a * POS te Ome Te, : Re ay he o ee: : ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, CONDUCTED BY moa fF. KOBSON, F.£.S., farilepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF G. C. BIGNELL, F.E.S., PLYMOUTH ; JOHN GARDNER, F.E.S. HarTLepoot; C. A. BRIGGS, F.E.S., Lonpon ; LINNZZUS GREENING, WarRINGTON Sm eCAPPERK, £1 S.,F.E.S., Liverroot; C. S. GREGSON, LivERPOOL ; T. D. COCKERELL, Lonpown ; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., Bricuton; Ca DALE, -PE.S., DORSET: G. A. LEWCOCK, Lonpon. GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S., Lonpon ; J. B. SOUTTER, BisHor AUCKLAND ; Dr. ELLIS, F.E.S., LIvERPOOL ; W.H. TUGWELL, Ph.C., GREENWICH; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. VOL. e/, =< Dondon : oR, as SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ONCE) Ex. ARACHNIDA. New Spiders, 92 Spider Notes, 154 », supplement, 57 BOTANY. Gymnogramme leptophila, 32 Oak Growing in Water Bottle, 33 ENTOMOLOGY. COLEOPTERA. Abdera bifasciata, 200 Actophorus, 2; imperialis, 1, 2 Anaspis septentrionalis, 106 Anoplodera 6-guttata, 244 Aphodius ater, 114 Atemeles paradoxus, 54 Bembidium ckarkii, 158 Blechrus, 113 ; Maurus, 113 Bledius crassicornis, 199 Blethisa crassicollis, 159; Multi pnuctata, 159 Captures during June, 160 Carabus auratus, 158; violaceus, 157 Cetonia aurata, 157, 159 Chloenius nigricornis, 114, 157; vestitus, 157 Cicendela campestris, 113, 157 Ciones variegatus, 54 Coccinella, 22; punctata, 115, 158; oblonguttata, 115, 158; ocellata, I15, 158 Coelambus 5-lineatus, 158; 9-lineatus, 159 Coleoptera at Delamere Forest, 238. Mitcham,160. St. Leonards, 266. In Flood Trap for, 126 Cychrus rostratus, 114, 157 Irish, 113, 157, 245. refuse, 266. Delamere Forest, Coleopterist in, 238 Demetrias, 3, 51; atricapillus, 52, 115, 116, punctatus, 115, 116 158; monostigma, 3; uni- Diglossa mersu, 158 Dinarka merkelii, 54, 119 Donacia crassipes, 244 ; dentata, 244 ; nigra, 199 Dromius, 52; agilis, 52 ; linearis, 52, 115, 116; longicip, 1, 52; melan- ocephalus, 112, 116; meridionalis, 52; nigriventris, 112, 115; quad- rimaculatus, 53, I1I; quadrino- tatus, 111; quadrisignatus, 111 ; sigma, I, 112; vectensis, 112 Elaphrus cupreus, 113, 157; riparius, 113, 157 Erirrhinus zthiops, 158 Flood refuse, coleoptera in, 266 Geotrupes typhzeus, 114,157; vernalis, 47 Gonionecta pallida, 115, 158 Gossiping Notes, 1, 51, III, 195 Helops striatus, 114, 158 Heterocerus britanicus, new to Britain, 127 Hydroporus ferrugineus, 116 Irish coleoptera, 157; recently re- corded, 113, 245 Leptura sanguineolenta, 244 Lixus paraplecticus, 244 Lyctus brunneus, 159 Meloé proscarabeus, 114; violaceus 114 Melolontha hippocastini, 114; vulgaris II4 Metabletus, 195; foveola, 196; obscuro guttatus, 195; truncatellus, 196 Iv. THE BRITISH NATURALIST. Nebria complanata, 158 Notes from my diary for 1890, 107 Ocypus ater, 114, 157; fuscatus, 54 Odacantha, 1; melanura, I, I15 Pachyta octomaculata, 244 Pelophila borealis, 158 Phzedon tumidulum, 115 Philhydrus nigricans, new to Ireland, II5, 158 Philonthus dimidianus 159 Philorinum humile, 199 Phogonocherus hispidus, 115 Phyllopertha horticola, 114, Rynchites zneovirens, 159; equatur,159; megacephalus, 159; nanus, 159; pu- becens, 159 Serica brunnea, 114, 157 Silpha atrata v. subrotundata, 114 Sphodrus, 197; leucopthalmus, 197 St. Leonard’s, Coleoptera at, 266 Telephorus translucidus, 245 Toxotus meridianus, 159 Trap for Coleoptera, 126 DIPTERA. Anachina, 83 Aphaniptera, 3 Asindulum, 83 Boletina, 83 Boletophila, 84 Bradsia, 84 Ceratophyllus, 4 Diptera of Dorsetshire, 3, 82 Docosia, 83 Empheria, 83 Exectria, 83 Glaphyroptera, 83 Hypoderma bovis, 162 Hystrichopsyla, 4 Lasiosoma, 84 Leia, 83 Leptomorphus, 83 Macrocera, 83 Microdon mutabilis, 161 Mycetophila, 82 ee ee Nemocera, 82 Platyura, 83 Pulex, 4 Rymosia, 82 Sceptonia, 82 Sciara, 84 Sciophila, 83 Zygonia, 82 Zygoneura, 82 HYMENOPTERA. Aspilota concinna, 128 Cerceris arenaria, 223 Perilitus falciger, 128 LEPIDOPTERA. Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, Lepidoptera of, 66, 93, 138, 162 Aberdeenshire Notes, 76 Acronycta, The genus, 133, 148, 149, 150, 215; aceris, 248 Agrotis ashworthii, Forcing, 263; Larve of nigricans, valligera, tritici, and 30, porphyrea 46, lunigera and ashworthii, 179 and _ obelisca, Amblyptilia, 37, acanthodactylus, 38, punctidactylns, 42. American and English Smerinthus, 49, lepidoptera, 151, notes, 33 Arctia caja, 9, larve hybernating, 35, variety bred, 34, fuliginosa, 36, 47, mendica variety, 50 Ballycastle, Captures at, 131 Bombyx calluna, 47, quercus, 47, rubi larve, abundance of, 36, 50, 47 Captures at Ballycastle, 131, Howth, 50, 137, Waterford, 135, York, 178 Caloptria decolorana not British, 107 Celzna Haworthii, 259, in Ireland, 265 Trosachs, Warrington, 178, Cheimatobia brumata, 50 Choerocampa porcellus, 179 Cidaria immanata, 47, testata, 47 Cleora viduaria at Lyndhurst, 180 Coenonympha davus, 46 Cram bus, ericellus, 46 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 7 Cymatophora fluctuata, 9 Dianthecia Barrettii, 179, 180 Epunda lichenea, 51, nigra, 135 ophos obscurata, 51 Hawk Moths, British, Sup. 25, 33 Heliothis scutosa in Kincardineshire, 75 Hesperia lineola, 214, 215 Heterocera of the Isle of Man, 187, 209 Howth, Notes from, 50 Irish Notes, 133 Larentia didymata, 46,47, multistrigaria, 50 Larve, 8, 76 Leucania littoralis, var. 152 Liparis chrysorrhza aberration of, 33 Luperina luteago v. Barrettii, 34 Lyczna agestis var. 214, alexis in North Kent, 211, alsus, 33, Comyntas, 30, myrina, 33 Mania typica, 78 Marasmarcha, 256 Melitea artemis, 136 Micro larve for the month, 78, 95, 129, 145,172, 200, 217, 246, 256° Miana, Genital armature of Genus, 70, strigilis, 34, strigilis and fasciuncula, 6,77 Noctua festiva, 46 Nomenclature, 177, 204, 213 Notes for beginners, 78, 95, 129, 145, 172, 200, 217, 246, 256 Nyssia zonaria in Antrim, 134 Odonestis potatoria, 76 Oxyptilus, 181, distans, 141, heterodactylus 205, parvidactylus, 249, pilosellz, 182 Phycis adelphella not British, 107 Pieris brassice 8, larvz, 35, rape, var. 0 134 Plutella zylostella, abundance of, 152 Plusia bimaculata, 155, moneta at Cam- bridge, 249, in Surrey, 179 Poecilocampa populi, Late emergence of 34 Pterophorina of Britain, 37,141, 181, 249 Pygzera bucephala, 9 Pygalia pilosaria, 107, 180 Pyralis farinalis, 33 Retinia resinea, 34 Sallows, At the, 135 Saturnia Carpini, 47 Satyrus semele, 77 Smerinthus modesta, 49, occidentalis, 4, 9 populi, 49 Sphinx convolvuli, 8, in Aberdeenshire, 248, at Hartlepool, 248 Stilbia anomala, 51 Sutherlandshire lepidoptera, 46 Tethia retusa, 9 Thecla quercus, 77 Trichoptilus, 252, paludum, 253, in York- shire, 268 Trosachs, Collecting in the, 137 Tryphzena orbona, 9 Vanessa, Io, 8 Waterford, Captures at, 135 Ypsipetes ruberata in Aberdeenshire, 248 York, Collecting at, 178 Zygena at Coventry, 179, Number of Eggs laid by, 215 ODONOPTERA Aéschna cyanea ovipositing, 136 Dragonflies, Preservation of colours of, 10 MOLLUSCA. Bibliography, 18, 21, 59, 98 Bythinia tentaculata in America, 267, in Erie Canal, 229 Decollate shell, 227 Helicidz, Description of new species, 65 Helix dentoni, 63, nemoralis and hortensis 16 molluscan captives, 194, 224 Notes, 62, 99, 120 Shells near Doncaster, 23 Sub-fossil shells, 18 VERTEBRATA. Auk, Little, 126 Bittern, near Warrington, 31 vi. THE! BRITISH NATURALIST. Domestic Fowl, Ovarium of, 231 Feet of Birds used in steering, 127 Kingfisher at Hartlepool, 31 Notes, 31 Short-eared Owl breeding in Essex, 167 Skate, Large. 107 What is a bird ? 23, 89, 122, 164, 229 OBITUARY. Calvert, Robert, 84 Gillo, Robert, 153 Hanes, Edmund Henry, 85 REVIEWS. Guernsey Society of Natural Science, 32 SUNDRIES. Fauna of Glanvilles-Wootton, 177 Foreign Parcels by Sample Post, 176 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. City of London Entom. and Nat, Hist. Society, 14, 28, 55, 87, 105, 118, 192, 2205235 Entomological Society of London, 11, 27, 54,65; LOl, 116, 156,108, “190; \220; 232, 269 Guernsey Society of Matural Science, LIQ, 172; 193).272 Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, 15, 30, 59, 88, I19, 221, 237, 270 South London Entom. and Nat. Hist. Society, 13, 29, 58, 86, I02, 117, 169, IQI, 233, 270 INDEX TO CONTRIBUTORS Ancey, C.F ., 63,65 Barker, H. W., 13, 29, 58, 86, 102, LL7; LOL,'233,.270 Battley, A. U., 14, 55, 86, 105, 119, 169, 192, 215, 235 Beck, R, 244 Bennett, W. H., 159 Bignell, G. C., 9, 11, 128, 161. 162, 223 Brady, L. S., 8, 135. 179. 180, 263 Brooks, W., 180 Browne, J, Montgomery, 245 Cambridge, I. I.. 31 Cambridge; Rev. F).O)} Po 92,555 Chaney, W., 149 Clarke, H. Shortridge, F.E.s., 187 209, 213 Cockerell, 1. > Acvr- Es, ton eet 59, 98, 120, 148, 248 Collins, Joseph, 31, 152, 178 Corbett, OH. H:,75, 135 Cuthbert, H. G., 115, 116 Curzon, E. R., 34, °56,-51, 1345 235 ¥30);151; 152, 179; 160 DalenC.W..; 4050, 177 Dalglish, A. Adie, 137 Elisha, Geo., F.E.S.,34, 78, 95, 129, 145, 172, 246, 256 Ellis, John W., 107 Ford, A., 116, 199, 200, 267 Fowler, W. W., Rev., 13, 54, 85, 169 Gain, W. A., 194, 224 Gardner, John, 152 (Gees, isl, is), 277, 54, 85, Iot, 116, 168, 190, 223, 232, 269 Greening, Linnzus, 164, 229 Gregson, ©. S$.) 34, 78;.05,.120, 145, 172, 246, 256 : Griffith, A. F., 249 Hall, A, E., 8, 9, 77 Heasler, H., 159, 160 Horsley, Revd. J. W., 16 Isabell, Revd, J., 54, 116 Johnson, Revd. W. F., 157, 159 Jones, H. Bickerton, 159 Kane, W. F. de V., 265 Kermy, Ie) 126, 167, Lang, Henry C., 179 Vewcock, G. AL, 1,704, 34, 54005ee 55, 78, 86, 105, 118, 133, 149, 160, 169, 192, 195, 235, 245 PM TSS), BZ THE BRITISH NATURALIST. vil. Mackay, John, 36, 46 Maddison, J,, 34 Milton, F., 136, 245 Morton, Emily L., 33, 49, 151 Nicholls, E. F., 179 Puercesee. IN, F.E.S., 15, 31, 59, 70, 88, 106, 119, 221, 237, 271 Reid. Wm., 66, 75, 76, 93, 138, 162, 248 Roberts, George, 18, 23 Robson, H. T., 33 Robson, John E., 6, 9, 33, 50, 177, 214, 248 Sabine, E., 35, 49, 213 Sharp, David, 156 Sharp, W. E., 258 Thompson, R. W,, 159 Tomlin, Brocton, 227, 229 Tugwell, W. H., 10, 214 Gurner, Has 48 AB UItta Norns 7a IA kA Q euro 205, 249 diver, jen 7 Walker, S., 178 Watson, Rev. J., 178, 204 fartlepool : B. T. ORD, PRINTER, MIDDLEGATE JANUARY, 1891. Port TI. THE TSH NATURALIST : AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE - OF NATURAL HISTORY. ; Ly CONDUCTED BY FOHN EL. ROBSON, F-E.S., Hartlepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF G. C. BIGNELL, F-E:S., PLymourtu : C. A. BRIGGS, F-E.S., Lonpon ; TD. COCKERELL, Lonpon ; C.W. DALE, F-E.S., Dorset; GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S., Lonpon : Dx. ELLIS, F.E.S., STOKE-ON-TRENT ; §-J. CAPPER; F.L.S., F-E.S., LrveERpPoot ; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. JOHN GARDNER, F-E.S. HarTLepoot; LINNZZEUS GREENING, WarRINGTON; C. S. GREGSON, LIVERPOOL ; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., Bricuton -; G. A. LEWCOCK, Lonpon. J. P. SOUTTER, BisHop AucKLAND : W. H. TUGWELL, Ph.C., GREENWICH: PRICK SIXPENCE, WITH SUPPLEMENT. eee ee London : SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ADVERTISEMENTS. SWAN N SONNENSCHEIN & Gs. == YOUNG: COLLECTOR: SERIES; os Each Volume is very fully illustrated with practical woodeuts, and bound in flat cloth extra, 1s.: eachz(post-free, 1s. 2d.) , ‘They contain just the kind and amount of information required. It is not easy — to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departments, can be made a commercial success. they well deserve can render them so.’’—Knowledge. ‘We have seen nothing better than this series. salirany Review widely ere forw aed to make popular the stores of learning which they have. rae n. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation which It is cheap, concise, and practical." — ‘We are elad to call attention to this excellent series of handbooks, which deserve to be We are glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus coming The illustrations are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.’’—Academy. Gn Io. . Ants, 1. Butterflies, Moths, and Beetles. By W. Kirby. . Crustaceans and Spiders. By Fea. Skuse; . Fungi, Lichens, etc. By Peter Gray. . Mosses. By James E. Bagnall, a.v.s. . Pond-Life. By EA. Butler, -r.z.s. . Seaweeds, Shells, and Fossils. By P. Gray and B. B. Woodward. Bees, Wasps, and Dragon-flies. By W. H. Bath. . Coins & Tokens (English) By Llew. Jewitt, F.s.a. With a Chapter on Greek Coins by Barclay V. Head. . Reptiles. By Catherine Hopley. British Birds. By H. A. Macpherson. [In preparation. . Silhworms. By E. A. Butler, F.z.s. 2 . The Microscope. Land and Fresh Water Shells... By _J.. W: Williams, J. W. Taylor, and W. Deusen Roepick . Fossils. By J. W. Willams. By V. A. Latham. [In prep. . Introduction to Zoology. By B. Lindsay [Jn preparation. . Book Collecting. By J. H. Slater. {In preparation. . Marine Shells. ~ By J. W. Williams & others. [In preparation. . Colonial Coins. By D. F, Howorth. . Grasses. By F. Tufnail. [In preparation. . British Ferns. By E. J. Lowe. . Pond-Life (Algee, Diatoms _ etc.) By T. Spencer omitisen : . Chess Probiems. By. FE. W. Rayner. - Postage Stamps. By W. T. Ogilvie. 24. Flowering Plants. By James Britten, F.L.s. <. [In preparation. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Square, LONDON. Editorial. It having been decided to alter the name of the ‘‘ Young Natural- Ete tOnenat of DRIMISH NATURALIST,” opportunity has been taken to commence a New Series, and to considerably enlarge the staff Oaissismamt Editors. Messrs. ©. A. Brigss, F.E.S., S: J. Capper, Pore less, ©. We Dale r..S., Anak. Griffith, M.A. and W. EH. Tugwell, Ph.C., are well-known working Lepidopterists, whose names have frequently appeared in the pages of the ‘* Young Naturalist.” The diversity of opinion existing between some of these gentlemen on interesting points is the best guarantee that no bias will be skown towards any particular view, but that all questions affecting British Lepidoptera will have full and fair consideration. Mr. G. A. Lewcock (Hon. Sec. of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society) has for some time past managed the department of Coleoptera, to the great advantage of readers interested therein, and is now added to the list. Mr. Linnzeus Greening (of Warrington) has devoted much time to the study of the Reptilia and kindred forms, and will take the section relating to Vertebrata. In view of the increasing popularity of Conchology in Britain, arrangements have been made with Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell to conduct a Conchological section. Of his special qualifications for this work it is unnecessary to speak. At present but a limited space will be de- voted to the subject ; but should the experiment prove as successful as is anticipated, the Magazine will be enlarged, so that the intro- duction of this new department will not operate to the disadvantage of any other section. Whilst it is intended that the ‘“ British Naturalist’ shall, as the title implies, give most attention to the British Fauna, it is not pro- il EDITORAL. [JANUARY posed to exclude altogether notice of what is being done elsewhere, and occasional papers will still appear on collecting, &c., in other parts of the world. In conclusion, readers are requested to forward articles of interest, notes of field work, exchanges, &c., &c. Some very valuable papers are already in hand, and many others promised, and it is confidently anticipated the ““ BRITISH NATURALIST,” for the quality of its contents, and general usefulness, will rank second to no Magazine of kindred character. JOHN E. ROBSON. LO, CONCHOLMOGGIsiES: oe As announced above, I have undertaken to conduct a Conchological section in this Magazine. Although several journals insert articles on the Mollusca, and so excellent a periodical as the ‘‘ Journal of Con- chology” is devoted entirely to the subject, there seems to be need of a journal appearing at frequent intervals, somewhat on the lines of the American “ Nautilus.” If this experiment meets the approval and support of Conchologists, the space devoted to the subject will be extended as required. Articles, and especially short notes, will be welcomed forits pages. It will be my endeavour to preserve a balance between the various opinions which prevail amongst Conchologists, and the “‘splitters”’ and ‘‘lumpers” will find equal favour, so long as their writings are genuine contributions to science. A special feature will be made of Bibliographical notices, calling attention to and discussing papers of interest. Notices of exchange will be inserted free to subscribers. In order to make them brief, it is suggested the numbers in the “ British Naturalist’s” Catalogue be used to indicate duplicates and desiderata. Shells and slugs will be named for subscribers, but we cannot undertake to return them. The locality of each specimen sent should be affixed to it, and the names and localities ‘will be published in the THE meITISH NATURALIST. Insecta. GOSSIPING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. BY G. A. LEWCOCK. ODACANTHA—DEMETRIAS. OpacanTuHa, Payk—constructed from two Greek words, meaning “tooth” and “spine.” The only species occurring in Europe is O. melanuva, Payk. It is found in marshy places, among reeds, &c. Canon Fowler (‘‘ Natural Localities of British Coleoptera”) gives some excellent instructions for procuring this beetle :—‘ In the fen districts it is customary to cut the sedge and reeds in large quantities, and carry it up the rivers in sedge boats, as they are called ; if a collector will furnish himself with a sheet, and persuade the boatmen—which only requires a small fee—to shake the bundles over it as they_unload them, he will reap a rich harvest—Odacantha melanura in abundance, Dromius longiceps and sigma, and Aetophorous imperialis being some of the best species: these, of course, may all be found in their respective localities, but this is a good way of obtaining them.” It has been taken by Mr. Champion, at Dagenham, Essex, and I also have seen a y THE, BRITISH NATURALISE, [JANUARY specimen at the same place, but unfortunately did not succeed in capturing it. Occurs also ‘“‘in stems of Typha, &c., almost in the water—rare. Taken by Mr. Brewer, at Earlswood Common” (G. C. Champion). Stephens (‘‘ Mandibulata,” Vol. I., p. 14) says: “O. melanuva principally inhabits the counties of Norfolk and Huntingdon. In the former county, I believe, it chiefly occurs in the vicinity of Norwich, on the banks of the Yare, and in the marshes at Horning, and near Fakenham. In the latter county it was found abundantly in the summer of 1825, on the borders of Whittlesea-mere, by Messrs. Chant and Bentley. My friend Mr. Donovan observes that it is found in profusion in Cromllyn bog, Glamorganshire, near Swansea, where Dr. Leach procured many specimens.” I quote a portion from Curtis, as being, to my idea, quite as feasible a method of procuring the species as shaking dry reeds :—‘“‘ This elegantly-formed and lively in- sect is an inhabitant of reedy fens. It may be found by shaking the reeds that have been cut down and tied in bundles for thatching ; those nearest the water’s edge, or even floating, being the dampest, are their most favourite situations, and there, in dull weather, they conceal themselves; they are also found amongst the fragments of reeds left after an overflow of marshes.” It is recorded by Mr. Champion (“E.-M.M.,” Vol. 10, p. 39) as occurring at Ilford) Hssex. Many new localities are given by Canon Fowler in ‘“ Coleoptera of British Islands,” but the foregoing hints will probably put Coleop- terists of the present day on the alert, and doubtless other localities will be discovered... The Rev. W. F. Johnson, who has taken a great deal of trouble to hunt up information on this subject, writes me that he has ‘‘some specimens labelled ‘ Brundall, Sept. 1884,’ but I do not know where Brundall is, nor can I remember who sent me them. From its habits it would be very likely to occur in Ireland, especially in the south, but it is not recorded as yet. If the presence of Typha latifolia would bring the beetle, it should be here, for the reed is very abundant. I have, however, searched many times for pupe of the moth Nonagria typhe, and only got, besides the pupz, some little staphs., ¢.g., Alianta imcana. AntopHorus, Schmid-Goebel.—Derived from two Greek words, meaning ‘‘to bear an eagle,” alluding to black mark on the elytra, which is supposed to resemble a double-headed eagle. The genus contains only one species, A. imperialis. A single specimen fell to my 1891. ] TBUE, IBIRICIPUS ISL INUECIDIO RAE LS ID. 3 lot while searching at Rainham, Essex, among the reeds. Mr. W. H. Harwood sent me a specimen (in exchange) taken in marshes near Colchester. Also captured by Mr. Champion at Dagenham, and Ilford, Essex, and is recorded by that gentleman in E. M. M. Vol. IO, p. 39, as follows :—‘‘ Aétophorus imperialis in quantity among the debvis of fallen reeds, near Ilford, Essex, thanks to my friend Mr. J. G. Marsh, who introduced me to the locality.” DemeEtTRIAS, Bonellii—Proper name, of a silver-smith of Ephesus. Why this name should be given to the genus it is not easy to see (W.E. Sharp). Two species occur in Britain, and neither are un- common. D. monostigma, Leach (Sharp’s Catalogue), D. unipunctatus, Gorm. (monostigma, Sam). [Fowler]. Common on sandy banks, by the Thames, near Kingston (Surrey). ‘‘ At roots of grass, in moss, &c., in dry sandy places, and in marshes; local and uncommon; Deal, Kent,” (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera). ‘‘ Abundant at roots of the wiry grass on sandhills, Deal; most plentiful in spring” (C. G. Hall). Taken at same locality by Mr. Bennett (Hastings) and Mr. West (Greenwich). ‘Said to have been taken by Mr. Gregson on the Wallasey sandhills, but certainly has not occurred there recently’ (W. E. Sharp, Ledsham). THE DIPTERA OF DORSETSHIRE. 1B Ca Ve IDRIS FBS SUB-ORDER—APHANIPTERA. JE AUMott ==]? Leino) There are numerous species of this family, peculiar to various animals and birds. Dugés describes four species—P. ivritans, canis, muscul1, and vespertilionis ; whilst Bouché describes ten—P. canis; irritans, galline, felis, martis, sciurovrum, erinacei, talpe, muscnli, and vespertilionis. Walker describes fourteen, the additional ones being P. melis, columbe, hivundinis, and fringille. The largest British species is P. talpe. An American species—P. gigas, Kirby -—is two lines long. In the West Indies and South America is an insect belonging to the 4 THE BRECISH “NASD RALISA: [January family which is still more obnoxious; this is the Chigoe or Jigger, Sarcopsylla penetvans, which burrows deep into the flesh, causing most violent inflammation. Linnzus placed these insects in his order ApTERA; but they are generally considered to be an aberrant family of the Diptera. The female is more than double the size of the male, and usually lays eight to ten eggs. The larve are long, apod, vermiform maggots, composed of thirteen segments, and, although without legs, are extremely vigor- ous in their movements, twisting about in all directions. They may be found in carpets, blankets, birds’ nests, &c., and were discovered by Mr. Boden, in 1881, feeding on the juices of Ccophora pseudo- spretella and Endrosis fenestrella. The larva, when full grown, seeks out some crack, or other safe place of refuge, and there, after remain- ing some time in a motionless state, spins itself a cocoon of the softest and most slender silk, the interior being of the purest white, but the exterior rougher, and soiled with dust.. Within this cocoon it changes to a pupa, which at first is of a milk white, but gradually changes colour, and finally assumes that of the imago. It is a question how many species there are, and whether the same species does not infest more than one species of animal or bird: thus some consider all those attached to birds to constitute but a single species. However, the antenne of different species exhibit considerable differences. The following I have found in Dorsetshire :— 1. Hystrichopsylla talpa, Curt. Of this large species I found a specimen in a field mouse’s nest, at Glanville’s Wooton, on Sept. 4th, 1889. It was first described and figured by Curtis in his “ British Entomology,” in 1826, but under the mistaken impression that it was attached to the mole. It has also been figured and described by Ritsener in the ‘‘ Tydshrift Ent.,”’ in 1868, under the name of Obtusiceps. If the name given by Curtis be superseded because the species is not found on the mole, so must various specific names of Lepidoptera be superseded, because the larve do not feed on the plants after which they are named. In 1873 Mr. Champion exhibited at the Entomolo- gical Society, specimens of a large species of flea, probably of this © species, found by Mr. F. Walker in a mouse’s nest in the Isle of Sheppey. 2. Pulex wntans, Linn. Common Fiea. Figured by Walker. Bouché separated the various species according to the length of the joints of the tarsi. ier THE BRITISH NATURALIST. : 3. P.canis, Duges. This has shorter legs than Irvitans, the tibie are thicker, and the femora almost bare. Curtis has figured dissec- tions in his ‘‘ British Entomology.” 4. PP. felis, Bouché. Common on cats. 5. LP. erinacet, Boucé. Common on hedgehogs. 6. P. sciuvorum, Bouché. Common on squirrels. 7. P.martis, Bouché. Common on weasels, ferrets, and stoats. 8. P. goniocephalus, Tasch. On rabbits, especially about the ears. This is probably the same species as that found on the hare, which Leach called Leporis. g. P.glins, N.S. Ondormice. This is very different from that found on ordinary mice, and more nearly resembles Martis and Felis. Perhaps, after all, these four last, and Felis as well, are but one species. ton. galine, bouche. Common -on hens, especially in their nests. I have also found it on sparrows, starlings, jackdaws, black- ‘birds, thrushes, robins, creepers, wrens, long-tailed tits, jays, yellow- hammers, and moor-hens. It also attacks the domestic fowl in Ceylon, attaching itself by its rostrum in considerable numbers around the eyes and on the neck of the bird. It can easily be distinguished from all other British fleas by the length of the antenna, and also by being of a much blacker colour. P. fringilla, Walk., and Savcopsyllus galli- naceous, Westwood, are probably synonyms of this species. 11. P. hivundinis, Curt. On swallows and martins. This differs from Galline in being testaceous instead of piceus fuscus, in being rather more elongated, and in having shorter antenne. Curtis has figured the head, tarsi, antennez, and other dissected parts, in his ‘ British Entomology.” 12. P.columbe,\Walk. On wood-pigeons and other pigeons. This likewise differs from Galline in being testaceous; but it is far less elongated than either it or Hirundinis. 13. Ceratophyllus elongatus, Curt. Infests the Noctule bat. It was beautifully figured and described by Curtis in his ‘“ British Ento- but re-described and named Typhlopsylla octactenus by b) mology,’ Kolenati. 14. C. vespertilionis, Duges. Common on the long-eared bat. Re-named Typhlopsylla hexactenus by Kolenati many years after. 15. C.muscult, Duges. Common on mice, 6 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [January 16. C. gractlis, Tash. - 41. Notes--- Sutherland Lepidoptera; A Complete Life History; Varieties of Vanessa urtice ; American and English Smerinthus; Variety of Arctia Mendica; C. brumata; Larentia multistrigaria in February. — Larve.—Bombyx rubi ; Notes from Howth; Epunda Lichenea; Stilbia anomala; Gnophos obsenrata Notes—Cicones variegatus, Hellw.; Atemeles paradoxus, Crav.; Ocypus fuscatus, Grav.; Dinarda Maerkellii, Kies. tes ee oP 46-54 Gossiping Notes ee te ie 7 = ie al. Reports of Societies ss So oe ee ED a, 54 Mollusea-Bibliography—T. D. A. Cockerell ie te as soi 59 SupprrMENtT—Hawk Moths—C. W. Dale ee as pt a) 2 Wo. ee CEA DS NG NATURALIST, WELLINGTON TERRACE, JOLIE TOM, BRISTOL. ee Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for young beginners, all carriage paid. 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Thursday, March 26th, Microscopical’ Evening, THe ANNUAL EXHIBITION will be held at the ‘‘ Bridge House” Hotel, London! Bridge, S.E., on Wednesday and Thursday, the 15th and 16th April next; on Wednesday, it will be open from 7 till 10.30 p.m.; Thursday, from 1 to 6, and 7 till to Dp. m. Particulars and Tickets can be obtained of Hon. sec., Wir bw. BARKRR, 83, Brayards Rd., Peckham. | ANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Free Libraryy) William Brown St., Liverpool, on the Second Monday of each month at 7.30. Printed by B. T. Orb, 69, High Street, Hartlepool; and conblished by MESSRS. Sway 7 SonNENSCHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, H.C. e “APRIL, 1891. 2 : | ee | BRITISH NATURALIST : | = | ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, CONDUCTED BY 2OHN E. ROBSON, FES. Hartlepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF i S.J. CAPPER, F.L.S., F.E.S., LivErpoot; C. S. GREGSON, LIverRpoot ; 1 iS a 9 COCKERELL, Lonpon ; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., Bricuton; ime ©. W. 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Ne Ss APRIL, 1891. | TSUB, IBIRUVITIGISL INCGMIPIU GUA Saby 61 Pisidium.—These unfortunate little bivalves are much misunderstood in this country, if Dr. Westerlund is correct. P. fontinale, Drap., is a synonym of P. pusillum ; but we may use the name as before, writing P. fontinale, C. Pfr.(non Drap.) Clessin’s fossavinum is said to be fontinale: but cinereum, Alder, is a variety of P. casertanum, Poli, of which sinuatum is a monstrosity. P. henslowanum, P. pulchellum, P. pallidum, and P. obtusale, are all regarded as species. P. pusillum, v. ventrosum, is referred to P. scholtzi, Cless., var. trigonatum, Wst. P. pusillum of Jeffreys is said to be P. globulare, Cl.; but the genuine pusillum is considered also British. P. vosewm of Jeffreys is not Scholtz’s species of that name, but is P. milium, Held. P. vecluzianum, Bourg., is a very doubtful species supposed to occur in Ireland. Unio.—The Linnean pictovum is perhaps a form of twmidus, and so our species of that name is called U. vostvatus, Lam. U. sinuatus, Lam., is referred to U. auvicularius, Spengler. Locard is quoted on Mar- garitana elongata, Lam., which is British, but it is only a form of U. mavganitifer. U. arcuatus, Bouch., is U. bouchardi, Bet. Anodonta.—The following so-called species are British :—A. browmt, Bet. (Northumberland, founded on a figure of Brown’s); A. fuscata, Fér. (not described); A. gallica, Bgt. (=-Brown’s cellensis}; A. maculata, Sepp, 45 racket, Bet. (= Brown's ponderosa var., “ Ill. Conch. feieeros piers, 1.1); A. fallax, Colb. (= anatinus vat., f. 4, Mat. and Rack., Linn. Tr., 1807); A. dentata, Turton (probably an abnormal cygnea); A. paludosa, Gray ( a cygnea-form); and A. dupuyi, Ray and Drt. In addition to these, the following forms—considered by us as varietal only, which have been recorded from Britain—are given as species :—A. vadiata, Mull.(sp. dub.); A. imcrassata, Shepp. sp. dub.); A. vostvata, Kok.; A. stagnalis, Sby.; A. sturmz, Bet. (= mtermedia) ; A. avonica, Bet. (= avonensis); A. subrhombea, Brown (sp. dub.); A. gontorta, Br. (sp. dub.); A. cellensis, Gmel.; A. ventvicosa, C. Pir.; A. avelatensis, Dup.; A. pictetiana, Mort.; A. vayii, Dup.; A. scaldiana, Dup.; A. milleti, R. and D.; and A. minima, Mill. Whether all of these are really found in this country is perhaps open to question. Our anatina, vars. complanata and normandi, are both considered valid species, and placed in the sub-genus Psewdanodonta, Bgt. It should be mentioned that Dr. Westerlund gives two species as A. ray7, and the vayi (Mab.,) Begt., ought, therefore, to have a new name—that is if either or both are to be considered true species. Similarly, Limnca a a ec a ee ee 62 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [ApRIL peregra, v. decollata (Anders.,) Wst., 1881, will want a name, and may be changed to subdecollata, as there is a prior decollata, Jeffreys, which is not identical with it.—T.D.A.C. Notes. Mr. E. A: Smith read-a very interesting paper at the Annual Meeting of the Conchological Society, on the generic names of some British shells. On the grounds of priority, he considers that we should write Viviparus instead of Paludina, Vitrea for Hyalima, and Acicula for Acme. The paper is briefly reported in an account of the meeting in the ‘‘ Yorkshire Weekly Post” of Jan. 31st. Mr. J. Wilcock writes that he will shortly be able to make large additions to the list of British Unionidae, Mr. A. J. Jenkins writes us concerning Physa acuta :—‘‘ Mr. Rae and myself have every reason to believe that the species has been living and thriving in the warm water of the Banner Mill Ponds, Aberdeen, for at least 15 years; the mill foreman is positive that the species was existing in these ponds when he first came to the mill— 15 years back. Adult live shells of P. acuta from this locality are fre- quently quite white, the body whorl being much expanded, and the outer lip reflected.” | The last point is specially iuteresting, because Regelsperger, in 1885, noticed deformities in the aperture of Physa acuta living ina warm chalybeate spring. | At the Annual Meeting of the Conchological Society, Mr. C. S. Bell Cox read a paper on the occurrence of Helix elegans, Gmel., near Dover, where it has been introduced, and has formed quite a little colony. Mr. Horsley sent the writer a specimen from this locality ; it referable to the form hypozona, Moq., but the brown banding below consists merely of sub-effaced brown lines. FHydrobia jenkinsi, var. tumida, Jenkins, is described in ‘“ Sci. Goss.” for Jan., p.g. Itis from near Beckton, Essex, not Tilbury Marshes, as was stated in ‘Journ. of Conch.” In the ‘‘ Proceedings of the Geological Association” for Aug., 1890, Mr. b. B. Woodward has an interesting summary of the knowledge of the Pleistocene Mollusca of the London district... On pp. 381 it is stated- that Llanorbis glaber 1s not P. pavvus, Say., as Dr. Dall com- 1891. | (e-LebeeniSre NAT ORALIST. 63 pared the types, and found pavvus much flatter and less deeply umbili- cated, showing much more of the whorls within the outer one, and also less polished. But we think that these supposed distinctions will scarcely hold good in a long series, and until more information is to hand, it will be best to call the European form P. parvus, var. glaber (Jeff.) Dr. Jeffreys, the author of glabey, considered it to be Say’s pavvus. On p. 378, Spherium corneum, var. meanum (Kobelt), is given as fossil at Crayford, having been identified by Dr. Boettger. It is living at the present day in Germany. Mr. Ancey thinks we have two species. of Acme in Britain. He writes (a litt., Feb. 28)—‘‘Acme polita (= fusca, Walk. and Boys) is quite different from the other species A. lineata. I saw English speci- mens of the latter, although I have none, but no A. polita. The latter I have from Germany, &c.; but I suppose that MM. Walker and Boys described their shell from British examples.”—T.D.A.C. Note on Hexix Dentoni.—Mr. John Ford, of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philad., has published and figured in the No. II. of the ‘‘ Nautilus” a New Guinea form of Helix, allied to Helix Tuckert, which he named in honor of the discoverer—-Mr. Denton. This shell certainly differs from Helix Tuckeri, Pfr.; the typical locality of the last-named shell being the small island in the Torres Strait named ‘“ Sir Charles Hardy’s Island.” It is distinguished by several particulars, the most striking of which is the continuous cir- cular peritreme.. In examining this small group in my collection, I find that Mr Ford’s species appears to coincide well with another previously de- scribed Trachia, viz.: Helix cyclostomata, Leguillon. I possess speci- mens in my cabinet that I long since separated from H. Tuckeri, on an account of the differences mentioned by Mr. J. Ford. This small, graceful species, which also inhabits one of the small islands (Warrior Island) in the Torres Strait, has been till now confounded with Tucker. Mr. Ford has probably failed to compare the original diagnosis, and Helix Dentoni is very probably to be added to the synonymy of H. cyclostomata, Leg. Anctus Pilsbryi of the same author is synonymous with my B. capuetva, Spix., var. laminifera, Anc. I must also note that before Mr. Pilsbry’s publication of sub-genus Gonostomopsis (for Helix.auridens, Rang.) I had given this group the name of Chrysodon, Anc.—C, F. ANcEy. —— SS eS ee a ee ee 64 THE -BRITISH-NATURALISA. [APRIL OUERIES AND ANSWERS. (Answers to Correspondents will be sent when advisable or convenient by post, but if not so sent they will, appear in this column, and whether sent by post or not they will be inserted here if likely to be of service to other readers.) J.H.A.J.—Dr. C. A. Westerlund has very recently published a bulky catalogue of European Land and Freshwater Mollusca, which is approximately complete. W.E.C.—Limax marginatus Mull., 1774, has long priority over L. avborum, and should be used for the species, as Muller’s description leaves practically no doubt what was intended. L. sylvestris Scopoli, 1772, appears to be a still older name for the same thing, but the description of this is too slight for certain indentification. J.W.H.—Helix virgata v. submaritima Desm. is now considered to be H. lauta, Lowe. Two different varieties have been described as submarituma by Jeffreys and Moquin-Tandon respectively, and both of them are British. Probably the Jeffreysian variety will require naming, but the varieties of H. virgata are not well understood, and I did not think it wise to give it a new name in the ‘ Brit. Nat. Cat.” SPECIMENS kr Mivar Dy: 1. From Alston, Cumberland, 1000 feet above sea level, and within half-a-mile of the Northumbrian border. ' Sent by Mr. A. Belt.—Vitrina pellucida, Hyalinia nitidula, H. cellaria, H. radiatula, H. alliaria, Hl. crystallina, H. fulva, Patula votundata, Helix hispida varying from form fusca, Mke. (clear reddish-brown) to form cornea, Mke. (pale horn), H. fusca. Buliminus obscuyus, Pupa cylindracea, Cionella lubrica, C. lubrica form hyalina, C. tridens, Limnea pevegra var. ovata (a small form, 8 mill. long, apex decollate, shell thin, blackish), Ancylus Auviatilis. This little collection is of special interest from the high altitude at which it was obtained. Mr. Belt writes that Helix arbustorum was also moderately abundant there, but he did not find FH. aspersa, nemovalis, or hortensis. He also sent a specimen of Carabus nitens, L., from Crossfell, Aug., 1889. Mr. Manger submits for identification some specimens of Stenogyra (Opeas) Goodallit, which were found by Mr. Pearson at Chilwell, near Nottingham, feeding on the roots of the bulb of Euchavis. 1891. | THE JSJRIMIDISIEL INV ING ees IES 104 65 Mr. C. H. Morris sends a puzzling series of bandless Helix nemoralis, all taken within two miles of Lewes, Sussex. They may be classified as follows :— (1.) Forma nov. purpureotincta, very pale purplish, like var. pallida of H. hortensis. 5 specimens. Allied to f. studena. (2.) Forma aurantia, Ckll., orange, but not very characteristic. -6@ specimens. Allied to f. vubella. (3.) Forma nov. fulvotincta, very pale fulvous or pinkish-yellow. 6 specimens. A pale form allied to petiveria. (4.) Forma olivaca, Gassies. 8 specimens. (5.) Forma nov. hepatica, liver-colour, suture and part of the spire generally whitish. g specimens. Near to f. castanea.—T. D. A. COCKERELL. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES YOR Hp LICID ya BY C. F. ANCEY. Ptychodon Magdalene, Ancey. Testa orbiculato-depressa, opacula, fusca, in ultimo anfractu strigis indistinctis nonnullis paulo saturatioribus variegata, umbilicata (umbilicus circularis, circa } mill. latus). Anfractus 5.regulariter lenteque crescentis, convexi, sutura impressa, embryonalis 2 lavigati, ultimus rotundatus, pracendente vix amplior, subtus depresso- convexiusculus, antice non deflexus. Spira convexa, vix elevata, obtusa. Apertura exigua, valde lunata, recta vel fere verticalis, lamellis cbstructa, scilicet : parietalibus 5 (una magna, submediana, bifida et 4 minutissimis inter hanc et columellam) ; sub- collumellaribus 2 validis, dentiformibus, subobliquis, secunda quasi unciformi ; palatalibus 7 minutis parallelis zequidistantibus. Peristomo simplex, acutum, margine supero leviter antice subprovecto. Diam. 2, alt. vix 1 mill, alt. ap. # mill. New Zealand, probably in the Northern Island. This wonderful little shell, of which I have two specimens in my collection, belongs to a group that has been erroneously referred by F. Y. Hutton to the American Strobila (type: Helix labyrinthica). The latter forms a quite distinct genus, hitherto not recorded now living elsewhere but in America. I proposed the generic name Ptychodon for the new Zealand Strobila leiodus, Hutton (melius: Jecodon), which is a patuloid shell, with a sharp peristome, and somewhat resembling 66 THE BRITISH NATURA Sae [APRIL Plesiopsis, Anc. (H. Lombardeaui, Montr.)—a New Caledonia group— in form, and Pitys in having parallel lamella within its aperture. The genus is, as far as known, restricted to New Zealand; the present species is separable at a glance from its congener—in being more depressed, more widely umbilicated, and the number of lamelle. Insecta. LIST OF THE LEPI DOP LE iar ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE. BY WM. REID, PITCAPLE. In compiling the following list of Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, I have had the assistance of Messrs. Horne and Milne, of Aberdeen, and many other local entomologists have done their utmost to make the list as complete as possible. I have also taken advantage of the notes contained in the ‘“ Zoologist,” ‘‘ Ento- mologists Monthly Magazine,” ‘“‘ Entomologist,” ‘““Young Naturalist,” ‘Scottish Naturalist,’ Prof. Trail’s ‘‘ Lepidoptera of Dee” (Trans- actions of Aberdeen Natural History Society), and various other magazines, &c. In quoting the above magazines, I have used the usual abbreviations. When no localities are given it is to be understood that the species have been taken over all the district. The arrangement and nomenclature is according to the Doubleday list. DIURNI. Pieris Brassicz.—Common everywhere, and in some years abundant. Pieris Rapz.—Common everywhere, and very variable. Pieris Napi.—Common. Specimens approaching the Continental var. Bryonie used to be common on Ben-na-chie (larve feeding on watercress); but I have not seen any for several years. Anthocaris Cardamines.— Locally common near _ Kintore, Fintray, Inverurie, Burnharvie, Fyvie, Dess, &c. This species has | been gradually becoming scarcer lately, and has quite disappeared ~ from many localities where it used to be common—Logie, Elphinstone, 3 Balbithan, &c. Ream 1 LES BRIS NATURALIST. 67 Colias Edusa.—Denmore (“ Ento.,” Vol. XXII., p. 279). Argynnis Paphia.—Once at Muchalls (Lep. of Dee), and once in 1872, on Ben-na-chie. Argynnis Aglaia.—Abundant in a nnmber of inland localities. Common all along the coast. @ dark. Argynnis Selene.—Local, but abundant. Argynnis Euphrosyne.—Very local, but fairly common. Ap- pears about a couple of weeks before Selene. Melitzea Artemis.—Very local. Common at Pitscurrie Moss. Scarce near Monymusk and Fyvie. Was once abundant at Loch _ Shangie, near Kenmay. Our specimens are known by the name | Scotica, Whyte. | Vanessa Urticze.—Abundant everywhere; larger and brighter than English examples. Vanessa Polychloros.—Mr. Tait, of Broomend, Inverurie, has one which he captured in his own garden; it is a little damaged, and had evidently been flying for some time (see ‘‘ Scot. Nat.” Vol. [, 1872). Vanessa Antiopa.—Several were seen near Aberdeen, Inverurie, and Braemar, in 1872; three were taken by a working man in Keithall ' garden, and Mr. Burnett, of Balbithan, saw two which were not taken. Vanessa Io.—Single examples have been taken at various times in Aberdeenshire (Prof. Trail). Vanessa Atalanta.—Sometimes common ; the larve were ex- cessively abundant in 1878. | Vanessa Cardui.—Uncertain. Abundant in 1879, common in | 1884, 1887, and 1889; the larve were also common in 1889. Erebia Blandina.—Common in Braemar ; once at Bay of Nigg. This record is culled from Prof. Trail’s “‘ Lepidoptera of Dee.” Satyrus Atgeria.-—Two caught at Hazelhead, near Aberdeen. Satyrus Megzera.—One seen by myself at Harlan, in 1874. Satyrus Semele.—Common along the coast near Peterhead and south of Aberdeen ; larger and brighter than English examples, very like Swiss specimens. Satyrus Janira.—Abundant everywhere. Var. Splendida (Whyte), widely distributed and not rare. satyrus Hyperanthus.—Very local; but abundant at Fyvie, Inverurie, Tillyfourie, Cruden, and Morven. 68 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. rAPREL Ccenonympha Davus.—Abundant on all moors where I have collected. Specimens with large ocellated spots on upper surface are rare ; but very light-coloured ?’s are sometimes met with. Ccenonympha Pamphilus.—Common almost everywhere. Thecla Rubi.—Scarce at Fyvie and Tarland. Mr. McAldowie once captured it freely near Banchory. Polyommatus Phleas.—Abundant everywhere. I captured a silver variety many years ago. Lyczena Agestis.— Taken by Mr. Tugwell, near Inverurie (ES Eato.,- 1886, p2 218). Lyczena Agestis, var. Artaxerxes.—Locally abundant ; Much- alls has long been noted as a good locality. I have taken a few almost identical with the Alpine var. Allous, and also a few in which the rusty spots approach the dimensions found in var. Canariensis (Blachier) from Teneriff. I have also seen them with hardly a trace of the white discoidal spots, and in others, the white spots have black centres, especially the white spots on the under side of posterior wings. Lyceena Alexis.—Common everywhere, especially roadsides and along the coast. Have taken 9’s almost as blue as the ¢, and once saw a @ with the discoidal spots on upper surface of anterior wings ~ white, reminding one strongly of Avtaxerxes. Mr. Milne, of Aberdeen, has a 2 with the discoidal spots of the anterior and posterior wings surrounded with white; it has also a couple of white dashes near the tip. I understand it was taken near Banchory last year. I have several times seen the form taken here about, but they are rather scarce. Var. Icavinus rather scaree. The true var. Icarinus is very seldom — taken here. Our specimens have a tendency to have more than the two eye-spots between the discoidal and base of wings wanting. Lyceena Alsus.—WNot rare inland, and common along the coast. NOCT URN. Smerinthus Ocellatus.—Once by Mr. Line, at Fyvie, (“ Lep. of Dee”), Smerinthus Populi.— Larve common everywhere. Acherontia Atropos.-—Scarce, but generally recorded every year. I have seen a number of Aberdeenshire specimens, and have one in my possession. The larve have been found at Inverurie, among potatoes. 1891, | THE, BRITISH NATURALIST: 69 Sphinx Convolvuli.—Uncertain, but sometimes not rare. Mr. Macintosh once told me that he captured eleven in one year at honey- suckle flowers, near Fyvie. Deilephila Galii.—Several in Aberdeen and elsewhere. Mr. Horne has one which was captured in 1888—the great galii year,— and I believe other two were taken in Aberdeen the same year, and at least one larva was discovered on the sandhills in the autumn. Chzerocampa Celerio.—Once at Peterhead and Fyvie, and three in Aberdeen. The last capture was taken in a mouse-trap only a few years ago. } Chzerocampa Porcellus.—Occurs on the coast near Aberdeen, and has been taken at Inverurie by Mr. Tait. The larve are not rare on the sandhills. Chzerocampa Elpenor.—Bred from larve found in Aberdeen by Dr. Jasdowski. 7 Macroglossa Stellatarum.—-Always scarce, occasionally almost every where. Macroglossa Bombyliformis.—Scarce. Old Aberdeen Links, Scotston Moor, Monymusk, and Mr. Tait has one which he captured in Tom's Forest, near Inverurie. Sesia Culiciformis.—Among birches near Castleton, Braemar (Dr. White). Have seen traces of the larva in Logie Elphinstone Woods (Reid.) Sesia Philanthiformis.—Along the coast south of Aberdeen. The larve may be found in rhizomes of Avmeria maritima. This insect is not known to occur elsewhere on the east coast of Britain (Prof. Trail). Mr. Horne, of Aberdeen, has taken the larve near Muchalls. Sesia Bembeciformis.—This insect is said to have been taken by the late Donald Macintosh near Fyvie, among sallows, in 1872. Cossus Ligniperda.—Scarce near Fyvie. Hepialus Hectus.—Locally abundant. Hepialus Lupulinus.—Near Aberdeen. Hepialus Sylvinus.—Near Muchalls, Banchory, Fyvie, Aber- deen, &c. 70 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL Hepialus Velleda. - Abundant everywhere, and very variable. Hepialus Velleda, var. Carnus.—Sometimes not rare. Hepialus Humuli.—Common. A beautiful pink variety of the @ has occasionally been taken. The ¢ is very constant, but the 2s are excessively variable. I have sometimes seen great numbers of the Black-headed Gull hawking for this species at dusk. Zygeena Exulans.—Local, but abundant in several localities about 2500 feet above sea level near Braemar (“‘E.M.M.,” Vol. VIII. ; also ‘‘ Ento.,” Vol. XIX., 1886). The only British habitat. Zygzena Trifolii.—One said to have been taken near Stonehaven (** Lep. of Dee’’), probably only a variety of the next. Zygzena Filipendulze.—Locally common, Loch Shangi, Kintore, Muchalls, &c. The two outer spots in our specimens are are almost always confluant, the sixth spot has always a tinge of yellow, and the ground colour is bluish instead of green. Nudaria Mundana.—Common at Muchalls. Setina Irrorella.— One at Muchalls last year (1890) Mr. Esson. Lithosia Complanula.—-Along the the coast south of Aberdeen, I have taken it at Muchalls. Lithosia Rubricollis.—Has been taken at Fyvie. Euthemonia Russula.—Scarce and local, Banchovy, Parlu, Inverurie, Monymusk, &c. (Trail). (To be continued.) THE. GENITAL ARMATURE OF, THE GENGS MIANA. BY F. N. PIERCE, HON. SEC. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. It is again my privilege to bring before the notice of your readers the most interesting structure of the genital armature of the Lepi- doptera, and I have chosen the genus Mzana on account of the discussion that is now taking place as to whether specimens at present called strigilis and fasciuncula are really distinct, or only varieties of one species. It may be argued by our veterans that the 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 7 matter was settled years ago; may I be pardoned for reminding these that the word “settle,” according to the dictionary, means to “ fix permanently ;”’ that these species are not ‘‘fixed permanently” is very evident, as I will try and point out by a few examples. Of the life history very little seems known definitely, the published descriptions of the larva of strigilis differing in many points. Many cntomologists have bred odd specimens of both forms; but until both forms have been bred from one batch of ova, there are many entomologists who will never believe them to be the same species. Mr. Stainton treats them as separate, differentiating them by colour — blackish- brown, strigilis ; reddish-ochreous, fasciuncula. Mr. Newman gives them distinct, remarking that he follows Haworth and Doubleday, although the famous French entomologist Guenéé makes fasciuncula a variety of stvigilis. On the Continent this statement seems generally accepted, for Kirby, in his ‘“‘ European Lepidoptera,” following Staudinger’s Catalogue, after describing stvigilis, remarks: -‘‘ fasci- uncula, which some consider another variety of strigilis, is smaller, reddish-ochreous, &c.” Thus do we find that our authors disagree. I would also point out that whereas the larva of strigilis has been bred and figured, I can find no case of figuring the larva of fasciuncula. The matter rested for many years, everyone apparently satisfied with the way it was left, until the Rev. W. F. Johnson, of Armagh, sent Mr. Tutt specimens, which the latter describes as perfectly inter- mediate, and equally well named as either species. I have not had the pleasure of seeing these specimens, and the published account of them is very meagre, not even mentioning the number of specimens, nor the form they most resemble. It is not, therefore, to these Specimens, that the point of discussion tends, but simply whether the ordinary specimens usually so easy to distinguish, and called strigilis and fasciuncula, are, or are not, distinct species. If they are, then their structure—z.e., the hard chitine—should be the same; if they are not, then there should be points of difference in this structure sufficiently constant to designate them species. As some of your readers may not have followed the discussion, 1 will briefly run over the various arguments put forward. When Mr. Tutt exhibited the Armagh specimens and his own species, he positively affirmed that fasciuucula was a variety of stvigilis ‘‘ without doubt; but from the subsequent discussion, it was 72 THE BRITISH: NATURALIST. [APRIL evident other entomologists saw there was considerable doubt, and were by no means satisfied by the mere assertion of one man, made on the superficial resemblance in the markings or colour of the wings of a small number of specimens. Then commenced the discussion, and first one and then another argument was held forth as bearing on the subject. Mr. Robson in this Magazine after commenting on the resemblance of other species, says these two species never resemble each other, and brings forward a strong argument; he states they assume the perfect state at different times of the year, and their flight is so different that could we see them together on the wing that alone would be sufficient to distinguish them. That they appear at a differ- ent time is not a safe guide. I have myself taken both off treacle in abundance at the same time, but on the other hand fasccuncula flies very abundantly at Bidston Marsh in June and July, and you may capture any number, flying low, close to the ground, almost like the swifts, without capturing a single sfvgilis, but on tke same evening on the sandhilis adjoining, you may take any number of stvigi/is at treacle. Mr. Tutt, on the 15th of the same month, shows in the ‘“ Record” how he arrived at the conclusion of the identity of the species. In the following month, Mr. South inthe “ Entomologist ” endeavoured to prove that there are neither one, nor two, but three species!! Mr. South’s classification is mainly based on the crests or tufts of hair on the body, the third species apparently being intermediate, as it partakes of the fasciuncula colour, but has the strigilis-like dorsal tufts On the body. This, at a meeting of the South London Entomological Society, seemed to be overthrown, for Mr. Tutt, according to the ‘‘ Record,” pointed out that the dorsal tufts were equally well developed in both species, and produced specimens to show this. Then came a most interesting point, Mr. Fenn expressed an opinion that all the Armagh specimens were dark fasciuncula, Mr. South that two were stvigilis, and the rest fusctuncula, other members considered that three of the specimens were referable to strigilis, the others to fasczuncula. Then Mr. Tutt agreed with all these different views, because he stated the questionable varieties might with equal propriety be called either one or the other, so that at the end nothing was decided. While this controversy was going on I was surprised to find that ro one suggested the examination of the genital armature, possibly oS for want of thought, and more probably for fear of spoiling a fine 1891.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 73 cabinet series. I therefore determined I would make the experiments myself, and being unprejudiced, would lay the results faithfully before those interested. With this view I gathered together as many specimens as I could and I beg publicly to thank Mr. Robson, Mr. Harwood, of Colchester, and Mr. Stott of Bolton, for a very liberal supply of most beautiful forms for examination, these with my own specimens, collected in Suffolk, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, gave me a fairly representative selection to work upon. The specimens were prepared exactly as described by me in the ‘ Young Naturalist,” for 1889, vol. x., page 51, and i at once saw that the two forms of wing markings, presented equally different forms in the structure of the genital appendages. The following is a description of the points of difference in each, which with the aid of the rather rough but accu- rately drawn figures, will enable any one to immediately separate even the most obscure specimens. The figures were drawn with the aid of an eye piece micrometer, and therefore the difference in the size of the figures is correct, the magnification being the same in each instance. M1aNA FASCIUNCULA has the large outside appendages, in the form of a bird’s head with a long beak, there are a few small hooks on the crown, and also at the tip of the beak; a little lower down there is a long narrow almost parallel projection terminating in a rounded end; at the top of the figure is seen an organ the shape of which is the most distinctive character, the two sides are parallel for nearly the whole length, when they suddenly narrow off into a bulbed point; the portion to which this organ is joined will be noticed to be broad, it narrows off 74 THE-BRITISHYNATURALIS®: [APRIL gently from the large appendages, until it terminates with a turn at the above organ. This, besides containing the usual large hooks, has two very distint bunches of hooks situated at each side near the head. M1aNna STRIGILIS._-In the large appendages the beak is more abrupt, and the hooks, which are stronger, are carried right along the crown to the tip of the beak ; lower down there is a projection, which — has a base thicker than fasciwncula, and quickly narrowing to a point (both these portions are slightly subject to variation for which I am unable at present to suggest a reason), the other organs which do not — vary at all, are, the organs terminating the central portion, which is more pointed than in the other species; this organ is narrowed from the base towards the middle, and thickens again before tapering off tg the point, a very elegantly vase shaped organ, and which is entirely without the bunches of hooks which are present in fasciuncula. Of the remaining two species the large appendages have no beak and | are densely clothed with strong hooks in Jiterosa, whilst in furuncula they are differently shaped, are also without the beak, and the hooks are quite absent. In all I examined 14 specimens of fasciuncula of both the ochreous |} and reddish forms, all of which had the distinguishing characters of — this species just described; and 26 specimens of stvigilis including the 1891. ] THE: BRITISH NATURALIST. 75 type, and all forms, through the varieties latvuncula and ethiops, all of which perfectly agreed in the distinguishing characters of this species. At the Meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society at which this paper was read, I projected the actual prepara- tions on a screen, by the oxyhydrogen Micro Lantern, and all present expressed themselves satisfied that the specimens shown did not differ :wter se. Possibly some may suggest pressure altering the form of structure, but when they consider the number of specimens operated upon, and the constant characteristics present in every specimen of each species, they will see that such an argument is baseless. If anyone wishes to examine them themselves I am quite willing to send my preparations for their consideration. Should any of your readers wish to test the accuracy of this method of distin- guishing species, let him send me the body of a male, carefully cut off, that he knows to be an undoubted specimen of any of the four species of Mana inhabiting Great Britain, and | will undertake to examine and name it from the genital organs alone. 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool, 10th March, 1891. Notes. HELIOTHUS ScUTOSA IN KINCARDINESHIRE.—I have just had the pleasure of seeing an example of the above species which was ) captured by Mr. A. H. Duncan, in July, 1878, at Bay of Nigg, near _ Aberdeen, it was flying in the bright sunshine over the rough ground , and stones. The specimen is now in his father’s collection, and is spoilt by grease and has lost its antenne, but is otherwise quite | perfect and distinctly marked -- Wm. Rerp, Pitcaple, N.B., Feb., 1891. Notes on LEPIDOPTERA IN DONCASTER AND District.—The long continued frost made collecting quite out of the question in January, | but with February came a change in the weather, and on the 5th I | made my first visit for this year to Wheatley wood. I found, as I had | previously found, after long and severe winters, that some of the ) autumnal species were still to be seen. Aurantiaria 3 Defoliaria 2 | and Brumata g were in evidence. Along with these Pilosaria, a few | Lewcophearia, and one newly emerged AZscularia. Larvee of N. aurella /were abundant and a few cases of Pseudo-bombycella were also to be 76 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. (APRIL found. On the 12th and 13th Leucophearia was common, a few Defoliaria @ were still out. 15th Depressavia applana were common, flying about the hedges at 6 p.m. 23rd Leucophearia, becoming less common, whilst Pilosavia was now the more abundant species. 27th, I only saw on Leucophearia. Progemmata seen for the first time. __ Leucophearia varied very much. The form with the base and hind margin dark, and the central band distinctly paler (v. marmorinaria, © Esp.) being in the proportion of about 1 in 6. During the month (February) I have bred a few Lithocolletis canella from larva collected in Wheatley wood last autnmn.—H. H. Corpertt, M.R.C.S., Doncaster. ABERDEENSHIRE.—I have just returned from Forres witha good supply FR. vesinana larve, full fed and almost ready to pupate. I am doing well also with S. anomala and otherthings. L. Multistngania is out, and I have got ova. I was out yesterday with Mr. Hume and we managed to pick up a few Myrice pupe.—Wwn. Rep, Pitcaple, 28th February, 18o1. ABRAXAS ULMATA IN WORCESTERSHIRE IN 1828.—About the year 1828 this insect was met with abundantly at its locality in Worces- tershire, about 12 miles from the city. It was then called the ‘‘ Scarce Magpie.’ The specimens were decidedly darker than it appears to be now, and resembled the figure in Newman, which I have reason to believe was figured from one captured by Mr. Edmunds, then of Worcester. Iam told that the specimens still in Worcester Museum are all of the darker type.—]J. Tyrer, Chatham, 14th July, 1891. Larve. ODONESTIS POTATORIA.—Every spring for several seasons I have picked up larve of this species in the hedge banks, always taking the most on warm damp evenings, when the herbage was saturated with | moisture, these larve in particular revelling in it, and eagerly imbibing | the drops of water which were on the grass. A reason then struck ~ me why several of my friends had not succeeded with the species © unless they took them when about full fed, viz.: that they forgot to give them water to drink, lave of this species must either have it or die, as they are particularly thirsty creatures, though quite teetotal in their habits. 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 77 The method I pursue for all spring grass feeding larve is to have a large tub with grass and weeds growing therein. I give this a good shower night and morning with a watering can, just enough to nicely damp the surface. This I find does the larve no harm but rather good, and I feel sure is the salvation of Potatoria larve and renders their successful rearing a much greater certainty. In £889 two larve remained very late in that stage. The one spun its cocoon August 3rd, and a small well-marked male emerged September 6th. The other larva remained perfectly healthy till September 26th and then sickened and died. It was full grown, Both these were taken in the spring 1889.—A. E. Hatt, Norbury, Sheffield, February, 1891. SATYRUS SEMELE AND THECLA QueERcus.—lIt is generally known that S. semele pupates below the surface of the earth, and that the pupa is brown and smooth and shiny like those of noctue. It does not, however, appear to be so well known that the larva of Thecla quercus also pupates underground, sometimes making a frail cocoon of soil just on the surface of the earth, or availing itself of the Shelter of a fallen leaf. The chrysalis is of a shining rusty brown colour with three rows of brown spots on the back. In shape it is stout and rounded in outline.—Ib. MIA4NA STRIGILIS AND FASCIUNCULA.— While larve searching in a hedge bottom not far from here about 9.30 p.m. May 8th, 188o. I found about half-a-dozen curious larve. They were of a very hard texture, of a dull dirty white colour and much attenuated at each extremity. I noticed two of them were much smaller and rather differently marked to the others, but going away from home the next day prevented my taking further details, so put them in a box by themselves and left them. On my return [I found they had pupated. On July 6th one stvigilis var. aethiops and one fasciuncula of exquisite reddish form emerged and on July 8th one stvigilis var. preduncula. Here at Sheffield only two forms of stvigilis occur, viz: the vars. aethiops and preduncula, the type being unknown; of fasciuncula the reddish form is the commoner though the paler form also occurs. This latter species is always here very much smaller than stvigz/is and most easily distinguishable.—Ib. —_———— we ALT ety amen eT, Tees = ee oe ee eee ee 2 STs a ae ee eee ee eee ae - THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL Mania Typica.—Mama typica is a very common London insect—that is in its larval stage. I cannot say that I ever met with it previous to my London life, but perhaps that was owing to my ignorance of its life history. Soon after coming to town I found some larve con- gregated together and eating the under sides of the leaves of Rumex, Epilobium, &c. I took a quantity and tried to rear them, but was unable to carry them through the winter. Next year I got some more, and decided in my own mind that they were some very common species. I kept them indoors this time, and was very much interested in watching them at night time when they came out to feed. We had a lot of Epilobium hirsutum in our garden, so I gathered some, and I put it in a wide-mouthed bottle with water. It soon died and shrivelled up, but I sprinkled it with water once a week, and the larve must have commenced to feed on it in January, as they moulted and began to grow. Then I supplied them with a blade or two of Iris and | soon observed notches eaten out. 1 felt sure then that I should be able to breed the moths. The larva kept eatiny and growing until the end of March, when they were exceedingly fine and handsome. Then I noticed their gradual disappearance below ground. In about four weeks—that is by about the last week in April—the first moth emerged, very soon my boards were full with them, and I allowed a number to fly away. This species is very easy to rear when once you know them, as I suppose is the case with almost all common moths. One thing I particularly observed, they did not try to commit suicide by drowning, like some other larva. [dare say this is all very stale to you who have gone through the same yourself, but it afforded me great delight at the time, and I cannot altogether forget the old loves, although I have taken up with Coleoptera.