1 18 
KATYEAL HISTOEY 0? 
The tribe which next presents itself to our notice 
is of very great extent, including a vast assemblage 
of species which differ considerably from each other 
in appearance and habit. They are named Carabici 
by modern authors, — a term which corresponds to 
the old and comprehensive genus Carabus of Linne. 
They are readily distinguished from the preceding 
tribe by the structure of the lower jaws, which ter- 
minate simply in a hook without any articulation. 
The form of the typical or characteristic kinds is 
handsome ; and although the prevailing hue is ob- 
scure, not a few of them are ornamented with 
colours of great brilliancy. The head is usually 
somewhat triangular, and borne horizontally or slight- 
ly inclined; the thorax more or less heart-shaped 
and truncated, with a longitudinal impressed line in 
the middle ; and the abdomen is long and oval, hav- 
ing a considerable degree of convexity both above 
and below. The legs are generally long and power- 
ful, and most of the species run with great rapidity ; 
but few of them fly well, and no inconsiderable num- 
ber are entirely destitute of wings. The organs of 
the mouth are very fully developed, demonstrating 
a decidedly carnivorous disposition ; but the mandi- 
bles are never furnished with such prominent teeth 
as those of the Tiger-beetles. 
Many of these insects are characterized by having 
the hinder extremity of the elytra truncated or cut 
across ; and they seldom completely cover the ab- 
domen, but leave a small portion of its apex exposed. 
