Rev. F. W. Hore on some Nondescript Insects from Assam. 593 
A very remarkable Lucanus, obtained at Fernando Po by the gallant Cap- 
tain Downes, and named after him in the Zoological Transactions, has all its 
tibiz spineless. In Lucanus Forsteri the posterior tibiae are unarmed, whilst 
the intermediate have one toothlike spine. In my Lucanus pallidipennis and 
in the L. castaneus of the French cabinets the four posterior tibiæ are unarmed. 
In Lucanus nepalensis, Spencii, bulbosus and astacoides (insects all differing 
considerably in form), the four posterior tibiæ are unidentate; and various 
other instances of the presence or absence of spines might be added: but 
as I think, in the instances above quoted, sufficient proof has been adduced 
of the variableness of tibial armature, a characteristic hitherto- almost en- 
tirely neglected by entomologists, I pass on at present, hoping to enter 
more fully on these points when I publish my synopsis of the species of Lu- 
 canoidea. 
It only remains to be added, that tropical India appears to be the metro- 
polis of the Lucanidæ, more than fifty species from those regions having fallen 
under my inspection. The damage arising from the Stag-beetles even in 
Europe is often very considerable, as they perforate the solid wood in all 
directions, and in the East Indies the destruction occasioned by them must 
be much greater; but I am not aware of any instances on record of the injury 
there sustained from their attacks. The increase of species in the East is great, 
and the number of individuals of each species is oftentimes very surprising. 
It may here also be remarked, that the armature of most of the Indian spe- 
cies is strongly developed, and there can be little doubt that, as they are thus 
amply provided, it was wisely intended for the performance of those functions 
which are allotted to them; one of which, perhaps, is to keep in check the 
exuberant luxuriance of tropical vegetation. The Lucani of an Indian forest 
may be called the pioneers of its destruction: the rains during the mon- 
soon enter the holes and excavations which they have made in the teak and 
other hard woods, and soon produce decay in the heart of the tree, when the 
white ants and other insects follow in their track, so that in a short time the 
proudest trees in the forest crumble into dust and disappear. It may here be 
added, before concluding these remarks, that the larvze of the Stag-beetles are 
supposed by some authors, under the name of Cossus, to have afforded a de- 
licious repast to the Roman epicure; and it seems not improbable that this 
