irt [January, 



appearance in luiiiibLTs during tlic earliest hours of the morning is most significant, 

 and may tiirow some light on the occurrence of the other species for tliere can be 

 no doubt that this Syrphid was overtaken bj darkness while journeying over the sea, 

 in the same manner as J'anessa carclui, when it occurred at the lantern of the 

 Kentish Knock Lightship.* It was not blown out to sea, for tlic weather previous 

 to its appearance was not characterized by strong winds. Indeed, as at the light- 

 ship, our insect visitors generally arrived during the prevalence of light airs, the 

 single exception being on October 15th, when the wind at the Eddyslone was logged 

 as a moderate breeze with a velocity of about 20 miles an hour. 



M. ineticulosa ajjpears to be the greatest traveller. It was not only the most 

 abundant species observed, but was also the most frequent visitor ; and since I 

 returned from the Kentish Knock I have received specimens captured at the lantern 

 of that lightship between 8 p.m. and midnight on November 6th. 



Museum of Science and Art, 



Edinburgh : Decemher, 1903. 



TWO NEW SPECIES OF BRITISH ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA. 

 UT EDWAEB SAUNDERS, P.R.S. 



The firat of the two species described below {Crcibro sfi/rius, 

 Kohl) has been known to me for several years, but having only seen 

 isolated females, I did not like to describe it as new. In Dr. Capron's 

 collection, however, I found a small series of it under the name of 

 cetratus, which are doubtless the specimens he recorded from 

 Shiere in this Magazine, vol. xxii, p. 264, and amongst these is a (^, 

 so I am able now to describe both sexes ; I recently found that the 

 ? agreed with the characters of styrius described by Prof. Kohl, of 

 Vienna, from a specimen taken at Adniont, in Steieruiark. I forwarded 

 one of my females to him for his opinion, and he kindly writes that 

 it is certainly identical with his species. 



The other {Halictus semipimctulatus, Schenck) has been taken 

 this year by Mr. E. E. Nevinson at Lyme Regis ; it is very closely 

 allied to Halictus pauxillus, but it a])pcared to me to differ in certain 

 particulars, so I sent a pair to Mr. A If ken, of Bremen, who has been 

 good enough to compare it for me with the species in 8chenck's col- 

 lection, and returns it as semipunctulatus. 1 expect this species may 

 be mixed in collections under pauxillus or suh/asciatus, but the char- 

 acters given below will, I hope, enable it to be recognised. 



* In connection with the appearance of this species in abundance at the Eddystone, Mr. 

 Grinishaw has drawn my attention to the note by the late F. Walker in vol. i of this Magazine 

 (p. 139), rogardinK the occurrence of this and other Syrphids in vast numbers at the Isle of 

 Wight in August, 1861 ; and to Mr. Veirall's note on p. 339 of his recent work on British Flies 

 (Syrphidce), which may also be consulted with advantage. 



