146 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



wing-rays in the fore wings and the shape of the abdomen 

 assimilate to the female. It was taken on the wing. 



Variety of Liparis monacJia. — This beautiful variety was 

 bred by Mr. VVellraan, the President of the South London 

 Entomological Society, who has kindly lent the specimen 

 for figuring in the 'Entomologist.' It is a female, and the 

 principal difference in coloration between it and the typical 

 insect is the greater preponderance of black, which forms 

 on the fore wings a decided transverse median band, acutely 

 toothed on the exterior margin. Like the other figures of 

 extraordinary varieties, which have appeared in the ' Ento- 

 mologist' during the present year, it is represented life-size. 



Grease in Drayon-Jlies, dc. — I shall be much obliged if 

 you will inform me as to the best method to be employed for 

 preventing grease in dragon-flies, and for preserving their 

 colours. 2. Also, if you will let me know what are the cheapest 

 and most accurate illustrated works on British Coleoptera 

 and Hymenoptera. Is there any intention, on the part of 

 Mr. Newman or others, of publishing a work on Coleoptera, 

 Hymenoptera, &c., similar in design to 'British Moths' and 

 * British Butterflies' already published? If so, I, for one, 

 would be a subscriber ; and I know others who would 

 willingly do the same. 3. Would you also be so kind as to 

 inform me what insects would be of use to breed in order to 

 check the number of Aphides on roses. — S. T. C; Thiers, 

 July 11, 1872. 



J, I have a very large collection of British dragon-flies, 

 but have not observed that they are liable to be injured by 

 grease : as to losing their colour, this seems inevitable. I 

 have found it a good plan to keep them alive for several days 

 after they are taken, as they are very apt to turn black 

 if killed when the stomach is full of food. I kill them with 

 laurel-leaves, and, opening the body by a longitudinal slit on 

 the under side, introduce a slender roll of white writing- 

 paper : the insect must then be set and thoroughly dried, but 

 not exposed in drying. Wasps, cockroaches and mice highly 

 appreciate insects on the setting-board. 2. I know of no 

 intended works on Coleoptera and Hymenoptera on the plan 

 of my ' Butterflies' and ' Moths.' Would that some competent 

 entomologist would undertake these classes ! 3. Ladybirds 

 or Coccinellffi. 



Zeuzera jEsciili. — 1. Will you please tell me how to prevent 