—G. A. Lewcocx, London, 8th March, 1891. NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARVZE POR THE. MONTH: BY GEORGE ELISHA, F.E.S. The month of April is always welcome to the entomologist, for its sunshine and occasional showers soon alter the appearance of the lanes and woods; the wild piants are now growing fast, larve are getting plentiful, and the time has arrived when we must begin the 1891. | Mai Bik Sil NA UR AIS |: 79 season in earnest, for many species feed up rapidly and are seen no more for another year; so at the first opportunity, on some fine, balmy morning, we are tempted to take a trip of a few miles into the country in hope of getting the larve of some species that may be useful to our collection or in helping friends, or perhaps of finding the larva of one of one of the many species that have as yet baffled our most careful and observant entomologists. We must havea keen eye to examine the cause of every twisted leaf, distorted shoot, or unhealthy-looking plant we may come across, for these are the places where larve will be found, and as we leisurely walk along, what a relief it seems to get away from the busy town life for even a short time, to such a quiet country place, and how exhilarated one feels in the pure, clear atmos- phere of the early morning, in these first trips of the season, listening to the many sounds of approaching summer, till one almost forgets the object that brought us to such a pleasant place this lovely morning. In the first place, it is as well to be provided with a few unbleached calico bags about ten inches by eight, a few tin boxes, and a strong knife. Wedo not proceed far along the lane before our attention is attracted by the bleached appearance of some of the leaves in the patch of ground ivy (Glechoma hedevacea) growing by the roadside; on turning the leaves over we find some long curved, black cases attached to the under side, these are the larve of Coleophora albitarsella, one of a family of moths of which the whole of the larvae are case-bearers. Just pick the leaves on which the cases are and put them into a tin box, taking a clump of the plant for them to continue feeding on, as we return home. The larve of Scoparia olivalis will be found in a web on the under side of the leaves of the same plant. A little further on, the Stitchwort (Stellavia holostea), which is now growing rapidly, has its leaves bleached in the same manner by the larva (in their straight, whitish cases) of Coleophora solitariella, and in the shoots of the same plant the larva of Gelechia tricolorella is at work, giving them a dis- torted appearance. Coleophora olivaceella, in their brownish cases with a distinct keel, is another species feeding on the same plant ; but it is extremely local, although generally distributed. We proceed onward, and soon the sun cistus (Helianthemum vulgare ) growing in patches on the dry, chalky, hedge bank, attracts our notice, for the bleached appearance of some of the leaves reminds us that the larva of Laverna miscella is at work within ; and in the shoots of 7S eee a tae a i Ew a a I Ea Se a ee — o> —— Sones PHE BR TSE NeW Rawls ie [APRIL Cervastium vulgatum, growing plentifully on the same bank, the larva of Gelechia fraternella will be found drawing the shoots together. If we now examine the shoots of the currant bushes in yonder field, we shall observe some of them are drooping over and withering. On cutting the shoot and breaking off the top, if we find a dull, greenish larva, with black head, inside the stem, that would be the larva of Incurvania capitella; and the larva of Lampronia rubella feeds in precisely the same manner in the shoots of raspberry. We continue our pleasant stroll, and are soon busy examining the bleached leaves on the wild rose bush, and filling a box with the flat, serrated cases of Coleophora ery phypennella, not forgetting the drawn- together shoots containing the dull-brown larva of Spilonota roborvana. In hedges where the common hart’s-tongue fern is growing plentifully, we must stop and examine some of the long fronds; on turning them over the larva of Psychoides verhuelella will be seen burrowing among the indusia, seemingly quite at home. On old palings the long, slender cases of Taleporia pseudo-bombycella is seen occasionally ; in breeding these larve it is best to scrape them carefully off the paling, and pin them on to the side of the breeding-cage by that portion that was attached to the wood, for the 1mago emerges from the top of the case. If we cut a good supply of birch catkins from old trees, we are pretty sure to breed a good series of Pedisca bilunana. In damp places in open parts of woods, the larva of Ephippiphora pflugiana will be found in old thistle stems, the small round holes betraying their presence. On leaves of sallow the larva of Coleophora viminetella is making the usual blotches, and on the seeds of rushes the cases of Coleophora cespititiella is in plenty. In the topmost shoots of Scotch fir trees we may still find a few pupa of Retinea turionana, but most of them by this time have been cleared out by the birds. By searching on the ground under spruce fir trees, the distorted cones containing the larvee of Coccyx strobtlana will repay the trouble of raking among the dead leaves, for caught specimens of this species are not to be compared to bred ones. If we examine the shoots of furze growing on heaths, some of the Shoots will be found drawn together with a mass of white web; in this web will be found the larva of Butalis gvandipennes, and between the tufts of broom some stragglers of the larva of Depressaria assimilella have not yet left the stems to pupate on the surface of the ground. 1891. | ? THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 81 On examining the plants of Echium vulgare growing on dry, chalky slopes, the tips of some of the radical leaves appear to be withered, but in reality this is caused by the young larva of Coleophora onosmella ; this they afterwards cut off and use as their case, and they keep adding to it till it becomes a bulky, woolly-looking case by the time the larve are full grown. On the leaves of Lotus corniculatus the larva of Coleophora discoidella will be found now and then in their cornucopia- shaped cases. The ox-eye daisy has its leaves mined by the larva of Bueculatrix aurimaculella ; dig up the plants and pot them, and soon the larve will spin their beautiful reticulated cocoons. The carline thistle growing on chalky slopes have the leaves drawn together by the larva of Depressaria nanatella, which feed on the upper surface; and Gracillavia tringipennellu feed in the same manner on leaves of plantain. As we pass the wood by the roadside we notice the bleached appearance of the leaves, and soon find this is caused by the larva of Coleophora laricella, and on the leaves of Ballota nigra another Coleophora (lineola) is at work making conspicuous blotches, and in the radical leaves of Scabiosa columbaria in sheltered places, the larva of Lithocolletis scabtosella is now to be found. In the stems of wild cabbage, growing on the cliffs in most places | on the south coast, the larva of Stigmonota leplastriana is now to be | found easily by the little tufts of brownish frass exuding from holes in the stems and shoots, and the old stems of Marrubium vulgare con- taining the pupz of Leioptilus micvodactylus—it we are in want of the Species,_-in damp hedge banks. In similar places the hemlock (Conium maculatum) is now getting high; by examining them closely we find some of the tips of the leaves folded over, by taking a good supply we should breed some fine specimens of Depressaria alstvemeviana and Wezrella, and while in this neighbourhood, the muddy banks of tidal rivers must be examined for old stems of sea lavender, some of which are still to be found, for they contain the pupe of Coleophora limonielle ; and now I think we will content ourselves for this month by getting all we can of the above, and prepare our cages for what is to come next month, for then in reality we shall have a busy time. Shepherdess Road, London, March, 1891. O2t% - ade os RATES a NACI Ave Sai [APRIL THE--DIRTERA, OF DORKSE [Site BY ©. W. DALE: (Continued from page 6). NEMOCERA. FaMILY—MYCETOPHILIDA. This family is composed of extremely active insects, capable of leaping by means -f their long hind legs. The body is generally — compound, the coxe long, and the tips of the tibia armed with spurs ~ | in a similar manner to the Pulicidaz, and their movements are short, © skipping, and abrupt. The larve of most species feed on Fungi or ~ Boleti, and spin silken webs, within which they become pupe. They ~ are particularly found in damp situations, amongst various plants, © dead leaves, and moss, in which many species hibernate, and are ] frequently found in the windows of our dwellings. Many of the family posseas very prettily marked wings, and some ~ are exceedingly rare. I beg to call particular attention to three@ species—Leia elegans, Eupheria pictipennis, and Leptomorphus Walken. Leia crassicornis and Glaphyvoptera winthemit are also rarities. Stephens, in his “Illustrations of British Entomology,” has figured two species, 7 Prymosia sonata and Glaphyroptera ornata ; which figures and names have been ignored by all subsequent writers. Amongst the smaller species and more obscure genera much work remains to be done. 7 The following are the Dorsetshire species, all of which have occurred ¥ in the parish of Glanvilles Wootton :— Myceptopila lineola, Meig. Generally distributed. M. punclata, Meig. Generally distributed. M. bimaculata, Fab. Generally distributed. M. lutescens, Zett. Larger than last, and rare. B WwW DN H M. signata, Meig. Generally distributed. M. cingulum, Meig. MLarger than last, and rare. Zygomia notata, Stan. Beaten from ivy. Z. pictipenmis, Staeg. Rare. Glanvilles Wootton. Sceptonia nigva, Meig. Common in moss. 0 DIAN 10. yimosia sonata, Steph. Common in windows and amongst ivy. | It is figured by Stephens in his ‘“ Illustrations of British Entomology ;”™ but it is probably the same as M. fasciata, Meig. 11. WL. fenestvalis, Meig. Common in windows and amongst ivy. 1891. ] Wlelay > lee TCS isl SINUATE Oevalgligy it 83 12. R. lateralis, Meig. Common in windows and amongst ivy. 13. LExectria fungorum, Dey. Generally distributed. 14. Glaphyropiera fuscupennis, Meig. Generally distributed. T5. G. Winthemu, Lehm. Rare. Glanvilles Wootton. 16. G.ornata, Stephens ‘“ Ulustrations.” Perhaps the same as G. picta, Meig. Of frequent occurrence at Glanvilles Wootton. I have -also taken it at Lairg, in Scotland. 17. Docosia sciarina, Meig. Generally distributed. 18. D. valida, Winn. Rare. Glanvilles Wootton. ») 19. Lea elegans, Winn. Of this pretty and new British species, I took a couple at Glanville’s Wootton, on August 9th and October 3rd, 1889. Pomlaencvassiconus, Curt. One of this rare species was taken at 'Glanvilles Wootton by J. C. Dale, on May 2oth, 1869, and also another by myself. . | : 21. Laswsoma lutea, Meig. Generally distributed. The larve spin / webs on fungi growing on pear and other trees. From this species | \have bred Orthocentrus corrugator, Holm. 1 22. Empheria pictipennis, Hal. Of this exceedingly scarce and 1 8th, Moog ebelieve the only other one im’ existence, is the one ietaliday described in Ents Mag.,” Vol. I., 1833. i) 23. Leptomorphus Walkeri, Curtis’ “ British Entomology.” Of this rare species one was taken by my brother, in July, 1880, and another beautiful species | took an example at Glanvilles Wootten, on October by myself, on the wing, on September, roth,.1888. | 24. Sciophila marginata, Meig. Generally distributed. 25. 9. hilavis, Walk. Kare. Glanvilles Wootton. 26. Boletina dubia, Staeg. Generally distributed. 27. 6. dilaticornis, Curt. Rare. Glanvilles Wootton. 28. fontinalis> DE glutinosa, L. truncatula, A. lacustris, S. putris, S. elegans, H. hortensis, H.arbustorum, cantiana, H. virgata, H. caperata, H, ericetorum, C. rugosa, 6c. ~ DEsIDERATA—Other Sor Natural History Specimens—J. Ww. Bout, 17 Finsbury Grove, Fountain rd, Hull. ao. ‘CORRESPONDENTS—Conchological Section. All, communications, for this section muld be sent Mr.T. D. A. Cockerell; 3, Fairfax. Road, Bedford Park, London, W., who will also name specimens and answer enquiries for any subscriber. Mr, G. A. Lew cock, 73, f xford. Road, Islington, N., Hon. Sec. City of London Ento..and Nat. Hist. Society, represents the Magazine in London, and conducts the.section of Coleoptera... New sub- ibers can have such portions of the Supplements as appeared last year.as follows: The tish Hawk Moths, 24 pages, 6d’; Hand-Book of British Spiders, 32 pages, 3 plates, rs. titish, Pterophori, 24 pages, 6d. Subscriptions, and all communications other than as e, to be sent to Joun E. Rogson, Hartlepool. CHANGE OF ADDRESS—A. ForD, from Alexandra Villa, Braybrooke Road, Hastings; to Clare- ouse, Upper Tower Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. ADVERTISEMENTS. CONTENTS. PAGE Mollusca-Bibliography—T. D. A. Cockerell om iy os ar 619 Notes : Sa mas sa +) -,-62-Gam Queries and Answers. Specimens received ea £2 ae re 64 Description of a New Species of Helicide 2 65- Insecta—List of the Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire—Wm. Reid 66-70 The Genital Armature of the Genus Miana—F. N. Pierce ... oat AES 70-75 Notes—- ‘ = | Heliothus Scutosa in Kincardinshire ; Lepidoptsra i in Doncaster and District ; Aberdeenshire; Abraxas Ulmata in Worcestershire in 1828. Lary a Onloneatic potatoria; Satyrus semele and Thecla Quercus; Miana strigilis and fasciun- cula; Miana typica - nt Se sd 75-78 | Notes for Beginners—Micro Larve for the M onth mt ae ef, 78-81 © Diptera of Dorsetshire—C. W. Dale.. : at ee We see 82-84 9] Obituary ae he ee Soar as nis} 84-85 |} Reports of Societies... a cae os a CA. BRIGGS, F-E.S., Lonpon; S: _J-CAPPER, F.L.S., F.E.S., Liverpoot ; ia D: COCKERELL, Lonpon ; | ‘Ow. DALE, F.E.S.,-Dorset; |» GEO. ELISHA, F-E.S., Lonpon ; ee ELLIS, F.E’S., STOKE-ON-TRENT ; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. + C. S. GREGSON, LIvERPOOE ; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A,, Bricuton; G. A. LEWCOCK, Eonpon. J. P..SOUTTER, BisHop AucKLAND ; PRICE SIX PENCE, WITH SUPPLEMENT. OOO eee Nee Ne BHonodon : SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUAR} JOHN GARDNER, F.E.S. HarTLEpoor; | LINNAZUS GREENING, WarRRINGTON; W. H. TUGWELL, Ph.C., Greenwicn; as SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co. a ECOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES SSa5 Each Volume is very fully allustrated wee a woodeuts, and bound in flat f cloth extva, Is. each (post free, Is. 2d.) ‘7: ‘« They contain just the kind and amount of information required. cee TPIS not easy a to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departments, can be made a commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation which 2 they well deserve can render them so.’’—Knowledge. ae ‘We have seen nothing better than this series. It is ene? concise, and practical.”—— Saturday Review. a “We are glad to call attention to this excellent series of hagdbpaks which deserve to be i widely known. . . . Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus coming 7 forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have: . . . The illustrations bi are Ae good—far better than in many expensive books.’’—Academy. . Butterflies, Moths, and § 12: Land and Fresh Water a Beetles. By W. Kirby. | Shells. By J. W. ; | Willams, J. W. Taylor, and 2. Crustaceans and Spiders. = W. Dennison Roebuck By. FP. A, Skuse; 33. Fossils: as 3. Fungi, Lichens, ete. ces By J. W. Williams. By Peter a 14. The Microscope. at ; By Vo-A. Wathen: In prep. ©) 4. Mosses. cae : eee = By James E. Bagnall, a.r.s. 15. Introduction to Zoology. || | By Bb. Lindsay [ln preparation. = 5 Pond-Life. 16. Book Collecting. * By E. A. Butler, r.z.s. By J..H. Slater. (In preparation. — | 6. Seaweeds, Sheils, and 17. Marine Shells. Fossils. By P. Gray and By J. W. Williams & others.” aa B. B. Woodward. [In preparation. | 8. Colonial Coins. -. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and | ' : Dragon- flies. By W. H. By D. F. Howorth. Bath. 1g. Grasses. 8. Col & Tok nei hy: By F. Tuinail. [In preparation. 2] . Coins okens (Englis Ee ios | By Llew. Jewitt, F.s.a.-. With 20s ae oe a Chapter on Greek Coins |- eae os ge | by Barclay V. Head. 21. Pond-Life (Alge, Diatoms * etc.) By T. Spencer Smithson” | 9. Reptiles. 22. Chess Problems By Catherine Hopley. By E. W. Rayner. io. British Birds. : 23. Postage Stamps. By H. A. Macpherson. By W. T. Ogilvie. ; epee ae. 24. Flowering Plants. 11. Silkworms. 3y James britten, F.L.s. By-E. AS Bitlet, ¥.z.s; [In preparation. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Square, LONDON. May, 1891. | Ae Oo BNiISH NATURALIST: 89 Vertebrata. ald Tele Siete Blk Dies BY LINNAEUS GREENING. (Continued from page 27.) Having briefly considered the most important structural and functional resemblances between birds and reptiles, we may now proceed to show how birds have descended from reptiles, to try to realize how the feathered flying form has arisen from the scaled creep- ing one. The facts are enough to warrant us in asserting that this has happened, but how we can only conjecture. Having found in the — Oolite strata fossils of true feathered birds, A rcha@opteryx macrura, which however, differ from existing birds in the structure of the tail, we are forced to assume that there must have been a long line of ancestors between these and the first small, four-legged, active, insectivorous, scaly tree lizard from which they were descended. Some of the des- Gendants of this early tree lizard, which were of a more active disposition than their ancestor, would have a higher temperature, which would be accompanied by some modifications of structure and of the size and shape of the scales. It is clear that any tendency of the scaly coverings to become downy, would preserve, nay, would increase the warmth of the body, accompanied by still further modi- fications of the scales. This hypothesis is confirmed by a study of the development of a feather which in its earlier stages cannot be distinguished from a scale. In other words, up toa certain point of its growth a feather is exactly like a scale, but it subsequently becomes broken up and subdivided to an extent that renders it one of the most wonderful modifications which occur in the animal kingdom. Descendants of the first down covered reptiles would vary from the parental type as it had varied from its ancestral form. These varieties would be cumulative and would be accompanied, cumulatively, by increased activity, increased temperature, and increased modification of the down, with the result that in time there would be active, insectivorous tree-lizards, which, instead of being covered with scales would possess an epidermic covering, consisting at least in part, of simple feathers. It will be observed that I say simple feathers, go THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [May because it is not certain that even Archeopteryx possessed feathers so highly specialized as those of existing birds, and as we have evidence that the early reptilian ancestors of birds were covered with simple feathers, we have the fact that chicks go through their first moult in the shell. These first feathers are long fine hair-like and barbless, and represent the early simple feathers which some of the tree-lizards were clothed with. What other explanation can be offered for the presence and loss of feathers which pass away before the chick leaves the shell. This embryonic moult is succeeded by the ordinary highly specialized feathers possessed by most existing birds. It may be also mentioned that some birds possess spurs on their wings which are representatives of the claws of their reptilian ancestors; and in some species the young use their wings like legs for crawling. The most remarkable instance of this is the Hoatzin, whose young not only have claws on the pollex and index, but in some individuals those organs are opposable; in other words the young Hoatzin not only has what corresponds to our thumb and first finger, and to the homologous toes on the lizard’s fore-feet, but it has claws at their extremities and it travels on all fours. In the adult the claws become mere warts, and the bird, though loth to rise, can fly well; but the fact that a young bird before it has got the power of flight uses its fore-limbs as legs is surely some evidence for the theory of descent from a feathered lizard; this habit is not confined to the Hoatzin, but has been observed in at least one group of British birds, the Grebes. In speaking of the fore-limbs of birds, we are reminded of a feature in their skeletal structure which is characteristic of all existing birds. The metacarpal bones, homologous to those of the palm of the hand in man, are fused, but in the famous fossil birds Archaeopteryx macruva, though in no other known species, these bones remain distinct as in reptiles. Moreover the three digits were in Archaeopteryx armed with claws and these facts are of great interest since they point out clearly the close relationship of Arvcheopteryx to the reptilian form from which it had sprung. The interest of this fact is not lessoned by the knowledge revealed to us by embryology that all modern birds pass through a stage in their development similar to that which was permanent in Archaeopteryx, 1.e.,all embryo birds have the metacarpals free, but before the hatching takes place, the metacarpals become 1891.j THE BRITISH NATURALIST. gI fused as in the adult bird. Having seen how a feathered arboreal reptile had arisen from the original scaly ancestor, it is not difficult to _ undertand that the more active ones, hopping about after their insect _ prey or gliding with outspread limbs from tree to tree, would vary in | different directions ; those which continued to go on all fours would _ not have the hands and feet feathered; the mere fact of using all four _ limbs for progression would prevent the growth of feathers on their _ under surfaces ; any tendency to an erect posture would mean that _ though there would be no feathers on the under surfaces of the hind limbs, those on the fore limbs would be well developed. It may be | said that if there was as we have assumed a development of scales into feathers this should take place all over the body, to this we must reply that as in mammals the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are devoid of hair, we may justly assume that in feathered animals, parts similar both in structure and function would be devoid of feathers. Any tendency to an erect attitude accompanied by disuse of the fore-limbs, as organs of progression or prehension, would mean _ the growth on them, as on other parts of the body, of feathers; and as the animal hopped about, or sprang from bough to bough, using its out- _ stretched fore-limbs as balancers, any variation in the direction of greater length of the feathers of the fore-limb would be advantageous | and would tend to be preserved and accentuated. It must be noted, in support of the erect posture and hopping theory, that no bird | commences to fly without first springing upwards, this applies even to sea-birds, and we all know that swifts cannot rise from the ground _ except against a strong wind, and even then only with difficulty. The well developed feathered fore-limbs which were most effective as balancers, could be used as organs of flight, and since there is reason to believe that at first flight was irregular and spasmodic, we need not doubt that as increased structural modifications and increased functional activity had so far marked the development of reptiles in an ornithic direction, so those individuals which possessed the power of even irregular flight in a somewhat greater measure than their contemporaries, would be able to get a greater variety and | quantity of food as well as possessing an advantage in securing the most . vigorous females, and thus in these various ways tending to preserve and _ accentuate their ornithic development. Arguing by analogy we may ' say, paradoxical though it sound, that the first bird was a male, for just 92 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [May as throughout the whole animal kingdom we find the principles of anabolism and katabolism associated with the female and male sexes and habits respectively, just as we find the males comparatively active and the females passive, so we are justified in supposing that the same law held good in the past, and that the first true flying feathered reptile or bird was a male. (To be continued.) Arachnida. Spider Notes. _New Spipers.—It is possible that some of your readers who may take some interest in spider lore may be glad to hear something of what has been done in arachnology during the past year. Several fine additions have been made to the British lst, which numbers now close upon 530 species. A very fine species of wheel- web spiders—Efeiva regia, C.K., closely allied to E. angulata, Clk., of the female sex—was taken near Exeter, sitting in the centre of its large web on the furze bushes; and a fine species of Tegenaria—T. larva, Sim., has been received from Ireland. Amongst the smaller sized spiders, a Tmeticus—T. nigar, F.Cb., new to science, and another pretty, little, very distinct spider, Leptyphantes (Linyphia) pinicola, Sim., were captured by the writer up on Mount Helvellyn. There are some other additions to the British list beside these, of which descriptions will be published in due course. The two Helvellyn captures have been figured and described, together with several other obscure species, in “‘Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.” for Jan., 1891. In a future number I shall hope to have something to say about some rarer species of British spiders which have been taken during the past -year. Of new books which have appeared, an American work by Dr. McCook, of Philadelphia, occupies the first place from a popular point of view. It is beautifully illustrated, and contains an amazing amount of valuable information, new and old, on the habits of spiders. A small but very valuable contribution to our knowledge of the spinning glands of Epeira diademata, Bl., has been made by Mr. Cecil War- burton, of Christ’s College, Cambridge; and the modus operandi of line spinning—a matter very difficult to investigate—has been cleverly dealt with. = ae —_— 1891.) EE ei TiSh Naw OINAL TST: 93. oe = Soon we shall hope to be able to record many rare and some new _ species of spiders, which will doubtless be ‘turned up” by the now _ gradually increasing body of naturalists who are beginning to take up - claims in this hitherto almost unnoticed gold mine. It will be seen from the above record, which is not a complete one, _ that many rich nuggets await a careful panning-out and patient search by zealous workers.—F.O.P.C., Carlisle, Jan. 26th, 1891. Insecta. | Bist yOr THE ERPIDOPTERA OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE. BY WM. REID, PITCAPLE. | Chelonia Plantaginis.—On all moors where I have collected, | but generally rather scarce, they have been captured at 2000 feet | elevation. Chelonia Plantaginis, var. ce daa —Forest of Birse, Aboyne, and Braemar, but always scarce. | Chelonia Caja.—Common everywhere, specimens with the red _ parts replaced with yellow, have now and then been bred, and I have | one with the anterior wings almost black, I have also bred several _ with the wings all black, but they were malformed. | Arctia Fuliginosa.—Common everywhere, smaller and darker _ than English specimens. | Arctia Menthastri.—Formerly abundant, has been getting | scarcer lately, spots elongated, and ground colour buffish. | Arctia Mendica.—Two were caught by Mr. Sim, near Cove | in 1873. | Liparis Auriflua.—Once in Aberdeen (Trail). Liparis Salicis.—Occasionally near Aberdeen, and once at | Peterhead ; Inverurie, and Pitcaple. 5 Orgyia Fascelina.—On all moors, but rather scarce, larve met | with more frequently. Orgyia Antiqua.—-Common everywhere, larve often abundant. Demas Coryli.—Common, larve abundant, g’scan be attracted | by a newly bred ¢ after dusk. 94 THE SRITISH NATURALUISS. [May Trichiura Cratzgi.—Larvze common on the moor, Mr. Horne has turned up this species in some abundance, the larve hybernates the first winter, and takes two years to feed up. Peecilocampa Populi.—Scarce, Inverurie, Pitcaple and Fyvie. I have recently taken the larve in some numbers near Pitcaple, the imagines are not so often seen. Eriogaster Lanestris.—Not rare at Pitcaple (introduced) the larve literally swarmed on a hawthorn hedge last year (1890) parents came originally from Essex. | Bombyx Rubi.—Larve abundant on waste ground, imagines also common. Bombyx Callunz.—Used to be our commonest Bombyx, now rather scarce. A few years ago the larve were attacked with a kind of dropsical disease, which killed them in hundreds. The Black Headed Gull has also lately paid much attention to the imagines, and in consequence the species has been gradually becoming scarcer. Larva hybernates the first winter, and the pupa the second. Odonestis Potatoria.—One taken on Murcal links many years ago (Prof. Trail’s Lepidoptera of Dee). | Endromis Versicolor.—Very scarce at Tarland and near Banchory. 7 Saturnia Carpini.—Common on all moors, emerges in June and July, and often remains two years in pupa. GEOMETRZ. Epione Apiciaria.— Mr. Tait used to take this species about Moneymusk, it has also been taken at Fyvie. Rumia Crateegata.—Abundant everywhere, second brood very scarce. Metrocampa Margaritaria.—Common everywhere. Ellopia Fasciaria.— Locally common in fir woods. The green variety has been bred occasionally. Selenia Illunaria.—Generally common, appears in May and June, not double brooded. Selenia Lunaria.—Rather local, but not rare, a dwarf variety has recently been turned up near Pitcaple. 1891.) THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 95 NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARVA: FOR THE MONTH. BY GEO. ELISHA, F.E,.S. The genial month of May is, without doubt, the busiest of all for larve, and we must now at every opportunity get away to the fields and lanes, woods and marshes, searching diligently for the larve of some of those species that are as yet undescribed, not forgetting as we stroll along to take a supply of all those we have not yet bred or become acquainted with, for we must bear in mind that although larve may be plentiful in any particular spot one season, we must not expect to find them so always. It is well then to take a supply when the opportunity occurs, for they may turn out a very local or rare species, and the advice that has been so often given with regard to the imago, viz.: take your series while you can, applies with equal force to the larve, for there are some species the larve of which are found in abundance one year, then suddenly disappear and are seen no more for several years to come ; and again, bred specimens of even the commonest species are preferable to caught ones, and insects for the cabinet should always be in the finest possible condition, and well set, notwithstanding that some recent writers affect a sneer about well set specimens with perfect fringes. It is far easier to examine and name a fine, bred, well set specimen with perfect fringes, than a dilapidated, badly set one, with imperfect fringes, and the perfect one serves its purpose, from a scientific point of view, very much better ; and again, all those who are working to elucidate the life history of any of the species whose early stages are as yet unknown, are doing good scientific work in publishing their experiences, and thus helping to complete our knowledge of the whole of the British fauna. And now we will give our attention to some of the larve that are best taken this month, and to that end will take a walk into the country, selecting for our ramble the most unfrequented lanes and paths skirting meadows and cultivated fields; but it hardly matters where we go—larve now are to be found everywhere, and it often happens a more satisfactory bag is obtained at certain times of the year, by searching neglected or waste pieces of land comparatively close at home, than by travelling many miles to some well-known locality. | 96 THEY BRVUDISH NARURALISA: [May As we pass along, the stitchwort again attracts our attention, for now the seed pods are hanging in abundance, and some of them have a faded appearance. If on opening one of these pods we find a yellowish larva with black head, it would be the larva of Gelechia maculea. It is best to cut a good bundle of the plant, putting the ends in water on arriving home, and in due time a good series will be bred. A little further on we notice the shoots of the spindle tree (/Euonymus euvopaeus ), some of which are drooping and withering; this is caused by the young larve of T. plumbellus at work within the stem, which they afterwards leave and feed externally on the leaves, under a slight web. The dense web also of T. cognatellus on the same plant cannot fail to attract attention, for these feed gregariously, spinning an immense amount of web, into which they retreat on the slightest alarm, and they are so plentiful some seasons that the spindle trees are completely defoliated by them. The buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) growing in hedges, have at this time some of the shoots drooping in a similar manner, by the larve of Laverna rhamniella feeding inside the stem ; afterwards feeding externally ; they are of a brown colour with black head. The flea-bane (Inula dysenterica) growing in the wet places by the rcadside next causes us to stop and cut some of the drawn-together tops, for we know that the larvae of Ebulea crocealts is now feeding up rapidly, and on its leaves the long, whitish cases of Coleophora troglodytella is now to be found. The sharp thorns of the bramble cause us to turn, and then we notice how some of the shoots are drawn together almost into a complete ball by the larve of A. udmanniana. 89-9 Arachnida—Spider Notes 92-9) Insecta—List of the Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire—Wm. Reid 93-9 Notes for Beginners—Micro Larve for the Month— Geo. Elisha, F.1.s. : a 95-9 Mollusca- iene ee aS T. D. A. Cockerell ea ar . Zeeks 98-9} Notes 5 # che ae eae By 99-10) Reports of Societies pee ha Cente ie Saale Ke ... 101-10) Gleanings —_. ae ... - 106-10 Notes from my Diary for 1890—John W. Ellis, a0. B:, EES. 483 .. 107-104 SUPPLEMENT — British Spiders Revd. Fred. O. VP. 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Meetings.—Thursdays, ple 7th and 2tst. HE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge, S.E. Thursday, May 14th, Thursday, May 28th, “| ANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Free Librar ) William Brown St., Liverpool, on the Second Monday of each month at 7.30. Printed by B. T. Orb, 69, High Street, Hartlepool]; and published by Messrs. SwAN | SONNENSCHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, E.C. — - ¥ — ~ Diack teen. Ralannmee 5 ce = PO Aa aiialsss ik ne, iM sot ee Ff i JUNE, 1891. Part VI. BRITISH NATURALIST : AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE i 3 : Pe OF | j NATURAL HISTORY, e S CONDUCTED BY FON E. as alee LE.S., Fartlepool, e. WITH THE. ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF ic. c. BIGNELL, FES., PLYMOUTH ; JOHN GARDNER, FES: Hantuctoor ae. ‘A. BRIGGS, F.E.S., Lonpon ; ne GREENING, WarRINGTON ES. J. CAPPER, F.L.S., F.ES., LiverPooL; C. S. GREGSON, Liverpoot : ee D. COCKERELL, LONDON; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., BRIGHTON ; “C.W. DALE, F-ESS., Dorset; GA. 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Flowering Plants. | ir. Silkworms. By James Britten, F.L.S. | By EA: Butler, He ei, | [In Mee | 9g. Reptiles. By Catherine Hopley. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN é CO., Paternoster Square, LONDON Jury, 1891. THE BRITISH NATURALIST: 137 Lepidoptera. Sere eeCriINnG IN tHe TROSSACHS IN Sie DEMS EIN @1S9o. BY A. ADIE DALGLISH. To the lover of rich colour and fine scenery, September is perhaps the-most appropriate month of the year to witness nature adorned in her fairest garments. The rich browns, and bright yellows of the foliage; golden harvest fields dotted over the landscape, and the hills and moorlands purple with the heather in bloom. Two years ago in the month of August, I spent my holidays in the far-famed Trossachs. This year, a month later, | again visited that beautiful district. I was staying with my brother at the Briz-o’ Turk, a picturesque little high- land clachan, situated at the foot of Glen Finlas. The weather during my stay was of the finest description, and the insects, though not very numerous could not be grumbled at. Among the butterflies Chortodius pamphilus still lingered to grace the heaths with its jerky flight. Vanessa uvtice was often observed winding its way over the heather; and a solitary specimen of Polyom- matus phleas was captured. Of the Noctuz, Nonagria fuive must take the lead, being most abundant wherever the ground was marshy, there it was gliding silently along at dusk in a phantom hke fashion ; a difficult insect to capture however, for if you miss it with your first stroke, it will plunge frantically into the long grass, where search is needless, or circle about with great speed, when chase is useless for you are sure to get tripped up, and perhaps find yourself in a rather uncomfortable situation. Jphena pronuba and ovvona were also common, but in a wretched condition, Xanthia cerago and X. silago occurred at the sallows, and our good friends Xylophasia polyodon and Caradrina cubicularis did not fail to make their appearance, Hadena protea could be taken commonly from the trunks of the alder; and a couple of Agriopis aprilina were procured in the same manner. An almost un- distinguishable type of Olcantha soiidaginis, made its appearance in the net one day when we were sweeping for larve, and the same evening 138 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Jury a fine Agrostis lucernea came to the lamp in our room. Single specimens of Hydvecia mctitans, and mucacea, Apamea fibrose, Noctua neglecta, Anchocelis vufina and Cosmia trapezina were taken during our stay. Of the Geometre, Epione apiciavia occured in some numbers, Ennomos tiliaria was seen several times, but only one fell to the net. Oporabia dilutata, Laventia olivata, Eupithecia sobrinata, Theva variata, Y psipetes elutata, Melanthia rubiginata, Cidaria tinmanata, C. russata, and C. pyvaliata were common; and one Geometva papilionaria was caught, (rather late in the year for this party). Several Tortices could be taken, all of which were common, though variable species. Tevas caudana, Dictyopteryx contaminana, Pedisca solandriana, P. sovdidana, Peronea variegana, P. fevvrugana, and Grapholitha nigvomaculana. On several occasions we swept the heather for larva and obtained a good number of Aunarta myrtili, Bombyx vubi, and a large number of Eupithecia which I cannot name at present. Pygera bucephala was also feeding in large colonies, divesting great branches of the oaks of their foliage. Glasgow, 1891. LIST’ OF THE LEPIDORT Hina ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRKE. BY WM. -KEID, PATCAP ICR. (Continued from page 94.) Odontopera Bidentata.—Common everywhere, and variable, very dark varieties are often taken. Crocallis Elinguaria.—Rather local, but abundant in many places, exceedingly variable. Him Pennaria.—Recorded from Aberdeen by Mr. Clark (Prof. TraiM‘ Lep. of Dee.”) Phigalia Pilosaria. —Widely distributed, and common in many places, my brother has taken this species plentifully, he finds them sitting on beech trunks. Amphidasis Betularia.—Widely distributed, and not rare, I never saw the black variety here about. mgx.] Ee “SRITISH NALURALISE. 139 Hemerophila Abruptaria.—Has only been taken near Stone- haven. Cleora Lichenaria.—-Rare, Banchory, and Monymusk. Boarmia Repandata.—Common, we only get the light bluish grey form here, excessively abundant about Banchory. Gnophos Obscurata.—Common at Muchalls. I have taken it flying by day. Dasydia Obfuscata.—Fairly common on moors almost every- where, rather lighter in colour than the Perthshire examples. Psodos Trepidaria.—Common on hills near Braemar, above esoorect (Prof, Trail’s “ Lep. of Dee.’) Geometra Papilionaria.—Braemar and Fyvie scarce, but common at Banchory: Mr. Milne, of Aberdeen, captured, and saw them flying in abundance near Banchory in 1888. The following year I went with Mr. Milne to the same place, but we only captured a few, it was also very scarce last year, 1890. Ephyra Punctaria.—Very rare, Pitcaple, Banchory, Aberdeen, Bcc. Ephyra Orbicularia.—-I have captured three or four in my own garden at Pitcaple, it has not apparently been taken anywhere else in Scotland. Ephyra Pendularia.—Not rare in birch woods, and widely distributed. I have taken the larve in Pittodrie Woods by beating the birches. Venusia Cambricaria.—RKare, Haslehead and Pitcaple. Acidalia Bisetata.—Formerly taken near Peterhead, by the late mace kev. J. Yuill. Acidalia Incanata.—Discovered near Stonehaven several years ago by Mr. Tait. Acidalia Remutata.— Peterhead (Rev. I. Ajuill.) Acidalia Fumata.—Abundant above Braemar, has not yet been taken in any other district of Aberdeenshire. Acidalia Aversata.—Abundant in marshy woods. Var. Spoliata.—Also common, but more local. Timandra Amataria.—Very local, found near Burnharvie. Cabera Pusaria.—Abundant and variable. Cabera Rotundaria.—I have a beautiful specimen which I captured in Pittodrie Wood in 1887. 140 THE OB RIGS el NAIC Ae ase [Jury - Cabera Exanthemaria.—Common, but more local than Pusaria. | Macaria Liturata.—Rather local, but widely distributed and not | rare sometimes in fir woods. Halia Wavaria.—Abundant, but very local, in some districts it is hardly ever seen, e. g., Pitcaple. | Scodiona Belgiaria.—Rather scarce, but generally on all moors. Fidonia Carbonaria.—Not uncommon on the hills near Braemar. Fidonia Atomaria.—Excessively abundant and variable. Fidonia Piniaria.—Also very common. We only get the ¢’s with white ground colour. The ¢?’s are small and dark, quite different from the English. Fidonia Pinetaria.—Locally common. Braemar, Derucleugh, &C. Abraxas Grossulariata.—Abundant about Aberdeen, Woodside, Old Meldrum, &c. Also common at Pitcaple (introduced). Before I introduced the species it was one of our rarest Lepidopterons, now it is too abundant, and the sexes show a curious tendency to dimorphism. Lomaspilis Marginata.—Local, but not rare. All our spect- mens tend to have a continuous band across the centre. Hybernia Aurantiaria.—Not common. Hybernia Progemmaria.—Local, but not rare. Wedon’t get the very dark form here. Hybernia Defoliaria.—Not rare about Pitcaple, but rare else- where. Chematobia Brumata.—Excessively abundant. Oporabia Dilutata.—Abundant everywhere; variable. Oporabia Filigrammaria.—Local, and not very common. Oporabia Autumnaria.—Rare. Near Banchory and Braemar. Larentia Didymata.— Excessively common. Abundant on Ragwort flowers just before sundown. Larentia Muitistrigaria.—Abundant. Larentia Geesiata.—Swarmis on all moors, rises from the rocks and stone fences in hundreds at the approach of the collector. I have often taken them almost black. Larentia Salicata.— Rather scarce, but not rare. A very ‘‘skittish” species, and not easily approached. Larentia Olivata.— Local. Common on Ragwort and other flowers at night. Very easily taken. (To be continued.) 1891.) — Ppa iisti NATURALIST: 141 nea wKOrnMORINA (OF BRIAN, BW jn Wo Waray” oss (Continued from page 46.) O. distans, Zell.—This pretty little double-brooded species appears to be almost entirely restricted to the coast sands, and to the “ Breck ” district, which is practically an old coast line; it is therefore very local, and rarely occurs in any abundance. SynonymMy—Distans, Zell. “Isis” (1847), 903, ‘‘ Linn. Ent. Zeit.,” Men foo.) V., p. 372; Frey 408; Tutt, “ Ent. Record,” I., 94. Tristis var. b. Zell. Isis” (1847), 38. Didactyla, Haw., 477: This species was added to the British list by Lord Walsingham, who captured imagines near Thetford, in 1868. Dr. Jordan first referred to them in the ‘“‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 122, as O. /@tus. They retained this name until some 12 years after, when Dr. Jordan wrote :—‘“‘ The Oxypftilus caught near Thetford and in other parts of our Eastern counties is changed from /etus to distans. There is no doubt about this. Prof. Zeller first pointed out the mistake to me several years ago; l@tus is a smaller insect, and indeed very different” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XVIII., @ei22).. In the same volume (January, 1882) Mr. C. G. Barrett; p. 178, writes:—‘‘ Distans is larger, darker in colour, and coarser- looking than /Jetus, but I cannot find any reliable distinctions in markings between them, that is, between typical distans and letus received from Professor Zeller. The original British specimens from near Thetford, to which the name /etus was applied, were second-brood specimens taken late in July, 1868, and these were lighter and brighter coloured than those of the first brood, which was not met with, either in that or the following year. I remember very well the day—June 4th, 1870—when the first specimens of the first brood were taken, when about thirty fell to two nets at Brandon. Of these, the majority were larger and decidedly darker in colour than those of the second brood, and agreed accurately with types of distans ; and whenever, in subsequent years, I collected at Brandon in June, | found these typical distans mixed with specimens inclining towards the brighter-coloured form, of which the second brood was mostly composed. There can, therefore, be no doubt whatever that Dr. Jordan is correct in applying 142 LAE BRITISH: NATURAL ISar [Juty the name distans to our insect, and, I think, very httle doubt that letus is a variety of the same species. I admit a little doubt on the point, seeing that a very few specimens have been taken at Folkestone of an Oxyptilus, which agrees absolutely with Continental /etus, but is rather paler than any Brandon specimens I have seen, and, as far as I know, the distans form has not been taken at Folkestone. Probably this only requires looking for, but it would, doubtless, be rare in that neighbourhood. I think I am at liberty to say that Prof. Zeller is also now of opinion that distans and letus form but one species.” That letus is simply the second brood of distans appears to be perfectly certain. The first brood at Deal is dark like the Brandon and Thet- ford distans, while the second brood is much paler and generally smaller. -I have specimens from Dover and Folkestoné in my col- lection quite as dark as the darkest Norfolk specimens. But the month following Mr. Barrett’s explicit note on the species, Mr. South wrote his first instalment of the ‘‘ Contributions to the history of the British Pterophori,’ and apparently in direct opposition to Mr. Barrett’s views of the previous month, stated : — The insect taken in Norfolk, and hitherto referred_to this species, should be labelled distans, Zell., in our cabinets. 1 was fortunate enough to meet with the true lzins in North Devon during the last week in July,* but only secured three specimens. I understand that in Kent and North Devon are the only known British localities for /etws, and at neither place has distans been seen. On the other hand, in Norfolk, at the locality for distans, letus does not appear to occur” (‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XV., p- 35). Mr. South then entered into minute differences and considered that they formed ‘trustworthy points of distinction.” This state- ment entirely ignored all the work that had been done by Prof. Zeller, Dr. Jordan and Mr. C. G. Barrett; but ‘alter waitine | ‘severae years Mr. South wrote: — ‘Examination .of an extensive series of O. distans has convinced me that i was wrong in my conclusion (that distans and lgius were distinct). The points of difference I relied on will not hold, and /@tus must sink as a bie) species’ (“‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XXII., p. 33). Thus) alter sevem years, Mr. South had arrived at exactly the same result that Mr. Barrett had reached a month before Mr. South commenced to write about the ‘“‘plumes’’, by exactly the same process—the examina- * The very date Mr. Barrett had previously given for the second brood=/etus.—J.W.T. 1891. |. ii pki tSh NAT ORAS I. Ya04g tion of a long series. There is no doubt, I think, but that Haworth’s didactyla (taken in Norfolk) is synonymous with distans, Zell. In the ‘‘ Hntomologist’s Record,” Vol. I., p. 94, I have written the following : ‘“‘ Haworth describes his species as : ‘Alucita (the spotted moth plume). Alis patentibus sordide ferrugineis, fascia punctisque albis, anticis bifidis, posticis trifidis. Habitat apud nos valde infrequens. Etiam meeom, Not., kev. |. Burrell.’ This reference to Nortolk is very suggestive of distans, and the description “ sordide ferrugineis’’ could only be applied to this of our British species; distans, too, 1s par excellence a Norfolk species. Haworth’s remark, after describing farvidactyla, is very interesting, and affords the strongest possible clue to his didactyla and hetevodactyla. We writes of parvidactyla :—-‘‘ This is the smallest of our ‘‘ Plume’”’ moths, and it is also one of the rarest. Its characters are almost exactly the same as in the two preceding articles; yet its dimitutive size as a species renders it very distinct.” This remark, coupled with the description and locality he gives, seems to settle the species conclusively as the species we know now as distans, Zell. Of course didactyla, Haw., sinks as a synonym of distans, Zell., there being already a didactyla, Linn.” * Imaco—-The anterior wings of this species are divided into two lobes, the tips of the lobes acute. The colour pale ochreous-brown, With the costa rather darker, but the extreme edge of the costa, near the tip, much paler, almost white. There are three more or less abbreviated fascie passing transversely across the anterior wings— (1) a pale crescentic fascia at the end of the fissure ; (2) a pale, broad fascia, made of two crescents placed cbliquely and forming an acute angle near the termination of the fissure ; (3) a narrower fascia forming acrescent. Fringes the same colour as the wings. Posterior wings brown, with paler fringes, divided into three plumules, the third having a tuft of black scales beyond the middie, and a few white scales at the base. Head and thorax colour of fore wings; abdomen colour of hind wings. Mr. C. G. Barrett (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Maga- zine,’ Vol. XXV., p. 431) writes :—-‘‘ Its pale fasciz are so placed as to resemble crescents, especially when the insect is alive and at rest.” Zeller’s diagnosis of the species is as follows :—‘‘ Distans, Z. (p. 345)— Major, alis antcrioribus luteofuscentibus, laciniis obsolete albido- bistrigais, arcis laciniz posterioribus marginali albido; digiti tertio 99 tertis dorsa longe ante apicem atro-squamato (Jf 2)”. 144 THE- BRITISH NATURALIST. [Jury | ~ VariaTion—The species exhibits a slightly dimorphic condition in its two broods ; the first brood (distans) being generally darker and | more strongly marked; the second brood being smaller, paler, and | brighter coloured, but with rather less distinct markings. The paler | form is the var. /etus. Some of the first brood occasionally are pale, | while some of the second brood frequently approach the dark color- | ation more generally associated with the early brood. The comparative rarity of the early brood led to the species being only known for so | many years as letus. The synonymy of var. Jetus is as follows:— | Letus, Zell..““lsis?(1847)3.903;-Sdkinn nt. Zeit aa vel. 5. 34 Ope ae V ap: 37355 °Mill. *“Icon.” 195-3335. Plate XOX A 7-1) Ee eridacty lose Sabra Ann sSoci Fr, 1eba eu eine ae Larva—The larva of this species is unknown in Britain. In the | “ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 122, Dr. Jordan | writes :—‘‘ On the Continent O. /ewtus feeds on the flowers of Andryala | sinuata ; it is probable that in England some species of Hieracium | would be chosen.” Mr. Stainton, Vol. VI., p. 36, mentions that ] Mons. Milliére had noticed the larva in his ‘‘ Iconographie,” Vol. I., | P- 331, pl. 39. Pupa—Of the pupa also very little is known. Mr. Stainton | (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, Vol. VI., p. 36) writes :—‘On | the 6th of May Monsieur Milliére sent me from Cannes a larva on | - Andryala sinuata. This is a Composite plant, with the underside of | of the leaf clothed with fluffy down. The larva, which was that ofa | plume already noticed by M. Milliére in his ‘‘ Iconographie,” Vol. L., | 331, pl. 39, under the name of Oxyftilus letus, had already assumed — the pupa state before it reached me. But it had almost completely | buried itself in the fluffy down on the under side of one of the leaves, | and hence, instead of the pupa being fully exposed, as is usual with | the ‘‘ Plume” pupez, whether they are naked like fuscus, or hairy like | pentadactylus, this was almost as well concealed as if it had been ina | cocoon, only a portion of the head end and a little piece of one side © being left exposed to view.” TIME OF APPEARANCE, &c.—The species, as previously mentioned, is double-brooded, occurring first in May and June, and again in July | and August. My own dates at Deal seem to be pretty continuous | from about the 28th of June to August roth, the time of the year I | the two broods, although there is no doubt they are distinct enough, | _ 1891.] ih, BRASH NATURALIST. 145 principally spend there, and so far, I have been unable to distinguish the dates overlapping in different years. In Vol. 1X. of the “ Ento- mologist’s Monthly Magezine,” pp. 18-20, Mr. C. G. Barrett obtained the first brood at Thetford in the middle of June, flying sparingly in the afternoon sunshine; whilst he obtained the second brood in the beginning of August, flying at sunset. Mr. Warren (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXII., p. 255) found the species ‘“‘in June and on through the summer in profusion” at Tuddenham. It was taken in some abundance in July, 1889, at Dover. Mr. Purdey records it ‘on June 8th, between Dover and St. Margaret’s Bay, and on July mmieatew more at Weal, at the Sandwich end of the sand hills” i mtomologist,’ Vol. XXIII., p. 346). Hasirat—lI believe the species is restricted in England to coast districts and the “‘ Breck” district in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is more especially found on sand hills quite near the sea. It has been taken on the Devon coast, on various parts of the Kent coast, and several localities in the ‘‘ Breck” district, Brandon, Thetford, and Tuddenham being its chief centres. On the Continent it is not uncommon locally in central and southern Europe, but it appears to be unknown in the north. (To be continued. ) metres FOR BEGINNERS-—MICKO LARV 4 QUES SU I ROMN aM: BY GEO); ELISHA, F.E.S. The hot sultry days of July have at times an enervating influence hard to resist, and makes one inclined to be indolent, but many species occurring this month feed up rapidly and are soon gone, so we must keep steadily on, and endeavour to do our collecting in the early morning, finishing by noon, for larva are then pretty plentiful, after which many drop to the ground by their silken threads during the scorching heat of midday, coming up again towards evening. Many species occurring last month are to be obtained the begin- ning of this, and others which are to be seen sparingly now, may be taken in abundance a month or two later on, so we will now more 146 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. ~ [JuLy particularly give our attention to a few of those only found at this time. If we examine the Maple trees we shall now find some of the leaves rolled up from the tip to about half of the leaf, on opening which a pale green larva with brown head will be observed; this is the larva of Grac. semifasciella. On the neighbouring ash trees some of the shoots will be found drawn together and the leaves partly eaten away, if on carefully picking off the shoot we find an extremely lively bright green larva with dark dorsal line, it would be the larva of Zell. hepariella, they must be taken very carefully for they drop to the ground directly the shoot is touched; when full grown they spin up among the leaves, making pure white cocoons, the imago ap- pearing towards the end of the month. The red berried bryony (Bryonta dioica) growing in such luxuriance all over the adjoining hedge, next claims our attention, for the shoots are drawn together into a ball by the larva of P. vugosana, these larva spin hard boat shaped cocoons, not changing to the pupa till the following spring. On some of the leaves of the hawthorn over which the bryony is growing we cannot fail to observe the very curious cases of Col. siccifoliella, which are easily detected by the brownish blotches on the leaves. The case of this species is the most interesting of all this large family of case making larva, and is formed by the larva cutting off four or five times as much of the leaf as is required for its case, folding one edge over and lining it wlth silk for its habitation, the other part remains extended, which, when dry, exactly resembles a withered leaf; when fuil fed they fix their cases to the stems firmly, changing to pupa in the spring. We shall also notice some of the leaves of the hawthorn have the edges turned over into a sort of cone, on opening some of these the pale greenish larva of Ovnix anglicella will be seen busy gnawing the leaf, many of these cones will be found empty, for the larva after eating out the inner side of one cone leaves it, and constructs another. While looking for these cones we shall probably notice other leaves which have silken threads drawn across the upper surface, causing the leaf to contract slightly, and underneath an open web a little lower will be seen a slender lively larva, attenuated to each end, yellowish, with reddish brown subdorsal lines, and brown head, this would be the larva of Swam. pyrella. On the neighbouring birches feeding in exactly the the same manner, the 1891.] The BRIPISH NATURALIS®, 147 pale green larva with dark dorsal line of Swam. griseocapitella are sure © to be observed if looked for. We continue our pleasant walk, which during this month and the next is most enjoyable before the sun gets very high, but have not proceeded far when a large clump of mugwort (Artemisia vulgams ) attracts our notice, and we are soon busy filling a tin box with the mined, bladdery looking leaves containing the larva of Gvrac. omissella, these leaves are best put into a flower pot, tied over with a piece of calico and placed on the ground, with a piece of glass a little raised over the top to keep off superfluous wet, when a fair number will be bred. Now we will take a few of the tops of the Eptlobium hirsutum growing at the side of the ditch, for they contain the larva of Lav. _ fulvescens, for our series of this insect requires renewing occasionally. We must also take some of those mined leaves of the woody night- shade (Solanum dulcamarva) growing in the hedge, for they contain the larva of G. costella. ‘We will now again make our way to that damp spot where the | Epilobium angustifolium is growing freely, for now is the time when the larva of Lav. vaschkiella is to be found mining the leaves; these larva _ feed up rapidly, four or five days suffice from the time they begin _ mining the leaf to the time they are full fed and quitting it to spin up among the rubbish, many of these keep coming out during August, but the majority do not emerge till the following June and July, so that in breeding them the rubbish at the bottom of the cage ought not tobe disturbed. The leaves of the alder are now being rolled up by the larva of P. immundana, and some of them mined by the larve of Lith. alnifoliella and Stettimella, another larva is also rolling up the leaves longitudinally, viz.: Gvac. elongella, which is whitish green with dark dorsal line. The seeds of the cowslip (Primula officinalis ) should now be examined for the larva of FE. ciliana, and the dwarf sallows in open heathy places for the larve of P. hastiana. The larva of T. mediana are at this time to be found among the seeds of various _umbellifere, and the larva of CG. dentella in seeds of Cherophyllum on _ dry hedge banks. In sandy places on broken ground by the sea shore where the common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is growing commonly, the flowers ee and seeds should be examined at this time for the larva of Gel. vilella, which fixed on the flowers when young, and afterwards on the unripe 148 THE -BRIVISH NATURALIST: [JuLy seeds. When small these larva are whitish, gradually becoming a dull pink when full fed, I have only found them in one long straggling locality, but in that one place have seen them at times swarming on every plant. The sea buckthorn (Hippophe rhamnoides) a shrub that on this broken ground near the sea shore cannot fail to attract our attention at this time, for the terminal shoots are twisted and distorted by the larva of Gel. hippophaella, these larva are pale yellowish green with black spots and and head brown, very local, not always to be seen where the food plant is growing. The sea spurge (Euphorbia pavalias ) which is generall to be found where the sea buckthorn is grow- ing, must at this time be examined, for some of the tops will appear brownish and drooping, this is caused by the larva of S. euphorbiana which feed inside the top of the stem. In the tops of the rest harrow the larva of P. phedactylus may be taken commonly at the beginning of the month. The flowers of the ox eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) should be examined now for they are out at the full, when some will be observed having a few of the florets drawn over and fastened down with silk, these should be collected for they contain larva of a few species of Sciaphila, two of which, viz.: pasivana and sinuana I have repeatedly bred many specimens. In places where Glyphipteryx fischeriella occurs the seed heads of the cocks foot grass (Dactylus glomerata) should be gathered, from which a beautiful series — of the insect may be bred. 122, Shepherdess Walk, N. THE ,GENUs;. ACKRONY CTA ea wer: As I am wholly responsible for the citations in Mr. Butler’s paper, © which Mr. Lewcock complains of (pp. 133-134), L should like to say a few words in explanation. (1.) Itis an established rule in nomenclature that when a new name comes into use, the person who first proposes that name ina recognized publication is to be cited as its author. Zoologists, asa rule, cite only the author of the specific name; while Botanists usually cite the author of the binomial. To be precise, it is necessary to cite both, the first within brackets, unless, of course, the species was first described under the same generic name as is now used for it, when the author of the species and of the binomial are the same. 1891. | Ei Peel iS PNATURA ENS T. 149 (2.) It is obvious that when a new name is published its author must be assumed to be he who signs the article in which it appears, in the absence of evidence to the contrary. (3.) Consequently, in quoting the new binomials which appeared in the ‘“‘ Ent. Record,” I had no option but to vive the authors’ names as I did. If the Editor is really responsible, let it be so stated, and we can quote accordingly. (4.) Of course, I hold most strongly that an Editor has no right to alter the nomenclature of his contributors without expressly stating that he has done so. Should he make such alterations without ex- planation, and the contributors are unwilling to stand responsible for them, they can only set matters right by publishing the facts. This Mr. Lewcock has now done, and his name need no longer be quoted for the binomial in question.—T. D. A. CockERELL, May 2gth, 1891. THE GENUS ACRONYCTA AND ITS SUB-DIVISIONS VIMINIA, CUSPIDIA, AND Bisutcia.—Mr. Lewcock is right in his remarks re the genus mcronycia. No cne has ever worked out the genus ab ovo as Dr. Chapman has done, and no author has ever proposed sub-divisions based on fundamental distinctions agreeing with Viminia, Cuspidia, and Bisulcia. Dr. Chapman has had to criticize the superficial paper on the genus, published by Mr. Butler in the ‘“‘ Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond.,” 1879, and I would kindly hint that this criticism is the root of Mr. Butler’s active opposition to Dr. Chapman’s sub-genera. Mr. Butler well knows that as matters now stand, Hiubner’s Pharetra, Trina, and Arctomyscis respectively have no connection with Dr. Chapman’s sub-genera, as Hiibner’s species overlap in every instance, and Avrctomyscis does not even contain the type of Bisulcia. I must own I do not see, if Hubner’s genera are so bad, why Mr. Butler should in future ‘“‘ be quoted as the author of the genera which Hiibner has indicated.” If these genera are to have a new sponsor, in the name of common sense let an author who understands his subject be held responsible. So far as | am concerned, and until I Can see a more satisfactory reason than the “ego” of Mr. Butler, I shall continue to use them (Dr. Chapman’s) as a testimony that names are subservient to science, and not science subservient to mames. Sev. Lurr, June ist, 1891. _ By the courtesy of the Editor I have been enabled to peruse the foregoing notes, and with his permission add a few remarks 150 TE BRITISH UNATURALIS®. [ JuLy to the controvessy. Mr. Cockerill, according to the theory he advances, has evidently erred in placing my name after the term Cuspidia. If the so-called Laws of Priority still hold good, and, in the absence of a proposer, the person who first applies the term toa class of insect in a generic sense is to be declared the sponsor, let us keep to the rule. By referring to page 130 of the Record, under the signature of Dr. Buckell (dated June and, 1890), and page 136, Rev. B. Smith (June 30th), two instances of usage prior to my report will be found. It must, therefore, be plain to anyone that the ‘‘ Bibli- ography” is not drawn up according to the Entomological “ Cocker.” Respecting other assertions, and the inferences drawn therefrom, | really must decline to entertain them.—G. A. LEwcocx. ~The puzzling and perplexing errors referred to above might appear to have been specially contrived for the bewilderment of the future synonymist, and it must be distinctly understood that we do not endorse all the statements contained in the communications of our esteemed correspondents [Briefly stated, the case stands thus :— Dr. Chapman, in Magazine No. 1, divided the genus Acronycta into three groups, from certain characteristics observable in the pupal stave. To these groups he gave names, but he did not, in doing so, propose to create new genera, and asa matter of fact he has not in any case, used these pupal terms in a generic sense. Netherless the terms have crept into use, as if of generic value, and their authorship attributed, not to Dr. Chapman, but to three other gentlemen men- tioned in ‘“‘ bibhography ”’ of the same Magazine.: | Mr. A. E. Butler, in Magazine No. 2, referring to a former division of the genus by Hubner, and to a paper by himself on the same subject printed elsewhere, states that Hubner’s names have priority over the new names. ‘ Mr. Lewcock, in Magazine No. 3, (in which he has editorial responsibilites’, very properly repudiaties the authorship of the term Cuspidia, and this he does without expressing any opinion as to the desirability of dividing the genus, his encomiums being given to the manner in which Dr. Chapman had worked out the life histories. Mr. L. shows further, in the above note, that the term Cuspidia did not first appear over his name. Mr. Tutt, in the next place, in his new work on Varieties, uses Dr. Chapman’s pupal terms, but only as of sub-generic value giving that a EE 1891.] hi SIVERIS ES NA ORLA Sa: 151 gentleman’s name as the authority for them. But Mr. Tutt, in the above note, assumes more than has been expressed by Dr. Chapman, who still calls the genus Acronycta. As sub-generic terms are not used, we do not follow our friend when he says he will ‘‘ continue ‘to use them.” There is nothing we deplore so much in Entomology as the constant and purposeless alterations in nomenclature, and in the present confused state of the names of Lepidoptera, it would be dreadfully embarrassing for an Editor to give up control over those used in the pages of his magazine, whilst a foot-note appended to every paragraph containing alterations would be a reflection on the intelligence of his contributor. The case given above is a strong illustration of the necessity of what we have so often urged in the “Young Naturalist” and elsewhere, viz.: that there should be a recognized authority for nomenclature, and that no new name, or alteration of an old one, should be accepted without the sanction of such authority. As matters stand at present, instead of names being made subvervient to science, science is made subvervient to nomen- clature, and so it will be while purposeless changes are insisted on by those who ought to know better.—Ep. “ B. N.” Notes. D. capsopuiLa, &c.—D. capsophila has been out some days, and | have taken several. If the weather would change I would be able to get Barretiti. L. egeria is common here.—E. R. Curzon, Dublin, 4th June, 1801. AMERICAN AND ENGLisH LEepipopTERA.—What lovely little things your Zygende are. Filipendule is exquisite, so 1s Geryon. Your © Leucamas resemble our Californian forms in their richer colours, except Impura, which is almost a fac-simile of our Pallens. Our Agrotis C. nigrum is very like your Noctua C. nigrum, but the colours are quite different when compared, and yours is a much smaller and slighter insect. Your Tviphena are fine insects, of which we have but one representative, Chaudingi, about the size of your mterjecta.—EmMILy L. Morton, New York. J... ee ee, EE ee 152 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Juty LEUCANIA LITHARGYRIA, VAR.—In July last I bred a singularly curious aberration of L. lithargyria from a larva collected in the pre- ceding April at Delamere Forest. It varies from normal lithargvria in having its hind wings pale silvery-gray, broadly margined with a dark gray band, as clearly marked as some of our ‘“‘ Underwings,” which in its hind wings it somewhat resembles. It has been pretty well exhibited, and more than one has suggested it might possibly be a hybrid, a view I do not concur with, otherwise out of the score of © a) larve from which the specimen was bred, I think it extremely likely I should have had more if they had been hybrids, as they were all collected in the same lane. It was one of the last pupe to emerge ; Iwas getting suspicious about any more coming, for I always look diffidently on the tail-end of my pupz, nearly always setting the first comers, which invariably are the finest insects. I was certainly fortunate in getting this specimen, indeed I was really in luck’s way, for on the very evening I got the larva, I obtained a single larva of Aplecta nebulosa on mountain ash, which came out a splendid black variety.