282 ["^^^y- 



fuscous line round the palpi in its place, and are often quite unspotted. Howeyer, 

 one specimen of the first series has only the fuscous circular line, so that no absolute 

 line of distinction can be drawn. 



It will be seen that these points of distinction are very slight, and might perhaps, 

 by the aid of longer series, be shown to be quite untrustworthy : yet the difference 

 of larva appears to be strongly marked and constant. If I might express an opinion, 

 it would be that the darker specimens afford an example of what Dr. Staudinger 

 denominates a "Darwinian species ;" but my object is simply to call attention to 

 the subject, in the hopes that others will investigate it during the coming season. — 

 E. Meybick, Ramsbury, Hungerford : 3rd April, 1877. 



[This occurrence of a peculiar form of so well defined a species as Z>. costosa on 

 Genista tinctoria is extremely interesting. Fischer von Roslerstamm (p. 64) when 

 writing of -D. atomella in 1834 (before it was differentiated into a broom-feeder and 

 a Genista ti)ictoria-icedGv) , mentions that von Tischer had obtained several specimens 

 of a peculiar variety from larvse which, when quite young, were taken from Spartium 

 scoparium, and were then fed up to their full size with Genista tinctoria. Would 

 it be possible to try similar experiments with larvse of J), costosa, for instance, by 

 feeding up grey larviE from Ulex with Genista tinctoria, or by feeding up green 

 larvse fi'om Genista tinctoria with Ulex ? — H. T. S.] 



On mounting Typldocyhida, Sfc. — A simple method of mounting Typlilocyhidm, 

 &c., so as to combine the advantages of ordinary carding with facility for examining 

 the under-side of the body and the nem-ation of elytra and wings, is as follows : — 

 The body of the insect (which is to be taken off the setting-card dry, as mentioned 

 at p. 237 ante) should be fixed by means of a very small drop of Canada balsam, 

 previously warmed, upon a piece of thin glass, of a size a trifle longer than would be 

 requisite for a card, so as to leave rather more space beliind the insect. The posterior 

 margin of the glass is to be placed in a slit extending in a horizontal direction about 

 half-way through a piece of ordinary cabinet cork about a quarter-of-an-inch square ; 

 a pin can then be passed through the cork in the position usual with carded insects, and 

 the whole preparation is fit for the cabinet ; the natural elasticity of a sound piece 

 of cork being sufiicient to retain the glass in position through all the vicissitudes to 

 which a carded insect is usually liable, but of course it can be fastened with elastic 

 glue if desired. — James Edwaeds, Bracondale, Norwich : 14^/* March, 1877. 



New British species of FsylUdce. — Psylla hetulee, L. — I have discovered this 

 species amongst several others taken by Mr. Douglas, in August last, at Dunkeld on 

 birch trees. It appears to have a position near P*. pineti. The insect which ilr. 

 Douglas exhibited at the Meeting of the Entomological Society, of 5th July last, 

 with a doubt as to its being the true representative of the above, was Ps. sylvicola, 

 Leth. Forster does not appear to have known it, but he describes a species under 

 the name of Ps. anibigua which agrees pretty well with it. 



Aphalara artemisice, Forst. — On page 67 ante, I gave a brief description of 

 tliis insect, believing that it would be found to occur here, and I have now the gratifi- 

 cation to establish its right to be considered a British species, as I have detected it 

 amongst a number of Psyllida; kindly sent by Mr. C. W. Dale for determination. 

 It appears to have been taken so long ago as 27th July, 1813, by liis father, and I 



