1892.] 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



27 



Agrotis prsecox. — Mr. Jager records its capture near Ramsey in 

 1890. 



Agrotis pyrophila. — To be found on Ragwort flowers occasionally at 

 Ramsey. 



Agrotis porphyrea. — Plentiful on heaths. 



Agrotis lucernea. — Occurs at Onchan and coast of the Island. 



Agrotis spinifera. — Mr. Gregson has kindly given me the following 

 Note concerning this insect: "Growdale" bog and "Bank's 

 Howe" only two specimens have been known to occur, the first 

 taken by C. S. Gregson is now in the great collection of British 

 insects in the possession of Sydney Webb, Esq., at Dover; the 

 second specimen was treated by its capturer as a poor variety 

 of Valligera, from which, and from many of its allies, it may 

 always be known by its pure white abdomen and by its extremely 

 white underwings. It is one of the rarest European moths. 



(To be continued). 



Coleoptera. — Notes . 



GOSSIPING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. 



BY G. A. LEWCOCK. 



(Continued fvom Vol. I, page 199.) 



Coleopterous insects in 1891 were fairly numerous, and our 

 correspondents are to be congratulated on the improvement which 

 has taken place in recording their captures in this department of 

 Entomology. The City of London and the Lancashire and Cheshire 

 Societies, as usual, are well to the front, both societies fortunatel)' 

 possessing young and active students of this order. It is the latter 

 class which the Editors of the "British Naturalist"' especially desire 

 to encourage; but, at the same time, the co-operation of advanced 

 entomologists is quite indispensable, and their notes and observations, 

 records of captures, &c., are of great value to their fellow-workers in 

 the science. 



On the commencement of a new season, the following questions 

 have frequently presented themselves to me, viz.: "What species 

 shall I add to my collection this year?" and "Can I search oat the 

 life-history of some species which has hitherto evaded my efforts?" 

 Keeping these objects steadily in view and striving to attain their 

 solution, the year rolls on. Spring comes, with its radiance of blossom ; 



