group of Carabidse known as the Scaritidse, a sub-family of beetles which 
are mostly found under stones or in holes near the sea-shore, we come to the Harpalides, of 
which the Harpalus caspicus is our present example. They are mostly rather small, and 
seldom bright colored, with the exception of a few species, such as the well-known Sun 
Beetles, which are so familiar to us as they run actively over gravel walks or roads as if 
enjoying the blazing sunbeams. 
We now come to the large group of Water Beetles, which are divided into .several 
families. The fresh waters of many rivers, ponds, and lakes are very populous with the 
Water Beetles, which may be seen by thousands on a summer day, swimming, diving, rising 
to the surface, and evidently enjoying life to the utmost. 
In order to enable them to perform the various movements which are necessary for their 
aquatic existence, their hind legs are developed into oars with flattened blades and stiff hairy 
fringe, and the mode of respiration is slightly altered in order to accommodate itself to the 
surrounding conditions. It has been already mentioned that in all insects the respiration is 
conducted through a series of apertures set along the sides, and technically called spiracles, 
