6580 



Insects — Radiata . 



But each of the bores contained one or two flies ; these were, it seems, Sarcophaga 

 carnaria, Musca vomitoria, Musca rneridiana and Sargus cupreus : these flies were 

 closely imbedded in the detritus of the wood. There were some hundreds so im- 

 bedded. Now the question arises, How did these flies become tenants of the bores? 

 It is preposterous to suppose that they were " drawn into the bores by a spider, to be 

 preyed on at leisure!" Why, when the juices were extracted, were the flies not 

 ejected, as is usual under similar circumstances? Yet, strange to say, one of our 

 leading entomologists favours such an idea, but of what genus aud species the spider 

 is, of course he cannot say ! And so he leaves the matter. 1 am induced to ask you 

 to insert these particulars in the pages of your serial, in the hope of eliciting a more 

 satisfactory explanation. The bores were isolated, and apparently unconnected with 

 one another, and in some instances they seemed to have no connection with the outer 

 air. — Peter Inchbald ; Storthes Hall, H udder sfield, May 17, 1859.— Intelligencer.' 



[Mr. Inchbald most obligingly sent me the specimens of perforated wood before 

 he published the foregoing account: and be it known unto all men, that I am the 

 " preposterous" entomologist who suggested that the borings were those of a Sirex 

 larva, who gave Mr. Inchbald the names of the four flies, and who expressed the 

 opinion that they were " drawn into the bores by a spider, to be preyed on at leisure." 

 — Edward Newman.'] 



Dinarda Maerkelii and Hetcerius sesquicornis. — Dr. Power headed a ravaging party 

 to the Hogsback, near Guildford, on or about the birthday of Gracious Majesty : his 

 myrmidons were S. Stevens, J. W. Douglas and E. Shepherd. Fifty D. Maerkelii 

 were brought home. A few days previously fifteen beautiful specimens of Hetaerius 

 sesquicornis were taken at Hampstead by S. Stevens & Co. What is our friend Jauson 

 about? Here is a theme for his indignant pen ! — Ed. Zool. 



On the Transfer of Adamsia palliata from Shell to Shell. 

 By P. H. Gosse, Esq. F.R.S. 



It has often been an interesting speculation with me, — In what 

 manner is the due relation of size maintained between Adamsia palliata 

 and its supporting shell, in the progressive growth of the former ? We 

 find, almost without exception, the Adamsia adhering around the 

 mouth of an univalve shell, which is tenanted by the hermit crab 

 {Payurus Prideauxii). There is, moreover, a certain proportion of 

 dimensions between the zoophyte and the shell ; the young Adamsia 

 occupying a small shell, such as that of a Littorina or Trochus, the 

 full-grown individual a large one, such as that of a Natica or Buccinum. 

 The crab is able to shift from a smaller to a larger shell when he needs 

 enlarged accommodation, and since we know that his congener, P. Bern- 

 hardus does this habitually, we naturally conclude that such is the 

 habit of P. Prideauxii. 



