Our insect is the Silpha hirta of Marsh am, the Cryptophagus 
hirtus of Gyllenhal, and the Atomaria hirta of the Guide and 
of Stephens’s Catalogue : his figure of Mycetcea fumata looks 
like a rubbed specimen of hirta , but it is impossible to ascertain 
from his synonyms what he means, for two insects of different 
genera are given as one species*; and in his description of Ato- 
maria hirta he has not noticed the most remarkable character, 
the thickened margins of the thorax. 
M. hirta sometimes occurs in considerable numbers in cellars, 
and is found in the corks of the bottles, which are frequently 
so much perforated by various insects as to allow the wine to 
escape. From several corks, and bottles partially empty, sent to 
me for inspection by Dr. Henderson, whose elegant 66 History 
of Ancient and Modern Wines” is so justly celebrated, I 
formed an opinion that the little beetle figured was sometimes 
introduced into the cellar in the corks themselves ; and that 
gentleman corroborated such an opinion by his own obser- 
vation, that those corks were often very much affected that 
were apparently perfectly protected externally by the wax with 
which they were covered, and in such cases it appeared im- 
possible for the beetles to have gained access to the corks from 
the outside. I am induced to believe, however, that these 
beetles feed upon a minute Acarus, or Mite, that is generally 
found with them, and that the great damage done to the corks 
is occasioned by the larvae of a Moth. 
I am informed by Mr. F. Walker that M, hirta is found all 
the year round at Southgate on the paling and posts sur- 
rounding hay-stacks, and that by laying bricks on the hay 
they congregate in great numbers beneath them, attracted 
seemingly by the warmth and moisture; it is far from im- 
probable, therefore, that they may be introduced into wine- 
cellars with the hay and sawdust. 
The Plant represents the female Common Hop ( Hamulus 
Lupulus). 
* The Dermestesfumatus of Marsham, which is a Mycetasa, and the Dermestes 
fumatus of Linnaeus, which is nearly allied to Triphyllus, as shown in the Guide, 
and two years before in the 4th Vol. of this Work. 
