222 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [September 



some half-dozen examples. The main difference between the variety 

 and type form is that var. nubigena has the thorax clouded with 

 black, and occasionally entirely black. The legs and antennae also 

 are darker. It seems to occur in high latitudes only. 



The late Mr. R. Gillo had "a specimen, taken on Lansdown, with 

 the thorax dark pitchy and the margins only reddish ; the antennae 

 dark in the middle and the legs much darker than the type form of 

 C. mclanocephalus, especially the tibiae and tarsi ; but as I have 

 specimens showing every gradation between it and the type, it cannot 

 be anything more than a melanic variety, which seems to occur in 

 high localities." 



C. micropterus, Duft. — Insect apterous. The principal distinction 

 between this and the preceding species appears to be in the thorax, 

 which is dark instead of red, with margins testaceous ; the border of 

 posterior angles is broad and slightly reflexed. Generally found in 

 mountainous districts. I received my specimens from Mr. W. E. 

 Sharp, who takes it on the Welsh mountains. Mr. R. Wilding also 

 records it from Snowdon and 'Llangollen, under stones. 



C. piceus, Marsh. — Insect apterous ; black. Tarsi simple in both 

 male and female. The thorax is much more contracted behind than 

 in the other species of this genus which occur in the British Islands, 

 and the beetles are altogether broader. I have found specimens at 

 Rainham (Essex), but it appears to be commoner in sandy places. 

 Mr. E. A. Newbery and Mr. C. G. Hall record it from Deal and 

 Dover ; Mr. R. Wilding, at roots of trees and under loose bark, 

 Eastham Wood, Cheshire ; Bath, Mr. R. Gillo ; Hadley Woods, 

 Mr. Heasler. 



REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 



CARLISLE ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY 



SOCIETY. 



The third monthly meeting of this Society was held on August 2nd, and, in the 

 absence of the President, Mr. Robert Leighton took the chair. Mr. E. W. Day read 

 a paper entitled, "Notes and observations on a trip to Loch Lomond," in which he 

 enumerated a list of objects which called for attention, and remarked the conditions 

 under which they were seen. During the discussion one of" the members casually re- 

 marked having seen a whitish cockroach, and forthwith an animated debate ensued 

 on these troublesome pests. As usual, there was a large display of exhibits. 



August 16th. — Mr. George Wilkinson read a paper on the " Entomological pro- 

 ductions of the first four months of 1894." This paper, a highly interesting one, was 

 very much appreciated by the Entomological section. Mr. Wilkinson gave a list of 



