STAG-BEETLE TRIBE. 281 



under the surface of the ground, and feed on the roots of 

 plants and other substances. 



Cockchafer. The species which is best known is the 

 Cockchafer. The grub of this insect becomes nearly of 

 the thickness of the little finger, has a whitish body, six 

 scaly legs, and a red head. It continues three years under 

 the ground, and at last changes into a large and somewhat 

 chesnut-coloured beetle, having its tail hard and bent 

 downward, and a triangular white spot on each ring of the 

 belly. Cockchafers are so numerous in some years, as to 

 destroy nearly all the leaves of the oaks, willows, and 

 other kinds of trees. Their horns, or antennae, are very 

 curious, folding together like the leaves of a book : they 

 are always opened when the insects are moving about, 

 and closed when they are at rest. 



Hercules Beetle. To this tribe also belong the Her- 

 cules Beetles, which are found in great abundance in 

 several parts of South America. They measure betwixt 

 five and six inches in length, and are the largest of all 

 known insects. The horns are extremely long ; the upper 

 one projecting considerably beyond the lower, and being 

 curved downward. The thorax is spiny, and the head 

 black and shining. The elytra, or wing-cases, are of a 

 greenish-gray colour, spotted with black, and black at the 

 points. 



2. STAG-BEETLE TRIBE. 



The name of the Stag-beetles has been derived from the 

 circumstance of their having two long and movable jaws, 

 or maxillae, which have a distant resemblance to the horns 

 of a stag. 



