RARE OR DOUBTFUL BRITISH COLEOPTERA. 289 



constant difference in markings between the larger and the smaller 

 specimens ; two or three of the latter are exceptionally dark, having 

 the white transverse bands very narrow and interrupted ; there is, as 

 usual, considerable variation in the amount of dark bordering on the 

 upper- and dark freckling on the underside of the hindwings. 



E)iiati(r(/a atomaria was to be found everywhere, but nowhere 

 abundant. I suppose it is getting near the extremity of its range in 

 this direction, as I notice it is said to be wanting in Andalusia — as 

 also in another southernmost part of Europe (Sicily), and in North 

 Africa; on the other hand it reaches a long way north in Europe and 

 probably in Asia. These Canales and Moncayo specimens are almost 

 my first Spanish examples of the species ; they are variable within 

 moderate limits, but not so large and fine as the grand Cannes and 

 Locarno forms — much nearer, indeed, to such as one might take in 

 England. 



The larvff of Kncanista iiiijiiosaria were not uncommon on a species 

 of broom, but unfortunately only one was successfully bred — a fine 

 male, which emerged on September 28th. This is well-known to be 

 an extraordinarily aberrant species, not only in colour, but also in the 

 position of the lines, and my specimen — a slightly pinkish-tinged 

 aberration — happens to be so totally unlike any of the specimens in 

 our national collection, that at first glance I did not even recognise the 

 species. 



Heliothea dhcoidaria was only just out when Dr. Chapman left 

 Canales, one fresh male being taktn on July 9th. 



It will be seen from the above notes that I have found a great deal 

 in the collection to interest me, and not a little to set me thinking and 

 stimulate further research, and I cannot close without repeating how 

 sincerely grateful I am to Dr. Chapman for his unstinting liberality, 

 and all the encouragement it has given me in my studies. 



Rare or Doubtful British Coleoptera. 



By Prof. T. HUDSON BEARE, F.E.S., & H. St. JOHN DONISTHORPE, F.E.S. 



Although the interesting article due to the pen of Mr. E. A. New- 

 bery, which appeared in the July number of this journal, page 204, is 

 not a direct criticism of the Catalogue of Brituh Coleoptera which we 

 have recently published, still it seems to us desirable to reply to the 

 points raised by Mr. Newbery, and to point out that, in certain of the 

 examples he quotes to illustrate his arguments, his data are not accu- 

 rate. We fail entirely to see how we could draw attention in a cata- 

 logue to insects which Mr. Newbery puts in Class iii, viz., those which 

 are very rare, and as a rule rest on the authority of a single specimen. 

 The records in all these cases are authentic, the insects exist in actual 

 collections, and there is no possible means known to us of marking in 

 a catalogue insects which are rare from insects which are common ; 

 in fact it is not the business of a catalogue to concern itself with such 

 details, it is merely a list, or, as Mr. Newbery calls it, a census, and 

 the beetle which is rare to-day may quite likely be, and very often is, 

 taken in abundance to-morrow. Classes i and ii, however, namely,, 

 those which he considers should be deleted altogether, or those which 

 should be placed in the doubtful list, require some further considera- 