—]. COoLLins, Warrington. EXTRAORDINARY ABUNDANCE OF PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA.-—Plutella xylostella is at all times a common insect, but this year it has appeared in countless numbers. An occasional specimen turned up during last week, but on the 24th inst. they appeared in thousands in the streets, on the quay side, in houses, and in fact everywhere. At night, in the country, every step one took they rose in clouds, and it was simply an impossibility to do any micro collecting, with the single exception of Plutella xylostella. Yesterday added to their number considerably, and I counted 50 sitting on the wall of my house yard, and doubtless there were aS many more which I did not observe. The 24th inst. also ushered in our old friend Plusia gamma, much to the delight of our | | amateur collectors, who managed to fill every box at the Campion flowers, but, ‘“‘experentia docet,” they will get to know better in time. —J. GarvNER, Hartlepool, 26th June, 1891. Larve. [risH Nores.—I have little fresh to tell you. The weather con- tinues very bad; gales of wind and rain every day render anything like work quite out of the question. I have a nice lot of agathina larve feeding well, and am also breeding impluviata. I have also a long 1891.) THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 153 series of very red meticulosa. I have a brood of exoleta feeding. Among smaller species] have a lot of wdmanniana larvee and Gel. - leucomelanella mining in the shoots of Silene; the larva is dirty green, with a black head, it killls the shoot and ejects a quantity of yellow | frass, but it is far from common. Iam not sure whether the larva has | been described or not. The cases of the common Psyche are abundant this year, as are also those of the Solenobia on lichen among the rocks, but no one has ever bred the ?. E. lineolalis is scarce this season ; I find it under Lichen geographicus on the rocks.—E. R. Curzon, | Dublin. Obituary. ROQWIEIRIE GiULJLO, lipicenmiunedeep teeret that we record the death of our esteemed contributor, Mr. Robert Gullo, of Bath, which took place on April Bin, 18091. Robert Gillo was born in the City of Bath in January, 1842, and was educated at Prior Park Roman Catholic College. In his child- hood he became an observer of nature, and spent much of his spare time in the fields and lanes of the beautiful country surrounding his native city. He developed a taste for art, and when about nineteen _ years of age, after preparation at home, he passed to South Kensington, where his career was very successful. For a time he followed the profession of art teacher. About 1864 he settled in Bridgewater, where he devoted himself to photography. Whilst residing in that town he married Miss Jane Sams Cogle, and there his only son was born. Eventually he became almost entirely engaged in the preparation of photographic slides for lantern use, chiefly of scientific objects. This branch of work deeply interested him, for it enabled him to increase and utilize his knowledge of natural science. In 1881 he retired from active participation in business and returned to Bath. But relaxation from the pressure of business engagements did not mean for him absence of occupation. From study in various directions he had ob- tained a large store of information. He was not unacquainted with Chemistry, Geology, and Mechanics, but it was in the use of the microscope and the investigation of Coleoptera that he excelled. Many a summer day did he spend in the search for specimens. This ————————— eee = _ eS vs) THE BRITISH NATURALIST. (Jury jabour of love resulted in the formation of a valuable collection, pre- | pared and classified with minute care. He was ever eager to welcome a brother Naturalist, and to seek and to give information on debated points. He was an active member of the Bath Microscopical Society, and served as one of its Vice-Presidents, and twice declined nomination as President. His name was down on their Rota card for a paper to be read on 7th April, on Sexual Bimorphism of British Beetles. It is probable the paper was never prepared, for he was confined to his bed ~ for some months, and died two days after the day fixed for it being read. Mr. Gillo took a warm interest in this magazine, was a member of the Coleopterous section of the Exchange Club, and by his contr1- butions to our pages and recommendations to his many friends, greatly assisted in placing it in the front rank on this subject. He was a pleas- ant and agreeable man in company, and we have lost a kind friend. Arachnida. Spider Notes. The months that have just passed, and September and October, are perhaps more prolific in spiders than any others in the year. — Collectors must now look sharp with leaf-shaking in woods, and moss and dry grass-shaking, because soon the green summer herbage will be springing and choking up their hunting grounds. He will then take to the sweeping net and umbrella There is plenty of work for the latter now amongst the Gorze blossom, the small, rich, red little Lingphia dorsalis is now adult and abundant. The small, dark, black Dictyna latens can also be beaten” from the Gorse, besides the swiftly-running, crab-liike Philodromus auveolus, which often in its escape seizes a fellow captive to keep it company. Many others, young and old, will fall into the umbrella, and few of them will the beginner be able to identify. In marshy places quantities of nice little things may now be found amongst the sedge roots, Gongylidium bituberculatum being perhaps one of the commonest; remarkable for the pair of rounded humps above the eyes, well calculated to render him (for the male only is thus developed) liable to a couple of headaches at once. Of the same genus, tuberosum p89r.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 155 is now adult, and its near ally g7bbosum soon will be both found on the mud in marshy swamps. The peat Diving spider Argyroneta aquatica “is adult towards the end of June. Try any stagnant (not stinking) are pools with a net, or rake about with a stick till something happens. | know of no definite method of capturing this fine, interesting spider. Amougst the wheel-web specimens, the Orbitelarie—Epeira cornuta may be found nearly adult in its little nest, constructed in the rush head on the margins of streams. A rarer though closely-allied species, patagiata, | am now finding in plenty, adult and young, in the Carlisle district. The dusk is the best time for the Epeiride ; many of them do not construct webs till the evening, or at all events make new ones or mend old ones to intercept the gay and giddy moth, who will venture forth when any decent insect should be snoozing. How wonderfully nature has arranged all these httle things for the benefit of her offspring. The fine, great Celotes atropos is adult, and to be found under stones in some parts of the country. I believe it will be abundant in all the northern counties. Amaurobius fenestvalis, a smalier species, closely allied to the common one in our out-houses, is abundant, and adult, under stones in the loose stone walls in the country round the town. In greehouses Theridion tepidariorum can be tound, and her large buff or grey piriform cocoon ; also the scarlet banded Th. pictwm is beginning to construct her beautiful little tent-lhke domocile amongst holly bushes or other shrubs. Her near ally Th. sisyphium (nervosum) is also hard at work, in gorse, holly, etc. I really must stop however, for there is no end to the prattle of the arachnologist on the material whereof he may make much ado at this season of the year. Spiders begin to get scarcer this July and August. If anyone would care to have a few of their captures named for them as Landmarks in classification | shall be happy to name them.— Bey. F. ©. P. CAmpBrinGs, 5, Henry Street, Carlisle, May 30th, 1891. Gleanings. PLUSIA BIMACULATA, STEPHENS — P. VERTICILLATA, GUENEE.—- Sythe “*.M.M.” for June, (p. 163), Dr. Mason gives the evidence Which has proved that the insects recognised by these names are 156 PH SRLS ON AA WIRAIE LS a [Juv identical, and of which Acuta, Walker is another synonym. He ~ states it is a species with a very wide range and that specimens are in — the British Museum from many parts of Asia, from Africa, and from Australia. A Specimen of this insect, recorded as Acuta, Walker, (‘CE.M.M.,” vii, p. 8,) was taken at Tunbridge Wells, in June, 1870. 9 It was then stated that a single specimen from Congo, Africa, repre- | sented the species in the British Museum. We find Bimaculata, Stephens, in the list of Canadian Lepidoptera, so that it would ; appear to occur in North America also. It seems to be one of those species which has been blessed with several names, and recorded under each, to the mystification of all concerned. Report of Society. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. Fune 3rd, 1891.—Mr. Frederick Du Cane Godman, M.A., F.R.S., President, in the chair. Mr. J. M. Ayde, of Somerford Grange, Christchurch, Hants, and the Rev. John Seymour St. John, B.A., of 42, Castlewood Road, Stamford Hill, N., were elected Fellows; and Mr. R. A Dallas Beeching was admitted into the Society. Mr. E. B. Poulton exhibited living larve of Endvomis versicolora, and commented on their habits. Mr. W. F. H. Blandford called.attention to the fact that the larve of Liparis monacha remained in small groups on the bark of the tree for about a week after emerging from the eggs, and that this fact was taken advantage of by the German foresters to destroy them. Also that he had himself verified the statement that uric acid can be detected in the malpighian tubes of insects. Mr. M’Lachlan agreed that the demonstration that the malpighian tubes were of the nature of renal organs was now satisfactory. : Mr. C..J. Gahan exhibited two species of Coleoptera that he considered to possess a mimetic resemblance, viz.: Estigmena chinensis, one of the Hispidg, and a nondescript Lamiid allied to Pemptolasius. He called attention to a peculiar structure of the antenne in the latter by which the resemblance was increased. ; Mr. Tutt exhibited a hybrid between Amphidasis prodvomaria and A. betularia, — obtained by Dr. Chapman. Mr. Stainton commented on the fact that the two insects appeared at different times; and Mr. Tutt stated that the A. betulavia had been subjected to forcing, so as to cause it to emerge at the same time as A. prodromaria. Mr. Tutt also exhibited forms of Cavadrina, some of which he said were considered — distinct on the Continent, though they were not recognised as such in this country, ~ viz.: Cavadvina tavaxaci (blanda), C. superstes, Tr., from Sligo, and C. superstcs, H.-S considered as synonymous with swuperstes, Tr., but apparently more closely allied to C. ambigua. Mr. Bristowe exhibited varieties of Avctia menthastri, some of which had been fed on mulberry and others on walnut ; no difference was observed in the variation. Mr. G. Elisha exhibited larve in their cases of Coleophora vibicigerella and C. maritimella. Mr. A. G. Butler communicated a paper entitled ‘‘Additional notes on the syn- | onymy of the genera of Noctuid Moths.”—Davip SuHarp, V.P., Acting Secretaary. No other Reports have es us up to going to Press. 8 JUL. Q| ee _ ADVERTISEMENTS. EXCHANGE. _ ExcHance.—DeEstpERATA.—Land and Fresh Water Mollusca of Britain, in exchange for ‘Land, Fresh Water, and Marine Mollusea of North America. —-A. H. GARDNER, P.O. Box 62. Pay Ridge. Ms. United States of America. DuPpLicatEes.—Pupe of Philanthiformis. DESIDERATA.—Ova, larve, pupe: or bred insects for renewing.—H. Mtrray, Lowbank Villas, Carnforth. Dupticates.—H. pomatia,’ H. cantiana, Buliminus obscurus with variety alba, Clausilia laminata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Ccecilianella, acicula. Desiderata——H. revelata, _ 4H. fusca, Buliminus montanus, Pupilla secale, Clausilia biplicata, Cochlicopa tridens, Stenogyra goodallii, or other land shells (British) not in collection.—E. W. Swanton, Doddington, Sittingbourne, Kent. ; DupLicaTes.—Podalirius, Alexanor, Apollo, Jasius, Cassandra, Cleopatra, and many other _ French butterflies in very. fine condition. D£EstprrRatTa.—Numerous British Geometre and _ Noctue, or larve or pupe.—T. Mappison, South Bailey, Durham. EXCHANGE.—Algerian Coleoptera, and numerous duplicates of shells, in exchange for land and fresh water species of the latter, mostly exotic, not in collection. Wanted principally: Gen. Bulimus, Diplommatina, Alycoes, Clausilia, Pupa, generally Helicide.—C. J. ANCEY, Adminis- _trateur-adjoint a Boghari, Algeria. ~ DupLicaTes.—American Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Desiderata British or Exotic Bombycide and Sphingide.—Miss Emity Morton, Newburg, New York. New Windsor - Delivery, LPS ik: ExcHANGE.—I should be glad to exchange rare vars. of H. nemoralis Sed hortensis with anyone who has paid special attention to these shells —Rev. J. W. Horsey, Holy Trinity _ Vicarage, Woolwich. DupLicaTEes.—Boreata, Monacha, and others Desiderata.—many common species to renew.—A,. E. Hatt, Norbury, Sheffield. G I have Vol. I of Ent. Weekly Intelligencer in duplicate, it is in good condition and , will exchange it for well got Lepidoptera. I would be glad to. purchase or otherwise *- Entomologist Part too, Vols. 2-5, and Ent. Annual for the years 1866-68-or 70 to end _—A. E. Harr, Norbury, Sheffield. American Lepidoptera. cocoons and chrysalides of same. American Birds’ eggs, Indian relics snd fossils for Exotic Lepidoptera other than European. South American, African - and Australian especially desired.—lL. W. MENGALL, Reading, Pa., U.S.A. -; TO CORRESPONDENTS. Owing to great pressure on our space, very many important communications unavoidably stand over. In the section of Coleoptera, Mr. Lewcock’s Gossiping Notes, and paper and notes under. the signatures of James Cosn:o Melvill, M.A., F.L.S., Rey. W. F. Johnson, H. Heasler, fH: Bickerton. Jones, W. H. Bennett, W. Chaney, R. W. Thompson, G. A. Leweock, &c., are left over, A very important paper on the Hymenoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire, by Willoughby Gardner, Esi., of Liver pool, is in hand, and if possible, will be commenced in next number. ” -Conchological section.—Mr. Cockerill having sailed for Jamaica, this section is temporarily we eos Communications in the meantime to be sent to the Editor. a Mr. G. A. Leweock, 73, Oxford Road, Islington, N., Hon. Sec. City of London Ento. and. Nat. Hist. Society, represents the Magazine in London, and conducts the section of - Coleoptera adie Mr. Leweock desires indulgence from those correspondents to whom he has been unable to write, and hopes to be able to answer ‘all shortly. New subscribers can have such portions of the Supplements as appeared last year as _ follows : The British Hawk Moths, 24 pages, 6d ; Hand-Book of British Spiders, 32 pages, 3 plates, ts.; British Pterophori, 24 pages, 6d. Subscriptions, and all communications other than as above, to be sent to JOHN E. Rosson, Hartlepool. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. ~ W. McRae, from Weimar to Sunny Lawn, West Cliffe, Bournemouth, “ . — f te be 40% We i =) i ‘ ADVERTISEMEN''S. CONTENTS. j PAGE Collecting in the Trossachs in September, 1590—A. Adie Dalglish 7 ize 137 Lepidoptera of Abendeenshire and Kin¢ardineshire—Win. Reid ae See 139 The Pterophoriia of Britain——J. W. Tutt, F.£.s. “ee ae ve 141 Notes for. Beginners—Gzo ELisHA, F E.S. a Ws et ae 145 | The Genus Acronycta, Auct.— 42: ate Bg St hp 148 Notes, various £4 ep babar se fe: ae Sea OSI Obituary—Robert Gillo .. ee, fais a we 153 Spider Notes—Revd. F. O. P Cambridge bie Set ae ae ‘B (154 — . Gleanings 5 ifs sf: ay 155 _ Reports of Societies oe sie ae a 156 4 SuppLeMeNtT—Hawk Moths—C. W. Dale _ ie ay bP ida Ada 4 4 W. Ko MANN. + | NATURALIST, -NELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for young beginners, all carriage paid. FOR INSHECTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins. Killing Box, Cork Boards, Chip Boxes, me Label Lists, &c., 6/6. : FOR EHGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, Label List, &c., 3:- . FOR SHEUL1US.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes, 3/6. ip FOR BOTANICAL SPECIMENS.—Botanical Collecting Case, Drying Paper, Fern and Plant Digger, and Boxes, 3/6.— FOR FOSSILS AND MINERALS.--Geological. 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Orb, 69, Hish Breet, aailbsool- and published, by Messrs. SY SONNENSCHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, E.C... | Pate: vA Part IX. He F i NATURALIST : | 4 : ay -AN- | Be ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE | Peete a a | heen HISTORY, E / CONDUCTED BY JOHN £. ROBSON, LE.S., Papiepoot WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. OF : Cc. BIGNELL, FES., PLYMOUTH ; JOHN GARDNER, F.E.S. Hair Eon. A BRIGGS, FES, Lonpon; | LINNAUS GREENING, WarrincTon J. CAPPER, F.L. gi FES. LIVERPOOL ; C. S. GREGSON, Liverpoot : 'D. COCKERELL, Lonpon ; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., Bricuton; I. DALE, F.E.S., DorSET;\\ G. Av LEWCOCK,. Lonpon. BO. ELISHA, HES. ~LONDON ; oe. P. SOUTTER,» BisHop AUCKLAND ; eee’ FES: STOKE-ON-TRENT ; AWE Ed TUGWELL, Phics GaeenwicH | SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. PRICE SIXPENCE, | tlie gue SUPPLEMENT. ee Be Co OOON 35. tl a SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ADVERTISEMENTS. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Ce << YOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES) = Each Volwne 1s very fully illustvated with practical woodeuts, and bound im Al i cloth extva, Is. each (post free, 1s. 2d.) - : “ They contain just the kind and amount of information required.’ op.) ALAS Ores to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departmer can be made a commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation which they well deserve can render them so.’’—Knowledge. ¥ “We have seen nothing better than this series. It is cheap, concise, and practical.” Saturday Review. a “ We are glad to call attention to thie ieallent series of handbooks, which Aeceres to. widely known. . . . Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus comi forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. . . . The illustration are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.’’—Academy. 1. Butterflies, Moths, and | iz. Land and Fresh Water : Beetles. By W. Kirby. Ho Shells,” By jo Williams, J. W. Taylor and 2. Crustaceans and Spiders.| Ww. Dennison Roebuck i ee : | 13, Fossils, (7 3. Fungi, Lichens, etc. Hl. By J. Wo Walliams. By Peter Gray. ,| 14. The Microscope. —- Mees: ie - By V.A. Latham. — [In poe - By James E. Bagnall, a..s. | 15: Introduction to Zoolog: ! , | = By-B. Vindsayi, Pepaas | 5. Pond- -Life. 16. Book Collecting. | By E. A. Butler, r.z.s. | By Jy He Slater. (ia hee ap? Seaweeds, Shells, and 17. Marine Shells. a Fossils. By P. Gray and i Ey W. Williams & others B. B. Woodward... [In prenara : | : 8. Colonial Coins. 7. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and’ Dragon-flies, By W. H.|.. By DF. Howorth. Bath. 19. Grasses. 8. C & Tokens (English) By F. Tufnail. [In preparat . Coins okens (Englis | 7 By Liew. Jewitt, rs.a. With | 72 British fone a Chapter on Greek Coins y E. J. Lowe e by Barclay V. Head. 21. Pond-Life (Alge, Diato. ms ; : etc.) By T. Spencer os | _22. Chess Problems. By E. W. Rayner. g. Reptiles. _. By Catherine Hopley. Pe tient | Ce y W.-T. Ogilvie. ; Beate aration: 24. Flowering Plants. 11. Silkworms. | By James Britten, F.1.s. — By Bo Butlers. | [in prepa SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Square, LOND SEpT., 1891. | iit Bie tSirey NAMURALIST: 185 elsewhere as to the accuracy of the records of former captures of O. piloselle and O. hievacv in this country. Special interest, therefore, attaches to the re-discovery of the former species this year. My old friend, Mr. Sydney Webb, has forwarded specimens taken by himself near Dover, which agree most accurately, not only with older British specimens in my collection, but with German examples sent me long ago bby the late Professor /Zeller. What these Dover specimens are genuine piloselle does not, I think, admit of the smallest doubt (“« Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,’ XXV., p. 451). It has a much more northerly range than distans and is found in Scandinavia, being included in Herr Wallengren’s list, published more than 30 years ago. O. hieracu.— This is probably the rarest ‘“‘ plume” (unless we except brachydactylus) which inhabits Britain. Mr. South, on the strength of a specimen sent from Dr. Staudinger, as this species, came to the con- clusion that /ieracuw must be piloselle although he had no British Eamiplenolveitmer species (‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XXIT.,’p. 33). | was myself entirely ignorant of this species until reading Mr. C. G. Barrett’s instructive diagnoses of the species of this genus (‘‘ Ento- mologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXV., p. 431), when, critically comparing my own doubtful specimens of this genus, I found I had a specimen taken by Mr. Coverdale, in Surrey, 1881, which was most probably this species, being almost the same colour as parvidactyla. My specimen has a strong superficial resemblance to that species, but is as large as pilosell, so that the species might be easily overlooked. SYNoNYMy—Hievacu, Zell. ‘‘ Isis” (1841), 827, Pl. 4-5, 20 21, eine Mien Zeit... Vil. 250 ;,)Hi-S.,,a4,V...ps 3713 Frey, 408: Midacijla, Zett. ‘Ins. Lap.,’” 1013. ImaGo—As mentioned above, /ieracii is almost hke a very large parvidactyla, somewhat similar in colour, but perhaps a little redder. There is a whitish blotch at the end of the cleft between the lobes and two white fasciz crossing the lobes. The first fascia is almost or quite perpendicular, very distinct, and clearly defined in the upper lobe, but indistinct and scarcely traceable in the lower; the outer fascia is very slender but clearly defined, the plumules of the hinder wing are distinctly paler, the third with a dark tuft placed at some little distance from the tip. Stainton’s short diagnosis of the species is:—‘‘9"-10". Forewings brown, with a white spot at the fissure; 186 THE (BRITISE NAT URALISae [SEPTEMBER each lobe intersected by two whitish fascia; the hind lobe with a distinct curved white line at the base of the fringes; third feather of hind wing with a black tuft before the tip” (‘‘ Manual,” Vol. II., p. 441). Mr. Barrett writes :—‘‘ Hievacw is of the size of piloselle but with the costal margin less arched, and the apex more blunt and squared; the fasci# are more perpendicular, narrower, and more sharply defined. The tuft on the third feather of the hind-wing is brown, and is situated just beyond the middle.” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXV., p. 431). Zeller’s diagnosis of this species is as follows :— ‘« Alis anterioribus minus quam ad medium fissis, rete brunneis lacintis niveo-bistrigatis, ciliis dorsalibus ante apicem lacinize posterioris lineam albidam distinctam in basi gerentibus, digiti tertii dorso paulo 99 aute apicem atro-squamato” (‘‘ Linnea Entomologica,” Vol. VI., p. 350). Larva—Stainton in the ‘‘ Manual,” p. 431 says:—‘‘ Larva on Hieracium umbellatum in June.” Time oF APPEARANCE—-Stainton in the ‘“ Manual,” p. 431, gives July and August. I have no further information. , Hapitat—The localities given in the ‘‘ Manual” are Birkenhead Bristol, Darlington and Newcastle-on-Tyne. My specimen came from Surrey, although | have no more particular data. Like piloselle it occurs in Scandinavia and Dr. Jordan records it as occurring in the Yisp Valley, (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XVL., p. 21). In the same Magazine Vol. XVIII. 171, Mr. C. C. Barrett writes :— ‘“T feel nc doubt that this species is truly British, although very rarely obtained. ! have two species, of the nativity of which I have no doubt, though I cannot ascertain the locality in which they were captured. They were sent to me by a friend who does not collect the group, and could not recollect from whence they came. There were authentic specimens in the collection of the late Mr. T. H. Allis, and I. hope they still exist at York.” In) Drs. Standinger andi Woden “Catalog” we have the following localities ‘given eee (Centraal Europe, Finland, Livonia, Carniola, Dalmatia, North Italy, Southern France and Armenia.” (To be continued.) 1891. ] EE OS RVISH ANAL URALAST. 187 mee Het EROCBERA, OF THE, ISLE OF MAN. BY HENRY SHORTRIDGE CLARKE, F.E.S., ADVOCATE. In compiling the following list I am indebted for valuable assis- famee to Messrs. Jager, London, and J. H. and C. EB. Stott, Bolton. I have also taken several notes from the ‘‘ Entomologist,” the ‘‘ British Naturalist,” and the ‘‘ Entomologist’s Record.” To Mr. C.S. Gregson, of Liverpool, my thanks are specially due, not only for important infor- mation respecting the Lepidoptera of the Island, but for his kind assistance in perusing and correcting the list, and for the addition to it, of the names of many species which he has taken there during the last 50 years, and which are either unrecorded, or have not been taken by other Entomologists. NOCTURNI. Zygeena filipendulze.—Common all along the coast, occurs plenti- fully at Onchan. Variety Chrysanthemi, has been bred by Mr. Gregson. Smerinthus ocellatus.— Local. Obtained six larva once on Cranstal Loch Kirk Bride, feeding on sallow. Smerinthus populi.—Appears widely distributed, recorded every year. Acherontia atropos.—iare, uncertain in appearance, several have been taken near Ramsey at different times. Sphinx convolvuli.—Generally recorded every year but is uncertain in its appearance, have taken several near Ramsey, one taken on Douglas Head, September, 1889. Sphinx ligustri.—Local and rare, one specimen taken by Miss Crellin at Onysdale Kirk Michael. Is recorded in ‘“ Vannin Loir.” Deilephila galii.Mr. Gregson has seen several specimens. Deilephila livornica.—Mr. Gregson has taken five at various times, Mr. Roxburgh took one. Cheerocampa porcellus.—One taken near Ramsey, in June, 18go. Near the Mooragh, larve plentiful on Galiwm Verum, on north coast in August. Chezrocampa celerio.—-Mr. Gregson once took the larva in June, the imago appeared the following April. 188 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. { SEPTEMBER Macroglossa stellatarum.—By no means common, but generally recorded every year, took one at Bride Rectory in June, 1888. Sesia philanthiformis.—Common at Onchan Peel, Langness and mostly all round the coast wherever thrift abounds. Sesia tipuliformis.—Larve not uncommon in old current trees in gardens at Sulby. Hepialus hectus.—Only twice, at Abbey Lands, Onchan. Hepialus lupulinus.--Common at Glen Helen, occurs also at Kirk Bridge. Hepialus sylvinus.—Occurs near Tromode and at Laxey. Hepialus velleda.._Very common at Tromode in June, 18go, also at Onchan, Legayre and elsewhere, very variable in size and colour. Hepialus humuli.—Abundant in old pastures at. Onchan and Quarter Bridge. Setina irrorella.—Mr. Debac of Ballamona has one specimen which he took at Port Soderick, June, 1891, and which is now in my collection. Lithosia mesomella.—Appears widely distributed. Lithosia lurideola.—Mr. C. S. Gregson, of Liverpool, records its capture, he took it repeatedly in the perfect state at Bank’s Howe and Port Soderick. Lithosia Complanula.—Appears widely distributed. Lithosia Caniola.—Mr. Gregson records its capture and has bred the perfect insects from larve repeatedly taken by him in warm and sheltered corners on the Coast. He first bred it in the year 1863. ) Euchelia jacobeze.—Common, have taken several in Castle Mona Grounds at different times. Mr. Gregson has taken it commonly — near Laxey on the shore at the end of May, and the larve on Ragwort in July. Chelonia plantaginis.— Both this insect and the variety occur at Port Soderick. Chelonia Caja.--Appears widely distributed, larva common in a lane near Onchan, in May, 18qo. 1891. | ie Pek Sri NAM UAE LST. 18g Arctia fuliginosa.—Have taken three specimens only, one at St. Mark’s and one near Union Mills, occurs also at Ramsey, Mr. Jager of London, records the finding of larve there in September, 1890. I took the perfect insect at Port Jack, June, 1891.” Arctia lubricipeda.—-Common all over island. Arctia menthastri.—Common all over island. Liparis auriflua.—Local, have three specimens taken at Lezayre. Liparis salicis.— Larve once near Douglas, in willow. Orgyia fascelina.—‘‘ Ento. Mag.” IV., p. 311. Orgyia antiqua.—Once at Kirk Bridge. Bombyx neustra.—Once near Douglas. Bombyx rubi.—Larva very common on mountains and waste lands in September. Took perfect insect at Onchan, June, 18go. Bombyx quercus—callunee.— Occurs abundantly on the mountains and heaths.Mr. Gregson records having taken both forms. Bombyx roboris.—Mr. Gregson states this is the pale lowland form, he has taken it, it feeds on sallow and bramble. Odonestis potatoria.—Occurs at Lezayre. Local and uncommon. Saturnia carpini.—Generally recorded every year, occurs on Douglas Head, but is not uncommon on the moors about Laxey. GEOMETRE-. Urapteryx sambucata.—-Widly distributed, appears plentifully at Lezayre, where nut trees grow. Epione apiciaria. -Occurs near Onchan, but by no means common. Rumia crateegata.—Very common and widely distributed. Metrocampa margaritata. —- Appears local, but occurs at Leyazre and Ballaugh common, in the plantations near Port Soderick. Selenta illunaria.—Appears widely distributed. Selenia juliaria. Appears widely distributed, this is the summer brood and occurs near the Quarter Bridge; Mr. Gregson records its capture from there. *Fuliginosa.—1 have never seen the type in the Island, it has very bright red under wings with marginal blotches or dots or narrowish marginal line. Mr. Thorpe took the larva in profusion at Glen Helen and gave me a quantity from which I bred var. semiborcaiis Gregson, very dark brown, having only a little red spread on the hind wing from the base; var. borealis, Staud., without any red on hind wing; and var. sub- borealis, Gregson, very dark brown with hardly any red on hind wings. It will be seen the type is wanting. The island is richer in varities than any other known locality.—C.S.G. 108 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [SEPTEMBER Odontopera bidentata.—Have taken several near Onchan. Crocallis elinguaria.— Widely distributed. Amphidasis betularia.—Mr. Gregson records its capture. I took a lovely large specimen at rest on a lime tree at Glen Duff, Lezayre, June 22nd, 18901. Boarmia repandata.-- Local, Mr. Gregson records its capture near Ramsey, in August, 1890. : Boarmia rhomboidaria.—Verry common and widely distributed. Boarmia perfumata.—Kare, Mr. Gregson records its capture. He states it is a dark variety of B. rhomboidavia. Larve feed on Ivy. (To be continued.) Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. August 5th.—Mr. Frederick Du Cane Godman. M.A., F.R.S. President, in the chair. Ap Mr. Arthur J. Chitty, of 33, Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W., and Captain E> G. Watson, of 5, Lypialt Terrace, Cheltenham, were elected Fellows of the Society. The President announced the death of Mr. Ferdinand Grut, the Hon. Librarian of the Society, and commented on the valuable services which the deceased gentle- man had rendered the Society for many years past. Dr. D. Sharp exhibited Fapyx solifugus, from the Eastern Pyrenees, and stated that in his opinion it was a connecting link between the Thysanuva and Dermaptera. He also exhibited pupze of Dytiscus marginalis; one of these was perfectly developed, with the exception that it retained the larval head; this was owing to the larva having received a slight injury to the head. Dr. Sharp also exhibited specimens of Ophonus puncitcollis and allied species, and said that Thomson’s characters of the three Swedish species, O. puncticollis, O. brevicollis, and O. vectangulus, applied well to our British ex- amples, and separated them in a satisfactory manner. Thomson’s nomenclature, however, would he thought prove untenable, as the distinguished Swede described our comimon puncticoilis as a new species under the name of rectangulus. Mr. F. W. Frohawk exhibited a bleached specimen of Epinephele janiva, having the right fore wing of a creamy white, blending into pale smoky brown at the base; also a leng and varied series of Epinephele hypevanthus, from the New Forest and Dorking. The specimens from the former locality were considerably darker and more strongly marked than those from the chalk, Amongst the specimens was a variety of the female with large lanceolate markings on the under side, taken in the New Forest in- July, 1890, anda female from Dorking with large, clearly defined white-pupilled spots on the upper side. Mr. Frohawk further exhibited drawings of varieties of the pupe 189qI. | DAP op RWS rE NATURALIST, IQI of E. hyperanthus, and also a large specimen of a variety of the female of Euchloé cavdamines, bred from ova obtained in South Cork, with the hind wings of an ochreous- yellow colour. Coloured drawings illustrating the life-history of the specimen in all its stages were also exhibited. Mons. Sergé Alphéraky communicated a paper entitled ‘‘On some cases of Dimorphism and Polymorphism among Palearctic Lepidoptera.’’—H. Goss, Hon. Sec. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. August 18th.—W. H. Tugwell, Esq., President, in the chair. Exhibits: Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited Psyche villosella, and illustrated its life history with living larve of different ages, and gave most interesting details of its case making, larval habits and manner of pairing. He also exhibited Pyvameis cavdui remarking on its very wide distribution, and the want of colour difference in the sexes. Along with this he exhibited Pyvameis dejeanti in which the male so closely resembled cardui, that it might readily be passed as that species, but the female, totally different both in colour and markings, more like atalanta in style of marking, but with the red band replaced with another colour. Mr. Frohawk exhibited some remarkable large and fine ¢ Cardamines, particularly well marked, bred; he also brought a pet common snake, giving details of its crawling up and lying round his back for warmth. Mr. West showed a nice series of A. ophiogvamma captured about his own garden. ‘This species occurs round London in gardens where the ribbon grass on which the larve feed, is grown. Mr. Watson also showed ophiogvamma. Mr. Fenn exhibited a grand var. of O. potatoria, a female of a dark smoky-fuscous colour, not the form with male colora- tion, but a much rarer variation. A curious hermaphrodite Pieris rape, the right side superior wing being ¢?, the left ¢, whilst the right inferior wing is rather ¢ and the left 9, so that, as Mr. Jenner Weir remarked, the insect is quartered. A bleached form of FE. janiva led to a discussion on the cause of this form. Mr. Carrington expressed the opinion that the cause of this bleaching was not from damp, or from light focussed through a dew drop on the pupa, but was rather to be attributed to hereditry. He had been paying particular attention to this insect for several years and his experience was that they always occurred in particular localities, and he judged that several of the same brood inherited the peculiarity. Mr. J. H. Carpenter showed a beautiful variety of E. hypevanthus, on the upper side of the inferior wings the ocelli on the underside were also extremely large. Mr. W. H. Tugwell exhibited some very dark and well-marked Pyralis favinalis, specimens of Dioryctria decuriella Hub, =Nephopteryx abietella S.V. bred from shoots of Scotch fir, bearing Retinea resinella nodes, which had been collected by Mr. W. Reid in Scotland. He called attention to the fact that the larve differed considerably from Dr. Hoffman’s description of abietella larva, suggesting a possibility of there being two species. He also shewed a beautiful variety of Botys urticalis in which the usual black spots were united into long black dashes. Healso brought 50 set specimens of H. /ineola for free distribution to those members who were unable to attend the field day at Leigh, on the 25th July. Mr. Hawes shewed living larve of tw species of Skipper. Mr. Hawes is one of our 192 ae (BRITISH: NATURALIS© [SEPTEMBER most painstaking aud successful breeders of British Rhopalocera. It is curious how few of our lepedopterists know anything of the larva of many of the commonest — butterflies. Mr. C. Fenn gaye an interesting account of four weeks collecting around Deal, during part of July and August. Sugar during the earlier part of the time was fairly successful but later was quite useless. He captured two Agyrotis ripe, which is very rare there, if not new to the fauna. L. pygm@ola was, as usual, very abundant. Crambus contaminellus fairly so. Melia anellaa few. Acidalia ochvata scarce, only two captures beingreported. Pupze of Odontia dentalis were to be obtained by working for them’ in the rosette of leaves round the food plant, and close to the ground. Argyrolepeia mussehliana was fairly abundant at Ham ponds, where Epipactis palustris grows abundantly and looks so charming. FE. dominula were still plentiful near Kingsdown. Nola centonalis seems lost, an encampment of London boys being pitched right upen its very restricted habitat. About 40 members were present, a large number for holiday times.—Correspondent. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY —~SOCIESZY. Thursday, 6th August.—Exhibits :—-Mr. Huckett a series of Geometva smavagdaria and soms vars. of Abraxas grossulaviata. He stated that he had bred about 700 of the latter species this season, but had only obtained a few varieties. Mr. Boden, a specimen of noctua bred from a larva found feeding on a tomato. He stated that the larva was brown, and had a curious pig-like head. This specimen led to some dis- cussion, as it was unknown to the members present, the general opinion being that it was an imported species. Dr. Sequeira exhibited a large number of Lepidoptera from Folkestone, including Sesia chrysidiforimis, Lithosia pygm@ola, Callimorpha dominula, Tapinostola bondti, Xylophasia sublustris, and Ennychia octomaculalis. Mr, Clark, a series of Aflecta advena from Raindean Wood. Mr. Battley, series of Hesperia lineola from Leigh, and, for comparison, H. linea and H.act@on. He also exhibited young larvze of Acronycta acervis, A. psi and A. megacephala. Mr. Gates, Polia serena, dark vars. of Abvaxus grossulaviata, Batrachedra preangusta, Coleophora lineolella, and cases of the same, all from Shepherd’s Bush. Dr. Buckell, Hadena pist from Hampstead and Aberdeen, also living larve of Amphidasys betulavia, the majority being brown, some green or stone-coloured, and a few intermediate in tint. He stated:that some of the green larvae became brown as they advanced in age, but the reverse change had not occurred. Mr. Simes, a very small female specimen of Lycena egon, a confluent form of Zygena trifolii and specimens of Hyvia auvovavia and Lithosia complana, all from the New Forest. He likewise mentioned that he had taken two females of Afpatura iris in thé same locality, one of which had deposited some eggs. Mr. Quail, Euthemonia russula, Angevona prunavia, Eurymene dolabraria, Numeria pulveraria, and a nice dark- banded specimen of Camptogramma bilineata, all from Epping Forest. Mr. Smith, Nemeobius lucina and Lycena adonis from Box Hill, a very white specimen of Syvicthus malv@, Tethea subtusa, Pericallia syringavia, &c. Mr. Bayne. Bombyx rubi, a dark specimen Russina tenebrosa, Mamestva anceps, Geometra papilionaria, Phorodesma bajularia, and a 1891. | ite holt S rie NAM Oixee Sai: 193 banded form of Efphyra trilinearia, all from Epping Forest ; also a specimen of A pamea ophiogvamma from Tottenham. Mr. Fox, various insects from Highgate, including Thyativa devasa, Zylophasia hepatica, Cosmia trapezina and Plusia iota. Mr. Milton, a large number of Lepidoptera from Somerset and Devon, including Argynnis aglaia, Anthocharis cavdamines (a female, taken in the middle of July) Chevrocampa elpenor, Zygena trifolii, Euthemonia russula, Geometva papilionaria, Boarmia vepandata var. conversaria, Covemia picata, and Welanippe unangulata; also a number of ferns from the same locality. He stated that he had seen a specimen of Eubolia palumbaria caught by the leaves of the round-leaved sundew, (Drosseva rotundifolia) and he thought it was unusual for so large an insect to be found in such a situation. Coleoptera :—Mr. Heasler, Heledonna agaricola and Conipora orbiculata. Tev. J. Isabell, a number of beetles from Oberamagau. Mr. Buckell stated that he had just bred a specimen of Demas coryli from a larva found this year feeding on hawthorn. This was remarkable for two reasons, that hawthorn was not the general food of this species, and that the insect emerged the same year, showing a tendency towards a double brood. Thursday, 20th August.—Exhibits:—Mr. Bayne, Dianthecia conspersa and an asymmetrical specimen of Satyrus hypevanthus from Box Hill; Lithosia quadva from Brighton ; a bleached specimen of Satyrus janiva, Lithosia mesomella, Calligenia miniata, Scotosia undulata, Halias quercana and H. prasinana from Epping Forest. He stated that he had killed these specimens of H. prasinana with cyanide, which had changed them to yellow, but the green colour had afterwards returned. Mr. Quail, two fine varieties of Agrotis exclamationis, from Cambridge, one being melanic, and the other curiously streaked with black, Leucania conigera, Miana fuvuncula, and a yellow specimen of Bryophila perla, from Margate. - Mr. Bellamy, long and variable series of Afamea oculea, Miana strigilis, and M. fasciuncula. Mr. Battley, a black variety of Amphydasis betularia from Epping Forest, Lipavis monacha from Enfield, and Plusta iota, Thyativa derasa, Tethea subtusa and Dianthecia capsincola from Stamford Hill; also larva of the latter, feeding on the seeds of ‘‘ Sweet William.” Mr. Milton, a series of Hesperia lineola taken on a sea-wall near Gravesend ; also in Coleoptera, Cicindela campestris, Cavabus arvensis, Toxotus meridianus, Pacheta octomaculata, Philonthus splendens, and a series of Hypera rumicis, bred from larve found feeding on dock. Mr. Heasler exhibited a series of Anthonomus pomorum, taken by beating apple trees at Epping Forest. Mr. Quail stated that a specimen of Liparis monacha had been taken by Mr. Smith in Epping Forest. and that he had chased another insect which he also believed was this species.—G. A. LEwcock and A. M. Batt ey, Hon. Secs. GUERNSEY NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY. The usual monthly meeting of the Guernsey Society of Natural Science and Local research was held at the society's room, Guille-Allés Library, last Tuesday evening, August 11th, Mr. Collinette took the chair, in the absence of Mr. J. White- head, the president. The Rev. M. Cann, curate of the Town parish, was unanimously elected a member of the society. Mr. W. Sharp, honorary secretary, read a very 194 7 Bini iiSits Naw sce Saie [SEPTEMBER interesting and valuable paper on ‘‘ The Mica Traps of Guernsey,’’ which had been specially prepared and communicated to the society by the Rev. E. Hill, M.A., F.G.S., of Cambridge. The paper gave rise to an interesting discussion; and a special vote of thanks to Mr. Hill for his kindness in preparing it, was passed unan- imously. Several interesting specimens were exhibited, and a very pleasant evening was passed. Some further conversation also took place with regard to the habits of the cuckoo, Mr. Cooper having gathered together a number of interesting notes on the subject showing the observations made and the opinions expressed by several eminent naturalists, as to the habits of this curious although not uncommon bird. Mollusca. BY W. A. GAIN. Moituscan Captives.—No part of the study of slug and snail life appears to me so interesting as that of the animals in captivity, in fact, many points can only be understood by adopting this method. There was formerly great misunderstanding concerning the junior forms of our slugs. If amusement only is sought, the slugs and snails ~may be turned into one large snailery, of course avoiding over crowd- ing, and this method will answer if only a few species are kept at the same time. | : My plan is to keep each species, often each pair, separate, placing them either in a box with a glass cover, or in a flower-pot having a piece of perforated zinc weighted with a small stone on the top. In either case I have three or four inches of earth and a bottle or two sunk in it to contain water for keeping the food fresh. Many of the British species of Helix and all the slugs, are easily kept for long periods, Helix pomatia endures confinement well, breeds freely, and the young thrive well; when engaged with fresh crisp lettuce the rasping sounds which they produce while eating may be heard several feet away. I have in my cabinet the shell of a Helix aspersa hatched from an egg introduced into one of my boxes in 1882, died presumably of old age, in 1887. Other species are difficult to keep long, H. virgata and H.cantiana die off, I have never succeeded in keeping even a single one of these through the winter. My observations would have led me to expect some species to be far more common than we find them, our.two species of Amalia are exceedingly hardy, very voracious and almost omnivorous, yet they 1891. | WSO, TBIRIIUS Isl NGI ORAS a0. 195 are both rather local in their distribution, from what I have noted of their habits I should have expected them to take the place of our more dainty Limax agrestis. H.avbustoyum is the greatest eater for its size of any Helix I have kept, and it takes a greater variety of food, yet this is among our local species; here I only find it on alluvial soil, generally confined to a small area, though like the Amalie, extremely abundant where it does occur. I have at present a number of foreign species in confinement, one Helix has travelled by parcel post from Australia. Some of the contin- ental species behave rather differently from their British relatives, H. aperta for example creeps below the surface, leaving a portion of _ the shell above covered neatly with earth, so that they look lke little lumps of soil. These spend so much time, in this country at least, hy- bernating and estivating in this manner that they have little time to feed, H. candidissima is fond of burrowing rather deeply if the soil will allow it, and remaining several days below ground. H. undata, from Madeira, appears very much at home and breeds freely, it is rather rapid in its movements. I intend shortly, with the Editor’s permission, to give a few extracts from my note book, of facts concerning my molluscan friends. TuxForp, Newark, 21st Aug., 1891. Insecta.—Coleoptera. GOSSIPING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. BY G. A. LEWCOCK. (Continued from page 115.) METABLETUS, Schmidt-goebebel.—Appears to be derived from two Greek words, meta, behind, and bletos, struck, and may refer to the truncated apex of elytra. The insects in this and the preceeding genus are classed under one name by some authors, who consider the different points as specific rather than generic. Three species of Metabletus occur in Britain, all of which are not uncommon. M. obscuro-guttatus, Duft.—This species has a light spot at shoulder of each elytron. It occurs in several localities round London, and 196 THE BRITISH NATPTURALIS®. [ SEPTEMBER can be obtained by shaking roots of grass, in flood refuse, &c. I have found it at Rainham, Barking (Essex), and on the Thames banks © generally ; also at Tottenham (Middlesex). ‘‘ Damp places, in moss, — flood refuse, &c. Rather common. Kent: Lee, Blackheath, Sheer- nees, Gravesend, Chatham, Tumbridge Wells, &c. Surrey : Reigate oe (G. C. Champion, Kent and Survey Coleopteva). Blackheath, in company with M. foveola (West). ‘“‘ Under bark, and at roots of plant generally, near wood fences; Merton, Coombe, Totton (Hants) ” (E. A. Newbery). ‘Under stones and at roots of grass, but not nearly so common as the other two species ’ (W. H. Bennett, Hast- ings). Paken- at Weymouth (kk. Gallo Not sreconded) tion Ireland. M. truncatellus, L.—Readily distinguished from M. faveola by the absence of pores on third stria. Occurs at Barking and Rainham, Essex. ‘‘ In sandy places, at roots of grass, &c. Local and common. Kent: Sheerness, Deal, Peewell Bay, Chatham. Surrey: Reigate, Egham, Walton, Richmond, Croydon” (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera). Deal (West). ‘‘ Under stones and at roots of of grass, common” (W. H. Bennett, Hastings). ‘‘ Not common round London; Shirley (Surrey) in Moss; Maidenhead (Berks)” (E. A. Newbery). ‘‘ Taken at Peckham, in company with M. obscuro- guttatus”’ (H. Heasler). Ireland :—‘‘ Recorded by Haliday from Port- marnock, Go. Dublin ~ (Rev. W. E. Johnson). M. foveola, Gyll..—‘‘ Sandy places at roots of grass, &c., common everywhere” (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera). ‘‘Common under stones and at roots of grass’”” (W. H. Bennett, Elastings): ‘* Abundant on sand hills, Deal, at roots of grass; Hampstead Heath, at roots of furze; Southsea, {7) A: Newbery). 1. aaemya common species in the sands at Burnham and Bournemouth” (R. Gillo). ‘Under stones and heath, Heswall and Bidston” (R. Wilding). ‘“ Abundant among dead leaves of the dwarf sailow on the sandhills on both sides of the Mersey; also on Flaybrick Hill, &c.” (Dr. Ellis, Liverpool Coleoptera). Not uncommon in sandy and heathy districts. I have taken it freely at Noctorum, Haswell, Burton, &c.” (W. E. Sharp). ‘‘J/. foveola is the only species of the genus recorded in Cornwall, it 1s widely distributed but by no means common” (Rev. J. Isabell). Ireland: Recorded from Portmarnock, Co. Dublin (Rev. W. F. Johnson. | 1891] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 197 | By request of several correspondents I will now deviate from the ' order laid down in second edition of Dr. Sharp’s Catalogue and deal | next with the genus Sphodrus. SpHopRus, Clairville.—Derived from Greek word, meaning vehe- | ment, energetic. S. leucophthalmus, L., the species found in this | country is probably the most gracefully tormed beetle in the British i Geodephaga. It is found chiefly in cellars, kitchens, sculleries, out- ‘houses, dustbins, &c., and said to prey on cockroaches. If this is | correct, the species ought certainly to be abundant in London refresh- _ment houses where cockroaches prevail to an alarming extent. But | up to present time although I have received from these places such | species as Blaps, Pristonychus, Tenebrio, &c., not a single Sphodrus 'has been brought to me. I have occasionally taken some odd | specimens in Oxford Road, Islington, but never more than one ata | time. In September, 1890 I captured a specimen in my present abode while sitting at supper; it ram across the hearthrug in front of me, when I immediately secured it The species appears to be widely distributed although not common, and doubtless occurs in most of the large cities and towns in the British Isles. From Mr. Champion's excellent MS. list of the Kent and Surrey Coleoptera I extract the following note respecting the insect :—‘‘In cellars, outhouses, &c. Uncommon. Kent: Sheerness, Greenwich. ~-Surrey: Walworth, Reigate.” ‘I have taken several specimens of this species in ny coal cellar at Peckham, but always singly” (W.C. Chaney). Also 7 taken by Mr. Cripps in cellar, at Clapham. Captured by Mr. New- | bery in area, at Bloomsbury. I have received several specimens from Mr. R.W.Thompson, Regent’s Park, captured by that gentlemen in his } cellar. The plan adopted in the latter instance was to leave a small | jet of gas burning, when Mr. Thompson would descend to the cellar and turn up the light suddenly. Should Sphodrus be running about, | a duster thrown over it would retard its career sufficiently to enable Mr. Thompson to effect its capture. Mr. Jarvis (now at Cape Town) | found several at Kingsland. Also taken by Mr. West at Greenwich. | In point of fact, it is to insects such as the one under notice that the term, ‘“‘ London district” would properly apply, as that would include | any place in the London postal district. In country localities the insect is as erratic in its appearance, as in town. Sometimes a specimen will find its way into a coleopterist’s 198 THE BREEISH ENA PURMci Si [SEPTEMBER collection, and then again years may elapse ere another turns up. In 1890 a specimen was captured in a house at Bolton, by a boy, who took it to Mr. F. W. Paple. At Warrington, the insect was found in company with cockroaches in a beetle trap. Mr. Kendrick who has thus obtained the specimens, kindly sends me the following respect- ing it. ‘‘ Being desirous of diminishing the numbers of those domestic pests, cockroaches, in my kitchen, | have for some time past used a ‘Beetle trap’ with very satisfactory results. In addition to Blatte, however, I have frequently found blackbeetles (Blaps), spiders, and other odds and ends entrapped. In September, 1889, I captured a female of Sphodrus leucophthalmus, and a few days later a pair of the same species. In 18g0, I kept a keen look-out for this insect, and on 31st August obtained a male by same means. During September I succeeded in getting one more specimen, a female, but was surprised on 2nd instant to find a male, somewhat small it is true, which I presume has hybernated. Not having heard of anyone else obtaining this species hereabouts, I am rather surprised at its having selected | my house as its special locality. “The specific name, signifying ‘‘ White eyes’”’ puzzles me, perhaps you can throw some light upon it. It so happened that the only specimen in our public collection here, till I was able to replace it, had whitish eyes. It was old and faded, and bore evident signs of © having been treated with an excess of corrosive sublimate, hence | concluded this species might possibly be liable to this peculiarity, My specimens however shew no such tendency.* “It has struck me forcibly for some time that if I could bring under the notice of Coleopterists, especially such as have country or sub- urban gardens, the desirability of trying some such kind of trap, many species of insects hitherto considered rare might be plentifully met with.t The trap I have used is one of the ‘‘ Demon”’ pattern, sold by” every ironmonger, but, living as I do ina tcwn, I have little oppor- *One of the specimens in my series has white eyes, but in the remainder dark ones rule. It would thus appear that this feature is not constant.—G.A.L. +I have no doubt that the trap suggested by Mr. Kendrick would answer the purpose admirably. The method, however, employed by myself and two or three London Coleopterists is to place mutton or beef bones under a flower pot in the garden, and examine daily if possible. By this means many species of beetles are ob- tained with very little trouble —G.A.L. | oon THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 199 ‘tunity of giving it its proper scope of usefulness.”—(B. KEnprick, “May 8th, 1891.) | On May 16th, Mr. Kendrick wrote me again :—‘I have taken another S. leucophthalmus, but as usual the eyes are of the normal colour. However it is somewhat larger than the former one, and the posterior coxee well developed. From your report it would seem that the name Jeucophthalmus is really authenticated after all.” Ireland :— “ Sphodrus leucophthalmus is, as far as I can find out, not at all common in Ireland. I have not taken it myself, and only know of one locality where it is found: This is on the coast at Malhida, Co. Dublin” (J. Montgomery Browne, Dublin). ‘“ Sphodvus leucophthalmus, like Blaps similis, is thus noted by McNab, following Tardy, ‘ Dublin city, ‘rare, in cellars.’ I have explored some likely places for both genera, but have only found Pristonychus subcyaneus’’ (H. Gore Cuthbert, Dublin). (To be continued.) BLEDIUS CRASSICOLLIS, &C., IN THE Hastincs Districr.—I took this very rare species in large numbers on June 11th and 19th, in the bank of a ditch at Camber, Sussex. On the first occasion I took about 7o, and on the second nearly 150. B. tricornis occurred sparingly with it. Fletevocerus sevicans was very abundant in the same ditch, together with plenty of Dyschirius salinus, D. globosus, D. eneus (few), Lathro- bum multipunctum, Octhebius bicolon and single specimens of Stenolophus consputus, Harpalus votundicollis, and Myrmedonia limbata. On the Camber sandhills 1 took a few Savvotrium clavieorne, Onthophagus nuchicornis, A’gialia arenaria, Crypticus quisquilius, Muicrozoum tibiale (in profusion), Notoxus monocerus, and Cneorhinus geminatus ; the last two species were also very common. Donacia NIGRA.—I have taken this species in abundance on the Bo-peep Marshes near St. Leonards; it appears to be very local, occurring in one ditch only, within half a mile of the sea. I secured Over 200 specimens in two or three visits, D. menyanthidis was common in the same ditch; and | also took two or three D. dentipes. PHILORINUM HUMILE was very abundant in furze bloom in May, at the same locality. In a stream near Guestling I took about 70 Deronectes latus in two or three visits during June, I found them under stones in the stream, which is a particularly swift flowing one, in company with Agabus maculatus. 200 | TES SREP ESE NAGE ike wie Sale [SEPTEMBER ABDERA BIFASCIATA, Marsh, at Hastings.—I took a specimen of this rare species on July 9th, when beating for Lepidoptera, in a wood near the town. I found it on my coat sleeve; it had evidently drop- ped from the trees. This is the second specimen that has occurred in this district. The first | swept at Guestling, last year.—A. Forp, Claremont House, Upper Tower Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, July 6th, 1891. Lepidoptera. NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARV 4 BOK aT ELE, SONA BY (GEO Se S EAR Brak. 5%. With the month of August another busy time commences, which although short requires all our best energies, for it is our harvest among the numerous species that are to be found feeding on seeds externally, orin the seed pods and withering flowers, and we must not forget to take with us on all our excursions at this season a good supply of various sized calico bags, and a few tin larva boxes, for it is wasting valuable time to examine every seed head separately, it is best on opening one or two and finding a larva to cut at random sufficient to fill one of our bags, then tie up the mouth, and so continue till all our bags are filled with the seed heads and leaves, containing larva from the various plants we may come across during our journey, the small tin boxes are useful for larva that occur singly here and there, or delicate external feeding larva that are likely to get injured among the stuff, on being pressed into the bags. | The weather during this month still continues favourable and in the early morning most refreshing and invigorating, but the deepening tints of the foliage and occasional chilly winds is a gentle reminder that the summer weather is gradually passing away, but it is not altogether discouraging, for the pleasure of our rambles is equally as q keen at this time of year, or even much later, as in the earlier months, from the fact that each season produces its own specialities. 1891. ] PEE ep halts IN AMINES a, 201 We must now devote our attention to all the waste pieces of ground we have taken note of, or perhaps searched over during our previous rambles, such as disused brickfields, gravel pits, chalk pits and similar places, where the vegetation grows undisturbed, these are the places from which we are likely to soon fill our bags, although some good things are occasionally found by the wayside, and all seed heads must be taken that have any traces of larvz, be they ever so small, for they are no further trouble after being put into the cages, there is always sufficient food among the stuff we have filled our bag with to feed up any larve that may be amongst it. One of the most conspicuous plants to be observed at this time in these rough places is the wild chamomile (Anthemis cotula) which is generally very abundant, on opening some of the old flower heads we shall probably find a rather fat looking larva which would be that of FH. nimbella ; it is best to cut a large bagful, for larve are not to be found in every head. The thistles also growing here have some of the leaves very much blotched, on turning them over we find the long, straight, light coloured cases of C. therinella, this species is somewhat local and most difficult to breed ; other leaves on these same thistles have discoloured streaks all along the midrib and spreading up the side ribs, if on opening this discoloured portion we find a yellowish larva inclin- ing to pink towards the anal segments it would be that of G. acumune- tella. The Burdock (Arctium lappa), is another plant we must not fail to examine, for now the larva of A. badiana is to be found inside the seed heads feeding on the seeds, and towards the end of the month the larva of P. lappella is feeding in precisely the same manner. The seeds of Hollyhocks are now being eaten through by the larva of G. malvella, and I have on two occasions bred them from larva feeding on the seeds of the musk mallow (Malva moschata) a tall growing plant that is occasionally seen growing on the sides of old gravel pits. The various species of Hawkweed (Hvevacium) should be examined and the seed heads collected during this month and kept in a cool place, from which in due time a beautiful series of E. dubitana may be bred, and in the seed heads of the wild carrot the larve of S. rujillana will be found quite at home, six or seven larve are often seen in one seed head. Towards the end of the month we must visit some wood where the oak trees are bearing plenty of acorns, and search the ground under- 202 THEBRIGISH: NATURALIS® [SEPTEMBER neath the trees, they are now beginning to fall pretty thickly, we must fill a bag of all the discoloured ones we can find, for they contain the larvee of C. splendana, and from the neighbouring Beech trees another bag must be filled with the beech nuts that hang so plentifully on the branches, for many of them contain the larva of C. grossana. These beech nuts must not be thrown away when the time has passed for the moth to emerge, as many of them do not appear till the following year. The larva of G. campoliliana may be found burrowing in the woolly substance on the underside of the leaves of the large leaved sallow, and the very large cones formed by the larva of the beautiful G. alchimiella (swedevella) may often be observed on Oak trees. This species 1s well worth the trouble of breeding, for when just emerged their colours are most vivid. The cones of G.syvimgella on privet, ash and lilac, and G. stigmatella on sallows and willows may again be obtained more commonly than in the first brood, and at this time the seeds of Angelica and Hevacleum may be found webbed together by the larve of 2. flavimaculella. On the leaves of Bramble, Whitehorn &c., the curious puckered cases of C. paripennella may be found if well looked for, and on nut the brown, stumpy looking, pistol shaped cases of C. fuscocuprella may occasionally be seen ; these last are most difficult to breed, generally the whole of those collected dying during the winter. On sloping banks where the yarrow (Achillea miullefolium) is growing rather commonly, the short brown cases of C. argentula will be found sticking about on the top of the close seed heads, the larve feeding on the seeds, it is an easy species to breed, if left out in all weathers during the winter. Where the golden rod (Solidago virgauvea) is seen growing in open places a good bundle of the seed heads should be taken, for the small, straight, hairy looking cases of the larve of C. vergaureella are among the seeds, which the larve feed on at this time. They are difficult to detect, owing to their close resemblance to the seeds, but when the food plant is put into the cage they are soon seen crawling | up the sides, and on the same plant we shall probably have a few larve of B. terrealis, but as they hybernate, are difficult to get through the winter. The whitish bleached appearance of some of the leaves on oaks, tell us where to find the larva T. complanella, on hold- ing the leaf up, the larva is seen in a curved position in its mine. The laburnum trees to be seen growing in suburban gardens have the 1891. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 203 leaves blotched and discoloured at this time by the larva of that little gem, C. laburnella, an easy species to rear by putting the mined leaves in a flower pot, covering the top with leno and keeping in a cool place. From the middle of this month to the middle of the next, is the best time to collect the larve of the genus, Lithocolletis, a rather numerous family of very beautiful small moths; they are all leaf miners, feeding between the upper and lower cuticle of leaves, causing the leaves to curve towards the side the larva is at work on, and giving them a sort of puckered appearance, they are quickly collected, the mined leaves being so readily seen, and very easy to breed if when arriving home the leaves are emptied out of the bag and just the mined portion of the leaf cut out, with a piece of the leaf unmined all round the mined portion, which is sufficient for the larva to feed upon, and if all these mined portions are put into glass jars and tightly corked down, they will keep perfectly fresh for two or three weeks, by that time all will have changed to the pupa state. The larva of L. tenella, a local species, feeds in leaves of hornbeam on the underside, and carpinicolella in the upperside, pomifoliella, in leaves of hawthorn, and apple, upperside, sfinicolella, in sloe leaves, faginella in beach leaves, salicicolella in sallow leaves, viminetella in osier leaves, curling the edge over, wlmifoliella in birch leaves, spinol- ella in the leaves of the broad leaved sallow, quercifoliella in oak leaves, vimimiella in nut leaves, tvistrigella in wych elm and _ schreber- ella in common elm leaves, all on the underside, covyli in nut leaves, upperside, and emberizepennella, mines the leaves of honeysuckle on the underside, puckering up nearly the whole of the leaf, this species does better if put into a flower pot and gauze or leno tied over the top, keeping them cool, there are several other species, but as they are best collected at the end of next month, had better be left till then, but as many species of that numerous family the Nepticule are now beginning to mine their serpentine galleries in the leaves of the various trees on which they are to be found, there is plenty of occupa- tion for any spare time one may have, after getting all the other larve mentioned above, among this last, but numerous family of brilliant little atoms. Shepherdess Walk, City Road, N. 204 IVE SR VEISED AN AG WiRVA Say [SEPTEMBER Notes. ENTOMOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE.—I have no wish to press my opinion upon those whose whose knowledge and experience as Ento- mologists are far more extensive and practical than my own. I only venture to suggest, the London Entomological Society is, as you say, the only body which could undertake to revise and fix the names for the British Insecta. Suppose a committee of the L.E.S. to have been appointed to select names for the British Insecta, which are appropriate and in good taste. They would restrict themselves to British insects of course. Let them begin with Lepidoptera, where the confusion is especially disheartening. There are about 2,200 British species, these may be divided into some ten divisions. When the committee has decided upon suitable names for one such division, let the list be printed and forwarded to the corresponding member of each of the leading local societies. It would doubtless be discussed at meetings of these societies. Their criticisms would then be transmitted to the original L.E.S. committee and would then be considered. Then let the final result be’ submitted to a general meeting’ of the’ LiE.S7; some further revision by the committee might be requisite, but when the selected names have been finally adopted at a general meeting of the L.E.S. we may anticipate that the existing unscientific uncertainty will be for ever abolished. This work is surely necessary, if Ento- mology is to holdrankasa science..—( Rev.) J. Watson, Upper Norwood. August Ist, 1891, We thought we had made it clear last month that the Entomo- logical Society of London had already undertaken the work in question, though it is fifteen years since any portion of the ‘“‘ General Catalogue of the Insecta of the British Isles’ was published. The parts that have appeared are as follows :— I Neuroptera > by ike Mclachlan, 1670." II. Hymenoptera (Aculeata) by F. Smith, 1871. Pe bs (Chrysidide, Ichneumonide, Braconidz and Evanidz) by Rev. J. A. Marshall, 1872. IV. Hymenoptera (Oxyura) by Rev. J. A. Marshall, 1873. V. Hemiptera (Heteroptera and Homoptera, Cicadaria and Phytophthires) by J. W. Douglas & J. Scott, 1876. Fellows interested in the question should raise the subject at the monthly meetings, and heep on raising 1t.