i897] Notes, 85 



the distance was just 50 feet, one stem being 26 feet long, the other 24 

 the three remaining stems were somewhat shorter. But this was not all, 

 for each of the stems had produced a number of secondary axillary 

 branches. Those on the largest stem were 14 in number, and their 

 aggregate length was 105 feet ; so that this one shoot had perfected 

 altogether 131 feet of stem ! An approximate estimate showed that the 

 plant had last season produced altogether about 500 feet of stem. The 

 termination of each main shoot and most of the secondary branches was 

 firmly rooted in the soil, with a large bud at the point, each ready to 

 produce an independent plant next season. In the absence of leaf and 

 flower, it was not possible to determine the species. 



R. Li^oYP Praeger. 



Carduus Crispus In Co* Down. 



As this plant is extremely rare in the North-east, it may be worth 

 recording that it grows about the ancient church at St. John's Point, Go. 

 Down, accompanied by Anthriscus vulgaris. 



R. Ll,0YD Praeger. 



ZOOLOGY. 



INSECTS. 



Coieoptera at Poyntzpass, 



January and February are not usually looked upon as months abounding 

 in insect life, but to those who take the trouble of searching for them in 

 their winter quarters many insects can be found. On January 14, I had 

 a haystack moved, and among the debris remaining where its base had 

 been were various insects, and the following coleoptera were captured :— 

 Quedius boops, Eyicephalus complicans (a curious stumpy staphylinid which is 

 often found in ants' nests), Stetms speculator, Omalium concinnum, Cononimus 

 nodifer, Enicimus transversus, and Cryptophagus cellaris ; there were also a 

 number of Atomaria pusilla. On February 2nd I got a couple of bags of 

 moss from a neighbouring wood, taking it mostly from the base of fir 

 trees. Among my captures the following may be noX.'^dL-.—Akochara 

 cuniculorum, a somewhat unusual locality for this insect, Homalota 

 longicornisy H. atramentaria, Tachyusa aira, Tachyporus obtusus, and its var. 

 nitidicollis (the latter I find much more common than the type in Ireland). 

 T. brunneus, Hypocyptus ovulum, Philonthus splendens^ Lathrobium quadratum^ 

 Stenus brunnipes^ Steph.., Lathrimaum unico/or, Othiusryiyrmecophilus, Scydmaenus 

 collaris, Anaitis ocellata (this fine lady-bird is more usually obtained by 

 beating fir trees in the summer, but I met with it in moss at Armagh). 

 Atomaria atricapilla, Longitarsus ater, F., L. suturalis. Marsh., and Plectroscelis 

 concinna. Besides there were many commoner species with the usual 

 complement of spiders, woodlice, millipedes, with a stray caterpillar or 

 two, and a few handsome ichneumon flies, while various " spring-tails" 

 jerked themselves about. This will give an idea of the insect life to be 

 found in a bunch of moss at this time of year. 



W. F. Johnson. 



