52 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



leading across DarvilFs meadows towards Bourne Mills, sweeping by the way 

 for Malachius ruficollis, and bagging, besides the latter, a couple of Tele- 

 phorus lateralis ; passing the mill on the left, I followed the winding road to 

 Moor Park House, the residence of Mr. J. F. Bateman, and continued on 

 until I reached the grotto or cave where the white witch (Mother Ludlam) is 

 reputed to have taken up her abode. A considerable alteration has been 

 made here during recent years, and the cave is now gated and locked against 

 all intruders ; and the mineral spring which formerly trickled through the 

 entrance has been diverted from its usual course, and is collected in a reser- 

 voir for use in the mansion ; even the initials, which in my youth, I traced 

 on the sides of the cave are obliterated. Turning my back on the cave with 

 its reminiscences, I descended the hill towards the River Wey, which runs 

 at the bottom just here, disturbing a pheasant in my progress and getting a 

 glimpse of some moorhens scuttling away among the thick herbage. But 

 little change was to be observed here ; huge brake ferns still grew on the 

 slopes, large patches of yellow iris could be seen in the swamp, tall Scrophu- 

 laria aquatica with lurid flowerets, a profusion of Lythrium salicaria, and a 

 variety of other plants. Discarding the sweeping net, I at once commenced 

 looking for beetles. Cionus scrophularia and C. blatterice were abundant, 

 and I took 50 of each species, besides 6 C. verbasci, 30 Nanophyes lyt/iri, 

 9 or 10 Galeruca calmariensis, and a female of Phyllobrotica ^-maculata. 

 During the afternoon I amused myself by watching for Crioceris asparagi in 

 Mr. John Nash ; s kitchen garden, and this finished up my summer excursion 

 to Farnham. 



On August Bank Holiday I went to Cliffe, and found Calathus mollis and 

 melanocephalus abundantly; took a few Coccinella 19-punctata, Dyschinus 

 globosus, and some species of Heteroceras. 



My last collecting day was on August 13th, when I again visited that in- 

 teresting locality Rainham, being this time in search of Bembidium luna- 

 lum, which I have taken at this district on previous occasions. After grub- 

 bing about at the old spot for some time, I again found specimens at the 

 roots of Aster tripolmm, but not commonly, as the ground was dry and full 

 of cracks. Other captures were Amara convexiusctila, Anchomenus atralus, 

 Bembidium concinum, a quantity of Lena melanopa, &c. At various times 

 during the year I have obtained several species of indoor beetles, Mezium 

 ajjine, Gibbium scotius, and a couple of fine Sphodrus leitcopkthalmus. 



Taking the result of the of the year's collecting, and considering the 

 limited time at my disposal, I think 1 am justified in saying I have found it 

 a very good season indeed. 

 73, Oxford Road, Islington, N. 



