22 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



referred me to his ' Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis.' 

 There these three interesting and somewhat aberrant genera are 

 clearly differentiated. Although abundantly distinct, Foerster 

 had treated them as synonyms ; and Dr. Eeinhard gives 

 Sciatlieras as a synonym of Cerocephala, saying that from the 

 peculiar structure, especially of head and wing, there can be no 

 doubt of their identity (Berl. Ent. Zeit. i. 75). Eatzeburg's 

 Sciatlieras trichotus (' Die Ichneumonen,' ii. 209, pi. iii., fig. 1) is 

 described by Westwood as new, under the name of Choetospila 

 clegans (Thes. Ent. Ox., p. 137), and beautifully figured, with 

 several details, on plate xxv., fig. 10 ; this from an old specimen 

 given him by Mr. Kaddon, who bred it from maize, where 

 undoubtedly, like my specimens, it was parasitic on Calandra. 

 However, Eatzeburg's single specimen was in all probability 

 parasitic on Hijlesinus fraxini. He speaks of it as "the most 

 remarkable of all the Chalcididce.'" In the 'Entomologist' 

 (Entom. xii. 47) Cerocephala formiciformis, Westw., Walk, (et 

 synonymia), should be altered to Sciatheras trichotus, Eatz. 

 (= Choetospila elegans, Westw.) — E. A. Fitch ; Maldon, Essex. 



Unusual abundance of certain Insects. — If we may judge 

 from accounts that have appeared in newspapers and magazines, 

 the year 1880 will be notable for the occurrence of certain 

 insects in unusually great numbers, both at home and abroad. 

 My own experience is also in the same direction, as the following 

 notes from my pocket-book will show : — June 25. To Birchland 

 Wood for afternoon's collecting. Beset by hosts of small flies 

 and brimps {Tahanid(e). Soon driven from the wood. Six 

 brimps on my legs at one time. Was never so set upon by flies 

 before, and should not have thought it possible in this country. 

 The day was sultry and storm-like, and insects appeared ravenous. 

 The instant I stopped to examine a plant or the contents of my 

 net, two or three common flies attacked each eye and the corners 

 of my mouth ; several paid the same attention to my hands, while 

 the brimps did tlieir utmost to draw blood from my legs. Under 

 these circumstances, I acknowledged myself beaten, and retired. 

 — July 1 to 14. Several notes of my horses being terribly bitten 

 by brimps, when at work. The animals were almost unmanageable 

 from the continued torment, their sides being often spotted with 

 blood-drops. — July 20. Horses rendered so restive from brimp- 

 bites while mowing, that one was sent home as beyond control. — 



