iSgi.] 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



3 



lot while searching at Rainham, Essex, among the reeds. Mr. W. 

 H. Harwood sent me a specimen (in exchange) taken in marshes near 

 Colchester. Also captured by Mr. Champion at Dagenham, and 

 Ilford, Essex, and is recorded by that gentleman in E. M. M. Vol. 

 lo, p. 39, as follows : — Aetophonis imperialis in quantity among the 

 dehvis of fallen reeds, near Ilford, Essex, thanks to my friend Mr. J. 

 G. Marsh, who introduced me to the locality." 



Demetrias, Bonelli. — Proper name, of a silver-smith of Ephesus. 

 Why this name should be given to the genus it is not easy to see 

 (W. E. Sharp). Two species occur in Britain, and neither are un- 

 common. 



D. monostigma, Leach (Sharp's Catalogue), D. unipimctatus, Garm. 

 [monostigma, Sam). [FowlerJ. Common on sandy banks, by the 

 Thames, near Kingston (Surrey). " At roots of grass, in moss, &c., 

 in dry sandy places, and in marshes ; local and uncommon ; Deal, 

 Kent," (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptem). "Abundant at 

 roots of the wiry grass on sandhills. Deal ; most plentiful in spring " 

 (C. G. Hall). Taken at same locality by Mr. Bennett (Hastings) and 

 Mr. West (Greenwich). " Said to have been taken by Mr. Gregson 

 on the Wallasey sandhills, but certainly has not occurred there 

 recently " (W. E. Sharp, Ledsham). 



THE DIPTERA OF DORSETSHIRE. 



By C. W. dale, F.E.S. 



Sub-order— APHANIPTERA. 

 Family — Pulicid^. 



There are numerous species of this family, peculiar to various 

 animals and birds. Duges describes four species— P. irritans, canis, 

 musculi, and vespertilionis ; whilst Bouche describes ten — P. canis, 

 irritans, gallince, felis, martis, sciurorum, erinacei, talpa, miiscnli, and 

 vespertilionis. Walker describes fourteen, the additional ones being 

 P. metis, colfimbcs, hinmdinis, and fvingillcB. The largest British species 

 is P. talpcB. An American species — P. gigas, Kirby -is two lines long. 

 In the West Indies and South America is an insect belonging to the 



