. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. THE WATER BEETLES. 375. BOMBARDIER BEETLE—BretVtfniM crejAluns, (Magnified.) A VERY large and important family of Beetles, the Carabidfe, now comes before us, which is represented by veiy many species, the common Ground Beetles being familiar examples. The accompanying illustration represents the celebrated Bombar- dier Beetle {BracJiinus crepitans), which belongs to this family. Tliis little beetle is plentifully found in many places. When this beetle is handled, a sharpish explosion is
. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. THE WATER BEETLES. 375. BOMBARDIER BEETLE—BretVtfniM crejAluns, (Magnified.) A VERY large and important family of Beetles, the Carabidfe, now comes before us, which is represented by veiy many species, the common Ground Beetles being familiar examples. The accompanying illustration represents the celebrated Bombar- dier Beetle {BracJiinus crepitans), which belongs to this family. Tliis little beetle is plentifully found in many places. When this beetle is handled, a sharpish explosion is heard, and on looking at the creature, a tiny wreath of bluish vapor is seen to issue from the body. This vapor has a very j)ungent odor, and when discharged against the skin, leaves a yellow mark like that jiroduced by nitric acid. Originally, it is a liquid, secreted by a certain gland, but as soon as it comes in contact ^\^th the atmosphere it becomes suddenly volatilized, thereby pro- ducing the explosion and causing the smoke-like vapor to arise. The insect can fire oif its miniature artillery seven or eight times in succession. Even after the death of the insect, the explosion can be produced by pressure. One species of this genus, Lehia crux-minor, is given in the former illustration. It is notable for the cross-like mark from which it derives its name. The largest species belonging to this family are to be found in the exotic genus Anthia, an example of which is given in the same illustration. The males are remarkable for the enormous size of the mandibles, and the thorax, or chest, seems to be divided into two parts. Most of the species are found in Southern Africa. Anthia sulcata is a native of Senegal. It may be here lemarked that the very largest of the Carabidte is a Javanese beetle, named Morjiolyce, which is mostly found under the branches of trees. Mr. Westwood mentions that one of these insects in his possession has attained the extraordinary length of three
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology
