JUNE. 215 



e< Useful Compendium/' has generally been con- 

 sidered a local and even a rare species ; it is, 

 however, abundant in several of the Midland 

 counties, in running ditches and small rivulets. 



Lucanus Cervus. The Stag-Beetle may be 

 considered the king of British beetles ; it is 

 extremely abundant in the southern counties, 

 particularly in the vicinity of old oak woods, 

 the decayed stumps of which its larvae inhabit 

 and destroy. I have not heard of its being 

 taken farther north than Worcester. 



Geotrupes stercorarius. Common Dor-Beetle, 

 or Shard-borne Beetle. This well-known in- 

 sect, which has buzzed in the face of every 

 evening rambler, could not escape the notice 

 of so accurate an observer as Shakspeare; like 

 the bat that " flits by on leathern wing," he 

 regards it AS an indicator of time. Macbeth 

 says to his lady, 



Ere to black Hecate's summons, 

 The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, 

 Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done 

 A deed of dreadful note. 



But, independent of poetic associations, this 

 insect is of real utility to the agriculturist. By 



