TIMBERMAN BEETLE. 73 
in mind that blown-down or recently felled trees are localities selected 
for egg-laying where Sirex are prevalent. 
The attack is not often reported as injurious to a serious extent to 
growing timber, still the area of mischief has increased of late years, 
and as the insects, which make themselves perfectly at home in this 
country, are found to be very notably present in the vicinity of im- 
ported timber, the subject of prevention of spread to neighbouring Fir 
plantations may be worth attention. 
Timberman Beetle. Astynomus edilis, L.; Acanthocinus edilis, 8. 
This beetle, which is remarkable for the 
extraordinary length of the antenne of the 
male, is found in great numbers on the Conti- 
nent, but appears to be rarely met with in this 
country, excepting at Loch Rannoch, Perth- 
shire, N.B., where it is recorded as being seen 
not uncommonly. 
The only specimen I have had which could 
be supposed to be of truly British growth was 
the one from which my figure was taken, and 
was sent me alive from Kinnaird, Strathpeffer, 
Ross-shire, on August 12th, 1895. 
The maggot lives under bark of Pine and 
Fir, and often ‘perforates the wood of the 
fallen stems,” and makes large galleries in 
Pine stumps, forming ‘‘a nest with coarse 
gnawed fragments near the surface, in which 
it changes to pupa.” 
It does not appear to do mischief in this 
country, but, like the insects mentioned in the 
preceding paper, its occasional appearance in 
coal-mines (to the very natural perplexity of 
the finders) may make just the following ob- Asrynomvs xpmas, slightly 
servation sent me, with a specimen accom-  /arger than life; line 
3 is showing natural length. 
panying, of interest. 
On September 2nd Mr. W. Wilson, head-master of Bothal N. 
School, Ashington, Morpeth (Northumberland), wrote me that he 
would be glad of the name of a specimen enclosed, as he had not seen 
one before in the district. ‘‘It was caught in the coal-mine, two and 
a half miles from the bottom of the shaft.’’ Ag the insect is of such 
rare occurrence here, I suggested that in all probability it had been 
imported in timber used for workings in the mine, which proved to be 
