1890.] 273 



Quedius trtstis predacious. — I have this afternoon witnessed a curious and, to 

 me, quite novel sight. My attention was called to a daddy-long-legs, -which was 

 walking over the grass on my lawn in a very erratic manner, and carrying some 

 long, black object upon its back. Upon closer examination, this object proved to be 

 a specimen of Quedius tristis, which was clinging closely to the Tipula, and busily 

 devouring the upper portion of its thorax. I watched it for some minutes, during 

 which the beetle did not appear in the least degree incommoded by the struggles of 

 its victim, which managed to stumble along for three or four yards while being thus 

 slowly devoured. I have never before known a Quedius to devour living insects, and 

 should like to know if any of your readers has met with a like experience. — Id. : 

 September 8th, 1890. 



Aepophihts Bonnairii. — Whilst on the beach at Lyme Regis (Dorset), on the 

 12th of last month, I caught a specimen of what I believe to be A. Bonnairii, and 

 under the same circumstances as mentioned by Mr. J. H. Keys, but all my after 

 searches were unavailing. My capture was near sunset, and though the tide was 

 rising, the animal showed no inclination to stir from his post, which was considerably 

 below high water mark.— Wm. R. Kilbttene, 38, Finsbury Pavement, London, 

 E.G. : September \Uh, 1890. 



Feter Maassen was born at Duisburg, on the Lower Rhine, on December 9th, 

 1810. He was at first intended for the Church, but ultimately entered the service 

 of the Berg-Markisch Railway, in which he remained for about 36 years, and at 

 length rose to the rank of Control-Chef, or Superintendent. During this time he 

 was at first stationed at Aix-la-Chapelle, but was afterwards transferred to Elberfeld* 

 whence he removed to Diisseldorf in the spring of the present year. 



Herr Maassen succeeded in forming a very extensive collection of European 

 and Exotic Lepidoptera, and travelled and collected in various parts of Germany, 

 Switzerland, Italy, &c., and also visited Paris and London more than once. He was 

 not a voluminous writer ; his principal work being his " Beitriige zur Schmetter- 

 lingskunde," consisting of a series of illustrations of Saturniidce, in small folio, 

 five parts of which were published at intervals. The first of these appeared in 

 1869. In the later parts he was assisted by his friend, Grustav Weymer. Other 

 papers (chiefly reviews, or accounts of collecting tours) have appeared from time to 

 time in the " Stettiner entomologische Zeitung." 



Herr Maassen retired from his official duties on a pension some years ago, but 

 retained his faculties and interest in Entomology to the last ; and, notwithstanding 

 his advanced age, set out in July for a tour in the Black Forest. At the beginning 

 of August he was at Falkensteig, and on the morning of the 2nd, his niece, who 

 accompanied him, found that he had expired suddenly during the night. He was 

 buried at Erkrall, near Diisseldorf, by the side of his wife. 



Herr Maassen was a man of cheerful, friendly disposition, and his death will be 

 widely regretted by all who knew him, either as an Entomologist or as a friend. — 

 W. F. K. 



