524 
NATURALIST S CALENDAR. 
finger, and will carry with it the blood or other soiling which it was sought to 
remove. The same method has been tried on birds many years mounted with 
great advantage, and even stains produced in performing the operation after 
stuffing, may be easily removed in a similar manner .—Field Nat. Mag. 
Insects. —The true Carabi or Ground Beetles possess a very remarkable 
power, for when pursued and alarmed they are able to spirt from the apex of the 
abdomen an excessively acrid, and gaseous fluid, which occasions a very severe 
pricking sensation when it falls on the skin, but the pain is of short duration. 
Genus Elophorus .—These beetles inhabit ditches and ponds, they are to be 
found basking in the sun upon aquatic plants, walking by the water’s edge, fre¬ 
quently upon the surface, and sometimes floating on their backs; they are also 
met with flying, both in the heat of the day, and in the evening. 
Genus Volucella .—The larvae of these flies inhabit the nests of humble-bees, 
devouring the larvae and pupae of the bees. They so nearly resemble the bees 
both in shape and colour, that they are able to enter in and deposit their eggs 
undiscovered. 
The Mole-cricket is one of the largest insects to be found inhabiting Britain ; 
its structure is wonderful, and its economy most interesting. In its perfect state, 
it is capable of flight, and probably of swimming also. Its forepaws are beauti¬ 
fully adapted for burrowing in the ground, and their power is prodigious. Ac¬ 
cording to Roesel, it commonly employs a force equal to the counterpoise of 2 
or 3 pounds; having a large tooth at the base of the anterior thighs, which 
meets the interior margin of the tibia when bent back, and this receiving and 
protecting the tarsus in the act of digging and burrowing, altogether forms a 
large toothed sort of hoe or shovel; they are able to ruu backward as well as 
forward, in their burrows with great facility. To apprise them of approaching 
danger, when going backwards, they are furnished behind with two appendages 
similar to their antennae, but not jointed. They live about a year, and are found 
iu gardens, meadows, peat bogs, &c. they feed upon potatoes, and the roots of 
grass and corn. Dr. Kidd says they prefer raw meat, and will attack each other, 
and that the victor devours the flesh of the vanquished ; but they can live nine 
or ten months without food ! This insect has been supposed to be “ Will o the 
wisp,” about which so much has been said and so little proved, the phantom 
that has eluded the vigilance of the naturalist and the curious for ages. 
Meteorological Appearances. —On Tuesday, September 17th, there was 
a beautiful lunar Rainbow seen about eight o’clock in the evening, to¬ 
wards the north ; about one of the same night the Aurora Borealis could be ob¬ 
served beautifully shooting up its streaming lights, and about seven the next 
morning a mock sun was observed on the south-side of the sun. What these 
appearances predict I cannot tell. J. K. 
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