174 



OTHER DENIZENS OF THE WOODS 



Carrion-Beetles. 



Like the running beetles the carrion-beetles (Siljihidce) have 

 five-jointed feet. In the typical genus Silpha the males are dis- 

 tinguished by wide joints on the feet of the first and second pair of legs. These 

 beetles usually live in carrion or under stones, and when touched emit an 

 offensive secretion : they feed on carrion, as well as on living insects and plants. 



The four - spotted carrion- 

 beetle (S. quadripii nctata), 

 which is half an inch long, 

 has two shiny black spots 

 on each elytron, the one 

 near the base being ovate, 

 and the other near the apex 

 circular: it lives on oaks 

 and other trees on which 

 it destroys the caterpillars. 

 Among the forest ground- 

 beetles, the red-breasted carrion-beetle (S. thoracica), which is a trifle longer, 

 and lias black elytra and a red thorax, is frequently noticeable. 



The stag-beetles include some of the largest species of the order ; 

 among them being the largest European beetle, the common stag-beetle 

 or horned beetle (Lucanus cervus). Of these the males have very long jaws, 

 recalling the antlers of a deer , they are brown in colour, and vary in size from 1 



MALE AND FEMALE STAG-BEETLES. 



Stag Beetle. 



