3186 Insects. 



mer ; a very tempestuous equinox and a dry May are often the forerunners of this sort 

 of weather. The bees will have little time to lay up a store ; hut I must say I was sur- 

 prised to see what progress Mr. Milton's had made at the Crystal Palace — it is quite 

 astonishing. There must have been a stray honey-dew during the last fortnight in 

 May and the first week in June. — H. W. Newman; New House, Stroud, June 18, 1851. 



Extreme abundance of Asemum striatum. — In the August number of last year's 

 * Zoologist,' (Zool. 2885), this insect was noticed by me as having been taken around 

 here in some plenty. Again this year T have met with it, and have had the satisfac- 

 tion to take thirty specimens in three days. Tts appearance is nearly three weeks later 

 thau on the former occasion, no doubt attributable to the severe weather which we 

 have had around here, for until Thursday last nothing but cold winds and heavy rains 

 prevailed ; since then, however, summer has set in in all its glory. The insect world 

 seem to have rushed into life en masse, and appear in ecstasies, flitting and dancing 

 about in his rays who lights up the world with beatific splendour. — John Scott ; Lon- 

 don Works, Renfreiv, July 1, 1851. 



Capture of Peryphus maritimus at Ardrossan. — On the 21st of last month, having 

 occasion to be at this place on business, and having a little spare time, I took a walk 

 along the shore, where I picked up fifteen specimens of this beautiful little insect, 

 chiefly from beneath sea-weed lying at high-water mark. As I am not aware of its 

 having occurred in this part previously, other collectors who visit this watering-place, 

 and are destitute of examples, I have no doubt might obtain the insect in such plenty 

 as to be able, not only to fill their own void, but also to supply their friends. — Id. 



Capture of Acalyptus Carpini (Hbst.) and Mecinus collaris (Germ.), two Curculios 

 new to England. — Whilst beating the sallow-blossoms on the 28th of April last, in a 

 small wood near Fenny Stratford, I was much pleased to find in my net a small and 

 pretty Tychius-like Curculio which I did not recognize ; and on my capturing several 

 specimens, was quite satisfied it must be new, and through the kind assistance of Mr. 

 Walton, who has received a specimen from Germar, have ascertained it to be the Aca- 

 lyptus Carpini, Hbst. At first sight in the net it had somewhat the appearance of a 

 Tychius, but it has the habit of a Dorytomus, and from its long rostrum and the posi- 

 tion of the antennae, resembles it ; but its silky glossy elytra give it the appearance of 

 belonging or being allied to the former genus, and in Schouherr it is placed between 

 that genus and Sibinea. Four years ago, whilst sweeping below Gravesend, I took a 

 Mecinus new to me, and this year, in May, met with another specimen near the same 

 place, also by brushing, but could get no more by that means. I therefore set to work, 

 knelt down, and examined the different plants carefully, and after about two hours' la- 

 bour succeeded in finding the insect in tolerable plenty, at the roots and on the lower 

 stems of Plantago maritima, which abounds there. In two visits, with the assistance 

 of some boys, I took about forty specimens; it proves to be the Mecinus collaris of 

 Germar. In company with it I found Baris Atriplicis, Notaris bimaculatus, and other 

 species rarely met with by sweeping; and I feel convinced many novelties will turn 

 up, if entomologists will examine carefully all the local and rare plants they meet with. 

 — Samuel Stevens ; 24, Bloomsbury Street, July 9, 1851. 



Early appearance of Colias Edusa. — On the 29th of last month (June), whilst tra- 

 velling on the North Kent line, near Higham, a fine fresh male Colias Edusa flew 

 along the bank, and kept pace with the train for some time ; and I also observed that 

 there and near Shcerness Cynthia Cardui was this year very abundant, and most cer- 

 tainly the commonest butterfly on the wing.— Id. 



