THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 311 



a rank undergrowth thrives. Early in the season a pool of water, left 

 by the spring inundation, occupies the deeper part of the old watercourse, 

 but disappears in the course of the summer. However, the ground 

 remains moist and muddy throughout the season. Here we found 

 beetles fairly swarming. Carabidse and Staphylinidse were running over 

 the ground everywhere, and every bit of debris, hole and crevice 

 sheltered them. Most of the specimens taken belonged to the two 

 families mentioned, but several species of Scarabseidse, Chrysomelidae 

 and weevils, driven to shelter by the early frosts, were also found. 

 Carabidae occurred in considerable variety, Bembidiums, of course, 

 predominating. The species of this genus which most pleased us was 

 the handsome B. postremum, which the writer had not seen alive for 

 many years. It is a showy species with highly-polished green surface 

 and a couple of light patches on the elytra. It runs most rapidly 

 when alarmed, but does not take flight like so many others of its 

 genus. On some circumscribed patches of ground it was quite numerous, 

 and scampered out from nearly every bit of litter that was disturbed, 

 or peeped from holes in the ground, while only a few paces away 

 none were to be found. It seemed to prefer the places where the 

 weeds were densest, while in more open spots the less conspicuous 

 species, as B. dorsale, B. variegatum, B. fiavopictum, etc., abounded. 

 Running over the mud a few Elaphrus ruscarius were taken. Under 

 debris a number of Carabus vinctus and a few of the pretty, though 

 minute, Dyschirius hasmorrhoidalis. Perhaps the most abundant beetle 

 was Platynus anchomenoides. It was found wherever the herbage was 

 turned aside. In this connection may be mentioned this beetle's curious 

 habit of feigning death when thrown on its back, although otherwise 

 very lively. Occasionally an Omophron was found under a fallen leaf 

 or bit of twig, and they increased in numbers_ as we approached the 

 open ground lately occupied by the pool. Here they were found 

 under debris and by digging just beneath the surface of the soil. 

 The pressure from our feet, as we moved about, drove them from their 

 burrows, and they could be seen emerging close to us, while several were 

 generally in sight running over the ground. An old dust-broom, which 

 happened to be at hand, gave excellent service at this juncture. By 

 sweeping the ground and thus exposing the burrows, the beetles were 

 taken literally by hundreds. This was highly satisfactory, as in my 

 search of former years along sandy shores, I had found them very 

 sparingly. Frederick. Knab, Chicopee, Mass. 



