INSECTS. 465 
mandibles, projecting from its head, and resembling those 
of a stag. These mandibles are strongly dentated from 
the root to the point. The wing cases have neither 
streaks nor spots. The whole insect is of a deep brown. 
It is sometimes found in hollow oaks and beeches, near 
London; but is much smaller than the same species found 
in the country. As the mandibles pinch severely, these 
insects are carefully to be avoided, notwithstanding the 
beauty they possess. 
The larvae, or grubs, lodge under the bark, or in the 
hollow of old trees ; which they bite and reduce to fine 
powder. The larvae are supposed to exist three or four 
years before they form their cocoons. These insects are 
mostly found in Kent and Sussex. In Germany there is 
a popular but idle notion, that they are sometimes known, 
by means of their jaws, to carry burning coals into houses; 
and that, in consequence of this mischievous propensity, 
dreadful fires have been occasioned. The Stag Beetle is 
one of the lamellicorn Coleoptera. 
THE ELEPHANT BEETLE, 
(Scarabeus, or Dynastes elephantis,) 
Is found in South America, particularly in Guiana, and 
Surinam, as well as near the river Oroonoko. It is 
the largest beetle of its kind hitherto known ; it is black, 
x 5 
