
COLEOPTERA. 451 
line baited with a bit of red cloth, which it attacks. It is found, 
also, in a mineral spring in Algeria. The Epinectes (Fig. 498) 
are large Gyrinide from Brazil, with very long front legs. 

Fig. 496.—Gyrinus striatus. Fig. 497.— Gyrinus distinetus. Fic. 498.—Epinectes sulcatus. 
J 8g £ 
The carnivorous land insects por excellence—those which are 
most formidable, on account of their ravages and voracity—are the 
Carabici. ‘Ihis family, one of the most numerous of the Order 
Coleoptera, consists of insects with long legs, and armed with 
powerful mandibles, suited for tearing their victims to pieces. They 
are the lions and the tigers of the Coleoptera, whilst the Necro- 
phori and the Silphe play the part of hyenas and jackals. The 
eyes of the Carabici are very prominent, which allows them to 
| See their prey at a great distance. They take refuge under stones 
and under the bark of trees; but in fine weather they are also to 
be seen running along roads. Ardent and audacious, it is by no 
means rare to see them attacking species much bigger than them- 
selves. The activity which distinguishes these insects is found 
also in their larvee, which pursue living prey, instead of remaining 
shrouded in the midst of their food lke the larve of the Scara- 
beides. 
These carnivorous insects are very numerous—a fortunate cir- 
cumstance, considering the immense quantity of small noxious 
creatures, caterpillars, weevils, and an infinity of other parasites, 
the pests of agriculture, which they destroy. The popular pre- 
judice, then, is to be regretted, which leads ignorant farmers to 
exterminate them. They ought, on the contrary, to be intro- 
duced into market gardens, as toads are, and as cats are into 
granaries. “The Carabici,’ says M. Michelet, ‘immense 
tribes of warriors, armed to the teeth, which, under their heavy 
cuirasses, have a wonderful activity, are perfect rural con- 
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