3464 Insects, 



Method of using Laurel-leaves in hilling Insects. — Having had a little experience 

 in killing insects, particularly bees, which requires the greatest care as regards clean- 

 liness and freedom from moisture, I venture to give my mode of using laurel-leaves. 

 Bruise six or eight leaves, all together, with a hammer, but be careful that they do 

 not fall to pieces, as they retain their moisture much longer than when pounded, as 

 the manner of some is : then place them at the bottom of your wide-mouthed bottle. 

 Cut a round of card and blotting-paper, the exact size of the inside of the bottle, the 

 latter beiug folded several times ; slightly tack together the card and blotting-paper, 

 piercing them both through with small holes : this being done, press the card and pa- 

 per tightly down upon the leaves. Thus prepared, the laurel-leaves will retain their 

 power for several months, indeed through a whole season. — W. H. L. Walcott ; Clif- 

 ton, April 2, 1852. 



Note on Aleucis pictaria. — I have just taken two specimens of this rare insect in 

 fine condition (April 10). It is the opinion of some that this, like many others of our 

 Geometrae, lives through the winter, when it makes its appearance early in spring, but 

 my specimens were just out, indeed the wings of one were not dry. — H. T.Harding ; 

 1, York St., Church St., Shoreditch. 



Occurrence of Bembidium flavipes at Renfrew. — As I am not aware that this in- 

 sect has before been taken on this side the Tweed, I thought it might interest some of 

 the northern collectors to hear of its capture. Last spring, as well as this, it literally 

 swarmed on a hedge-bank facing the south. — John Scott ; London Works, Renfrew, 

 March 15, 1852. 



Note on Diglossa mersa. — As I understand that you do not reject the humblest con- 

 tributions on interesting subjects in Natural History, if original, I take the liberty of 

 sending a few remarks on one of our rarest native beetles, Diglossa mersa, which may 

 interest some of the readers of your very interesting and useful journal. I had the 

 good fortune to take several specimens of this singular little Staphyline, as yet found 

 only on the Irish shores, on the 10th of this month, a period earlier than I am aware 

 of ever its having been taken before. Now as the cheap railway trips in summer may 

 tempt some English entomologist to visit the Emerald Isle, a hint or two on the pre- 

 cise locality of Diglossa mersa may not be unacceptable at present. It has been found 

 as far North as Dundrum Bay, in the county Down; but the best and most acces- 

 sible locality is at Baldoyle, where I found it, between the peninsula of Howth and 

 Dublin. Avery short journey on the Drogheda Railway will convey the collector thi- 

 ther, and when arrived, he has only to repair to the beach behind the Station-house, 

 where, if the tide be out and the sun shining, he will soon reap a plentiful harvest. 

 The Diglossa is sometimes to be seen running over the sand, but its peculiar habitat 

 is below high-water mark, under stones half imbedded in the sand, not those loosely 

 scattered about. One specimen only is found under a single stone ; and as soon as 

 uncovered, the little black creature is seen twisting about in the endeavour to hide it- 

 self; when if not immediately secured by a moist finger or a quill, it will defy all at- 

 tempts to extricate it a second time. The uncommon retreat chosen by the Diglossa, 

 rather than its minute size, is, I suppose, the cause of its not having been hitherto ta- 

 ken on the coasts of England and Scotland. Cillenus lateralis and other local if not 

 rare Coleoptera are also found at Baldoyle. I may mention that Mr. Haliday, who 

 originally discovered the genus, has seen the specimens taken by me on the 10th, so that 

 there is no doubt of their identity. — Arthur R. Hogan ; Charlton, Dundrum, near 

 Dublin, April 14, 1852. 



