I.UCANUS, ^6l 



Genus II. — Luca?im, 



1 HE aiiimals of this tribe sre the largefl Eritijh infetls ; 

 They ere diftinguifhed by the antennae, which termiriate 

 in a knob, flattened on one fide, and divided into a num- 

 ber of pedtinated laminx. The jaws are extended beyond 

 the head, incurvated, and befet with teeth *. 



The lucani feed upon the liquoi: that exudes from 

 oaks, which they fuck with their tongues. The females 

 depofite their eggs in the trunks of decayed trees, fuch 

 as the oak and the afli^ Th.e larvDS or grubs lodge under the 

 bark or in the hollow of old trees, which they gnaw and 

 reduce into a fine powder, and there ti'ansform therafelves 

 into chryfalides. They are found all over the ifland of 

 Great Britain^ bat moft frequently in Kent and S-uJJcx\, 

 With the noxious effctls of thefe animals on growing 

 timber we are not acquainted ; but noCwithflanding their 

 enormous fize, it is probable that ihey are far iefs de* 

 llru£live than thofe that prey upon the roots of corn. 



* Syfc. Na:. p. SS')- \ Bar Jut Qx,n lofcft. p, 17. 



Vol. III. Zs 



