3248 Insects. 



to it, as was always the case with a short pin. The operation may 

 be performed by candle-light if a condenser be used, and it is accom- 

 plished with more certainty if the insect be viewed through a lens. 



I am not prepared to say that this plan is perfection ; but I think it 

 better than any other I yet know, and shall be glad to hear of an 

 improvement. 



J. W. Douglas. 



2, Eton Grove, Lee, Kent, 

 September 6, 1851. 



Notes on the Hymenoptera of the Under cliff, Isle of Wight. By 

 Frederick Smith, Esq., Assistant in the Zoological Department, 

 British Museum. 



I have at length had an opportunity of investigating, entomologi- 

 cally, a portion of the most beautiful part of the Isle of Wight — the 

 Undercliff. My preconceived opinion was, that if one locality could 

 be found to surpass all others in this country for its richness in 

 hymenopterous treasures, in all probability it would prove to be the 

 Undercliff; and this I think I shall show to be pretty nearly the fact. 

 Judging from the success with which I met, during a week in the 

 month of July, a month not usually the most prolific in Hymenoptera, 

 and taking into consideration the undisturbed and sheltered situation 

 of the Undercliff, its variety of soil, and the countless wild flowers 

 which completely carpet its lovely slopes and undulations, — all these 

 combine in forming one of the most rich and prolific localities I ever 

 had the good fortune to explore. 



I commenced my campaign on the 14th of July, and prosecuted it 

 daily up to the 21st, devoting usually from five to six hours a-day ; a 

 little after 2 o'clock the sun begins to cast the shadows of the cliffs 

 over the slopes at their base, and then the objects of my pursuit are 

 no longer on the wing. I shall draw up a complete list of the species 

 that I met with, as it will in all probability furnish an approximation 

 to the actual number to be met with on the whole line of coast, be- 

 tween Sandown Bay and Blackgang Chine, during the month of July. 

 My investigations on the present excursion only extend from Sandown 

 to Ventnor ; I hope to complete the remainder of the Undercliff on a 

 future occasion. I made a most careful examination of all the sand- 

 banks and cliffs, and judging from the unmistakable evidences which 

 they bore of insect labour, 1 conclude that at an earlier period of the 



