L-ttJL*} 
274 . 
PLATYCERUS CARABOIDES. 
Order Coleoptera. Fam. Lucanidae Lat Leach . 
Type of the Gems , Lucanus caraboides Linn . 
Platycerus Geoff., Lat., Leach, Gyll. — Lucanus Linn., DeG., Fab., 
Oliv., Marsh. — Scarabaeus Linn. 
Antennae inserted under the clypeus, at the base of the mandibles, 
not so long as the thorax, geniculated, 10-jointed, basal joint 
very long and subclavate, 2nd small, but longer than the 4 fol- 
lowing which are transverse, the 6th being rather broader, the 
remainder forming a lamellated velvety club, the 7th joint small, 
the 8th and 9th of equal size, boat-shaped, the 10th large sub- 
ovate (6). 
Labrum small, membranous, entire, concealed beneath the cly- 
peus. Gylt. 
Mandibles" porrected, not so long as the head, slightly curved 
upward, horny, strong, rounded externally and acute at the apex ; 
the internal margin deeply sinuated, forming several teeth, an 
emarginate one near the centre being the largest (2). 
Maxillae small, terminated by a minute lobe producing a long 
pencil of hair, with an internal lobe similarly ciliated. Palpi 
long, 4-jointed, basal joint small curved, 2nd and 4th long, nearly 
of equal length, the former clavate-truncate, the latter more 
robust, clavate ovate and terminated by a vesicle, the 3rd joint 
much shorter (3). 
Mentum horny, naked, transverse, semioval, slightly produced 
in the centre. Lip very small and completely hidden ; mem- 
branous, the apex rounded and ciliated. Palpi rather long, naked 
and triarticulate, basal joint the shortest, 2nd subclavate, 3rd 
the longest robust, elongate-ovate, slightly curved, with a vesicle 
at the apex (4) . 
Head subquadrate ‘ clypeus emarginate. Eyes minute, lateral. Thorax 
much broader than the head, transverse oblong, the sides margined. 
Scutellum small triangular. Elytra depressed, long, ovate and mar- 
gined. Wings ample. Tibiae spined at the apex, anterior irregu- 
larly serrated. Tarsi 5 -jointed, all short, excepting the terminal one 
which is clavate, the basal joint being somewhat concealed by the 
tibia in the 1 st pair. Claws simple, bent, acute (5). 
Caraboides Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 140. n. 407. — Marsh, p. 50. n. 5. 
Smooth, shining, blue sometimes with a greenish tinge. Head 
and thorax thickly punctured, especially the sides of the latter, 
and the former is pubescent. Elytra punctured, each having 7 
or 8 punctured striae. Palpi castaneous. Antennae black. Legs 
black, inclining to castaneous beneath, as well as the body. 
In the Cabinets of Mr. Vigors, Mr. Waring, 8$c. 
