104 [May ON WINTER COLLECTING. KY II. T. TAV. It ])a.s been well said that any observations, however trivial and coni-nioM-place they may seem, upon the habits of insects, may prove of some )iractical use. Hoping, therefore, that the following paper, which com-prises the results of my experience in collecting Coleoptera in the vicinity of Columbus, Ohio, during the winter months, may be of some little in-terest to the lovers of the science of Entomology, I venture to offer for the consideration of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, a Cata-logue of the species I have found in a season of the year, generally deem-ed so unproductive to the collector. It is perhaps unnecessary to state, that such of these species as are found safely stowed away in decaying wood for their winters' sleep, could only be reached in moderate weather or at such times as the frost is driven from the ground by the warm winter rains so prevalent in this climate. Nevertheless, a large portion were collected in quite cold weather, and when the ground was covered by snow — I refer to such as are found under moss and loose bark of decaying trees. I have often been astonished at the number of Beetles congregated in the same spot. On one occasion in particular, on stripping the bark from the base of an oak partially decayed, it would be no exaggeration to say they could be counted by hundreds, comprising about twenty species, mostly common. Is this for warmth ? One more observation and I will proceed with my list. In a place where there are many rott.on logs, I may dig in half a dozen without find-ing a single specimen, the next one I come to will perhaps reward me abundantly. Nehria paUipes Say. Abundant. Carabus vwrtns Web. One specimen. Scarites suhfrrraneus Fabr. Brachinus finnans Linn. Galerita janus Fabr. Casnonia jK7insi/loanica Linn. Under stones. Apristus suhsulcatus Dej. Cymindis amerirana Dej, Pinnrodi'Vii Jimhafa Dej. Thidcr V)ark. ,, fioicata Dej. Under bark.
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