MIGRATION AND DISPERSAL OF INSECTS '. COLEOPTERA. 353 



Ampliotis inanjinata, Er. — On April 13th I introduced an Amphotis 

 (from a nest of Lasius fuliyinosus at Oxshott) into my nest. When it 

 meets an ant it lies close against the ground and its flat shape and 

 explanate elytra protect it. The ant has nothing to lay hold of, and 

 after examining it passes on. The beetle, after walking about for a 

 time, eventually buried itself in the ground. 



Formica rufa, L. — On April 12th I brought up from Oxshott from 

 the same nests whence my ants came, some queens and workers. 

 They were at once recognised and received with pleasure, the ? s 

 immediately being cleaned and led into the nest. On April 26th I 

 brought up a queen and some workers from another nest at Oxshott, 

 far removed from my old nest. These also, to my surprise, were 

 equally well received. These ants must have sprung from the same 

 stock as my nest, since $ s and workers from nests at Weybridge and 

 Bournemouth were attacked, dragged about, and killed, when introduced 

 into my nest. 



Formica fnsca, L. and F. uiwjiiinea, Latr. — Specimens of these ants 

 (from nests at Weybridge) when introduced were at once attacked and 

 eventually killed by my ants. 



Lasius fidiiiinosiis, Latr. — On April 12th I brought up from Oxshott 

 specimens of this ant and introduced them into my nest. It was very 

 curious that, although they were attacked by many 7' . rufa, every ntfa let 

 go soon, whereas, as we have seen, other species of ants were stuck to 

 and dragged about till they were killed, and then thrown out of the 

 nest. 



I hope to make further experiments in the future. 



Migration and Dispersal of Insects : Coleoptera. 



By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



Commenting on this abundance of beetles on the summit of Ben 

 Nevis, Thornley says that the interest of Bruce's paper depends upon 

 the fact that most of the insects recorded are Avidely distributed low- 

 land forms. A singular testimony, he says, to the universal distribu- 

 tion of about thirty out of the fifty-two recorded species, is the fact that 

 they can be found commonly in (or close to) his own parish, which is 

 situated in the Trent Valley, and on the Keuper marl, whilst it is further 

 doubtful if a single species recorded can be looked upon as a true 

 mountain species, if, by this term, we mean a species which is only 

 found as a straggler at low levels. Even of submountainous species 

 there are very few. He then adds : "In this respect a mountain 

 flora betrays much more specialisation than a mountain fauna. Bates, 

 commentmg upon the rich collection of insects brought by Whymper 

 from the slopes and summits of the higher Andes of South America, 

 remarks upon the altitude at which tropical lowland species were 

 found — even as high as 9000ft. -12000ft. The difference in this case, 

 between the upper and lower environment must be enormous, yet but 

 little variation Avas perceptible. In the light of these facts we need 

 not be surprised at the altitudes at which so many of our common 

 insects can be found. What is much more remarkable is the presence 

 in numbers, on the bare rocky summit, of some particular species whose 

 ordinary mode of life would seem to be ill-adapted for such an 

 environment. We are, therefore, obliged to have recourse to some 



