190 [August, 



point I may probably have a suggestion to make hereafter. L. harhara is distinctly 

 Mediterranean in its habits, but is abundant near Paris. I have seen one of Dr. 

 Walker's Alderney specimens.^R. McLachlan]. 



Pipunculus incognitus : a correction. — In the April number of this Magazine 

 (p. 88 ante) I recorded among others, P. incognitus. This is an error, it should be 

 geniculatus, Mg. In Mr. Verrall's new arrangement of the PipunculidcB, P. geni- 

 culatus is given as a synonym of incognitus, hence my mistake. P. incognitus I 

 believe is not known as British at present. — Ralph C. Bradley, Lyndhurst, May- 

 field Eoad, Moseley, Birmingham : July 9ith, 1900. 



Ckortophila buccata parasitic on Andrena labialis. — Whilst watching on June 

 18th last a strong colony of Andrena labialis on a sand cliff, I noticed that each bee 

 as it approached its home was met and followed by one of the numerous flies which 

 were lying in wait on a sand bank below. The bee so shadowed seemed unwilling 

 to enter its nest, and would sweep to and fro in front of the cliff, the fly following 

 about a foot behind, always pursuing the exact course of the bee's wendings like an 

 animal hunting by scent. After a time the bee would enter its nest still pursued by 

 the fly, which would run a very short distance down the mouth of the hole, and then 

 returning settle not far off. Though I repeatedly saw a fly make a dash at a bee, 

 for a long while each attempt was a failure ; at last, however, I witnessed one that 

 succeeded, the pursuing fly making a dart alighted on the back of a bee and clung 

 firmly. The bee, in its efforts to free itself, blundered against the bank and rolled 

 a short distance without shaking off the fly, which soon after released the bee and 

 being captured proved to be a Ckortophila, either buccata or unilineata, the females 

 are hard to distinguish. This method of ovipositing is well known as regards the 

 Tachimd, Miltogramma punctata, but may have been hitherto unnoticed in any 

 species of Ckortophila ; for though several species are abundant in this neigbour- 

 hood, and others not uncommon, the late Dr. Meade, in his list of British Anthomyiidce, 

 sets them all down as uncommon or rare, and Schiner's experience of them seems to 

 have been the same. — A. Piffard, Felden, Boxmoor, Herts : July 9tk, 1900. 



Mending broken insects.- — When setting insects their legs, antennae, &c., are, 

 as all entomologists well know, apt to break off. I find the rubber solution supplied 

 for repairing pneumatic tyres an excellent adhesive for fastening them on again. The 

 leg, or whatever it may be, is held in the forceps and the broken end just tipped 

 with the solution. On placing the broken parts together they will be found to at 

 once adhere, and the rubber not becoming immediately hard allows them to be ar- 

 ranged in any position. — T. A. Gerald Strickland, 28, Elm Park Gardens, S.W. : 

 July nth, 1900. 



Hydradephaga and Hydrophilidm taken during the present season. — As I have 

 been working the water net very regularly since Easter, and with some success, 

 perhaps a few notes on the results may prove interesting. 



On April 28th, at Horsell, in ponds on the heath, I secured Rkantus bistriaius, 

 Berg., Agabus ckalconotus, Panz., Hydroporus Gyllenhalii, Schiodte, and several 

 other of the commoner species of the latter genus. 



During May the following amongst others turned up in Richmond Park in 



