104 [May 



ON WINTER COLLECTING. 

 KY II. T. TAV. 



It ])a.s been well said that any observations, however trivial and coni- 

 nioM-place they may seem, upon the habits of insects, may prove of some 

 )iractical use. Hoping, therefore, that the following paper, which com- 

 prises the results of my experience in collecting Coleoptera in the vicinity 

 of Columbus, Ohio, during the winter months, may be of some little in- 

 terest to the lovers of the science of Entomology, I venture to offer for 

 the consideration of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, a Cata- 

 logue of the species I have found in a season of the year, generally deem- 

 ed so unproductive to the collector. 



It is perhaps unnecessary to state, that such of these species as are 

 found safely stowed away in decaying wood for their winters' sleep, could 

 only be reached in moderate weather or at such times as the frost is driven 

 from the ground by the warm winter rains so prevalent in this climate. 

 Nevertheless, a large portion were collected in quite cold weather, and 

 when the ground was covered by snow — I refer to such as are found under 

 moss and loose bark of decaying trees. 



I have often been astonished at the number of Beetles congregated in 

 the same spot. On one occasion in particular, on stripping the bark from 

 the base of an oak partially decayed, it would be no exaggeration to say 

 they could be counted by hundreds, comprising about twenty species, 

 mostly common. Is this for warmth ? 



One more observation and I will proceed with my list. In a place 

 where there are many rott.on logs, I may dig in half a dozen without find- 

 ing a single specimen, the next one I come to will perhaps reward me 

 abundantly. 



Nehria paUipes Say. Abundant. 

 Carabus vwrtns Web. One specimen. 

 Scarites suhfrrraneus Fabr. 

 Brachinus finnans Linn. 

 Galerita janus Fabr. 



Casnonia jK7insi/loanica Linn. Under stones. 

 Apristus suhsulcatus Dej. 

 Cymindis amerirana Dej, 

 Pinnrodi'Vii Jimhafa Dej. Thidcr V)ark. 

 ,, fioicata Dej. Under bark. 



