1892.] 



fUE BRITISH NATUf^ALlST. 



Thames bank, and also that on the opposite side, the shells were 

 found plentiful, but of much smaller size, the vegetation was every- 

 where abundant, and supply the general conditions favourable to the 

 species, but in the first locality "there was alluvium, more sand, and no 

 mud. The water was at times as fierce in activity, yet occasionally 

 more still ; the vegetation was much bolder, and more generously 

 developed. There was more shade, more shelter, and more humidity 

 and there were bordering grass lands which drained into the water- 

 course. The logical deduction is that even slightly altered conditions 

 can produce decided differences in animals." The Rev. W. C. Hey, 

 previously quoted, writes, " near Clifton Slope occur some very thin, 

 but bright and clean, Anodontas, only small in size. They arc clean, 

 doubtless because of the absence of drainage, and they are small and 

 thin because, not only is drainage absent, which often affords rich 

 food, but the river is very clear of vegetable matter." As regards the 

 possible influence of different foods in affecting the colour of shells, 

 Mr. Charles Ashford writes, respecting H. virgata. "Another variety 

 of a uniform purple-brown colour, sometimes wholly black, seems to 

 be chiefly confined to a few square yards near the sea-cliff. The pre- 

 vailing plant there is Cavduus temiifolius, upon the stems and leaves 

 of which it is to be found associated with the typical forms." 

 Writing on the mollusca of Herefordshire, Mr. A. E. Boycott states 

 that he found the var. albida of H. hovtensis, the var. alba of H. 

 rnfescens, and a light variety of Sue cine a putris "near to S. virescens'' 

 all on horse raddish. — W. A. Gain. 



Errata in " List of Slugs" for September. — Page 177, line 16, for 

 v. rufus, Fer,, read v. ruber , jMoq. Page 178, v./., of A. eiiipiricorum 

 should read ruber, Moq. 



GOSSIPING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. 



BY G. A. LEWCOCK. 



{Continued from page 84.) 



Cymindis, Latreill.— Greek for "night hawk." The genus was 

 formerly called Tarns i^Clairv.) But two species occur in Britain, both 

 of which may be considered local, and not common. 



C. axillaris, F. (angularis, Steph.)— The upper surface of this 

 species is shining; the elytra with humeral patch and margins yellow. 

 It occurs at ]-3ox Hill and several other localities in Surrey ; recorded 

 by Mr. C. W. Dale from Portland. Canon Fowler adds Isle of 

 Wight, New Forest, Lewes, Swanage, Portsmouth, Weymouth. 

 Lowestoff, Swansea. 



