This is not a common localities. Some years ago, the insect quantities in certain at Torquay, on some little islands ; appeared in great profusion

and Mr. Curtis mentions, in his work on British insects, that,

off Teignmouth, a rock in the sea was quite reddened with

them. In fact they were as numerous as the ladybirds are in

some seasons. They seem to be social insects, loving to collect

together in groups rather than disperse themselves. Mr.

Westwood states that in the neighbourhood of Berlin, especially in the gardens of the palace of Charlottenburg, the place swarmed with them, and that they were employed in sucking various fallen berries and seeds under the trees.

They also exhibited cannibalistic tastes. Owing to their great numbers, many of them had been trodden under foot, and these unfortunates were eagerly drained of their juices by their surviving comrades. It has been also noticed that, although these creatures will thus feed on dead insects, they do not meddle with living ones. This insect does not emit a disagreeable odour, fortunately for those whom it visits in such numbers.

It has been noticed that, in this group of insects, there are some that are brightly coloured, and some that are comparatively dull and sombre. Those species that are brilliantly decorated are mostly found on plants and flowers, as if anxious to exhibit their beauties, while their duller companions, as if ashamed of themselves and anxious not to bring themselves m contrast with their gorgeously clothed relatives, restrict themselves to the roots and lower parts of the stems.

The Pyi-rhocoris belongs to a group termed Csecigenina. This name, which signifies blindness, is given to the insects because they possess no ocelli. The second joint of the antennae is the longest. As the word apterus signifies wingless, some entomologists have considered that it is not appropriate to this insect, on the ground that many specimens have fully-developed wings, while in others the wings are partly developed, and in none absolutely wanting. They have, therefore, suggested the specific name of is known in several lists. calmariensis, by which it

According to Mr. Curtis’ theory, climate has some influence in the development of the wings, a hot climate forwarding it and a cold one retarding it. He stated that he had never found specimens in this country with the wings fully developed though he had done so in tlie South of France. As, however’ o 0

a perfectly-winged specimen was taken by Linnaeus in a latitude more northerly than that of England, the theory cannot be universally true, though it may be partially so.

On Woodcut LXV. Fig. 1 is a curious-looking insect called Neides depressus, belonging to the family Berytidae.

The members of this genus are remarkable for the length and slenderness of their bodies and legs, which very much resemble those of the. water-gnats. This is not a handsome species in point of colour, yellowish-brown being the chief hue. The antennae are rather light-yellow, and the edges of the front part of the thorax whitish-grey. The abdomen is black above, and the elytra are so transparent that they permit the colour of the abdomen to be seen through them.

It is a local insect, living on plants that prefer the seaside. At Deal it has been found about the roots and stems of the hemlock stork’s-bill {Erodium cicutarium), and in the Isle of Wight it has been captured under the common restharrow, or cammock {Ononis arvensis). Mr. Westwood states that he has found the Neides in all its stages under the last-named plant in a spot at the back of the Isle of Wight. The insest was very slow in its movements, and did not attempt to use its wings. As both larvae and pupae were found in the situations, he thinks that there is no doubt that the same derives its nourishment from the plant under which he Neides found it.

The chief point in this genus is the extreme length of the which are as long as the abdomen and thorax antennae, together. The basal joint is extremely long, and when the insect is alive the antennae are slightly elbowed at this joint.

comes the insect which is shown on Wood-

Next in order cut LXV. Fig. 2. Its name is Rhyparochromus dilatatus, and it belongs to the family of Ehyparochromid^. The insects are known by the two ocelli and the belonging to this genus and widened thighs of the fore-legs. In the present flattened is very strongly marked, and from that species this peculiarity the specific name of dilatatics, or widened, h<^ circumstance The same joint is also remarkable been given to the insect. of its inner edge, as may be seen by for the very bold toothing

reference to Fig. a on the same Woodcut. At Fig. 6, a side

view of the head is given, showing one of the antennae, with

its short first joint and long fourth joint, and the curiously

formed hair-covered beak.

The generic name Ehyparochromus is formed from two

Greek words, and signifies dirt-coloured, but I have not the

least idea in what way it can be considered appropriate. The

4 dilatatus. 3. Henestaris laticeps. . Phjtocoristili®. a. Rhyparouhromus dilatatus, leg. 6. Do., head, antenna, and tongiie.

colour of this species is as follows The general hue is glossy black, thickly clothed above and beneath with fine yellow down. The junctions of the joints of the antennse and tarsus are yellowish. It is not a rare insect, and can be moss. taken under

Another family, the Henestaridte, is represented by Henestaris laticeps^ which is shown on Woodcut LXV. Fio-. 3.

