18 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



ft 



on the habits of amblychila cylindriformis, say. 



Dear Sir, — 



This beetle, usually considered very rare, is, I am satisfied, much 

 more common than heretofore supposed. 



I base this opinion on my own observations, and have a good collection 

 to sustain it. Their peculiar habits are evidently the great cause of their 

 rarity, and, once understood, I am positive they will become quite 

 common. 



Their geographical distribution is, so far as is now known, rather 

 limited ; yet there is now no reason to suppose that they will not eventually 

 be found extending over a large portion of Kansas and Colorado. 



The following is such as I have learned concerning them : 

 Nocturnal (Crepuscular) rarely being taken until after sunset, and 

 occasionally in the early morning. Found usually along clay banks, where 

 they live- in holes generally made by themselves, where they find that 

 seclusion so congenial to their nature. The state of the weather affects 

 appreciably this insect. When cold and blustery they remain concealed, 

 preferring a warm, balmy air ; occasionally a 7uann, clotidy afternoon will 

 entice them from their j-etreats, but this is rarely to be expected. Like 

 the rest of the Ckindeiidce, they are predaceous. They also feed on effete 

 matter. In many of their habits they are like Asida. 



Harry A. Brous, Manhattan, Kansas. 



ON capturing catocalas in the day-time. 

 Dear Sir, — 



According to -promise, I give you my method of capturing Catocalas in 

 day -light. I very seldom take my net with me when hunting them, as they 

 are such lively insects when in the net that they are sure to injure them- 

 selves by rubbing the scales off the thorax, which spoils their appearance. 

 I take with me a long blue beech sapling, a wide-mouthed wine-glass with 

 the bottom broken off, a piece of pasteboard and a small bottle of chloro- 

 form. When on the ground where I usually hunt them, which is a wood 

 of white oak and hickory, I commence by rubbing the blue beech stick 

 quickly up and down the side of the tree. The Catocalas usually settle 

 low down on the trees, and when disturbed by the noise made by rattling 



