On the Occurrence of Sphodrus leucopthalmus, Linn., in 

 the district. By George Bolam, F.Z.S. 



A SPECIMEN of this striking-looking beetle was captured 

 by Mr William Wallace, as it ran quickly over the pavement 

 in front of Mr Elliot's shop in High Hill, Berwick, one 

 evening in September 1893 or 1894, and, as it is by no 

 means a common insect, it is desirable to place the occurrence 

 on record. In all likelihood it had come from the cellar 

 window, which abuts upon the street — "cellars, warehouses, 

 and such obscure places" being the best known habitats of 

 the species. 



S. leucopthalmus is already reported for Berwick, in Mr 

 Dunlop's list, published in "Vol. ii. of the Club's " History," 

 and there was an old specimen in Dr Johnston's collection, 

 which would probably be a local one. In the "Catalogue 

 of the Insects of Northumberland and Durham," by the late 

 Di- Hardy and Thomas Bold (Transactions of the Tyneside 

 Naturalists' Field Club, Vol. i. p. 40), the entry is: — "In 

 cellars and warehouses, not abundant. A specimen in an 

 outhouse at Twizell, and another in a cellar at Lucker. — 

 P. J. Selby, Esq. — Newcastle and Long Benton." In after 

 years Dr Hardy had a specimen which was thought to have 

 come from a baker's premises in Duns. 



