64 MARCH. 



Mr. Stephens has mentioned, on the autho- 

 rity of several continental entomologists, some 

 of the peculiarities of the larvae of the genus 

 Cicindela. The depth of their cylindric retreat 

 (eighteen or nineteen inches) appears to be 

 much greater on the Continent than with us. 

 I have examined in all the stages of the larvae 

 more than thirty holes, inhabited by the Cicin- 

 dela campestris, and have never found one ex- 

 ceeding six inches, the majority not more than 

 four or five. It is worth inquiry whether this 

 difference depends on climate, or whether each 

 species is peculiar in this respect. 



Pcecilus rufifemoratus. This insect, which 

 appears to be not uncommon in the north, is 

 sparingly taken in the sand district of Notting- 

 hamshire. With the exception of the Pedinus 

 femoralis, the whole of the coleoptera of the 

 above list are more or less common in this 

 neighbourhood. Mr. Bunting, of Mansfield, in- 

 forms me that Necrophorus Mortuorum is fre- 

 quently found on the Phallus impudicus. 



Necrophorus Vespillo. Most writers on en- 

 tomology have noticed the fact that this species 

 is in the habit of burying moles or birds a consi- 

 derable depth in the ground, in order to deposit 

 its eggs in them. In this neighbourhood both 

 the Vespillo and Sepultor, and also the Necrodes 

 littoralis pursue the same plan ; and I should ima- 

 gine most of our large Necrophaga do the same. 



