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winter, by shaking moss, dead leaves. &c., over mackintosh. So that 

 there is no time when the Hemipterist need fold his hands and feel 

 that he has nothing to do. 



As we are now at the end of April, it may be well at once to 

 consider the methods of collecting suitable to May. Beating and 

 sweeping are not likely yet to produce much ; but still a few species 

 that live through the winter may be found by these methods, and young 

 larvae of many species will occur, and offer a good opportunity for 

 anyone interested in breeding to try and rear them. I believe this 

 may easily be done by anyone who has time enough to change their 

 food constantly in the same way as is done by those who rear 

 Lepidoptera. Old lichen-covered branches of larches, &c , may 

 be beaten with advantage for the very small species of Myrtnedobia, 

 &c, several of which are rare ; moss, dead leaves, sphagnum, rubbish, 

 &c, will all yield their peculiar species if shaken over a white sheet 

 or mackintosh. Sphagnum has only a few hemipterous- inhabitants, 

 such as Salda cocksi, Plociome?'us luridas, Hebrus ruficeps, &c. ; but 

 a sunny day in May is a very good occasion to search for them. 



Under heather and low spreading plants various species may be 

 found. Habitats of this kind should never be passed over, even in 

 summer ; but until the middle or end of June they afford excellent 

 chances of getting a good bag. Many water-bugs may be got in 

 May. The species of Corixa require very careful collecting, as they 

 bear such a close general resemblance to each other that the rarer 

 species are very liable to be overlooked. On the other hand, the 

 same species is apparently very liable to vary in colour according to 

 the nature of the water it lives in ; specimens from some of the pools 

 in peaty localities, especially in the north, being very much darker, 

 and their markings consequently more obscure than those taken in 

 clear ponds. The black spot or marking at the apex of the posterior 

 metatarsus, which is a character assigned to a certain group of this 

 genus, should be carefully looked for before dismissing a specimen as 

 useless ; this character is best seen from the under side, as the long 

 hairs of the margin often interfere with a good dorsal view. 



Towards the middle of June it is well to try beating in order to 

 ascertain the condition the Hemiptera are in, as of course an early 

 season will develop them more rapidly than a late one. It is of very 

 little use collecting specimens until they are fully mature, as the legs 

 and antenna? of immature examples shrivel in the most aggravating 

 way, and this in the Hemiptera is of very great importance, many 

 of the species being distinguished by the comparative lengths of the 

 antennal joints. It is often difficult to recognise the immaturity of 

 a specimen in the net ; but a day or two after setting it will reveal 

 itself plainly enough,- and a collector is lucky if he can revisit the 

 locality a few days later when mature examples can be found. 



The most productive trees are oak, ash, hazel, alder, willow and 

 sallow, poplar and firs. Oaks and sallows are par excellence the 

 homes of many species, and it is really astonishing to see the 



