CAPTURES OF COLEOPTERA. 173 



order of insects. I will now proceed to narrate some of my 

 experiences in search of Coleoptera this season, premising 

 however, that I have generally been accompanied by a friend, 

 Mr. J. Cripps, who also is interested in this branch of 

 Entomology. 



April 5th. Having determined to work up the Silphidae, 

 Mr. Cripps took a preliminary trip to Esher for the purpose of 

 putting down the baits — some bottles containing pieces of liver ; 

 and he also carried a dead rat with him. 



April 14th. Departed from Waterloo Station in the early 

 morning, a cold easterly wind prevailing. Arrived on the ground 

 in due course, we commenced sweeping, with but little result, 

 so tried beating the furze-blossom, and obtained Apion ulicis and 

 A. striatum in profusion ; also several Sitones linearis and other 

 common beetles. Helops striatus abounded at the foot of fir 

 trees. Also took one specimen of each of the following : — 

 Dromius meridionalis, Coccinella 18-guttata and C. hieroglyphica. 

 Str'ophosomus limbatus, S. coryli, and Adimonia suturalis were 

 obtained by sweeping heath. Swept a few Plectroscelis sub- 

 ccerulea. Visited the baits, finding three Necrophorus humator, 

 several Choleva chrysomeloides and other Cholevina. 



May 10th. Weather much improved, insects consequently 

 abundant ; Cicindela campestris and C. sylvatica, flying briskly in 

 the hot sunshine or darting at lightning speed along the heath, 

 were oftener seen than caught ; in fact I took but one C. 

 sylvatica. Netted a Silpha thoracica, flying at full speed in same 

 place. By general sweeping obtained Apion genista, A. ulicis, 

 and A. striatum; also Cytilus varius, Phyllobius pyri, &c. 

 Aphodius depressus, A. prodromus, and A. hcemorrhoidalis I pro- 

 cured from their usual habitats. Timarcha coriaria, Byrrhus 

 fasciatus, and many common species from sandpits ; and several 

 common Cissida on the wing late in the evening. The baits 

 were not forgotten, and on examination yielded eight Silpha 

 thoracica, one S. rugosa, several Necrophorus humator, N. mort- 

 uorum, N. vespillo, Hister cadaverinus, and several Cholevina. 

 Result of day's work very gratifying. 



May 16th. By way of change went to Loughton. Sweeping 

 was rather difficult, the herbage being sparse and scanty ; never- 

 theless bagged several Apion genistce from the yellow-flowering 

 plant Genista anglica. Also several Crepidodera rufipes. Beating 



