148 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



beline/ These insects seem to prefer still, dull evenings for 

 their flight,, at which time the humming noise they make is 

 very considerable. 



COLEOPTEEA. LUCANIDuE, 



LUCANUS. 



Generic Distinctions. — Antenna, the four terminal joints project 

 on one side ; head as wide as the thorax ; maxillce terminating 

 in a slender lobe ; mandibles very large. 



LucANUS CERVus. (Plate II.) The male of the Stag- 

 Beetle is about two inches in length, including the man- 

 dibles ; it is entirely of a brownish-black colour, the surface 

 shining and covered with small punctures ; near the fore leg 

 is a patch of golden-coloured hair, which seems to be used 

 for the purpose of cleaning the antennse. The female is 

 considerably smaller than the male ; the mandibles are also 

 short, and the head much smaller. 



The very formidable mandibles of this Beetle are em- 

 ployed in wounding the bark of trees, in order to feed on 

 the sap. Mr. Waterhouse kept one ahve for many weeks, 

 feeding it on sugar and water ; it also seemed fond of the 

 juice of raspberries and other sweet substances. The perfect 



