222 THE entomologist's record. 



to the fact that I have been veiy careful over the localities mentioucd, 

 taking considerable jjains to verify records. I have carefully gone 

 through the Stephensian collection in the museum, as also Dr. Power's, 

 and have consulted many coleopterists on the distribution of the rarer 

 species. Mr. Bouskell has supplied me with the Leicestershire list, 

 and I must say I was surprised to find it such a fine one. 



Prionns coriarius, L., our first species, is a large conspicuous 

 brown insect, with serrate antennas, which are more so in the males. 

 It is found about oak trees, and is not uncommon in some localities. 

 It emerges at the roots of the trees. It is said to be found on 

 fennel. I have taken it in the New Forest (I might here mention that, 

 as might be supposed, the majority of our species are found in the 

 New Forest, I have myself taken twenty-two species there). It is also 

 to be found in Richmond Park, Windsor Forest, and as far north as 

 Manchester, Cannock Chase, and Llangollen. It is not recorded from 

 Leicestershire. Aromia moschata, L., commonly called the musk 

 beetle, is widely distributed throughout the greater part of the country. 

 It is of a handsome metallic green, which occasionally, more especially 

 in the males, varies to a coppery or bluish tint. It is to be found on 

 and about old willows, in which the larva feed. It delights, in 

 common with many other species of this order, to settle on Umhelliferae. 

 It emits a strong smell, which has given the beetle its name, although 

 it is not a bit like musk. This scent can be noticed some distance 

 away, and remains with the insect some time after death. I have 

 taken it in the Fens, and at Sydenham and Sunbury. It is found 

 in Leicestershire, at Quorn, Loughboro, Ashfordley, etc. Aseimmi 

 striatm/i, L. — This interesting [jongicorue, until quite recently, was 

 regarded as a purely northern species, it being taken in fir stumps in 

 Scotland ; but of late years it has been found in the south, Messrs. 

 Bouskell, Engleheart and Nicholson having taken it in the New Forest, 

 Mr. Gorham having taken it in Lord's Wood, Southampton, and Mr. 

 Rye, at Bookham, in Surrey. It is a rather depressed, dull black insect, 

 clothed with thick but very fine pubescence ; the antennas are rather 

 short and robust. Hylotrupes bajnlus, L., is a large, lilack, rather 

 shiny beetle, with a band of white pubescence on the elytra. It is 

 very rare, and has not been taken for some time. It occurs in old posts 

 and rails. Dr. Power took a specimen at Weybridge, and Mr. E. A. 

 Waterhouse, one at Putney. The last capture was made by Mr. Lewcock, 

 at Cromer, about ten years ago. 



Of the genus Callidium we possess four species, one is very rare 

 and perhaps doubtful, two are faiily common, and the fourth is rare, 

 but to be met with occasionally. The first species, Callidium 

 violaceum, L., is a beautiful insect, of a bright metallic blue, which 

 varies to violet and green. It is not uncommon, and is certainly 

 spreading. I have seen it in numbers on the sheds of the Archery 

 Club at Lyndhurst, which are built of fir. I have also taken it at 

 Penge and Purley. It occurs at Chiddingfold, as its borings bear 

 evidence, but I have not seen the perfect insect this year there. It is 

 found on fir ])alings, fences, etc., and its borings may be observed just 

 beneath the bark. It occurs in Leicestershire, Mr. F. Bates having 

 taken it in numbers at Kirby-Muxloe, and Mr. Bouskell at Gumley. 

 Callidium variahile, L., is, as its name implies, a very variable species, 

 being either blue or red, and all kinds of variations between these 