—Epv. B.N. 2 SEP 91 -ADVERTIS MENTS. | so EXCHANGE. POHANG, —Tiving up collecting ; will exchange British Butterflies and Moths for Birds (exchange hsts.) — Herpertr Pysus, 19 Pendrill street, Beverley road, Hull. q7 er Ges. — Mgon, Subnotata*, Comitata*, Sobrinata*, ‘Flavago*, Augur*, Bain*, Nanata*, Cucullatella*, Semele, Lubricepeda*®, Kepandata*, Vinula*, Bucephala*, Scolopacina*, | Persicaria*, Trianeulum*, Festiva*, T'ypica*, Chenopodii*, Cribrella*, Flammealis*, H. lineola pen Desiderata. ee Very. numerous. —H. J. Turner, 13, Drakefell Road, Hatcham, S.E. Dupcicaves. —Salmacis, Artaxerxes, Alstis, Megera. Mendica*,*Villica*, Hsculi, Trepidaria, Pinetaria,- Mundana Ceesiata, also a fine pair of A. Sabella*.—T. Mappison, South Bailey, Durham. | | | ‘Daepurca ras. Wan. Continental Butterflies in fine COTO ee L Mapprison, South Bailey, Durham. ne ! ' EXcH ANGE. — Botanical sues wanted. AG ated: sections &¢., suitable for class work. A packet of good ‘unmounted material from New Zealand will be given in exchange for each lide. 2 We ee GAIN, ‘Tuxford, Newark. ie British and European Lepidoptera wanted, especially noctue, will give in exchange fine rth American. species, )~ Addtess : CHAS. Ss: Wasrcort, pore aneele, N.J., OE SEAS Box | , Camden Ca. sre RA Cees - Dupricatss. ~ Bledius crassicollis, Donacia ene D. menyanthidis, Hechevecauis sericans, : ae nigrita, H. latas, Stenus bipunctatus, Dysehirius salinus, D. slobosus, Otiorhyn- IS. ligneus. O: rugifrons, Philorinum humile, Anthobiuin torquatum, A opthalnicum Athous ormis, Bruchus a omarius, Erirhinus nereis, Microzoum tibiale, &c. DestpuRata.—Offers c \ i ‘ ee Cees hid and Presh Water Mollnsea of Britain, in’ pole for var Land, Fresh Water, and Marine Mollusca of North ‘America. A. H. Garpnur, P.O: Box y Raye Ridge. Ms. United States of America. ee i eeu —Pupe of Philanthiformis. . DESIDERATA. —Ova, larvee, pape: se tre nsects for renewing. —H. Murray, Lowbank Villas, Carnforth. Dupiicates —H. ‘pomatia, H. . cantiana, -Buliminus obscurus with variety alba, usilia laminata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Ceecilianella, acicula., Desiderata.—H. revelata, nogyra goodallii, or other land shells ioe not in collection. aad CW. SWANTON, ddington, Sittingbourne, Kent. 7 DUPLICATES. = Podalirius, Alexanor, Apollo, Jasius, eae Cleopatra, and many eee abe ench butterflies in very fine condition. DESIDNRATA.— Numerous British Geometra: and Noctuze, or larvee or pupe.—T. _Mappison, South Bailey, Durham, EXCHANGE. —Algerian Galeonicrs: and numerous duplicates’ of shells, in exchange for lance and fresh water species of the latter, mostly exotic, not in collection. - “Wanted: principally : Gen. B limus, Diplommatina, “Alycoes, Clausilia, Pupa,. ety Helicide. ae J. ANCEY, Adminis- Ps teur- adjoint ‘A. Boghari, Algeria. _ Dupticatés. —American Lepidoptera and. Coleoptera. eee British or Exotic | eae and oes — Miss ee Morton, Newburg, New York. |New Windsor | aGee vy oh A. Re Rein TO CORRESPONDENTS. Bccnchologivnl: section. as Cockerill having sailed for Jamaica, this section is temporarily | ee Communications in the meantime to be sent to the Hditor. > Mr.'G. A. Lewcock, 73, Oxford Road, Islington, N., Hon. Sec. City of London Ento. Ye Nati Hist.’ Society, represents the Magazine i in, London, and conducts the section of | leoptera New subscribers can have such portions’ a the Supplements as appeared last year as lows : “The British Hawk Moths, 24 pages, 6d; Hand-Book of British Spiders, 32 pages, Mates, 1s.; British Pterophori, 24 pages, 6d. Subscriptions, and all communications than as above, to be sent to JoHN E. Rosson, Hartlepool. | Coleoptera or ee A, Forp, Claremont House, | pen Tower road, St. iene se a fusca, Buliminus montanus, Pupilla secale, Clausilia biplicata, Cochlicopa tridens, ADVERTISEMENTS. Cee ee Be CONTENTS. -The Pterophoriza of Britain.—J. W. Tutt, F-E.s. 2 a The Heterocera ‘of the Isle of Man. eget Shortridge Clarke, EBB. 53) Reports of Societies : igo a Mollusca.—W. A, Gain Gossiping Notes on British Coleoptera! —G. A: Lewcock Notes for Beginners—Micro Larve for the month.—Geo. Elisha, FE. 3. Notes, various ... Sue LEM ENT. — British Spiders — Rev, Fred O. P. Cambridge Ww. K. M ANN. 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Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus « comii forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. ... .. The illustrati _are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.” —Academy. eae 1. Butterflies, Moths, and 12. Land and Fresh wat a Beetles: By W. Kirby... |. + Shells... By J. .W:- aa (eee | Wis Brae Williams, J. W. Taylor, and 2. Crustaceans and Spiders. : W. Dennison Roebuck i By oh, Skuse: , | 13. Fossils. + Fungi; lichens, ete. 6 ir By Jas Williams. By Peter Gray. . | 14. The Microscope. . a ia 2 By V. A. Latham. 4. Mosses. : ae S By James E. Bagnall, aus. 15. Introduction to Zoolo | By B. Lindsay Un prepara 5. Pond-Life. — | 16. Book Collecting. | % By em A. Butler, F.2.s. | By J. H. Slater f/m preparation 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and _—it7. Marine Shells. © _ Fossils. By P. Gray and By]. W. Williams & other: -B. B. Woodward. {In Pres ars 8. Colonial Coins. 7. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and! Dragon- flies. By W. Ho | By D. F. Howorth. Bath. ig. Grasses. © 2 Goins & Vok (Er rf h) | By F. Tutnail. [In p oy . Coins okens (English) | | By Llew. Jewitt, r.s:a.°. With Bigece ae tere a Chapter on Greek Coins | y E. J. Lowe by Barclay V. Head. 21. Pond-Life (Alge, Dia : etc.) By T. Spencer Smi _22. Chess Problems. By E. W. Rayner. io. British Birds. | 23. Postage Stamps. 9. Reptiles. By Catherine Hopley. By H. A. Macpherson. By W. T. Ogilvie. Daeg AG oe 24. Flowering Plants. By James Britten, FiliSay ue preps 11. Silkworms. By E. A. Butler, ¢.z.s. Ocr., 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 205 O. heterodactyla, Haw., Vill. (?)._-This beautiful species was intro- duced into our lists in 1867 as Pterophorus hievacit ; two years after- wards, Dr. Jordan found out that it was not hievacit but apparently a new species and as such, in the ‘“‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine” for June, 1869, the species was referred to under the name of teucri1, Greening, in a letter written on May 14th. Simultaneously on May 22nd, Mr. Gregson read a description on the same species at the ‘Northern Entomological Society, under the name of britanniodactylus, and this description was published in the August number of the ‘“‘ Rntomologist ” (1869), although referred to under the same name, the previous month, in the ‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.” How- ever, Mr. Gregson’s name was never accepted, and the first published name, feucvii, was used until, in the ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,’ Vol. XXV., Dr. Mason referred the species to Haworth’s heterodactyla, which name is now accepted by all our Entomological Magazines. SynonyMY—Heterodactyla, Haw. ‘‘Lep. Brit.” 477; Vill. (2) (1789) ; mee, Senco. txecord, 1,94. Teucrviu, Greening and Jordan, ““E.M.M.,” W115; Barrett, ““E.M.M.,” VIII., 155. Britanniodactylus, Gregson, eee VI. 115, Ent.” 1V., 305. Hievaci, Greening, “ E.M.M.,” ie 16-17; Gregson, “ Ent.” II1., 208. - With regard to the synonymy of this species, I wrote in the “Hntomologist’s Record,’ Vol. I., p. 94, as follows :—‘ In ‘ Ento- mologist,’ Vol. XXII., p. 139-140, Mr. Briggs discussed the priority of heterodactyla, Haw. versus teucvit, and decided against the former, because it could not be proven that Haworth’s heterodactyla = Villers’ hetevodactyla, but although our species may very questionably be Villers’ hetevodactyla, 1 do not think there can be any doubt of its being Haworth’s heterodactyla, which is the matter we are concerned with. Even if it can be proven that Haworth used Villers’ name and description, yet the new use of a name by a new author makes him responsible for this use. Now, Haworth only described British species, and there is only one British species with markings similar to parvidactyla, to which the description :—‘ Alis patentibus fissis, nigris, maculis albis’ could possibly apply, and that is teucvii. I quite agree with Mr. Briggs that if we consider Villers’ species, we may well be in doubt, but if we restrict ourselves to British species we can 206 TEA BRITISE: NOME ORME LS [OCTOBER scarcely be in doubt about Haworth’s. The name might well read :— Heterodactyla, Haw., Vill. (?). 3 Teucvi, Greening. Haworth assumed (from. description) that Villers’ species was the same as his own, just the same as he assumed his didactyla was the Linnzan didactyla, which we now well know, could not have been the case (because didactyla, Linn. is not a British species), yet Haworth’s didactyla is British, and would replace distans, were there not already another plume named didactyla, Linn. On this ground alone, therefore, Haworth’s hetevodactyla, which we know represents teucyii—both from description and from Dr. Mason having Haworth’s actual type with the name attached—must in correct nomenclature, replace the latter name of tewcrii, whilst Villers’ heterodactyla, about which Mr. Briggs very properly expresses so much doubt, could be ignored, or ‘ Villers (?)’ added after the name.” Imaco—The imago belongs to the dark-coloured group of Oxyptili and isa most beautiful insect. The anterior wings are divided into two lobes of a rich fuscous-brown colour with the outer edge of the costa margined with white, and the inner narrowly paler. In the centre of the wing is a small white longitudinal mark, a white spot at the end of the fissure, whilst two white fasciee cross the lobes, the inner making an acute angle near the termination of the fissure, the other being almost parallel to the hind margin. The posterior wings are divided into three plumules, the two upper are dark brown, the third pale, and with a distinct double tuft of black scales, the inner large, the outer near the tip of the wing and very small. The head and thorax are of the same colour as the fore-wings, the abdomen as the hind wings but annulated with white; the legs are also dark-brown annulated. with white. Haworth’s diagnosis is as follows :—‘ Alis patentibus fissis, nigris, maculis albis.” Mr. C. G. Barrett gives the following :—‘‘ Heterodactylus, Haw. (teucvi, Greening), which was at one time mistaken for /zevaci, is, perhaps, the largest of the group, at any rate, its wings are decidedly broader, and from its dark colour and bright white markings, it is by far the most handsome. Its costal margin is much rounded, tips long and drooping, fasciz fairly broad and brightly defined, and the inner (dorsal) margin of the fore wings is edged with bright white cilia, in which are three black dashes. The third feather of the hind wing hasa large blackish tuft, and the 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 207 interior portion of the feather is white, with numerous black dots” (**Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXV., p. 431.) Larva—The following description by Mr. Buckler, was published by Mr. C. G. Barrett in the ‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VIII., p. 155:—‘‘ The full-grown larva is five lines in length, cylindrical, tapering a little behind, and a little in front from the second segment to the head, which is a trifle smaller and rounded; the segments appear very plump from the divisions being deeply cut; it is a pale glaucous-green colour, with dorsal and sub-dorsal lines of dull green; the tubercules are brown, bearing fascicles of numerous white hairs, those on the thoracic segments very spreading, and it is altogether very hairy.” | Of the life history of the larva, Mr. Barrett also writes :—‘' The mode of the life of this larva is sufficiently curious. It gnaws a deep round hole in the side of the stem of a young shoot of Teucvium scovodoma, stopping the flow of sap and causing it to droop, then crawls (slowly enough) to the heart and eats portions of the younger leaves, biting them through like ordinary larva, and never, I believe, gnawing the surface of the leaf lke some of its congeners, nor entering the shoot like others. It does not confine itself to one shoot, but, after eating bits of several leaves, goes to another, which it causes to droop in the Same way. In wet weather the shoots will recover and raise, but if the sun is hot and weather dry, they wither, and serve (like the shoots of spindle when mined by the larve of Hyponomeuta plumbella) as signal flags to show where a larva is to be found. In confinement, the larva makes no attemp to wither the shoot, but eats the young and full-grown leaves indifferently. Its principal object is, evidently, shelter from the sun, and it is so sluggish that it can hardly ever be seen to move when light is upon it. It is lable to a queer disease, which causes it to become distended, and die in the form of a little hairy bladder. Great numbers die in this way, and from some of them ieumeumons emerge, but 1 think by no means from all.” In ths “ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. IV., p. 16, Mr. Greening writes :—‘“‘ The larve teed on Teucrium scorodonia, and are now (May 2nd) just changing their first skins; they do not feed down the stems of their food-plant like some of the other ‘‘ plumes” but eat the young feaves first.” Again, on p. 39, he writes:—‘‘ When I first found the 208 THE BRIMSE NATUR ALI Sa: [OCTOBER larve, they had not changed their first skins, and were sitting on the tops of the leaves. After the first moult they at once go down the stem until they get to within about an inch and a half of the bottom, and then eat the stem just half-way through, causing the parts of the plant, above where it is bitten, to bend down, and soon to become half dead and very soft; on this part the larve feed, and as the plant, getting only a small supply of sap, is not able to grow up, the neigh- bouring plants, in two or three days, overtop it and cover it up, so that one cannot see it, until one looks well for it under the other plants. One plant supplies food enough for a single larva; for as soon as the bent part is eaten the larva is full-fed, and it then descends to just below where it has bitten the stem half through, where it is very short and stiff, and attaches itself by the tail and changes to a pupa with its head downwards.” In the ‘Entomologist,’ Vol. IV., p. 306, Mr. Gregson writes :—‘‘ The eggs are hatched in autumn, and the larve eat small round holes in the upper leaves of Teucrium scorvodonia grow- ing in sheltered places. They appear in winter as small oval tufts of whitish hair, attached to the underside of the leaves. Early in the spring they move, and eat into the young shoots of the food plant, and in a few days afterwards, if the season is fine, they may be seen on the upper side of the young leaves casting their skins, and then they appear like oblong pinkish bundles of hair. They now begin to eat freely, previous to the next change, and may be easily found, often two or three, sometimes more, upon each side of their food-plant, always on the upper side of the terminal leaves. Ina few days they move down the stem, and eat a smali round hole in it, about two joints down, which soon causes the tips of the plant to droop, and near this cover they remain for some weeks, eating the young growing leaves around them, until they appear as whitish-green living larve, with a retractile head, attenuate to the anus, four to five lines long, and change in May and June toa pinkish and green, which becomes eventually a brown pupa, attaching itself by the tail upon anything Meaty Pupa—The pupe, like the larvae, vary somewhat in colour, being sometimes pale pinkish, at other times pale green, and occasionally brown, with intermediate varieties, but the pale forms all become darker just before emergence. The dorsal area is covered with minute hairs as in the larval stage. It may be found in May and / 1891. ] Es Rasb tS INA OIR AD tsa. 209 June attached to its food-plant, or any suitable object near, by its anal extremity. Mr. C. G. Barrett writes :—‘‘ The pupa state seems to be | assumed under any convenient object close to the ground, as the hairy pupa is not often to be found on the plants ” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” VIII., p. 155). Figures of the different stages of this | species are given in the April number of the ‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XVI. TIME OF APPEARANCE —Heterodactyla occurs between the second week of June and the end of July, being much earlier some seasons | than others. It is single brooded and hence differs from so many of imits congeners. Dr. Knaggs had it as early as June 14th, but the | begining of July is a much more usual date. Hasitat—The species is to be found in woods, on sandy heaths and _ in gravel pits, wherever its food-plant Teucvinm scorodonia abounds. It _ has a wide distribution in Britain. Mr. Gregson (“ Entomologist,” _IV., p. 306) writes :—‘‘ It was taken freely at Pettypool Wood, many : years ago, by Mr. N. Cooke and others; since then I have met with it in - Wales, in Ireland, in the Isle of Man, and, in company with Mr. Hodgkinson, in Westmoreland, and at Humphrey Head in North Lan- weasmire.” In Vol: AIl., p. 298, he also gives ‘‘ Delamere Forest, and _ Pant Moen and Pan-y-Garrowin in North Wales.” Mr. Atmore records | it from Kings Lynn, Norfolk. It also occurs freely at Tilgate Forest, | several localities in Dorsetshire, Clevedon in Somersetshire, Folkestone Warren, &c. Dr. Jordan (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. W1., p. 122) says that the species is not known in Scandinavia. In fact it appears to have been almost entirely overlooked on the Continent, 29) | as it is not even mentioned in Staudinger and Wocke’s “ Catalog. fee FETE ROCKEKA OF THE ISLE OF MAN. BY HENRY SHORTRIDGE CLARKE, F.E.S., ADVOCATE. Gnophos obscurata.---Occurs at Onchan. Mr. Gregson has taken the larvee plentifully on the grassy places on the coast where the grass is Short, in April and May. | Iodis lactearia.—Appears generally distributed throughout the island. 210 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. (Ocrosen | Hemithea thymiaria.—Occurs at Tromode, Onchan, Lezayre, and | elsewhere. | Hyria auroraria.—Mr. Gregson took this on the heath land, on the | road to Peel from Douglas, near a pine wocd. Acidalia subsericeata.—By no means common, occurs at Onchan. Acidalia candidata.—Taken by Mr. Gregson in the plantation behind Onchan. Acidalia aversata.—Common and widely distributed. Acidalia scutulata.—-Taken by Mr. Gregson in the plantation behind Onchan. | Acidalia bisetata.— Taken by Mr. Gregson in the plantation behind | Onchan. | Acidalia inornata.—Local and uncommon, has been taken at Onchan. Acidalia promutata.— Mr. Gregson has taken it on the shore from Daly Castle to Growdle bay. Acidalia fumata.—Mr. Gregson has taken it on the shore from Daly Castle to Growdle bay. Cabera exanthemaria.—Common and widely distributed. Halia wavaria.—Common and widely distributed. Fidonia atomaria.— Common, occurs at Onchan and Lezayre. Fidonia piniaria.—I took g males flying in the sunshine, in the fir woods behind Glen Duff estate, Lezayre, June 22nd, 1891. Abraxas grossulariata.—Common and widely distributed. Bred some large specimens from larve found at Onchan in June, 18g0. Abraxas ulmata.—Local, occurs near Onchan, and Mr. Jager records finding the larva at Glen Helen in Sept., 1890. Mr. Gregson gives the following note: The first specimen of this insect taken, 1864, was a typical fovm of ‘* pantaria” Linn, but though it has been searched for every year since, only ulmata form has been found. : Hybernia progemmaria.—Occurs at Kirk Bridge, common. Hybernia defoliaria.— Widely distributed, all over the island where plantations are. Anisopteryx eescularia.— Widely distributed. , Cheimatobia brumata.—-Appears widely distributed all over the 1SjlzuavG), a | 1891.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 211 ~~ Oporabia dilutata.—By no means common, several taken near Douglas. “ Larentia didymata.—Common at Tromode, some very dark forms | to be met with there. ‘ Larentia multistrigaria. -Widely distributed. “ Larentia czesiata.—Occurs at Injebreck and is local and rare. | Larentia salicata.—-Occurs at Ramsey, plentiful there in 1890. _Larentia pectinitaria.— Widely distributed, plentiful at Kirk Bride | and Tromode. | Emmelesia affinitata.— Local and rare. _Emmelesia albulata.—- Widely distributed. | Emmelesia albulata v. griseata.—Mr. Gregson records the capture | of this variety which is very rare. | Emmelesia decolorata.—Local and rare, occurs at Onchan, larve feeds in the seed pods of Lychnis dioica. _Eupithecia venosata.—Local, but occurs plentifully at Onchan, very fine and dark forms to be met with there. | EKupithecia pulchellata.— Occurs at Onchan and Lezayre, and wherever Fox-gloves grow. | Eupithecia subfulvata.—Occurs at Onchan, and wherever Yarrow grows freely. ,. Eupithecia satyrata.—Occurs at Onchan, by no means common. | Eupithecia castigata.— Widely distributed, wherever Lychnis grows. _ Eupithecia jasioneata.— Local and rare. Mr. Gregson records its | capture beyond Growdle where its food plant occurs. 7 Eupithecia trisignaria.—Local and rare. Mr Gregson records its capture beyond Growdle. | Eupithecia virgaureata.—Occasionally at Onchan. | Eupithecia fraxinata —Occasionally in the Nunnery Grounds, near Douglas. | Eupithecia constrictata.—Occurs at Onchan, Pulrose and Ramsey, larvee feed on wild thyme in July and August. Eupithecia nanata.— Mr. Gregson records its capture on the heather. Eupithecia subnotata.— Occasionally at Onchan, and larve on C. Bonus-henricus in a hollow beyond Douglas Head. Eupithecia vulgata.— Common and widely distributed in thorn | hedges. 212 THE BRITISH -NATURALISa [OCTOBER Eupithecia absinthiata.— Widely distributed where ragwort grows. Mr. Gregson adds: a general feeder, common where ragwort - grows on the coast in September. Eupithecia minutata.—Occurs onthe mountains and on heather, and near Injebreck. Mr. Gregson gives the following note: Ex- clusively a heath feeder, larvae common on heath flowers. These two species are sometimes so alike in the perfect state, that few ~| Entomologists can separate them. The larve are very distinct. Eupithecia exiguata.— Widely distributed. Eupithecia pumilata.—Widely distributed. Eupithecia rectangulata.— Widely distributed. Emmelesia albulata v. nigrosericeata.—At Onchan, but is both local and rare. Mr. Gregson records its capture, he states that this insect is a dark (often almost black) variety of E. vectangulata, and is to be obtained in the old apple gardens at Onchan, the larva teats into the blossoms and young apples in May and June. Hypsipetes impluviata.—Local and rare, occurs at Onchan. Hypsipetes elutata.— Widely distributed. Emmelesia albulata v. infuscata.—Rare, Mr. Gregson records its capture, he states this variety which is almost black and occurs at Onchan. Melanthia rubiginata.—Widely distributed. Melanthia ocellata.— Widely distributed. Melanthia albicillata.—Occasionally in a wood not far from Onchan village. Melanippe montanata.—Very common at Tromode, some very light forms to be met with there. Melanippe fluctuata.—Common and widely distributed, often very dark and large. | Anticlea badiata.- Widely distributed. Anticlea derivata.—Occasionally at Onchan. | Anticlea propugnata.—Occasionally at Onchan, Mr. Gregson records its capture. Coremia ferrugata.—Widely distributed. Coremia unidentaria.—Local and rare. Camptogramma bilineata.—Very common and widely distributed. Comptogramma fluviata.—Local and rare. Onchan is the only locality where this insect is found. 189Q1. | sige ws tolgltl Sit NAGE WikkeA Sor 28 Notes. NomENcLATURE. —Allow me to point out that the only remedy for the existing uncertainty in Entomological nomenclature, is a lst of names issued by an authority, which all entomologists would acknowledge. The lists issued in 1870, 1872, and 1876, to which you, Mr. Editor, refer in the last number of the ‘‘ British Naturalist,” bear the names of their respective authors, who are entomologists of high repute. But it does not appear that they were adopted at a general meeting of the London Entomological Society. The L.E.S. has, no doubt, passed a resolution that it is incumbent upon the society to issue such lists, but the matter has ended there. In 1872 the late Mr. W. A. Lewis moved against the principle of priority, and prepared a circular, of which | have a copy, which shows that he had obtained about 50 signatures to a petition to the Entomological Society on the subject, but after his melancholy decease, the subject was dropped. We have too many lists of names compiled by individuals, and, of course, each differing from the others; our want is an authoritative list which shall supersede these. In its compilation existing lists must be consulted, and due weight given tothem. But a list bearing the authority of the L.E.S., and obtained by some such scheme as that which | sketched in the September number of the B.N. will alone put an end to all differences and secure universal acceptance.-—( Rev.) J. Watson, Upper Norwood, September 7th, 1891. Lyc@na ALexis IN NortH Krent.—-This species seems to have been unusually large and abundant this past spring and my son and 1 have taken a fine series, including many good vars. Some of the males closely approached Adonis in colour, and in one the fringe was by) distinctly spotted. The females were exceptionally ‘‘blue” and Vatied more than any I have ever before noticed; the greatest Variation was, of course, in the undersides. One is similar to the second fig. in ‘‘ Newman” (Bond’s vars ) but the strokes or dashes are much more pronounced in the one taken by us. Another, also a male, is ‘‘spotless,’ and many others of both sexes are more or less wanting in the usual markings. But what I think the best var. is a male, the upper side of which is a dull smoky blue and the under, an uniform smoky brown, having the usual black spots, but small and without the white rings, the orange spots are pale in colour, rather large, and 214 PEE BI MEIS Hs NAW Re wiSae [OcTOBER close together, giving the appearance of a band; altogether a very nice ~ insect. —E. Sazpine, The Villas, Erith, August, 1891. | Var. oF Lyc@na AceEstis.—Referring to the last described of Mr. Sabine’s varieties, I took at Black Hall Rocks in July last, a very similar underside variety of Lycena agestis. The upper side has no peculiarity, but on the underside the black spots instead of having a pure white ring, have a ring only very slightly paler than the ground colour. In varieties of the underside of this species, it is generally the black spots that disappear, and specimens are not uncommon with white spots only. In the var. Artaxerxes this nearly always obtains. I have one with no spots at all and many with fewer than the usual number, but I have only once before met with a specimen like that now discussed. Joun E. Rosson, Hartlepool, Aug. 25th, 1891. HESPERIA LINEOLA.—We are indebted to Mr. F. W. Hawes, (a member of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society) for the addition of this interesting little skipper to our meagre © list of British Butterflies. It somewhat closely resembles Hespena linea=thaumas, but when once its characters are seen, one feels astonished that it should so long have been overlooked in this country. Its principal habitat with us is evidently in the Essex marshes and rough places adjacent. In July, 1890, wishing to obtain this, then, novelty, I paid my first visit to Leigh, Essex, and worked the rough hilly meadows on to Hadleigh Castle, here, I found a few /ineola flying with linea, the latter being very much the commoner insect. Failing to obtain a good series, | went again to Leigh a few days later and this time, I struck out on to the fringes of the Salt Marsh, hered found lineola only, not a single /inea amongst them, it was almost too late for them, the bulk being considerably worn, but cne thing was evident, the home of limea was found, it only remained to go again the © next season earlier, to obtain as many as one wished. This year, on July 25th, the South London field excursion was to Leigh, under my guidance, and favoured by most propitious weather, all our party (some 20 nets) not only obtained their full series, but will be able to supply the cabinets of their friends. Given fine warm weather the best time to go for the species would be from the 2nd to 3rd week in July, and then working along the rough grassy fringes of the Salt Marsh from Leigh to Benfleet and probably other such like places, any lepidopterist may obtain /zneola freely. 1891. | Ee BRIS NATURALIST. 215 They love to sit, particularly towards evening, on the stems of the coarse grasses, flowers of Thistles, semi-dried-up-looking heads of bloom of the Narrow-leaved plantain, when the slanting beams of the evening sunlight, playing on the golden copper colour of their half opened wings give them a bright gem-like look. At this period of the day too, they are not nearly as rapid and jerky in their flight and can readily be captured. The midges will also do their level best to keep you busy, as they bite and dance around you in myriads, but with a new British Butterfly in your satchel you pay them httle heed, although on the morrow you find they have added to, if not improved your features considerably.—W. H. Tucwe tt, Lewisham, August gth, 189QI. Hesperia Lingeora.—There is no doubt Hesperia lineola is common where it occurs, but it is very local, and is entirely confined to the sea walls and the immediate vicinity of the water. As soon as you cross the narrow strip of marsh, lineola disappears, and linea takes its place. I took 34 good specimens in the few hours I was there, although the day was dull. My friend Mr. Milton has just turned it up at Gravesend in a precisely similar locality, (vidé report of C. Lon. Ent. and N. H. Society for Aug. 2oth), and I should expect it to be found all along the Thames estuary, if looked for in the right sort of spots.—A. U. BattLey, London, Aug., 1891. NUMBER OF EGGS PRODUCED BY ZYGENA TRIFOLII AND. Z. LonicEr&.—On July 25th I received a box from Mr. Robson con- taining a most liberal supply of the pupa cases of Z. loniceve, and one of the specimens bred therefrom has laid 296 eggs. To-day I have received a box from my friend P. W. Abbot (supplementing a prior liberal contribution) of two pairs of Z. tvifoli, taken by him yesterday in cop. in the Isle of Wight. In transit the package got smashed and one of the females had the contents of her abdomen crushed out of her side, and | took advantage of this circumstance to count the number of eggs she had hid within her, they were 306. In general appearance both series of eggs are very much alike but Jonicere lays a_ larger eggs than ?vifoli, the colour (bright yellow), whilst the colour of the eggs laid by ¢rifoli: are more citron yellow, the form of both are oval. and smooth.—C. S. Grecson, July 2gth, 1891. | THE GENUS AcRonycTra.—I have not at this moment access to Simene numbers of the “Ent. Record,” but 1 feel certain that Mr. 216 AM SUD ABR SIS IN AIIUIRUNIE S70, | OCTOBER Lewcock (Brit. Nat.” July p. 150) is mistaken if he supposes that the name Cuspidia aceris was used previously to the time when it appeared above his signature. Indeed reading his article carefully, | do not think he intended to imply that it was so, but merely that Dr. Buckell and the Rev. B. Smith had used Cuspidia in a generic sense earlier. Of, course this was this, case,.as. in” fact ‘appears im) Min Butler’s article in the ‘‘ Entomologist,” p. 111, but that has nothing to’ do’ with, the’ matter:.> 1 quoted Mr.. Wewcock as one ‘of the authorities, not for Cuspidia, but for the combination Cuspidia acens. Dr. Chapman is the only author of Cuspidia.—T. D. A. CocKERELL, INSTITUTE oF Jamaica. 24th July, 1891. We most sincerely hope that our nomenclature mall not be further complicated, by requiring sponsors for every combination of generic with specific names, but in any case Mr. Cockerell is not correct in the above note. The combination of acevis, with Cuspidia as a generic term,,appeared for the first time in the “Record” for August 15th; 18g0, p. 130, over the signature of Dr. Bucknell, and dated June | 2nd, 1890, as correctly quoted by Mr. Lewcock at p. 150 supr.; this Mr. Cockerell has evidently overlooked altogether. Dr. Chapman is certainly the author of the term Cuspidia, but he has never used it as a generic term.—-Ep. B.N. ACRONYCTA ACERIS.— The pretty larva of this species seems rather plentiful this season. I have taken upwards of 30 at this place recently; and also several at Gravesend.—F. Mitton, 164, Stamford ill wondone N. SuGAR IN THE Nortu.—We have had a very poor season in this part of the country, at least so far as 1am concerned. ‘‘Sugar” has been, and is, a complete failure. It worked fairly well on the coast in July and August, but in the woods it was entirely useless. Autumn larve are abundant, more so than I ever remember seeing before, which augurs well for next season.—ARTHUR Horne, Aberdeen. BratTinGc ror Larva.—I have been beating for larve, and the” other day I knocked out 4 Fagi, Corylit, Pudibunda, Unguicula, Falcatavia, Dromedarius, Camelina, Psi, Temerata, Defoliaria, and Betulavia, besides an olla podvida of unknown species. At the beginning of August I took 10 Verbasci larvae. 1s not this rather a late date for the species? -Hy. J. Turner, 13, Drakefell Road, Tlaitchamin (Sik, 189q1. | Ee BIRT NATURALIST, Bil) NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARVE | FOR THE MONTH. BY GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S. Autumn is now fully upon us, and during October we must endeavour to get all the leaf feeding larve as quickly as possible, for towards the end of the month we occasionally get slight frosts at night, and often cold windy weather during the day, which soon cause the leaves to fall and be scattered in all directions. But even this is an advantage in some cases, for we are able to obtain the larve or pup of many species of the Lithocollitide that only feed in the leaves of the upper branches of the trees. Many of the species occuring last month are still to be obtained, with the slight advantage that those we come across now are about | full fed, but it is at the risk of finding many of the leaves and seed heads tenantless if deferred too long, so we must now make the best use of our time and get away on some of the glorious mornings we occasionally get this month, and search the margins and main drives of woods, and the hedges and hedge banks of quiet country lanes. One of the first plants that attract our notice at this time, especially on dry chalky slopes or hedge banks is that erect composite plant the Spikenard (Inula conyza) with its numerous flower heads On opening some of them we shall probably find a fat yellowish white larva with brown head, which would be that of Gel. bifractella. It is best to cut off the whole of the seed heads attached to the main stems, and on | arriving home, put them into an airy cage in their natural position, and keep them out of doors during winter. There is another growing on chalky soils, viz.: the common Marjoram (Ovganum vulgare) from which we must not forget to cut a good bagfull of the flower heads, for they contain the larve of Gel. swbocellea, these larve have the singular habit of eating out the contents of a seed husk, using it asa case and moving from one flower to another, attaching the dry calyces to its case as it proceeds, till it exactly resembles the case of one of the Coleophora ; they are most difficult to detect on the plant, but when the flower heads are put into the cage may be observed the next day crawling up the sides. 218 THE, BRITISH NATURALIS# [OcToBER The Maple (Acer campestris) have some of the leaves turned down at this time by the larva of Lith. acerifoliella, (sylvella), and the large mine of L. cavella may now be observed in the leaves of the birch. Towards the end of the month we must look for the larve of L. stettinella ; these larve mine the upper sides of the leaves of Alder near the midrib, and are generally found in the terminal and subter- minal leaves; another species L. alnifoliella, mines the leaves on the underside. The fruit of the alder also should now be examined for the larva of S. pedella, they feed inside the hard fruit, and are detected by a slight discoloration and a litile frass between the scales. The leaves of the dwarf sallow (Salix vepens) which is found growing on heaths and commons are now being mined by the larva of L. quin- queguttella, they mine the whole of the leaf, which appears just sufficient till they are full grown. Towards the end of the month is the best time to search under oak trees for the leaves mined by the larve of L. hortella, voborella, amoytella and heegeriella, the mine of the last named species is rather large and not puckered, all these species _ feed in the leaves of the upper branches, and are not to be obtained till the leaves fall. L. lantella is another species, which should be searched for at the same time. These larve are only found mining the leaves of the twigs growing from the base of the trunks of oak trees, or young saplings, they are seldom found above two feet from the ground, they form a very long narrow mine more than half the length of the leaf and three or four larve are occasionally to be seen mining one leaf, causing it to assume a twisted and distorted appearance. The discoloured hips of the wild rose should now be gathered, for many of them contain the larva of S. vosetecolana. The fruit of the sloe and plums should not be forgotten for many of them contain the larva of C. funebrana, the leaves of the bramble growing under the shelter of hedges have some of the leaves very conspicuously bleached at this time by the larve of S. marginea (emyella); the seed heads of 3 the wood rush (Luzula pilosa) should now be examined for the larva in their cases of C. murinipennella; those plants to be found growing on heaths | have generally found most productive. The case bearing larva of Col. potentille may now be found bleaching the leaves of the Potentilla tormentilla that is found growing under the shelter of furze bushes. 1891. | Wishes, Je IcSisb INP Ugo MEISE 219 And now we will again pay a visit to some tidal river and search the sea wall and marshes adjoining. On the sandy shore we see some fine plants of the prickly saltwort (Salsola kalc), if we examine it closely at the beginning of the month we shall probably observe the ends of some of the shoots are covered with a slight web intermixed with erains of sand, if on pulling this apart we find a yellowish green larva it would be that of G. canella, these larve mine the stems when young, afterwards feeding externally, it is as well to take home some sand with the food plant, for the larva spin their cocoons intermixed with sand. There is another prickly plant only growing on sandy shores, viz.: the sea holly (Evingium maritimum), the roots of which we must now examine for the larva of A. maritimana, these larva are to be found eating their way down some considerable distance into the pipe-like roots, and owing to the brittleness of the roots and the depth the larve go down, are most difficult to get up without injury. We must now examine the sea purslane (Atriplex portulacoides ) growing on the muddy banks, or salt marshes, and are soon busy collecting the cases of Col. meniacella, a week or two later these cases are to be found on the Sueda mantima; and examining that robust looking Atriplex, the sea orache, growing on the sea wall, the rough looking cases of the larve of C. annulatella will soon be found on the seeds. The sea wormwood (Artemisia mantima) next claims our attention, by beating it into a net, the cases of Chi. artemisiella may be taken in plenty, and the larva of C. Wimmerana also, these larva draw the shoots together, are rather plentiful, but difficult to breed, } as they hibernate, and feed up in the spring; the whitish cases of C. mantimella occasionally drop into the net, but had better be thrown out and taken about the end of the following May, being then nearly full grown, the sea lavender (Statice limonium ) grows rather freely on these marshes, and we must cut a good bagfull of the seed heads, from which in due course we shall breed a nice series of G. brizella, | have often bred this species from the above named plant, but not up to the present from Statice armenia. The larva of C. limoniella feeds on the seeds of S. limonium appropriating one of the florets and using as its case, they may be observed sticking on the sides of the stems, into which the larva is eating its way to pupate, the cases soon afterwards drop off, when a small hole in the stem may be observed webbed over. Before leaving this district we must not forget to cut a large bagfull 220 THE. BRITISH NATURALIS®, [OCTOBER of the seed heads of the Asterv tripolium, for the obese looking larva of C. tripoliana is now to be found inside feeding on the seeds, from which a most variable series, from pale buff to almost black may be bred. Shepherdess Walk, City Road. Erratum.—For ‘August’ in first line of last month’s article read “6 September.” Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. September 2nd, 1891.—Mr. Frederick DuCane Godman, M.A., F.R.S., President, in the chair. Mr! W. H. Blaber, of Groombridge, Sussex; Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, F.Z.S., of 7 Kingston, Jamaica; Mr. R. E. V. Hanson, B.A., of Tunbridge Wells, Kent; and Mr. R. C. Wroughton, of Poona, India, were elected Fellows of the Society. Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliott exhibited a series of various species of Diptera collected on Ranunculacee, Papaveracee, and Crucifere. He said that during the past summer he had studied about forty species of plants belonging to the orders named, and that they had all been visited by insects which were probably necessary for nectariferous flowers. The majority of the Diptera caught were not confined to one species or even genus, but in view of the unmodified character of the flowers in the orders named this was only to be expected. Mr. Verrall observed that certain insects affected certain plants, but that the Gerantacee were seldom visited. The discussion was continued by Mr. M‘Lachlan, Mr. Kirby, and others. Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited a specimen of the orthopterous insect Hemisaga hastata, De Sauss., which, in the Transvaal, he observed to attack and feed on Danais chrysippus, a butterfly well known from its protective character and distasteful qualities to have a complete immunity from the usual lepidopteral enemies. The Hemisaga lurked amongst the tops of’ tall flowering grasses, being consequently disguised by its protective resemblance to the same, and seized the Danais as it settled on the bloom. From close watching and observation Mr. Distant could discover no other danger to the life of this well-known and highly protected butterfly. Mr. T. R. Billups exhibited four species of Diptera, which he believed to be respectively Oxycerva terminata, Meg., Pipizella annulata, Meg., Clidogastva punctipes, Meg., and Oxyphora arnice, L., taken at Oxshott, Surrey, on the 11th July last. He mentioned that all of them were recorded in Mr. Verrall’s list only as ‘reputed British.’’ He also exhibited a specimen of Hypoderma bovis, Deg., taken at Plumstead on the 29th July last. 2 Wisha, IDIOM Sst Inte Us AULA ate [ OcTOBER Dr. D. Sharp exhibited several species of Forficulidz, and called attention to the diverse conditions of the parts representing the wings in the apterous forms. Mr. H. Goss exhibited living larve of Scoria dealbata, reared from ova. They were feeding on Polygonum aviculare, but not very freely ; Brachypodium sylvaticum had been named as a food-plant for this species, but he did not find that the larvae would eat this or any other grass. The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited, and read notes on, a collection of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, and Diptera, which he had recently made in Norway. Mr. Champion, Mr. Billups, and Mr. M‘Lachlan took part in the discussion which ensued.—H. Goss, Hon. Sec. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. September 14th.—The opening meeting for the winter session. The President, Sjcapper, ECS), FE.S., in the chair. Mr. C. H. H. Walker read a paper on ‘‘ Nerves and Nervous Systems,” describing the geueral structure of the nervous system of a typical insect and comparing it with that of a spider, and pointing out the close affinity, which differs only when the economy of the subject rendered it necessary. The paper was illustrated with carefuily executed blackboard drawings. Among the numerous exhibits the president showed specimens of the new Tortrix dinelana from Galway. Mr. Walker curious varieties of Vanessa antiopa which he had bred, from Canada, the black subterminal band and the blue spots being quite absent and the yellow border very wide. Mr. Melville a fine specimen of Chevocampa nerii, captured at Prestwich in 1846. Mr. Newstead several cases of life histories including the full history of the Sivex gigas, which he stated had been very common this year. Mr. Prince a fine variety of Arclia caja, the fore wings of which were almost entirely brown and the black spots on the hind wings formed a thick dark marginal band; bred by him this year. Mr. Gregson a series of Lithosea sericea taken this season. Mr. Harker Dianthecia barrettit, from Howth.—F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec., 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL His ORY iS OCLEM Y. September 3vd, 1891.—Exhibits.—Mr. Cooper, a fine variety of Abraxas grossulariata Forest Gate, having a solid black band across the wings, the yellow markings being entirely absent. Mr. Mera, a specimen of Nonagria concolor, dark vars of Hadena suasa, and pale forms of Agvotis ripe and A. tritici; also living larve of Acronycta tridens. Mr. Smith, Liparvis monacha, a fine dark banded form of Ennomos angulavia, and Scotosia vhannata, all from Epping Forest; also varieties of Ypsipetes elutata from Lyndhurst. Mr. Nicholson, Lithosia muscerda, Minoa euphorbiata, a fine specimen of Boarmia vepandata var conversavia, dark forms of Yfsipetes elutata, and a specimen of Sivex gigas, all from the New Forest. Dr. Buckell exhibited a long series of Acronycta megacephala, bred this year from larve found on poplar trunks in North London last Autumn. One of these was the ochreous form, the remainder varying either in the direction of a dark unicolorous form, or becoming pale (var turanica, Stdgr). Only 1891. | ELE -BRERISH. NADURAL Isa 222 two had a distinct reniform, when examined with a lens. He also exhibited Strenia clathrata from Leigh, with the ground colour golden yellow instead of ‘‘dingy white”’ as described by Newman; and a specimen of Hesperia lineola from the same locality having the left fore-wing about two-thirds the size of the right. He also showed larva of Demas coryli, which varied from yellowish white, to black. Mr. Gates exhibited Toxocampa pastinum irom Sevenoaks, Bryophila glandifera from Brighton, and Spilodes palealis from Herne Bay, also an albino of the Common Starling from Brentwood. Mr. Tutt, Aevonycta megacephala, Tephrosia biundularia var delamerensis and a parallel black variety of T. crepusculavia, both from South Wales; also a series of Agroiis vavida and its varieties from Wicken. Coleoptera:—Mr. Beck, series of Donacia crassipes D. dentata, D. sericea, D. affinis, Lixus pavaplecticus, &c., chiefly from Christchurch, also a specimen of Leptuva sanguinolenta, one of the rarest of the Longicorn beetles, which had not been taken in Britain for many years. Mr. Heasler, Nitidula obscura, and Rhizophagus cribratus. Mr. Milton, Colymbetes pulverosus, C.notatus, Agabus conspersus, Ilybius fenestratus, I. obscurus and Mordella fasciata; also a specimen of Tabanus autunmalis, and an apple twig infested with the scale insect (Coccus agathinum). Mr. Battley exhibited a flower of laburnum, picked the same day, and stated that he had seen some fresh male catkins of sallow during the last fortnight. He also exhibited a series of Apamea ophiogramma from Stamford Hill, together with the preserved larva, pupze, and cocoons, and read some notes on the life history and habits of the species. September 17th, 1891.—Exhibits.—Mr. Tutt, varieties of Stvenia clathrata, extreme forms of Boarmia vepandata var conversaria, a black specimen of Tephrosia biundularia, a pinkish variety cf Agvotis valligera, several specimens of the red-banded form of Coremia unidendata, &c. Mr. Clark, Agrotis Ashworthii, bred from larve taken in Wales. He remarked that these larve fed entirely on the blossom of the dandelion, concealing themselves by day at the roots of the piants. Mr, Battley exhibited Ceruva vinula, Nola cuculatella and Eupithecia subnotata, together with parasites bred from each. He also showed a number of cocoons of Eriogaster lanestvis, part of which had been formed among dead hawthorn leaves, and the rest among paper shavings the former being much darker than the others. He stated that the silk appeared to be almost white in both cases, but after the cocoon was partly formed, the larve injected it with a brown liquid, which caused the dark colour. Mr. Tutt, remarked that he had noticed a similar instance of protective colouring in the cocoons of Halias chlovana. which almost invariably assumed the colour of the surrounding objects, if the larve had been in the same situation for two days before spinning. If, however, they were © placed under the different conditions just before they formed their cocoons, they made them to accord with the colouring of the objects from which they had been removed. Mr. Quail exhibited life histories of Saturnia carpini and Cymatophora flavicornis; also a preserved larva of Phovodesma smavagdavia, and an ichneumoned larva of Acronycta alni. Dr. Buckell, living larvee of Cavadina morpheus, six weeks old. He remarked that Newman states that this species ‘‘feeds throughout the Autumn and Winter until the following May, when it makes a cell rather than a cocoon just under the earth, in which it changes to a pupa”’ and that Merrin says that the pupa | | | { | . 1 r 223: | Wists, Jee S al INGEIE OSes Ine [OCTOBER is found in May or June, ‘‘spun up in a leaf, or an earthen cocoon attached to the food plant.’ On the other hand, he had noticed that the larve were full fed about the end of November, when they bury, and spin distinct earthen cocoons, in which they remain as larve until the end of the following May, when they change to pupz: It was therefore important to leave the cocoons in damp earth all the winter, or the larve would dry up. Several members confirmed these statements, Mr. Battle saying that if the larve were brought into a greenhouse about January, they would pupate at once, and emerge in March or April. Mr. Smith, Catocala nupta and Ypsipetes elutata from Epping Forest. Mr. Milton, Halias quercana bred from Epping Jarve, also in Coleoptera, Dytiscus marginalis, D. civcumflexus, Cetonia auvata, and Philonthus splendens. He also exhibited specimens of a wasp, and remarked that the cyanide had changed the yellow bands and legs to red. Other exhibits in Coleoptera were made by M. Bayne, who brought a specimen of Prionus covarius from Loughton; and Mr. Clark, who showed Sphodrus Cucopthalmus, Necrophorus vuspator, Toxotus mevidianus and Nascerdes melanura, from Folkstone. Mr. Clark stated that he had seen a specimen of Sphinx convolvuli, which was taken a few weeks ago at Southend. Mr. Battley had found the larve of Phorodesma smaragdaria fairly plentiful at Benfleet ; and imagines of Lycena adonis, L. corydon, Acidalia orvnata, Aspilates gilvavia, and seyeral other chalk species near Reigate. Mr. Smith had beaten three larve of Stauvopus fagi in Epping Forest, and several others were recorded from the same locality. Hymenoptera.—Note. CerRcERIS ARENARIA.—On the 11th July, while walking along the coast, my attention was attracted by, to me, an unusual appearance among a colony of Cerceris arenaria. On investigation I observed that a jarge female had captured a beetle Otsorhynchus sulcatus, when she alighted on the sand near the nest, two males, one on each side, flew to her assistance, grasped the beetle, remained only a short time, their object apparently being to make certain she had command over her capture, she at the same time thrusting her sting into her victim most vigourously; I aiterwards saw several others brought and the same precaution was taken in each case. The late F. Smith, in his Catalogue of the British Fossorial Hymoptera, published by the British Museum in 1858, mentions at page 189 that he captured several wasps carrying the above named beetle. JI think the above is worth recording, if only to confirm the previous record.—G. C. BIGNELL. 1891. | THE BRIGISES NATUR Sa Mollusca. Motiuscan Captives.—Extracts from my note book. Avion atey.— | August 11th, 1888. Brought home 46 eggs from a cluster of about 60 _ found in a hedge bottom, opaque, white, oval, 4.5 mm, by 3.5 mm. these proved to be the eggs of A. atey. On the 1oth or 11th of Sept. these hatched, the young were of a pale fawn colour and 6 mm. in length when extended, on the 23rd they were slightly darker and more © red in colour, on the gth of October they had reached 14 mm., some © showed dusky lateral lines and similar lines round the shield, one had — the back from line to line dusky as well as the shield, another the shield only of this shade. In the following year ten of this species were hatched on the 3rd of October, these were all pale fawn color without a trace of lateral lines, which were distinctly visible on the 6th of the following month. These slugs attack their weaker brethren, gnawing the skin and not unfrequently devouring the greater part of the victim. Arion subfuscus.—On the 5th of September, 1888, an individual of this species deposited on the surface of the earth in one of my cases a clump of about 30 eggs glued together in a mass of irregular shape. Each egg was 2.5mm. in diameter, globular, milky white and semi- transparent, afterwards becoming yellowish. On the 23rd a second mass of between twice and three times the size of the first was deposited by the same slug, which had been isolated since the 26th of August. One young slug was seen on the 15th of March following and on the 31st two, the length when extended being g mm. Arion hortensis.—On the gth of September, 1888, I found a cluster of about 20 of the eggs of this species glued together under a small stone in one of my flower-pots, they resembled those of A. subfuscus except in size, measuring 2 mm. in diameter I have examined the eggs of this species very frequently and at all stages but have never seen them phosphorescent, as described by some writers. Avion minimus.—On the 27th of August last, two clumps of eggs were deposited by this species, one in a small crevice in the earth of the pot, the other on the under side of a lettuce leaf, each clump contained about 15 eggs adhering to each other, globular, white and semi-opaque diameter 1.7 mm. to 1.8 mm. ee E x CHANGE. Lepidoptera marked * are bred. bxcnaner. —Giving up collecting ; will exchange British Butterflies and Moths for Birds : (exchange lists.) -Hrrpart Pros, 19 Pendrill street, Beverley road, Hull. Bios png — gon, Subnotata*, Comitata*, Sobrinata*, Flavago*, Augur*, Baia*;, anata*, Cuculatella*, Semele, Labricepeda®, Keyandata, Vinula*, Bucepliala®: Scolopacina*, ersicarie*, Triangulum*, Festiva*, Typica*, Chenopodii*, Cribrella*, |Flammealis*, H. lineola air). Desiderata: Very numerous. —H. J. Turner, 13, Drakefell Road, Hatcham, S.E. netaria, Mundana, Cresiata, also'a fine pair of A. Sabelle*.—T. Mappison, South Bailey, urham. ley, Durham. er —Botanieal slides wanted. Mo inted sections &e., suitable for class work. A eG 3 IN, Uitus ford: N ewa ke oe) British ad European Lepidoptera. wanted. especially noctuz, will give in exchange fine , Camden Co. Coleoptera or Tepidepters, A. FORD, Claremont House, Upper Tower road, St. Leonards- Sea. : Pxonaven.—Destoerara. —Land and Fresh Water Mollusea of Britain, in exchange for and, Fresh Water, and Marine Mollusea of North America. —A. H. GARDNER, P.O. Box Pay Ridge. Ms. United States of America. ‘ubi, W- album, pruni, N. lucina, A. Iris, V. Atalanta, cardni, polychloros, M. artemis, cinxia, balia, AS selene, euphrosyne, S. e2geria, S malvee, H. acteon, sylvanus, comma, S. paniscus, d will make the best return in my power.— Joun KE. Rosson, Hartlepool. ctus, Mundana, Plantaginis, Fulinginosa (dark form), Versicolora,* Carpini, Vinula, berry form), Suffumata and Var Piceata, Albulata, sobrinata,* Venosata (Shetland form), pecies if in fine condition. —ARTHUR Hornykz, Watson Street, Aberdeen, NB: r not in-collection. —. W. Swanton, Boddington, Sittingbourne, Kent. ogosita mauritanica, G. Sylvinus. Lepidoptera.—Pupe of S. carpini, A. aceris, B. hirtaria. esiderata.—Coleoptera. —Elater |lythropterus, Oxporus rufus, Copris lunaris, Clerus formi- London, N. pended. Communications in the meantime to be sent to the Editor. Mr. G. A. Lewcock, 73, Oxford Road, Islington, N., Hon. Sec. City of London Ento. Nat. Hist. Society, represents the Magazine in London, and conducts the section of optera » TS. ; ; British Pterophori, 24 pages, 6d. Subscriptions, and all communications as above, to be sent to JOHN E. Rogson,. Hartlepool. Drrricates.—Salmacis, Artaxerxes, Alsns, Megera, Mendica*, Villica*, Zisculi, Trepidaria, DUPLICATES. —Bledius eraaGeotite, Donacia nigra, D. menyanthidis, Hecterocerus sericans, © ae nigrita, a. se es Stenns DEG aus Diya ninins salinus, D. globosus, Otiorhyn-_ ormis, “Bonchaae a’ a Erirhinus nereis, Microzoum tale. ve DESIDBRATA. oS GREER bal" DestpexavTa.— Having re-arranged my cabinet I will be glad of specimens of L. sinapis, — “purricares.—Aglain, Selene, Alexis (large forms); Alsus, Artaxerxes, S. Populi, ‘Velleda, fi curata, — Ericetata, Munitata, Cussia® Populata, -estata, Silaceatu, Prunata, Elutata* atyrata var Callunaria, Pimpeaellata*, lsogrammata, Pulchellata, Nanata, Pinaria, Ferrugata, metellus, Pratellus, Resinana,* ee Rosana,* Ulicetana (yars), Badiana, — noliana, Dalella, Longicornis, Nimbella,* Dubitalis, &ce. Desideratz..-Common Southern, — Excuaxeu— Offered, good vaneties of British land ard Freshwater Shells in exchange for e Dupuicarss. — Coleoptera._-Dytiscus circumflexus, Alphitobius diaperinus, “A. piceus, ius, Chrysomela menthrasti. Lepidoptera.—Pupe of Aprilina.. F. Miuen, 164 Stamford, aL TO CORRESPONDENTS. i os nehological section.— Mr. Cockerill having sailed for Jamaica, this section is temporarily w subscribers can have such portions of the Supplements as appeared last year as ows: The British Hawk Moths, 24 pages, 6d; Hand-Book of British Spiders, 32 pages, DupLicatrs.— Many Continental Butterflies in fine condition.—T. Mapprson, South : i, orth American species. - Address: CHAs. 'S.,Wezsteorr, Merchantville, N.J., U.S.A. Box a } ia Ta) eee 2% SORE AUe Za : bo d FRR, : | 4 | f : : La eee Ep j epee le ; OY tj pte ve pk x. f 2 2 7 ree - ye a f . ts ee pie ey s 2 ie ADVERTISEMENTS CONTE NTS one “The Pterophoriza of Britain. OW Patt, wes. ; “The Heterocera of the Isle of Man. ~- Henry Shortridge Clarke, BESS. Notes, various Notes for Beginners—iMicro Larvee for the Rees: Sas cae Elisha, F.E.S., Reports of Societies ; ibe howe Hymeuoptera.—N ote : - Mollusca.—W. A. Gain SUPPLEMENT. —Hawk Moths—C. W. Dale We ge | NE ANN, NATURALIST, _ WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS TOLS a eae ed Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for Ae beginners, at all carriage paid. HO RR, INSECTS. —Net, Store Box, Pins Killing Box, Cons Boards, Chip nae ce; Label Lists, &c., 6/6. a 1 OR “HGGS.— Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, Label tee Key oF FOR SHEDLILS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes, 3 Ge FOR BOTANICAL SPHCIMENS.—Botanical Collecting Case, Dees 4 Fern and Plant Digger, and Boxes, 3/6 —- % FOR FOSSILS AND MINERALS —-Geological Hammer and Chisel, Boxe 5, ee and Labels for specimens, 3/6. All orders are carefully packed and despatched on receapt oi! order. 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NI ee ° London 3 = YOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES. — Each Volume is very fully ilustiated with practical woodcuts, and baled in : i _ cloth extra, 1s. each (post free, 1s. 2d.) | ‘They contain just the kind and amount of information required.) 0. it 16 mote to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various department can be made a Commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation wh they well deserve can render them so,"’—Knowledge. ' ‘We have seen nothing better than this series. It is cheap, concise, and practical. . Saturday Review, «We are glad to call attention to this excéllent series of handbooks, which deserve to ‘widely known. . . . Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum’ thus coming forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have... . . The illustrati ons are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.’’— Academy. os 1. Butterflies, Moths, and | 12. Land and Fresh Water “Beetles. By WiKirby) |. Shells. By, J. 1] | ~ » Williams, J. W. Taylor, ‘and ) 2. Crustaceans and Senate: ea ie Dennison Roebuck | UBy Et. AiSicuse. | 1) Hossie 3. Fungi, Lichens, ete. Bye Wo Noateess By Peter Gray. | 14. The Microscope. a : | By V. AC Watham. x prep ; 15. Introduction to Zoology By B. Lindsay [dn preparal A 4. Mosses. fa (Dy ‘panes E. Bagnall, a.L.s. s Pond-Life. 16. Book Collecting. By E. A, Butler, F.z.s. | By J. H. Slater. [In propor BY _ 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and | 17. Marine Shells. on. iy Fossils. By P. Gray and By J. W. Williams & others |e B.B. oats | [In prepara i ’ ine aq | 18. Colonial Coins. 7. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and |’ h Dragon- flies. a We Les By D. F. Howorth. Bath 7 | 19. Grasses. 8. Coins & Tokens (English) By Llew. Jewitt, p.s.a.. With 4 British Ferns. a Chapter on Greek Coins Dye) owe by Barclay V. ae | 21. Pond-Life (Alge, Diatoml) Revtil etc.) - By T. Spencer Smiths¢ ST ect aoa : . Chess Problems. an By Catherine Hopley. Pore By Hi We Rayner eerie sre ay Postage Stamps. y W. T. Ogilvie. ea Un preparation..| |. Powering Plants. 7 ip i. Silkworms. . By James Britten, F.L. ign By chy Be oupleT as. i : Be [In prepara SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Square, LOND Moeisor| THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 225 Limax avborum has a curious habit of burying itself in a kind of open trough to which it frequently retires, continuing there at rest for a whole day at a time. Limax flavus.—TYhe eggs of this species are very beautiful when first deposited, they are oval, 7 mm. in length, with a small point at each end as if they had been connected by a filament, which had been broken, colorless and as transparent as a drop of water. These eggs, 16 in number, were deposited beneath a small stone on the 19th of July, 1888, about half of them produced young slugs on the 15th of August, these were very pale yellow and almost transparent, measuring II mm. when fully extended; ten days later they had reached 18 mm. and become yellow-green in colour. These slugs delight in frequenting cellars, and I have found their eggs in damp corners within the house. Limax laevis.—This species deposits its eggs singly for the most part, occasionally in twos or threes. They are oval, usually 2.8 mm. by 1.8 mm., colorless, perfectly translucent. I have seen an egg only 2 mm. in length. They have been deposited on the ground, on their food, and on the glass under which they were confined. The soil contained in the pots in which L. Jaevis is confined should be kept very moist, a good plan is to let them stand in saucers containing an inch or two of water. Helix avbustorum.-—‘‘ Found 8 eggs, round, semi-transparent, various shades of yellow.” | Helix cantiana.—‘‘ Hatched, young, very minute, 1 mm.” Eggs not described. Helix vergata.—‘‘ Deposited eggs just below the surface, three were above, white, slightly translucent, diameter 1.8 mm., one very small, I. mm., and yellowish.” Zonites nitidulus.—‘‘ Found eggs scattered over the surface, 1.5 mm., white with opaque calcareous shell. | The following notes illustrate the variations in colour which some of our slugs undergo in their youthful stages. In the last half of July I found a small Avion concerning which I entered the following description and remarks in my notebook: ‘Drab with pencil lines sides and round shield, has a white sole and I have not seen it so greatly extended as those from the ‘“‘Decoy.” The latter part of my note refers to a rather large capture of A. minimus, some of which at first glance this slug resembled. On the 24th of September | entered 226 IMD ISI Slal! WLAN UNILILS 1 [NovEMBER the following in reference to the same. ‘A. ater, nearly 14 inches in length, blackish, sides lighter, yellowish fringe,’ It is now, 6th October, back black, with scarcely a trace of yellow in the foot fringe, sides blackish, in fact the ordinary black form. In respect to A. ater, I noted a year or so ago a curious fact of which | published the particulars elsewhere. A couple, one black the other light drab, paired in one of my cases, the black deposited eggs, many of which hatched, and all of which resembled the other parent in color, being however rather lighter at first, and developing lateral lines of a shghtly darker hueinabouta month. These disappeared later through a gradual and slight darkening of the whole upper surface of the animal. I was not aware till that time that A. ater was banded in youth and was doubtful whether this banding would or would not be found in the black variety, however the notes previously given show that this also has lateral lines at an eatly period.* I have been led by my observations to the conclusion that the greatest enemies of our terrestrial mollusca are the larve of smal Dipera, of at least two: species. | Mrom) the commencement of my, breeding experiments I had observed a number of little black flies, not unlike those produced by the cheese hopper, they are so small as to be able to get through the holes in the perforated zinc with which my pots are covered, in time large numbers of larve are produced which prey on the eggs of the slugs and snails, 1 have frequently had a fine batch of eggs from which I was hoping to get a good supply of young mcliusks, when on the next inspection their place has been occupied by a few fragments of the outer portions—shells of the eggs, anda wriggling mass of these, to me, pests. My notes describing them are as follow: 6th September, 1889, ‘‘Eges of A. subfuscus pale green— other eggs of this species are described as becoming yellowish.” 30th November, ‘‘Egys disappeared, in their place Dipterous larve, trans- Ineent, from + to 4 inch im length.” 5th November) ilitece Vara extended 1 inch, fine asa hair.” 8th November, 1890, ‘‘A number of” lavue appeared .) the ereater part or the legesedesunoyedot sles larve are $ an inch in Jength, broader than those previonsly observed, quite white and transparent as glass, the intestinal canal clearly seen as a brown streak, heads shining black.” * Since writing the above I have read the article on this species in Dr. R. F. Scharif’s admirable treatise on ‘‘ The Slugs of Ireland,” published in the transactions of the Royal Dublin Society for the present year, in which this fact is fully recognised. 1891. | WSUS IBIRIEICILS ISI NATURALIST. DDigf I will transcribe two short notes on the effects of light on A. ater, the results were as will be seen, quite unexpected. 12th May, 1889, ‘A. ater placed under glass to try the effect of light on colours, the dark is slaty-black, the lighter fawn, both with light coloured foot fringe.” 27th June, ‘The two A. ater placed under glass weigh rather more than 190 grains, those still under perforated zinc rather below 100 grains, no alteration in color from exposure to light, when separated all were apparently of equal size.” W. A. Gain, Tuxford, Newark. Notes oN DECOLLATE SHELLS.