16 



THE YOUNG 



NATUEALIST. 



We would then get the opportunity of ex- 

 amining selected specimens from all parts 

 of the country, and of having them all under 

 our eye at once. Two or three species might 

 always be so brought for examination, so 

 that those whose district did not produce 

 one thing might bring another. Fuliginosa, 

 an account of which appears in another 

 part of this number, would be a very inter- 

 esting species to examine in this way, and 

 those who never saw a south coast or a 

 Scotch example would probably be much 

 surprised when they did. Suffumata, Tritici, 

 Furuncula, &c., &c., are species we have 

 previously spoken of in connection with this 

 point, but we expect many more insects 

 would be thus found to vary locally than we 

 now are aware of. New forms would also be 

 brought, and it is certain the subject of vari- 

 ation would have much light thrown upon it. 



Opportunity would also be afforded for 

 seeing rare and unique species, or curious 

 and abnormal varieties. We have often 

 thought it rather a pity and a detriment to 

 knowledge that these unusual forms are 

 scattered through so many collections, 

 instead of been available for comparison 

 and study. Such specimens are too valuable 

 to be risked by post, but would travel safely 

 enough with their owners, and their 

 exhibition at such a gathering as we have 

 spoken of would be a great advantage. It 

 is not necessary to dwell on this subject at 

 greater length, the idea has been named to 

 one or two of our more intimate friends, 

 and has been received with considerable 

 favour. We shall be pleased to hear from 

 any of our readers on the subject, and to 

 receive suggestions for suitable places for 

 such a gathering. 



QUERIES. 



Replies are invited to the following queries 

 which will be continued from time to time. 

 Both queries and answers may bear a non 

 de phmie, but the sender's correct name and 



address must accompany them. When no 

 reply is sent within a reasonable time the 

 editors will endeavour to furnish one. 



I. 



Do Lepidoptera always pass the win- 

 ter in the same stage ? — B. 



2. 



Do the larvas of A . fuliginosa ever feed 

 in spring ? — J.E.R. 



3. 



Query respecting Anchomenus Pra- 

 siNUs. — I noticed in Westwood's intro- 

 duction, vol. i., p. 64, after describing the 

 character of the explosions of Brachinus 

 crepitans, the following passage : — " In like 

 manner Anchomenus prasinus (one of the 

 Harpalides) is said to combat its enemies 

 with repeated discharges of smoke and 

 noise." He gives as a reference Kir by and 

 Spence, vol. ii., 247. This beetle is generally 

 very abundant about this time of the year, 

 and often occurs in profusion under a single 

 stone. I have never observed any proceed- 

 ings of a kind at all defensive, and it would 

 be interesting to know if any of the readers 

 of the Y.N. have ever observed any crepita- 

 tive discharges from this species. — ^John W. 

 Ellis, ioi, Everton Road, Liverpool, Octo 

 ber 29th, 1882. 



4- 



What insect is produced by a larva that 

 feeds on nettles, dark green in colour, with 

 yellowish divisions at the segments, and 

 only fourteen legs.— B.R, 



5. 



A pair of birds were observed on several 

 occasions during the months of May, June, 

 and July, in this garden which no one who 

 saw them could name, and I shall feel much 

 obliged if any one from this description of 

 the bird can tell me what they are :— The 

 male bird was rather smaller than a common 

 thrush, with remarkably pointed wings ; 

 the back and breast were of a rich brown 

 colour, while the under feathers of the tail 



