STAG-BEETLES. 



77 



LameUicorncs. Anteiintc not elbowed, the club composed of inovojiblo 

 plates. Maudibles of the males not remarkably developed. Xervous 

 ganglia consolidated in the thorax. Larvae with transverse wrinkles 

 npon the sej^ments. Anal opening crosswise, except in the subfamily 

 of Passalidcs. 



We have the more readily adopted this separate classification of these 

 insects as it enables us to discard the discordant element of Lucaiiid;e 

 from the otherwise comparatively homogeneous group of lamellicorn 

 beetles, with neither of the two great tribes of which can they be made 

 to harmonize. 



Family XXV. LUCANID.E. 



[Fig. 31.1 



,,(:?=-^«=>V 



LucANAS DAJLv, Fabr.: — larviraml cocoon-after Tack' 



The characters of this family have 

 been given above sufficiently for their 

 LICA.MSDAMA, Fabr.:-aftcri'ackani. recognition. Notwithstanding their 

 conspicuous size, but little is known of the habits of the perfect insects. 

 The few observations on record go to show that their ordinary food con- 

 sists of honey dew, or the exudations of the leaves and bark of trees, 

 which last they are said to pierce with their pincer-like mandibles, but the 

 force wuth which these organs are brought together does not seem to bo 

 sufficient for this purpose. They have been known to feed readily, in con- 

 finement, upon moistened sugar. Thelarvaj are found in rotton wood, and 

 some of them have been known to bore into the solid roots of trees. But 

 in this country they have never been known to be seriously injurious. 



A. Ligula elongated and attached to the anterior face of the mentum; antenna} 

 usuallj'- elbowed ; first joint nearl\- or quite as long as all the others united ; 

 abdomen moderately pedunculated; scutellum normal and distinct. 

 B. Body moderately convex; head unarmed, and in the males nearly or rjuite as 

 wide as the thorax ; club of antennae 4-j()inted with the first joint small. 

 C. Antenna^ geniculate or elbowed; anterior coxte approximate. 

 D. Mandibles pointed; eyes notched by the margin of the head. 



E. Elytra smooth, slightly cui'ved at the sides; size very large. . .Lucvirus. 

 E E. Elytra striate and ijunctate ; sides parallel ; size above medium. 



Doners . 



D D. Mandibles thickened, obtuse, and many toothed at the end ; eyes scarcely 



notched ; size medium Piatyceuus. 



