STAG-BEETLES. 79 



Fifth Sub-scction, L^-VlMKLLICOIilVJES. 



Autcnna' lamellate. Habits of the two tribes dilVerent. 



Tliis is the extensive and natural group of Coleopterous insects, gen- 

 erally known bv their scientitic name of Lamellicornos, or Lamellicorn- 

 beotles, and so called Iroiii the peculiar construction of their antenna', 

 which terminate in a club formed of moveable plates or leaves, which, 

 with a few exceptions, are three in number. In some of the insects of 

 the Clavicoru division, the club of the antenna is also coini)()sed of thin 

 flat joints, constituting what is known as the perfoliate antenna, but 

 here the axis of the antenna passes through the plates, which are im- 

 movable ; but in the lamellate antenna, the plates are attached to the 

 axis by only one of their sides, which leaves them free to open and shut 

 like the leaves of a book. These plates are sometimes thin and similar; 

 sometimes the tirst is thick and hollowed out to receive the other two, 

 and sometimes the two outer ones are thickened and enclose the inter- 

 mediate one. In the dead si)ecimen these plates are generally closed 

 together. One of the most conspicuous and invariable characters of the 

 family is the form of the anterior tibiie which are constructed for dig- 

 ging in the ground, being broad and compressed, and strongly toothed 

 and scalloped on their outer edge. 



The larva? are white, six-footed grubs, some of which are found in 

 manure and others in rotten wood. A few of the larger species have 

 been seriously injurious, both in Europe and in this country, by feeding 

 ui)on the roots of grasses and other plants. They are usually seen lying 

 ui)on one side in a curved position. Tliey are gross feeders, and the 

 hinder part of their bodies is usually tilled with black excrementitious 

 matter, which is partially visible through the semi-transparent walls of 

 the abdomen. 



The common ichite grub, which is the larva of the May -beetle, is a 

 familiar exam})le of these larviie. 



With respect to their food habits these insects are divided into two 

 large, somewhat equal, and well marked tribes. They were all included 

 by Linnauis in his genus Scarabaius. 



Tribe 1st (or 7th of the whole series), Excrcmcnfirora. Elytra (exce[>t 

 in the first family), covering the whole of the abdomen. Legs stout, 

 tlie hind legs set far back, behiml the middle of the hind-body. Live 

 upon j)utrescent or decomposing matters, chiefly the excrement of 

 animals. 



Families : Coprida?, Aphodiida?, Geotrupidai and Trogida^. 



Tribe 2d (or .Stli), Ilcrbirora. Tip of the abdomen always exposed. 

 Legs (except in the Dynastida') rather slender, and with the hind legs 

 attached at or before the middle of the hind body. Live upon fresh 

 vegetable food, either leaves or flowers. 



Families : Dynastidic, Kutelidie, Melolouthidte and Cetoniidte. 



