1890.] THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



Sphecophaga vesparum. — This very interesting ichneumon I 

 received from Dr. Chapman on the 5th September last, also some 

 comb of the nest of Vespa vulgaris from which it was bred ; on the 7th 

 instant, I received another Vesparum from him and a few cells con- 

 taining pupa, these emerged a few days after. In writing to him I 

 remarked what a wonderful provision of nature for perpetuating the 

 race, seeing those that came out in the autumn had no chance of doing 

 so, Dr. Chapman in reply suggests that whilst the wasps were vigorous 

 the high temperature of the nest forced Vesparum to develope rapidly 

 and there might perhaps be a succession of broods during the summer 

 and autumn. When the wasps fail on the approach of winter and the 

 temperature of the nest falls, those Vesparum that are still larvae 

 hybernate in that state. At this stage the wasps throw out or devour 

 their starving brood, and it is especially for these hybernating larvae 

 that the very strong upper margin of their cocoon becomes so necessary 

 as a protection. 



In looking at the autumn specimens for the first time, you are at 

 once struck with the abbreviated wings, in comparison with the length 

 of the body, 6 m.m., the wings when expanded measuring only 9 m.m. ; 

 I was rather surprised when I saw the spring form of Vesparum to note 

 that by hybernation in the larva stage the length of the body had in- 

 creased to 7 m.m., and the wings in expansion to 13 m.m., -thereby 

 giving the insect a more proportionate appearance and a better oppor- 

 tunity to discover the future home for the next generation. 



Curtis figures this insect under the name of Anomalon vesparum in 

 B.E. pi. cxcviii., and is evidently drawn from an autumn specimen, 

 by the size indicated on the plate. — G. C. Bignell, F.E.S., Stonehouse, 

 Plymouth, 6th June, 1890. 



ClONUS SCROPHULARI^E ON CANTERBURY BELL. On June 15th, I 



found a number of this curious little beetle clustered together on 

 Canterbury Bell (Campanula latifolia), in Hezleden Dene. As they 

 are generally found on their food plants, Scrophularia and Verbascum, 

 this unusual habitat may be worthy of note. A week later, I was in 

 the same place and saw a few more. —John E. Robson, Hartlepool. 



Abnormal Plantain. — Is not this a very unusual form of plantain, 

 both as regards length and compound character of head ? — B. 

 Macmillan, Castle Cary, Somerset. 



