in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of coleoptera, or the beetle kind. The feelers are bristly; the breast is shaped like a heart, and margined; and the elytra are likewise margined. There are 34 species of this genus, mostly distinguished by their colour. The most remarkable is the creptian, or bombardier, with the breast, head, and legs, ferruginous or iron-coloured, and the elytra black. It keeps itself concealed among stones, and seems to make little use of its wings; when it moves, it is by a sort of jump; and whenever it is touched, one is surprized to hear a noise resembling the discharge of a musket, in miniature, during which a blue smoke may be perceived to proceed from its anus. The insect may be made at any time to play off its artillery, by scratching its back with a needle. If we may believe Roland, who first made these observations, it can give 20 discharges successively. A bladder placed near the anus is the arsenal whence it derives its store, and this is its chief defence against an enemy, although the smoke emitted seems to be altogether inoffensive, except it be by causing a fright, or concealing its course. Its chief enemy is another species of the same genus, but four times larger; when pursued and fatigued, the bombardier has recourse to this stratagem, by lying down in the path of the large carabins, which advances with open mouth and claws to seize it; but, on this discharge of the artillery, suddenly draws back, and remains a while confused; during which the bombardier conceals himself in some neighbouring crevice; and if not happy enough to find one, the large carabus returns to the attack, takes the insect by the head, and tears it off.