This is rather a rare insect, but has been found in the Isle of Wight in the month of August.

Its general colour is ochreous-yellow, clouded more or less with bro-wn, and sprinkled with very fine yellow doAvn. The ocelli are red. The upper part of the thorax is deeply punctured in front, and just behind the anterior margin are two black pits or depressions, which are well shown in the illustration. The thighs are thickly covered with black spots, which in many places coalesce and form blotches of black. The abdomen is black above and brown below, with a dash of ochreous-yellow. The specific name, laticeps or wide-headed, refers to the remarkable form of the head, which, including the eyes, is wider than the widest part of the body. This peculiarity is well shown in the illustration.

On the same Woodcut, Fig. 4, is shown a much more insect, called Phytocoris tilice, as an example of the striking Phytocoridas.

In these insects the antennae are very long and slender, the first joint being as long as the head and thorax together. The hind legs are also very long, and the head is broader than it is long. The name Phytocoris is Greek, and literally signifies Plant-bug.

The colour of this insect is pale green, sometimes being so very pale as to appear grey with a slight greenish tinge, and being edged with a line of a darker hue. The insect is thickly clothed with patches of grey down, the grey hue being produced of black and white hairs. It is lathei a variable by the mixture but mostly has the sides of the thorax black, and the species, tip of the elytra of the same hue. Sometimes the elytra are coloured, having two large black spots in the rather differently and two smaller spots on the tip. The leathery part middle, is spotted with black. The second joint of the of the elytra the tibiae are banded with black, and the reantenn£B and maining joints of the legs are pale yellow with black blotches. imports, this is an active insect, and can both

As its shape fly with agility. It is fond of fruit, and especially run and the juices of which it sucks through its frequents raspberries, harm would be done by this small robbery i beak. No great would only content itself with abstracting juices. the Phytocoris while it sucks the liquids of the raspberry, it Unfortunately,

deposits seme of its own — that highly scented fluid which has

already been mentioned, and, in consequence, so nauseous a

flavoxu’ is imparted to the fruit that no one can eat it. The

very odour is so powerful that it g'enerally suffices as a warning to intending consumers. But, if by ill-chance one of them should be taken into the mouth, the flavour and odour are so utterly detestable that no one who has ever experienced them will allow himself to be again deluded. I can speak rather feelingly on this subject, having been victimised by this insect, and having therefore learned to test every raspberry before I ventm-e to eat it.

We now come to some very curious beings. On Woodcut LXVI. Figs. 1 and 2, is shown a remarkable insect, called Systellonotus triguttatus.

According to the older entomologists, this insect was placed in the same family with that species which has just been described. The modern entomologists, however, have broken up the old family, with many others, and have placed this insect in the family Idolocoridse. The insects of this genus aie remarkable for the shape of the abdomen, which is very much narrowed or contracted at the base, where it joins the thorax. The generic name Systellonotus is composed of two Greek words signifying narrowed-back, and is therefore a very appropriate one. ^ The shape of the abdomen can be best seen by reference to Fig. 2, which represents the wingless female.

The general colour of the male is reddish-brown, and over the body is spread a thin coating of yellowish down, which stands particularly upright. On each of the elytra are three white diagonal bars, one of a silvery character and the others greyish-white. It is from these three bars that the name of triguttatus, or three-streaked, has been given to the species.

The ^OTd guttatiLS is taken from the Latin gutta, or drop, and is applied to marks that are made as if by a drop of colour which had been allowed to run over the surface and then become dry. A good idea of the true shape of the gutta may be obtained by taking a white piece of paper, letting a drop of ink fall on it, and then holding it diagonally, so that the ink may trickle a little way down the paper.

Tlie female, as may be seen by reference to Fig. 2, is almost

wholly without wings or wing-cases, these organs being merely indicated by some very small rudimentary appendages to the thorax. In colour they are yellowish-brown, and have none of the distinguishing characteristics of the Heteropteran wing. The insect is extremely swift of foot, and bears some resemblance to the wood-ant. Both sexes are rare, but the female is even scarcer than the male, and is a great prize to any entomologist who finds her.

Systellonotiis trigiittatns, male. 2. Ditto, female. 3. Orthoceplialus hirtiis. «. Do., head, antenna, and rostrum. b. Do., tarsu.s. c. Do. labrum. d. Do., elytron. e. Do., iving.

An example of the restricted family CapsidiE is given on

Woodcut LXVI. Fig. 3. This is called Orthocephalus hirtiis. to the unaided eye this is a remarkable insect, but is

Even when examined with the aid of

shown to be still more curious general colour of this insect is black, with

a microscope. The dash of yellow. If it be placed under the microscope,

a slight that the ground hue is black, covered first with

it will be seen

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