1874.] 47 



My observations wore made at Sedbury Park, in the west of 

 Gloucestershire, aud began about tlie 22nd of ]May ; but the season 

 was backward both as regards plant and insect life, so that the date 

 in ordinary seasons would probably range rather earlier. 



The first species that I noticed was M. rufipes, abounding then 

 on the hawthorn blossoms, but of tlie individuals of this I only noticed 

 especially the dexterity with which they buried themselves when in 

 confinement, and that none of the specimens which I then opened 

 showed the presence of eggs. 



About June 6th, the brassy-green Ilcligethes were to be found in 

 considerable numbers on the inflorescence of cultivated Cruciferce, 

 apparently feeding entirely on the pollen, and indifferent whether 

 they gnawed it direct fx"om the anther, or swept it with their 

 jaws from where it chanced to have fallen on the sui'face of the leaves, 

 or each other's backs, and also collecting it in masses on the frontal 

 portions of the head, by drawing the tibite laden with pollen (which 

 seem as if purposely formed for collecting it) through the mouth ap- 

 pendages. On opening the abdomen of some of the Meligethes in- 

 festing the turnip plants, I found that eggs were formed, usually only 

 two in number, but occasionally four. 



On the lith of June, examining some turnip stalks in flower, I 

 noticed a considerable number of larva? amongst the filaments and 

 apparently injured buds, and sometimes as many as five of these larva) 

 in one flower. They w^ere very active, and their method of progression, 

 with the assistance of the caudal proleg, vigorous, and characteristic, 

 by taking a few steps in the ordinary way, then giving a sudden and 

 most energetic twist of the tail forward with a sweep to one side, and, 

 after securely fixing the caudal foot, proceeding as before. 



On the 15th to the 17th of June, similar larva? were to be found 

 in profuMion on turnip and cabbage blossom haunted by the green 

 Meligethef!, the larvje usually spotted, and so transparent that the con- 

 tained matter might be seen moving ahout internally in globules. 



The larva; were usually to be found in the buds and partially 

 opened flowers, distinguished by a shrivelled and stunted appearance; 

 ill the stamens and petals the distortion of 1lie flower being, in all 

 ])robability, owing to the partiality of the larvic for gnawing at the 

 base of the blossom. 



In one case, I watched a larva with its jaws applied to the same 

 spot for upwards of two minutes, and working with such energy that 

 the jerk with which it piilled from time to time was distinctly visible, 

 but I was never able to detect that solid matter was removed. 



