The mandibles of the Stag-beetle were formerly employed in medicine, under the name of Horns of Scarabæi. This remedy was administered as an absorbent, in case of pains or convulsions supposed to be produced by acidity in the _primæ viæ_.[41] This is the insect most probably alluded to by Pliny, when he says, “Folke use to hang Beetles about the neck of young babes, as present remedies against many maladies.”[42] The _Scarabæus cornutus_ of Schröder (v. 345) is also, perhaps, the _Lucanus cervus_. We learn from this gentleman that it has been recommended to be worn as an amulet for an ague, or pains and contractions of the tendons, if applied to the part affected. He tells us also, that if tied about the necks of children, it enables them to retain their urine. An oil, prepared by infusion of these insects, is recommended by the same author, in pains of the ears, if dropped into them.[43] The _Cossus_ of the Greeks and Romans, which, at the time of the greatest luxury among the latter, was introduced at the tables of the rich, was the larva, or grub, of a large beetle that lives in the stems of trees, particularly the oak; and was, most probably, the larva of the Stag-beetle, _Lucanus cervus_. On this subject, however, entomologists differ very widely, for it has been supposed the larva of the _Calandra palmarum_ by Geoffroy and Keferotein; of the _Prionus damicornis_ by Drury; but of the _Lucanus cervus_ by Roesel, Scopoli, and most others. The first two, being neither natives of Italy nor inhabiting the oak, are out of the question. But the larva of the _Lucanus cervus_, and perhaps also the _Prionus coriarius_, which are found in the oak as well as in other trees, may each have been eaten under this name, as their difference could not be discernible either to collectors or cooks. Linnæus, following the opinion of Ray, supposed the caterpillar of the great Goat-moth to be the cossus.[44] Pliny tells us that the epicures, who looked upon these _cossi_ as delicacies, even fed them with meal, in order to fatten them.[45] Our children, who call the Stag-beetles and the _Passalus cornutus_, oxen, are wont to hitch them with threads to chips and small sticks, and, for their amusement, make them drag the wood along as if they were oxen. Scarabæidæ--Dung-beetles.