232 [October, 



very common. Perhaps the most interesting capture of all was AUotriehia palli- 

 cornis, Eaton, which was common in June. This species was previously taken by 

 Fletcher near Worcester, and I once took a $ near CArluke, at a burn which soon 

 afterwards was spoiled for entomological purposes ; beyond these I know of no other 

 Britisli records for this pretty little insect. The only other species of the Hydropti- 

 lidcE taken was Hifdroptila forcipata, 'Eaton ; it appeared simultaneously with A. 

 pallicornis, but, unlike the other insect, it did not pass away so quickly ; fresh 

 specimens have continued to appear down to the present time. Many other less 

 noteworthy caddis-flies have been seen. 



Compared with its higher and purer parts, the favourable points connected with 

 the river here are probably a milder temperature and a much increased volume of 

 water, the latter along with the still very appreciable current serving to neutralize 

 the influences which are noxious to insect life. — Kenneth J. Morton, Uddingston, 

 N.B. : August, 1896. 



Bombus' Smithianus, White, at Poyntzpass, Ireland. — When the hay was being 

 cut on my lawn in July last I noticed that there were a number of wild bees' nests, 

 the ground being well adapted for them, as it was covered thickly with moss or 

 " fog " as they call it here. Of course the scythe disturbed the bees from their 

 homes and caused no little commotion. In most cases neither my man (who was 

 cutting) nor I who followed him tossing the hay, were molested, but we found that 

 certain bees were very fierce, so much so, that we had to beat a hasty retreat, and 

 my dog who, being young and inexperienced, ventui-ed to explore the nest, hurried 

 away with loud expressions of disapproval. These bees I noticed were very brilliant 

 in colouring, and finding a nest that was in a less aggressive and active mood than 

 usual, owing probably to heavy rain having fallen, I captured several. These, on 

 examination, appeared to me to be Bombus Smithianus, but not liking to depend on 

 my own determination I forwarded the specimens to Mr. E. Saunders, who confirmed 

 my opinion, but tells me that the females and neuters are indistinguishable from B. 

 venustus. I had hoped to obtain some more males, but owing to the wet weather I 

 have been unable to do this. The nests were on the surface in the depth of moss, 

 and neatly covered over with a moss covering like a lid somewhat. I stupidly did 

 not preserve a nest, and of course when I went to look later all were gone. What 

 struck me most was the fierce way in which these bees attacked ; they followed me 

 for fully eighty yards, and thougli beaten off with ray hat returned to the charge 

 again and again, without, I am glad to say, succeeding in stinging me. They became 

 very torpid after rain, and I had not mucli difficulty in picking out specimens from 

 the nest with my forceps, though one or two did make a feeble onslaught. It is 

 remai'kable to find this bee in full possession here, while apparently non-existent in 

 England (one example from Dover being the only record), and occurring only in the 

 islands (Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland) of Scotland and then far south in Scilly. 

 The distribution as it stands at present is most curious, but probably further research 

 may straighten it out a bit. I think my experience is a good hint for those who 

 wish to study the Bombi, for following the heels of a mower where the ground is 

 carpeted with moss is evidently likely to give good opportunities of examining the 

 nests of these bees. The other species that occurred were B. agrormn and B. 

 lapidarius. — W. F. JonNSON, Acton Glebe, Poyntzpass : September 10th, 1896, 



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