54 [August, 



The species of Bythoscopus are common and easily recognised, 

 notwithstanding their extreme variability. B. alni occurs on alders, 

 and fufuscutus on sallow, while flavicollis exhibits a marked preference 

 for birch. 



The characters of Pediopsis fuscinervis and nassatus given above 

 are taken from Mr. Douglas' type examples, which he was so good as 

 to lend me ; but I fear that they are the characters of individuals 

 rather than of species. The scutellatus of my collection agrees 



with Mr. Douglas' examples of that species, but not so my nassatus^ 

 which latter is larger and paler than scutellatus, with the nerves of the 

 elytra fine, rust-brown, and the two comma-shaped polished spaces on 

 the lower part of the frons are nearly obsolete, the latter structure in 

 scutellatus being much larger, well defined, and filled up with black. 

 Whether or not my insect is the nassatus of Continental authors, it is 

 impossible to say, without comparing it with authentic specimens, as 

 the evidence to be gathered from the published descriptions is scarcely 

 satisfactory. It is to be observed that Sahlberg says of nassatus — 

 " tegminibus obsolete venosis," and he puts fuscinervis, Boh., doubt- 

 fully, as a variety thereof, chiefly distinguished by having the transverse 

 nerves of the elytra strongly infuscated. Unfortunately, in the By- 

 thoscopidce the genitalia, which in other groups furnish valuable 

 distinctive characters, afford little or no assistance, the differences 

 observable being of the most trifling description. 



Notwithstanding the confusion prevailing amongst these species 

 at the present time, there is every reason to believe that the examina- 

 tion of a larger series of examples from various parts of the kingdom, 

 would enable one to define the species we already possess with some- 

 thing like certainty, and it should be remembered, that the chances of 

 meeting with new species are very considerable. 



One word as to the collection and preservation of the BytJwsco- 

 pidce. These insects are in greatest abundance from the middle of 

 August to the middle of November, and the most productive trees 

 are sallows, willows, and poplars ; the sweeping net, too, may be used 

 with advantage. M. Lethierry finds certain species on firs in February 

 and March, but I have not been so fortunate. Single examples are 

 certainly best pinned with a fine pin through the scutellum, as this 

 admits of an examination of the under-side without further trouble ; 

 but if examples are plentiful, they may be gummed on card, either 

 simply or with the elytra and wings spread out, and a few specimens 

 may be subsequently reversed, if necessary. 



Bracondal^, Norwich : 



6> h July, 1881. 



