156 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



146. Oiceoptoma [Silpha] terminatum Kirby. — Length of body 

 9^ lines. Taken in Nova Scotia by Capt. Hall. 



This species seems nearly related to O. Americanum^ but it is nar- 

 rower in proportion to its length, the front has a distinct oblong impres- 

 sion ; the elytra are yellow at the apex and acuminate, which last is 

 probably a sexual character ; the epipleura is less brilliant than in the 

 preceding species, and the elytra are not silky. In other respects it 

 resembles it and may possibly be the female. [A variety of Silpha peltata 

 Catesby ; taken at Toronto by Mr. Couper.] 



147. Oiceoptoma [Silpha] affine Kirby. — Length of body 9 lines. 

 Taken in Nova Scotia by Dr. Mac Culloch. 



Very like the preceding species, but the frontal impression is smaller 

 and round: the discoidal black spot of the prothorax is smaller, with the 

 lateral lobes rounded, and with round confluent punctures : the horizontal 

 part of the epipleura is black with a slight tint of blue, and not at all 

 bronzed. [Also a variety of >S. peltata. Taken at Toronto by Mr. 

 Couper ; and on north shore of Lake Superior by Agassiz's Expedition.] 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 



On the Swarming of Danais ARCHIPPUS. — On the first day of 

 September, while driving along the Lake Shore Road, on the borders of 

 Lake Erie, a mile or two south of Port Stanley, I was favoured with a 

 sight which will not soon be forgotten. For several days previous, 

 Archippus butterflies had been unusually abundant, and early in the 

 morning of the day in question, some groups — numbering probably hun- 

 dreds of individuals — which had rested during the night on trees ad- 

 joining the hotel at Port Stanley, were gyrating in a wild manner at all 

 heights, some so far up that they appeared but as moving specks in the 

 sky, others floating lower, over the tops of the trees, in an apparently 

 aimless manner. This was, however, as a mere skirmishing party when 

 compared with the vast hosts seen a little later. 



It was about nine o clock in the morning when, passing a group Of 

 trees forming a rude semicircle on the edge of a wood facing the lake, 

 the leaves attracted attention : they seeming possessed of unusual motion, 

 and displayed fitful patches of brilliant red. On alighting, a nearer 



