HINTS FOR THE MONTH* 
COLEOPIERA. 
Many beetles will leave their winter quarters this month and] 
the student should keep a sharp look out on warm days for these ; 
many species will be found running on pathways in the sunshine 
and also on the pavements of towns and occasionally very good; 
things may be met with. The banks of streams, ditches, ponds, 
reservoirs, etc., are often very productive, the best method of 
working these is to throw up the water over the banks with the 
hand or a small tin can ; sometimes, in the bright sunshine, 
they may be found in great numbers in such localities. A few 
species may be found at the catkins of the sallow; to obtain 
these the sallows should be shaken over an open umbrella. 
Many species may be found under stones and clods of earth, etc., 
especially in damp places, also on the seashore above high water 
mark and heaps of seaweed in the same locality are often well 
worth working as many scarce and local beetles may be obtained; 
in this way. One of the best methods of collecting, and one, 
which can be carried on at all seasons of the year, is searching 
at the roots of plants, grass, etc. ; this was one of Dr. Powers 
favourite methods and he turned up many great rarieties in this 
way ; a little practice will soon enable the student to detect the 
more minute species. The best localities are sandy and chalky 
banks, etc., where the grass grows in patches. The roots should 
be very carefully examined otherwise many species will be passed 
over.— A. FORD. 
CONCHOLOGY. 
In this month the larger Helices emerge from their winter 
retreats. Helix pomatia (the largest) is one of the latest in ap¬ 
pearing and may be looked for at the end of the month. Helix 
hortensis may be taken from almost every hedgerow. It is notice¬ 
able that this species in common with H. aspersa r is of greater 
frequency in the vicinity of villages. Helix nemoralis, so common 
in woods, may, in company with Bulimus acutus , be found in large 
numbers on the sand dunes near the coast, and should b„e looked 
for after a shower of rain. In collecting H. nemoralis and H. 
h&rtensis note the variations of the Band Formula. It is curious 
that the third or periphery band should be so rarely absent. The 
presence of that band only in H. hortensis is rare, yet of com¬ 
mon occurrence in H. nemo?'alis. 
I noticed last year that Bulimus montanus evinced a fondness 
for the decaying fronds of the common polypody fern, this local 
species is abundant in the localities where it occurs. 
Carychium minimum and Hyalinia fulva may be taken in damp 
situations, from beneath decaying wood—E. W. Swanton, Brat¬ 
ton St . Maur. 
BOTANY. 
JDraba dizoides flowers in March on the rocks and walls nea 