—I have frequently had occasion to observe, when collecting Clausilias in any number, the occurrence of decollate shells. This form of monstrous variation is best known to English collectors in the genus Limnea, and most satisfactorily exemplified in the familiar Bulimus (Stenogyra) decollatus L. of the Mediterranean region. I am inclined in this particular genus (Clausilia) to account for decollation by a very obvious theory, which probably no one has thought it worth while to ventilate hitherto on account of its triviality. Any conchologist scrutinising an old wall in ordinary dry weather must have noticed how conveniently for his purposes many of the Claustlias project from their coverts, the length of the shell rendering feellsion impossible. This results in the tip of the shell getting bleached (a constant phenomenon), and continued exposure would further tend to disintegration of the affected whorls, and finally to their disappearance, the animal perhaps taking part in this last stage, when his top storey had become dismantled and uninhabitable. Dr. Jeffreys rather vaguely says of the top whorls of Truncatella truncatula Dvrap. that they are ‘“‘deciduous at the proper season.” ‘This species, however, is marine and invariably decollate at maturity, as is Bul. decollatus, in which the loss of whorls must be considerable, judging from youthful examples. Anyone who knows Guernsey will remember the moss-grown fort walls above the town of Peterport on the south side. These walls, arid and moistureless to a degree in summer, support large numbers of Balea and Clausilia rugosa in all stages of growths, and here among the latter I have noticed many decollate adults. Both these species 228 VE BRIDISH -NATURALISE: | NOVEMBER habitually burrow into the little knobs of moss on these walls, and after getting well in, they apparently proceed to hollow out the tuft as a means of protection and sustenance, though some tips are always noticeable. Salea from its smaller size seems to be more successful in escaping the final effects of the solar influence, though frequently bleached at the apex. On detaching these small tufts of moss carefully, youfind many of them a mere shell, with families of Clausilia and Balea packed tightly together inside, as often as not fellow-lodgers. In some species of the marine genus Eulima, it is the usual thing to find the shells thus truncated, nor does any species of Euliuma (within “Dr. Jeffreys’ experience) actually inhabit the top whorls even when intact. Here, however, the decollation seems to take place more arbitrarily both in the case of species and amongst individuals of a species, and of course the only parallel intended to be adduced is one of occurrence. One haul of the dredge off Guernsey this summer contained seven live adults of Eulima polita L. (the most commonly decollate Eulima) and of these 3 were absolutely faultless and 4 had replaced their beautifully tapering apices by the usual flat shelly plate. As a purely accidental loss, I have noticed the feature of decollation in several species of Tvochus (e.g., zizyphinus and umbilicatus), showing their capability to live thus curtailed. Compare Jeffreys’ record of a Eulima polita living with only three whorls left. To return to terrestrial forms, I may mention that during a consider- able experience of Claustlia Rolphi 1 have never found a decollate specimen, this being entirely a retiring and ground-loving species. Of C. laminata and C. biplicata | cannot speak with much knowledge, and shall be grateful for other observers’ experience. On the other hand I can cite several non-British species that throw hght on this subject, for instance, that common North Italian shell, C. stala, Marts., which swarms on walls and faces of rock round Lake Como, is frequently decollate, and C. pavvula Stud., with rather more retiring habits, occasionally presents the same variation in France; whilst any conchologist who pays the inevitable visit to the Glacier Garden at Lucerne will not fail to note quite a number of decollate shells amongst the stores of C. cruciata Stud., C. parvula Stud., and C. plicata Drap. that he sweeps off the rocks with such avidity. Metis C re Viol seins 204% 1891. | Mt Shi Sh NAD URAL TSa: 229 The following British land and freshwater shells are all that I know of as possessing a ‘‘m. decollatum”: Bythinia tentaculata, Limnea peregra, L. glabva, Claus. rugosa,. Additions are much to be desiderated. I have had from Lucknow, (India), many specimens of Paludina _ melanostoma Bars., characteristically decollate, but am not aware of its _ Occurrence in P. contecta or P. vivipara. Brockton Tomuin, Llandaff, 15th August, 1891. ByTHINiA TENTACULATA IN THE Erie CanaL.—The Nautilus of last | month records that since the introduction of Bythinia tentaculata into "the Erie Canal, New York, some years ago, it has driven out the purely _American species Gonitobasis virginica by consuming their food. | According to the experience of Mr. W. M. Beauchamp, who has _ obseryed. the species from its first discovery in alien waters, it prefers canal waters to any other habitat. We hardly think that English _ observers will confirm this.—Ip. Vertebrata. Beet ACT las) JA Bi Dye 7? BY LINNM®US GREENING. (Concluded from page 167.) | Having seen how birds breed true to their species, subject to those _ yariations which, though common to all groups of organisms, are in _ birds so slight as to be scarcely perceptible, we can realize how great has been the lapse of time necessary for the production of our present _ well-marked species and how many centuries have rolled away whilst such slight individual variations have been accumulating till our existing birds have arisen from their far-off reptilian ancestor. The fact that birds breed so true to their species is by some made _ | the basis of their their objection to the doctrine of descent. Such _ objections, however, arise from an imperfect apprehension of the facts. ; Existing organisms, by their existence, prove their adaptability to _ their surroundings; unless their surroundings materially alter they ] : : will not themselves materially alter. If the struggle for existence be ‘keen, the probability of any deviation from the parental type is immensely diminished, for the simple reason that only favorable 230 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [NovEMBER variations can be preserved and the parental type must be most favorable otherwise it would not exist When birds, or rather small bird-like, feathered reptiles, began to fly there were no other flying vertebrates, and, as a consequence, the struggle for existence amongst those forms would not be so keen as it now is, and therefore variations though perhaps not occurring more frequently than at present, would certainly have a better chance of being preserved. With reference to the so-called fixity of species it may not be out of place to mention that ornithologists have till quite recently recognised two species of Goldfinch as occurring, one in England (Cardelis elegans), and the other in India (C. Himalayansis ). If the distinctive characters of species, generally recognised by ornith- ologists, are worth anything at all, if, in fact, the word species has any meaning, then the Indian and English Goldfinches belong to distinct species. But the researches of Seebohm have shewn that there exists a series of transitional forms whose intermediate stages make it — impossible to say whether the central form belongs to one or the other species. In cther words, a traveller whose sole object was the study of Goldfinches, setting out from the Himalayas northward across Siberia, then bending westward through Russia and Germany to England would be unable to say at what part of his journey the Himalayan species ended or the English one began. Anyone who wishes to verify this statement has only to go to South Kensington Natural History Museum and see for himself the various intermediate links which are beautifully arranged in a case in the great hall. The r) “fixity of species’ man, says that the earlier naturalists had here made a mistake; that the two were simply local varieties of one species. Arguing by analogy he would tell us the Ostrich and the Humming Bird are local varieties of one species 1f we could produce. to a hair, the intermediate links which a perfect knowledge of the life of past geological epochs would supply, and with his answer I quite agree, but what about the fixity of species? Perhaps for beginners the most serious objection to the assertion that a bird is merely a feathered reptile, is due to the absence of any transitional form, and to the fact that, so far as he can see, all birds are birds, and as far as history goes birds are now what they have ever been. To get a true knowledge of the origin of birds he must go back to pre-historic times and search amongst the fossil forms, when he 1891. | ieee Rei Sia” YNe AW OCA EE Sii. 220 will find remains of birds with teeth, birds with long reptilian tails, wingless birds of gigantic size, and other curious forms of birds which once existed, but which have no modern representatives, just as there are modern birds of which we can find no trace in the fossiliferous strata. He must also remember that his lifetime, nay all the centuries of which we can be said to possess any documentary history, are but - as a second of time in the eternity which has passed. A little experience will teach him that he can produce marked varieties from | a common stock, for instance, from the Rock Dove (C. livia) he can | produce in a comparatively short period of time, almost any torm or colour he may wish, and if such wonders can, in the lifetime of one _man, be produced by artificial selection what can, or rather what has been produced by natural selection in the countless eons that have _ passed since the first protists swam in the seas of a bygone world. To come back to the question with which we started out, ‘‘ What is ‘a bird,” I trust that what has been said will have made it clear that _ it is, firstly, an animal; secondly, that it belongs to that great kingdom | of animals which we call vertebrate or backboned; thirdly, that it » belongs to that group of vertebrates which is called sauropsida, Meecause of its affinity to lizards; fourthly, that it differs from all existing reptiles in the possession of feathers, though probably in this "| respect there have been in the past transitorial forms; fifthly, that it differs from all existing reptiles in the temperature of the blood which is higher even than in mammals, though again probably ancestral transitional forms forbid us asserting this to be, as between reptiles and birds, a distinctive character. If nothing has been proved it is | likely that the difficulty of defining what a bird is has been made abundantly evident. If anyone can favor me with a concise and accurate answer to the question ‘‘ What is a bird” I shall be grateful, but I trust our time has not been wasted, that our conceptions of the origin and affinities of birds have not been more hazy and that we _| have had a glimpse of what is meant by the plasticity and antiquity of age. | 112 Bewsey Road, Warrington. | Ovarium orf A Domestic Fowt.-—A brown double combed domestic | fowl was hatched 1st May, 1889, laid its first egg Jan. 7th, 1890, laid January, February, March, April, and May, resting June and July, and laying again through August, September, October, and November 232 POE BRITISH NATUR ACISE [NOVEMBER resting again in December, 18go0, and in January, 1891, commencing to lay again. She continued to lay through February to May when she moulted. She was killed, fat, for the table, 14th July, 1891, and dissected. |The ovarium had then more than 400 eggs still within it, but no advanced eggs; about 30 all slightly advanced, many are of the size of No. 5 or 6 shot, all others being the size of mustard seed or less. She usually laid four days and missed one, this giving 6 eggs per week. Her first ‘‘lyter,”’ five months, therefore gave 125 eggs; her 9 second ‘‘lyter,’ to November, 1890, was go eggs; her third, toth January, 1898, to end of May, was 110 eggs, total 325. After laying all these eggs it will be observed she still retained about the average number in her ovary. I have secured progeny from her this spring. Though such an excellent layer it will be observed she only had about 30 eggs advancing for her next ‘‘lyter,” a proof that no fowl will pay to keep after her second year.— C. S. GreGson, Liverpool, Aug., 1891. Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. October 7th. —Dr. David Sharp, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. The Chairman referred to the death, on the 14th September last, of Mr. E. W. Janson, who had been a member of the Society since 1843, who had formerly filled the offices of Secretary and Librarian respectively. The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited a long series of several species of Evebia, and of Argynnis pales, which he had recently captured near Roldal, in Norway. Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited specimens of Danais chrysippus, with its two varietal forms, alcippus, Cram., and dorippus, Klug., all cf which he found together in the Pretoria district of the Transvaal. Mr. Jenner Weir, Colonal Swinhoe, and Mr. Distant took part in the discussion which ensued as to these forms and their distribution: The Rev. W. F. Johnson sent for exhibition specimens of Velia curvens from— stagment water near Armagh; also a specimen of Nabis limbatus, killed whilst hold- ing on to its prey, a very hard species of Ichneumon. Mr. Saunders thought that, from the nature of the Ichneumon, the only chance the Nabis had of reaching its internal juices would be through the anal opening, as recorded by Mr. E. A. Butler in a similar case, in the Ent. Mo. Mag., Oct., 1891. Mr. F. P. Pascoe exhibited two British species of Diptera, unnamed. He said they had been submitted to Mr. R. H. Meade, but were unknown to him, and are probably new to the British list. £89r.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 233 Mr. R. Adkin exhibited two specimens of a supposed species of Tortrix (Tortrix donelana, Carpenter), bred from larvze found on pine trees at Tuam. Mr. C. G. Barrett said he examined the specimens with great care, but he did not consider that they belonged to a new species. He was unable to distinguish them from Tortrix viburnana. Mons. A. Wailly exhibited preserved larvz, in various stages, of Citheronia regalis, which he had bred from ova received from Iowa, United States. He said that the natives called this larva the Hickory Horned Devil, and that the specimens exhibited were the first that had been bred in this country. Mons. Wailly further exhibited three female specimens of Anther@a yama-mai bred from cocoons received from Japan ; also a nest of cocoons of Bombyx vadama, received from the west coast of Madagascar. Prof. J, B. Smith, of the United States, and Col. Swinhoe took part in a discussion on the habits of the larve of Citheronia regalis, and as to the period at which they dropped their spines prior to pupating. Dr. Sharp exhibited several specimens of a weevil, Ectopsis ferrugalis, the ends of the elytra of which bore a close resemblance to the section of a twig cut with a sharp knife. He said he had received the specimens from Mr. G. V. Hudson, of Wellington, New Zealand, who states that they were found resting in large numbers on dead trunks and branches of Panaz arobea in the forests. Mr. G. C. Champion stated that the species of Forficulide, captured by Mr. J. J. Walker, R.N,, in Tasmania, and exhibited by himself at the meeting of the Society in April last, was, he believed, referable to Anisolabis tasmanica, Bormans, described in the ‘‘ Comptes Rendus”’ of the “‘ Ent. Soc. Belgique,” 1880, p. Ixviii. The Rev. A. E. Eaton made some remarks on the synonymy of the Psychodide, and stated that since August. 1890, he had identified all of the British species in Mr. Verrall’s list, except Sycorax silacea. Mr. Gervase F. Mathew, R.N., communicated a paper entitled ‘‘ The Effect of Change of Climate upon the Emergence of certain species of Lepidoptera.” A dis- cussion followed, in which Mr. Stainton, Mr. Barrett, Dr. Sharp, and Mr. M’Lachlan took part.—H. Goss, Hon. Sec. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. October 24th.—W. H. Tugwell, Esq., Ph.C., President, in the chair. Mr. South referred to Mr. Weir’s remarks at the previous meeting on specimens of Arctia caja, with black antennz and exhibited two examples from Mr. Leach’s collection, one English and the other, which had been named Euprepia phocosoma, Butler, from Japan, having blackish antenne; Mr. Tugwell also exhibited two examples from his series. Mr. C. G. Barrett pointed out that in none could the antennz be described as black. Mr. J. H. Carpenter exhibited very blue forms of Lyceng icarus, from Sussex. Mr. Barker, a specimen of Leucania albipuncta, taken at Folkestone during August. Mr. Jenner Weir, a specimen of Bombyx mori, bred from a cocoon found by him ona Mulberry tree in his garden at Bechenham, and stated that although he had made every possible enquiry he could not learn that anyone in the neighbourhood had 234 AE, BRIEISH--NALURA Lisa. [NOVEMBER been rearing the species. Mr. Tugwell and Mr. South both remarked on the wings of the specimen being fully developed, Mr. South adding that in Japan there were two forms of the species,a domestic one and a wild one, and some one might have been rearing the wild form. Mr. Tugwell, specimens of Epinephele tithonus, with three distinct ocelli on each of the superior wings. Mr. Tutt remarked that he had recently recorded this form, Mr. Frowhawk had noticed it at Chattenden, Mr. Carrington in Essex, Mr. Hawes had received it from Dexon and Norfolk, Mr. Briggs had seen it at Wandsworth and Wimbledon, Mr. C. G. Barrett said that although he had examined large numbers of the species in Pembrokeshire he had never found any specimens so strongly marked as were those of Mr. Tugwell. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited species bred from larve received from Forres, together with Southern examples for comparison, and made remarks thereon; he also exhibited a specimen of Cabera pusaria, in which the first and central lines were very close together, a feature regarded as indicating the form Cabera rotundaria, and some observations were made relative to this last exhibit, reference being made by Mr. C. G. Barrett to the series bred by Mr. Atmore, in which he had every intermediate form between the two, one specimen being pusaria on the one side and votundaria on the other. Mr. C. Fenn exhibited Calymnia diffinis, varieties of Agrotis exclamationis, Dasypolia templi, a very small dwarfed form of Melanippe fluctuata, and a long bred series of Cidaria vussata, and the three parent females, and remarked that all the ova were laid within a few days of each other but there was an interval of seven weeks between the emergence of the first and last specimens, while a portion of one brood was now preparing to hibernate. Mr. T. R. Billups, a specimen of Deilephila capensis, one of three said to have been captured at sea, 472 miles from land. Mr. C. A. Briggs two varieties of Melitea artemis. October 8th.—The President in the chair. Mr. Walter Smith of Teddington was elected a member. Mr. Tugwell exhibited Agrotis agathina, and A. strigula, Southern and Northern forms; also Noctua castanea, from Perthshire, and the var. neglecta, from the New Forest. Mr. Tugwell, on behalf of Mr. Boden, exhibited a specimen of Prodenia littoralis, Boisd., bred from a Tomato, the pupa case was also shown. Mr. South remarked that the species was fairly commonin India. Mr. Jager, Callimorpha heva, and var. lutescens bred from ova, also Agrotis ripe, bred from larve taken on the the Essex coast, some of the specimens were very light. Mr. West, a variety of Catocala nupta, taken at Streatham, having the inferior wings streaked with yellow. Mr. H. J. Turner, Zygena melitott, from the New Forest, taken this season, Xylophasia polyodon, from the North, Hepialus velleda, from Lynesford, Kent, and the North. Mr. A. Robinson a long and varied series of Nonagria canne, taken by himself and Mr. Bond in Norfolk. Mr. R. Adkin, Sesia musciformis, from the Isle of Man and Cornwall, and remarked that those from the former locality appeared the more robust and more densely clothed with scaies than the Cornish specimens. Mr. Adkin also exhibited a male and female specimen of a Tortrix bred from larve, found feeding amoug the needles of a shoot of Scotch fir that he had received from Tuam, Co. Galway, and which had been described and figured from specimens reared in 1890 under the name of Tortrix donelana, by Mr. G. H. Carpenter (Scien. Proc. R. Dublin Soc., Vol. VII, pl. 2), and read notes, in the course of which he mentioned 1891] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 235 that the imago appeared to bear a strong resemblance to T. viburnana, and the larvee were very similar. Mr. C. G. Barrett also exhibited specimens of this Tovtvix and of T. viburnana, and remarked that in his opinion the so-called donelana were small: specimens of T. vibuynana which had been caused by the peculiar nature of the food- plant. Mr. Tutt said he considered ‘them to be Tortrtx steineriana, var. dohriana, of which had received a series from Herr Hoffman. Mr. Frohawk, an example of the Fork-tailed Petrel (Oceanodyvoma lencorrhoa) found in Co. Clare after a heavy gale. Mr. Filer, a Mongolian crab which was not identified. October 22nd.—The President in the chair. This was a special meeting for the purpose of considering the amendments to the new Bye-laws proposed by the Council Among the more important amendments was one to change the name of the Society to the London Natural History Society, the reason being that although founded as a local Society it could not now be said to be such, as, out of close upon 250 members not quite roo could be described as South London men. ‘This was opposed, as the Society was well known by its present name and the change might not be desirable, and the amendment was lost. The Council having proposed alterations as to the mode of nominating and electing officers, Mr. Turner proposed an amendment which was supported by Messrs. Tutt, Hodges, Fenn, and others, the drift of their remarks being, that if the Council’s suggestions were adopted it would become a close body. Messrs. Adkin, Carrington, Hall, and others spoke against the amendment to the effect that this statement was entirely misleading, as, what the Council proposed was usual in all other scientific societies and would simply give power to nominate officers for the ensuing year and so ensure sufficient nominations. Members would still have the right to make further nominations and all officers would have to be elected, two ordinary members of the Council not being eligible for re-election for twelve months.. The amendment was not carried. The adoption of the Bye-laws was moved by Mr. Barrett, and carried, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr. Barrett for introducing, and to Mr. Briggs for drafting them.—H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. October 1st.—Exhibits: Mr. Mead, Deilephila euphorbie bred from larve taken on the banks of the Scheldt., also a long series of Noctua festiva from Scotland. Mr. Battley, light and dark forms of Acronycta psi from various districts, a pale variety of Cidavia corylata from Epping, a partly silvery specimen of Polyommatus phigas, and a female of Lycena alexis with light spots on the tips of the wings, both from Benfleet. Dr. Buckell all exhibited a very variable series of this species from York. and some indistinctly marked specimens from Aberdeen, also living larve of Acidalia immutata, bred from eggs deposited by moths taken at Leigh. Mr. Tutt, two specimens of Hadena satura from Wicken, and one from Aberdeen, also for comparison, H. adusta from various localities. He pointed out that although the upper wings of these two Species were much alike, satuva invariably had the hind wings darker than adusta. Mr. Clark exhibited Arctia menthastri from the north of Ireland, the specimens being much more buff in colour than the south of England form. Mr. Bayne, a series of 236 de. Rae Srl NATURALIST. [NovEMBER Cirrhedia xerampelina from Aylesbury, and a specimen Ennomos erosaria from Epping Forest. Mr. Prout, various specimens showing asymmetrical markings or malfor- mations, including Xanthia silago, Arctia lubricipeda, Noctua xanthographa, Triphena ovbona, and Lomaspilis marginata. Mr. Milton, a bred series of Plusia chrysitis ; also. in Coleoptera, Byrrhuss pilule and Hypera rumicis. Mr. Heasler, specimens of Cis bilamellatus taken in fungus at Mitcham last February. He also mentioned that he had seen an albino specimen of the sparrow at Westminster. October 15th.—Exhibits: Mr. Boden, a series of Hesperia lineola taken near Strood, in September, and a dark specimen of Melanargia galathea ; he also showed the speci- men of a noctua, previously exhibited, bred from a tomato, on August 6th. This insect had since been identified as Prodrenia littovalis (Boisduval) a species hitherto unknown in Britain. He stated that he had failed to obtain any information as to the locality from which the tomato came, but expressed an opinion that seeing how extensively this fruit was now cultivated in England, it was quite possible that the insect might become naturalized in this country. The larva was brown, with a pig- like head, and fed on the interior of the tomato during the night, resting during dur- yng the day, in a straight posture outside the fruit. The cocoon, which he also exhibited, was formed just under the surface of the sand, at the bottom of the garden- pot in which the insect had been bred. Dr. Sequeira, Zanthia silago, Epione apiciaria, Scotosia dubitata, Emmelesia affinitata, Cidaria silaceata, a very small specimen of Abraxas grossulaviata, and many others. Mr. Quail, life histories of Eurymene dolabraria and Pericallia syvingavia, also a specimen of Polyommatus virgaurea, taken on a thistle head at Birling Gap, near Seaford, 4th August, 1891. The specimen was a male, in good condition, being however, slightly worn, and appearing to have been on the wing for some days. Mr. Clark a series of Dianthecia capsincola from the north of Ireland; also specimens of Noctua festiva and N. conflua from various localities. Mr. Southey, Noctua vubi, N. festiva and N. triangulum, with preserved larvee of each. Dr. Buckell, Noctua festiva from London district and York, and so-called var. conflua from Aberdeen, N. sobrina from Perth, N. augur from Highgate, and N. rubi from Suffolk and Muswell Hill. Amongst the latter was a specimen in which the area between the transverse line just beyond the reniform and the hind margin was unusually dark. There was also a dark shade at the base, and the black dot under the orbicular had become expanded into a longitudinal dash. Mr. Hill, a living larva of Notodonta dicteoides from Epping Forest. Mr. Prout, various species from Sandown, Isle of Wight, including Satyrus hyperanthus var. avate, Agrotis lunigera. Messrs. Tutt, Bayne, Milton, and Battley also exhibited their series of the genus Noctua, and Mr. Horne, of Aberdeen, sent a very variable series of N. festiva from his district. ; Coleoptera:—Mr. Cripps, Silpha levigata, Quedius tristis, Q. molochinus, Ilibius fuliginosus and Agabus guttabus. Mr. Heasler, Quedius wmbrinus, taken among reed refuse on the banks of Barking Creek. Mr. Milton, Cryptocephalus auveolus, Philonthus fucicola, Aepus marinus and A. roboni. Mr. Tutt, in opening the discussion on the genus Noctua, said that N. fennica and N. subrosea were, in his opinion, wrongly placed, and should be removed from our restricted genus Noctua to the genus Agvotis, to which they were closely related, both i89r.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 237 structurally and in their variations. N. augur, also, was not a true Noctua, and would be better if placed in a genus by itself. Glaveosa and depuncta were closely allied, as, notwithstanding the difference in colour, of the British specimens, the Scandinavian depuncta were grey. and closely resembled glaveosa. The next group included C.-nigvum, triangulum, rhomboidea, brunnea and ditrapezium, all of which had a square dark blotch peaween the reniform and orbicular, and another more or less triangular spot between the orbicular and the root of the wing, these two spots being sometimes joined by a dark line passing beneath the orbicular. Tniocampa gothica also had these markings stongly developed, and thus, although a true Tenio- campa, assumed the superficial appearance of a typical Noctua. Festiva and conflua were originally confounded by Newman, who figured small, moorland specimens of festiva as confiua, but the specimens of confiua from Iceland, from which the species was named, were very different, having narrowerer and more pointed wings. This form occurred in the Shetland Isles, but hitherto, he had not received any authentic reports of its capture on the mainland of Britain, the species usually sent out as var. conflua being the small specimen of festiva. Messrs. Clark, Milton, Southey and Dr. Buckell continued the discussion, the latter remarking that the reniform of N. auguy was different in shape to that of the other species of the genus. A vote of thanks to Mr. Tutt concluded the meeting.— G. A. Lewcocx and A. U. BATTLEyY, Hon. Secs. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 12th.—The Vice-President, Rev. H. H. Higgins, in the chair. Mr. C. E. Stott read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on Celena Haworthii,” (which will shortly appear in Our columns, Ed.) Mr. J. Collins read ‘A few remarks on Aflecta nebulosa,” and exhibited five specimens of a melanic form, bred from larvz found at Delamere, and for which he proposed the varietal name of Robsoni, in honour of Mr. Ross Robson, of Hartlepool. He described the variety as follows :—‘‘ Anterior wings, ground colour, dark grey-black, orbicular and reniform stigmata more or less obscured with dark grey; a grey shade preceeding the subterminal lines; fringes, pale greyish white. Posterior wings, dark grey, lunule inperceptible. Head, thorax, and body like the hind wings, dark grey ; thoracic lobes, pale grey. The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Tutt stating that the specimens of Toririx donelana exhibited at the last meeting, had, at the South London Entomological Society, been stated to be T. sfeineviana, var. dohrniana, and that the name of donelana would therefore fall to the ground. It was pointed out that doneland had already been referred to sfeineviana, but incorrectly. Mr. Townsing showed a remarkable gynahdionurphons specimen of Orygia antigua, the head of which possessed the male Structure, whilst the body was that of the female. Mr. Harker a specimen of Vanessaio, the ground colour of which was fulvous brown, apparently owing to the Pancity of the scales. Mr. Gregson a very variable series of Dianthecia conspersa, including the melanic form. Messrs. Townsing and Prince, dark forms of Abrayas §sossularviait, and Mr. Pierce (the Secretary), Hetinia rvesinana, and their resinous nodules from fir-trees.—]. N. Prerce, Hon. Sec. 238 THE BRVEISE NAG RAIS as [NovEMBER INSECTA.COLEOPTERA. THE COLEOPTEREST im DELAMERE FOREST * BY W. E. SHARP. “OQ qui me in vallibus Hoemi Sistat, et ingenti ramorum protegat umbra.’’—Geo. II. Eastwards from Chester Cross, under the low arch of the Eastgate, one comes out upon the old Watling Street, that great military way which the Roman engineers stretched from London to Chester, and which can still be traced in shreds and fragments, in old world name of farm or meadow, or in actual macadamized highway—the great north-western artery of the Roman conquest. And if you in fancy follow the legionaries as they file through the Eastgate and form up outside, and with that measured tread of theirs, tramp along the very | road our footsteps follow to-day, straight as a line it leads past Brough- ton,and over the little river Gowey,and away by the flat marshy meadows through the modern Tarven, then probably a district half swamp and half forest, we come to the outlying hills of a low range, which drops drops down from Runcorn aud Frodsham and are now called Overton. Straight up the hill went the road, for those roadmakers disdained the the long curve round the base of the hills which modern usage has found more convenient, up over the hills and then through a desolate tract, probably one of the wildest and dreariest which that company would that Company would traverse between Deva and Thames — now an intermittant forest of oaks and pine and birch, here and there patches of cultivated land and wastes of heath and bog—this is the forest of Delamere, Mara of old; this hill whence we survey the scene is the hill Eddisbury, and these crumbling stones beneath our feet are the only vestiges of that old city which the Saxon built in the Watling Street long centuries after the Roman name and the Roman power had faded to a dim tradition. But to-day, in this bright morning in early June the forest of Delamere is a fair spot enough in the violet haze of its pine woods and the gold of the young foliage of its oaks—and, dismissing from our minds the dark memories of those *This paper must not be understood as anything like an exhaustive list of Coleoptera of Delamere forest. It merely recapitulates the species actually taken there on one day during last summer. 1891. ] Tisha, IBiggl ULSIehy INR Osu E MS bs 239 who were before us in this place, we wake up to the fact that our present nineteenth century object is to make ourselves acquainted with the Ccleopterous denizens of these glades, to feel the pleasure of the pathless woods, and to enjoy a summer holiday. Delamere has not always been a forest as we find it now, three centuries ago it formed part of the great woodlands that occupied all - west Cheshire, and owed to the Abbot of St. Werburg, in Chester a stag and six bucks yearly, but by the beginning of this century it had | been disforested and was a boggy waste of heather something similar to the present Chat Moss. More recently still, fifty or sixty years ago, the greater part was planted with oaks and the swampy bottoms were drained, and there the survivors of the original firs and birches managed to struggle again into life and renew the semblance of the Delamere of Plantagenet times. But long ago, before the dawn of history, this whole tract must have formed some kind of tidal estuary, some great river must have washed the flanks of Eddisbury, for all the forest is grown on beds of ancient river gravel or sea shingle, and deposits of sand. What was the exact configuration of the land at that time is difficult now to make out, nor is it our immediate province to discover, but the bare sides of the surrounding hills afford those unmistakeable sign of terraces of banked up sand and water- worn gravel. This poor sandy soil renders the land very unsuitable for cultivation, and has perhaps saved our forest from the fate of many a woodland grown on more remunerative land. A splendid piece of wild rough country it is, however, wherein we can range at will, it being nearly all Crown property and innocent of game or game- keepers. Here the ornithologist, the botanist, and the entomolovist find a happy hunting ground. In the tops of these oaks the persecuted magpie builds her thorny dome, and in the remoter glades the jay and the sparrow-hawk have found a refuge. If you area lepidopterist, not to speak of nocturnal sugarings and abundant spoil, you may net the Fritillary Exphvosyne in the clearings near the meres, and in the rough bramble hedges Thecla vubi is often abundant. But the coleopterous fauna of the forest is all unknown, let it, therefore, on this occasion, be our care. Yonder sinuous sheet of water flashing in the morning sun is Oakmere, and we cannot do better than make our way straight towards it. Between it and us lies a low wet part of the forest, and deep ditches drain what would 240 DEE BRITISH “(NATURAL ISIE [ NOVEMBER otherwise be an impassable swamp. Pausing for a moment before leaping one of these dykes, we notice, motionless in the brown wet surface of the peat, a shining bronze brown beetle, in a second it is off, as quickly we intercept its course. This turns out to be Elaphrus cupreus and we capture quite a series by intently watching the wet peat. They are generally invisible, being coloured so exactly like their environment, but their agile movements betray them and lead to heir untimely doom. Among them are some specimens very similar but rather smaller, this is &. mparius, and they are far less numerous than the others. Here we think, should be the spot for Cavabus mitens, calling to mind the accounts of that insect’s lucky capturer on Chat Moss, but we look for our resplendent Carab in vain; Wotiophilus palustvis is common however, but is hardly a consoling substitute. Trying the sluggish waters of the ditch, the net brings up several — specimens of Hydrophorus melanocephalus, H. evythrocephalus, and H. planus, and me or two HA. Gyllenhalw but little else, so relinquishing — the net, we pass on our way through the birches and the firs, and emerge presently into one of those long straight rides which are cut at intervals through the forest, rarely used by any wayfarer; the track is deep with ling and heather and clumps of whinberry, the sides of the low ditches which line the path are festooned with the long fronds of the Blechnum fern, and their hollows yellow with kingcups. On either side stand the dark walls of the pines, redolent in the warm summer air; and far down in the utmost recesses comes the sleepy fitful murmur of the wood pigeons, now and then broken by the sudden cackle of a jay, and anon you see the streak of white and and russet flash across the gap between the trees, which de- notes that shy but garrulous bird. Here in the summer twilight you will see the mysterious goatsuckers flitting silently, bat-like, in and out from the fir trees, or note the cry of the horned owls break the silence of the swampy bottoms. But as we pass along through the heather and the whinberries, more intent on the insect denizens of the place, we notice some pink and white fungi growing just within the wood and in the gills of these we find some specimens of Cychramus fungicola, some others, more decayed, swarm with Autalia impressa, Bolitophagus pygmeus, and Homalia of two or three species, besides a couple of Choleve and a number of Homalota fungicola and Cryptophagus pilosus. After this, we try beating the lower branches 7 1891. | Ply Ska iS NATURALIST. 241 of the fir trees and secure Cyphon padi and a profusion of Coccinelle, there 1s Coccinella variabilis, hardly two of which are alike, there is also C. Meroglyphica, C. 18-guttata, C. oblongoguttata and U. bipunctata. We also take several Elatey balteatus and a couple of E. pomorum. So keeping along this forest track we gradually approach Oakmere, a narrow winding water, perhaps a mile or so long. ‘The country immediately round it is cleared of trees, but a zone of swamp fringes its shores and renders access to its waters a matter of difficulty. Here, on the dryer spots, the scented bog myrtle grows, and great tufts of whinberry and the tall Lastrea fern, and between are holes of peat and deep brown water, into which, as you leap from one tussock to another, you may see the ringed snake slip — they abound in this Swamp, and, if report can be trusted, there are also adders. Here in July you will take the Marsh ringlet, var. Rothliebi, quite commonly. The mere itself is unworkable on this side for Hydradephaga, but these boggy pools yield some sport. The best things turn out to be Colymbetes bistriatus and Hydvophorus parallelo- gvammus. Besides these, however, we took H.memnonius, H. assimilts, H. nigrita, H. lituratus, A. obscurus, H. Gyllenhah, H. planus, and erythrocephalus, Philhydrus marginellus, and other common things. The water, however, was thick and muddy, and it was not easy to capture its coleopterous denizens. Another use we put it to: a few cows it seemed picked up a scanty living on this moss, and by submerging their droppings we took Aphodius hemorrhoidalis, A. depressus, A. fossor, and A. ater, in great numbers, likewise common Staphs inumerable and Cercyona. A little later in the year, as you pick your careful way through this swamp, a great yellow moth will suddenly start up and dash away. If you can manage to net the thing, you will find you have Euthemonia vussula. The geometer Fidonia atomaria also will be very common we disturb one or two now, indeed, as we pass, and on dull days we have taken Euphrvosyne at rest on the reeds. Passing round the head of Oakmere, we get up into the pine woods at the other side, and notice Fidonia piniaria fresh out, aimlessly fluttering about the tree stems, the two sexes of which insect are so unlike as to persuade the tyro that he has two different species of moth. Here, some of the firs have been recently felled, and their stems littered round with chips show white and shining here and there, 242 PAE BRITISH NAT Oia rsa [NovEMBER These we proceed to examine, turn over the chips and loose fragments of bark, we soon turn-out Ips 4-punctata. Then there are some little thin flat beetles which appear dead, they are the Rhizophagi ; Rk. dispar is the commonest, but we also get FR. fervvugineus and one specimen which we hope may turn out to be politus. Ips ferrugineus is also of the company. ‘Then, laying bare more of the bark, we find Hylastes ater and Hylurgus piniperda and an odd specimen of Hylastes palliatus. Also, esconsed in some deeper chinks, Hylobius abietis. A very tiny staph, which seems to live under the bark, turns out to be Homalium pusillum. In the dead twigs of last year’s felling, we find the curious little Xylocleptes bispinus. Many other Xylophagus species might be got from these stumps, but as we want to make our collecting as varied as possible we arise and push on to where we can see the deep indigo blue recesses of the pine wood, broken by the light green of oak and birch. Here the forest 1s more light and airy, the fern is not yet out, but the thin grey crozier-like stalks are piercing the brown last year’s leaves in every direction, and if we cut them through near the root we shall see King Charles already in his oak tree ; where the sun breaks through are patches of hyacinth and scattered wood anemone. Here we commence a sustematic beating of the oaks. The most frequent Coleopteron seems to be Aftelabus curculionotdes, which every stroke brings down into the net; but we also get Orchestes quercus and O, avellane, Ceuthorhynchidius troglodytes, Celiodes rubicundus, Phyllobius argentatus, P. oblongus, and P. calcavatus Coccinella variabilis seems to be as common on the oaks as on the fir. An unexpected capture is Silpha 4-punctata, beaten from an oak. Among the Sternoxi are, of course, Athous hemorrhoidalts, Agriotes sputator, A. lineatus, and A. pallidulus and Dolopius marginatus, also a few of the very variable Campylus linearis, Cyphon variabis, and plenty of common Telephort. But among the Phytophaga we get very little it being probably too early in the year for the most of them; the only ~ species are Gastrophysa polygont and Phvatora vittelline from some willows. The Rhyncophora are greatly to the front, and especially the genera Phyllobius, Otiorhynchus, and Strophosomus. Thus we wander on through the pleasant oak woods, steering by compass for there is no beaten track. An occasional hawthorn, laden with blossom, gives the common Meligethes rufifes and M. eneus, and also M. evythvopus, Epurea estiva, Anaspis frontalis and A, 1891. | ie iver vSiH INATURALIS TE. 243 melanopa, and Anthobium torquatum. From beneath the bark of a fallen tree we get Baptolinus alternans, and under it Calathus piceus and Philonthus decovus; and from dead leaves and twigs shaken out over a sheet of paper, were taken Megarthrus depressus and M. denticollis, Lathrimeum unicolor, Xantholinus ochraceus, Falagna sulcatula, and several other common Staphs and minute species of Atomaria. There are but few stones, and among the Geodephaga we can only find here besides Calathus piceus, No. biguttatus in immense abundance, Cavabus catenulatus and Metabletus foveola. Soon afterwards, as we resume our march, we can feel rather than see that the ground is rising, the oaks begin to give place to birches, these gradually thin out, and we emerge on the top of a hill, bare and grassy. From this vantage point we can see the forest sweep away on every side, far to tha South is the long flat stretch of the vale Royal and that steep rock rising from the blue mist being, as it were, between earth and heaven, is Beeston, with its ruined castle. The hills of Flintshire are on the Western horizon, but Eastwards all is forest land as far as eye can see. The sun is lowering to those Welsh hills as we drop down the other side of the hill. We beat some scattered broom in hopes of Libioe, but only get some Sitones regenstemensis and S. tibealis, and several Apiona, such as A. striatum, A. simile, &c. Along the road homeward we are surprised to take in a sandy waste place, under stones, several Amara fulva,* which we imagined to be an exclusively maritime species. Bradycellus cognatus and B. verbasci, and some common Pterosticht and Amare closed the day’s collecting. We have our bottles fairly well filled, as a beginner we have added several new species to our collection, and provided in their determination, occupation for many winter evenings—and at moments on many morrows, in the midst of city life, we shall again hear the shrill chatter of the jays and catch once again the warm resinous perfume of the pines of Delamere. Lidsham, Cheshire. Notes. CAPTURES OF CoLEOPTERA.—On the 16th of June, the Botanical | and Entomological members of the Hampshire Field Club had a good »*I have taken Amara fulva inland, at Aldershot, (Hants), Farnham, (Surrey), and _ also at Esher, (Surrey), but only one or two on each occasion; these were in gravel BP pits. —G. AL. 244 TELE BRITISH NATURAL ISA | NOVEMBER day at Mothsfont, near Ramsey. The Rev. H. S. Gotham, of Shirley, was of the number, and his company was greatly appreciated by the coleopterists. | Several species of Donacia were taken, including sericea, (of most shades of colour), semicuprea, and affinis in abundance. Four or five specimens of Cryptocephalus aureolus were swept up, and Mr. Gortham also took Orchetes saliceti, Anthobium minutum, Rhinoncus denticollis, and Ceuthorhynchidius melanarius. ANOPLODERA SEXGUTTATA.—I took one specimen of this nice Longicorn at Brockenhurst, 4th July.—R. Beck. DOoONACIA CRASSIPES.—I took several fine specimens at Christchurch ‘on 24th June.—Ip. DONACIA DENTATA.—This insect I also took in abundance on 21st July; they appeared to have but recently emerged.*— Ip. Lixus PARAPLECTICUS.—Whilst on the look out for Donacize on 24th June, I took the opportunity of examining some large clumps of Stum angustifolium (Water Parsnip) growing in the Stour, near Christchurch, and was successful in securing two specimens. On the rst July I captured five more (three in very fine condition). The thorax and elytra of this insect are sprinkled with a testaceous powder which very easily rubs off, but by carefully boxing them with a piece of Szum to cling to, I have succeeded in preserving them in fine condition.+—Ib. LEPTUR4 SANGUINEOLENTA.—I was very fortunate in securing a fine female specimen of this rare beetle whilst sweeping in my garden, amongst umbellifere, late one evening in June this year. The elytra are very deep red, legs black.—Ip. PacHyTA ocTomMacuLaTa, F.—Whilst walking by a brook with some friends, cne diy, I found a specimen of Pachyta octomaculata at rest on the flowers of Heracleum sphondylium. 1 was glad of this insect as previously I had but a single specimen, which was sent me from this place (Ashbrittle, Wellington, Somersetshire), by my brother. On proceeding a little further; and two or three days afterwards I saw several flying along a sunny bank—probably for pairing purposes, *This species, and L’onacia bidens, may be captured throughout the entire month of August: but I have takeu D. bidens as late as Sept. 24th, (1889), at Walthamstow, among Potamogeton; also at Esher, on same plant, Sept. zgth, 1883.—G.A.L. +The fine specimen kindly sent me by Mr. Beck bears ample testimony to his carefulness in preserving this insect in splendid condition.—G.A.L. | 1891.] ie yo RMSE NATURALIST: 24.5 ‘there being but few flowers near the spots. Their long hind legs _were held together whilst on the wing, and in appearance somewhat resembled the long ovipositor of an ichneumon; owing to this circumstance, and their antenne, I at first mistook them for one of those insects. A second glance, however, convinced me of my error. j Being rather pressed for time, I was only able to capture ten specimens. | The following week I visited a place called Craddock, near Collumpton, /Devon, (about ten miles from Ashbrittle), and found them fairly common on the Umbelliferee—more especially the species already mentioned. Nine out of ten of those on flowers were males; whilst those captured on the wing, at Ashbrittle, were mostly females. if. Mitton, 164 Stamford Hill, London, N. IRISH COLEOPTERA.—On the 11th of May last, I took a specimen | of Cychrus rostvatus in a pine wood on Killakee Mountain, Co. Dublin, ‘under a large stone half sunk in pine needles, etc. This is, I believe, the first record of the beetle from this part of Ireland. A specimen _I took in the South, made a faint stridulating noise when captured, ‘which habit has, I think, been noticed by other coleopterists. On the same date a considerable number of specimens of Silpha atrata, var. swbvotunda were noticed, but I have never got a specimen of the S. atvata itself in Dublin, where it appears to be extremely rare. | again took Helops striatus* in dead wood. I have not come across any 'cockchafers this year, and the coldness: of the season may have yretarded them.—J. Monrcomery Browne, Dublin, June 11th, 1891. IrRisH COLEOPTERA.—On page 157, paragraph relating to Serica d | brunnea, the locality should be ‘‘ Bundoran,,’ not ‘‘ Bundora.” On page 158, for Bembiduim read Bembidium. Also on same page, for “Killarney” fead “ Killiney.” TELEPHORUS TRANSLUCIDUS.—-This uncommon species has again been taken in the ‘‘ London district.” Some half-dozen specimens have been taken at Longton, in July, by myselfand Mr. Heasller. Mr. ‘ A. Newbery and Rev. J. Isabell also captured it at Highgate.— Stee A. IEWcOocK. *flelops striatus is very abundant in the pine needles at foot of trees, and elsewhere, _ at Esher during winter months.—G.A.L. 246 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [NovEMBER NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARV 4 POR, LoL MO NGL BY GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S. The year is getting on apace, and towards the end of November the collecting of those larve feeding in folded leaves, or mining them, or on the seeds of plants is drawing to a close, and although we oc- casionally come across many larve at this time just beginning to feed, they all hibernate, so had better be left till the winter is over, when they again commence operations, for at that time the herbage is low, and the work of the larve easily detected, the probability is, we shall then rear every larva we may find. This is the best month to take the larva of L. Jantanella; they mine the leaves of the wayfaring tree (Viburnam lantana) forming large bladdery like mines, and although full grown this month they do not change to the pupa till the following spring ; they are easily reared by putting the mined leaves In a flower pot and keeping in a cool place: the leaves of the nut one cannot help noticing at this time, for the gallery like mines of the larva of Nep. microtheriella and floslactella are very con- spicuous, aS Many as twenty to thirty larve of the former are often found in one leaf, and a few of the latter also, the coccoon of floslactella is white, and that of microtheriella ight brown, and a singular fact in connection with these last is, they appear to like company when spin- ning their coccoons, for although there are plenty of leaves in the cage, they congregate in clusters, as many as twenty-six coccoons all close together between two leaves will often be found and dozens of leaves with not a single coccoon. The shady banks of the margins of woods must now be examined for the bush vetch (Vicia sepium) which although generally low grow- ing, 1s occasionally found creeping up between the bushes in hedges two or three feet, and securely fastening itself by means of its delicate tendrils; its leaves at this time are being mined by the larve of L. bremiella, they mine the entire leaflet, and some may be found appar- | ently just commencing to mine to quite the end of the month. The leaves of the young oaks, seven or eight inches high, are still being mined by the larve of L. /autella, and the gallery like mines of the larva of N. quinquella will be observed in the leaves of the larger trees, = 1891. ] Dita tsi yNAT OWA IS®. 247 and mining the leaves of the honeysuckle, the larve of L. emberizapen- nelle and trifasciella may be found to about the middle of the month. In rough places such as old disused brick-fields, that have been idle for years, the water plantain (Alisma plantago) will be found grow- ing at the sides of the shallow ponds and pools that are always to be found in this sort of broken ground, the flower stems are at this time quite bare, the whorled branches alone are the only character now to denote what they are, by cutting the stems close to the root and split- ting some of them open we shall probably find the whitish larva of E. udana, which when full grown pupate within the stems, we must take a good supply of these stems, selecting only those that have small holes here and there in the sides, for it is these only that contain larve, tie them in a bundle, and keep them out in all weathers during the winter and to near the time of emergence, when they must be put into a cage, in due time a fine series is almost sure to be bred. While tak- ing these stems, a search should be made of the common thistles grow- ing so plentifully in these places, for the whitish cases of Col. therinella will now be found firmly fixed to the stems, the cases must not be disturbed, tine thistle stems must be cut and taken with them. On chalky slopes the carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) will be found growing pretty commonly in some places, the heads of which must now be examined, for some of them contain the larva of P. cavlinella, which will be found at the bottom of the seed head, eating through the seeds, and on the same slopes the vipers bugloss (Echium vulgaris) is almost sure to be found; the dead stems must be cut open, when some of them will be found to contain numbers of very small larve making long galleries up and down the dry flower stems, these would be the larvee of D. ocnerostomella; a few stems only need be taken, for dozens of moths will emerge from them. The larve of P. lapella is still to be found in the seed heads of Burdock, and in the stems of wild parsnip (Pastinaca sylvestis) the larva of C. dilucidana will be found near the joints; the larva also of C. francillana may be taken this month, feeding in the stems of the wild carrot, and the larva of A. Lephyrana near the crown of the roots; and in the stems of tall Scotch and other thistles, growing in sandy soils, by the side of ditches, or in waste places, the larva of M. cribella may easily be found, the heaps of light sawdust looking stuff exuding from holes in the sides of the stems tells us the larve are at work within. 248 THE *BRITISH INATURALI SE [NOVEMBER The season is now drawing to a close, and although we may take ~ many of the above during the next two or three months, it is as well to get them as soon as possible, for most of the stems get broken off and scattered by the gales of wind we get occasionally through the winter months. Shepherdess Walk, London, N. Notes. SPHINX CONVOLVULI IN ABERDEENSHIRE.—My sister captured a fine male S. convolyuli on the 12th September, while it was hovering over honeysuckle flowers, at dusk.—Wwm. ReErp, Pitcaple. -SPHINX CONVOLVULI AT HarTLEPOOL.—A fair specimen was caught on the sea wall here, and brought me on October 19th. 1 have also heard of other two being taken in the town.—Joun E. Rosson, Hartlepool. 7 YPIPSIPETES RUBERATA IN ABERDEENSHIRE. —Several years ago a few specimens of the above were said te have been taken near Aberdeen, but as it was never seen again, (although there is a large staff of entomologists resident in the city), it was thought by many that the few taken had been recorded in error, or that they were only ‘‘escapes’’ from someone’s breeding cage. I have now been able to dissipate this idea, having quite recently found ruberata in several localities near home, and have also discovered the larve feeding on sallow. I expect it will be found to be sparingly, but widely distributed over the whole County.—Wwm. Rein, Pitcaple, N.B. ACRONYCTA ACERIS.—I see that I was indeed so unfortunate as to miss Dr. Buckell’s reference to Cuspidia aceris in the Ent. Rec., Vol. I, p. 130. This being the first appearance of the name (7.e. Cuspidia aceris, not Cuspidia, Chapm., or aceris, L.), it should be quoted in synonymic lists, &c., when precision is required, as Cuspidia acens, (L.) Buckell—that is, unless Dr. Buckell repudiates the authorship of the name, and can show that the editor altered his MS. I can well imagine how needless all this must seem to most of those who read this note; and, of course, in the ordinary way, and in the catalogues intended only to be used as check-lists, we are usually satisfied to | write aceris, L., whatever genus we place itin. But the method I | advocate is the only one which is strictly accurate, and it is followed . “| 1801. | (pee ko tS Pp NEA Wiens ©. 249 in the more elaborate catalogues, (i.e. the recently published list of British Fossil Vertebrata). The majority of Botanists even decline to recognise any other as author than he who first published the double name, 7.c. the genus and species together. If the discussion that has taken place has made these things clear, it will have done good.-—T. D. A. CocKERELL, Jamaica, Sept. 5th, 1891. The above note may make Mr. Cockerell’s position perfectly clear; but for our part we protest in the strongest manner against any attempt still further to complicate and alter the already bewildering nomenclature of our Lepidoptera. We desire to see it simplified and permanent. Under the binomial system an insect would be known by its generic and specific name, as, Acvonycta aceris— neither Acronycta aceris, Linn, (because Ochsenheimer introduced the yeneric term Acronycta), nor yet Cuspidia aceris, Buckell; for whatever may be the ultimate decision as to the authority for Cuspidia, Dr. Buckell did not introduce the specific name aces. In a synonymic catalogue they would stand correctly enough—thus, AcronycTa, Ochs. aceris, emia, but that is for reference, not for ordinary use.—Ep. B.N. Prusia Moneta at CAMBRIDGE.—A fine specimen of this beautiful species was taken in August, 1890, by Mr. J. C. Rickard, at rest, just outside his house in Downing Terrace, Cambridge. Will the species succeed in naturalizing itself here? And, if so, what change of circumstances has induced it so to do?—A. F. GRIFFITH, Brighton, October 12th, 1891. iE ae hMNOP ORIN A, OF BRIAGATN, BYGMI eV Oa eres (Continued from page 209.) oO, pavvidactyla, Haw.— This pretty little insect is generally supposed to be one of our commonest species, and on the chalk hills of our South-Eastern Counties perhaps is, but its economy is not at all well known, and a satisfactory description of the larva is still a desideratum. The larva has never been reared in England. 250 THE SRITISH INAT URAL Say [| NovEMBER SynonyMy.—Parvidactyla, Haw. ‘‘Lep. Brit.,” p. 480 Parvi- dactylus, » Woeke, 10" Cat 4a 43ee): Stan neCNiana s)) ealieeeeae ante Macrodactylus, St. |‘ Il.," FV ., 3773 Wood, 1652: Obscwrus’Z, “Isis,” 1641,..793, vel AV .725-60,0 “inne Eats eV. 354, Dupre, oo, aes Vestry. Bidrir5s5, Anum: 199; HS.17)- Va) p.3725 > bey amon & This species was uniformly known as obscurvus on the Continent, prior to the publication of Drs. Staudinger and Wocke’s ‘‘Catalog,” since then, Haworth’s prior name has been generally adopted. Imaco.—The anterior wings are divided into two lobes, and have the tips of the lobes somewhat acute. The colour is dark brown and there are two, almost white, narrow, clearly defined fascia across the lobes, the hind wings are composed of three plumules also dark brown, the black tuft on the third plumule being large and well-defined and situate near the tip. Haworth’s diagnosis of this species is as follows:—‘ Alucita (the small plume) nana, alis patentibus fuscis, striga punctisque albis: anticis bifidis, posticis tripartitis., xpansio alarum J6-6% lim Haworth then adds:—‘‘This is the smallest of the ‘Plume’ moths; and it is also one of the rarest. Its characters are almost the same as in the two preceding articles (didactyla = distans) and heterodactyla ), yet its diminutive size, as a species, renders it very distinct.” (‘‘ Lepi- doptera Britannica,” p. 480. Stainton’s diagnosis is:—‘‘7. F.-w. brownish, with two white streaks across the lobes; third feather of h.-w. with a black tuft nearly at the tip” (‘‘ Manual,” I, p- 441). Comparing it with the allied species, Mr. C. G. Barrett writes;— ‘“‘ Parvidactyla is considerably smaller, of the colour of pzlosell@, and with oblique fasciz, but these are narrow, bright, and sharply defined . the costal margin is much less arched, though hardly so blunt as the hieracit. The dark tuft on the third feather of hind-wing is large, and placed nearly at the tip.” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. POM 65, 15, ALB IE Ne 3 Larva.—Stainton writes—‘‘ The larva on Huzeracium pilosella in May (“Manual,” I1., p. 441), -but> Mr. ©: ‘Barrett waites :=— il do not think that O. parvidactyla has anything to do with H. pilosella’» (in litt). Dr. Jordan, however, mentions H. pilosella as its food plant in the ‘‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p.151. Mr. South writes:—‘‘ The larva feeds on thyme, but it is rather slow work searching for this little fellow,” (‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XIV. 1891. | Isle, Jellbslel Npelib UroN Lbs aie 251 p. 50). From this it might be assumedthat Mr. South knew the larva, but it is one of those he does not describe later on in his ‘«‘Contributions’’; and he falls back on Frey’s description of the larva: “The ground colour of the larva is dirty pale green, on each segment are four black warts, bearing a star-shaped tuft of bristles; head and dorsal plate blackish, the latter divided by a pale line,” and further states, apparently on the same authority :—‘‘ The larva feeds in April on the young leaves of Stachys alpina; in Autumn on the heads of Marrubium.” (‘‘ Entomologist,” XXII., p. 34). I have generally taken it among Thymus serphyllum, but the latter plant is generally abundant in all the chalky localities frequented in England by this insect, and fiere may be no real connection between the two. The late Professor Zeller records as follows:—-‘‘On the 19th of June, (1869), near Meseritz in Posen, on dry sandy places where Hueracium pilosella erows very abundantly, Ptevophorus tvistis was already mostly in bad condition, showing that the first brood was nearly at an end; the Pterophorus obscurus (pavvidactvla), which occurred singly amongst them, showed by their freshness that they certainly came out later than P. tmstis.” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 50. TIME OF APPEARANCE.— This species appears to occur continuously from the second week in June until the second week in August, but it is rarely out for more than about six weeks in any one year. Ina normal season I have taken it from about the middle of June until the end of July, and this may be looked upon as its ordinary time of appearance, but in 1888 and again in 1890, I captured specimens continuously from about the 11th of June to the 12th of August. In the latter year it was most abundant from August 1st to August 8th, near Dover. Stainton gives ‘“‘June and July.”. Professor Zeller, as stated elsewhere, captured it at Meseritz on the 19th of June and 11th of July, in 1869. Hapitat.—The species occurs on the chalk hills in Kent and Surrey, and | have taken it very commonly near Caxton and also near Dover, in Kent; but I have never seen it off chalk. Its time of flight is in the afternoon until dusk, and it wants a sharp eye to detect it rapidly enough to take it in any numbers. Stainton gives as localities :—‘‘Alkham, Bristol, Lewis, Pembury, Scarborough, Charlton and Mickleham.” The Rev. O. P. Cambridge also reports :—‘‘ One specimen many years ago-at Bloxworth”’ (in Witt.) whilst Mr. W. F. 252 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [NovEMBER de V. Kane records it ‘‘ from Sligo” (in litt.). So far as I can learn this species 1s most restricted in its habitat, except on the chalk in the south eastern counties, and far from being a common species, except in its favoured haunts, is much more local than other supposed rarer = ones. Under the name of O. obscuvus, Dr. Jordan records it from ‘| Scandinavia, ‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 122. The late Professor Zeller records it (Entomologist’s Monthly Mag- | azine,’ Vol. VI., pp. 50-54) from near Meseritz in Posen, in dry, sandy places, on the 19th June and 11th July (1869), under the name of obscurus. Drs. Standinger and Wocke give the ‘“‘ whole of Europe except the polar region; Hyrcania (North Persia) and Asia Minor” as its limit in the Palearctic region (‘‘ Catalog,” p. 343). Trvichoptilus, W1sm. it has long been recognised that paludum did not belong to the genus Aciptilia, Hb., and in 1869, Dr. Jordan wrote :—‘‘ Paludum certainly does not belong to Aciftilus, the much longer palpi and the slightly thickened tibia would be quite enough to distinguish it. (‘*Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 150;, and with regard to the same subject, Dr. Jordan wrote to me:—‘‘ With regard to paludum, it is clear that this species with onontdes, siceliota and baptodachtyla form a little group by themselves. Zeller, in a letter to me, allowed that these might be separated” (im Jitt.‘, and since Mr. Mayrick has recently separated it with sicelita, Zell. from all our ‘“‘plumes”’ and included them under the Trichoptolis of Walsingham, I have followed the new departure. The genus is thus diagnosed :— “Face without tuft, rounded; ocelli obsolete; tongue developed. Antenne two-thirds, in g ciliated (4-2). Labial palpi moderate, ascending, second joint with short projecting scales beneath, tending to form a short angular apical tuft, terminal joint short or long, filiform, tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Tuibiz thick- ened with scales on origin of spurs, outer spurs nearly equal inner. Forewings bifid, cleft from before middle; vein 2 out of 4 or absent, 3 absent, 5 and 6 extremely short, 7 absent, 9 absent, 10 from near 8 or absent, 11 from near 8, long. Hind wings trifid, third segment with more or less developed tooth of black scales in dorsal cilia, often slight; vein 2 from middle of cell, 3 absent, 5 and 6 very short, 7 to apex.” . (“‘ Trans. Ent. Soc..Lond.,” 1890, p- 484). , Of this genie - ADVERTISEMENTS. EXCHANGE. Lepidoptera marked * are bred. ANGE. —Colquhounana,* © Musciforiis.* one Trepidaria,* Desiderata.— 1 rous.— H Murray, Lowb nk Villas, Carnfort! / rent, pe Micro- material ee New Zealand for each slide.— +V. A. GAIN, ‘uxford, Newark. ol eoptera for the fod al museum here, [ eye appeal to eee bor spare specimens of cormon species. Parcels will be thankfully received and postage paid, to be addressed E, Storr, Hon, Curator Ento. Section, Manchester Road, Bolton-le-Moors : Excnanen— Duplicates — Artaxerxes, Velleda, Sylvinus, Mundana, Fulva, Conigera, ‘as iuncula, Furuncula, Arcuosa, Macilenta, Protea, Chrysitis, Dilutata, Caesiata, Albulata, cellata, Fulvata, Mensuraria, Lutealis, aud Rubiella-—h. Aprb DaLeLisu, 21 Princes Street, lokshields, (rlasgow. ; ae —Giving up collecting ; will exchange British Butterflies and Moths for Birds Bee LO ride as PyBus, 19 Penduitl street, Beverley road, Hull. Subnotata*, Comitata*, Sobrinata*, Flavago*, Augur*, Baia*, me somielé. Eatieepe ia. epandata™, Vinula®. Bucepliale®, Scolopacina’, 2 Fe ae lin Festiva’, De pica Chenopodii*, Cribrella*, Flammealis*, H. lineola Desiderata. Ae ery numerous. —H. J. Pornen, 13, Drakefell a ae pa ~ oe te Continental iutterflies in fine condition.—T. Mapprson, South XCHANGE, Pepitieal slides wanted. Mo ited sections &c., suitable for class work. A ket of good unmounted material from New Zealand will be given in exchange for each -—W. A. Gstn, Tuxford, Newark. ’ British and European Lepidoptera ee especially noctux, will give in exchange fine a American ae ~ Address : Cuas. S. Wrstoort, ee Nid. Us S2Ak) Box UPLICATES. —Bledius. crassicollis, Donaeia ; higra, D. menyanthidis, Hecterocerus sericans, lroporus nigrita, H. latus, Stenus bipunctatus, Dysehirius salinus, D. globosus, Otiorhyn- Tf, pps or Lepidoptera: A, Forp, Claremont House, Upper Tower road, St. Leonards- LANGE. —DestprraTA.— Land and Fresh Water Mollusca of Britain, in exchange for tee \V oe and Marine Mollusca of North America. —A. H. GARDNER, P.O. Box IDERATA. “Moving re- Bea my cabinet I will be glad of specimens of L. sinapis pubi, W-album, pruni, N. lucina, A. Iris, V. polychloros, M. cinxia, A. selene, S. egeria, es, H. acteeon, sylvanus, comma, %. cer '. apiformis, bembeciformis, 8S. musciformis minis, ichneumoniformis, &e. I will make the best return in my power.