1S74.] 39 



Near Faversliam, on May 30tli, I fell in with RhinocyUits latiruf^tris, in profusion 

 on the heads of a few thistles growing in a wood, on dry chalky soil, and miles away 

 from the coast, to wliich I had imagined that this fine weevil was confined. On the 

 same day I took Aspidophorus orhiculafus (not rare), Liosomus ollovgulus {$), 

 Oymnetron rostellum, &c., by sweeping. — James J. Walker, K.N., 7, West Street, 

 Blue Town, Sheerness : June 8th, 1874. 



Capture, of Aphod'uis villosns. — I have had the good fortune to meet with a 

 considerable number of this insect, in a chalk cutting at Freshwater, Isle of Wight. 

 They were chiefly crawling over the clean chalk, and I could discoTcr no cluo to their 

 proper habitat. It is evidently a June species, as I have just noticed that Mr. Side- 

 botham's record in this Magazine, for 1868, of the capture of this insect in Wales, 

 bears the same date as my own. — CuAS. 0. Watekhouse, British Museum : 

 Jinie 16th, 187-i. 



S'otes on Ort/ura and olJicr Uyinenoptera. — Although I only commenced the 

 study of Ilymenoptera in March last, I am induced to offer a few observations from 

 seeing what a wide field of research is open for any one who will engage in this 

 branch of entomology. Up to this date, I have had only about twelve hours of 

 actual field work ; yet of seventeen species sent by me to the Rev. T. A. Marshall 

 for inspection, seven are certainly rare, and some new to England, if not to science. 



The following names of some of my captures, given by Mr. Marshall (for whoso 

 ready and patient assistance in the minutest details of all my requirements my best 

 thanks are due), will at once show how much may be done by quite a tyro : — 

 Ceraphron palliCdiJpes, new for England ; Hyperbceus seminulum ; Thoron metal- 

 lic us ; Cosmocoma fuscipes ; Prosacantha brachyptera (or rujipe.<tj,pedestris, and two 

 doubtful species ; Acli.ila sp. ? It should bo borne in mind that tliese were all taken 

 in three expeditions before the middle of April. Since then, I have been taking 

 dozens, which still remain unnamed, owing to ray want of knowledge. In fact I 

 take enough in two hours to occupy my evenings for a week in setting them, and it 

 seems a great pity that there should be so few workers in this branch of entomology. 



On the CynipidcE, these few notes may be of interest. By far the majority of 

 galls of C. liynicola on the oak scrubs in the ravines on Wimbledon Common appear 

 to contain inquilines. I gathered forty galls, choosing several small ones, and having 

 thirty-one still entire. Out of the other nine, I liave obtained the following : — of a 

 species of Callimome, seven ; of another, Chalcis, three ; of a third, two ; of 

 Decatomus hiyuttatus, two; of a Synergus (two species), over twenty-four, of which 

 sixteen came from one gall of the smallest size ; and another Synergus which looks 

 like a new species. Of the two first mentioned Synergi, Mr. Marshall writes that 

 tlieyarc cither new or cannot be identified. I opened the small gall which contained 

 the sixteen Synergi after twelve had come out, and found the other four each wrapped 

 in a thin silken film ; on opening this, I found them quite dry within. They could 

 fly almost at onco. I aho detected a Callimome, S , i" the net of escaping from a 

 gall. The hole was not quite completed at the orifice ; there was a cold wind, whicli 

 suggested that the insect was waiting for sunshine ; but witiiiu, the insect was dry, 

 and had its wings fully expanded.— A. O. Ward, 10, Stratford Grove, Putney, S.W. : 

 !")//( May, 1874. 



