252 [April, 



Some slight discrepancies in generic (or " sub-generic ") nomenclature, 

 and in sequence, between these notes and the Catalogue of 1S70, result 

 from changes made since that time. 



The nomenclature of the older British authors (Curtis, Stephens, 

 Evans, &c.) was very defective, and no sound basis was obtained until 

 De Selys-Longchamps published his Revision of our species (from 

 personal inspection of types) in the "Annals and Magazine of Natural 

 History," ser. i, xviii, pp. 217—227, 1846 (reprinted in abstract in the 

 " Zoologist " for 1846, pp. 1522, 23). Dr. Hagen's Synopsis of 1857 

 was to some extent founded on those notes, and also on personal ob- 

 servation. Forty-six species were enumerated in 1846, and now, after 

 nearly 40 years, we are not able to increase the number, and, in fact, 

 some species should perhaps be omitted from the List. 



Eeally very little has been done of late, and the only important 

 local list published since 1870 is that by the late Henry Uoubleday on 

 the species of the Epping district {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, pp. 86, 87, 

 1871).* 



Sub-Fam. Libellult:n'a. 



Leucoj-rhinia pectoralis, Charp. — At the Meeting of tlie Entomological Society 

 of London, held on January 2nd, 1860 {cf. Proc. Ent. Soc, n.s., v, p. 89) Mr. Groves 

 exhibited a specimen of this insect taken in June near Sheerness. On the authority 

 of this example (seen by Dr. Hagen, but now destroyed) the name has found its way 

 into the British list. I believe the specimen was taken on board a fishing boat (at 

 the mouth of the Thames). The species can only be regarded as " casual." 



Leucorrhinia dubia, V. d. L. — Certainly common on some of the extensive 

 moors of the north of England. I have never seen a southern example ; but, ac- 

 cording to Curtis, Mr. J. C. Dale found it in abundance near Dorchester, and he also 

 recorded it from Lincolnshire. Mr. Doubleday recorded it from Epping. 



Sympetrum vulgatum, L. {striolatum, Chp.). — I am quite of the opinion now 

 held by De Selys-Longchamps, that vulgatum and striolatum are specifically identical, 

 the usual exponents of the former being represented by very adult examples, the 

 supposed difference in the " vulvar scale " of the ^ being illusory. The name 

 " striolatum " should be suppressed as other than a synonym. This species, in point 

 of numbers and distribution, is perhaps the most common British Dragon-fly. 



Sympetrum meridionale, Selys. — I have not examined an example of this species 

 supposed to have been taken in Britain. Two such examples appear to have been 

 recorded, both females, one in Evans' collection (which is in Dale's) from " near 

 London," and the other in Wailes' collection, from the " South of England." If 

 " British," it can, at the most, only be considered a "casual." It is a very abundant 

 species in the Alps of Central Euroj)e, ascending to great elevations, but probably 



* Mr. Bond possesses a fair representative old collection, for the most pnrt formed by the late 

 Mr. Farr. Tnrough his courtesy I recently had the opiiortnnity of exaniijiiug it, but found 

 therein none of what may be termed the " critical " British species. 