—JoHN KE we ee CHANGE OF ADDRESS. f rom. b Stoke- on-Trent. to ie Rodney Street, hiverpoo: ExcHanor—"* “anted good Botanical Sections. . Will give a packet; of which 1 have six s ligneus. QO. rugifrons, Philormum humile, Anthobium torquatum, A Gpthalmicume Athous -Bruchus a omarius, Erirhinus nereis, Microzoum tibiale, &¢ DESIDERATA. — Offers: - Kedle. pears jae Wilmot Street, Bethnal ereen, late of 22, Halton Road, Canonbur bt ciety (ete bee Se Se POM PIRY ke AE Mp tna 5 i os) oe ‘es ve ae ve Say POND ent Wee ger meg Bi \ 3m) ; “yf Ph 2 sek ee WN z ty weet Aen By Be eS eas y, ADVERTISEMENTS. Oe eee NS CONTE NTS. Mollusca.— W. A. Gain Mullusca Notes—Brockton Tomlin ... What is a Bird—Linnezus Greening Reports of Societies The Coleopterist in Delamere Forest-—W. E. Sharp Notes, various Fe Notes for Beginners— Micro Larve for the ae Geo. Elisha, FES... The Pterophoriua of Britain.—J. W. Tutt, F.Es. Woe NK Me A Me NATURALIST, WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS TOL OE ee oo oa oe ae ‘Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for young beginners, ? - all carriage paid. : ey THOR: INSECTS. —Net, Store Box, Pins sae Box, Cork Boards, Chip ho | Label Lists, &c., 6/6. FOR HGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, Gillecine Box, Label isivEéey S& FOR SHED1S.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes, 3/6. FOR BOTANICAL SPECIMENS —Botanical Collecting Case, Drying ee. Fern and Plant Digger, and Boxes, 3,6 — FOR FOSSILS AND MINHRALS.--Geological Hammer uy Chisel, Boe | and Labels for specimens, 3/6. ee f All orders are carefully packed and despatched on receipt of order. A very large stock of Birds’ Eggs and Skins, Lepidoptera, Shells, Natural " History Books and Apparatus. aay, CATALOGUE FREE. - SITUATION WANTED. Be te M. RAINE, Preserver of Lepidopteria, larve, &c., of 26 years experiences, ‘seeks. engagement as Assistant Naturalist. Formerly with Mr. W. G. Meek, and the late Tho x ah MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIE ie Albion Hall, London Wall Meetings.—Thursdays, Noy. 5th and 19th. Fixtur - Nov. 5, The Lepidoptera of a London Garden, Dr. F. J. Buckell. Nov. 19, Dragon Fl Mr. F. Milton. Dec. 3, Annual General Meeting, Secretary’s Report, President’s Addr &c. Dec. 17, Pocket Box Exhibition. Jan. 7, The Pterophorina, Mr. J. W. Tutt. Jan. Larva Preserving, Mr. A. Quail. Feb. 4, The Lepidoptera of Epping Forest, Mr. A. ie Bayne. Feb. 18. The Genus Hepialus, Mr. J. E. Robson. Mar. 3, The Coccinellide, \ G. A. Lewcock. Mar. 17, The Genus Hadena, Mr. Be W: Tutt: ay. 7, The aa L. Salicis, Mr. A. N. Battley. HE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTO} SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London cab e SS. E. ae Nov. 13 and 26th. 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The illustratic are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.’’—Academy. — " tr. Butterflies, Moths, and 12. Land and Fresh Wate: Beetles. By W. Kirby. Shells. By Williams, J. W. Taylor, and W. Dennieaa Roebuck ~ . Crustaceans and Spiders. By fy A. Skuse: N 13. Fossils. | 3. Fungi, Lichens, etc. By J. W. Mlcnnes By Peter Gray: 14. The Microscope. By Vi A. Watham:! 4. Mosses. | ses | By James E. Bagnall, a.t.s. 15. Introduction to Zoolog | By B. Lindsay [In preparats D- ee 16. Book Collecting. | : y E. A. But Fee dae By J. H. Slater. [In preparation 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and 17. Marine Shells. a Fossils. By P. Gray and By J. W. Williams & others. B. B. Woodward. | ey, — Un preparati 3 8. Colonial Coins. 7. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and | ! Dragon-flies. By W. H. __By D. F. Howorth. | Bath. | 19. Grasses. a | ‘tac By F. Tufnail. [J ti 8. Coins & Tokens (English) i a i! me Bea “s : By Llew. Jewitt, rs.a. With | 2°: British Ferns. a Chapter on Greek Coins ji By BE. |. Dowe, a by Barclay V. Head. 21. Pond-Life (Algee, Diator etc.) By T. Spencer Smith 22. Chess Problems. By E. W. Rayner. 23. Postage Stamps. By W. T. Ogilvie. 24. Flowering Plants. 11. Silkworms. By: James Britten,\¥.L:s? 7a By EK. As Butler, 227s: | | [In preparation . SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Sauer LONDO . Reptiles. By Catherine Hopley. 10. British Birds. _ By H. A. Macpherson. [In preparation. Ke) Dec. 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 253 Meyrick writes: —‘‘ A genus of limited extent, but cosmopolitan; more species are known from America than any other region” //.c. p. 485). T. paludum, Zell.—This, the smallest and most delicate of all our ‘‘plume” moths, is comparatively rare and exceedingly local in Britain. The captures of the last few years have been almost entirely confined to Dorsetshire. | SynonymMy—Paludum, Zell. ‘‘Isis,”’ 1841, 866, ‘‘ Linn. Ent. Wein Seeeroore sta. (Man. lt, p. 445; H.-S..19, V., p..382; Wood “ Ind. mt 6054, p..281, pl. 50: Imaco—The imago is described by the Rev. O. P. Cambridge as follows :—‘‘The width of the upper wings, which are cleft at the extremity, through half their length, into two lobes, is 64 lines. Their colour is greyish brown, tinged with chocolate. Each lobe has one or two oblique white markings. A conspicuous one on the lower lobe is formed by the long white fringe near the extremity on the lower margin; and is brought into relief by a black dash on its inner side. There are also one or two other black dashes, and some black points, formed by minute black scales on these lobes, giving that part a prettily variegated appearance. The lower wings are three-lobed, unicolorous, and destitute of any black scales. The legs are greyish brown, the extremities annulated with darker and white and furnished with long blackish and white spurs” (‘‘ Proceedings Dorset Natural Sevory wield Club’ &c., Vol. VIII., p. 55). The imago is also beantifully figured in the same work. Stainton describes it as:— 6” -64". F.-w. yellowish-brown, with the lobes intersected by two slender whitish fascize; third feather of h.-w. with no black tuft “Manual,” Vol. II., p. 445). Larva--—The larva is unknown, but in a letter Dr. Jordan wrcte to me he mentioned that he had from M. Miulliére particulars of the life-history of the allied baptodactyla which was quite different from that of the Aciptilia. Time oF ApPpEARANCE—The insect is double-brooded, occurring first in June and again in August. Mr. C. G. Barrett took a specimen in Woolmer Forest in June, 1865 (‘‘Entomologist’s Monthly memezine, Vol. It., p. 263). “June,” too, is the only date given in Seaimtoms “Manual.:*Il., p. 445. The first examples of the Rev: O. P. Cambridge's “specimens were taken from August 23rd to September 4th in 1886, whilst in 1887 he writes:—‘‘ The species would, 254 THE BRITISH NATURALTSAY [DECEMBER however, appear to be double-brooded, as I found several in fine condition on the 14th and 16th of June. Thinking that these would be the progenitors of a second brood, I refrained from taking more than the few above noted. The first of this latter brood met with occurred on August 4th, and the last seen was on the 27th. Although on some of our finest and quietest evenings in August scarcely an individual was seen, it did not hesitate to fly briskly in the full blaze of a hot sun. A moderately dewy evening appears to draw this little moth out most freely, and the evenings of last August were remarkable for an almost total absence of dew” (‘‘Entomologist,” Vol. XX., p. 326). Mr. Cambridge further writes: —‘‘I obtained none in 1888, and only two specimens in 1889” (2m litt). Hasitar—Stainton in the ‘‘Manual,” Vol. II., p. 445, records this species as occurring ‘‘in the fens of Cambridgeshire”; but, most of the specimens captured of late years have come from the heathy bogs in Dorsetshire where it is said to haunt the flowers of Northecium ossifragun. The Rev. O. P. Cambridge writes: -‘‘ We were returning home (Aug. 23rd), wearied with a long afternoon’s fruitless search for Lycena argiades, and slowly tramping through a bog, often over ankle deep in water, when my son Arthur called my attention to a little plume moth, which he thought to be Ptevophorus bipunctidactylus—a very common species of this group; before I could get to the spot how- ever, it had disappeared. Soon another was seen and captured, when a single glance told me I had never seen the species before. A close search followed, and several more were netted before darkness came on. A reference to our books and collections on reaching home informed us of the value of our find; and almost every succeeding evening, at all fitting in point of weather, found some or other of us slowly and steadfastly working the bog until the whole brood was out and over. So far as our experience goes, it scarcely ever moves of its own accord until about half-an-hour, or often less, before sunset, and for a very short time after; indeed, of its own accord it was seldom seen flying, generally not flying until disturbed, when it would flutter up gnat-like among the bog grass and rushes, and jerkily fly off, for, at most, a few yards, settling again on a blade of grass, with its two long-spurred hind legs stuck out, one on each side, in a very character- istic way. On some evenings it would not fly at all; the most favourable kind of evening appeared to be a quiet, dewy, damp one, 1891. | one BRitish NATURALIST. 255 after a bright hot day.” He then goes on to say:—‘‘In England it was first discovered, but not abundantly, in the year 1850, by a professional collector named Stretten, in Holme Fen, Huntingdonshire, and was also found at Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire. In 1869 (‘‘ Ento- mologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. V.) it was taken sparingly at Haslemere, by Mr. C. G. Barrett. Mr. Bond thinks it was also found in Norfolk some years ago by a professional collector named Winter, I understand that it was found some years ago near Crewe, by a Mr. W. Thompson, from 1850 to 1860, and about 30 years ago in the Fens by Peter Bouchard. ‘These are the only occurrences I can ascertain anytning about until our next meeting with it in this county Jast year. I should mention, however, that in the same month (August) last year, Mr. Digby also met with several examples in a swamp near Studland.. Mr. Eustace Bankes also tells me of a single specimen of this insect having been taken by Mr. C. G. Barrett in the month of June, 1865, in Woolmer Forest (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. II., p. 263)” (‘‘ Proceedings Dorset Natural History Society &c.,’ Vol. VIII., p. 55). The above was written in 1886. In 1887, Mr. Cambridge further writes:—‘‘I understand that the Rev. Charles Digby has also again met with it near Studland and Mr. Eustace Bankes has found it near Corfe Castle; so that it is probable that it will in future be found, if worked for, on most of our heathy bogs” (‘‘Entomologist,’’ Vol. XX., p. 326). Staudinge and Wocke give as its range—‘‘Finland, Germany, England and Catalonia” Beeaialos, p. 345). Ihe reference referring to Mr. C. G. Barrett’s capture in Woolmer Forest is as follows:—‘‘On June toth I had the satisfaction of taking a specimen of Ptevophorus paludum, flying among the long grass, asphodel, &c., in a marshin Woolmer Forest. It is difficult to see on the wing and I! failed to find any more.” Mr. Holland also writes:—‘‘In a boggy hollow near Lyndhurst, I netted two specimens of this little plume at dusk on the 13th of August, 1889. It was a very windy evening and this was the only moth | could find moving” (‘‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXVI., p. 87”). In the ‘“‘ Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variatim,” Vol. II., p. 210, Mr. G. J. Parritt writes:—‘‘On July 18th, I took a specimen of this species on Thorne Moor. I believe this is the most northerly locality yet recorded for Britain.” 256 THE BRITISH. NATURALIST. [DECEMBER Mavasmarcha, Mevr. That phzodactyla should be separated from Mimeseoptilus is very evident. Its sexual demorphic condition and general build separates it at once in its closest affinities with the remaining members of that genus. With regard to the generic position of this species, Dr. Jordan writes :—‘‘ Phgodactylus certainly does not belong to this group, nor to any of the Swedish genera, but perhaps some Continental entomologist has, unknown to me, already characterised the genus. Its position is well indicated in Staudinger’s list between the Oxypitilz and Mimeseoptili; it there follows ehrenbergianus, a doubtful European species which I have never seen” (‘‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 124-125). Inthe genus Marasmarcha, Meyrick includes seven species, of which one is Lezoptilus microdactyla. The latter, however, seems to me more closely allied to other Lezoptili than to the other species included in Mavasmarcha. Meyrick’s diagnosis of the genus is:—‘‘ Face with more or less projecting tuft; ocelli obsolete; tongue developed. Antennz two-thirds, in g ciliated (4). Labial palpi moderate, ascending, slender, terminal joint moderate, pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Fibiz simple, outspurs nearly eqnal inner. Fore wings bifid, cleft from before two-thirds; vein 2 from near angle, 3 and 4 from a point or stalked, 5 and 6 short, 7 from near 8, 8 and g stalked, 10 absent, 11 from near angle. Hind wings trifid, third segment without black scales in dorsal cilia; vein 2 from before middle of cell, 3 absent, 5 and 6 very short, 7 and 8 divergent from beyond cleft” (‘‘Transactions Entomological Society of London,” 18g0, p. 448). (To be continued.) NOTES FOR BEGINNERS:—MICRO LARV At BOR. THE MON TEE BY GEO? ELASHAS Bobs. With December we enter on a totally different mode of larve collecting to that we have hitherto pursued, which if not quite so easy or pleasant, is often more productive as far as bred specimens are concerned, for now we commence our harvest of all those larve 1891. | Ee Ska tiSsi NATURALIST: 257 feeding in the roots of plants, which may be successfully pursued during this and the two following months. It is certainly a time of year when the attractions of the fireside and easy chair are hard to resist, but the enthusiasm of a true entomologist often leads him away from such temptations, to some desolate looking locality perhaps, far away in the country, or on the sea coast, where he knows the plants he is in search of are most likely to be found. What to him is the gale of wind that is blowing, be it ever so cold, or the discomfort of walking over muddy, broken ground; nothing at all. The very time of year tells him what to expect, and he goes equipped accordingly, then he can defy such trifles, for he is sustained by the thought of the splendid condition of the species he is sure to breed, if he is only successful enough to get together during the winter season, a good supply of roots containing larve from various localities; and also by the pleasure he will have in being able to help his friends to many bred, very local, and possibly rare species. We will now again take one of our pleasant rambles in the country, for it is indeed a pleasure, be the time of year what it may, to stroll along the lanes in company with a friend of kindred tastes, each animated by the same desire to elucidate the life-history of some of the species that are still unknown. We must not forget to take a good sized strong bag, a sharp knife, and a firm trowel, or better still a long sharp chisel, with which to dig up the roots, for some go deep, and must be got up with as little injury as possible and transferred to the bag, till we have sufficient to carry conveniently. The experience we have gained during the previous months in collecting larve from the leaves and seeds, is now of use to indicate the places where the plants we are in search of are to be found, although the leaves and seed heads by this time have disappeared. The dead stems of the mugwort (Avtemisia vulgaris), will no doubt be the first plant to attract our notice. We must now examine the bottom of the stems, about an inch or so from the ground, and in some we shall see little heaps of frass exuding from small holes in the sides. This is caused by the larve of E. feneana, D. simpliciana, and very probably £. allisella. We must cut off the stems to within an inch of these holes, and dig up the root, no easy matter if the root be an old one; it is impossible at this time to tell whether E. allisella is there, but in the spring when the Artemisia 1s some inches above the 258 THE -BRITISH NATURALISH [DECEMBER ground they mine up the fresh shoots, causing them to droop and die. Some old roots of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) growing on the edges of an overhanging bank next attracts us; on digging up one and breaking it open, we are rewarded by finding the larve of D. petivervana and plumbagana. We continue our journey, and are fortunate ln finding some fine old roots of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). This being a very local plant and seldom met with, we must give it our best attention. If, on digging up a root and breaking it open, we find larve feeding within, we must take a good supply of roots, for we may breed from them D. sequana, alpinana, tanacetana, and politana. This being a plant not at all common, it is as well to break off all fresh shoots and re-plant with the waste pieces, to serve on some future occasion. We must now examine the roots of those plants of Stachys arvensis, growing at the side of that cultivated field, for we may perhaps find the larva of O. antiquana. The Ragwort (Senecio Jacob@a) is a plant we are almost sure to meet with during our ramble, and those plants growing on rough sloping banks the most productive. If we select one and bend the dead stems downward, some of them will break off about an inch from the ground, on examining these broken ones, we shall find that they have been gnawed partly through, which caused them to break, and on looking at that part left in the ground we shall find it webbed over, this is the work of the larva of A. encana, which is white with brown head, this species is mostly found in the small single roots, and in the larger ones the light yellowish larva of E. atvicapitana, and mining down outside the roots, often working their way partly inside, the pinkish larva of E. tvigeminana will almost surely be found. We will now again visit a locality by the seaside, the dead stems of the sandwort (Salsola Kali) is still to be seen sticking out of the sand, on scraping up the surface and sifting it through a piece of coarse canvas having about one eighth of an inch mesh, the coccoons of G. canella may now be taken. Some little distance from the shore where the marram grass is growing, some old roots of plantain (Plantago lanceolata) will generally be seen, if we dig up one of the unhealthy ones and break off the crown, we shall probably find a larva inside, quite filling up the stem; this would be the larva of H. simuella. We will take a good supply of roots, for this species is not found everywhere. The roots of the wild carrot growing on 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 259 rough ground a little further inland must now be examined, when the larva of A. zephyvana will be found inside near the surface of the earth. Distributed about on the broken ground of landslips or ledges of the cliffs, will be found many old roots of the knapweed (Centaurea mgvra ). We must examine some of them, and shall no doubt soon be rewarded by finding the larva of X. zegana. In breeding this species, we are pretty sure to have some fine dark specimens emerge. The above are a few of the species that may occupy some of our spare time during the winter months. We should at the same time keep a good look out for any local plants that are likely to contain larve, for we may, by doing so, unexpectedly breed a new species, or one whose early stages are at present unknown. Now just a word as to rearing the larve from the roots we have obtained. Get any medium sized boxes without lids, about twelve inches deep, and put a layer of earth about two inches deep at the bottom, sort out the roots, keeping only one sort in each box, and then place them side by side as close as possible, till the bottom is covered all over, then sprinkle earth all over till the roots only are covered, the stems remaining above the surface and shake well down to fill up the interstices and place out in the open air, leaving them exposed to all weathers till near the time of emergence, no more attention is required, and there is very little doubt but that at the end of the following season we shall be fairly well pleased with the result. 122 Shepherdess Walk, City Road, N. Cimive NA HAW ORT Hit, (Read befove the Lancashive and Cheshire Entomological Society, October 12th, 1891) BY C. E. STOTT. My first experience with the subject of to-night’s paper goes back to the time when I commenced to study the order Lepidoptera; and I can well remember when my two elder brothers returned from a day’s shooting on the moors, bringing with them a dozen or more specimens of this insect; and, above all, I can well recollect the zeal with which I pored through ‘‘Newman’s”’ pages, and the pride with I finally determined them to be Haworthii. I truly believe those specimens were, to me, more valued than my two brothers’ ‘“‘bags”’ put together. 260 THE, BRITISH NATURALIST [ DECEMBER I can also well recollect the following day when, accompanied by one of the ‘‘discoverers, I trudged laboriously to the same spot, and incurred the wrath of the distant grouse beaters by trespassing across their line of beat. No subsequent entomological experience has afforded me the same pleasure and delight as did those good old times when almost anything that came to hand was new to me and consequently required naming. Since those days, however, frequent excursions after the insect have somewhat sobered my admiration of Haworth’s minor. Situated on the south side of the thriving town of Horwich, and isolated from the neighbouring moors by advancing cultivation, lies an oblong piece of moorland, by name Red Moss, now suffering, as Chat Moss is doing, from gradual reclamation by the local landowners. On the borders of this moor will be noticed broad deep ditches with numerous smaller ones running irregularly across. From the East end, travelling directly up the middle, you will find the remains of what was once a road, and on each side of this old footpath grow Heather and Ling in abundance, while to the right and left of us are to be seen vast tracts of Cotton grass gracefully waving in the breeze. Our minds made up, my brother and I one morning sallied forth to- gether for a day after Haworth; and after an hour’s steady walking we came in sight of our destination. Having negotiated the moat-like ditch, we immediately commenced operations by each taking a side of the middle path before referred to; and being on the capture of Haworth bent, we ignore larve of Carpini, Pist, &c., and possible captures of minor interest. At this time of the day, Haworthi can be taken either on the wing, resting on heather, or by searching at the roots. Given a fine warm day, they can be seen flying lazily from one bunch of heather to another, or careering madly over the moor. But the best plan is to look steadily at clumps of heather two or three yards in front; and if we don’t do this our chances of Haworthii are considerably lessened, for at the slightest shock they draw their legs in and wriggle, by the aid of their wings, down to the roots of the plant they were resting on. This instinct of the insect appears to be very highly developed. At times I have crept quietly up to a patch of heather on which two or three of them were busily extracting the nectar. I have quietly shaken the turf, and down they at once went, to an insect, and the further you follow them down into the roots the 18gr. | ei ake iSE NAT UIA ST. 261 further they go. I have sometimes obtained as many as five from a single clump, and cn a dull day this method I find is the only successful means of taking Haworthit. By the time we have filled all our boxes, the rooks can be heard making their way leisurely to the various local rookeries, reminding us of approaching sundown and therefore time to return home. Until within the last three years, my brother and | worked this place more or less successfully; but one day failing to obtain a full supply, we decided to remain until dusk, and were rewarded for our perseverance by taking more Haworthu that night than we ever took in the daytime. We found that we could, by a considerable amount of fatigue, take them on the wing as they flew wildly over the moor at a break-neck speed; and often have we come home wet to the skin as a result of racing after this insect. Naturally keeping our eyes open, we were, on one of these evenings, rewarded with a still more important discovery. 1 cannot say whether the discovery is original or even known toa few; but we found that female Haworth had the additional virtue of ‘‘assembling.” Wandering over the ground one wet evening, and feeling a ‘‘wee bit” disgusted with my ill-luck, I sat down for a quiet smoke while my brother worked his way up to my end. . Comfortably seated, I had barely time to light my pipe when, in the dim distance, I saw what appeared to me half-a-dozen or so of Haworthit hovering, H. humuli fashion, over a tuft of Cotton grass. Down went my hand to the net, and keeping to leeward, I slowly crept up and took three of them at one single swoop. I simply howled for my brother, and we diligently helped ourselves, for the rest of that evening, to the droves of males that were attracted by that one female. The following extracts from my brother’s diary show with what success we followed this mode of capture:—In the year 1888 Sur bierest bags were, Sept. 12th, 80; Sept. 17th, 60; Sept. 8th, 35. iieneso, Aus. roth, 57; Aug. oth, 34, &c.;.and my brother's records show that our total muster for the last three years is nearly 1000! and when one comes to consider that the species does not commence to fly until the last quarter of an hour before dark, one can imagine the excitement when, having found the female, we each stood over the spot taking all that came. I have marked a male going by at a terrific pace, when, coming to leeward of my clump it immediately sobers down into a steady flying insect wending its way slowly, and 262 TEE Ret Sia NA Ee Wie Sai [DECEMBER in all probability in the company of others, up to its doom. Both Mr. Percy Russ (of Sligo) and Mr. Reid (of Aberdeenshire) inform me that they have found it during the day on Ragwort flowers and also at night; for the first time I captured the species on thistle 2 miles away from the moors the other day. It has also been *taken at “sugar” in Scotland, (‘‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” 1880, p- 258). Although I cannot assert definitely, yet there seems to me no doubt that Haworthw deposits its eggs singly on the plant of its choice. I have, at various times, been in possession of the ova, which hatch about the middle of April, and the young caterpillar at once enters the young shoots of the cotton grass, little given to wandering, and where it can afterwards be traced by the moulds of frass, which can be seen on the surface of the ground, for all the world like Schultz’s powder. Mr. Reid says of the larve that he has found them resting on the extreme tips of the cotton grass on fine nights in June; but omits to say whether they were feeding or not. When full fed this larva forms a delicately constructed cocoon, and the pupa can be found from July to the middle of October, in tufts of its pabulum, under stones, &c. For a description of the larva I must refer you to an elaborate sketch by the late Mr. Buckler. which 1s to be found on pages 195-7 of the E.M.M. for 1872. The perfect insect flies during the months of August, September and October. Turning to the subject of variation, we find that there are three distinct varieties; namely lancea, tvipuncta, and hibernica, to which are added morio and erupta, by Mr. Tutt. The variety hibermica differs from the type as being of a more ferruginous tint, less marked with white, and the obicular concolorous and indistinct. Variety lancea seems only to be a miniature form of hiberuica; it is said to be only half an inch in expanse, almost uniformly coloured fore-wings, with the scarcely waved posterior strige, and paler hind-wings. Variety tvipuncta was first described and figured by Humphreys and Westwood as having both stigmata distinct and pale, as well as a patch resting upon the subapical strigaz near the costa of the fore- wings. I have carefully examined and compared the figure with the *During the discussion which followed, Mr. Collins (of Warrington) stated that he took it very freely by ‘‘ sugaring.”’ 1891. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 263 female of this species, and there seems to me no doubt whatever that it is only the female type. Humphreys and Westwood in their ‘‘ British Moths” also figure and describe an additional species to this genus in the name of venigeva, based on the fact that specimens of the insect existed in some of the old cabinets, and were supposed to have been taken near London. The species however has since been placed, I believe by Mr. Kirby, with the Agvotide, and is of very rare occurrence in Europe, and is certainly not British. With the short space at my command, I have been unable to satisfactorily work out the geographical distribution of C. Haworthii. In the South it seems to be extremely local and confined to the counties of Sussex, Hants, Norfolk, Huntingdon, Bedford, Cambridge, Northampton; in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, Cumberland, and Westmorland, it is taken com- monly though rather local; there is also a record of its occurrence in the Isle of Wight. I only hold two Welsh records—Denbighshire and Glamorganshire—but it is no doubt taken pretty generally throughout Wales. In Scotland it seems to be abundant and generally distributed in the Highlands, and is to be also occasionally met with in the Isle of Arran. In Ireland it has been taken commonly in the East and West Counties, and the variety Huzbernica is to be taken on the Dublin and Wicklow hills. Dr. Staudinger says that it occurs in Germany, North France, Livonia, Finland, Lapland and the Ural mountains. In conclusion, I desire to record my many thanks to Messrs. South, Porritt, Fenn, Reid, and Farren for their help in working out the geographical distribution of this insect; and to Mr. Tutt for his kind assistance in naming the varieties. Bolton, October, 1891. Notes. Forcinc AGrotis ASHworTHiIl.—Having been successful this autumn in rearing Agvotis Ashworthi from the egg, and as this larva has the reputation o: being very difficult to rear, perhaps a few notes as to the way in which I managed them may be interesting and useful to others who may in future have a similar opportunity of breeding this rare and beautiful moth. 264 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [DECEMBER Whilst staying at Penmaenmawr (North Wales) in July this year, I was fortunate enough to come across the locality where Ashworthit occurs. From what I saw of it, it seems to be confined to one very restricted locality, and though fairly plentiful in that one spot, it might very easily escape notice if not especially looked for, as the cliffs which it frequents do not present at all an attractive appearance from a distance, but on closer inspection are seen to be broken up into numerous narrow, deep cracks which are filled with various grasses, heather, thyme and sundry other plants. The moth sits through the day, fully exposed on the face of these rocks, but its colour harmonises so perfectly with them that very close searching is necessary to find it. This, however, is not without its advantage, as one is the more likely to find ova as well as the imagines. The eggs are laid in batches of 30 or 40, generally on the rock itself, but sometimes on a dead twig of heather or grass, and seem to be deposited at haphazard by the female, as in some cases I could see no living plant within 30 or 4o feet of them; but as the young larve are very lively customers and not particular as to what they eat, they probably are not long in finding something suitable to feed upon. From July 20th to 30th I found a dozen imagines and as many batches of ova (some of which were already hatched), but | did not take above 80 eggs. Above 60 of these hatched (the rest having probably been injured in getting them off the rock) and the young larve, which, like many other noctue larve ‘“‘loop” when first hatched, took readily to both willow and plantain. During the first ten days of their existence they only got on slowly, and as I felt pretty certain that if I allowed them to hybernate in their natural condition, I should only get a small proportion of them to live through the winter, I determined to try if they could not be induced to feed up straight away. To this end, as soon as the larve had changed their first skins, I divided them into four lots, putting each into a good sized glass jar, in which was a bottle containing their food plant, and put the jars in a very warm place in the kitchen: The heat, which, as a rule could not have been less than 80° Fahrenheit inside the jars, soon began to have a good effect, and by the end of August nearly all the larve had reached the stage in which they would hybernate in a wild state. As soon as they were so far advanced I removed them into flower pots, so as to give them more air, but still kept them in the ———— ee = et te 1891. | TIBUS, JBISUL TE Slab Neh Osa EAtS I 265 same warm quarters, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing that the greater part, if not all, would feed up. From this time they increased “in size very irregularly, a few not feeding at all and others very sparingly, but by the 20th of September I had upwards of 25 full fed, and these I again moved into well-ventilated cages containing some light peaty earth, into which they soon began to disappear. On turning out the cages later on, | found that these had produced 20 pupe, a few having died in the operation of changing. About the middle of October some of the smaller larve began to show signs of having had enough of it and a dozen or eighteen of these died off, whilst some of the remainder did not seem disposed to allow themselyes to be hurried, and fed very slowly; so slowly that at the time of writing I have still 14 feeding on plantain, though these are all just about full fed. In all, up to date, I have obtained 25 pupz and if I can get another dozen from the rest of the larve I shall be very well satisfied. The first imago appeared on the 28th October and at the present time I have had about 16 out. 1 was rather doubtful as to whether the moths would suffer from being subjected to such heat, but they are quite as large as and better marked than those I took wild. The larve do not seem specially difficult to manage, and are content with a variety of food. At first J fed them on various willows and when that became scarce, on knot grass, heather, bindweed, and lastly on plantain. They vary very little, mostly in the ground colour, which is sometimes nearly black, but generally darkish green. In one case the black patches on the back were reduced to about a third of the usual size, but this was the only variation I noticed.— L. S. Brapy, Sunderland. C. Haworrnuit 1N [RELAND.—-C. Haworthu is widely spread all pyver Ireland: JI have taken it wherever I have been“in: suitable localities in the East, West, Central, and Northern tracts of heather; viz.:—Dublin and Wicklow mountains; Westmeath bogs; Oxhill range, County Sligo; und on Donegal moors. It flies on sunny days, (it is said to affect the plumes of bog cotton, but I have never taken it thus,) and at dusk, when I have taken it freely about mid-August. The larva I have seen in the roots of bog cotton plants, even well below the surface in very wet marshes. I think the end of June is about the best season to work for them, by digging up the roots of 266 DEE BRIMTISE INA Ue Vesa [DECEMBER tufts which appear to be stunted. It is, (in spite of being an internal feeder, and often below water,) subject to the attacks of ichneumons; what species I do not know, but I have sent specimens to Mr. Bignell. -—W. F. pe V. Kane, Kingstown. Coleoptera.—Notes. CoLEOPTERA IN FLoop ReEFuse at St. LEonarps.—Owing to the heavy rains during October, the Bopeep Marshes, near St. Leonards, were flooded to a considerable extent and a few hours’ work among _ the flood refuse resulted in a somewhat considerable haul of fully a hundred species of Coleoptera, some of which may be worth recording, and about a thousand specimens. Some species occurred in the utmost profusion, particularly Bembidium obtusum, Tachyporus brunneus, and of course T. hypnorum and chrysomelinus, and Simplocaria semistriata, | usually had from a dozen to fifty of these on my paper at a time. Many others were common, such as Bryaxts helfert, of which I took over a hundred, Hypeva trilineata, H. variabilis, H. mgrirostvris, and Myrvmedoma canaliculata were all very common and I bottled half a dozen of the rarer M. limbata, Xantholinus linearis, X. punctulatus (both abundant), Pederus littovalis, Harpalus consentaneus. I passed this latter over at the time as the common H. Jatus, so only secured a few. I found out my mistake when too late, as on the next occasion I visited the marshes there was not a single specimen to be found. Several species of Homalota, Cercyon, Apion, &c. were extremely common; among them I took a few Cercyon aquaticus, U'. melanocephalus, C. unipunctatus, Homalota trinotata, &c., and I have several species not yet determined. I took a long series of Achenium humile, —this is a rare insect in this district, and I have only met with it singly before. _I also took a nice series of Agathidium marginatum, Carcinops minima, and Thyamis pusilla. Among others which frequently turned up were Amara tibialis, Olisthopus rotundatus, Bradycellus verbasci, Notiophilus aquaticus, N. palustrrs (common), Metabletus foveola, M. truncatellus, Ocypus cupreus, Alcochava nitida, Lithooharis melanocephala, Stilicus affinis, Hypocyplus longtcornis, Helophovus nubilis, Psylliodes chalconura, Plectvocelis concinna, &c.; occasionally I found specimens of Lovceva pilicornis, Xantholinus tricolor, Quedius picipes, Megarthrus depressus, Nuitidula bipustulata, Omosita colon, O. discoidea, Hyperaspis reppensis (4), Micraspis 12-punctata, 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 267 Scymnus frontalis, Telmatophilus caricis, Mycetoporus Reyt, M. splendidus, Conurus lividus, Aphodius subterraneus, A. prodromus, Gronops lunatus, and many more. I was surprised on visiting the same locality a day ortwo later to find that, with the exception of a few common Tachypori, there was nothing left in the refuse. -A. Forp. Notes. BYTHINIA TENTACULATA L. seems to be spreading in America very Mollusca. rapidly. The latest recorded locality is Black Lake in the State of Michigan, so that it is well started on its Western march. Another English species that has asserted its fitness pre-eminently as a colonist is Helix aspersa Miill., and this shell has already reached the Pacific coast of the United States, having been collected 12 years ago at San José in California by my friend Dr. Yates. There is hardly a country in the world, in fact, where H. asfersa has not turned up. Specimens from Melbourne, Victoria, were kindly communicated to me some time ago by Mr. Standen. Speaking of Helix aspersa Mill. reminds me that I never published the discovery of a colony of the little known var. vivecens Req. in Guernsey about 5 years ago, at least such the shells were considered to be by Mr. W. H. Heathcote and _ myself at the time. About 4 adults and 7 or 8 immature specimens ) occurred, and, while possessing translucent marking of the regular | aspersa type, they were in coloration undoubtedly a pale uniform green: | shell of normal size and very thin but not at all of the var. tenwior type. |The habitat was a likely-looking spot on the edge of Bordeaux Harbour, with loose stones and bits of wall Joosely built, and with it lived a large light-coloured form of Helix pisana with a decided | tendency to efascation. A not very thorough search last August failed to produce any aspersa of this variety, though the pisana had /increased markedly in numbers. The latter are a very distinct race from their kindred on the west coast at Vazon Bay, where one quickly | recognises the darker-coloured, smaller, and more Tenby form. The _ question of the introduction and naturalization of Helix pisana into’the | island by Dr. Lukis is fully explained in Vol. II of the ‘Journal of _Conchology,” by Messrs. Rimmer, Cooke, and Tye. In the current number of the ‘“‘ Nautilus’’ Mr. T. D. A. Cocker-ll ) has a synopsis of the named varieties of Agviolimax agrestis, L. This ubiquitous species is now placed on record for the Pacific coast 268 TEE Bi Lisi Nai Wiesel Sale. [DECEMBER of the States, from San Francisco and Portland, Or. Out of the seventeen varieties here signalized, seven have already been noticed in America, viz.: typicus Less., succineus West., albidus Picard, sylvaticus Moq., reticulatus, Mogq., varians West., obscurus Mog.—by the bye, should not all these varietal names, except varians, end in ‘a’ and NOL | WS\a We have received from Mr. Cosmo Melvill, ‘‘ An historical account of the genus Latiris and Peristernia.”’ Even to a novice this is most interesting in its lucid and valuable exposition of a rather neglected genus with incidental information of a varied kind. We note en passant the increasing aid to classification rendered by more detailed examination of the rodula, though at times it clashes with external indications. Mr. Melvill indeed would probably have united the genera Peristernia and Lativus but for the palatal diaquoses of -Messrs. Gwatkins and Cooke.—B. Tomuin, Llandaff. Gleanings. PTEROPHORUS PALUDUM IN YORKSHIRE.—Our friend Mr. G. T. Porritt, of Huddersfield, records in the ‘‘ Naturalist” for September, the occurrence of this rare plume on Thorne Waste, on 18th July last. Neither he, nor his companion,- Mr. J]. Harrison, of Barnsley, recognised it when boxed, and when examined subsequently, was found to agree very closely with Dorsetshire examples of paludum, but to be both larger and finer. It was sent to Mr. Webb, of Dover, whose reply was ‘“‘paludum, a very fine and large specimen.” It is very satisfactory to find this rare plume occurring in another new locality, and we hope it will prove more abundant than the Dorsetshire specimens. We observe with some pleasure that a comprehensive work on British Lepidoptera by C.-G. Barrett, Esq., is to be) commenceds A work of this character was greatly needed, and no one is better qualified to carry it out than Mr. Barrett. It is nearly 40 years since Stainton’s Manual appeared and an enormous number of species have been discovered in Britain since then. We especially welcome it because it will settle the nomenclature of our. British species for the next half century, and rescue us from the slough of | 1891. | Ti eke Sie NAT UAE LS ©. 269 despond in which we have been driven by those who make science subservient to nomenclature. Mr. Tutt has reprinted his papers on melanisu, and they can be had from him for 2/6. A new work on British Diptera is announced, but it appears from prospectus to be more of a popular than a scientific character. It is published bi-monthly, by Elliott Stock, at 1/- per part. A new work on British Hemiptera-—Homoptera, by Mr. Edward Saunders—is also in the press. Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. Nov. 4th.—Dr. David Sharp, M.A., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. Major John Nathaniel Still, of Tiverton, Devon, and the Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, St. James’s, S.W., was elected a Fellow of the Society. Mr. W. F. Kirby exhibited a series of a very dark-coloured form of Afis reared by Mr. John Hewett, of Sheffield, from bees imported from Tunis, and which he proposed to call ‘‘ Punic Bees.’’ They were larger than the black Afis unicolor, Latr., of Mauritius and Bourbon, and were almost entirely black, except in the legs which were of a more or less reddish colour. Mr. C. G. Barrett exhibited five melanic specimens of Aplecta nebulosa, reared by Mr. Collins, of Warrington, from larve collected in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, and described by him, in the‘ Proceedings of the Lancashire and Cheshire Natural History Society,’ as A. ne'ulosa, var. Robsoni, in honour of Mr. John E. Robson, of Hartlepool. Mr. Barrett also exhibited a beautiful variety of Avgynnis aglaia, taken in Norfolk by Dr. F.D. Wheeler, and two specimens (male and female) of Lycena argiades, taken in August. 1885, on Bloxworth Heath, Dorsetshire, by Mr. C. O. and Mr. A. Pickard Cambridge respectively. Mr. H, St. John Donisthorpe exhibited a collection of Coleoptera, comprising about thirty-six species, made in a London granary in 1890 and 1891. The genera represented included Sphodvus, Pristonychus, Calathus, Quedius, Creophilus, Omalium, Trogosita, Silvanus, Lathridius, Dermestes, Anthrenus, Corynetes, Ptinus, Niptus, Anobium Blaps, Tenebrio, Calandra, Bruchus, &c. Mr, A. B. Farn exhibited a series of specimens of Exbolia lineolata, bred from eggs laid by a specimen taken at Yarmouth. The series included several remarkable and beautiful varieties, and the size of the specimens was much above the average. The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited specimens of Argynnis ino, A. pales, and A. frigga, from Norway. Mr. B. A. Bower exhibited, for Mr. J. Gardner, specimens of Nephopteryx splendid- ella, H.-S., Botys lupulinalis, Clk., and Bryotropha obscurella, Hein., taken at Hartlepool last June and August. 270 TEE, ABIRAD WSiab SNA Uae Ssan [DECEMBER Mr. R. Adkin exhibited two very dark specimens of Peronea cristana, from the New forest. Colonel C. Swinhoe exhibited, and remarked on, types of genera and species of » moths belonging to the Timneina, all of which had been discribed by Walker, and placed by him amongst the Lithoside. Mr. H. Goss exhibited specimens of Callimorpha hera, taken in August last by Major-General Carden in Scuth Devon, and observed that the species appeared to be getting commoner in this country, as Gen. Carden had caught seventeen specimens in five days. Mr. Goss said that the object of the exhibition was to ascertain the opinion of the meeting as to the manner in which this species had been introduced into this Country. A long discussion on this object and on the geographical distrib- ution of the species ensued, in which Mr. G. T. Baker, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Barrett Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. M‘Lachlan, Mr. Verrall, Capt. Elwes, Mr. Fenn, Mr. Jacoby and others took part. . Mr. C. J. Gahan contributed a paper entitled ‘‘On South American species of Diabrotica : an appendix to Part II.” Mr. M‘Lachlan contributed a paper entitled ‘‘ Descriptions of four new species of holopthalmous A scalaphide.”’ Mr. W. L. Distant communicated a paper entitled ‘‘ Descriptions of four new species of the genus Fulgora.” Mr. F. Enock read a paper entitled «. Additional notes and observations on the life history of Atypus piceus.’”” Every detail in the life-history of this spider was most el- aborately illustrated by a large number of photographs, made by Mr. Enock from his original drawings. and shown by means of the oxy-hydrogen lantern. A discussion followed, in which Mr. C. O. Waterhouse, Dr. Sharp, Mr. G. C. Champion, the Rev. A. E. Eaton, Mr. P. Crowley, and others took part.—H. Gross, Hon, Secretary. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. November 12th.—Mr. W. H. Tugwell, Esq., President, in the chair. Mr. Cooper exhibited a variety of Abraxas grossulaviata, L., well banded and there being no trace of yellow in the markings of the wings. Mr. Aulda hornets nest from Ware. Hertford. Mr. West (Streatham) Polia chi, L., from the lake district, one specimen being extremely dark. Mr. Herbert Williams wine corks perforated by the larve of some insect—one of these larva was also exhibited; Mr. Williams stated that they were doing a considerable amount of damage to a wine merchant in the city, the corks of over two hundred bottles of port (for which wine the species showed a decided preference) having been attacked. Mr. C. G. Barrett said he thought the larva was ~ half-grown but it was very active and might be the common Endrosis fenestrella, Scop. Mr. Adkin said he did not think the larve confined their attention to port wine corks, nor did he think they ever went through the cork into the wine. Mr. Forrester showed Bombyx quereus, L., var. callune, Palmer, from Perth. Some remarks were made with reference to this exhibit in the course of which several instances were mentioned of full fed larve of B. quercus, having been taken in the autumn, at Folkestone and elsewhere. Mr. E. Joy Epinephele hyperanthus, L., the variety avete, and others 1891. | Wise, JBIEGLIE Sal NAVIN Jewel sisal Wii approaching it. Mr. C. G. Barrett a variety of Argynnis aglaia, L., taken in Norfolk, two specimens of Lycena argiades, taken on Bloxworth Heath in 1885, and specimens of Aplecta nebulosa, Hufn., reared by Mr. Collins of Warrington, from Delamere Forest and named by him var. Robsont. Mr. Tugwell exhibited some some parasitic fungi and remarked that it was one of the Entomophthorz—a tribe of fungi parasitic an insects. He noticed this fungoid growth apparently growing from the soil in one of his breeding cages in which eighty larvae of Scotosia cevtata, bred from ova, had pupated, the larvee were fed on Berberis vulgaris, the fungi were half an inch or more high; on examination he found that each of the fungus sprung from the pupz of cevtata the whole of which were dead. Some were enveloped in the fungus but others were apparently healthy, but traces of white thread-like spots of the fungus were noticeable, and the pupz were dead and could be snapped asunder like a damp rotten twig. Thinking that the germ of the fungus might have been introduced into the larva by the food plant, Mr. Tugwell stated that he had placed some pupz of Gortyna filavago in some of the same soil, and all those that were not on the point of emerging. were killed by the fungus. Mr. Fenn said he had experienced the same thing in two or three cages. Messrs. Adkin, Carrington, West, and others took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. Adkin again exhibited the specimen of the Tortrix which Mr. Carpenter had named donelana and remarked that he had been stated, in a report of a previous meeting. to have exhibited these specimens as Tortrix steineviana, var. dohviana, he had, however, when exhibiting them, said he had considered them to be Tortrix viburnana; he had now a specimen of the variety dohviana from Dr. Staudinger’s collection. Mr. Tutt had brought his series of this Variety which he had received from Herr Hoffman, and Mr. C. G. Barrett had brought specimens of 7. steineviana and examples of T. vibuvnana and its varieties. Mr. Barrett said he had been in correspondence with Mr. Carpenter on this subject and was still of opinion that the specimens were simply T. vibuynana, Mr. Carpenter had written him that although the larve fed on pine, an example had fed equally well on vacciniwum. Mr. Tutt said that in this part of the genus there were some six or eight species closely allied and it was difficult to separate these after studying the variation among them, and he added that the figure published by Mr. Carpenter was undoubtedly stezneriana; he cid not for one moment suggest that Mr. Barrett was not right in calling the Irish specimens viburnana but until more material was obtained he did not think it could be assumed that they were distinct from the Continental T. steineviana var. dohviana. Mr. Barrett remarked that Mr. Carpenter’s figure was from a single specimen and was extremely unlike the majority of specimens which had since been bred. Mr. Oldham exhibited, among other species a black var. of Cerastis ‘Spadicea, Hb., from his garden, near Epping Forest, and a specimen of Apamea ophiogvamma, Esp., taken in the Forest. Mr. South remarked that the first-named species should be called ligula as it was not at all like Hubner’s figure of spadicea.— H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. November 9th Wir. >. |. Capper, F.L.S., F.E-S., in the chair. Mr. R. Newstead, P., tead a paper : “‘General Notes on the scale insects Coccide.” The author gave a brief resumé of the work done by the earlier naturalists and enumerated types. 272 THE BRITISH VAT URA LISa: [DECEMBER of the principal genera (of which he had drawn large coloured diagrams in illustration). In the course of his remarks he described the distinctive characters and exhibited drawings of the following new species :—-Lecanurni assimilis n.sp. on Aster at Colwyn Bay, L. minimum n.sp. on Areca under glass, Cheshire, Pulvinaria persice n.sp. on peach, Cheshire, Pseudococcus associalis n.sp. on Ribes, Yorks.; Ripersia tomlinii n.sp. on grass roots in ants’ nests, Guernsey, R. pulvevaria n.sp. under leaf sheaths of Agvostis, Cheshire. Mr. Neustead exhibited specimens of 172 species of Coccidz, which included all the known British species. Mr. Gardner exhibited Coccus cacti and Carteria lacca, the latter with their products. The Secretary Aspidiotus pevsonatus, Vinsonia pulchella, and Lecanium olee@, the latter were much brokén by some Lepidopterous (?) larvze which had formed silken tunnels under the scales. The President exhibited melanic and other forms of Liparis monacha Mr. Gregson varieties of the Dianthecia conspersa which he divided as follows: Conspersa, var. ‘‘pronounce,’’ black and white, little if any ochreous yellow, ‘‘Port Patrick,” South Scotland, D. conspersa, var. ochre@, all the usual white obscured with ochre, whole insect ochreous; D. conspersa, var. obscure, all light markings obscured with brown ochre colour, ‘‘Forres,’’ Moray; D. conspersa, var. oblitere, whole insect dark olivaceous brown, usual markings faint sometimes quite obliterated, Shetland, and Abvaxas -grossulaviata, bred by him this year. Mr. Walker, water-colour drawings of Deilephila galii and Mr. Stott, a noctua exhibited some time ago which has since been pronounced to be a variety of Epunda lichenea by Mr. Barrett —F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec., 143 Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. GUERNSEY NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY. The usual monthly meeting of the Guernsey Society of Natural Science and Local Re- search was held at the Guille-Alles Library last Wednesday evening Nov. 18th, in the absence of the President (Mr. John Whitehead), and the Vice-President (Mr. Thomas Guille), the chair was taken by Mr. E. D. Marquand. There wasa good attend- ance of members. Mr. Z. Robert exhibited a number of interesting geological specimens which he afterwards presented to the museum. Four new Sections were founded on similar lines to those of the Geological Sec- tion, which has been doing very good work throughout the year under the direction of its honorary secretary, Mr. A. Collenette, F.C.S., F. R. Met, Soc. These new Sections, which are intended to specialise and expedite certain depart- ments of the Society’s works, will respectively deal with, Baetaniysdaad eter Mn. Roylejhonssecs ~ Folklore 20s nes see Mr. Pitts, hon. sec. Entomology .... Mr. Luff, i Marine Zoology........ Mriisharpiii Twelve new members were proposed for election at the next meeting. A very interesting discussion then took place on ‘‘ Flowers and their origin,” the — subject being ably introduced by Mr. Royle. He was followed successively by Mr. Marquand, who spoke on the influence of locality in the modification of flowers ; by Mr. Rose, on insects and flowers; by Mr. Sharp, on floral development ; and by Mr: Collenette, on the geological record as it bears upon the origin and history of flowers. Each address was limited to five minutes. Afterwards a very interesting conversa- tion sprang up among the members generally, touching various points referred to by the different speakers. The proceedings throughout were very enjoyable. Report of the City of London Society did not veach us in time. ADVERTISEMENTS. EXCHANGE. : Nanidentela marked * are bred. myouatdn, DUPLICATES. —Alexis Artaxerxes, Carpini,* Plantaginis,* Velleda, L. ‘disp: ir,* Y Mustraria,* Suffumata, Ribesiaria, Conigera, Nictitans, Tenebrosa, Tritici, Valligera, Lucernea, Festiva vars., Neglecta, Suspecta, Rufina, Adusta, Dentina, ‘Solidaginis.-—Wrr1t1am Cowiz, 5, “Canal Street, Aberdeen, N.B. Ly EXCHANGE. — Wanted Tertiary fossils, named and located. Offered in return Mediterranean hells, lepidoptera, &c.. state desiderata ; offered also. For aminifera, mounted or unmounted.— A. CooKE, Highland House, St Julian’ 8; Malta. - Desiderata, Formiceeformis Culicifor mis, Porcellus, Statices Rubricollis, Complana, Lurideola, Pe Caniola, Pygmeola, Deplana, Aureola, Griseola, Strainmeola, Muscerda, Mesomella, “Miniata, Irorrella ;\ 1 will endeavour to make a good return.—Joun KE. Rosson, Hartlepool. ; ; i Australian Bird’s skins and eggs, and other natural history specimens offered in exchange ‘for Cretaceous fossils or. skins and eggs of British bade —J: HAMMERTON, JUNR., ¢/o ‘Hammer ‘ton and Son, Geelong, Victoria. | ! ' -Excnanen. -—Colquhounana,* Musciformis,* Car melita, Trepidaria,* Desiderata.— “Numerous. —H Murray, Lowb. nk Villas, Carnforth. Excuanep—W anted good Botanical Sections. Will give a ee of which 1 have six different, of Micro-material from New Zealand for each slide-—W. . GatIn, Tuxford, Newark _ ExcHance--Coleoptera— Javing undertaken the formation be a type collection 9 British Coleoptera for the local mnseum here, 1 earnestly appeal to coleopterists for spare specimens of any common species. Parcels will be thankfully received and postage paid, to be addresse Cc: E. Storr, Hon. Curator Ento. Section, Manchester Road, Bolton-le- Moors. im Excnuanex—Duplicates—Artaxerxes, Velleda, Sylvinus, Mundana, Fulva, Coniotan Fasciuncula, Furuncula, Arcuosa, Macilenta, Protea, Chrysitis, ‘Dilutata, Caesiata, Albulata, | Ocellata, Fulvata, Mensuraria, Juutealis, and Rubiella. —R. ADIE DALGLisn, 21. Princes Street, ‘Pollokshields, Glasgow. ee Bees _ (exchange lists.) —-Hurpert Pypus, 19 Pendrill street, Beverley road, Hull. Sy awatekius. —Megon, Subnotata*, Comitata*, Sobrinata*, ‘ Flavago*, Augur*, Baia*, Nanata*, Cuculatella*, Semele, Lubricepeda*, Repandata*, Vinula* , Bucephala¥, Scolopacina™, | ee Triangulum*, Festiva*, Typica*, Chenopodii*, Cribrella*,, Flammealis*, H. lineola | al Desiderata.— Very numerous.—H. J. TurNeR, 13, Drakefell Road, H atcham, S,E. DUPLICATES. —Salmacis, Artaxerxes, Alsus, Megeera, Mendica*, Villica*, Ausculi, Trepidaria, ie Mundana, Panta, also a’ fine pair of A. Sabellz*.—T.. Mappison, South Bailey, ' Durham ci i DupiicarEs.— Many Continental “Butterflies in fine ppadiiion- et MADDISON, South ee | oy Durham. - EXcHaNGE. aE Sia nteal slides e Bated - Mounted sections &e., suitable for class work. A Bikes of good unmounted material fron New Zealand will be Nau in exchange foreach — Ce | oe A. Gan, Tuxford, Newark. | British and European Lepidoptera wanted, especially noctusz, will give in exchange fine > North American species. ee ees CHas. S. WEsTCOTT, Merchantville, Nid) OLS: Ake Box bie den Co. | BAN y \ er we TO CORRESPONDENTS. | Title page and Index to Vol. I. will be given with the January poe Picicloeical section. —_Mr. Cockerill,having sailed for Jamaica, this section is temporarily f mis ended. Communications i in the meantime to be sent to the Editor. ee G. A ‘Lewcock, 73, Oxford Road, Islington, N., Hon. Sec. City of London Ento. Bat Hist, Society, represents the Magazine in London, and conducts the section of | \ CHANGE OF ADDRESS. EXCHANGE. —Giving up collecting ; will exchange British Butterflies and Moths for Binds ae © Celena Haw orthii—C. E. Stott -_ Notes et: Emcee Not otes a M ollusca—Notes... Gleanings Hs 9 fe se! FOR INSECTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins Killing Box, Cork Boards, on FOR HGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, slices Box, ‘Label List, &c., 3/- | FOR SH#ELIS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes, 3/6. us FOR FOSSILS AND MINERALS. --Geological ‘Hammer and Chisel, Boxes ee L. Salicis, Mr. A. N. Battley. WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS FN &c. Dec. 17, Pocket Box Exhibition. Jan. 7, The Pterophorina, Mr. J. W. Tutt. Jan. “Larva Preserving, Mr. A. Quail. Feb. 4, The Lepidoptera of Epping Forest, Mr. A ‘ oa ~ “s} \ The Pterophoriza of Britain.—J. W. Tutt, F.z:s. | | Reports of Societies a ee ean Spider —Rev. ee ue iB Cambridge ‘ and 24th. ADVERTISEMENTS. CN ee CONTENTS. Notes for Beginners—Micro Larve for the month. —Geo. Blisha, F.E.S,. Wi ie MANN, NATURALIST, Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History ken for youne beginners, all carriage paid. ‘Label Lists, &c., 6)6 FOR BOTANICAT, SPECIMENS, = Botanical Polceane. Case, ee Paper, Fern and Plant Digger, and Boxes, 3/6 — : ‘and Labels for specimens, 3/6. _ All orders are carefully packed and ee on a ners DAILIES A very Age: stock of Birds’ Eggs and gidae Lepiagecke: Shells, Natural History Books and Apparatus. NEW CATALOGUE FREE. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY. SOCIE’ : - Albion Hall, London Wall Meetings —Thursdays, Fixtures: - i: ~~ December 3, Annual General Meeting, Secretary’s Report, President’s Address, Bayne. Feb. 18, The Genus Hepialus, Mr. J. E. Robson. Mar. 3, The Coceinellida, G. A. Leweock. Mar. 17, The Genus Hadena, Mr. J. W. Tutt. Apl. 7, The Life- histor HE SOUTH LONDON. ENTOMOLOGICAL AND “NATURAL HISTOR 4 SOCIETY, Se ta Chambers, London Bridge, S.E. . es Dec. 1 be ANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Free Libr William Brown St., Liverpool. Next Meeting Monday, December 14.° Pa RE Ee eae aise Aculeata,” by VERORR ERY Gardner, F.R.G.S. eee. Printed by. B. Oni, 69, ish Street, Hastie sealy and published by Mzsers. Swa SONNENSCHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, E.C. : DER SS RC SR OT WN ET A Z L B i : i 5 i fi i F i i i ms a ALSINGHAM, EORD” W 7, O q 2 an = ea (x) ae a THE BRITISH NATTR AN PEL USINKATED MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, CONDUCTED BY GOHN E. ROBSON, F.E.S., Hartlepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF ae pIiGNETI, P.E.S., PLYMOUTH : LINNAZ!US GREENING, WarRINGTON. C. A. BRIGGS, F.E.S., Lonpon : C. S. GREGSON, LIVERPOOL ; S. J. CAPPER, F.L.S.,F.E.S., LiverpooL; A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A., BricuTon; ime DALE, F.E:S., Dorset: G. A. LEWCOCK, Lonpon. GEO ELISHA, FES, Lonvon, J. P. SOUTTER, Bisnop AucKLanp ; | Dr. ELLIS, F.E.S., Liverpoot: BROCKTON TOMLIN, B.A., LuaNnpDAFF W. A. GAIN, TuxForp; W.H. TUGWELL, Ph.C., GREENWICH JOHN GARDNER, F.E.S.HartLepooL; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. : Dondon SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ae Oar ne aaa ON ta, OX ARACHNIDA. Amaurobius ferox, 80 Handbook of British Spiders, Supple- ment 87, 95, IOI Spiders of a Holly Hedge, 220 BOTANY. Meralius lacrymanas, 105 ENTOMOLOGY. COLEOPTERA. Captures at West Wickham, 152 Cicindela sylvatica, 152 Cymindis, 214; axillaris, 214; vaporari- um, 215 Dromius quadrinotatus in Ireland, 57 Geotrupes pyrenzus, 152 Gossiping notes on British Coleoptera, 27 OB, ZEA. Irish Coleoptera in 1891, 29 Lebia, 28 ; crux-minor, 29 ; hemorrhoid- alis, $33; cyanocephala, 83; chloro- cephala, 84 Lionychus, 28; quadrillum, 28 Loricera, 215; pilicornis, 215 Masoreus, 215 ; Wetterhalii, 215 Mitcham, Coleoptera at, 215 Notes 57, 152 Pachyta collaris, 153 Panagzeus, 215; crux-major, 215; quad- ripustulatus, 215 Plagiodera armoracie, 123 Polydrosus micans, 152 Secondary Sexual Characters of British Coleoptera, VOM wLla ys has mu lOm a NOs: 209, 233, 246 Silpha atrata in Ireland, 58; litteralis, 152 DIPTERA. Acyphona, 169 Amalopsis, 203 Aphaniptera, 63 Autocha, 184 Campylomysa, 64 Catocha, 64 Cecidomyia, 64 Ceratophyllus, 63 Chrysis neglecta, two years in larva and pupa stages, 175 Ctenophora, 205 Cylindrooma, 203 Dicranomyia, 184 Dicranota, 203 Diplosis, 65 Diptera of Dorsetshire, 63, 168, 183, 202 Dixa, 168 Dynastoma, 64 Empeda, 184 Ephelia, 202 Epiphragma, 202 Erioptera, 183 Geranonyia, 184 Goniomyla, 184 Hermonyia, 65 Ideoptera, 202 Lasioptera, 64 Lestremia, 64 iV. DAE BRYPISTH NAM RAE) Sar Limnolina, 185 Limnophila, 202 Molophilus, 170 Nemocera, 64 Nephrotoma, 204 Pachyrhina, 204 Pedicia, 203 Pericoma, 65 Platyura, 64 Poecilostola, 202 Psychoda, 65 Phychoptera, 205 Rhamphidia, 184 Rhipidia, 184 Rhypholophus, 169 Symplecta, 184 Tipula, 203 Trichocera, 203 Trimiera, 184 Ulomgia, 65 HYMENOPTERA, Hymenoptera-aculeata of Lancashire and (Cheshire, 25,230, 6Q,. 110, 145; 170, 181, 205 Myrmica ruginodis, making war on its Own SPpecies, 103 LEPIDOPTERA, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, Lepidoptera of, 80, 94, 115, 141 Abraxas grossulariata, varieties of, 19 Acronycta myrice in Elginshire, 175 Agrotis Ashworthii, variety of, 17 Aporia crategi, 122, 150 Arctia meudica, variety of, 125 Biarritz, spring collecting at, 188 Bombyx rubi, forced, 17; trifolii at Liverpool, 245 British Lepidoptera, Random Notes on, 165, 193, 240 Coleophore, new, 193 Deiopza pulchella, 193 Emmelesia albulata, 167 Hadena satura, 165 Hepalus humuli, 167 Lycena artaxerxes, 240 Plusia moneta, 194 Syricthus alveus, 240 Vanessa autiopa, 166 . , c-album, 194 Bryophila perla larve in December, 17 Butterfly life before leaving the egg, 134 Colias edusa, 125, 201, at Dumfrfes, 245 as Liverpool, 245 Colias hyale, 201, at Liverpool, 245 Calimorpha hera in South Devon, 229 Chzerocampa celerio at Halifax, 244 Coleophore, new, 193 Crambi in Scotland, abundance of, 200 Deilephila galii at Hartlepool, 175 Deiopea pulchella, 193 Disclaimer A, 76 Emmelesia albulata, 167 General Notes, 16, 43, 53, 74, 100, 121, 149, 175, 199, 218 Hadena satura, 165. Hawk Moths, British Supplement, 65, 73- Hepialus hectus, 78, humuli 167, pairing 5 of 151 Heterocera of Isle of Man, 24, 67 Hybernia leucophearia, 79 Killing insects on setting boards, 124 Luperina testacea v. Nickerlii, 53, 77 Luss, Loch Lomond, Lyceena artaxerxes, 240 Collecting at, 165 Marasmarcha pheodactylus, 61 Micro larve for the month, 7, 40, 58, 78, NOHE, JMO), IC}O), Zays),, ZalAl Mimeseoptilus, 63, bipunctidactylus, 65, pterodactylus, 160, zophodactylus III Noctua conflua, 17, 18, 43, 56, 57, 76, 77, 100, 123 Nyssia zonaria at Crosby, 104, at Frod- sham Marsh, 2o1 Oidzematophorus, 228, lithodactyla, 251 Phigalia pilosaria, 57, black variety of, 79 SEE BRITISH NATURALIST. V. Plusia moneta, 194 Polyommatus virgaurea, 241 Pterophorina of Britain, 61, 107, 157, 226, 251 Sallows at Castle Eden Dene, 104, Donegal, 103, Hartlepool, 103, Liverpool, 104 Syricthus alveus in England, 240 Vanessa antiopa, 166, at Forres, 175 vn AG, Blllotebaal, acoysi » Cardui at Cape Wrath, 53 low Los Wicken Fen and District in 1891 Zygenz, cross-breading of, 80 ODONOPTERA. Dragon flies, 37 Sympetrum Fonscolombii in Surrey, 151 MOLLUSCA., Cingula, snb-genus, 179 Conchology in winter, 45 Cyclostoma Burtoni, Ancey, New species with figure, 129 Diagnoses of new Land Shells, 125 Ennea consobrina Ancey, N.sp., 125 Fresh Water Shells, notes on, 15 Helix Melvilliana Ancey, N.sp., 126. ,, Wariation in banding, of 47 Limax filans, 232 Nenia Orbignyi Ancey, N.sp., 126 Notes, 46, 176, 212, 232, 254 Onora, Sub-genus, 73 Rissoa. The Genus, 72, 127, 155, 179, 254 Slugs of British Isles, Catalogue of 176, Varieties. Notes on 35, 70, 74, 105, 127 H3, 212 Varieties, Two unpublished, 233 VERTEBRATA. Birds eggs at South London Exhibition 124 Buzzard, Roughlegged in Guernsey, 16 Phalavope Grey at Tenbury, 80 INULIN OM RIES IS) Ol Ashd IDG, Camibridge, Kev. ©. P, 231 Capper, Sy) } 00 Dale, The late James C., 156 Douglas, J. W., 128 Ormerod, Miss E. A., 82 RornittiGaa e172 Sharp, David, 199 Staintony tle dey 44 Vaughan, The late H, W. J., 258 Wolsingham, The Right Hon. Lord OBITUARY. Archer Francis, 82 Vaughan Howard, 239 RERORDRS OF SOCIETIES: City of London Entomological and Natural History Society, 12, 33, 51, i, OS, UBCy UMS, N7dlg UGS, BUD) Bers, 261 Entomological Society of London, 9, 48, 84, 96, 129, 147. 