1891-92.] 4°5 



makes it a very conspicuous insect, and attracts the notice of 

 the casual observer. The specimen I exhibit was taken by 

 Rev. J. Bristow in this neighbourhood. The Bledii are curious 

 little beetles. They burrow in sand or mud, and throw up 

 little casts, by which their presence is often detected. As they 

 do not often come to the surface unless disturbed, they are 

 frequently passed over. There is only one species in the 

 Belfast list, B. opacus, but a search in suitable localities would 

 probably produce others. ' I must now call your attention to 

 another of the great divisions of the Coleoptera, viz., the 

 Clavicornia, which are so called from their antennae forming a 

 more or less pronounced club at the apex. Among them are 

 our smallest native beetles, some of the genus Ptilium being 

 only a £mm. in length. The first species I shall mention is 

 Clambus armadillo, a small black insect, with the margins of 

 the thorax, the legs, and the antennas reddish. It is found in 

 vegetable refuse, hotbeds, &c, and has the power, like many of 

 its allies, of rolling itself into a ball, and thus eluding notice by 

 its resemblance to a minute seed. Several of the Coccineltidce 

 are recorded from this district. I may mention Hippodamia 

 i$-punctata, Coccinella 10-punctata {variabilis), and C. 7- 

 punctata. The first mentioned is not a very common species. 

 Mr. Templeton took it at Cranmore, and it is in Mr. Haliday's 

 list. It occurs usually in marshy places on reeds and water 

 plants. The second, C. 10-punctata, is very common, but very 

 puzzling to the novice on account of variation in the markings 

 of the elytra. The third, C. 7 -punctata, is the common lady 

 bird, which is be found everywhere. All three species are most 

 useful, as both the larvae and the perfect insects devour Aphides 

 and play an important part in checking these pests. Hetero- 

 cerus 77iarginatus was taken by the late Mr. R. Patterson in 

 this district, and the specimen is in the Museum collection. 

 This is the only record of its occurrence in Ireland. These 

 beetles live in galleries which they excavate in mud on the 

 margins of lakes or pools and on banks of muddy streams. 

 The Lamellicomia form the next division. Several of the 



