32 
THE NATURALISTS’ JOURNAL. 
larvae of a small caddis-fly (. Setodes ); all the insects of this family 
live in the water as larvae, and protect themselves from their ene¬ 
mies by sticking together fragments of stones, shells, vegetable 
materials, &c, and so forming hollow cases in which they live. 
The cases of the larvae of Setodes appeared to be made up of 
cemented grains of sand, and at their mouths the little black heads 
of the inmates were soon protruded when the cases were put in 
water. Several small water-beetles and a good specimen of the 
water-bug ( Carixa geoffreyi) were procured, but perhaps the most 
numerous of the inmates of this pond were the small delicate 
looking larvae and pupae of a dragon-fly (. Agrion ), while the per¬ 
fect insects flitted about the banks looking like little blue pencils 
suspended in the air or darting mysteriously forwards, for the 
vibration of the wings was so rapid that they were quite invisible. 
The Agrions were very small insects compared with a great 
sweeping creature that seemed to be all over the pond at once, 
and which apparently viewed with scorn the evolutions which 
were being made by a very enthusiastic member of the club who 
was exceedingly anxious to secure it. This he ultimately suc¬ 
ceeded in doing, however, and soon after obtained another. The 
species was found to be the well-known Libellula depressum. 
The same gentleman was also fortunate in securing a fine speci¬ 
men of the “cardinal beetle” (. Pyrochroa coccinea ) on the border 
of the pond. 
, On leaving this productive spot, we proceeded again into a well 
wooded district, but managed to take a path that led directly 
away from Bookham, a fact of which we were made aware on en¬ 
quiring of some “ natives.” We then retraced our steps and got 
“on the right tack,” keeping through the wood, and soon arriv¬ 
ing at our destination. On the way we came upon a patch of the 
very curious plant known as “butcher’s broom ” (Ruscus aculeatus ) 
so named from it having been formerly used by butchers in 
sweeping their blocks. The plant has no true leaves, but the 
stem produces flat, tough, sharp-pointed, leaf shaped projections 
in the centres, and towards the bases, of which the tiny incon¬ 
spicuous flowers are produced. On this occasion there w r ere no 
flowers, but on an earlier excursion of the club (in April) the 
members had an opportunity of seeing the plant in bloom in 
Ashtead Woods. 
Bookham Common suddenly opened before our gaze as we 
reached the edge of the wood, and as it was past noon, we sat 
down under a spreading oak and regaled ourselves with such 
delicacies as we had brought with us, regardless of other kinds of 
grub peculiar to the region immediately above us. A prominent 
red building at some distance over the common was then made 
for ; it was known as “Merrylands,” and it was here also our con¬ 
ductor had arranged for tea later on. The establishment was 
well conducted, and the hotel accomodation appeared to be ex- 