235, 260 Guernsey Society of Natural Science, 14, 54 : Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, 13, 34, 52, 83, 99, 134, 288, 239 South London Entomological and Natural History Society, 10, 32, 50, 86, 97, 131, 148, 197 vi. THE BRAT SEIN ACO ie Miers oi INDEX TO: CONTRIBUTORS: Ancey- Cb 25 Ashby, Herbert, 125 Baldwin, J, W., 175 Barker Weve 232. oo OO h Ops ia 2, 148, 199, 238 Battley, A: Us, 34; 76) 08, 138, 148, 168, 218, 239 Becki ax.) 152 Bignell GC: 103,176, 229 Brady, se nSe ty, lOn. 245 Briges C2AL 123) tar Brooks Wm., 57, 79 Cambridge: (nevs red. ©7430; 120; Slip 287;,, 5 aLOr Cappetas.. I5.63 Chapman, T. A., 151 sClark zy). A, 70 Clarkes He iG:, 24,167 Cockerelly i WAG 72,1 Oy 232 Collinge, W. E., 98, 176 Collins, Joseph, 201 Cuthbert, H. G., 30, 57 Dale, ©: W., 57, 63, 168, 183,.'202,’ Sup: 57> 5; 73 Dalglish, A. Adie, 67 Decie, Miss N. Prescott, 80 Elisha, G., 7, 40, 58, 78, IOI, 121, 149, 199, 218, 244 Millis, john We.) oi, 113, 138; 10%, 185, 209, 233 Farren, Wim., 100 Fowler, W. W., 9, 131, 147, 201 (Savio, MV Ns Ae. Bisa Aisin Fly MOY 1g 28S) 214, 233, 254 Gardner, John, 175 Gardner) We 2i-) 2onsO) muLO mil 4 5, anor 181, 205 Goss, H., 9, 50, 86, 96, 130, 235, 261 Gregson, C. S., 80, 245 Halliday, Edward, 244 Harker; G. A] 104 Harris,-E) 13 Hart, G. V., 103 Harwood, W. H,, 201 Heasler, H., 266 FLewetts Wimrn 7 7aeue3 Higgins, Rev. H. H., 134 Hinchliff, Miss K. M., 188 Horne, Arthur, 200 Wewcock, GaAy, 225277 0,868) 153, 2 EA uti Wee 145 326 Mackay, John, 56, 78 Mason, Philip, B., 18, 100 McMillan, W., 103 MiTltomE 37, 12452 Porritt, G. T., I Pierce, F.N., 14, 34, 53, 80, 88, 99, 134, 2230 Pullen Gea Reid, Wm., 80, 94, 115, 141, 175 Robson, John E., 18, 19, 57, 103, 104, 125, 165, 195, 240 Sharp, W., 03 Sharp, We 24 Short, A., 131, 198, 238 Simes, J; A, 34, 98) 30,2435 175,) 190m 218), 230, 20% South, R, W.’ 17, 55) 57 Tomlin Brocton, 47, 73, 127, 156, 180, 257 Dutt, ji. W, 433-01 77atO7, 157,122 Onze Webb, Sydney, 151 SIS TST SG NTE TE AL PS TYG A |W LILY BM SUD SR TE ST nw! t i 5 i E E : Fy fhartlepool : Bia ORD: PRINTER, MIDDLEGATE. Part XILT, THE va pn os Se | AN? iy _ ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, ie | , CONDUCTED BY e i ie ae OHN 5 ROBSON, e. Sy Hartlepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF C. eC) BIGNELL, BE. = Piywovre ; i JOHN GARDNER, F. E.S. HARTLEPOOL: ke A. BRIGGS, Beas. Lonpon ; ft LINNAEUS GREENING, WARRINGTON 4s. J CAPPER, Ee LS FES. LiveRPooL; C. S. GREGSON, LIVERPOOL ; : ae D. COCKERELL, Lonpon ; ilies) Nae GRIFFITH, M:A., Be tb NC.W.DALE,FES, Dorset; = ~~ G. A. LEWCOCK, Lonpon. | i GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S., Lonpon, _ OR. SOU LTTER, (BisHop Meena ! R. ELLIS, BES. Tiverboor “9° W, H. TUGWELL, Ph.c, (het wncae SYDNEY WEBB, DOVER. ie PRICE SIXPENCE, er BC WITH SUPPLEMENT. ee, BB fy | Gondon : ss SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., Parerwoster Square. 74 ADVERTISEMENTS. Lane ue a SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & C Ca — YOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES) Fiat 4 _ “ They contain just the kind and amount of information required. to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departments, can be made a commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation which Each Volume is very fully illustrated with practical woodcuts, and bound in flat cloth extva, Is. each (post free, Is. 2d. ue 3 they well deserve can render them so.”’—Knowledge. ‘We have seen nothing better than this series, Saturday Review. ‘“‘ We are glad to call attention to this excellent series of handbooks, which deserve to be We are glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus coming forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.""—Academy. 3 widely known. To. It. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., Paternoster Square, LONDON Butterflies, Moths, and Beetles. By W. Kirby. . Crustaceans and Spiders. By F. A. Skuse. . Fungi, Lichens, etc. By Peter rays Mosses. _ By James E. Bagnall, ...s. . Pond-Life. By HA: Datler, 5.2.5: . Seaweeds, Shells, and ~— Fossils. By P. Gray and B. B. Woodward. . Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Dragon- -flies. Bath. Coins & Tokens (English) By Llew. Jewitt, r.s.a.. With a Chapter on Greek Coins by Barclay V. Head. BY -NVe tid: . Reptiles. By Catherine Hopley. British Birds. By H. A. Macpherson. [In preparation. Silkworms. By i. A, butler,..a.s- IZ. 20. British Ferns. . Fossils. . The Microscope. . Book Collecting. . Marine Shells. . Colonial Coins. . Grasses. . Pond-Life (Algz, Diatoms . Chess Problems. . Postage Stamps. 24. Flowering Plants. a» Ths. E; It is not easy It is cheap, concise, and practical.” = The illustrations Land and ae Water Shells. By J. W Williams, J. W. Taylor, and W. Dennison Roebuck Py} WV Williams. By V. A. Latham. By. J. 1. Slater. [In en p. By J. W. Willams & others. a [In preperation By Di i: ee By F. Tufnail. [In proparatia 1 By E. J. Lowe. etc.) By T. Spencer Smithso n 3 By E. W. Rayner. By W. T. Ogilvie. By James Britten, F.:s: . [In prepara ihtetue BRITISH NATURALIST. WICKEN FEN AND DISTRICT IN 18or. Gea PORK. 2 Bec, ales Se For many years Wicken Fen has been one of my favourite collecting localities, and during the last thirteen years 1 have probably made more Entomological expeditions to it than to any other locality. I was there this year from August 5th to 19th, and a few gossipy notes on the outing may perhaps be not altogether uninteresting to the teaders of the ‘“ British Naturalist.” On my arrival I found that Mr. J. W. Tutt, of London, had already been doing good work there _ for more than a week; and the enthusiastic local collectors Messrs. Albert Houghton and Solomon Bailey had been. busy among the Fen specialities for some time. As at Askham Bogs this season, Collix Spavsata had been out in unusual abundance; in both these widely | separated localities it has occurred in profusion this year, and was con- stantly getting into our nets almost quite up to the end of our stay at Wicken, though the specimens were then of course, all very much worn. The beautiful Nascia cilialis too had been abundant, and odd ones were still coming to the lamps at night; and even Meliana flammea and Macrogaster avundinis were barely over. M. arundinis is now however much more plentiful in the Chippenham than the Wicken Fen. Chippenham Fen is some four or five miles from Wicken and very different in many respects in its character, being interspersed and surrounded with small woods and _ plantations; whereas Wicken Fen has only a comparatively few scattered bushes upon it. The fen herbage too varies a good deal in the two fens. At Chippenham this year, Mr. Farren, of Cambridge took some forty to fifty M. avundinis in two nights, whereas at Wicken, in the same time six or eight specimens would have been considered a good take. Chippenham too is the fen where Plusia ovichalcea has been taken so freely of late years, and seemed to have been as 2 LAE BRITISH. NATURAL ISae [January abundant this year, as at any time since it was first turned up there in 1882. This species has never yet been taken at Wicken, although its food plant, Eupatorium cannabinum grows in abundance in both fens. In June, as I found last year, the very pretty Bankza argentula also occurs in plenty in the drier parts of Chippenham, but does not seem to occur at Wicken. On the other hand Wicken has its species which seem to be absent from Chippenham, notably Papilio machaon, which is still always abundant at Wicken. Lobophora sexalisata had been plentiful about the sallow bushes in Wicken Fen this year, and sugar in the long lane running parallel with the fen had produced Aplecta advena in good numbers. This species was over when we arrived, but its place was taken by a still better species, Agvotis vavida, which although in much fewer number, with close work, all the lepidopterists there managed to secure a fair series of beautiful specimens. As most lepidopterists are aware, fen collecting is mostly done by light, for which purpose a large lamp is hoisted on a stout pole, and a big sheet fastened up by means of three other poles, behind it. The moths are attracted by the light, and often settle either on the glass of the lamp or on the sheet, unless they are prevented doing so by the stroke of the collector’s net. A sheet is not absolutely nec- essary, but it 1s a great assistance, and moreover serves the purpose of keeping off the cold wind from the collector, which wind is some- times one of the greatest nuisances he has to contend with. This year however ‘‘sugar’’ proved so attractive in the fen that it was im- possible to give proper attention to the lamps at the same time, and they had to be left for hours. The lamps of course attract a great many species which never come te sugar, among which the big Lasio- campa quercifolia was a common visitor, and the male of Odonestis pota- tovia varying much in quantity of dark marking, equally so. Curiously, Chelonia caja which on a previous visit representing the same time, was so abundant as to be a nuisance, was not seen at all. The second brood of its small relative Avctia fuliginosa was a not unfrequent visi- tor, and very fine specimens they were indeed.. Nudaria senex and Lithosia griseola were constant visitors, and an occasional var. stram- ineola of the latter insect occurred. The local Nonagria hellmanni was ~ a welcome and not uncommon species; and late one night, to our as- tonishment, a fine example of Phytometra enea came, a species we never even saw during the daytime. With them occurred a good variety of Geometrz, Noctue, Pyrales and Tortrices in greater or lesser numbers. But it was on the ‘‘ sugar’ patches that most insects could always be seen at one time, and some evenings the numbers were astonishing. | 1891. | Walls, IGIKIIINS Ish IN AID OVE IS IDG 3 The great bulk of them were however extraordinarily common, and | think I never anywhere saw so small a proportion of good insects in such a multitude of specimens. Probably in point of numbers Leucania tmpura took the lead, but during the earlier part of our visit L. pudovina was in full force, and had been perhaps still more abundant before our arrival; the local collectors said indeed that “bushels” of this species might have been taken, though it will be safer to accept that as exaggeration. Many of the specimens, especially the pink tinted ones, were very pretty. Very fine Agrotis aquilina also occurred, the difference between them and A. tritici being so marked even when on the sugar, that I cannot bring myself to regard this as nothing more than a form of that species. “Iwo speci- mens of a noctua came to Mr. Tutt’s sugar, which he shewed to me as Hadena adusta, but I at once expressed a doubt about their being that species, as not only was the locality very unlikely, but it was much too late for adusta, even in this inordinately late season. Mr. Tutt now believes them to be Hadena satura, and I believe he is right in his determination. WN. hellmanni also visited sugar as much as it did the lamps, and Afamea fibrosa gradually increased in nnmbers all through our stay, becoming very common at the end, some beautiful forms were secured. A few L. phragmitidis were also taken, but this species was not so common as we expected to have found it. In the lane Cosmia affinis was abundant, many of them being very pretty. Agvotis mgricans were very fine, some being to our surprise, nearly as black as the Lancashire coast specimens. One morning was spent by Mr. Tutt and myself in an old barn in the village, work- ing among the ‘‘rubbish”’ feeders; the place was alive with moths, and we probably saw more Pyralis favinalis there than either of us had ever seen in all our previous collecting experience. There were hundreds of them, and they sat in every conceivable position, dozens of them being evidently just as confortable perched head downwards on a spiders web, as on a barn rafter, the spiders apparently taking as little heed of them, as they of the spiders! Perhaps a still more abundant species was Tinea misella, of which any number might have been boxed. Several other ordinary barn species of Tinea, Gecophora and Aglossa occurred with them, but my own special search was for Aglossa cuprealis, of which I secured several fine specimens, but this species required looking for. One afternoon too, I collected a nice lot of larve of Hecateva dysodea from lettuce seeds in a garden in the village, and where some days previously Mr. Tutt had also made a good haul from the same plants. Ordinary mothing on and about the fen, produced various species not obtained either by light or sugar, but it is now perhaps unnecessary “ THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [January to do more than enumerate some of those occurring in greater or less numbers, either in one way or another. The list will be very imperfect, as 1 made no written notes at the time, and can now only give such as I remember. I omit the names of those which have already been alluded to. Papilis machaon, the second brood was only just getting out, and larve of all sizes were still feeding; Satyrus tithonus, Hepialis sylvinus (not H. velleda as recorded in error by Mr. Tutt in ‘‘ Entomologists Record,’ Voi. II, p. 163), Nudavia mundana Epione apiciaria, Selena illunaria, second brood; Hymna aurorana, Acidalia scutulata and A. bisetata, strongly marked forms of both; A. immutata, abundant; A. wimnitaria, Eupithecia subumobrata, E. assimillata, about the gardens ; E. coronata, Covemia unidentana ; Scotosia vetulata, and S.rhamnata, had been very common, but were nearly over; Cilix spinula, second brood; Acvonycta megacephala, Leucania comgera, L. lithargyria, L. pallens, Nonagria despecta, abundant; N. fulva, Miana furuncula, M. avcuosa, Caradrina blanda, Tvyphena janthina, very fine; T.interjecta,abundant; T.pronuba and T. orbona, fine forms of thelatter ; Noctua augur, N.plecta, N.triangulum, N.umbrosa, plentiful and very fine, I never before saw this species so generally good; Epunda viminalis, Hadena pist, Mania maura, Herminia cribralis, Paxaponyx stratiotalis, Ebulea sam- bucalis, Eudovea pallidulalis, abundant; Cvambus selasellus, Chilo phragmi- tellus, Melia sociella, Halias chlorana, larve feeding in the osiers ; Zovtvix dumetana, common and fine; Asfis udmanniana, Sericoris fuligana, not uncommon ; Orthotenia antiquana, Sciaphila chrysanthemana, abundant ; Phoxopteryx paludana, Catopteryx expallidana, a few; Eupecilia rupi- colana, Phibalocera quercella, Gelechia populella, Elachista cerussella, Pterophorus monodactylus and many others. Only one journey was made to Chippenham Fen; three of us, Mr. R. McLachlan, F.R.S., (who had joined me at Wicken on the 11th), Mr. Albert Houghton and myself driving there on the morning of the 13th. Our object on the occasion was more to investigate the Neu- roptera, Trichoptera, and Orthoptera (of which more later), than the Lepidoptera, and so but few of the last were noted. These included Gonepteryx vhamint, Corenia quadrifasciaria, Notodonta dromedarius, larvee common; Toxocampa pastinum ; Rivula sericealis, abundant; Re- tinia pinicolana, and a number of micros bottled by Mr. Houghton. In the other orders of insects we were more eue Ce this day than on any other during our expedition. Next day the 14th, the same three of us drove to Tuddenham and back, a distance of fourteen miles each way, and a very enjoyable day it was. We had not been long on the ground before Houghton proved that plenty of larva of Dianthecia irvegularis were to be had. ie et 1891. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 5 | Small ones were readily swept off the stems and capsules of Silene | otites, but to obtain large and nearly full fed ones, another plan had to be adopted, the “wrinkle” for which we were indebted to Mr. _ Houghton. The method was to look for a stem of Silene on which ' the seed capsules (which are very small in S. ofites) were well eaten, and then to scrape away the sandy earth at the bottom, when a fat | larva would very often be found coiled at rest, waiting for evening to / make the next ascent of the stem for his dinner. During the search for ivvegularis some half-dozen of the pretty larvae of Heliothis dipsacea | were also found; and sweeping among the surrounding herbage pro- | duced those of Hecateva sevena rather commonly. Having secured some fifty D. irregularis larve, Houghton took us to another piece of waste ground further on, where the Sisymbrium sophia grew pretty freely ; ; and from it we were soon busy boxing full fed larve of the local | Lithostege griseata. Almost every plant seemed to have some on, and we had soon picked off a good supply. A short search was then | made on the Galium for larvae of Anticlea sinuata, but we were evidently | too early for it this season, as only one very small one was found, | which fed up rapidly into a beautiful creature; this is indeed one of imune prettiest Geometer larve I have ever seen. Lepidopterous : imagines were not much worked for. Satyvus tithonus, Lycana alexis and L. agestis were common; and a few Aspilates citraria were _ disturbed with the sweeping; Ptevophorus letus also got into the net imey. tie same means.° Mr. McLachlan returned to London on { Saturday, the 15th, and on Monday I went over to Cambridge to join } Mr. Tutt and Mr. W. Farren in a hunt for Bryophila impar. We , searched the old walls well, but only three or four ¢mpay rewarded our ! efforts, one only falling to my owntake. A few B. peria, including } a fine dark form occurred with them. Getting tired of the slow work we spent the afternoon looking over Mr. Farren’s cabinet, until it was time for Mr. Tutt to go on to London, and for me to return to Soham, Which is the railway station for Wicken. My own chief object however, on this visit to Wicken, was to in- vestigate the Neuroptera, Trichoptera and Orthoptera of the locality, and it was on account of the first two of these orders that Mr. McLachlan joined me for the several days. Our special search was for Evotesis baltica, a trichopteron of which only some half-dozen speci- mens have been taken in Britain as yet, and all, except one in the Norfolk fens, at Wicken Fen. When Mr. McLachlan arrived, I had one very fine specimen on my setting boards, taken soon after my ar- fival at Wicken, and unfortunately all our efforts failed to turn up j another. Perhaps we were too late for the species, but quite as like- ) ly, the very unfavourable weather we experienced accounted for our 6 THE BRITISH NATURALIS#: [January non-success. It is a very delicate species, and no doubt its habit, like those ofits allied genera, is to fly gently over the ditches at sunset, in the calmest weather. As it was, all the time we were there, it was either wet, or a much too strong wind was blowing on the fen to allow any of this group of insects to fly. Even Leptocerus aterrimus was only very occasionally seen on the wing, though plenty could be swept out of the herbage. Next to &. baltica perhaps the most interesting species was the dragonfly Pyrrhosoma tenellum, which was found com- monly on the ditches on Chippenham Fen on the only visit we made there, on the 13th. Curiously it was not seen on Wicken Fen at all, though I had found it there the previous year, up to which time it had only occurred in Britain on heaths near Weybridge, and one or two other similar South of England localities. Its usually common relative P. minium was not seen at all. The district altogether proved very unsatisfactory for Neuroptera and Trichoptera; indeed the paucity of species in a locality so exceedingly promising in appearance was most extraordinary; and although the weather was certainly much against us, we were reluctantly forced to the conclusion that many of the species we naturally expected in such a locality were not there at all. The few species for which Tuddenham is given were taken on the 14th. When the locality is not stated the record refers in all cases to Wicken. NE UROPRTERA: Sympetrum striolatum, S. sanguineum, not uncommon, but not nearly so abundant as I found it on Wicken Fen in August two years previously. Azschna grandis, common, and often seen ‘‘hawking” for insects at dusk, a habit, I believe, not indulged in by any other British dragon- fly. Several specimens of another 4schna probably cyanea, were seen but not captured. Lestes sponsa, common on both Wicken and Chip- penham Fens; [schnura elegans, common; Agrion pulchellum, common both at Wicken and Chippenham Fens; one or two others of the common Agrions, I think, also occurred, but as none were boxed I cannot say with certainty which they were. /Pyvrhosoma tenellum, common on Chippenham Fen ; Nemoura ? one species common at Chippenham, but I am a little doubtful as to whichitis. Raphidia xanthostigma, Chippenham Fen; Hemevobius marginatus and one or two other commoner species of the genus occurred at Chippenham; Chrysopa flava, C. vittata, C. alba, C. tenella, and C. aspersa, all at Chippenham; C. flavifrons, not uncommon at Wicken. IRM SOE TI ea Phryganea varia, abundant and variable; Agvypnia pagetana, common; Colpotaulius incisus, common; Grammotaulius nitidus, not ~ 1891.] iE BRLEISH NATURALIST. 7 - uncommon on Wicken Fen; Glyphotelius pellucidus; Limnophilus rhom- _ bicus, common but the specimens small; L. flavicorvnis, abundant; L. / maymorvatus, probably the most abundant species seen; L. stigma, L. _ vittatus ; L.auricula, Tuddenham ; L. hirsutus, in the fens, and I think - also at Tuddenham; Silo pallipes, Tuddenham ; Molanna angustata, common; Leptocevus aterrimus, abundant but the specimens small ; - Mystacides longicornis, Ervotesis baltica, one specimen® only on Wicken Fen; Ccetis lacustris, not uncommon; Holocentropus picicornis, abundant; TIinodes wanevi, Tuddenham; Lype pheopa, several at Tuddenham. OREO RT DK. Stenobothris viridulus, common, | believe, though some of the specimens captured as this species were the green var. mollis of S. bicoloy, which unless captured might readily be mistaken forit. S. elegans, not uncommon at Wicken, and I think also occurred at Tuddenham; S. bicolor, abundant at Wicken, and equally so at Tud- denham; it was exceedingly variable in colour, and the var. purpavesceus Was common at Wicken, and probably the green var. mollis equally so. Gomphocerus maculatus, at Wicken and Tuddenham. Odontuva punctatissima, Mr. McLachlan beat out a nice specimen in “the lane” at Wicken. Mecanema varia, beaten out of the trees in plenty at Chippenham Fen. Xzphidium dorsale, in abundance and of all sizes in Chippenham Fen; also on Wicken Fen, but less commonly. Huddersfield, Nov. 20th, 1891. BOK THE MONTH: GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S. January is the month of all others in which we have the most time on our hands. There is really nothing to do now in the way of larve collecting but what can be put off till next month if need be, so it is as well to take advantage of the lull, to look through and arrange the notes we have roughly jotted down during the busy time, examine, and place in our cabinets the captures of the season, and distribute the surplus specimens among our friends and correspondents, never forgetting to act in a liberal spirit in all such matters, for although we may occasionally meet with a poor return for our liberality, we shall find as time gone on, we become acquainted with a circle of correspondents all acting in the same generous spirit. 8 AM sho Mel GMisisl MNRAS. | JANUARY We have now the opportunity to think over what has been done during the past year,to increase our knowledge of the habits and early stages of various species, not only by our own observations, but those of others also, when perhaps a suggestion put forth, or a slender clue, may lead us to work out the life-history of one of the many species we are as yet unacquainted with; and again it is necessary to arrange our plans for the coming season, at the end of which we shall be fortunate if we have accomplished half we set ourselves to do, for it is really astonishing what a very little, we, individually, are able to add to the present knowledge of life-histories and habits, during any one Season, leti our exertions”.be what they may; but to the steady, persevering, enthusiastic worker, a reward is sure to come now and then, to repay him in a measure for the trouble he has taken. We occasionally have some bright, mild days during this month, that set us longing to get away to the country, if only for a ramble, at such times it is far better to have an object in view, than to wander aimlessly about, and as there is plenty to do this month in the way of collecting if one is so inclined, it may be well to mention a few of the larva that may now be taken, so that our journeys may become both interesting and profitable, for as we wander along the quiet lanes, the wild plants, many of which struggle on and keep green during the winter months, remind us of the pleasant days we have passed searching among the leaves, and finding the larve of many species which at that time were new to us, and very acceptable. As we pass along, the withered-looking stems of the hedge stachys (Stachys sylvatica) remind us we must search some of them, for we may perhaps find the larva of Ephippiphorva nigncostana; and in the chalk pit yonder we can see some fine Teasles, we must cut a big bagful of these heads, for they contain the larva of Hupacilia roseana which eat through the seeds, and Penthina gentianana will be found in the centre of the heads feeding on the pith; and now we will search well the Oak trees in the adjoining wood, and collect all the oak galls and apples we can conveniently reach, for we may breed from them fine specimens of Ephippiphora obscurana, Heusimene fimbriana, Coceyx splendidulana, Gecophora lunarella, and many others, and at the same time search the ground under spruce fir trees, for those cones that are mis-shapen, for it is these only that contain the larva of Coccyx stvobilana, and while wandering about these large old woods it is as well to keep a good look out for that large fungus £. bolitus, generally found growing on Beech trees, for we may be fortunate enough to find it tenanted by the larve of Scardia boleti, if so, the fungus must not be taken now, but the spot marked down and another journey taken for it about the first week in May, when we shall be pretty sure to breed 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 9 the species. We must also examine dead and decaying wood, rotten sticks, and under rotten bark, for in such places we shall find the larve of Dasyceva sulphurella, and many species of Cécophora, and under Oak trees we may still find many mined leaves containing pupe of the rarer Lithocollidide@, the larve of which only feed in the leaves of the upper branches of the trees, and in the leaves of the bramble we shall occasionally find the larve of Nepticula aurella making their long tortuous galleries. We may still find many of the larve feeding in stems and roots of plants that were to be taken in November and December, so that we can find plenty to occupy all the spare time we may have between the usual occupation of overhauling our cabinets, and all the numerous duties connected with our favourite study appertaining to this particular time of year. Shepherdess Walk, City Road, N. Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. December 2, 1891—The Rt. Hon. Lord Watsineuam. M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., Vice- President, in the chair. Mr. Henry A. Hill, of 132, Haverstock Hill, Hampstead. N.W.; Mr. Frank Nelson Pierce, of 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool: and Mr. Carleton F. Tufnell, of Greenlands, Border Crescent, Sydenham, S.E., were elected Fellows of the Society. Dr. D. Sharp exhibited and commented on a number of photographs of various species of Lucanide belonging to Mons. Rene Oberthur. Mr. C. G. Barrett exhibited a number of specimens of local forms and varieties of Lepidoptera, taken by Mr. Percy Russ near Sligo, including Pieris napi, var. near bryonia ; Anthochavis cavdamines (male), with the orange blotch edged with yellow, and yellowish forms of the female of the same species ; very blue forms of Polyommatus alsus ; males of P. alexis, with the hind margin of the under wings spotted with black, and very handsome forms of the female; also varied series of Agvotis cursoria, A. tritici, A. valligera, Hydvecia micacea, H. nictitans, Epunda Iutulenta, Hadena protea, Odontoptera bidentata, Cidaria immanata, C. testata, C. pyraliata, and Boarmia repandata. The Rev. S. St. John exhibited two specimens of Lycena argiades. taken in Somersetshire by Dr. Marsh in 1884; three specimens of Detlephila euphorbie, bred from larve found feeding on Euphorbia paralias on the Cornish coast in September, 1889; and a series of various forms of Anchocelis pistacina, all taken in a garden at Arundel. Lord Walsingham, Mr: Barrett, and Mr. McLachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited and made remarks on two dark specimens of Zygena minos which had been caught by Mr. Blagg in Carnarvonshire. He remarked that the specimens were not representatives of complete melanism, and suggested that the word ‘‘ phaism’’ —dusky —would bea correct word to apply to this and similar departures from the normal coloration of a species to THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [January Mr. C. J. Gahan exhibited specimens of the common ‘‘book-louse,” Atvopos pulsatovia, Fabr., which he had heard making a ticking noise similar to that made by the ‘‘death-watch”’ (Anobium). Mr. B. A. Bower exhibited the following rare species of Micro Lepidoptera :— Spilonota pauperana, Frol.; Gelechia osseella, Stn.; Chrysoclysta bimaculella, Haw. ; and Elachista cingilella, Fisch. Lord Walsingham and Mr. Tutt made some remarks on the specimens. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a variety of Anthocharis cardamines, and one specimen of Sesia scolieformis bred from a larva found at Rannoch. Mr. G. T. Baker read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on Lycena (recte Thecla), Rhymnus, Tengstvemii, and Pretiosa.’’ A discussion followed, in which Lord Walsingham, Capt. Elwes, and Mr. Baker took part. Mr. F. Merrifield read a paper entitled ‘‘ The effects of artificial temperature on the colouring of Vanessa urtice and certain other species of Lepidoptera.’ The author stated that both broods of all three species of Selenia, Platypteryx falcataria, Vanessa urtice, Bombyx quercus and var. callune, and Chelonia caja were affected by temperature in the pupal stage, the lower temperature generally producing the greater intensity and darkness of colour; some of the Vanessa urtice made a near approach to the var. polaris of Northern Europe. A long discussion ensued, in which Mr. E. B. Poulton, Mr. McLachlan, Prof. Meldola, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Jenner Weir, and Lord Walsingham took part. Mr. W. Bateson read a paper entitled ‘‘On the variation in the colour of the cocoons of Erviogaster lanestris and Saturnia carpini,” and exhibited a large number of specimens in illustration of the paper. Lord Walsingham congratulated Mr. Bateson on his paper, and on the intelligent care and method shown in his experiments, and said he was glad to see that at Cambridge there was an entomologist ready to enter this interesting field of investigation, and perhaps at some future day to contest the palm with Mr. Poulton as representing the sister University of Oxford. He had noticed the larve of S. carpini, if left in a box with dead food, and probably partially starved, made a light-coloured cocoon; but, that, when the cocoon was made under natural conditions, on living food-plants on the moors, it was of a dark colour. Mr. Poulton, Prof. Meldola, Mr. Bateson, and others continued the discussion.—H. Goss and W. W. Fow ter. Hon. Secs. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: November 26th, 1891—W. H. Tugwell, Esq., President, in the chair. Mr. J. A. Cooper exhibited five specimens of Arctia caja, the red colour of the inferior wings being replaced by yellow; he remarked that from some thousand larve collected near Wanstead Flats, all of which had been fed under normal conditions, he had reared seven of this form, all of which emerged on the same day ; as far as he could say there were no atmospheric conditions which would account for the variation. It would be noticed that one of the specimens had a blackish fringe to the inferior wings, Messrs. Tugwell, Carrington, and Tutt made some observations on specimens of this species occasionally having the fringes and antennz of a-blackish colour. Mr. R. Adkin a specimen of Sesia scolieformis, bred at Rannoch from a larva found there, and he remarked on the difficulties attending the rearing of the species. Mr. Tugwell thought the specimen was smaller than those that were obtained from Llangollen and he suggested ‘‘assembling’”’ as a method of obtaining males of the species as S. sphegiforymis and S. culiciformis were taken in this way. Mr. 1892. | PEP Shi Sr aN AM URAIISH. II Carrington described the mode Mr. Nichclas Cooke adopted tc take this species and also the plan Mr. Salvedge followed: he also said the Rannoch specimens were always smaller than the Welsh ones. Mr. R. Adkin also exhibited a specimen of Euchloé carvdamines, taken at Hayward’s Heath, having a distinct V shaped mark below the discoidal spot on the under side of the primaries. Mr. C. G. Barrett remarked on this form of variation as occurring in so many species, particularly the genus Opovabia and in Setina irvorella, the WV mark was caused by the union of the black scales on the two divisions of the median nervure. Mr. C. Fenn pointed out that in the cavdamines shewn, the black scales were not on the division of the nervure. Mr. Hawes, a living example of Polyommatus phleas, bred from ovum deposited 28th August, the larva pupating October 2nd, and after being kept in a high temperature emerging 25th inst. Mr. Hawes also stated that he had been endeavouring to obtain ova from various species of butterflies by lamp-light, and had succeeded with megera and napi. Mr. R. South, a series of Liparvis monacha, var. evemitor, bred from French larvze, and remarked it would be interesting to ascertain the origin of this form, he had never taken it in England although he was told it occurred in the New Forest. Mr. C. G. Barrett was of opinion that this suffused form did not oecur in the New Forest, but it was found in the Midlands. Mr. Tutt said that Miss Kimber had bred an exceedingly dark one from the New Forest, and Mr. Dobson had got a fine series of banded forms from the same locality. Mr. Tugwell thought in Mr. South’s speeimens the darkening arose from the ground colour being darker, whereas in English specimens it was the thickening of the black scales that caused the variation. Observations were made by members on collecting butterflies on dull days at rest, the Lycznidz, Hesperidx, Argynnis, Papilio machaon and Melitea ath- alia, were specially alluded to, Some remarks were made as to obtaining all the in- formation possible with regard to the reported capture of Polyommatus virgaurea near Seaford. Decembey toth, 1891.—The President in the chair. Mr. C. G. Barrett exhibited and remarked on a number of species collected by Mr. Russ in the West of Ireland, in particular referring to the prevalence of pale and dark forins of so many species occurring together in a locality where the climate was an exceedingly wet and stormy one; among others, he instanced several species of Agrotis, Hydvecia micacea, H. nictitans, &c., there were also specimens of Lycena icarus, having black spots in the hind margin, and examples of Pieris napi, approaching bryonig. Mr. South said that the particular form of L. icavus, occurred in the Isle of Wight and at Perthshire. Mr. Weir referred to the P. napi and said he had received the same form from Cavan. Mr. Fenn, in reference to light and dark forms of certain species occurring together, said he thought wherever a variable species occurred, the extremes would be found. Mr. Tutt said this was well known, but, in his opinion, there was generally a particular characteristic for each locality, although the whitest and palest forms of A. tritici occurred at Deal, yet some that were almost black were fouud ;the majority of the specimens showed a tendency to run of a bluish tint, while those taken by Mr. Russ showed a tendency to run brown; other instances occurred with Teniocampa instabilis, Noctua castanea, var. neglecla, and Xylophasia polydon. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a variety of Pievis napi,¢ in which the usual spots and apical patch of the forewings were united to form an almost continuous sub-marginal band; also a series of Petasia nubeculosa. Mr. S. Edwardes, among others, exhibited Ovrnithoptera brookiana, from Borneo, and Mr. Weir remarked that until lately the species had alone represented a section of the genus but an allied species had been discovered in Palawar, thus affording a further contribution to the probability that the fauna and flora of that island would prove to be more Bornean than Phillipine. Mr. J. H 12 PAE OBR ISHe NAA wisi: [JANUARY Carpenter, a series of Plusia festuce. Mr. Tugwell, a box of Lepidoptera received from Mr. Reid, and called attention that there was nothing of any importance among them; he, however, had heard that Mr. Reid had taken Retina duplana, Hb., and one of the Pterophori, which he could not identify. The larvze were found feeding underneath the leaves of Ragwort. Mr. Barrett said that the first specimens taken were referrable to turvionana, that duplana occurred earlier in the year, and since this had been pointed out, Mr. Salvedge and Mr. Reid had taken them. Mr. Tugwell also exhibited specimens of a dark Ewpithecia from Paisley, with typical forms of Eupithecia satyvata to which species he thought they were referrable; many members differed from this opinion. The meeting closed with a discussion on the effects of heat and cold producing variation H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday, Dec. 3vd, 1889.—Exhibits—Mr. Boden, a specimen of Rhodophea tevabrella, taken some years ago at Box Hill. He stated that he had repeatedly worked the same ground, but no more were taken. With reference to the species, Mr. Tutt stated that it had been taken at various localities in Norfolk and Suffolk, and that the larve fed on the terminal shoots of the Scotch fir.” Dr. Buckell, a bred series of Oporabia dilutata from Chingford and Hampshire. He pointed out that the distinctly banded form was commoner among the latter, but the Chingford specimens and most of the London forms, were chiefly unicolorous; Mr. Simes, Amphidasys betularia from Clapton, with more black-markings than the usual form, melanic varieties of Noctua xanthographa and A. cursoria and A. valligera; Mr. Clark, a male specimen of Fidonia atomaria from Haywards Heath, entirely dark sooty brown in colour; also Evebia cassiope with a bleached mark on one wing. Coleoptera :—Mr. Heasler, Choleva nigricans, taken under dead leaves at Highgate and Wimbledon; Mr. Riches, Necrophorus vuspator, Dorcus paralellopipedus, Serica brunnea, &c.; Mr. Pearsonf living laryze of Devmestes lardarius. The gentlemen who were nominated at the last meeting as officers for 1892 were unanimously elected. The Secretary read the Report for 1891, in which he said that notwithstanding several difficulties under which the Society had been working, the progress was good, this being especially the case with the exhibits and communications. Mr. Tutt pro- posed that this report be adopted, with a vote of thanks to the Secretaries. Mr. Huckett seconded the resolution and it was carried. The President then read his annual address. He said that although diverse in many things, we all met here on a common footing, as students, and that all should be ready to learn. Although some were specialists, so closely were the various branches of Natural History connected, that it was impossible to devote attention to — one order without knowing something of the others. He then spoke of the true recreative value of a pursuit such as the study of Natural History. Dr. Buckell proposed that a vote of thanks be giyen to the President for his address and also to all the officers for their services during the past year. Mr. Hodges seconded this, and it was carried. Mr. Bellamy stated that he had seen a specimen of Smevinthus tilig on 22nd Nov., being evidently one of an autumnal brood. Autumnal emergences were also noted of Stauropus fagi and Abraxas ul ata. 1892.] _ fae penis NA UIVALIS i, 13 Thursday, Dec. 17th, 1891.—Pocket Box Exhibition, held at the Society’s new room, at 33, Finsbury Square. Exhibits.--Mr, Allbuary, a perfect albino specimen of Epinephele janiva taken at Dover in 1889, and fine varieties of Arctia cya and A villica; Mr. Cooper, black forms of Boarmia vepandata from Sheffield, and banded specimens (var. conversavia) from the New Forest; Mr. Machin, Scotch forms of - Gortyna flavago with southern specimens for comparison, the former being much darker ; also Eupithecia helveticavia, Crambus myellus, Coccyx ustomaculana and CE cophora stipella; Dr. Buckell, a long series of Tviphena pronuba from the London district, showing much variation, the most noticeable forms being those with dark anterior wings and light stigmata; Mr, Quail, life histories of many Geometre, including Scotosia cervtata, Hemerophila abruptavia and Phorodesma smavagdaria; Mr.Gates, living larvee of Melanippe montanata, and cocoons of Dicranura vinula; Mr. Battley, a number of microscopic slides, illustrating the anatomy and structure of various insects; also on behalf of Mr. J. Collins, of Warrington, a beautiful series of Lithosia sericea, taken in the Manchester district; Mr. Simes, variable forms of Smervinthus populi, also bleached forms of Epinephele janiva and Cenonympha pamphiins; Mr. Southey, Acronycta alni, and a specimen of Deiopeia pulchella from Southend; Mr. Prout, specimens of Cosmia tvapezina, bred singly, and so having no chance of obtaining animal food, these specimens were all much smaller than usual. He also exhibited some fine bred forms of Melanippe subtristata (sociata) ; Mr. Hill, a number of species from Rannoch, including Petasia nubeculosa, Cidavia immanata, and dark forms of C. populaia and Welanthia rubiginata; Mr. Clark, Rumia crategata without the brown markings, a smoky variety of Abvavas ulmata, Stilbia anomala from Aberdeen, and the dark var of Argynnis aglaia previously exhibited; Mr. Riches, a series of Abraxas grossulaviata bred from Hornsey larvze; also in Diptera, Tabanus bovinus and Asilus crabroniformis ; in Orthoptera, Phrasgonura viridissima ; and in Hymenoptera, Tvichosoma lucornm ; Mr. Elliman, a large number of species taken in 1891 at Tring, Herts., including Neurvia saponarie, Lupervina cespitis, Cirrhedia xerampelina and Noctua _ vhomboidea ; also the following Coleoptera, Myllaena dubia, Coryphium augusticolle, Phleophlus edwardsil, and Epitrix atrope ; Mr. Heasler, cases of aquatic Coleoptera and Staphylinide ; Mr. Lewcock, a number of good Coleoptera from Eynsford, Kent, including Cryptocephalus lineola, Cistela luperus, Otiorhynchus tenebricosus and Toxotus mevidianus ; Mr. Milton, Pachyta octomaculata, Aepus marinus and A, vobinii ; in Diptera Stratiomys viparia, S. potomida, Gastrophilus nasalis, and G. equi; in Hymenoptera, Sivex gigas, Ephiaites tuberculatus and Vespa vufa ; in Orthoptera, Phrasgonura viridissima and Ectobius lapponica; in Neuroptera, Osmybus chrysops and Baetis fluminum; and in Hemiptera, Ranatra linearis. He also exhibited a specimen of Eubolia palumbaria captured by a plant of the Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), and a piece of polished stone, the markings of which resembled a landscape, with trees and hedges.— G. A. Lewcock and E. Harris, Hon. Secs. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The monthly meeting was held on Monday, Dec. 14th. The president (S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S.), in the chair. Mr. Willoughby Gardner, F.R.G.S., read a paper, entitled: ‘“‘A preliminary list of the Aculeate hymenoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire, with notes on the habits of the Genera,’’* illustrating his remarks by specimens of the various species, cases containing nests and ‘‘life histories,” &c, The president exhibited a type collection of Hymenoptera; Miss Tomlin, of Chester ? *This valuable paper will appear in the Magazine, we therefore omit the summary. pd., B.N. 14 TAE BRMISH - NATURALIST: [January a collection of Hymenoptera and specimens of Hylastes opacus, Er.; Trypodendvon domesticum, L., and Myelophilus piniperda, L.; Mr. Newstead, nests and specimens of Bombus pratorum, Megachite ciyvcumcinta, Andvena nigroenea, Colletes cunicularia, genitalia and leg of Crabro palmipes; Mr. Stott, aspecimen of Cherocampa celerio, on behalf of Mr. H. S. Clark, of Douglas, where it was captured this summer; Dr. Ellis, a collection of Coleoptera made in the Spanish Pyrenees; the Library and Museums’ Committee, nests and specimens of British and Foreign Hymenoptera; and by Mr. J. T. Green, collection of Hymenoptera.—F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec., 143 Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. GUERNSEY NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY. The usual monthly meeting of the Guernsey Society of Natural Science and Local Research, was held at the Guille-Allés Library on 9th Decembers, the chair being taken by Mr. E. D. Marquand, in the absence of the president, Mr. John Whitehead. Thirteen new members were elected and two other members were also proposed. Mr. Lesbirel presented, through Mr. A. Collenette, a fine specimen of a ‘‘stone muller,’’ which he recently found at Le Bourg, Forest parish, near the site of a former cromlech. As an evidence of the mildness of the season it was remarked that on Sunday, 6th, numbers of Piezodorus tncavnatus were noticed by Mr. Luff on the furze bushes in St. Andrew’s; also honey bees and wasps on the flowers of the ivy, and 25 species of flies, many in great abundance, were counted on tree trunks and ivy blossoms. During the previous week several cockchafers (Melonontha vulgaris) were seen flying about in Ville au Roi and King’s Road. Mr. Luff communicated some interesting notes on the occurence in Devon of the of the Guernsey Tiger (Callimorpha hera). He also referred to the introduction into Guerney of Helix pisana, the shells of which are now found in large quantities under the shelter of the sea wall at Vazon Bay, and also at the Vale, near the Castle. The only English localities of these shells are Tenby, in South Wales, and St. Ives, in © Cornwall. Mr. A. Collinette read some very interesting notes upon the methods of fertiliza- tion by a small fly, of one of orchids, Aristolochia clematis, or birthwort, which is com- mon in England upon old ruins, &c. The very complex and ingenious means by which cross fertilization is secnred in this small and inconspicuous flower was lucidly explained by Mr. Collenette, who further illustrated it by means of a couple of dia- grams which he had drawn, showing greatly enlarged sections of the flower. A very interesting discussion followed, in which many of the members took part. Mr. Sharp also handed in a short list of Guernsey proverbs, as a contribution to to the newly-commenced Folklore Section. This led to an interesting conversation upon local proverbial expressions, several further examples of which were quoted by members present.—W. A. LuFF. Hon. Sec., 7 - 1892. . tre BRITISH "NATURALTS®: 15 Mollusca. A FEW NOTES ON FRESH-WATER SHELLS. BY W. A. GAIN. Some months ago I saw the opinion expressed that the var. Jabiosa of Limnea peregra was produced by the animal, during shell-growth, crawling over a hard surface, mud which had hardened during a previous drought and afterwards been overflowed on the filling of the ponds by succeeding rain. 1 cannot find the article, so am unable to refer the reader to it, or to give the name of the writer, but last year some facts came under my notice which tend to confirm this opinion. I must first state that what I term my aquarium is not quite in the ordinary style, it consists of a stone trough, containing about 130 gallons, placed in a shaded part of the yard, and about two-thirds covered by a massive flag-stone; it is never cleaned out, and contains a varied assortment of animal and vegetable life, in fact I have endeavoured to produce as nearly as possible the conditions found in a natural pond. In this aquarium nearly half the number of full- grown specimens of both L. peregva and L. stagnalis were found to _ have expanded and refracted lips, attributable, I believe, to the hard sides of the trough which they delight to ascend, and browze on the plentiful herbage to be found there. On one occasion, while watching an example of L. peregva floating shell downwards on the surface, with the foot very concave, I saw the _animal extend its tongue and seize a minute portion of what looked ‘like bread crumb, which floated just in the centre of the concavity, _ and convey it to his mouth. VARIETIES.— Are we not suffering from a plethora of varietal names? By the naming of slight variations from the normal forms, many of which are so close that in a number of cases it is impossible to say to which var. a certain shell belongs, we are getting the nomenclature of our land and fresh-water mollusks complicated enough to puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer. A systematic weeding of Our too abundant varietal names is a thing to be desired. ‘Those Names indicating well-marked variations from the type should be retained, as the use of them affords the readiest and most exact means of describing a shell. One of the worst of recent innovations is the introduction of names from continental sources for the different band arrangements. These are quite unnecessary as the old band formule | Convey the information much more clearly and exactly. Again, what: good can be served by such terms as fuliginosa applied to a shell 16 3 THE BRITISH NATURALISI: [JANUARY encrusted with extraneous material? Then there are vars. of L. peregva so nearly related that it seems hopeless to attempt to identify them by any written description. My list contains over fifty vars. and a score of synonyms. Surely a much smaller number would be quite sufficient to name all the variations worth recording of even the most variable of shells, especially as they nearly all refer to differences of form. Of Helix nemoralis | have a list of 79 vars., the variation takes place in many directions, that a considerable number of varietal names are required, as we have varieties of form, substance, size, colour of shell ground, band colour, and lip colour, besides a great many of the recently introduced names for band arrangements. The last are quite unnecessary for the reason previously given. These varieties might advantageously reduced to one-half, which could easily be done by omitting all names of the last class, together with a few others applied to closely related forms. Even with the abundance of named varieties mentioned it 1s quite impossible, as well as unnecessary, to give a de- finite name to every variety of shell. Mr. Taylor expresses similar senti- ments in the following paragraph, quoted from the Fournal of Conchology : —‘* Before commencing to describe and figure the various varieties “itis well to remind the student that almost innumerable minor ‘‘modifications or sub-variations of every variety may and probably ‘‘do exist, and that characteristic spccimens, with all peculiarities ‘exact as the original shells for which the name was instituted, are ‘“‘ often extremely rare. I have therefore endeavoured in compiling ‘the descriptions of the various varieties to give the essential feature ‘and to eliminate such details as appeared to me to be individual “ peculiarities, which might or might not be present in specimens ‘‘ otherwise possessing the primary character.” Many of our first conchologists with whom I have corresponded take an entirely different view, and refuse to acknowledge any shell as belonging to a named variety which does not possess all the characteristics mentioned by the original describer,even rejecting form varieties because they differed in colour from the shells described. This does not seem to be the view entertained by most recent writers. Tuxford, Newark, Dec., 1891. GENERAL NOTES: Tue RouGH-LEGGED BuzzARD IN GUERNSEY.—A fine specimen of the Rough-legged Buzzard (Bute lagopus) was shot at the Coutanches, Guernsey, on Saturday, 31st October, by Mr. R. L Spencer, and has been preserved for the Guille-Allés museum. It 1892. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 17 measured fifty-four inches across the wings. There appears to be no previous record of the occurrence of this rare bird in Guernsey, though we understand one was shot at Herm about ten years ago.— W. A. Lurr, Guernsey. Bompyx RuBI.—I was pleased a week or two ago in getting some larve of B. vubi to pupate, as I have never bred the species. I put them on the kitchen boiler, and half-a-dozen of them spun up immediately. Two were in such a hurry that they only made one coccoon between them.—L. S. Brapy, Mowbray, Sunderland. gth December, 1891. Larv® oF BryopHILA PERLA IN DECEMBER. —The first week in December I found the larve of the above species rather common on an old wall which was covered with lichens. They were about quarter of an inch in length, head shining black, slate colour along the back, sides striped with orange extending the whole length of the body. They were very active, crawling rapidly away when disturbed, although the day was very cold.—G. PuLten, Derby. VARIETIES OF AGROTIS ASHWORTHII.—Ithink I can safely say that lam done with Ashworthi now, seeing that the last came out three days ago. I have not got quite so many as I at one time expected to get, but quite enough for my own purposes. Most of the last batch of larva died off when nearly full fed, which was much disappointing. Among the imagines I have reared this Autumn by the forcing process described in the British Naturalist (Vol. 1, p, 263), are two distinct departures from the ordinary form. One of these has a well-defined broad black band on the inner margin, which reaches the stigmata and is broken up by them. The portion passing between them reaches the costa; the other portions shade off to the ground colour before reach- ing so far. Theother variety is very much suffused with darker scales making it almost entirely black or very dark grey, and showing no trace of the usual light ground colour. —L. S. Brapy, Sunderland. Mr. Brady has sent me carefully executed drawings of these forms. A similar variety to that first described was in Mr. Gregson’s collection when I saw it a few years ago, (I am speaking from memory of course). The suffused form is new to me and appears to be very fine.—Ep. B.N. REMARKS ON THE NocTuUA KNOWN AS CONFLUA OF TREITSCHKE.— From the report of the meeting of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society, held October 7th, published in Brit. Nat., VI., p. 236, I quote the following, ‘Festiva and conflua were originally confounded by Newman, who figured small, moorland specimens of festiva as conflua, but the specimens of conflua from Iceland, 18 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [JANuaRy from which the species was named, were very different, having narrower and more pointed wings.” May I be permitted to say that the above statement is misleading and that the words I have italicised would never have been uttered by anyone who was acquainted with the actual facts of the case. Those who desire to know where the insect came from to which Treitschke gave the name of conflua will obtain the information by referring to Duponchel’ VII., p. 140, where it is stated that the insect in question was found in Hungary, in 1824, and sent by Treitschke to Boisduval under the manuscript name of Apameaconflua. At the time the insect came under the notice of Duponchel it had not been described or figured by any author, so adopting Treitschke’s MS. name he figured and described it in the seventh volume, a continuation of Godart’s ‘Histoire Naturelle des Lépidopteéres,” etc. (1827), which was published in the same year that Treitschke issued the sixth volume of his ‘‘Schmetterlinge von Europa,” containing the description of his ‘‘ A pamea” conflua, which he says occurred on the Riesengebirge (the locality referred to by Staudinger, ‘‘Stett. Entom. Zeit., 1857, p. 236). It was not until about 1857, when Dr. Staudinger returned from his collecting tour in North Europe, that Iceland examples of conflua found their way generally into collections. The Shetland form of conflua has been named var. thunlet. In conclusion, I may add that I regret that the action of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society, in the matter of my communication with reference to the Luperina testacea, var. nickerlaa question last January, obliges me to depart somewhat from the course usually taken in this kind of controversy. —RIcHARD SouTH, 12 Abbey Gardens, St. John’s Wood, N.W., December 16th, 1891. THE SHAPE OF THE WING IN Noctua FESTIVA.—The above note is conclusive enough as to the locality of the original conflua, but it does not deal with the shape of the wings which was the point relied on at the meeting of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society. Whilst I consider it very unscientific to draw positive conclusions from partial data, the little knowledge I have respecting this insect leads me to a very different result to that at which my friend Mr. Tutt has arrived. I do not know what he means by ‘a good and distinct sub-species,” but in my opinion the Shetland insect is so connected by intermediate forms with the ordinary festiva that no line can be drawn between them. Speaking from my own specimens only, and without any reference to what may have been written on the subject, I find that festiva in the South of England always has broad wings. As we get further North, or on to elevated land there 1892. ] ie Bia i Sil NAW RAL T Sa. 19 is an increasing proportion of the species with narrow wings. I have two such from Wallasey, and I occasionally tak> it here with similarly narrow wings. One of my Hartlepool specimens with remarkably narrow wings, taken at sugar in July last, was, if | am not mistaken, exhibited at the same Society on November 5th, by Dr. Buckell. The moorland form bred by the late John Sang, and still more freely by my friend Mr. Gardner, is smaller and more richly coloured, and the tendency to narrow wings is more pronounced. Of five specimens given me by Mr. Gardner, three of them have the narrow form of wing. My only Shetland examples are eight from Unst and six of them have narrow wings. I possess but one Irish speci- men and I do not know the exact locality, but it also has narrow wings. Curiously enough Mr. Reid sent me two specimens this year as festiva, both taken at Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire; one of them is reddish in hue, is of the larger size, but has narrow wings; the other is cold dark brown like the Unst insects, of the smaller size, and has broad wings. Reasoning from my own series then, I would expect to find the species in higher latitudes, with this peculiarity still more marked, and can readily believe that in Iceland or in Norway, only the narrow winged form may be found. Be this as it may, the breadth of the forewing cannot be relied upon by those who would make two species of it.—Joun E. Rosson, Hartlepool. VARIETIES OF ABRAXAS GROSSULARIATA-— Mr. Gregson has occasionally exhibited one or two drawers full of extreme varieties of this species as the result of one year’s breeding. No one else being able to show similar results, doubts have been expressed as to the genuine nature of the exhibits. Mr. Gregson claimed that his ‘‘strain” of this insect, being the result of thirty years carefn! breeding from selected forms, was absolutely certain to produce varieties. He generally reared from 4,000 to 6,000 larve, and paired the best forms for the next year’s stock. To prove the correctness of his statement he, in the spring of last year (1891), sent me 50 young larve taken at random from the progeny of the previous year’s pairings. These I kept by themselves, and they eventually produced 33 imagines; 2 failed to emerge from pupa, and 15 died without pupating. For purposes of comparison [| obtained a similar number of wild larve from gooseberry growing ina lane here. These produced 44 perfect insects 1 cripple, 4 failing to pupate and 1 being accidentally killed. The imagines from these wild larva were all of the most ordinary typical form, Mr. Gregson’s larvae gave me one very fine dark variety, and several other good forms, whilst the palest of them were many degrees darker than any of those from wild larve. My experiment, therefore, is conclusive enough, and shows that Mr. Gregson has really succeeded in 20 THE BRITISH NATURALIS(: [JANUARY producing a race of this insect differing considerably from the type. Nor need it be wondered at that he is able to show a drawer-ful every year, when we consider how large a number he rears annually. There was also a marked difference in the number of imagines produced from the two sets of larve, the smaller number produced from Mr. Gregson’s being probably the result of long inter-breeding.—Joun. E. Rosson, Hartlepool. NATURALISTS: OF. THE, DAY, LTE RT. cHON: -LORD: WALLS UNG iii, MeAs,, LES D.,4 BER. Sesh le Sas Boz. SacBee Sen eee With this number is commenced a series of Portraits of ‘Naturalists of the Day.” The desire to become acquainted with the form and features of those we know by name and reputation has been greatly stimulated during the last half-century, by the introduction of Photography and the many methods of engraving, colour printing, &c., that have been discovered during that time. With a view to make the readers of the “British Naturalist”’ familiar with the appearance of those whose names they constantly meet with in their studies, this series has been projected. It is intended to contain portraits of those working natural- ists whose names so often appear in the Magazines of the day, as well as of those whose knowledge has been communicated to us by their writings. The notices accompanying the portraits will, of necessity, be very brief, and are not intended for Biographies, which would not be appropriate during the lifetime of the individuals. It is hoped, in a few cases, that similar portraits may be given of those who have recently left our ranks, and who would have been included in the series, had they lived. Thomas de Grey, sixth Baron Walsingham, was born in the year 1843. He sat in Parliament, as Member for the Western divi- sion of the county of Norfolk, from 1865 to his admission to the Peerage, on the death of his father in 1870. He has been a keen naturalist and sportsman all his life, played in the Eton and Cam- bridge elevens at Lord’s, has shot twice in the Lords v. Commons match at Wimbledon, and has been noted for the big grouse bags he has made. On one occasion in August, 1872, 842 birds fell to his gun in one day, and on another occasion in August, 1888, the 1892. ] Pate pits NAM OWA z ISA. 21 enormous number of 1,070 birds were shot by him. He is alsoa keen fisherman. In 1871 he made a sporting and collecting expedition to California and Oregon, and during eighteen months he never slept in a bed. He became a member of the Entomological Society in 1866, and occupied the chair in 1889-90. His contributions to Ento- mological science have been numerous and valuable. He is one of the best preservers of Lepidopterous larve, and recently presented to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington, a very fine collection prepared and mounted by himself, in which he has succeeded in preserving the natural colours by some process of his own. Perhaps it is amongst Micro-Lepidoptera that Lord Walsingham is most at home; his collection of these minute gems is probably the largest in the world, and his writings on the subject are numerous and valuable. In the ‘(Transactions of the Ento- mological Society” for 1891, upwards of 70 species of African Micro- Lepidoptera are figured and described, most of them being new to science. A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE HYMENOPTERA - ACULEATA OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE, WITH NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE GENERA, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. Read before the Lancashire and Cheshive Entomological Society, December 14th, 1891. Up to the present time, compared with the more generally favored Lepidoptera and Coleopteva, but little work has been done in the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire in the order Hymenoptera; we have, however, had several observers here and there, who, during a series of years, have paid some attention, at any rate, to the Aculeata. It is of course premature at present to attempt to compile a complete Aculeate-Hymenopterous Fauna of the two counties; still, it would appear to be very desirable to bring together and collate the observations which have been made up to date by a few isolated workers in different directions. In this way much interesting information which has hitherto remained scattered, often liable to be eventually lost, may be permanently preserved. 22 THE, BRITISH: NATURALISE, LJANUARY To this end, therefore, the following preliminary list of the Hymenoptera-Aculeata of Lancashire and Cheshire has been put togethcr. It is hoped that such a list as the present will moreover be of use to our local workers in the order, and form a rallying point, as it were, and a basis, upon which much valuable information will in future be built up. The writer is greatly indebted to the following observers, whose notes, most kindly given, have made the compilation of this paper possible. The initials opposite to the names will be used in the list as a reference to the recorder of the particular observation noted, viz: Miss» Be CeTomiliny Chester, (Es Ck. Mr: ] 21. Green? Oxton, -birkenhicad.=|idiaG,. “Mr. J. dkay “Efardy; Manchester, [SKA Rev. Hi HH: Higgins., M-A%' Liverpool; HU n re Mr. R. Newstead, F.E.S., Chester, R.N. and the writer, W.G. The valuable published records of the late Mr. Benjamin Cooke, of Southport, (B.C.), have also been made use of.+ The difficulty of naming obscure species correctly is often great; the Cheshire collectors, however, have had the kind and generous assistance of Mr. Edward Saunders, F.L.S., F.E.S., in this matter, which is hereby gratefully acknowledged. In order to make the present list of more interest to readers of the ‘‘ British Naturalist’ generally, and to afford some slight information on the subject to many, who, it is hoped, may henceforward intend to pay some attention to the Hymenoptera, a very brief resumé of the habits of each family is included in the following notes on the species hitherto observed in the above-mentioned district. JEN AION CLINI ES). Comprising the Ants, both social and solitary, and the vapacious animal- feeding Wasps. HETEROGYNA. The Soczal Ants, dwellers in large communities and constructing elaborate nests; sexes three—male, female, and neuter. *List of Anthophile of Manchester district, published in British Association Handbook for 1887. { List of species published in ‘‘ Naturalist,’ December, 1879 and January, 1880. 1892. | WIBUB, IBIRIMIE IS ISL AN EME Uses Sic 23 FORMICID. Most of our English species come under the head of Mining Ants, forming extensive burrows and excavations for their nests in various situations; some in the earth, in banks (F. sanguinca, F. fusca, and L. niger), under stones (L. flavus), and some in decayed wood (L. fuliginosus). The three non-mining species (F. rufa, F’. congerens, and F. exsecta) construct pyramidal nests of twigs, leaves, &c., above ground. The Formicide so far recorded in our district are Formica, Linn. rufa, Linn.—Observed in Delamere Forest; a nest under pine needles, E.C.T. Miccomeinin=—-Commion im the district, 5.C., Ei: t., W.G: yace 1, cunicularia, Latr.—Taken at Greenfield, B.C. Lasius, Fab.=Formica, pays., Smith. fuliginosus, Latr.—Bowden, near Manchester, Delamere, B.C. niger, Linn.—Common everywhere, B.C., W.G. umbratus, Nyl., bvwnuneus, Sm.—Bowden; B.C. flavus, De Geer.—Abundant everywhere, B.C., W.G. PONERIDAE. PoneErRA, Latr. contracta, Latr.—This rare ant was taken near Manchester, by Nira. Cooke: MYRMICIDA. Very similar in habits to the Formicide, generally excavating nests underground; WM. scabvinodis often occupies part of same bank or hillock with L. flavus. One species, Stennamma Westwoodit lives in nests of F. vufa. LrepToTHorax, Mayr. acervorum, Fab.—Found in nest of F. fusca on Bidston Hill, Birkenhead, by Mr. Henry Burns: it usually lives in colonies under bark of trees. Myrmica, Latr. rubra, Linn. vace 2. ruginodis, Nyl.—Abundant near Manchester, B.C. », 3- levinodis, Nyl.—Bowden, in Cheshire, B.C.; Cheshire and Delamere, E.C.T. », 4. scabrinodis, Nyl.--Common, B.C., W.G. », 5. lobicornis, Nyl.—This rare species was taken at Bowden by Mr. B. Cooke. (To be continued.) 24 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [January THE HETEROGERA, OF THE ISLE OF MAN BY HENRY SHORTRIDGE CLARKE, F.E.S., ADVOCATE. (Continued from Vol. I, page 212.) Scotosia dubitata.— Widely distributed. Cidaria russata.—Widely distributed. Some lovely dark forms to be met with at the Nunnery, Pulrose, and near Ramsey. Cidaria immatata.— Widely distributed. Cidaria prunata.—-Widely distributed. Very common near Douglas in 1890. Cidaria testata.—Occurs at Pulrose, Lezayre, and elsewhere. Cidaria populata —Mr. Gregson states it occurs on the mountains, and feeds on the whinberry and cloudberry. Cidaria populata v. musauaria.—Mr. Gregson took it on the mountains. It is unicolorous, dark brown, often very dark. Cidaria fulvata.—Widely distributed. Eubolia cervinaria.