158 [December, 



distinct species in the last edition of Do Marseul's Catalogue of the Coleoptera of 

 Europe. On the other hand, Mr. G. R. Crotch tells me that he has recently sub- 

 mitted a specimen of it to M. Ch. Brisout de Barneville, who informed him that it 

 was very close to T. nificollis, if distinct from it. 



I have carefully examined several specimens of T. nitidicolUs, and have no 

 hesitation in stating my opinion that it is merely a variety of the common T. ohtus%ts, 

 differing in no respect from that species except in coloration j and, even in that 

 respect, intermediate grades occur in Scotland. 



Mr. Wollaston has stated (loc. cit.) that he never found T. nitidicolUs in 

 England, while it was common in Ireland ; and this becomes the more remarkable, 

 if the insect is to be considered a mere variety of T. ohtusus. 



I have never noticed the slightest variation in EngHsh specimens of the latter ; 

 but, in Scotch examples, the black bands at the base of the elytra and apex of the 

 abdomen vary in width ; in short, I consider that Stephens' T. nitidicolUs is a form 

 of T. ohtusus, wherein the colour forming the two black bands is extended over a 

 greater area than usual. — Id. 



Eydroporus quinque-Uneatus, Zetterst., taken in Northumberland. — This northern 

 insect, which Zetterstedt, in his Insecta Lapponica, pp. 141, 29, records as occurring 

 copiously in Lapland, will, I think, prove equally boreal in its habits in this country. 

 I have in my collection a fine series of it, which was taken in the shallow grassy 

 margins of the water, on Prestwick Carr, so far back as September 12th, 1855. 

 This locality has since been destroyed, but the beetle will probably occur in similar 

 places elsewhere, as I think that with us it takes the place of reticulatus, Fab. ; of 

 this, however, I cannot make sure, for all my old specimens, taken elsewhere, have been 

 destroyed, except two, which, although certainly 5-lineatus, and of my own taking, 

 are without locality or date. As pointed out by Mr. Rye, the distinct lineation, 

 and more uniform, coarser puncturing, separate it from reUculatus. The latter has 

 the elytra thickly covered with fine punctures, in which are sparsely scattered a 

 few larger impressions. — Teomas John Bold, Long Benton, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 

 November 7th, 1865. 



Occurrence of Limnephilus subcentralis, Hagen ; a Trichopterous insect new to 

 Britain. — At Little Bridy, Dorset, in July last, I took a female Limnephilus, which, 

 in structure and coloration, agrees with a continental specimen of L. subcentralis, 

 kindly given to me, with other types of Phryganidx, by Mr. McLachlan. — A. E. 

 Eaton, Cambridge, November 6th, 1865. 



On the use of the anal forceps in the ForJicuUdce. — Seeing some remarks in j 

 your last number, and in the Athenaeum, No. 1,982, p. 545, as to the use the 

 earwig makes of its anal forceps, it may be worth while to add my mite of infor- 

 mation, which I give from personal observation in India. A species of earwig 

 found there uses the forceps, as stated by Mr. Weir, in folding up its wings after 

 flight, and also fer seizing, and keeping in convenient proximity to its mouth, such 

 Uving larvEO as it may take a fancy to devour, turning its prey about with great 

 ease, and so munching it up very comfortably. I have not observed the forceps 

 used for unfolding its wings.— A. A. Dunlop, 95, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, 

 8th November, 1865. 



