Insects, Ifc. 6737 



Capture of Emus hirtus in the Isle of Sheppey. — Accompanied by Mr. Lewis, one 

 well initiated in the mysteries of insect haunts, I started yesterday morning on an 

 excursion through the Isle of Sheppey, designing to hunt up certain interesting species 

 of Coleoptera, which that fertile locality is known to present. After much futile labour 

 for a well-known rarity, the main incentive of our visit, I happened by a fortunate 

 chance to cast my eye on a bank sloping to the sun. There, wriggling in a mass of 

 dried cow-dung, I caught a hasty glance of a creature clothed in long golden hair, and 

 having the appearance of a large Bombus. It immediately occurred to me that a bee 

 wallowing in dung was somewhat incongruous, and at the same moment I arrived at 

 the conclusion that it could be no other than Emus hirtus. My companion was scep- 

 tical, which did not surprise me, and after assisting in the hunt left me. In faith of 

 the correctness of my conviction, I continued digging for about ten minutes, and, at a 

 depth of about 8 inches, succeeded in turning out a beautiful and perfect specimen of 

 this rare and conspicuous insect. Having preserved my specimen alive for observation, 

 I would first remark the rapacious manner in which its powerful mandibles are brought 

 into play to destroy whatever opposes it. The cork of the bottle in which it was stored 

 was so excavated that, if undisturbed, it would doubtless have effected its escape. 

 Being enveloped in the debris, I was next interested in observing how effectually every 

 particle was removed, by elevating the hind legs and passing them by a comb-like pro- 

 cess over the upper surface of the body. The insect being in the constant habit of 

 unfurling its wings, I observe that they are strongly nerved and so long as completely 

 to cover the abdomen. This seems to indicate that, like certain of its allies in this 

 group, its habit is to fly in the sunshine, from one patch of dung to another, in search 

 of its prey. — Alfred Howard ; Gloucester Road, Croydon, September 23, 1859. 



Larva of a Carab. — Extract from a letter of the late Col. Tylden, R.E., dated 

 " Gaika's Kop, Amatola Range, South Africa, Oct. 9, 1850 :" — " I have observed the 

 ground perforated with small round holes, the entrances to which appeared to be 

 very elaborately and neatly finished with mud, bits of grass, &c. For some time I 

 thought them the habitation of the Tarantula, but as they appeared unusually large 

 for that gentleman's location, I one morning proceeded to a nearer inspection. 

 Having picked out one of the smartest and most compact holes I could find, I 

 lodged a charge of powder therein, in engineer-like style. The mine was completely 

 successful, demolishing the edifice with a suitable c crater ' of about eight inches, and 

 ejecting the occupant, which proved to be an animal closely resembling a large flea 

 in form and colour, about 2\ inches long, with a flat head like a locust, to which 

 were attached two most formidable nippers or jaws. He was rather a vicious-looking 

 fellow altogether. I wished to preserve one, but, as the body is soft like that of the 

 scorpion, it is difficult to do so, and the ants usually get them in the end.'' — [Pro- 

 bably the larva of one of the large African Anthias. — Edward Newman"] 



Paintings of Animals by the Bushmen. — Extract from a letter of the late Col. 

 Tylden : — " I have been occasionally amused by the remains of rude paintings of 

 animals, &c, which are to be found upon the rocks about the caves formerly fre- 

 quented by the Bushmen. Some of the animals are really well represented, and 

 nearly all are to be recognised. They are coloured with clays, Sec, generally rather 



xvii. 3 I 



