908 



I 'A .MILY XLTX. LTTCANID/E. 



Throughout the State; frequent. April 10-Oetober 25. Occurs 

 in and about decaying beech, oak and other logs. 



Y. P.vssALrs Fabr. 17!)2. (Gr., "a post or peg.") 



Mentuni deeply emarginate, the notch being filled by the large 

 horn-like ligula ; antenna- stout, not elbowed, but in repose so curved 

 as to appear so; body distinctly pedunculate, the scutellum in front 

 of the base of elytra. One species occurs throughout the United 

 States. 



*1721 (5424). I'ASSAI r,s COKNVTUS Fab., Syst. Eleut., II, 1801, 256. 



Elongate, somewhat flat- 

 tened, parallel, robust. Black, 

 shining. Head armed with a 

 short, bent hook. Thorax quad- 

 rate, angles rounded; disk 

 smooth, with a deep median 

 impressed line. Elytra deeply 

 striate, the strife finely punc- 

 tured. Length .'!2-::ii mm. (Fig. 

 358. i 



This well-known spe- 

 cies, commonly known as 

 Hie "'horn" or "bess-bee- 



Fig. 358. a, larva; 6, pupa; c. beetle; d, hind leg of larva, showing 6, ' OCClll'S abundantly 

 atrophied joints; e, same, enlarged. (After Riley.) throughout the State. It 



hibernates in its usual 



abiding places, the juicy depths of half-decayed logs and stumps. 

 They are often utilized as horses by country children, the horn 

 furnishing an inviting projection to which may be fastened, by a 

 thread or cord, chips and pieces of bark to lie dragged about by the 

 strong and never-lagging beast of burden. When tired of "play- 

 ing horse" they can make of the insect an instrument of music; 

 for, when held by the body, it emits a creaking, hissing noise, pro- 

 duced by rubbing the abdomen up and down against the inside of 

 the hard, horny wing covers. The larva is remarkable in having 

 only the four front legs of normal size, the hind pair being aborted, 

 .'annarv 1 1-Novembr:' 26. 



VI. Nic.\(j|-s Lee. 18(i1. (Gr., "to lead in victory.") 



The only member of this .iM-nns. usually placed among the Scara- 

 ba-ida?, has been recently transferred to the present family. Tt 

 differs -widely in appearance from the other Lucanida?, more re- 

 sembling ;i nearlv smooth Tn>,r. The joints of the antennal dub 



