NATUKAL LOCALITIES OF BRITISH COLEOPTERA. lO'J 



Even the most casual observer must have noticed the swarms of 

 insects that are seen glancing about in the sun during the warm 

 days of spring. On examination these will be found to consist 

 of a large proportion of Amane (chiefly A. tririalis and A. 

 /(onilidris), Pldlonthi, and XanthoUni ; but mingled with these 

 will be found many other species, Cercyons, Aphodii, Homalotce, 

 and many species of Curculiomche being perhaps the commonest. 

 The first beetle to be seen running on every pathway in spring 

 and the last to disappear on the approach of winter is the active 

 little NotiojihUns higuttatus, which is common everywhere. The 

 Carahi are common, but, as they usually roam about in search 

 of prey by night and keep quiet by day, they are generally found 

 crushed by the feet of passers-by. Pterostichi, Harpali, and 

 Stajjhijlini proper are also fond of roads. Of course almost any 

 beetle whatever may be found in such a situation, but some are 

 found so commonly that roads and pavements may be almost 

 considered their peculiar locality. Among these is Coprophilus 

 striatuhis, which I have never found under any other conditions ; 

 it is very abundant on the Lincoln pavement in spring ; this 

 year I met with it as early as the 19th of March. 



In chalky districts, especially in the south, collectors should 

 keep a sharp look-out for rare species. At Hastings, or Deal, or 

 the neighbouring places, Calosoma sijcophanta, or ewen DiacJirovins 

 (jcrmanus may at any time fall to their lot. The former beetle 

 has, I believe, been taken not long ago in the streets of Plymouth. 

 Carahus auratus may perhaps be picked up in the street outside 

 Covent Garden Market, its claim to being indigenous resting on 

 the fact that it has walked out of a bundle of cabbages or 

 radishes of presumably foreign origin. Sometimes a good 

 species may be taken flying over roads. I remember hearing of 

 Ontlwphagus taiirus having been taken by a collector who drove 

 along the roads at dusk, sweeping a net backwards and forwards 

 in the air as he went along. My friend Mr. Mason, of Burton- 

 on-Trent, not long ago knocked a beetle down in the road as he 

 was walking along, which proved to be a fine Odontceus mohili- 

 cornis. Of course all these captures may with reason be called 

 "accidents"; but it is well to be on the look-out for such 

 "accidents," and to be provided against them: no collector 

 should go unprovided with a small tube or tin match-box, as at 

 any time, when he least expects it, a good species may turn up. 



