1009.] 135 



and arises from the fact that whilst the larva devours the inner shoot 

 the circulation of the sap still goes on through the outer layers of the 

 stem, and the plant, while a|)pearing not to thrive, continues to 

 present a green appearance until the season is too far advanced for 

 the crop to be re-sown. 



The damage caused by this fly has been very generally attributed 

 to " wireworm," and the real cause has apparently been overlooked. 

 The loss occasioned is diiEcult to estimate, but must be very great, 

 as the writers unfortunately know from personal experience, and a 

 remedy is difficult to find. Any information as to its life-history and 

 distribution will be of great interest and value. 



We are indebted to Mr. C. Gr. Lamb for the identification of 

 the insect. 



The Priory, Chatteris : 

 April, 1909. 



Omalium foraminosum, Mdklin, in Scotland. — Dr. Joy has just introduced a 

 species to the British list under the name of Homalium hrevicolle, Thorns. As tliere are 

 several points that should be noticed in connection with the species, the supplement- 

 ary note I now offer herewith may be of interest. The species stands in the Munich 

 Catalogue, and in the Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, as Homalium and Omalium 

 foraminosum , Maklin, with hrevicolle. Thorns., as a synonym. Dr. Joy does not say 

 why he proposes the more recent name. Maklin's species was described from Sitkha ; 

 several species from there are known as identical with North European insects ; and 

 on reading Maklin's description (Bull. Mosc, 1852, p. 321) I see no reason for 

 considering the Catalogues I have mentioned above to be erroneous. 



The name Homalium instead of Omalium cannot be admitted. There is in 

 this case no classical justification for the substitution. The Greeks made use of no 

 letter H., but only used a sign of aspiration ; and Omalium is quite as near the 

 truth as Homalium. Moreover, as I have previously insisted, Homalium is a 

 different name from Omalium, coming as it does in a remotely different position 

 in indices, &c. It is not only an emendation so-called, but a substitution, and 

 cannot be accepted, and I am glad to see that recent authorities are accepting this 

 view. 



I have no doubt that Dr. Joy is right in distinguishing this form. I have a 

 small series of the species in my collection, and on separating them from O. exiguum, 

 I notice that the size is of itself diagnostic ; and I also see that in O. foraminosum 

 the temples behind the eyes are a little larger. The following are localities and 

 dates for O. foraminosum .-^Rannoch, first week of May, 1866 ; Thornhill, 

 October 8th, 1867; Thornhill, from dead grouse on the moor, June 3rd, 1868; 

 Thornhill, from fungus, August 25th, 1869, and again on August 30th. It is 

 possible that I may have given away the insect as O. exiguum. — D. ShAKP, 

 Brockenhurst : April 30th, 1909. 



