58 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



on the rocks, many of which still require naming. Amongst the 

 latter were hybernated specimens of Cidaria miata and Scotosia 

 certata ; I netted a Cymatophora duplaris, and a specimen of 

 Cluerocampa porcellus was also taken at rest. 



The above notes will, I think, show that an earlier visit than 

 is customarily paid to this beautiful region by entomologists is 

 by no means profitless ; special points being the superb condition 

 of most of such imagines as were recorded, and also the abun- 

 dance of larval and pupal life, the list of which, had our weather 

 proved less favourable for net-work, could no doubt have been 

 largely extended. 



Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks : December, 1907. 



ON THE INTERESTING NATURE OF HETEROPTEROUS 

 METAMORPHOSES. 



By G. W. Kirkaldy. 



The statement in most entomological text-books that the 

 Hemiptera undergo only a very slight metamorphosis throughout 

 their postembryonic life, has probably led to the almost total 

 neglect of this fascinating branch of entomology. 



In a broad sense, as indicating their homomorphous nature, 

 this is true, but as regarding actual details, it is very misleading. 

 From ovum to adult many of the Hemiptera undergo very 

 remarkable changes of form, much more interesting in reality 

 than the ecdyses of Lepidoptera or other Heteromorpha ; for 

 while these latter have three well-marked post-oval stages, in 

 the Hemiptera there is, as a rule, the gradual evolution of a 

 single form. 



Entomologists will open up almost virgin soil in a fascinating 

 field who will rear up Hemiptera through all their stages, 

 describe and draw these, record their food-plants and habits, &c. 

 In the October number I briefly alluded to the Homoptera ; now 

 I offer a few words on the Heteroptera. 



The Cimicidffi (= Pentatomidae) are especially worthy of 

 study. The eggs are among the most remarkable in form, 

 sculpture, &c., of any insects, and are known in less than a 

 dozen species all over the world. 



De Geer (' Memoires,' vol. iii. pis. 13 and 14), 1773, has 

 roughly figured some of the stages in Dolycoris baccarum (or 

 Cimex verhasci, as he calls it). The eggs are laid on the flower- 

 heads of avens, Geum urhanum (pi. 13, fs. 19-22, &c.). They 

 are oval, with a little lid. The first nymphal instar has a short 

 rounded head, forming almost one curve with the pronotum at 

 the sides (pi. 14, fs. 1-2), but in a later stage the anterior 



