iSgi.] 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



197 



By request of several correspondents I will now deviate from the 

 order laid down in second edition of Dr. Sharp's Catalogue and deal 

 next with the genus Sphodrus. 



Sphodrus, Clairville. — Derived from Greek word, meaning vehe- 

 ment, energetic. S. leucophthalmus, L., the species found in this 

 country is probably the most gracefully tormed beetle in the British 

 Geodephaga. It is found chiefly in cellars, kitchens, sculleries, out- 

 houses, dustbins, &c., and said to prey on cockroaches. If this is 

 correct, the species ought certainly to be abundant in London refresh- 

 ment houses where cockroaches prevail to an alarming extent. But 

 up to present time although I have received from these places such 

 species as Blaps, Pristonychus, Tenebrio, &c., not a single Sphodrus 

 has been brought to me. I have occasionally taken some odd 

 specimens in Oxford Road, Islington, but never more than one at a 

 time. In September, 1890 I captured a specimen in my present abode 

 while sitting at supper ; it ran across the hearthrug in front of me, 

 when I immediately secured it The species appears to be widely 

 distributed although not common, and doubtless occurs in most of the 

 large cities and towns in the British Isles. From Mr. Champion's 

 excellent MS. list of the Kent and Survey Coleoptera I extract the 

 following note respecting the insect : — •" In cellars, outhouses, &c. 

 Uncommon. Kent : Sheerness, Greenwich. Surrey : Walworth, 

 Reigate." " I have taken several specimens of this species in my 

 coal cellar at Peckham, but always singly" (W. C. Chaney). Also 

 taken by Mr. Cripps in cellar, at Clapham. Captured by Mr. New- 

 bery in area, at Bloomsbury. I have received several specimens from 

 Mr. R.W. Thompson, Regent's Park, captured by that gentlemen in his 

 cellar. The plan adopted in the latter instance was to leave a small 

 jet of gas burning, when Mr. Thompson would descend to the cellar 

 and turn up the light suddenly. Should Sphodrus be running about, 

 a duster thrown over it would retard its career sufficiently to enable 

 Mr. Thompson to effect its capture. Mr. Jarvis (now at Cape Town) 

 found several at Kingsland. Also taken by Mr. West at Greenwich. 

 In point of fact, it is to insects such as the one under notice that the 

 term, " London district " would properly apply, as that would include 

 any place in the London postal district. 



In country localities the insect is as erratic in its appearance, as 

 in town. Sometimes a specimen will find its way into a coleopterist's 



