146 
BRITISH BEETLES. 
CHAPTER XI Y. 
THE LAMELLJCORNIA, OR “ CHAFERS.” 
The Lamellieornia, wliich (with the exception of the 
Trogidce) are exclusively vegetable or dung-feeders, 
are divided into two great families — the Lucaniclce and 
the Scarabceidcc. 
They are chiefly distinguished by the club of their 
antennae, which is composed of transverse lamellated 
joints, varying from three to seven in number; and, 
except in the Lucanidce, moveable like the leaves of a 
book. Their antennae are short, usually nine or ten- 
jointed (the Geotrupina alone having eleven joints), 
with the basal joint enlarged or lengthened, and 
always inserted in front of and near the eyes, under a 
reflexed margin of the head. 
Their legs, and especially the anterior pair, are 
formed for digging ; with all the tarsi five-jointed, the 
posterior coxae moveable, and the front acetabula (or 
pits for the reception or articulation of the anterior 
coxae) enclosed by a rim on every side. 
Internally, they appear to bo distinguished by the 
peculiar disposition of their central nervous system ; 
which, as far as has been yet observed, consists of a 
large ganglion (or depfit) situated in the thorax, 
without any trace of abdominal ganglia ; the Lucanidiv, 
