270 [April, 
the distance from each other of about half a line, there run backwards, divergently, 
two ridges for about half the length of the case. A little below these, and parallel — 
to them, are two other ridges, each shorter than the one next above it. The lowest 
is, however, sometimes obsolete. Between the two upper ridges first mentioned, | 
three other pairs parallel to them, and consequently meeting at points more and | 
more removed from the anterior edge or mouth, give a succession of three V's, 
placed one within the other, so as to cover the whole of the dorsal portion of the 
case. This pattern is frequently completed by one side of a V passing its own 
apex and joining the opposite side of its enclosing V, and thus forming a zig-zag 
line along the centre. The remaining surface of the case is comparatively smooth, 
and is wholly of a dull black colour. It measures from 5 to 6 lines in length, and 
from 1} to 2 lines in diameter at the broad end. 
The larva, like that of C. 3-cuspidata, “has the body curved and not greatly 
unlike that of a small cockchafer.’’ The head is somewhat rugose, and, with the 
legs, is of a rusty yellow colour. It seems to live chiefly in the old and less fre- 
quented galleries at the base of the ant-hill, and to feed upon the spongy material 
of which they are composed. When full-grown, about the end of May (24th), the 
mouth of the case is closed up with a portion of the same excrementitious material 
as that of which the body of the case is composed, and is generally attached to a - 
twig or other portion of the nest. Occasionally, when pressed for room, the cases 
are attached to each other; and a poor unfortunate, not ready for its change, has 
been doomed to feed, dragging about with it a sleeping partner for a whole week. 
The insect remains in the pupa state from six to seven weeks, the first beetle 
having appeared July 9th. They continued to appear for twelve days. A specimen 
was, however, taken by myself at Ballater, on the top of an ant-hill, on May 6th. 
When the empty cases are found, it will be observed that the posterior portion, 
and not the mouth, is the quarter by which egress has been effected, The beetle, 
however, comes out head foremost; showing that, previous to becoming a pupa, 
the larva had reversed its position. In its imago state, this would be impossible. 
—Rosr. Hisnop, Blair Bank, Falkirk: 7th February, 1872. 
Notes on recent captures of Coleoptera.—I have recently taken in flood refuse 
on the banks of the Thames at Walton, three or four examples of Ptenidiwm 
atomaroides, Mots. (determined by the Rev. A. Matthews, who informs me that my 
examples are specifically identical with his own unique British specimen recorded 
in Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152). Amongst a great many ordinary species, taken at 
the same place, the following seem noteworthy :—Homalota Bichhoffi (only before 
recorded in this country from Rannoch), angustula (common), and canescens. 
Ilyobates forticornis, two or three. Ocypus fuscatus, Stenus opacus (several), Argus, 
plantaris, melanarius, and fuscipes. Lathrobium punctatum (several), quadratum, 
longulum, boreale, &e. Achenium hwmile, three. Philonthus rubripennis, fumarius, 
&c. Protinus macropterus, Stilicus geniculatus, Myrmedonia limbata, Rhinoncus 
inconspectus, Baridius lepidit, sparingly. Pterostichus gracilis, Anchomenus micans, 
Euplectus ambiguus, Bryaxis hematica, common (and in abundance at Staines), 
Stenolophus exiguus, in abundance, unaccompanied by lwridus, &ec. 
I have also taken in flood refuse, on the river bank at Staines, Scydmenus 
pusillus, a few specimens of both sexes (I subsequently met with a pair of this at 
Tottenham, on the banks of River Lea, and a single specimen at Walton) ; Dromius 
sigma, &e.—G. C. Cuampion, 274, Walworth Road, London, S.E.: March, 1872. 
