in a cave, at Peterborough. During the first fortnight of March Hydroporiis granu- 

 laris, Ccelambus ineequalis, Scymnus suturalis, Rhizopliagus depressus, Mysia oblongo- 

 guttata, Apion pomonee (is this generally taken from Pinus sylvestris?), Hi/lastes 

 ater, and Apteropeda graminis put in an appearance in varying numbers. — Claude 

 MORLET, Ipswich : March 16tk, 1896. 



Mimicry in Ilypera punctata, F. — While collecting in a sand pit on February 

 12th I came upon a most curious variety of this common Coleopteron. Throughout its 

 colour was the exact counterpart of its surroundings, from which it was with difficulty 

 distinguished. At first I thought the mimicry was probably caused by adhesion of 

 sand particles, but upon examination found the pubescence to be of a totally different 

 and much lighter colour than the usual dark brown of the type. — Id. 



Wood-Naphtha as a relaxing medium for Coleoptera. — As an appendix to Mr. 

 Blandford's note {ante p. 63) ray own experience may not be uninteresting. On the 

 appearance of Dr. Knaggs' paper on the subject, I brought it under the notice of 

 my friend Mr. W. E. Brady, who remembered that he had in his possession a num- 

 ber of insects which had been sent to him some ten years ago from Zanzibar. As 

 soon as convenient he tried the naphtha upon one of the butterflies, and with perfect 

 success. We then made a division of the specimens, he taking the Lepidoptera, I the 

 Coleoptera and Hemiptera, which I was able to relax and set in a most satisfactory 

 manner, and that too in a comparatively short space of time. Both discoverer and 

 publisher deserve well of all entomologists, more especially those who like myself 

 have very little leisure to devote to their chosen study. — E. G. Bayford, 2, Kocking- 

 ham Street, Barnsley : March, 1896. 



[I tried wood -naphtha on some exotic Dragon-flies that had remained in 

 " papers," as sent, for five or six years. These insects are known to have remarkably 

 rigid wing-attachments. The result was so far satisfactory that it is probable I may 

 eventually abandon the old relaxing box for these and some other Neuroptera. As 

 in everything a certain amount of experience is necessary. A large Dragon-fly takes 

 about a quarter of an hour before it is safe to attempt to manipulate it ; if attempted 

 too soon the result is that the wing-roots break before full expansion is obtained. 

 Specimens placed on the setting-boards overnight are ready for the collection next 

 morning. — R. McLachlan]. 



#bituari|. 



Julius Flohr. — We regret to announce the death of this well known Coleopterist 

 at Vera Cruz, Mexico, on February 8th, after three weeks' illness. He was born at 

 Hamburg on February 11th, 1837, and had therefore nearly completed his 59th 

 year. He was educated in his native city, and from his boyhood took an interest 

 in collecting Coleoptera. After several years' residence in England, where ho was 

 engaged in commercial pursuits, he went, in 1859, to Mexico, and found employment 

 in a first class banking house, of which he subsequently became a partner. In 1877 

 he retired from business, and from that period to the time of his death he devoted 



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