Insects. 7057 



abundance, also Ennychia octomacnlalis again. Nemeophila Planla- 

 ginis was careering madly about, contrasting strangely in its flight with 

 the slow zigzag movements of Chortobius Davus, which delights to 

 dance np and down among the heads of the cotton-grass. 



We soon reached the mouth of Loch Spelvie, The problem, however, 

 which had to be solved was — Given, Loch Spelvie with a tide running 

 at six miles an hour, how to cross it. The practical solution proved 

 rather a difficult affair. There was no one of course on our side of 

 the Loch, and it was only after the most protracted " singing out " 

 and shouting that we gained the attention of the gentlemen of the 

 opposition. 



For the friends of Crustacea we may mention that several large 

 Maia Squinado were lying among the stern-sheets of the boat. 



The next and last part of the day's programme was a walk of four 

 miles along the shores of the peaceful Loch, at the head of which we 

 were told there was a hospitable farm-house. This domicile we 

 reached some time after the sun had set behind the purple-tinged hills 

 of the west. 



Next morning we were early astir, and after a breakfast of the 

 homeliest character prepared ourselves for a hunt among the heights. 

 The grand object of the day's enterprise, and that which we made up 

 our minds, by hook or by crook, to attain, was the capture of Dytiscus 

 lapponicus, a species which but a year or two ago was pronounced 

 by Mr. Clark to be new to Britain. The morning was exquisite ; we 

 were soon clambering over rocks and heath. We came upon several 

 specimens of Carabus glabratus, one devouring the dead pupa of a 

 dragon-fly. Carabus nitens also gladdened our eyes. Every now 

 and then Bombyx Callunae went tearing past as if on some behest 

 of weal or woe. 



Reaching an eminence we descried a deep mountain tarn at some 

 distance ; thither we betook ourselves with all speed. How Dr. Hagen 

 would have revelled in the multitudes of Phryganidge which tumbled 

 about everywhere near the margin of the Loch. We took a newly- 

 emerged specimen of Anax formosus, which we have identified from 

 the description of the 'Annual ' for 1857. In the Loch itself Hydro- 

 porus halensis {Fahr.\ H. ery throcephalus, Agabus arcticus and Gyrinus 

 minutus were not rare. Though these species were very good we sighed 

 after something better ; but our wish was not to be gratified for 

 several hours. After visiting many Lochs we came to one which looked 

 likely to contain something good. We proceeded in different 

 directions, and began to walk round the edge. At last — "Ah ! — there is 

 XVIII. 2 M 



