303 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



published, it is to be hoped some observations on the above 

 vexed question may be forthcoming. Fuessli is said to have 

 been the first entomologist who noticed it, and that accurate 

 observer, Newman, confirms what he had stated. Though 

 Kirby and several other authors refer to the circumstance, 

 it seems to be doubtful whether they had themselves had 

 proof. By some entomologists doubt has been thrown upon the 

 statement. A larva I had recently in my possession was 

 obstinately silent, but died before it was adult. Perhaps the 

 larva loses the power in captivit}^, just as that of Dicranura 

 vinula, when imprisoned, appears no longer to employ its 

 peculiar squirt. — J. R. S. Clifford; Gravesend, Oct. 3, 1885. 



SiREX JUVENCUS AT SoQTH NoRWOOD. — A friend of mine 

 captured a fine female specimen oi Sirex juvencus on the 20th of 

 last September; he found it buzzing about in a fender in his 

 house at South Norwood. Not knowing what it was, he boxed it 

 and handed it to me a fortnight after, when it was still alive and 

 quite perfect ; so I liberated it in my studio, and it flew about 

 with a swift, steady flight, making a very loud buzzing hum ; the 

 deep metallic blue body and gold bronze wings gave it a handsome 

 appearance when flying. As I did not know what Sirex it was, I 

 sent a coloured drawing to Mr. Carrington, who kindly named 

 it for me. — F. W. Frohawk; Park Place, Eltham, Kent, 

 October, 1885. 



Sirex juvencus at Bognor. — A fine female of this sawfly 

 has been brought to me, having been captured in the vicarage on 

 September 27th. Is this really a British insect, or may it have 

 been imported in the timber used in building the vicarage, which 

 was newly erected three or four years ago ? I can find but very 

 few records of its occurrence in this country, and none of its 

 appearance in this immediate locality. — A. Lloyd ; The Dome, 

 Bognor, October 14, 1885. 



Sirex juvencus. — Which is the commoner of the two Sirices 

 — S. gigas or S. juvencus ? Judging from my own experience I 

 should say that S. juvencus is rather a rare species, for whilst both 

 here and in Hampshire several specimens of S. gigas have from 

 time to time fallen into my hands, I have never till this present 

 season had the pleasure of seeing S. juvencus alive ; but on 

 September 23rd my friend Dr. Arthur E. Buckell, of this town, 



