Entomological Notices. 215 
THE OCCURRENCE OF TESTACELLUS MAUGEI 
IN WILTSHIRE. 
This animal, which is a native of Teneriffe, and has not hitherto 
been found naturalized in this country, occurs in considerable 
numbers in a market garden near Devizes, where it is frequently 
dug up among the potatoes and carrots. The Testacellus is a species 
of slug about 33 inches in length, but differing from the common 
slugs of our fields and gardens in being carnivorous, Its colour is 
grey, marbled with darker veins, and the under side is of a bright 
orange hue. It may easily be distinguished by having on its tail 
a small ear-shaped shell about half an inch long. 
This shell is doubtless an excellent protection to the creature 
when engaged in its predatory excursions among the earthworms, 
which constitute its principal food. 
RARE INSECTS. 
Among the donations to the Society, are two very rare insects, 
which have lately been found in the county. One is the Raphidia 
ophiopsis, or Snake Fly. A small but very remarkable looking 
insect, with a long neck and viper like head. It might be popu- 
larly described as a compound of snake and fly. It was found at 
Great Bedwyn by Miss Sheppard, and by her presented to the 
Society. 
The other is the Chalcis aptera, an insect which forms under- 
ground galls on the roots of the oak; being one of the multitude 
of insects with which the oak above every other tree of the forest 
or garden is infested. It is an example of the Apterous Hymen- 
optera, closely resembling the Ant, but having a much larger and 
almost globular abdomen. Specimens have been presented to the 
Society, and to the British Museum, where it has not hitherto been 
known. W. C. 
