Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/368

340 thrown on the ground they run off, but resume the death-like appearance if a second attempt be made to seize them.—Id.

Note on Badister bipustulatus. I have seen this insect, when pursued, dash into a puddle of water, and run through on the bottom completely immersed.—Id.

Note on Haltica Brassicæ. Haltica Brassicæ, said to be a local species, is very common near Oxford, and particularly under bark in Christchurch meadow in winter; and 1 have taken H. ochripes of Curtis in the same localities.—Id.

Note on Velleius dilatatus. A remarkably fine specimen of this insect, one of the rarest of the British Coleoptera, was taken by F. Sidney Parry, Esq., July 22, 1843, in his own grounds at Sunninghill, under a piece of bark which lay upon some sap exuding from the foot of a tree.—Id.

Note on the capture of Coleopterous Insects near Edinburgh. I send you a list of a few species of Coleoptera which I have taken in the Edinburgh district in the last two or three seasons. Although the frequent rains and cold easterly winds during the past summer have had a very adverse effect on the appearance of insects generally, I have taken some valuable species. Sweeping the grass in woods, under fir-trees, seems to be an excellent plan; by this means I have taken several rare insects, which T never met with in other situations. I have omitted many species which are taken almost everywhere, and would therefore unnecessarily swell the list. Phalacrus ameus and geminus; a single specimen of the latter. Leiodes dentipes, Gyllenhallii, multistriata, punctatissima (rare), castanea (rare), thoracica, polita, brannea, ferruginea, rufipennis, suturalis, humeralis. The neighbourhood of Edinburgh seems to be rather rich in this genus; I meet with specimens of various species occasionally throughout the summer months, by sweeping, but they occur much more frequently on wall-tops in autumn. Agathidium atrum, nigrinum and orbiculare; these were also taken on wall-tops in the autumn. Atomaria atra, Dalmeny park. Latridius testaceus, ditto. Tetratoma ancora; this rare and pretty insect I have taken very sparingly by sweeping under fir trees, in Dalmeny park. It was confined to one small wood in the grounds. Ips ferruginea, much rarer this year than formerly. Ragionycha pilosa, Roslin, June, Hylastes ater and obscurus, under felled firs; the former species very abuudant. Cceliodes Geranii, Arthur's seat. Otiorhynchus atro-apterus, sand-banks by the shore, on thistles, abundant. Otiorhynchus tessellatus, a new species; a single specimen in Dalmeny park. Omias sulcirostris, Dalmeny park, August. Rhynchites cyaneopennis, ditto. Crioceris obscura, a single specimen. Haltica flexuosa, atrocarulea and Modeeri. Macrocnema Spergulas and picina. Chrysomela pallida, Roslin, on the hazel, in June. Ripiphorus paradoxus, a specimen was taken by a friend of mine in the vicinity of Roslin.—R. Northmore Greville; 31, George's Square, Edinburgh, September 6, 1843.

Note on the capture of Trichius variabilis in Surrey. I had the good fortune to take a specimen of this rare beetle flying, near Riddlesdown, on the 13th instant. It has not, I believe, before this, bteen taken elsewhere than in Windsor park.—J.W. Douglas; 6, Grenville Terrace, Coburg Road, Kent Road, August 19, 1843.

Note on Crickets. Crickets not only come out of their holes after persons have quitted the room, but even whilst they are moving about by candlelight. They used to come out in my kitchen when the servants were at supper, as regularly as possible, every evening.—''Wm. Hewett; East Ilsley.''