o 
ISRARY1 : 
:*> 68 
ENTOMOLOGY 
Edited by JAMES ELETCHER, F.R.S.C. 
Meloe niger, Kirby. The Black Oil-beetle makes its appearance in 
the first sunny days of spring, while the snow still lingers in shady 
corners, and may often be seen crawling on the city sidewalks, appar- 
ently having issued from the adjacent lawns. There are certain sec- 
tions of sidewalk upon which they may then be captured daily. This 
beetle is easily recognized by its abbreviated elytra and absence of 
wings ; its colour is a greenish black. W. H. H. 
Toxotus vittiger, Rand. A specimen of this pretty longicorn was 
beaten from Oak at Casselman, on June 26th, 1883, and on the 10th of 
present June, Mr. Fletcher secured a dozen specimens flying about, 
or on the flowers of Osnwrrhiza longislylis, in the same locality. W. H. H. 
Donatio pubescnes, Lee. This distinct species appears to be local, 
and to appear early in the season. In 1878, Mr. Fletcher took six 
examples near Billings Bridge, and it was not collected again until this 
June, when it was specially looked for in the same locality, and several 
specimens were taken by sweeping bullrushes (lypha) and grasses 
along the banks of the Rideau river. D. jucunda and D. subtilis were 
abundant, and a few D. proximo, which is more abundant later in the 
season, and frequents the lily pads. W. H. H. 
Sphinx Kalmia. I have received from our Canadian veteran 
botanist, Mrs. C. P. Traill, of Lakefield, Ont, now in the 93rd year of 
her age, a fine specimen of the Lilac Sphinx, Sphinx Kalmia. Mrs. 
Traill also writes a long and interesting letter on the Holy Grass 
(Indian Sweet Hay,) Hierochloa borcalis. The bed of this grass on the 
Experimental Farm is now a mat of flowering stems, and well worthy of 
a visit from our botanists. J. F. 
EXCURSION No. Ill, TO BORTHWICK'S SPRINGS. 
A Saturday afternoon Excursion will be held on the 8th July, to 
Borthwick's Springs, by special invitation of Mr. Borthwick. The Club 
vans will leave the Post Office at 2 p.m. sharp. The price of tickets 
has not been definitely fixed, but will probably be 25 cents. 
