192 . [Angnat, 



species very rarely in the daylight, but I took about twenty specimens by beating on 

 April 29th. Trieophora vulnerata, Illiger, not uncominon, by sweeping alders ; 

 several specimens of this conspicuous insect have been taken by myself and others 

 during April. Acanthosoma hcemorrhoidalis, Linn., one specimen by beating haw- 

 thorn on April 28th. Pentatoma haccarum, Linn., several specimens by sweeping 

 and beating low bushes and hawthorn with the preceding. P. dissimile, one speci- 

 men on hawthorn, April 28th. Podops inunctua, Fabr., one specimen by sweeping 

 dead nettles on April 29th. Sehirus bicoJor, rather common, on dead nettles' in 

 company with the preceding. I have also to record Manatra linearis, Linn., from 

 Port Meadow early in the present year. — John W. Shipp, Oxford University 

 Museum : May \st, 1893. 



HermcEophaga mercurialis at Oxford. — Canon Fowler (Col. Brit. Isl., iv, p. 361), 

 in describing this species, says, that it has apparently not occurred in the Midlands. 

 But during the past spring (March 20th, 1893), whilst collecting in Bagley Wood, 

 I came upon a small patch of Mercurialis perennis, upon which a number of H. 

 mercurialis were feeding in small numbers. At the slightest rustle of the leaves 

 they rolled off, feigning death. They did not appear to confine themselves to the 

 upper portion of the leaves, for I noticed several feeding on the under-sides ; I also 

 noticed a number feeding (or rather sitting) on the young leaves of a stunted sallow 

 near the patch, in company with a few specimens of Crepidodera chloris, Foudr. 

 This latter insect is, I believe, more common and widely distributed than is thought, 

 and is often passed over for C. aiirata, Marsh., which is generally common, and 

 which somewhat resembles it in general appearance. C. helxines, Linn., is common 

 in Bagley Wood on the young sallows in the spring. — Id. : June ^th, 1893. 



Onthophagus taurus, Linn., introduced from the Channel Islands. — A few weeks 

 ago a local fruiterer and potato merchant forwarded me one or two specimens of an 

 Onthophagus, which I instantly recognised as taurus. I immediately began to hunt 

 for more, and was rewarded by finding two (both males) in the peat in whicli the 

 young potatoes were packed from the Channel Islands. This instance clearly shows 

 how one of our rare British beetles may, all circumstances favourable, find a home 

 in any secluded portion in the British Islands. I may here mention that of the other 

 species of the genus, O. nuchicornis was very common imbedded in the earth under 

 a dead rabbit near Bagley Wood, whilst only one specimen of O. vacca was taken 

 in company with it. O. ovatus is very common in Bagley Wood. — Id. : July \st, 1893. 



Coleoptera near Cardiff.— The present season has so far been remarkably prolific 

 in the Cardiff district, and the following species have occurred within the past two 

 months in a radius of about three miles: — Elaphrus uliginosus (one specimen), JlfaZ- 

 thodes marginatus, M. minimus, M. dispar, all common ; M. atonius and M. guttifer 

 scarce ; while M: misellus was common on the banks of the Taff for a few days, and 

 then suddenly vanished. A seventh species of the genus {M. flavoguttatus) also 

 occurred a year or two ago. Of Aphodius I have taken fourteen species this season, 

 including sticticus (very scarce), iristis (common), rufescens and foetens (rather 

 common). Anthonomus ulmi has been very common, and I may also mention the 

 simultaneous occurrence, on a small bed of Scrophularia, of Cionus scrophularice, 

 verbasci, hlattaricB, and pulchellus — B. Tomlin, Llandaff : July, 1893. 



