2108 Insects. 



Kirby. Since the male is the Hylseus abdominalis of Panzer, I have 

 adopted his name for the species : the red-banded variety has hitherto 

 been considered distinct by all authors, but it is only a variety of the 

 dark-coloured male described in the ' Monographia Apum Angliae.' 

 Last September I captured great numbers of both sexes mingled in 

 community, and in July I took several pairs in coitu : it is one of the 

 most abundant species of the genus ; and it is remarkable, that in 

 some localities I have observed that the males were almost all of the 

 red-banded variety, whilst in others they were all, or nearly so, of the 

 darker kind. The female is very partial to hard sandy spots in which 

 to construct her burrows, which are very numerous in some localities. 



Frederick Smith. 

 5, High Street, Newington, 

 February 19, 1848. 



(To be continued). 



Notice of the Occurrence of Rare Coleopterous Insects, with Observations on their Habits ; 

 to which is appended the Description of a Species hitherto unrecorded as British. 

 By Edward W. Jan son, Esq. 



Ocys tempestivus. This species is not uncommon at Colney-hatch during the 

 months of August and September : it frequents the trunks of trees growing in damp 

 places, lurking in inequalities of the bark at their bases in cloudy and bad weather, 

 and in the bright sunshine visiting even their topmost branches ; I presume in search 

 of minute insects. It is exceedingly nimble on foot, and is secured with difficulty. 

 I have occasionally taken it hybernating in crevices of the bark overgrown with moss. 



Abdera bifasciata. Of this species, which, I believe, has hitherto occurred but 

 seldom, and a specimen or two only at a time, I am acquainted with a colony in the 

 decayed branches of an oak at Colney-hatch, where I annually secure many specimens 

 in the month of July. 



Abdera quadrifasciata. This species, like its congener, A. bifasciata, is a wood- 

 feeder, and appears to be gregarious. I know of one locality only for this species, viz. 

 a decayed branch of an oak at Colney-hatch, by beating which with a heavy stick, in 

 the month of July, I have for several years past taken about half-a-dozen specimens. 

 I must observe that it inhabits the interior of the wood, and that the branch must be 

 struck with considerable force to dislodge it. 



Phloiophilus Edwardsii. This variable species, of which the P. Cooperi is proba- 

 bly a variety, I have annually met with abundantly, in the month of June, in a copse 

 near Colney-hatch, but which has recently been destroyed in constructing the Great 

 Northern Railway. It is found on the dead branches of trees (I remarked it on those 

 of the oak and hornbeam), in damp and shady places ; and as I have invariably found 

 it only on those overgrown with lichens, and observed that a tap insufficient to break 



