32 PLATE XIII. 



It is fufficiently diftinguimed in this country by the moveable maxil- 

 lae, or jaws, that project from the head ; they are of a dark red co- 

 lour, and though brighter in fome fpecimens, are rarely of the beau- 

 tiful coral appearance Barbut and other authors have defcribed. 



Coleopterous infects in general are endowed with amazing ftrength, 

 and their arms are equally ferviceable for the affault or defence. The 

 antlers of this Beetle are carefully to be avoided by fuch as attempt to 

 deprive it of liberty; with them it ftrips off the bark of oak trees, and 

 attaches itfelf firmly to the trunk, thence extracting the liquor that 

 cozes with its tongue. 



They are plentiful in June and July, in Kent and EfTex, and in many 

 ©ther parts of Britain. 



The females are known by their maxillae being much fhorter than 

 thofe of the males ; they depofit their eggs under the, bark of old trees, 

 either oak or afh, and the food of the larvae, or grubs, is the internal 

 fubftance of the trunk, firft reduced to a fine powder ; they undergo 

 transformation in this cell, and force a pafTage through the bark when 

 perfect beetles. 



P L A T E 



