1877.1 135 



Entomological Notes of a Tour in Egypt and, Syria. — During the early spring 

 of 1876, I spent some time in Egypt, and a short time in Jerusalem and its neigh- 

 bourhood. The following brief notes of a few insects which I brought back may be 

 of some interest. My cajitures were chiefly among Coleoptera, from the comparative 

 ease in taking and preserving them, but I will first say something aboxxt the other 

 Orders, especially as I shall not attempt to arrange these notes after any scientific 

 method. 



In the brilliant narrow river margin, wliich constitutes the greatest extent of 

 Egypt, there are but few Lepidoptera to be seen in the early months of the year. 

 The wider plains of the Delta may be richer in this respect. By far the most 

 common species is Danais Chrysippus : it swarmed in gorgeous luxuriance in the 

 rich gardens of the Grezeerah Palace, and other similar places about Cairo. Some 

 species of Pieris, Anthocharis, and Lyccena, calling for no special notice, were seen 

 along the banks of the Nile, but were few and far between. In Syria, indeed, Lepi- 

 doptera were far better represented ; but, as I have not yet acquired the art of 

 butterfly-hunting on horseback, I captured very few ; those I took being principally 

 some ZygcBncB at rest, taken during our mid-way halts. 



I took a few Hymenoptera ; they included Xylocopa astnans, L., which flew in 

 a strong way across the Nile, and my specimens of which I captured buzzing about 

 oiu" dahabeeah. 



Tet)-alonia ruficollis, Brulle, occurred on the banks. 



Chalicodoma sicula, Eossi, was to be captured by thousands ; its favourite resort 

 is the old walls of Egyptian temples, which it plasters over to an amazing extent, 

 entirely covering up all inscriptions, or sculpture, that may be thereon. 



Scolia similis, Fab., burrows abundantly in the sand ; and the black wasp 

 Eumeties tinctor, Christ., was not rare. 



As far as I observed, in Egypt (though I must confess that my examination was 

 a very superficial one) the variety of Coleoptera is somewhat limited. The time of 

 year may partly account for this, but there is too small a food area, in Upper Egypt 

 at all events, to sustain a great number. The species one perhaps meets with most 

 frequently are Pimelia asperata and P. grandis, Klug, with Ocnera hispida, Forsk., 

 and Adesmia Pariseti, Solier. These ugly black beetles are very common in the 

 long lightless passages so numerous in the huge temples : they live, I believe, in such 

 localities principally on the droppings of the countless bats which dwell in these 

 gloomy vaults, and whose chief function in life seems to be to flap in the inquisitive 

 traveller's face, and chill him to the marrow with confused fears of restless angry 

 spirits of prince or priest of the age of the Pharaohs. 



Scarabceus saver, L., kept itself in proud seclusion, and I was rarely favoured 

 with a sight of the living mystic symbol, but its sculptured efiigy, with wide-spread 

 wings of protection, stretches over temple gate or hall ; or, graved as a signet, is 

 offered by the persistent " fellah," at many times its weight in gold. Its giant 

 relative Ileliocopris Isidis, Savigny, was rather less exclusive. In the neighbourhood 

 of the Apis Mausoleum, at Sakkarah, I took one specimen, and saw a few more, of 

 the pretty black and white Oraphipterus variegatus, Fab., which jumps in an aggra- 

 vated Cicindela-\iko style, quite as nimble as the most lively tiger-beetle. 



Among other Coleoptera taken in Egypt, were Zophosis abbreviata, Kl., Tentyria 

 discicollis, Reicho, Himatismus villosics, Dej., Ocnera Oenei, Solier, Pedinus punctu- 

 lafiis, Muls., and Leucosomus (GonocleonusJ senectus, Schonh. 



