APRIL. 119 



the colour of the thorax being as light as the 

 elytra, and also by the size. 



Sinodendron cylindricum, with us not only 

 inhabits the ash, but also the maple (Acer cam- 

 pestre,) and several species of willow, in a state 

 of decay. It would be well if entomologists 

 generally paid more attention to the plants on 

 which insects are usually found, as it would 

 very much facilitate their collection, and like- 

 wise throw much light on their habits and pe- 

 culiarities. 



Geotrupes vernalis, (vernal Dor-beetle.) The 

 species of this beautiful genus appear to be so 

 closely allied as to render it a work of difficulty 

 to separate them accurately from each other, 

 if we may judge from the dissimilar opinions 

 of Mr. Curtis and Mr. Stephens : the former 

 makes five, -the latter ten British species. There 

 are four species in this county, the sterco- 

 rarius, the laevis, the vernalis, and one which 

 I suspect to be the sylvaticus. The laevis and 

 vernalis are very nearly allied ; they agree in 

 the colour of the antennae, in the minutely and 

 entirely punctured thorax, and the smoothness 

 of the elytra, but differ in size and colour. 

 The laevis is inferior in size, generally of a deep 



