432 



Marvels of Insect Life. 



with the development of the " horns " of the males there has been a corresponding 

 increase in the size of the head and all its parts, eyes and antennae included. In 

 truth, the comparison will show that the difference extends to the entire Insect, 



for not only is the female con- 

 siderably the smaller of the 

 largest specimens of both sexes, 

 but her fore-body and her wing- 

 covers are much more rounded 

 than is the case in the male, 

 and the legs are smaller. 



We have referred to the 

 " largest specimens " because 

 there is very great variation in 

 this respect in the species. 

 You mav come across males 

 that measure two and a half 

 inches from the tip of the 

 antlers to the end of the wing- 

 covers ; another may measure 

 less than half that length. 

 A similar disparity may be 

 found in the size of the females, 

 some of these being very small 

 indeed. The colour, too, varies 

 from a bright chestnut to a 

 brown that is scarcely to be 

 distinguished from black. 



The possession of the 

 " horns " by the male has led 

 to a large amount of theorizing 

 and conflicting statements. 

 Their chief use appears to be 

 that of sexual ornament, 

 though they may be useful on 

 occasion to retain the female 

 where there is tolerable uni- 

 furmitv in size between the 

 })air. It is stated that the 

 males fight fiercely between 

 themselves for possession of 

 some desirable female, but we 

 ha\'e never seen one of these 

 conflicts. It is tolerably cer- 

 tain, however, that though they may indulge in a duel, they cannot well hurt one 

 another. Put your finger between the horns of a full-sized male, and induce it to 



riiolo by\ 



[H. Bastm. 



Stag-Beetle Grubs. 



The grubs are shown feediag in a decaying tree, where they are engaged for several 

 years. The trees attacked are chiefly oal\S and willows, but the timber is mostly 

 in a decaying condition before the eggs are laid upon it. Occasionally they attack 

 the roots of trees still living. 



