1873.] 273 



Dragon-flies at sea. — The very wide distribution of many species of Dragon-{lie8 

 is well known to all who hare given their attention to those insects, and is hardly 

 to be wondered at, considering the great development of the wing-muscles and the 

 strength of the nervures. Yet, on the other hand, many species with all the external 

 attributes of physical strength, appear to be extremely local ; and one is tempted to 

 believe that an imperious migratory instinct has often more to do with the geogra- 

 phical range of some species, than mere power of wing. The species with the widest 

 distribution is undoubtedly Paniala flavescens, Fab., which is found over the greater 

 part of the globe, excepting in Europe (for we cannot but regard its reported occur- 

 rence in England* otherwise than as accidental, or based on mistaken evidence). The 

 next most widely spread species is TJiolymis Tillarga, Fab., which is found in all 

 tropical and siib-tropical Asia, Australia, and Africa, in the islands of the Pacific, 

 and even in Chili. In part of April and May, 1856, I observed numbers of these at 

 sea during a protracted calm in the lower part of the China Sea. They did not 

 settle on the ship, but flew leisurely at some little height over the surface of the 

 water, apparently as much at home as if hawking over the paddy-flelds of the adja- 

 cent islands. One specimen then caught is still in my collection. No doubt they 

 were taking advantage of a (to them) congenial atmospheric condition, in order to 

 make an over-sea journey. It would not be unnatural to suppose that the rivers of 

 the country where they had been bred were dried up by the excessive heat, and that 

 they were seeking localities favoiu-able for the development of their future progeny ; 

 but this must not be taken for granted, because the familiar Libellula quadrimaculata 

 of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere is a notorious wanderer, with- 

 out the excuse of a drought. — E.. McLachlan, Lewisham : March, 1873. 



On mounting small insects for microscopic ohservation. — Something has lately 

 been said upon the subject of mounting insects ; the following plan will prove 

 a good one for the smaller Diptera : — Take an ordinary microscope slide and fasten 

 to it three vulcanite rings for cells (these are cheap, and easily procured), in each of 

 which a Dipteron shoxild be set out ; as soon as it is killed, fasten its body to the 

 glass in the centre of the cell, by gum or cement, then put out the legs, and when 

 these are dry, set the wings, taking care to use as little gum as possible ; then fasten 

 a circular talc or very fine glass lid to the cell, label it, and the specimen is complete. 

 Each slide should represent one sex of a species ; one with the back upwards, a 

 second with the legs towards you, and a third dissected. Such a collection is 

 cheaply preserved, takes little space, and is at once available for the microscope. 

 I have tried the plan with Aphides and minute Diptera, and it seems to me that 

 the lesser StaphylinidcB might also be advantageously mounted in the same manner. 

 — E. C. R. Jordan, 35, Harborne Eoad, Edgbaston, Birmingham : Feb. IQth, 1873. 



The Zoological Record. — The appearance of the volume for 1872 has been 

 vexatiously delayed, owing to the Eecorder of the lower animals having failed to 

 fulfil his engagements. We are happy to announce, however, that the Committee 

 have resolved not to wait for him, but to bring out the other parts at once ; and 

 before this number of the Magazine is published, these wUl be in the hands of the 



* A specimen (described as Libellula Sparshalli) is supposed to have been taken in Horning 

 Fen.— R. McL. 



