900 Insects. 



but, in all instances, without a red head, much narrower and smaller, 

 and as to colour, varying in every consecutive shade between the 

 limits of light yellow and dark metallic green. This was also taken 

 on the same plant, and in company with the preceding insect. Of 

 Mantura Chrysanthemi, an insect which is usually considered exceed- 

 ingly rare, I took several curious varieties, as also of Anthonomus 

 ater, all of which last were so small as to make me suspect at first 

 that they were a distinct species. Cercyon ruficorne and Omalium 

 rivulare I never captured except on the wing, but then in tolerable 

 abundance, although only on the eastern shore, where they appear to 

 live amongst the rejectamenta. 



The birds seemed the only species of life which chose the western 

 coast for their habitation, for even the grass itself cannot withstand 

 the violence of the gales that are constantly blowing from the south- 

 west, as may be seen from the huge masses of granite which are not 

 merely left bare, but actually decomposed with the action of the 

 wind. 



In Lepidoptera I should think the local list must be exceedingly 

 small ; nevertheless, having merely directed my attention to the 

 Coleoptera, I cannot answer that such is the case. The only species 

 I observed were the common Cynthia Cardui and Hadena plebeia, 

 the former of which was tolerably abundant. As representatives of 

 the other departments of Zoology, I can merely name two, the abun- 

 dant existence of each of which I can, however, practically vouch 

 for : these are rats and rabbits. The former grow to an unusually 

 large size, and, not content with a mere theoretical existence, are 

 amongst the first to make your acquaintance on landing, more parti- 

 cularly if you come, as is perfectly necessary, well laden with pro- 

 visions. That the latter not only occur, but abound, I have more 

 than once proved ! 



T. V. WOLLASTON. 



Jesus College, Cambridge. 



Corrosive fluid ejected by Cychrus rostratus. In a former number (Zool. 339) is a 

 notice concerning the corrosive fluid ejected by several of the Carabi, when captured. 

 In the species there mentioned I have never happened to remark it, but on capturing 

 Cychrus rostratus I have received a most painful discharge nearly in the eye. I am 

 inclined to suspect that this liquid contains nitric acid, as it left a mark very similar 

 to what a drop of that acid would have occasioned. — J. W. Staler ,• Jan. 26, 18*5. 



/ ti/ily of Ca/asoma Syropkanta in Silesia. This beautiful hectic is very common 



