March, 1890.] THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



4 1 



" distributed throughout the southern portion of our island ; I have 

 " met with it in single specimens at various points of the London 

 "district, more frequently in the vicinity of Croydon than elsewhere." 

 It is taken also at the latter locality by Mr. W. Chaney. " Commoner 

 "in the London district than biguttatus, with which it is probably 

 " confounded by many inexperienced coleopterists" (E. A. Newbery). 

 " Seems more partial to fields" (R. Gillo, Bath). " At roots of grass 

 "round tree trunks, Hastings, Fairlight, Guestling" (W. H. Bennett). 

 " Rather rare in Chester district. I have taken it at Burton among 

 " dead leaves, and at Thurstaston. It appears to be of a more solitary 

 " habit than its congeners" (W. E. Sharp). "Occasionally found at 

 Wallasey and Crosby" (R. Wilding). " Mr. Chappell tells me that 

 " he has taken it freely under seaweed below Leasowe Embankment, 

 in April" (Dr. Ellis, Liverpool CoUoptera). 



N. rufipeSi Curt. — Very distinct from the previous species, the legs 

 and antennae being entirely red. Generally considered a rather scarce 

 insect. It has been recently recorded by Mr. J. G. Walker {Entomo- 

 logist's Monthly Magazine) as occurring at Cobham Park, Kent, in 

 " dead boughs, sticks, and logs, lying on the ground among leaves 

 "(especially when they had a fungoid growth about them." Also 

 taken by Mr. Chaney at Darenth W T ood, and at West Wickham in 

 1889. Two captured by Mr. Newbery at Wimbledon Park, and also 

 taken by him at Brockenhurst. " Occurs exclusively round trees, and 

 is extremely local in Hastings district" (W. H. Bennett). 



Elaphrus, Fabr. — The term Elaphrus is of Greek origin, mean- 

 ing swift or nimble, and is particularly applicable to this genus. 

 Four species inhabit the British Isles ; two of which are fairly 

 common, and should be found running on the muddy margins 

 of ponds during sunshine, early in spring and almost through the 

 entire summer months. Being very fast runners, when once seen 

 they should be caught. A friend of mine, on being shown E. cupreus 

 in its habitat, compared it to a " streak of greased lightning." 



E. riparius, L. — I have found this beetle on the sandy banks of 

 ponds at Loughton ; at which place it has also been taken by Mr. 

 Newbery, and at Wimbledon Common ; Mr. W. Chaney has captured 

 it at Forest Hill. Dr. Ellis (Liverpool) says : — " Very abundant in 

 damp places among the Wallasey sandhills." " Crosby sandhills " 

 (Gregson). "Banks of reservoir, Hastings" (W. H. Bennett). 

 " Under rejectamenta " (R. Wilding). " I collected for years without 



