176 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



NATURAL LOCALITIES OF BRITISH COLEOPTERA. 



By Rkv. W. W. Fowler, M.A., F.L.S. 



No. VI.— EDGES OF PONDS— FENS AND MAESHES. 



The edges of ponds often abound with Coleoptera ; many of 

 them belong to the same genera as those taken on the banks of 

 rivers, but the species are usually diiferent. Large reservoirs 

 with gravelly banks often afford a favourite habitat for many 

 Bembidia. Dr. Power twice took B. ohliquum abundantly in such 

 a locality. The shores of lakes also produce some good species, 

 as for instance Cryptohypnus maritimits, which is found on the 

 shores of Loch Rannoch ; B. hipunctatum and doris are also 

 found in like localities. We have now, however, to deal with 

 ponds in the ordinary acceptation of the word, as we find them 

 scattered everywhere throughout the country : the banks of the 

 small ponds in open fields will produce very few species, and 

 those of the commonest kinds, but a pond in a wood, or, better 

 still, on the edge of a wood, only half surrounded by trees, and 

 with a south or west aspect, will afford very numerous species, 

 especially if the edges are rather swampy, and rushes grow round 

 it. Many things may be found upon these, or running on the 

 ground at their roots, but if they are mowed down and left to 

 decay, the debris will be found to be very profitable. On the 

 edge of such a pond near Repton, I found Bembidium bruxellense 

 in abundance, and other Bembidia, three species of Bradycellus, 

 Trechus rubens, a number of Staphylinidae, and several very good 

 Trichopterygidse, including T. cantiana and T. Icetitia. In a like 

 locality near Lincoln I have lately obtained Choleva S2)adicea, 

 Anchomenus oblongus, and other species. It is a very good plan 

 to shake the rushes and rubbish over a sieve and collect the 

 residue in a bag ; this will be found well worth examining at 

 home : from a small bag of such shakings sent me by post by 

 Mr. W. G. Blatch, from a pond near Coleshill, I once obtained 

 Bryaxis imp7'essa in some numbers, Evcesthetus ruficapillus 

 abundantly, Ocyusa maura, Mycetoporus longicornis, Psammcechus, 

 and others. 



Very good Staphylinidae are to be found on the edges of ponds 

 and on marshy ground, such as Stenus major, S. proditor, and 

 other Steii'i, Gynuiusa brevicollis and variegata, Myllcena elougata, 



