NOTES ON COLLECTING. 955 
obtrusive; a couple of species of the Platycleis grisea, Fabr., group 
were common, and there were two other Decticids which I eannot 
name, one the “‘ Gampsocleis”’ referred to previously, and another re- 
calling Thyreonotus, with a charaeteristic rich brown and black trons, 
straight ovipositor, and apparently persistent black spot on the upper 
surface of the posterior femora near the base; there are also two small 
Platycleis of the P. nigrosignata group. I was interested to find 
Ochrilidia (? pruinosa or trywalicera). Acrida nasuta, L., was still in 
the nymph stage, the first adult was brought me on July 28th. 
Eipacromia strepens, Fabr., is common. We were interested to observe 
a big black and yellow spider (? Hpeira), which bad spun her web 
across a shrub down in the dell and caught a grasshopper ; we put a 
male nymph of Acrida nasuta in her web; in a flash she had pounced 
on it, and loosely wound it in an elastic shroud of web, where it could 
struggle to its heart’s content. 
In the previous note I have referred to the early disappearance of 
Glyphanus ; after writing, I found a single female early in July, and 
we came across one belated female on the Baldza road as late as July 
30th. The same day, sweeping with an improvised net among some 
herbage left green by a brook in a nullah where there is still some 
moisture, we took T’ridactylus variegatus, Latr., a small cricket which I 
think is Mogoplistus brunneus, or its relative, Arachnocephalus vestitus. 
Mantids now begin to appear, and both green and yellow nymphs, and 
one adult female, of Mantis religiosa are to be found; one minute 
nymph of a female Ameles was taken sweeping; if it is the Greek 
species A. heldreichi, Br., it is to be hoped that we secure a series. A 
small cricket, probably Gryllus burdigalensis, is a frequent visitor to 
tents ; its erratic flight, nimble runs and hops, make it difficult to 
catch ; to this species I attribute the fellow that finds its way between 
the walls of my double tent, and tries to sing me to sleep at night. 
Outside entomology there is plenty of interest; the Tree Frog Hyla 
arborea, Li., is common; the handsome marbled toad, Bufo viridis, is 
common, and supplied food for the tame stork in the camp; the tor- 
toise, Testudo graeca, L., is a general favourite; lizards and snakes are 
pretty common; wild geese often fly overhead ; twice wolves have been 
reported ; bee-eaters rejoice the eye with their brilliant colouring and 
dashing flight ; one young one has been tamed, and sits on one’s finger 
fearlessly, greedily taking grasshoppers from the hand. 
(To be continued.) 
WOTKES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 
AFRICAN RACE OF Pyramets carpui.—In reference to Dr. Verity’s 
notes on Pyramets cardui, L., in the Ent. Rec. for June, 1916, I think 
perhaps that my experience of this species in South Central Africa is 
relevant. 
I found P. cardui in some abundance on the plains of the Lukanga 
Valley last August; of a considerable series netted, the average size 
was distinctly smaller, and the colour more bright, than those usually 
found in England. 
This statement is not made from memory, but from actual com- 
parison, while I was home on leave some months back. I regret that 
I cannot give measurements, all my specimens being at present in 
