18f)8.] 
259 
In his description, however, of the punctuation of the elytra and abdomen of quadri- 
punctulus, he appears to be at variance with the latter author. Some light may be 
thrown on the apparent contradiction in tlie terms applied by Kraatz to the 
antenna in this insect, by his (rather curious) statement that there is an occasional 
variation in the width and length of their penultimate joints. 
Thomson in a measure follows Kraatz, by stating the antennae in quadripunc- 
tulus to be longer and more slender than in dissimilis ; but in other respects the 
characters given by him agree with those mentioned by Erichson, — who does not, 
however, infer or call attention to any such superior length of antennae in the 
former insect. 
According to Fairmaire (Faune Ent. Fr., 533), H. quadripnnctidus is less than 
if. dissimilis (a character not recorded by other authors), with the abdomen and 
elytra less punctured, and the head much narrower than the thorax. The punctua- 
tion seems right as to the elytra, but not as to the abdomen ; and the extreme 
narrowness of the head is not corroborated by other authors (save, perhaps, by 
Kraatz, as above mentioned, but who contradicts himself in that respect). — E. C. Rye, 
7, Park Field, Putney ; February, 1868. 
'Note on GijroplicEna strictula, Er., a species apparently new to Britain, — Th^ 
insects under this name already in our lists seem to me (on account of their com- 
paratively light colour and more uniform antennae) to be O. polita, Grav., Ktz. 
The true 0. strictula should be much darker, vdthout the obsolete double series of 
thoracic punctures, and with the six penultimate joints of the antennae getting 
gradually stouter. I have detected a single specimen, presenting these differential 
characters, among some beetles sent to me for names by my friend Mr. T. Wilkinson, 
of Scarborough. — Id. 
Note on Oa.lesus ccBcutiens, Marshall. — Among some Hymenopterous " odds- 
and-ends " sent to me by my friend, Mr. T. J. Bold, of Long Benton, I find an 
example of the above species, taken near Newcastle. This makes a third locality 
for this cui'ious insect, the peculiarities whereof I in vain brought before our local 
savans ; and which, had it not been for our energetic Milford correspondent, would 
probably have remained uumeutioned in this country, until described by some 
continental author. — Id. 
A few words on iad spelling. — The publication of a Catalogue of British Insects 
under the auspices of a scientific society, offers an opportunity for getting rid of a 
number of the more fiagrant instances of cacography in names, which it is to be 
hoped will not be neglected. It is often urged that these little blunders have 
become so endeared to the entomological mind, that to weed them out would be 
almost sacrilegious ; and that a considerable number of excellent entomologists are 
not Greek scholars, and would not recognise many familiar appellations, if presented 
to them with the right number of letters in proper sequence. Surely this is very 
insufficient reasoning. A word would seldom be so much changed as to be wholly 
irreoognisable. And if at first some violence were done to the feelings, they would 
