36a THE 3TAG-2T:tTLEl^ 



'^e Stag-beetle *. 



1 nrs beetle is readily diftinguifhcd by its fuperior magrf 

 nictide, wliich entitles it to the fiifl rank among the in- 

 fe6l tribes : It is however characierifed by another pecu- 

 liarity nou lefs fmgular, and that is the large mo%''eab]e 

 mardllas, refcmbling in form the horns of a flag. Thefa 

 inftriimcnts are bread and flat, projedling from the head 

 nearly one third of the animal's length. They have in 

 t!ie middle^ tovt'ards the inner part, a fmall branch, and 

 at their extremity are forked. Their limilarity in ihape 

 to the horns of the animal above mentioned, has ftruck 

 every natuvalift, and has, with equal propriety, procured 

 for the infedl the appellation oi the JljtingJIagj-. 



An infe<9: of fuch an uncommon fize as the ftag-beetle, 

 and of fuch fingular conformation, has attrafted the no- 

 tice of all the entymologills. The female isdiflinguifli- 

 by the fize of her horns, which are not above half the 

 lize of thofe of the male ; both, however, are armed in 

 the anterior fide with fmall teeth, throughout the whole 

 of their length ; and both are fometimes as red as coral, 

 which giv^s thefe animals a very beautiful appearance. 



The head tliat fupports thefe romantic horns, is broad, 

 ihort, and irregular ; and the thorax, which intervenes 



between 



* liticanus Cervns, Lin. Syfr. 



•{^ Cervus volans. Vide MouiTet, p. 14S. Aldrovand. infefl. p, I,;i« 

 Mipcrati, p. 169, and Charieton, i'. 46. 



