156 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCEK. 
species, a month later being considered 
the height of the season for them ; never- 
theless we were not wholly unsuccessful 
in that respect, having been fortunate in 
taking Miscodera aratica ; but our search 
for the gem of Snowdon, the glorious 
Chrysomela cerealis, was unsuccessful, 
though we were directed to the exact 
spot, and spent a long time in pulling 
up the wild thyme, at the roots of which 
it is found in due season. The stones 
on the very summit proved to be by far 
the most prolific hunting-ground, and 
that which afforded the greatest variety 
of species. Here we found the rare 
Oliorhynchus inaurus, Geodromicus globu- 
licoUis, Man., Homalota umhonata, Er., 
Hypolithus riparius, and associated with 
these, in large numbers, was Notiophilus 
paluslris, so abundant at lower altitudes 
in damp situations. Its presence, there- 
fore, upon the summit of Snowdon was 
strange and unexpected, and not less so 
were the exceptional shades of colouring 
into which the insect seems to delight in 
“ -sporting ” at these heights. So remark- 
able indeed are these variations that I 
thought at first it must be a distinct spe- 
cies, but careful examination revealed 
only the well-known features of N. pa- 
lustris. 
I have now enumerated all the most 
interesting insects which presented them- 
selves to our notice during the period of 
our short sojourn in North Wales. The 
list is not a long one, but is sufficient to 
indicate to dwellers in other parts the 
local peculiarities of the district to which 
it relates. — W. V. Guise, Elmore Court; 
August 6. 
Hymenopteea. 
Capture of a Hornets’ Nest . — About a 
week ago I had the pleasure of taking a 
nest of Vespa Crabro, and though not 
successful in my intention of planting it 
in my garden, still, as it was the first of 
which I had inspected the interior, I was 
tolerably satisfied. This insect is not at 
all uncommon in the neighbourhood of 
Eye, Suffolk, but this was the second 
nest only that I had seen. It was situated 
in the hollow of a tree, about seven feet 
from the ground: the entrance was a 
small hole, not big enough to insert the 
hand, even if I had been ever so much 
inclined. Satisfied, from repeated watch- 
ings, that the number of inhabitants 
must be small, I did not think it neces- 
sary to make the preparations mentioned 
by Mr. Stone, viz., providing a linen 
dress for each operator, but trusted to 
the effects of chloroform in sending the 
insects into a sound sleep. I found that 
the tree, though to all outward appearanee 
sound, had a large hollow within, to the 
top of which I judged the comb would 
be fixed. I therefore provided myself 
with a quantity of moist clay, a mallet 
and chisel, a bottle of chloroform, and 
a sponge, fixed at the end of a stick, to 
receive the same. I commenced ope- 
rating when the night had sufficiently 
advanced to insure the insects being 
within doors. Having clayed up the 
hole, I inserted the sponge of chloroform, 
and waited sufficiently long to insure its 
taking effect. I then removed the clay, 
and commenced, with mallet and chisel, 
to enlarge the hole. But I found that I 
had reckoned without my host if I calcu- 
lated upon taking the nest in any reason- 
able time, for the wood, being green, was 
very tough, and being much thicker than 
I had expected the night had far ad- 
vanced, and, after all my endeavours, the 
hole was merely large enough to view 
the comb suspended like an inverted tea- 
cup, and about the same size from the 
top of the hollow. Being obliged to 
work on a ladder my task was the more 
difficult. I chiselled away manfully — 
tantalizing sight! I found I must leave 
my work for the morrow. The hornets 
seemed, too, to show signs of returning 
life, and two paraded the comb, looking, 
in the dim light of my lantern, sufficiently 
brisk to make the removal of it a dan- 
