Marsh. 



227 



As we stand still a stag-beetle conies booming along. 

 These large beetles occur very abundantly in our southern 

 counties, flying heavily along just before and after dusk. 

 Knock it down with your hand and examine it. You can 



FIG. 49. THE STAG BEETLE (Lucanus cervus), MALK. 



readily understand how it obtained its common name, and 

 why the learned call it Lucanus cervus. Observe the 

 two large horn-like processes sticking from the front of its 

 head. These are really its mandibles or upper jaws, and 

 are found only in the males, the females having no special 



