STAG-BEETLES. 79 



Fifth Sub-section, Lj^lMELLICOHlNrJES. 



Anteunaj lamellate. Habits of the two tribes diiferent. 



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

 erally known by their scientific name of Lamellicornes, or Lamellicorn- 

 beetles, and so called from the peculiar construction of their antennpe, 

 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 Clavicorn division, the club of the antenna is also composed of thin 

 iiat 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 first 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 specimen these plates are generally closed 

 together. One of the most conspicuous and invariable character.'/ 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 larvte 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 

 upon the roots of grasses and other plants. They are usually seen lying 

 upon one side in a curved position. They are gross feeders, and the 

 hinder part of their bodies is usually filled with black excrementitious 

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

 the abdomen. 



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

 familiar example of these larvas. 



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

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

 by Linnaius in his genus Scarabieus. 



Tribe 1st (or 7th of the whole series), Excremcntivora. Elytra (except 

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

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

 upon putrescent or decomposing matters, chiefly the excrement of 

 animals. 



Families : Copridre, Aphodiidfe, Geotrupid* and Trogidffi. 



Tribe 2d (or 8th), HerUvora. Tip of the abdomen always exposed. 

 Legs (except in the Dynastidic) 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 : Dynastidie, Rutelida;, Melolonthidie and Cetoniidaj. 



