18T7.J 181 



The insects of the Arctic Expedition. — Having been favoured with an oppor- 

 tunity of glancing over a portion of the collections made by Captain Feilden, one of 

 the naturalists who accompanied the expedition, I jotted down a few notes that 

 cannot, I think, fail to be interesting to entomologists generally, and which I have 

 Captain Fcilden's permission to publish. A large portion of the collections is still 

 unpacked. That seen by me consists of a box of pinned insects, and a considerable 

 number in tubes, and is probably the most interesting because the greater number 

 of the insects were collected near Discovery Bay in 81° 42', N. latitude ; some of the 

 Lepidoptera are even from 82° 45'. Of course, the most interesting fact is the 

 occurrence of five or six species of Butterflies within a few hundred miles of the 

 North Pole, especially when taken into consideration with the fact that Iceland 

 and the large islands of the Spitzbergen group, although in lower latitudes, have 

 apparently no butterflies. 



In Lepidoptera, I observed four examples (2 J , 2 ? ) of the genus Colias, 

 possibly two species (? Boothii and Heel a). Apparently three species of Argynnis 

 or Melitcea (or both). A Chrysophanus apparently identical with phloeas. In the 

 NoctuidcB, only one individual, — an Acrovycta. In the Qeometrida, one Amplndasis 

 or Biston, and several Cheimatobioid forms with apterous females. Of the Cramhites, 

 one Phycis, perhaps owvfusca. 



The Hymetioptera are represented by a Bomhiis, and one of the Ichneunionid(B 

 of considerable size. 



In the Diptera, there is one large fly, probably belonging to the Tachinidce, and 

 perhaps parasitic on the larvce of some of the Lepidoptera. One species of TlpuUdcB ; 

 and a considerable number of CuIicidcB, and of what looks like a ISimulium, which, 

 however, do not appear to have annoyed the members of the expedition in these 

 high latitudes. 



Of Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Neuroptera,\ s&vr none; but the bird -lice are 

 naturally well represented. 



No doubt we shall hereafter have an extended report on all the Natural History 

 collections, which, thanks to Captain Feilden's diligence under peculiarly trying 

 conditions, will be the most valuable contribution to a knowledge of the Arctic Fauna 

 and Flora that has yet been (or, perhaps, ever will be) furnished. — R. McLachlan, 

 Lewisham, London : Glh December, 1876. 



Note on Bruchus pisi. — As this insect is generally (if not always) found in 

 England in shops or store-houses, it may not be uninteresting to note that I beat a 

 specimen of it last August off Sisymbrium near Strctford, on the canal bank. This 

 is a district, however, where there are many market gardens, and much of various 

 kinds of garden and field produce is brought by boat through it to Manchester. — J. 

 Chappell, 2, Boundary Street, Hulme, Manchester : December, 1876. 



The Colorado Beetle (Doryphora decemlineala) . — The Commissioners of Customs 

 have issued to all the ports of the United Kingdom a General Order, accompanied 

 by a description and figure of the Colorado Beetle, directing tliat the Oflicers of the 

 Out-Door Department of the Service, in addition to the orders given in 1875, 

 respecting the particular examination of potatoes brought from the United States 

 and Canada, with a view to prevent the introduction of the beetles into this country. 



