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In most Coleoptera the female is larger than the male, and it is therefore interesting, as bearing on the question of sexual selection, that in this case, as in the stag-beetles where the males fight together, they should be not only better armed, but also much larger than the females.
'I hate a summer twilight, returned Brian; 'it always gives me the horrors a creepy time, when all sorts of loathsome creatures are abroad bats, and owls, and stag-beetles, cockchafers, and other abominations. Can't you let me alone? he went on, angrily. 'I tell you I have work to do. Ida left him upon this, without a word. What was she to do?
How low in the scale of nature the law of battle descends I know not; male alligators have been described as fighting, bellowing, and whirling round, like Indians in a war-dance, for the possession of the females; male salmons have been observed fighting all day long; male stag-beetles sometimes bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other males; the males of certain hymenopterous insects have been frequently seen by that inimitable observer M. Fabre, fighting for a particular female who sits by, an apparently unconcerned beholder of the struggle, and then retires with the conqueror.
These were not very abundant, yet I saw enough to convince me that the locality was a good one, had I been there at the beginning instead of at the end of the dry season. The natives brought me daily a few insects obtained at the Sagueir palms, including some fine Cetonias and stag-beetles.
Lots of 'em," he added ruminatingly, "skipping about like young stag-beetles you know the kind of thing " The visionary got down off his chest, and, plucking the sides of his monkey-jacket between finger and thumb, pirouetted gracefully amid the scattered suit-cases and litter of clothes. "Comme ça!" he concluded. "What then?" demanded Lettigne, growing interested.
The young man before him did not look a slight antagonist. They glared at each other, measuring their strength; they did not know, indeed, that they had been brought in here to this warmth and light, like the stag-beetles, to make a little amusement for Phoebe; but they were quite ready to fight all the same. "Mr. Northcote, sir, I'm glad to see you.
How low in the scale of nature this law of battle descends, I know not; male alligators have been described as fighting, bellowing, and whirling round, like Indians in a war-dance, for the possession of the females; male salmons have been seen fighting all day long; male stag-beetles often bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other males.
Of beetles with probosces only six were found, of Xylophagi seven, of the species Hylurgus two, Bostrichus three, one Rhyzophagus, and a larger quite red Cucujus. The three stag-beetles were a Sphondylis, a Lamia with excrescences upon the sharply pointed cases of its wings, and a beetle of the flat form of a Callidium.
She did her duty like a hero, and never complained; but still, if a little amusement was possible, it was worth having. She carried in her two young men as naughty boys carry stag-beetles, or other such small deer. If they would fight it would be fun; and if they would not fight, why, it might be fun still, and more amusing than grandmamma.
Those stag-beetles which Phoebe, so to speak, had carried in in her handkerchief, were only too ready to fight. "You had better have some tea first," she said breathless, "before you talk so much of its good effects. Sit down, grandpapa, and have your muffin while it is hot; I know that is what you like. Do you care about china, Mr. May? but every one cares for china now-a-days.
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