654 Tfo Influence of Light on the [November, 
soaring away like a flash of green light. Now, with very 
few and doubtful exceptions, the insetfls of this form are 
nearly as gaily coloured on the abdominal as on the dorsal 
surface. In the Carabidae, and especially in the true Carabs, 
we notice a complete reversal of these conditions. Many of 
the species in question are unable to fly. This, indeed, is 
universal in the case of the great genus Carabus proper.* 
Their movements upon the ground are much less rapid and 
frequent than those of the tiger-beetles. In accordance 
with the difference in the locomotive powers and habits of 
the two groups, we find the Carabs, even when brilliant upon 
their upper surface, dull and dark-coloured beneath. As 
common examples of this we may take Carabus nitens i C. 
anraius (so common in France), C. auronitens , C. pyrenceus , 
&c. 
Mr. Lewis may claim another affirmative instance for his 
law in the Buprestidse. These rank among the most volatile 
of all beetles. In cloudy weather they are rarely to be 
found, and in the sunshine, even in Europe, they spend much 
time in the air, and take wing at once if approached care- 
lessly. In warm climates they even flit up and down with- 
out apparent motive, dancing in the air with almost the ease 
of gnats. And in accordance with these great powers of 
flight they are generally admitted to be the most gorgeously 
coloured animals known. Not only so, but their abdominal 
surface is often as bright and as iridescent as their elytra, 
and as the pronotum. There are indeed a few exceptions: 
Sternocera chrysidiodes (Madras) is black underneath ; so also 
are Cyria imperialis (Australia), Julidomorpha Bakewellii 
(Adelaide), Stigmodera grandis , S. macularia , and S. semi- 
cincta (New South Wales), as also S. nasuta (Victoria). But 
so few are these exceptions that we feel at liberty to ask 
whether there may not be in their habits some anomaly 
which makes them thus deviate from the bulk of their near 
allies. It must also not be forgotten that some of the 
Buprestidse are sombre both above and below, whilst a few 
are even more brightly coloured below than above. 
* We have never seen a satisfa&ory suggestion as to the absence or the 
mere ludimentary condition of the wings in this fine group. In accordance 
with U e dodtrine of Natural Selection the wings must have gradually become 
aloitive because found useless, or inconvenient, but as far as the habits of 
these creatures are known this is hard to understand. Multitudes of them 
perish at present in floods, whilst if they had wings they might escape the 
danger. In populous countries great numbers of them are crushed in the early 
morning by the feet of workmen and others. The possession of wings would 
enable the inse&s to avoid this peril. Being also beasts of prey, the power of 
flight would give them chance of securing booty which must now escape them. 
