476 



THE GREAT STAG-BEETLE. 



wiibout any agency ; and his surprise was not mucli lessened, when, 

 on taking one of them up, he discovered that it was only a Chafer 

 chat moved it. 



OF THE LUCANUS, OR STAG-BEETLE TRIBE. 



The antennae of the Stag-beetles have a club-shaped extremity, 

 divids'i into short, comb-like leaves. The jaws are toothed, and 

 extend so far beyond the head, as to resemble horns. Under the lip 

 there are two palpi or feelers, so thickly covered with hair, as to ap- 

 pear like tufts. 



Stag-beetles are chiefly found in rotten and half-decayed wood, 

 and under the bark of trees. 



THE GREAT STAG-BEETLE. 



These insects are very common in oak and willow trees. In the 



stumps or about the branch- 

 es of these they remain 

 concealed during the day ; 

 flying abroad and feeding 

 on the leaves only in the 

 evening. The month of 

 July is the time during 

 which they are principally 

 seen. The males, in par- 

 ticular, have great strength 

 in their mandibles or jaws. 

 "With these they are able to 

 pinch very severely. Lin- 

 naeus informs us, that they 

 feed on the liquor that 

 oozes from the trunks or 

 branches of trees; and it 

 has been conjectured that 

 ihe jaws are used either in 

 obtaining their f)od, or in 

 fixing themselves firmly 

 to the spot while they 

 eat. It is said that Stag- 

 beetles may be kept aiive 

 for a considerable time, it 

 supplied with the fresh 

 leaves of oak or willow, or 

 with sweetened water. 



In Germany there is 

 a popular notion, that 

 these insects are some- 



«ft£AT 8TA0-B££TLE, WITH WINOS tOVDSD. 



SREAT ttTAQ-BKETLS. 



