Insects. 7803 



Phosphorescent Light produced by Nebria brevicollis. — Oue very dark and warm 

 nigbt, in the early part of the present month (October), I observed a considerable 

 quantity of some brightly luminous matter on a gravel path in my garden. On a 

 closer inspection I found that this consisted of many small detached patches, among 

 which some animal was moving at a rapid pace, carrying with him a large quantity 

 of the same luminous matter, and every now and then depositing a fresh patch. My 

 curiosity was much excited by such a remarkable proceeding, and leaving Mrs. 

 Matthews, who was with me, to watch the spot, I procured a light as quickly as pos- 

 sible, and discovered, to my surprise, that all this illumination had been the work of 

 a Nebria brevicollis, who was literally Ae\.eciedi jlayrante delicto. I have often before 

 this seen a strong phosphorescent light produced by various species, such as worms, 

 centipedes, and the small white animals allied I believe to the Oniscidse, so common 

 in decaying vegetable substances ; but this is the first instance I have met with of a 

 coleopterous insect depositing any luminous matter on the ground. In all the cases 

 of luminous deposit by worms, centipedes, &c., which I have had the means of exa- 

 mining, the animals had been recently injured, and the fluid oozing from the wound 

 produced the luminous appearance. The Nebria, on the contrary, was perfectly 

 sound, and seemed to be in a high state of pleasurable excitement. I can form no 

 conjecture as to the cause of its proceedings, unless the light was intended for a sexual 

 . signal. — A. Matthews. 



Eccentricities of Genius. — A Catalogue of European Lepidoptera, now in the 

 press, which promises to be a most useful one, will shortly be published ; it is from 

 the pens of Dr. Siaudinger and Dr. Wocke : in it will be found enumerated, 

 with synonyms, 392 Rhopalocera, 179 Sphinges, 318 Bombyces, 975 Noctuae, 719 

 Geometree, &c. The Bombyces are headed by Sarrolhripa revayana, Earias vernana, 

 E. clorana, Hylophila prasinana, H. quercana, and the genus Nola, and conclude 

 with two genera which have hitherto been placed amongst the Noctuae, viz. Thyatira 

 and Cymalophora. The Noctuse begin with Diioba ceeruleocephala, and include 

 Demas Coryli, Asteroscopus nubeculosa, A. Cassinea, Avenlia flexula, Boletobia fuli- 

 ginosa, and the group of Deltoides. — H. T. Stainton, in ^Intelligencer,' September 7,i 

 1861. 



List of TricJioptera and Neuroptera captured near London in 1861. 

 By Percy C. Wormald, Esq. 



The following is a list of the Trichoptera and Neuroptera, which 

 I have captured this year, in the neighbourhood of London : — 



Phryganea grandis. Willesden and Hampstead ; June. 



P. varia. One specimen, Ruislip, Middlesex ; August 24. 



Gljphotaelius pellucidus. West Wickham ; May. 



Colpotaulius incisus. Two specimens, Willesden ; August 31 and 

 September 9. 



Limnephilus nitidus. Oue specimen, Hammersmith Marshes; 

 June 13. 



