308 Verrill — Hercules Beetles from Dominica Island. 



have ventured to taste them. The larvae, after having been 

 spitted on the slender midribs of palm leaves, are roasted over 

 hot coals. Treated in this manner they pop open like roasted 

 chestnuts, and taste much the same. From personal experience 

 the writer can testify to the fact that they are excellent eating. 



Of the other large coleoptera, Philemus didymus, a large 

 black Rhinoceros-beetle, and Weleus unicornis are the most 

 likely to be observed. The larvse of Philemus live in decaying 

 wood and other vegetable matter. The adult beetles have the 

 peculiar habit of rolling balls of rotten wood and leaves, in 

 which the eggs are deposited, much in the manner of the 

 northern " Tumble-dung Beetles." 



The Neleus larvse live in rotten wood exclusively, and the 

 beetles at certain seasons become exceedingly abundant. This 

 beetle is remarkable for the peculiar loose-appearing manner 

 in which the head and thorax are joined to the body. Even 

 when living, the thorax wobbles about as if broken and 

 entirely beyond the control of the insect. 



A large undescribed species of Stag-beetles was also obtained 

 by the writer. 



Most of the remaining beetles are small or so scarce as to be 

 but seldom met with, but special mention should be made of 

 the huge " Fireflies " of the Elater group. These are abund- 

 ant in the forests of the interior, and to one who has never 

 seen them, the stories of their brilliancy seem incredible. One 

 of these insects flying about an ordinary room renders most 

 objects clearly visible at night, and fine print can be easily 

 read by holding one near the page. The light emanating from 

 these Firebeetles is continuous and issues from various por- 

 tions of the body, especially from between the abdominal seg- 

 ments and from underneath the elytra. 



