300 
TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
have an opportunity, instead of preserving them. They are of 
a beautiful golden green colour, the antennae and legs are of a 
russet tint, an i the elytra are decorated with three rounded, 
sculptured ribs. This Carabus, which the French call the Gar- 
dener, and, for some extraordinary reason, the Sempstress, eats 
caterpillars, snails, and even attacks the May bugs, in spite of 
Carabus auratus. 
their weight. Sometimes in the spring a very curious massacre 
may be witnessed, when a May bug bumps against something in 
its careless flight, and tumbles down on the ground on its back. 
The Carabus , on the look-out for such eventualities, rushes from 
a hiding-place, and before the May bug can arise, seizes it with 
its sharp mandibles and opens its body, tearing its intestines 
and eating them. The poor May bug wriggles about, and crawls 
off at a great pace ; but to no purpose, for the enemy never 
