188C.J 39 



are only rudimentary, whereas they are developed in the (? . The wings hare no 

 markings, but the neuration is very strong and dai'k, and furnished with long hairs. 

 The size about equals that of C. ohsoJetus, &c. The habits are peculiar, as it is found 

 under stones and amongst dry rubbish (hence the specific name), dead leaves, &c. 

 No doubt it only requires searching for in order to be re-discovered in this country ; 

 and there are several other recently-described European genera and species of 

 Psof/c?fP of somewhat similar habits that no doubt also occm* with us. — Id., Ijewisham, 

 London : June IQth, 1886. 



CcEcilius piceus, Kolbe, and C. Bunneisteri, Braver, in Scotland. — I found the 

 two species above named very commonly by beating Juniper during the month of 

 August, near Insh, Inverness-shire ; C. piceus was very abundant at a spot within a 

 few yards of the village. — James J. F. X. King, 207, Sauchiehall Sti-eet, Glasgow : 

 June, 1886. 



Notes upon the capture of Coleoptera during flight. — Amongst the varied 

 methods of capture adopted for Coleoptera, the above appears one that is seldom 

 made use of, at any rate by young collectors ; and as I have found it yield good 

 results, I thought it might be of interest to mention a few of the conditions con- 

 ducive to its successful employment. 



Any attentive observer of Nature cannot fail to have noticed upon a fine 

 spring or autumn day the immense amount of insects that fill the air. To most 

 persons tliey appear to be flies, but examined nioi'e carefully, they will be found to 

 consist principally of Coleoptera, the major portion belonging to two divisions, viz., 

 Bracheli/tra and Lamellicornia. 



With tliese, however, many representatives of other groups will be found asso- 

 ciated. There will be noticed a very marked dissil^lilarity of flight, and it is to this 

 point I would draw particular attention ; indeed, the various genera appear to 

 possess as distinct an individuality in their mode of flight as in other respects — 

 some darting along with great velocity hither and thither, apparently quite regard- 

 less of obstacles ; others again, with more deliberation, wheeling round and round 

 in large or small cii'cles, or hovering, as it were, over some particular spot. Broadly 

 classed, the Adeph.aga, Brachelytra, and Lamellicornia are the swift ; whilst mem- 

 bers of the Clavicornia, Rhynchophora, Longicornia, Sternoxi, &c., are slower and 

 heavier fliei's ; the Heteromera, Malacodermata, and Teredilia being the hoverers. 

 Of course there are exceptions, but after four years' careful study, the above seems 

 generally the rule. 



As in peculiarity of flight, so in time ; the various species seem to have special 

 hours. Wind, too, exercises great influence — a warm, slightly hazy afternoon, with 

 a quiet south-west breeze, being the most advantageous ; so important, indeed, is it, 

 that upon a sudden change taking place, the effect is instantaneous, and the insects 

 vanish " like the morning mist." The following list will serve to indicate a few of 

 the species likely to be obtained, together with their times of appearance : — 



10 a.m. to sunset, spring : Amara hifrons, and many others of the genus ; Tre- 

 chus ruhens, ohtusus, and minutus, species of Cercyon and Hydradephaga very 

 abundant. 



Brachelytra, examples too numerous to detail, especially, liowever, Dcleaster 



