Insects 



5973 



Note on the Flying of Bemhidia. — Did any of my brolber " insect hunters " observe 

 how freely tbe Benibidia made use of their wings during the remarkably hot summer 

 of 1857? I most particularly noticed this when in Cumberland, in June. Species 

 that I never saw fly before would, on being disturbed, run at once to the top of a stone, 

 open their wings and away. I lost many from another cause: not wishing to bottle 

 any but the best I gave every individual a separate examination ; many escaped by 

 slipping from my fingers, and, taking wing as they fell (after the manner of a Philon- 

 tbus), were soon out of danger. From this cause I missed a series of the rare prasi- 

 num : I had, on a very hot day, hunted some miles of the banks of the Irthing, with 

 poor success, when I came to a large muddy bank, where punctulatum was in plenty, 

 with what T took for tibiale amongst them, but ihey were so very active that every one 

 escaped before I could make out what species it was. I bottled a few promiscuously; 

 and when I came to set them out at night, I had the mortification to find that only 

 three of prasinum were to be found: one of these, on trying to escape, flew into the 

 water, and I now have him mounted, with the wings protruding. Having to return 

 home next morning, I was unable to do more than hope to be more fortunate another 

 time. — Thomas John Bold; Angas Court, Bigg Market, IS ewcastle-on-Tyne, January 

 30, 1858. 



Capture of Georyssus pygmceus in Cumberland. — I captured a fine series of Geo- 

 ryssus pygmaeus when in Cumberland, in the beginning of June last year: they were 

 running about on the muddy banks of the Irthing, each with its pellet of dried mud 

 on the back. I should very much like to know how they acquire this coating: it can 

 scarcely be the result of accident, for all had it, and it tilted so close that I bad them 

 to wash before they could be mounted. Although fitting so close it was of two pieces, 

 and in some cases of three, being divided between the thorax and elytra in all, as well 

 as between the head and thorax in some. It is very interesting to watch the little 

 creature tottering about with its load, which does not appear to impede its motions at 

 all ; and it really requires sharp eyes to detect so well-concealed a creature, of which 

 all that can be seen are the tips of the antennfe and legs. — Id. ; February 2, 1858. 



LamophlcBus Clematidis. — Perceiving (Zool. 5929) that Mr. J. S. Baly insinuates 

 that I have claimed the discovery of this insect, I beg to slate that its capture was 

 recorded by me, at his request, on the 6th of July, 1857, at the Meeting of the Ento- 

 mological Society, and that, in the published Proceedings of that Meeting, the following 

 sentence concludes the paragraph relating to it: " This species was first taken by Mr. 

 J. S. Baly, and subsequently by myself." In the 'Annual' List I merely cited it as 

 having been registered during the year, and referred the reader to the 'Proceedings' 

 for the original notice. What more Mr. Baly would exact for the insignificant share 

 he had in the addition of this species to the British Catalogue I know not: with equal 

 justice might it be asserted that I had set myself up as the discoverer of the whole of 

 the eighty-four species enumerated in the List. But the true incentive to Mr. Baly's 

 communication is probably to be found in his closing remarks. His strictures on the 

 introductory portions of my ants'-nest article in the 'Annual,' emanating as they do 

 from an active participator in proceedings which he does not attempt to justify, I leave 

 to the appreciation of an unbiassed public. — Edward W. Janson; 2, Alma Road, 

 Upper Holloxvay, February 2, 1858. 



