84 COLEOPTERA. 



Zool. 5762 (1857). Dr. Power again met with it late in 

 September ; hence it would appear to pass the winter in the 

 imago state. 



Monotoma conicicollis, Aube ; has been taken in the 

 early spring, in nests of Formica rufa, near Plymouth, by 

 Mr. J. J. Reading. 



Ants' nests have now contributed, within two years, upwards 

 of twenty species of Coleoptera previously unknown as 

 inhabitants of Britain, and have, moreover, yielded in com- 

 parative plenty no trifling number, which were previously 

 unique, or of the greatest rarity, in collections. I may in- 

 stance, Dinarda Maerkelii, Kiesenw. (dentata, Curtis, nee 

 Grav.), Dendrophilus pygmceus, L. nee Steph. (Z>. Shep- 

 pardi, Steph., Curt.), Myrmedonia funesta, Grav., and 

 humeralisj Grav., Atemeles emarginatus, Grav. (paradoxus, 

 Steph., nee Grav.), and Amphotis (Nitiduld) marginata, 

 F. Several unrecorded species, which I have not yet satis- 

 factorily identified with descriptions, or whose synonymy I 

 have not yet been able to disentangle, still await, in my 

 boxes, their definitive appellations. 



But there remains ample scope for successful exertion, — a 

 great deal to be done ; Lomechasa strumosa, F., is almost 

 unique, Myrmedonia Haworthi, Steph., hath but three 

 masters, and Claviger longicornis, Miiller, Myrmedonia 

 plicata, Eric, similis, Maerkel, and fulgida, Grav., exist, 

 as British, in anticipation only — bright fleecy clouds in the 

 boundless heavens of the imagination. 



And now, kind reader, commending the Ant to your sym- 

 pathy, assuring you not only for her sake but for yours' and 

 the science you serve, that humanity is the best policy, and 

 tendering you my best aid in case of need, au revoir. 



2, Alma Road , Upper Holloway, 

 16th November, 1857. 



