278 [May, 



to its narrow head, somewliat broad, Hatteued, and " shield-shaped " 

 elytra, which have the entire back dark brownish, and a broad 1 ght 

 coloured outer band on each side, commencing from the shoulder, 

 reaching to the apex, and gradually getting less distinct in outline. 

 These outer bands sometimes extend considerably over the elytra, and 

 are sometimes only conspicuously lighter near the shoulders (the outer 

 part of which is always dark), and at the apex. The legs seem to be 

 always reddish-testaceous, with the femora slightly darker, but the 

 entire insect varies in colour from yellowish-brown to greeuisli-grey.* 



It will be seen from the above that we have fourteen species for 

 certain in this genus, besides two that require further evidence. I have 

 added notices of eleven others, which are the most likely, from their 

 recorded localities, to occur here ; it is, however, somewhat improbable 

 that any of these latter have hitherto escaped notice. 



Of our fourteen species, no less than seven were first described by 

 British Entomologists ; and it is au agreeable change from the usual 

 suppression of English names to find that M. AUard makes no question 

 as to their priority or suflS.ciency. 



284, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W. 



Rhyssa persuasoria. — Seeing that Mr. Dorville has recorded, at page 262 of 

 " The Magazine," the capture of a single specimen of this large Ichneumon, I am 

 reminded that, when I was at Bournemouth two years ago, I took twenty-eight 

 specimens of it, and could have taken more if I had tried. 



They were flying about some fir poles, in which were evidently the larva) of 

 one of the Sirices. Two of the females, which I secured, had their ovipositors so 

 far in the wood that they could not withdraw them : "rather a fix ! ! " 



They are certainly queer looking things when flying about the timber. — 

 Fred. Bond, Cambridge, April 3rd, 1865. 



Occurrence of Oonioctena affinis, Gyll., a species new io Britain. — Among some 

 British Coleoptera, belonging to Mr. Cocking, of Norfolk, I have found one specimen 

 of a Oonioctena, wliich agrees with Gyllenhall's description of njjinis, and which, 

 Mr, Cocking informs me, he found among some sweepings belonging to Mr. Winter. 



* S. discoideus, Sclion., found in temperate and soulliern Europe, is often confounded with 

 *M»ierrt//.«, according to M. Allaixl, but is always distinguishable from that species by its head being 

 narrower, especially at the base, wliicli causes the eyes to seem more prominent. The forehead and 

 rostrum are more deeply furro\ve<l, the humeral callus is a little more prominent, and there is a little 

 white callus at the extremity of tlie fifth interstice. 



M. Allard describes another species, S. hiscrintits, from two specimens, one taken by himself near 

 Paris, which he states to be closely allied to 5. iliscoiileiu, but to differ from it chiefly in having short, 

 fine clear grey silliy liairs; wliich, on the second half of tlie elytra, form two distinct series on each 

 interstice. 



.S. inops, Schiin., taken in Austria and Prance, beax-s great analogy to S. humeralis, from whicli its 

 narrower elytra and thorax (the latter of which is more contracted in front and more finely punctured), 

 Us imaller size, and less closely planted scales, will serve to distinguish it. 



