On the Species of the Genus Primula in Essex. 197 
which is very common in the early spring, frequenting, 
I believe, the flowers of Ranunculus Jicaria and many other 
plants, but which is especially partial to Primroses, as 
Mr. Archer Briggs has already observed. I have found 
them in Primroses almost whenever and wherever I have 
looked for them. I have often been surprised at their 
numbers; in hot weather they seem to be actively engaged 
in the flowers, and in cold perhaps they enter them for 
shelter. On some days I have found at least one in nearly 
every flower examined, while sometimes from seven to ten 
specimens occurred. It is probable that they enter the 
flowers in search of nectar, as I have often found them down 
at the very bottom of the tube-; and Mr. Bosling, who has 
examined the contents of their stomachs microscopically, 
could find no trace of pollen. It is hard to believe that in 
entering the flowers these beetles do them neither harm nor 
good. If harm were done, I presume that the plants would 
develop some means for keeping them out, such as those em¬ 
ployed by other flowers to exclude injurious insects. But 
whether the beetles accomplish the fertilization of the flowers 
remains to be proved. New as the idea may be, it is by no 
means impossible for them to do so. I have taken individuals 
direct from the flowers, and although they are smooth, shiny 
insects, I have always found the head, thorax, body, sides, 
legs, and in fact every part of the insect, covered with pollen. 
I have not actually observed them flying from flower to 
flower, as it would be almost absolutely necessary for them 
to do, but they are well furnished with wings which they use 
to right themselves when placed on their backs. I have also 
observed them flying when I have had some in a bottle, and 
the necessity for it. If the Primrose be fertilized during the struggles of a 
small beetle to enter or quit the mouth of the corolla, cross-fertilization 
would surely be equally well effected were the stamens and stigma both 
placed at that spot. Mr. Christy’s careful observations seem to go far in 
refutation of the prevalent idea that bees or Lepidoptera fertilize this 
common plant. Is it possible that the dual condition of Primrose-flowers 
arose as an adaptation to the visits of some insect which has since 
become rare or extinct, and that the plant has now to depend upon the 
chance visits of such minute guests as Meligethes ? —Ed.] 
