158 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



dible is lined on its under surface with velvety hairs. 

 The beetle would seize hold of a small branch of a 

 tree, exactly as we would grasp it between the thumb 

 and forefinger. Then it would, with its wings, whirl 

 itself round and round, slowly at first, but increasing, 

 so rapidly as to produce a continuous buzz or whir. 

 This it would keep up until the limb was severed. 



The reason for this I could not find out. The beetle 

 lives on rotten wood, it is thought, and in cutting 

 into these branches it may be in search of food. But 

 the most plausible reason is, that it is calling its mate. 

 This is strengthened by the fact that the females are 

 not furnished with these mandibles. It flies high in 

 the air among the trees at night ; it burrows in the 

 ground, beneath leaves and in decayed wood, in the 

 daytime. Being strictly nocturnal in its habits, it is 

 seldom found, unless, as in the present instance, it 

 goes in search of the collector. 



It is the largest known beetle in the world, the 

 specimen in my possession being six and one quarter 

 inches in length. The only species approaching it in 

 size is the Goliath-beetle of the African coast, which 

 is broader than this, but not so long. Guiana is the 

 home of this beetle, and he has never been found out 

 of South America except in this one island of Do- 

 minica. Well is he called the Hercules, for that 

 is his name, Dynastcs Hercules ; and modestly he 

 bears his title, for he does not presume upon his size 

 and strength to annoy man or ill-treat his insect neigh- 

 bors, lie is a strict vegetarian, and leads a happy, 

 careless life among the tree-tops at night, and upon 

 the ground during the day. 



The only specimen I was able to bring with me 



