PM TL ar ae me Tem ey ‘ 
164 NATURAL HISTORY. 
The ‘arve live under ground, orin decayed wood, 
where they remain until metamorphofed to their per- 
fect fate, when they proceed to devour the larve of 
other infects, and all weaker animals they can cgn- 
uer. 
r They are frequently knowa by the name of the 
ground beetle. Some are found fo early as the be- 
ginning of March, in paths, &c. where the fun warms 
the earth with his vivifying beams. Many of the 
larger {pecies have been found between the decayed 
ark and wood of willow trees. 
bom OOOO — 
5 
GENUS XXVII, 
MELOE. 
CHARACTER. 
"Tue horns refemble necklaces ; the breaft ig 
yather round ; and the elytra are foft and pliant. 
MELOE VESICATORIUS, or CANTHARLE- 
DES.——SPANISH: FLY, © 
HERE are feveral fpecies of this infe&, differing 
in fize, figure and colour. But all are appareiled, by 
