212 [February, 



Ah Entomological trip to Sherwood Forext — With the double purpose of 

 seeking healthful recreation in the enjoyment of sylvan scenery, and adding to our 

 knowledge and collections of Coleoptera, we paid a visit, extending over eleven 

 days, to " Merrie Sherwood " in the middle of last October. The previous ex- 

 perience of one of us was useful in settling a list of the species to be specially sought, 

 nor were we far wrong in our calculations, for, with the single exception of Teredus 

 nitidus (which positively declined to come to the front), we were fortunate enough 

 to secure all the species bargained for, as well as a good few not on our programme. 



During the first two or three days the rain fell almost incessantly, and we had 

 to do our hunting in waterproof attire ; but afterwards fairly fine weather favoured 

 Ud, and we indulged in mutual congratulations on our good fortune. Our joy was, 

 however, of sliort duration, for the midges ("jaspers" as they are called locally) 

 became so troublesome as to render collecting (if not impossible)certainly very 

 distressing, and after fully debating the question of the relative advantages of fine 

 weather versux wet weather collecting, the vote went decidedly in favour of the 

 latter. We found plenty of logs in the woods, although they were often difficult to 

 " spot " owing to the luxuriant growth of bracken, and e\ery day we discovered 

 more fallen timber in excellent condition for the bark-knife than could be profitably 

 dealt with, and were compelled to pass over much of it untouched ; this we did with 

 a mingled feeling of regret for our limited time and powers, and a benevolent satis- 

 faction that we were leaving material for future explorers. 



Standing trees, however decayed, and there were plenty of such, were absolutely 

 unproductive, except when harbouring fungi, and then the fungus and not the tree 

 was the source of profit. 



Under the bark of logs and stumps (the remains of oak, birch, pine, beech, and 

 a few other trees) in various stages of decay, we captured ScydmcBnus Godarti, S. 

 collar is, S. exilis, Eutheia clavata (oak and birch), Bythinus Curtisii, Batrisus 

 venustus, Euplectus pmictaius, E. Karsteni, E. nanus, E. nigricans, E. hicolor, E. 

 nuhigena (1), Ocalea castanea, Oxypoda incrasxata, 0. hamorrhoa, Homalota cequata, 

 H. linearis, S. pilicomis (?), H. immersa, H. icanthoptera, H. xanthopus, Placusa 

 pumilio, P. dentieulata (?), Cllea silphoides, Megacronus cingidatus, Mycetoporus 

 lucidus, M. lepidvs, Quedius cruentus, Q. xanthopus, Q. scitus, Q. nigriceps. Phi- 

 lonthus splendiduius (commonly), XantTiolintis punctulatus, Coryphium angusticolle, 

 Somalinm ptisillmn, S. punctipenne, H. iopterum, H. concinnum, H. nigrum {var. 

 of -H". florale), Phlceocharis suhtilissima, Ptinella testacea, P. denticollis, P. aptera, 

 P. angvstula, Pteryx siduralis, Cerylon angustatum, Plegaderus dissectus, Ips quadri- 

 guttatus, Agathiditim nigripenne, A. seminulnm, A. nigrinum (one specimen also 

 taken flying), Phizophagus depressus, P. cribratus, P.ferrugineus, R. nitidulus, R. 

 dispar, also several of a black variety of R. hipustulatus simulating K.politus ex- 

 actly in colour, and a few examples of a Rhizophagus new to Britain, it is near 

 nitidulus and dispar, but quite distinct from either ; besides these occurred Thymaliis 

 limbatus, Scaphisoma agaricinum, S. boleti, Scaphidium qiiadrimaculafum, Triphyllus 

 punctatus, T. sutiiralis, Elater pomorum (birch), Rhagium bifasciatum, Tetratoma 

 Ilesmaresti (1), Orchesia undulata (which, fortunately, was not so skippish as in the 

 summer months), Trypodendron domesticum, T. qiiercus (1) ; Phlaotrya Stephensi 

 (dead) was every now and then turned out of burrows in the solid wood, which we 

 fondly hoped would produce something more desirable. 