— Local, occurs at Ramsey. Mr. Gregson states it occurs wherever mallows or holly-hock grows, in lanes or in gardens; larve feed in June. ~ Eubolia mensuraria.—Occurs at Kirk Bride, commonly. Eubolia palumbaria.—-Common on the mountains, swarms on the hills at Lezayre. Anaitis plagiata.—Local, occurs at the Abbey lands, Onchan, took 7 there in one afternoon, in 18go. Tanagra cheerophyllata. — Mr. Gregson states the insect is common on road sides, on the various ways up to the mountains. PSEUDO-BOMBYCES. Dicranura vinula.—Larve very common some years ago on willows at Kentraugh; the larve were also taken at Dalby, Kirk Patrick, in 1889. Pygeera bucephala.—Very common, occurs plentifully at Kirk Bride and also near Abbey lands, Onchan, also at Santon. Have taken the larve both from oak and sallow. Notodonta ziezac.—Have bred but one, from larva found at Kirk | Bride. Occurs also at Port Soderick. NOCTUE. Thyatira batis.—Took one at sugar, at Glenduff, Lezayre, in July, | 1890. Took 3 specimens at same place, June 22nd, 1891, on the | wing. Bryophila perla.—Occurs at Ramsey.Com es to light. Ki : i _ ADVERTISEMENTS, EXCHANGE. “Lepidoptera marked * are bred. as Siiimnata, Ribak, Ca N ictitans, Tenebrosa, 'Tritici, Valligera, eee stiya vars., Neglecta, Suspecta, ae Pas Dentina, pongaei ns —WITLIAM Cowie, 5, Street, Chane n, N¢ ne iderata, ¥or hae -Culiciformis, Porcellus, Statices’ Rubricollis, Complana, Lurideo la, , Caniola,, Pyginzola, Deplana, Aureola, (iriseola, Strainmeola, Muscerda, Mesomella, a Trorrella ; oe 1 will endeavour to make a good return.—JoHn E. Roxson, Ron) eit ee or. fl ae eed of British birds: as. ELE AEE ON ces clo io ae Son, Geelong, Victoria. f CHANGE. —Colquhounana,* Muscifor “nis,” Clalte “‘Trepidaria,* a Desiderata.— | ‘ous. uneh, Murray, Lowb nk Villas, Carnforth. | Prnau! Wanted good Botanical Sean, ‘Will give a packet, of which I have six _ | nt, of Micro- material from New Zealand. for each slide. vs . Gan, Tuxford, N ewark. CHANGE- -Coleoptera— eying undertaken the fy ition of a type collection of Bereich : optera. for the Ioeal: museum here, I earnestly appeal to coleopterists for spare specimens of mmon species. Parcels will be thankfully received and postage ane to be a TOTT, Hon. Curator Ento. Section, Manchester Road, Bolton- le- Moors. HANGE— Duplicates—Artaxerxes, Wetlcday ‘Sylvinus, “Mundana,. ee Coeee: Fulvata, Mensuraria, Iwutealis, ane Rubiella.—R. ‘ADIE pA EGERE HY 21 Princes Street, poles Glasgow: ie ee Tet oa er | TE ES. lec Artaxerxes, Alsns, Megera. Mendica*, Villica*, \Bidoull, tpepidarity, rit Mundana, Gait ase a a pair of A ee i eeee ys South Bailey: | “MEETINGS. OF SOCIETIES. OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY Sea he ion Hall, London Wall Meetings. Thursdays, EAP EREMES, 3 er The Pterophorina, Mr. J. W. Tutt. ane2y, Wuarva Preserving, Mr. ime i Bebruary.\4, ‘The Lepidoptera Ge Epping Forest, Mr. vA. FY Bayne. TB The Genus Hepialus, Mr. J. E. Robson. Mar. 3, The Coccinellide, Mr. yeock. ‘Mar. 17, The Genus Hadena, Mr. al W. Tutt. Apl) 7, The Life- history o ; Mr. AL N. Battley. ‘ ‘SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL | AND NATURAL HISTORY es Uepale Chambers, ae ey Si E. Thursdays, Fan. 14th. id, : SHIRE AND. ‘CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOGIB TY) Mree Library, illiam > Brown St., Liverpool: Next Meeting Monday, January 1th. | ueula, Furuncula, Arcuosa, Macilenta, Protea, Chrysitis, Dilutata, Caesiata, Albulata, — | ADVERIISHMENTS. Bk CONTENTS. Wicken Fen and District in 1891. rag. se Dari F.L.S.. F-E.S. eae a Notes for Beginners—Micro a Be for the month. —Geo. be ig B.E.S Reports of Societies : ; Mollusca—A few Notes on ‘Fresh- water Shells. SOWA ‘Gain. General Notes. ... ee Naturalists of the Day ; oA ee Hymenoptera-Aculeate of Lancashire and Cheshire. ee, . Gardner, F.R.G.S. The Heterocera of the {sle of Man. ans Shortridge Clarke, E-E.S. TO CORRESPON DENTS. By reducing the leads between the liues, space equal to nearly three ditional pages has been gained, without giving the Magazine the crowded pearance that is so painful to read. A portrait of Lord Walsingiam, is given with the present part, forn the first of a series of portraits of Naturalists of the Day. _. The February part will contain a portrait of H..T. Stainton, Esq., F F.L.S., F.G.S., F.E.s., &¢., Author of ‘‘A Manual of Butterflies and Moth, ee &e. Other ‘portr aits are in rapid preparation. . a ns -\rrangements are now completed for continuing the Molluscan See W. A. Gain, isq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land Fresh Water Mollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, Esq., of The Green, Llandaff, attend to the Marine Si ction. Copia may be made to either of t u gentlemen. All letters requiring a reply by post should ‘contain ee a Tomlin will be from home for a fortnight). The Section for Coleoptera is conducted by G. A. Mewccee! pg es Oxford Road, Islington, to whom also direct com:unication may be made. ‘‘ Gossiping Notes on British Coleoptera” will be resumed in the Febru Ty part. Re Mr. Leweock also oo the Magazine in Dondee and me recel _ subscriptions, papers, and notes for publication, &c., &c. Subscriptions, exchanges, business correspondence, notes, sapere publication, and all other communications, to be addressed — J oHN it. Ros oe ae Wo KO MANA NATURALIST, Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History pe aie é for young beginners all carriage paid. FOR INSHCTS —Net, Store Box, Pins Killing Box, Cork Boards, Chip Bos Label Lists, &c., 6/6. oe FOR HGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, Label List, bes, Si FOR SHHBEILS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting ‘Tubes, 3/6. 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ELLIS, FES., LIVERPOOL ; BROCKTON TOMLIN, Luanparr ; _ A, GAIN, TUXFORD ; ae eae Wall, PUGW EEE PEC: GREENWICH ; : OHN GARDNER, EES. HartLepoor; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. a a WITH SUPPLEMENT. | ; : London : oo a SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Coax PATERNOSTER SQUARE. f GSO VIF VT VF VV VVC VVT VT VT Vv "ADVERTISEMENTS. eee SWAN SONNENSCHEIN pee YOUNG COLLECTOR ‘SERIES. Z ich Volume is very Fully illustrated with practical oe aa bound m in fa : % : cloth extra, 1s- each (post free, Is. 2d.) ae _ ‘« They contain just the kind and amount of information required. - It is not easy _ to understand how works like these, written by men of sciencé in the various department can be made a commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation whic they well deserve can render them so."—_Knowledze. “We have seen nothing better than this series. bs Saturday Review. ; _ “We are glad to call attention to this excellent series of handbooks, which egos tob fe - widely known. We are glad_to see the staff of the British Museum thus comin forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. Ee, illustration are ae good—tar. better than in many expensive books.’’—A cademy. ee It is cheap, concise, and practical. “ i) . Butterflies, Moths, and - ‘Beetles. By W. Kirby. 2. Crustaceans and Spiders. _ By PA SkuSe.2 =e Fungi, Lichens, ete. By Peter Gray. de ‘Mosses. Ste : 15. Introduction to Zoology BY James E Bagnall ae oe by BD. ~Lindsay [In prepavator <3 0 a a, Formiceeformis, Calton Porcellts, Statices, Rouncore. Complana, Lede oot Soe Ree eels ae Se a ee Meso- n Bind’ sine arid eggs, and other Glare hee specimens offered in exelange - fossils or skins and eggs of British birds. —J. HAMMERTON, JUNR.,. c/o merto: on ‘and Son, Geeloug, vee pape Bere i eae - Musciformis.* Gat melita, 3h repidaria,* ee oe = Munnay, vee nk Villas, Carnforth, Se s a eHANGE—W anted good Botanieal Sections: Will give a packet, of shel I have s six ee (0) Micro-material from New Zealand fou. eacit Slide. -—W., A. GAIN, Tuxford, Newark, “ORPTROPTERA. —As I contemplate writing a popular handbook on the above as + volune: to my “‘Ulustrated Handbook of British Dragon Flies,” 1 shall be very ‘Tecelve- “any information frou those who are imterested in them. Local lists aud ens ae figuring, &e., would ‘be Sey 2 Harcourt Batu, Ladywood, _ ariel. Paropean. Odonata, at Britian: _Orthoptera— Duplicates British ae era and Odonata. —A. Harcourt BATH, Ladywood, Birmingham. Spee eae 2, XOH! <¢n— Duplicates Artaxerxes, Velleda, Sylvinus, Mundana, !ulva, Conigera, pe etl pa aera ele a Sitis, eee Caesiata, oe ] Se on “OF ADDRESS. Wieetnes: —Thuysdays, - _ Fixtures: eee Asie The. Lepidoptera Git Epping Forest, Mr. A. F. Bane _ The Genus Hepialus, Mr. J. E. Robson. Mar. 3, The Coccinellidz, Mr. Mar.’7, The Genus. Hadena, Mr. ip W. Tutt. Api. 7. tne eo history of « = SOUTH LONDON -ENTOMOLOGICAL” AND NATURAL ansToRy 3 ae Hibernia eS oe Bridge, S.E. © Thursdays, Feb. ‘Lith. = ve am, Brown St, - Liverpool. Next a Monday, February Sth vo “ADVER TISEMEN Ps. CONTE NT S. ' The Heterocera of the Isle of Man. —Henry Shortridge Clarke, F.E. s Gossiping Notes on British Coleoptera —G. A. Lewcock Irish Coleoptera in 1891 : Hymenoptera-Aculeate of Lancashire and Cheshire. LAY, Casdser BRAGS. Reports of Societies ee Mollusca—Notes on Var ities. Ws, Gan Dragou Flies.—F. Milton Notes for Beginners—Micro Larve for ue month.—Geo. Elisha, BES. Notes Various ee tbe Naturalists of the Day oe _ “TO CORRESPONDENTS. 4 By reducing the leads between the lines, space equal to nearly three a ditional jages has been gained, without giving the ieee the crowded ; a pearance that is so painful to read. A portrait of H. T. Stainton, F.x.s., &c., is given with Alle present pau forming the second of a series of portraits of Naturalists of the Day.. = The March part will-contain a portrait of S. J. Capoer, Hsq., F.L:s., F. B. &c., President of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. me portr aits are in rapid preparation. “ i Arrangements are now completed fér = nes the Molluscan’ Sectior _ W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land a - Fresh Water M ollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, Esq., of The ‘Green, Llandaff, w attend to the Marine Siction. Communications ney be made to either of the gentlemen. All letters requiring a.reply by post should contain stamp. ; ¢ So hee 1 Ce lee de cud} as ek x 3 ot : 3 =} iM eatios raya Sting have y Ae jt / SRE fox! a eee om nae nce 7 Meas AS. : x) eh See Ae ie Bie aion oS NEI hte CS % i SL eae Pe % Na Sea ese cote ee SON One’ Dates : at yd = ~ M diet Wee * — A 9? SR MmeAY S271. * “A ae .v , ae > NN oad res mf — Ve a ~ +) = oe ae ee = on = SY ee Ls é H, 1892. oe Lae S . ee Oy ae oes oS ie 2 ue THE sa wa BRITISH NA TORAL LIS : AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, 70HN EB ROBSON, BES. flartlepool, WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS BES IENTS OF ‘C. BIGNELL, F-E.S., Prymoutu ; LINNAEUS GREENING, WARRINGTON A. BRIGGS, F.E.S., Lonpon; nS GREGSON, LIVERPOOL :‘ J. CAPPER, ihe SYN F.E, Ss. , LIVERPOOL ; Be EGG RE Ed MAC BRIGHTON > .W. DALE, FES., Dorset; z G. A. LEWCOCK, Lonpon. EO: ELISHA, F.E.S., Lonpon ; J. P. SOUTTER, BisHop AuckianD; "Dr. ELLIS, F.E.S., Liverroor ; _ BROCKTON TOMLIN, Luanvarr; 4 WA, GAIN,-Tuxrorp;: ©) W. H. TUGWELL, Bhs, GREENWICH . OHN GARDNER, F.E.S.HartLepooL; SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. PRICE SIXPENCE, WITH SUPPLEMENT AND PORTRAIT. eae oe ee eee Ss : igi Dondon ; a SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ADVERTISEMENTS. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & G Se YOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES. — Each Volume is very fully illustrated with practical woodcuts, a Boonid mM nf cloth extva, Is. each (post free, Is. 2d. Je “They contain just the kind and amount of information required. pivgln, . It 1S MObeas to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departments, ~ can be made a commercial success. Certainly nothing but the enormous circulation which =| they well deserve can render them so.”—Knowledge. = _- “We have seen nothing better than this series. It is cheap, concise, and practical. Saturday Review. | «Weare glad to call attention to this excellent series of pesdbonke which deen to widely known. . ... Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus comin forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. . .. The illustratior are uniformly eood—far better than in many PN: books.” —A cademy. te 1. Butterflies, Moths, and | 13. Fossils. _ - - Beetles. By W. dirby = oe Ba Ww. Williams. 2. Crustaceans and Spiders. 14. The Microscope. i | By F. A. Skuse. ‘By V. A. Latham. [In Pri 3. Fungi, Lichens, etc. ae Collecting. . a i oe: | : e By J. H. Slater. [in preparations be 4. Mosses. | __ - By James E. Bagnall, a.1.s. 5. Pond-Life. | By-E. A. Butler, Fz/s. | a Gol 1G 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and ~~ ee Howth, _. Fossils. By P. Gray and y ~_ B. B. Woodward. 19; Grasses. <2 G : = jeepers : 7. Ants, Bees, Wasps, and | By F. Tuinail. [In Dera -_ Dragon-flies. By W. H.| 20. British Ferns. Bath. By E. J. Lowe. 8. Coins & Tokens (English) 4, pond-Hife (Algee, Diator _ By Llew. Jewitt, r.s.a. With | By T.S) Smith: a Chapter on Greek Coins | eos pees | 17. Marine Shells. - = sons By J. W. Williams & others. i [In prepectel by Barclay V. Head. 22 mess Problems. ae : ; By E. W. Rayner. 9g. Reptiles. _By Catherine Hopley. 23. Postage Stamps. 10. British Birds. | —- By W. 1 Osuie By H. A. Macpherson. 24. Flowering Plants. it. Silkworms. By James Britten, F.L.s.. — pk. Ne Butler wzss : [Jn pee 12. Land and Fresh Water | 25° The Ba Shelis: < By JW... By J. W. Willams. Williams, J. W. Taylor, and | 26. Copper Coins of Mod W. Dennigon Roebuck -murope, =By F- S = SWAN SONNENSCHEIN oD, Paleroeiersgne LOND 1892. | ide BRITISH NATURALIST. 45 Niollusca. - CONCHOLOGY IN WINTER, IB Wig Ao (GUUS Now the snow has left the ground bare we may recommence our hunting. Although not quite so enjoyable as in the summer and autumn months a snailing ramble may be both pleasant and productive. Most species are now in their winter quarters, and when their retreat is found a good haul is the usual] result. FAlyalina may be found crowded under stones and bricks lying on the ground, many Helices and slugs occupy similar positions. Among the dead leaves in woods we may generally find Vitvina as well as several species of Hyalina, Helix aculeata, Helix pygm@ea—this species should be carefully looked for on any piece of dead branch which may be turned up among the leaves —Clausilia rugosa, Cochlicopa, and other species in abundance; this, too, is the place for Arion intermedius, especially it the locality is rather more than usually damp, in this case Carychiui minimum is also pretty certain to be found. Old walls with loose stones should be examined, and the grass pulled up from their bases, where close to the wall many small species may often be found. The gregarious habits of slugs and snails may be well observed at the present season; a few days ago I lifted, one after another, a number of bricks lying in an orchard, I found only Agriolimax agvestis, Hyalina alliaria, and Helix hispida, they were in considerable numbers, and among the examples of the first I found an example of usual markings, but what was particularly worth remarking was that although in some cases the bricks almost touched, each brick Sifeltered ‘one species only. The loose bark on trees should never be overlooked, beneath this many species may be found at this season, it is the most likely place to find Bala. perversa in company with Clausila rugosa and other common_ species. The debris left near rivers and streams by the recent floods should be diligently examined, among the piled-up material may be found shells of every species inhabiting the drainage area, land and fresh-water, many of course will be dead shells, very dead, as my friend used to Say, that is, having: lost the epidermis, but many will be in very fair condition, and rare species and varieties are pretty certain to occur; the Vertigos are always well represented, in some cases they may be 46 THE BRITISH INATURALASIC [Marcu collected by thousands.* I have found the rare moulinsiana a few times in this way, and in this way only. There is no other method so good to obtain a knowledge of the inhabitants of a district as a search amongst these deposits. Many living mollusks which have taken refuge here will also be secured. Conchologists having beetle-loving friends will do well to take a bottle with them in which to put these insects which abound in such situations, and will doubtless be appreciated by the recipients. Tuxford. Notes. Mr. Roebuck has made some interesting remarks on a collection of live slugs which I sent him last summer from Guernsey. He detected all four Avions among them; one adult Avion atey L. hada bright orange fringe and deep yellow foot, while the animal itself was drab colour. ‘This,’ Mr. Roebuck says, ‘‘it is difficult to assign to any named variety, it partakes of more than one,—+z.¢., it is var. marvginata by the colour of the fringe, added to the body-colour variety for which there seems to be no available name.” The varieties vava and plumbea of Amalia gagates also occurred. My attention has been drawn by Mr. J. T. Marshall to the fact that Dr. Jeffreys, subsequent to the publication of his “ British Conchology,’ recognised the Odostomia ventricosa of Forbes as a distinct species in the {Report on the “‘ Lightning” expedition. He had hitherto considered it a variety{ of O. acicula, Phil., from which it 1s distinguished by more tumid whorls and consequently deeper suture. The shell is also thinner in texture. The modern process of dismemberment among the genera has severed the group to which these species belong, from Odostomia, under the name of Eulimella. O. sctlle, and O. nitidissima are its only British representatives. We note that Canon A. M. Norman puts down O. ventricosa as a distinct species in his printed catalogue. While on this genus, it may be worth recording that Monterosato has recently described the British “O, pusilla” as a new species (OQ. i#novata, Monts.,) on the ground that its sculpture differs from that of the true O. pusilla, Phil. The difference, whether of specific value or not, seems to consist in a curving of the ribs (costis arcuatis). *I shall be happy to supply a quantity of such material, from which all the coarser rubbish has been separated, to any reader who will send me a box and return postage. ¢ Proc. Zool. Soc, 1884, page 363. t Brit. Conch, Vol. IV., page 172. 1892. ] irr iki liShe WAU RAE ISi. 47 As regards decollation, I am enabled to add Limnaea truncatula to the British list on the authority of Mr. W. E. Collinge. He also confirms me as to the bleaching of the apex in Clausilia —in the case of C. rugosa at Ingleton, and C. laminata at Wetherby. Moquin- Tandon mentions Clausilia, Cyclostoma, and Limnaea as the French genera in which decollation occurs, and also records the occurrence of a colony of Planorbis vortex, in which each shell had a little hole through the centre, where the first whorl ought to have been. I should of course have already mentioned Cyclostoma elegans as another frequently decollate shell. Many of the foreign forms of this genus and of its allies, such as Tudova, Adamsiella, and Pomatias, habitually lose the the apex of their shells in maturity. Cylindrella, with nearly 200 species is a good instance of an habitually decollate genus; while Pirena, Telescopium, and Cerithidea are usually the same, but may be obtained faultless in favourable localities,—the loss of apex depending, (as in all aquatic genera) on the character of the water. This influence seenis especially to affect estuarine species, which live on muddy flats and are subject to the changes of tide. Take the genus FAydrobia, essentially a native of brackish water; of H. ventvosa there is a var. decollata chronicled in Jeffreys, while we have received from Canon Norman a var. truncata Norm. of H. ulvae from Brodick essentially similar in characteristics. Dr. Sterki, the American authority on Pupa, has just been turning his attention to our little friend Helix pulchella and its forms. He is a firm believer in the specific validity of what we know as var. costata. Now that this point has been revived, it will be well for English collectors to vive the results of their experience. Dr. Sterki says that he can recognise a costata even when ribless, by the depression of its spire and the more rapidly increasing whorls. Comparison of series from the same locality would be most valuable and we urge collectors who have the opportunity, to corroborate or refute the value of these characteristics. Limax agvestis, L., put in appearance about 7 years ago on the Pacific coast of North America, and is now as great a garden pest as with us. It is especially flourishing in San Francisco and Victoria, B.C.—B. Tomuin, The Green, Llandaff. ON THE VARIATION IN THE BANDING OF HeELix.—The subject of band-variation in the various species of Helzx has for a considerable time occupied the attention of naturalists, and yet-our knowledge of the cause or causes that give rise to such a multiplicity of forms is very deficient. It seems to me that the collecting of these variations will add very little to our knowledge, certainly a good result has been 48 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Marcu the formulating a system by which their various variations may be represented. A step in the right direction has been made by Mr. Gain, which I wish to supplement by a few observations of my own. In the Spring of 1888, I collected large numbers of H. nemoralis and H. hortensis, which were confined in large glass cases. As far as I could ascertain, in only one case did H. nemoralis pair with H. hortensis, but no ova were deposited. Dark banded forms sometimes paired with light banded examples, and vice-versa. lntailestige examples I was able to trace, the young bore little resemblance to the parents except in a very few instances. Where the parents were alike, the progeny were also, with few exceptions, and in these the variation was very slight. : Experiments with H, aspersa give a like result. There was always a slight difference in the young in either the shading, thickness of the shell or banding, indicating, I thought, a reversion to the type.— WaLTER E. Co.Liince, Assistant Demonstrator in Zoology, St. Andyew’s University, and Editor of the ‘* Conchologist.” Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. Fanuary 27th.—The 59th Annual Meeting, adjourned from the z2oth inst. on the death of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence, Mr. F. DuCane Godman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. An abstract of the Treasurer’s accounts, showing a good baiance in the Society’s favour, having been read by one of the Auditors, the Secretary, Mr. H. Goss, read the Report of the Council. It was then announced that the following gentlemen had been elected as Officers and Council for 1892 :— Presidént, Mr. .Frederick DuCane Godman; F.R'S::. Treasures” Mar Robert McLachian; F.R.S.; Secretaries, Mr. Herbert Goss, F.L.S..: and the Rev. Canon Fowler, M.A., PiL.S:> Librarian, Mir, George (C. Champion 225. aud as,other Members of the Council, Mr. C. G. Barrett, Mr. Herbert Drncemi is, Capram Henry |: Elwes; F:L-5.\" Prot. Raphael Meldoa, Bike St) Mr Pdwasd 5 Poulton M.A., F.R.S., Dr. David Sharp, M.A., F.R.S., Colonel Charles Swinoe, F.L.S., and the Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, LL.D., F.R.S. It was also announced that the President would appoint Captain Elwes, Dr. Sharp, and Lord Waisingham, Vice- Presidents for the Session 1892-3. The President then delivered an Address. After alluding to the vast number of species of insects and to the calculations of Dr. Sharp and Lord Walsingham as to the probable number of them as yet undescribed, he referred to the difficulty of preparing a monograph of the fauna of even a comparatively small part of the world, ¢. g., Mexico and Centrai America, and certain small islands in the West Indian Archipelago, upon which he, with a large number of competent assistants, had been engaged for many years. The examination of the collections receatly made in St. Vincent alone, had obliged him to search the whole of Europe and North America for specialists; and similar collections from Grenada were still untouched in consequence of the number of workers being unequal to the 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 49 demands upon their time. He observed that the extent of the subject of Entomology was so vast that nothing but a systematic and continuous effort to amass collections, work them out, and preserve them, could place us in a position to proceed safely with the larger questions which followed the initial step of naming species; and it would only be by the steady effort of our Museum officials, not only to work at the subject themselves, but to enlist the aid of every available outside worker, that substantial progress can be made. The President concluded by referring to the losses by death during the year of several Fellows of the Society and other Entomologists, special mention being made of Mons. Edmond André, the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. F. Grut, Mr. E. W. Janson, Prof. Felipe Poey, Sir William Macleay, Mr. H. Edwards, Mr. | Robert Gillo, and Dr. J. M. J. Af Tengstrém. February toth.—Mr. Frederick DuCane Godman, F.R.S., President. in the chair. The President nominated Lord Walsingham, LL.D., F.R.S., Mr. Henry John Biwes, ..S., and Dr. D. Sharp, M.A., F.R.S.,; Vice Presidents for the session 1892-98. Mr. E. Mayrick exhibited a number of specimens of Euproctis fulviceps, Walk., ' taken by Mr Barnard, showing the extraordinary variation of this Tasmanian species, all the males of which had been ‘‘sembled’”’ by one female. The males were repre- sented by various forms ranging from black to white, which had all been described as distinct species. Dr. Sharp, Mr. Hampson, Mr. McLachlan, Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. Elwes, Mr. Tutt, Mr. Poulton, and Mr. Jacoby took part in the discussion which ensued. Dr. Sharp exhibited samples of pins which he had tried for preventing verdigris, and stated that silver wire was the best material to use, as insects on silver pins re- mained intact, whilst those on gilt pins were destroyed by verdigris. Mr. G. T. Porritt exhibited a series of specimens representing Huddersfield forms of Polia chi, including nearly melanic specimens, found there during the last two seasons. He said these forms had not hitherto been observed elsewhere. Mr. Tutt exhibited a series of Hadena pisi?. comprising specimens very grey in tint, others of an almost unicolorous red with but faint markings, and others well marked with ochreous transverse lines. ‘Three distinct forms of Hadena dissimilis ; red and grey forms of Panolis piniperda, and a dark form of £upiihecia fraxinata; also a specimen of Sciaphila penziana. \Vith the exception of the last-named, which was taken in Anglesey, all the specimens were taken or bred by Mr. Tunstall in the neighbourhood ot Warrington. _ The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited specimens of Arge titea, A. lachesis, A. psyche, A. thetis, and other specimens of the genus from the neighbourhood of Athens ; also specimens of Avgynnis pheve, taken in Grenada in May, 18o1. Mr. W. t*arren exhibited a series of specimens of Peronea variegana var. cirrana, and P. schulleviana var. latifasciana, from Scarborough ; Eupecilia vectisana, from Wick- en ken; and Elachista subocellea, from Cambridge. Mr. G.,A. Rothney sent for exhibition a number of species of ants collected by himself in Australia, in May and June, 1886, which had recently been named for him by Dr. Forel. The collection included :—Ividomyrex pupurens, Sm., I. rufoniger, Lowne, I. gracilis, Lowne, I. ttienerans, Lowne, Ectatomma metallicum, Sm., E. nudaium, E. mayyi, Aphenogaster longiceps, Sm., Polyrhachis ammon, Fab., Myrmecia nigriventris, Mayr., and wnigrocincta, Sm.; Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus, Fab., and a variety of Campanotos vubiginosus, Mayr., from Brisbane; also a few species from Honolulu, and a species of Monomorium, which Dr. Forel had not yet determined, and which he believed to be probably new. Mr. C. O. Waterhouse read a paper entitled ‘‘ Some Observations on the Mouth 50 THE BRITISH -WATURALAST. [Marcu Organs of Diptera,’ which was illustrated by numerous diagrams. A long discussion ensued in which Mr. Champion, Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Jenner Weir, Mr. Slater, Mr. Poulton, Mr. Distant, Dr. Sharp, Mr. Hampson, Mr. Elwes, and Mr. Barrett took part. Mr. E. Meyrick read a paper entitled ‘‘ On the Classification of the Geometrina of the European Fauna.” Mr. Hampson, Mr. Elwes, Mr. McLachlan, Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. Tutt, and Mr. Distant took part in the discussion which ensued.— H. Goss, Hon. Secretary. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL BUST ORNs (50 Cri ye Fanuary 28th.—W. H. Tugwell, Esq., Ph. C., President in the chair. The Trea- surer submitted his financial statement from which it appeared there was a balance of £48 to the Society’s credit ; the Council’s Report was read by the Secretary and — dealt with the work done during 1891. The election of officers was then taken and resulted in the election of Mr. C. G. Barrett, F.E S., President; Messrs. J. Jenner Weir, Fils/S) F.Z.S5F.ES., and Rv South, 2. E'S), Vice=Presidents > ‘Mir SE Step - Treasurer; Mr. W. West, Curator; Mr. D. J. Rice, Librarian; Messrs. H. WwW. Barker, and A: Short, Secretaries; and’ Messts, -T. RK. Billupsjybis.S:, 47s Carrington, B-L-.S., € Fenny FES. 2 Ww: Frowhawk, F.E.S., J. Henderson, W. H. Tugwell, Ph. C., and J. W. Tutt, F.E.S., Council. Mr. W. H. Tugwell read his Presidential Address, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the various officers. February 11th.—The President made some observations on taking the chair. Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited several species of the genus Cyméthoe, viz.: theodota, emilus, cenis, theobene, and read notes with respect to the extreme sexual difference. The males in most cases were an ochreous or cream colour, more or less clouded with black, while on the other hand the females rarely had any of the ochreous or cream cclour, and the markings were very varied and presented a very spotted appearance. M. Weir then pointed out the differences in the species exhibited. Mr. Weir also exhibited specimens of Pieris napi, L., and allied forms, which by some entomologists were considered distinct species or sub-species, and by others mere local varieties, and remarked that the object of the exhibition was rather to show the effect of environment and season of emergence on the intensity of coloration, both in the upper and under sides of the wings. Mr. Weir then contributed some interesting notes on his exhibit. Mr. Austin exhibited an extremely rare form of Lycena adonis having the blue colour entirely suffused with black scales, and another example with beautiful markings on the upper side, both specimens were taken at Folkestone. Mr. Tutt, a bred series of Hadena pisi, L., varying from grey to deep purplish-red ; three specimens of H. suasa, one with longitudinal striations; a small specimen of Arctia villica, the spots being very much reduced; three specimens of Cerastis vaccinii, one having the outer margin. curved as in spadicea or var. ligula; Ambyptiha acanthodactyla and A. punctidactyla, bred from larvze, and remarked that it was considered by some that these were distinct species. Messrs. Barrett, Weir, Carrington, Tutt, and Dobson made some remarks relative to this exhibit, Mr. Adkin showed smoky varieties of Nemeophila plantaginis. Mr. Farren, a long series of Penthina vaviegano, taken at Scarborough in September, and remarked that there was plenty of the ordinary form of the species, but the black form was as plentiful as the ordinary form. Mr. Billups, a larva found feeding on tomato from Teneriffe. Mr. Tutt expressed an opinion that it was Prodenia littoralis. Mr. Herbert Williams, a dark varieiy of Cosmia trapezina. Mr. Billups read notes on shells obtained from drift collected by Mr. Barrett in Wales. Mr. H. Wallis Kew 1892. | TE BRUISE NATURALIST. 51 read a paper, ‘‘On the Dawn of Memory in the Animal Kingdom,” and in the discussion which followed, Messrs. Dobson, Tutt, Weir, Barrett, and Wallis Kew took part.—H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday, February 4th.—Exhibits:—Mr. Tutt, some very fine forms of Civrhedia gerampelina which he had received from the Rev. Joseph Greene, including examples of the var. unicolor, and the common British form, var centvago. He also exhibited Hadena pisi and Trachea piniperda (red and grey forms) and a melanic var. of | Eupithecia fraxinata. Mr. Clark, four specimens of Mixodia rufimitrana, taken by Mr. | Eustace Bankes, in Dorset. Mr. Battley, species taken in Epping Forest, including a small specimen of Pieris napi ? , Trichiura crategi, &c. Mr. Bayne, series of Lithosia auveola from Epping. Mr. Simes, insects from Epping, including Vanessa polychloros, Dicycla 00, &c. Mr. Sykes, a number of species taken near Enfield, including Pola flavicincta, &c. Mr. Nicholson, two varieties of Purarge egeria, the only specimens that emerged from a large brood; one without the eye-spots on the front wings, while the colors of the other had the appearance of being smudged into one another. Mr. Tutt expressed his opinion that this variation was due to disease, the cause being insufficient or innutritious food. Mr. Milton, species from Epping Forest, including Eurymene dolcbraria, Dicycla oo, _ Halias quercana, &c.; also in Coleoptera, Telephorus abdominalis, Hydvophorus 5-lineatus, and Pozonocherus fasciculavis, from Scotland. Mr. Burrows, Carabus granulatus, from Wanstead, and a series of Bembidium 4-guttatus, from Mitcham. Mr. Heasler, Ischnoglossa vufopicea, taken under rotten beech bark, and Mycetoporus lucidus, from boleti, both from Loughton. Mr. Riches, Testacella scutellum, and other slugs. Mr. Boden, fossils from the Gault clay at Folkestone. Mr. Bayne read a paper on ‘‘ The Lepidoptera of Epping Forest.” The following were the chief species observed :— Thecla betule, Lycena argiolus, Lithosia aureola, Pecilocampa populi, Stauropus fagi, Dicycla oo, Rusina tenebrosa, Tapinostola fulva, Nyssia hispidaria, Amphidasys prodromaria, Geometva papilionaria, Eupithecia dodoneata, and E. exiguata. Most of the members present took part in the discussion. The Secretary read a resolution recently pussed by the Council, anaouacing their intention to compile a list of the Fauna observed within a radius of ten miles of Charing Cross, and impressed upon the members the necessity for their co-operation. Thursday, February 18th.—Exhibits.—Lepidoptera:—Mr. Raine, living larve of Hepialus humuli, also a large collection of preserved larve. Mr. Southey, bred series of Notodouta ziczac and N. camelina from Hampstead Heath. Mr. Tutt, fine forms of Agrotis nigricans, A. tritici, and Xanthia auvago, and continental types of Agvotis helvetina; also a Setina taken by Mr. Freer at Tintern, Monmouth. Mr. Tutt thought that it was S. auvita var. vamosa, of which he possessed specimens from the Engadine. Mr. Battley, a young larva of Apamea ophiogramma, about a quarter of an inch long, which he had found at the roots of ribbon-grass in his garden. He stated that this species hybernated as a very young larva inside the stems of the grass. Mr. Robson, a var. of Bombyx vubi with the lines forming the band running together at the inner margin; also a form of Melanthia rubiginata with the band extending right across the wing. Mr. Prout, a series of Agrotis nigricans from the Isle of Wight. Mr. Bacot, a number of Hepialide, including a very light form of H. humuli¢. Mr. Clark and Others also exhibited the genus Hefialus. Coleoptera:—Mr. Heasler, Homalota splendens and Cleonus sulcivostvis from Mitchim. Mr. Lewcock, a long series of Si/pha atvata, showing the pale forms from Orkney, and the var. subrotundata from Ireland. He pointed out that in the latter var. the margin of the elytra was very broadly de- 52 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Marcu veloped, while in the Orkney specimens, the margin was in all respects similar to the type form. Mr. Lewcock also exhibited two pairs of Nesites tardyi from Dublin. Referring to this species, he said that in the male, the antennz were inserted near the apex of the rostrum, while the female had the antennz inserted nearer the base. The apex of the rostrum also was thickened in the male, and the reverse in the female. Messrs. Cripps, Burrows, and Southy also exhibited Coleoptera.—In Odonata, Mr. Simes exhibited (on hehalf of Mr. Wattson, of Clapton) a number of living larve and pupz of Libellulide, AEschnide and Agvionide. Mr. Robson then read his paper on the genus Hefiatus of which the following is an abstract :—The female of this genus always deposited their ova whilst flying over the herbage. The eggs were un- usually small for the size of the parent, white when extruded but quickly changing to black, whether impregnated or not. They were free from any adhesive matter, and soon reached the bottom of the herbage, and the larva when hatched made its way into the earth where it fed on underground roots and stems. The larve were all white iu colour, some certainly lived more than one year before pupation. The pupz were long, light brown in colour, and enclosed in a long silken cocoon, in which the active pupze could move very quickly up and down, by means of raised knobs on the rings of the abdomen. The greatest interest attached to the perfect insects, which were easily recognisable by their long narrow wings, long slender abdomen, and extremely short antennz. The manner in which the sexes attracted each other was curious and interesting. Humuli male flew back and forwards in an exposed place, with a pendulum like motion, the female flying to him by sight. Mr. Robson suggested that the sexes had at cne time been similar in colour and markings like others of the genus, and that the necessity for the ? to see the ¢ led to the selection of the lightest coloured and largest specimens, until the present form was evolved. He pointed out that in Northern latitudes, where summer days where longer, that the process of evolution had been much slower, and that we had the intermediate stage in var. Hethlandica, of our Northern islands. Hectus ¢’s hada similar oscillating flight, but instead of flying in an exposed place, sought the shelter of some fern or bush, diffusing as they flew, an odour like ripe pine apple, which attracted the female. In the other three species the action was reversed. The 2 resting on a strong stem, vibrated her wings continuously, diffusing thereby a faint odour as above which at- tracted the ¢’s. The ¢’s flew wildly and erratically about in search of the ? and so soon as they came within the range of the perfume, they changed their flight for a slower one, until they found the ¢. He dwelt at some length on the problem that if hectus males, lost their scent-producing power, and the females had to fly to them by sight, they would probably become larger and more silvery until a species like humuli would be evolved. Healso pointed out that even in the hind wings, /ectus often had silvery spots. The paper closed with a reference to some unsolved prob- lems connected with the genus. ERRATA. P. 34, line 12, after ‘‘containing’’ add ‘three and two pupz respectively. Mr. Tutt, two cabinet drawers containing.” LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Monday, Feb. 8th.—The president Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S. in the chair Messrs. Henry Champ and W. H. Holt were elected members. Mr. W. E. Sharp read a paper entitled ‘‘Some remarks on the Hydradephaga of the District,” illustrated with specimens and large coloured diagrams. The author referred to the general classification of the Celeoptera, and said that in the genus Dytiscus the whole physiology was to adapt them to less resistance in swimming. He then gave a re- sume of the records of local species, of which 74 species had been recorded out of 1892.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 53 129 known to be indigenous to the British Isles; only four genera unrepresented. The president exhibited fine varieties of Ennomos angularia; Dr. Ellis, Pulvinaria camellicola (a rare species of coccus from camellia trees) ; Mr. Collins, 4 specimens of Deilephila galiit, bred by him from 22 larva taken on Epilobium angustifoliux, at Warrington in 1889, the specimens were small and were the only perfect ones bred, and a variety of Noctua festiva, with distinct black transverse lines on a uniform grourd colour; Mr. Schill, Hydvous angustior from Milan, taken flying round electric light. Mr. Stott, acollection of Local Hydradephaga, and by Mr. Pierce, Agvotis candelarum from Saxony and its var. Ashworthii—F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec., 143 Smithdown Lane Liverpool. GUERNSEY NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY. Febyvuary toth.—Yhe usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, at the Guille-Alles Library, the chair being taken by Mr. J. Whitehead, President of the Society. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. Colonel J. G. Clooéte and Mr. A. C. Quick were elected members of the Society. Mr. W. A. Luff exhibited specimens of the Winter Moth (Cheiinatobia brumata) which this winter is very plentiful in the island, though usually very scarce. Under the title of ‘‘A Glance at the Rocks of Alderney,” Mr. C. De La Mare gave an account of a visit made by him to the island of Alderney on the 25th june last, and exhibited various specimens of the rocks which he collected on that cccasion, describing their mode of occurrence, &c. The specimens of sandstone or grit justified the Rev. E. Hill’s description quoted from his paper on Alderney, varying from pebbly sandstones to fine mudstones. Specimens of granite and intrusive dykes of mica trap and green- stone were also shown, the latter cutting the sandstone, and the effect of these greenstone dykes on the adjoining sandstone was adverted to. Various raised beaches were noticed, especially that in Plate Saline Bay, these beaches corresponding in their main features with those of Guernsey, and in some localities containing flints asin Guernsey. The present beach of Plate Saline Bay also abounds with flints, mostly of small size. Mr. De La Mare exhibited a diagram prepared by him showing the crrelatiun of the Channel Islands’ rocks with those of France and England. He stated that he considered the following points now fully established, viz.:—ist. That the Alderney grit is identical with the rock on the opposite coast of France known as the ‘Gres feldspathique.” and. That the Grés feldspathique ” immediately underlies the Grés Avmovicain,” which is the oldest rock in North- Western France in which fossils have so far been traced. 3rd. That the Gres Armoricain” corresponds with the ‘' Arenig Rocks” of Wales. From this it follows that the Alderney grit cannot be of more recent age than the Arenig Rocks, which are ‘Lower Silurian” according to the nomenclature adopted by the English and French Geological Surveys. Mr. De La Mare’s remarks were listened to with much pleasure. A discussion followed in which several members took part, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. De La Mare for his lucid and interesting treatment of a difficult subject. For the March meeting, Mr. E. D. Marquand has kindly promised a paper on ‘‘ The Language of Ants.”—W. SHarp. Hon. Sec. General Notes. LUPERINA TESTACEA VAR. NICKERLII.—In the ‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. AXI1., pp. 271 and 272, I made some remarks on a form of L. testacea Known as L. wicherlii, Freyer. At a meeting of the City of London 54 EH Bi Sa sN eas isle Sale [Marcu Entomological and Natural History Society, held March roth, 1891, Mr. Tutt criticised my conclusions in his usual style, and, as is also customary with him when engaged in this kind of thing, indulged in a few misquotations. The society mentioned had a letter from me upon the subject, but this communication was not brought before the meeting. As the matter has been re-published in the recently issued ‘‘Transactions of the City of London Ent. and Nat. Hist. Society,” I think it is due to myself to say a few words. The insect referred to in the present note as Mr. Baxter’s specimen, was an aberrant example of L. testacea which that gentleman had been good enough to send me to look at. Concerning this variety I wrote (l.c.) ‘‘In some respects the specimen agrees with Doubleday’s description of gwuenée1, but it appears to be a form of testacca intermediate between guenéer and mckerlu.” Commenting on this remark, Mr. Tutt says that I used gwenéer as a link between Mr. Baxter’s specimen and mickerlii, but it will be seen that I make Mr. Baxter's specimen the connecting link, and not guenéexv. Then with regard to the three Bohemian specimens of xzckerlit to which 1 referred in my note, Mr. Tutt appears to doubt whether they have anything to do with Freyer’s nzckerlii, because I describe one of them as ‘‘grey, tinged with ochreous,” and the translation of the original description to which he had access, gives the colour as ‘‘ reddish grey.” Curiously enough, Mr. Dutt seems to accept Herrich-Sehatter = figure of nickerlit, although, as he says, it represents an almost ved- brown imsect ; but if he desires to be consistent in the use of his colour test he must reject figure 565 of H.-S. I cannot, however, suppose that Mr. Tutt seriously attaches any importance to slight differences in the terms used to express colour, otherwise, he would have avoided ceiving two or three different tints to some of the numerous aberrations he has named from time to time. Take, for instance, his Lupevina testacea var. obsoleta, (Entom., XXII., p. 206-207), he first says of this form that it is ‘‘clear whitish-grey.” then he tells us that it is “pale greyish-white,” and very shortly afterwards we are informed that the | colour is ‘‘ pale ochreous-grey.” | Mr. Tutt says that I might have suggested the probability of | nickerla being a var. of testacea, and overlooks the fact that I wrote of | nickerlit, ‘‘ Dr. Staudinger considers it as probably a Darwinian species, | and as it certainly is now linked up with guenée: by this Lancashire | (Mr. Baxter’s) specimen, the logical conclusion would appear to be that if ywenéer is a variety of testacea, nickerlu cannot be a distinct | species.” Mr. Tutt has seen Mr. Baxter’s specimen, but he has not | seen the Bohemian specimens that I have examined, neither does he mention having seen any specimen of nichkerlii, therefore I do not consider that he is justified in putting forward his opinion with such 1892. ] _THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 55 a show of authority. No one in this country has been more active than Mr. Tutt in reducing gwenéer to varietal rank, and yet his remarks on this variety do not in the least accord with the original description of the insect. In his table of the variation of L. testacea, var. guenéet is referred to as “pale greyish-white, with some of the markings indistinct;” the colour, in fact, is the same as that of var. obsoleta in the same table. Further on he says the insect is ‘“‘of an extremely pale ground colour as in var. obsoleta, but differing from that variety in having most of the characteristic markings of f¢estacea more distinctly marked owing to the paler ground colour.” It would seem then, from the context, that although obsoleta is ‘‘an extreme pale” form; var. guenéer, Tutt, is still paler. The original description of guenéet, Doubleday, (‘‘ Ent. Ann.,”’ 1884) is ‘‘anterior wings pale, testaceous, irrorated with black and ‘white dots,’ etc. Again, a var. of L. testacea from Abbot’s Wood:—‘‘ Very pale grey, with a few very indistinct black costal markings, all the markings of festacea faintly marked, the three stigmata traceable although indistinct, hind wings pale grey,” is thought by Mr. Tutt to be ‘‘undoubtedly this variety,” 1.e. guenéet. Apart from the colour test in these cases, neither this last specimen nor either of the others mentioned by him agree with the description of guenéer. ~1 will not, however, ask, as Mr. Tutt has done in a parallel instance, how these specimens can be referred to guenéei? because I am inclined to adnait, although I have not seen them, that they may possibly be modifications of that form. Returning to mickerlu, | may say that until Mr. Tutt can produce something more conclusive than his mere opinion, formed apparently on insufficient material and expressed in a hurry; or someone else convinces me that I am in error, | shall continue to regard Freyer’s insect as a form of L. testacea and Mr. Baxter’s specimen as inter- mediate between that form and gwenéer.—RicHarp SoutH, London February 8th, 1892. V. CARDUI AT CAPE WRATH, SUTHERLANDSHIRE.—In July last I had the pleasure of spending nearly three weeks in Sutherland. I travelled from Lairg in the south, to Durness in the far north, and from there I wandered at my leisure along the wild Pentland coast till | reached Thurso in the distant east. I left with the prospect of doing a good stroke of entomological work, but I am sorry to say that during almost all the time I was away the weather was wet and stormy, and consequently insects were extremely scarce. One dry day a friend and myself were standing on a headland near Cape Wrath, watching a shoal of whales which were sporting in the firth below us, when a bright object fluttered out towards the water, 56 THE BRITISH NADU RAISE, [Marcu turned, and dashed wildly about us. Wondering what butterfly it could be we tried to catch it, but only succeeded in frightening it away. It came back to the same spot and settled quite close to us, when I noticed it was a specimen of our old friend V. cardw. Not- withstanding our frequent attempts to capture it, it returned again and again, as if it were drawn by some strange attraction to this rocky headland. I am not sure if this species has ever been recorded for Sutheriandshire, but I daresay it would be hardly possible to record it for a more northern locality in this country than Cape Wrath. I spent two days at Strathay in the hope of taking a good supply of C. evicellus, but my usual ‘“ good fortune” attended me—it poured! I[ hardly went outside but I got drenched, and, of course, on the soaking mosses not a specimen was to be seen. Last year | was equally unfortunate, and I suppose it will be quite in keeping with my entomological luck if my holidays next summer in the far north should be of the usual ‘“‘ weet ” character. In Durness I saw a few common species such as L. didymata, A. grossiulariata, A. polyodon, etc., but the rarer species were quite absent.—JoHN Mackay, 17, Dundas Street, Kingston, Glasgow. Noctua coNnFLuA, Treitschke.—Mr. Tutt (ante p. 43) seems to imply that the report of his paper was not accurate, but he admits having seen this report before it was published, therefore he cannot blame anyone but himself if it was incorrect. Dr. Mason may or may not have made the statement concerning conflua which Mr. Tutt says that he quoted in his paper, but this does not affect the question at issue, 7.¢., did the type of conjiua come from Iceland= 1 thinks have conclusively shown that it did not. By accepting, without verification, the statements of others, Mr. Tutt has been led into error, and, instead of gracefully retiring from his untenable position, he writes disparagingly of those who have ventured to correct his mistakes. Mr. Tutt says in his Record that my former remarks on this subject prove that I know nothing at ali about it. His latest remarks upon the subject prove him to be an.adept in the art of garbling, and I regret that he cannot, or will not, discuss the matter in a fair and impartial spirit. I only desire to establish the truth, and this is my sole reason for entering into discussion of this kind. | am not at all anxious to convict anyone of error, simply for the sake of what is vulgarly called ‘“‘showing them up.” In conclusion 1 may say that I did not suggest that conflua is a MS. name; but | said that it was a MS. name when sent by Treitschke to Boisduval, and that both Treitschke and Duponchel published their descriptions of conflua in 1827. I did not suggest that Boisduval knew nothing of Icelandic conflua, because I did not mention Boisduval’s name in connection with the question of the locality. i did not suggest that — 1892. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 57 Dr. Staudinger first found and wrote about conflua from Iceland, but I did say that Iceland examples of conflua found their way generally into collections after the Doctor’s return from the North of Europe in 1852.—RICHARD SouTH, 12, Abbey Gardens, London, N.W. Noctua coNFLUA.—Since former notes on this subject appeared, I have had the opportunity of examining the series above this name in the British Museum, and also Mr. Tutt’s series. I am sorry to say that not the slightest reliance can be placed on the Noctue in the Museum, which are in a state of hopeless confusion, and without the slightest value for reference, specimens of festiva figuring over other names in various parts of the collection. Above the name conflua I noticed one specimen labelled ‘‘ Polar Norwegen Borsekop, Std.,”’ which is dark, but not so dark as my own specimens from Unst, and which has broad and very truncate wings. There did not appear to be any Icelandic examples of the species. Mr. Tutt has 13 specimens which he considers to be conflua. “Two of them, in my opinion, do not agree with his own definition of the form; the others very fairly represent it, but after a very careful examination of his long series, the Museum series, and that of Mr. C. A. Briggs, I can only say that [ have seen nothing to alter my previously expressed opinion, that confilua is not distinct from festzva, and I would now go further and say | have seen no form of conflua (so called), that can be separated from festiva even as a variety.—JoHNn E. Rosson, Hartlepool. PHIGALIA PILOSARIA.—It is rather curious that P. pilosaria, has emerged earlier this year, notwithstanding the fact that last summer, autumn and winter have been very dreary quarters of the year, with but little sun. The following are the dates on wiich I have first seen the perfect insect during the last four years: 188g—February r1th; 18g0—February 13th; 1891— February 16th; 1892-—-February 8th. Ww. Brooks, Rotherham. Coleoptera.—Notes. DROMIUS QUADRINOTATUS IN IRELAND. —In Vol. I., ‘Coleoptera of the British Islands, Canon Fowler states that Dvomius quadrinotatus has never been recorded from ireland. In July last | found two specimens of these beetles (one living, one dead) under Beech bark, at Foxrock, Co. Dublin. They were confounded with small specimens of D.. quadvimaculatus in my collection, but they are plainly distinct.—H. GORE CuTHBeERT, Dublin.» [The Rey. W. Johnson, Armagh, has previously recorded this species as occurring in Ireland, having taken ‘‘a number on trees, some under, and others on the surface of the bark.”’ See ‘‘Gossiping Notes,” Briiish Naturalist, Vol. I., p. 3.—G.a.L. ] 58 THE: BRITISH, NAT URAEISS. [Marcu SILPHA ATRATA IN IRELAND.—In the November issue of the British Naturalist, Mr. Brown states that he never took an example of the type form of S. atrata in Dublin. On August 3rd last I took a fine specimen of the typical S.atrata near Glencullen, at the extreme south of the country.—H. Gore CurTrssert, Dublin. [Canon Fowler, (Coleoptera of the British Islands), says that the species is “apparently represented mostly in Ireland by the var. subrotundata.”—G.a.L. | NOTES FOR BEGINNERS.—MICRO LARV At FOR” THE, MONTE GEO. ELISHA, F.E.S. With March we commence another Entomological campaign, for the signs of approaching spring are becoming every day more evident, the drooping heads of the coltsfoot are now bursting into flower, the hazel catkins gradually fading, while those of the sallow are slowly unfolding, then soon their dteeactione will draw hosts of insect admirers; the hedges begin to assume a greenish tint, and the wild plants under them are now growing vigorously, and while strolling through the woods we observe the signs are still more visible, for the honeysuckle is now getting well into leaf and the curious flowers of the butcher’s broom, which appear as if in the centre of each leaf, are now to be seen where that plant occurs. At our feet. the wood anemone is putting forth its delicate white blossoms, while that harbinger of spring, the humble bee, occasionally reveals its presence by that old familiar humming noise which has so long been unheard. We must not forget while observing these and many other ever welcome precursors of the genial weather, that is surely, though perhaps slowly approaching, that we have another object in view, and that is to unravel, if possible, some of those mysteries of larval life and habits of the numerous species of Micro-lepidoptera that have hitherto eluded our most persistent efforts to discover them, but as a reward in this direction comes so seldom, we will give our attention to some of those species occurring at this time, ena may be useful to our friends, if not to our own collection. One of the first objects that attract our notice, while leisurely walking along any country jane this month, is the long blades of fresh looking grass cn the hedge banks; on examining some of these, we shall observe that they have broad mines running nearly the whole length of the leaf; on holding one of these up to the light, a pale yellowish larva will be seen busily eating the parenchyma be- tween the upper and lower cuticle, this is the larva of Elachista 1892. | IVINS, «BIRO IRE INANIE UL RONIE JES aGe 59 yuficinered. In some of the leaves of the coarse grass grow- ing up on the hedge itself, the dark green larva of E. megevlella will be found mining in a similar manner, as also a few others of the same genus in other grass leaves. The black horehound (Ballota nigra), now getting high, have their leaves quite disfigured at this time by brownish blotches caused by the larva of Coleophora lineola which are now feeding voraciously, and on the leaves of the bird’s- foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) the larva of C. discordella is making the usual blotches; the stitchwort (Stellavia holostea), which is now growing fast, have some of the topmost shoots already drawn together and distorted by the larva of Gelechia tnicolorella, towards the end of the month; and on the underside of the leaves, the sfender cases of the young larva of C. solitamella will now be seen again at work after their long hibernation. We will now take a stroll through some old wood to see what it will produce. Before entering we have to cross a boggy piece of ground in which some large roots of rushes are pretty plentiful. On examining the seed heads we soon find the whitish cases of C. cespititiella, mostly between the seeds at this time. On the edges of the main drive are some fine bushes of the common broom, if we examine them we shall! find some of the twigs are joined together by a slight web, on pulling them apart we shall see the brown larva of D. assimilella, it is best to cut off good sized pieces with the larve, keep them in a cage with plenty of ventilation, and out in the open air, or the broom will very soon go mouldy. We must also take a good supply of catkins from those fine white poplars yonder, for we may then breed some beautiful specimens of Graph. nisana and E. nana. The old dead stems of thistles scattere1 about it the open parts, we can see by the sawdust-looking substance exuding from the sides, contain the larva of E. pflugiana and possibly civciana. We will take a good supply, for the difference in the g and 9? of the former is best seen in the bred specimens. We will now examine the leaves of the sallows, and are soon busy filling a tin with the cases of Col. viminetelia, which are again beginning to feed, although the leaves are barely expanded, and at the same time fill a bag with the catkins, many of which are already on the ground, for we shall then obtain a nice series of Argyresthia pygmeeclla. \Ve will now give our attention to some of those young Fir trees scattered in the open parts, and are soon rewarded by the larva of FR. turionana; these larva feed inside the topmost shoots and those of the main branches, they are soon discovered by the resinous exudation their presence in the interior causes to accumulate on the outside of the shoot. Where are some fine old Lbirches here and there, among these young Fir trees that look very tempting, for they are loaded with 60 THE; BRIFISH NAEUBALISA: [Marcu catkins, we will examine some of these, and if we find traces of larve we must fill another bag, for we may breed from them specimens of P, bilunana and E. nana. On leaving these Birches and strolling on, we notice the Larch trees have the tips of the leaves of the lower branches very much bleached by the operations of the larva of C. laricella, the cases of which are whitish, but rather small at present and are found on the underside of the leaves, we will take some of these for they are not common everywhere. As we are leaving the wood we notice the Genista anglica growing rather plentifully near the furze bushes, is already bearing traces of the work of C. genisticollela, we will leave these for another month at least, when we shall find them much larger and have a better chance of rearing them, and in the lane we shall now and then find the larva of T. emyella in the leaves of brambles close under the hedges and on ballast heaps, or on railway banks where the coltsfoot 1s yrowing freely, we can now find the larva of P. trygonodactylus. These iarva when full grown spin together the downy substance of the seed head and change to the pupa state there. It is as well to get all we can of the above as soon as possible, although many are to be taken next month, but the number of species then occurring in the larva state give us plenty of occupation for any amount of leisure time we may then have at our disposal, and now having completed the round of the twelve months, and given some of my young friends a few directions as to collecting larvee of the Micro- lepidoptera for each as it arrives, I leave them for a time, hoping that some may become students of this interesting group, the interest of which increases, the more their life-histories and habits are investigated. Shepherdess Walk, City Road, London, N. NATURAEISTES OF ERE Da I1]._ SAMUEL, JAMES, CAPPER, Se shies se arace: The gentlemen whose portrait appears to-day was born in London on the 28th April, 1825. He appears to have had an “inborn love of Lepidoptera,” which was strengthened and developed by being sent to a boarding school, at Epping, where the brothers Doubleday, and especially Henry, did their best to encourage the schoolboys in their natural history pursuits. He remembers being present one Sunday at a Friends’ meeting, when a specimen of Catocala nupta dashed about the room for a time, then flew to one of the windows, when Henry NATURALISTS OF THE DAY. THE BRITISH NATURALIST. President of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. 1892. | EE BRITISH NATURALIST. 61 Doubleday quietly left his seat and captured the prize to the great amusement of the congregation. After leaving school, Mr. Capper, for a time, had no opportunity or leisure for following his favourite pursuit, but when he settled in Liverpool he became acquainted with the late Benjamin Cooke, who induced him to send for his cabinet and collections. He quickly made other entomological friends, and as soon as an opportunity afforded, resumed his collecting. From that time his interest in Entomology has never flagged. In the year 1874 he met with an accident when collecting at the top of Penmaenmaur, where he had re-discovered A. contiguavria. From this he has never entirely recovered, and has been since then too lame for active collecting. Unable to take the field, he determined to bring Entomology to him, and in 1877 the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society was commenced at his house, Huyton Park, on the 26th March. Mr. Capper was the first President, which post he has held for fifteen consecutive years, with honour to himself and promt pto) thle, Society. Since then his work has been much merged in that of the Society under which much useful work has been done. With the exception of Mr. Webb’s collection at’ Dover, Mr. Cappers, is;,ome ol the best out of Iondon. It is.wondertully complete, and includes a very large number of interesting and valuable varieties. He has also an extensive ‘‘Educational Collection,”’ comprising type specimens of all orders of insects, with representatives of them in their earlier stages also. Both collections are always open to Entomologists, either for study or to enable them to name their specimens. Mr. Capper has not written much, but his Annual Address to the members of the Society is always interesting, and generally contains most suggestive material in relation to the advance of Entomological Science. Pt EL PyrOrrOriNAY OF BRT PAIN: IB lo Wig. IRWIICIC, aa) ose (Continued from page 256, Vol. I.) Mavasmarcha pheodactyla—This single-brooded and sexually di- morphic species is locally common in the South of England, where its food plant Ononis grows. SuNonwuuy-—-eodaciyla, Elb. 14; ~Lr. IX., 2, 240; Zell. Isis,” eee “linn. nt. Zeit.,' Vi., 356; Dup. XJ.,313, 10, p. 657; ere aa 7 tl-S., \V., P- 375, Prey 410; ota. “Man.” V, p. 62 THE, BRITISH ‘NATURALIST. [Marcu 442; Tutt, “Ent. Record,” I., p. 92. Leucadactyla 9, Haw. “‘Lep. Brit? -p. 477. | Lanedacigla, 35. Haw. WepeBnit.,* p. 47732 Stpus: “TH.,” IV., 375; Wood 1640. In the ‘- Entomologist’s Record” &c., Vol. I., p. 92, with reference to the synonymy of this species, | wrote:—‘‘ Phzodactyla, Hb.=Tleuca- dactyla, Haw. 9, lunedactyla, Haw. g. Another sexually dimorphic species—phaodactyla—appears, like tetradactyla, to have had the sexes named as distinct species by Haworth. The female, from its pale colour, being called leucadactyla (the lemon plume); the male, from the characteristic lunar mark on the anterior wings, being called lunzodactyla (the cresent plume). Both these names sink as synonyms of Hiibner’s phezodactyla, Hibner figuring (14, 15) both sexes of this species under the latter name. Wocke, in his ‘Catalog,’ gives lunedactyla, Haw., 477, as synonymous with ph@odactyla, but not leucadactyla, the paler form.” Imaco— The male of this species has the wings of a dark cinnamon brown, the colour of the female being much paler and more ochreous. The anterior wings are divided into two lobes, with a pale lunar mark extending from the costa to the inner mark just before the fissure, the costa rather darker than the rest of the wing. The posterior wings are divided into three plumules, of almost the same colour as the fore wings but more shiny. The head, thorax, and abdomen the same colour as the wings, the abdominal segments being rather paler. The fore wings of the female shorter proportionally than those of the male. Stainton’s diagnosis is:—‘‘F.-w. 10-11”, ochreous-brown, with a pale ochreous curved fascia just before the fissure” (‘* Manual,” Il., p. 442). I made the following description of Hibner’s figures: — “Fig. 14, ¢. Anterior wings blunt at apex, reddish-grey in colour, but redder on the margin; an orange mark near the base on the inner margin; an angulated transverse line at end of fissure; a very faint line on upper lobe, near apex.” ‘Fig. 15, ?, a little paler and larger than the male, but markings the same” (‘‘Sammlung europ. Schmet.” figs. 14-15). The imago, larva, and pupa are figured (the former very unsatisfactorily) in the ‘“‘Entom.,”’ Vol. XVI., No. 239). Larva—This larva is excessively abundant on Ovwonis in the Dover | district in June, feeding on the leaves of that plant. It varies some- what in colour, from pale whitish to bright green, very rarely with a brown tinge. The tubercles are supplied with hairs. The larva is described at length by Mr. South as:—‘‘Lenegth 7 lines; moderately stout, tapering towards anal extremity. Head smaller than second segment, whitish, tinged with green; crown, sides, and spot on each cheek shining black; mandibles blackish-brown. Ground colour green, segmental divisions paler, dorsal line bluish-green. Tubercles, four dorsal rows (four on each segment) black, each with a moderately “ 1892. | PE BRIMISH NATURALIST. 63 long grey hair, and tuft of shorter bristles; the inner rows of warts are situate towards the anterior, and those forming the outer rows towards the posterior edges of segments; sub-dorsal, a black wart on each segment, with a moderately long grey hair, and tuft of short white bristles; spiracular, two small black contiguous warts on each segment, emitting whitish hairs. Pro-legs and claspers semi- transparent, dotted with grey. Food, rest-harrow (Ononis); feeds on the terminal leaves. June (‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XVI., pp. 75-76). Pupa—The pupa is usually attached to the food plant but some- times to other objects near. It varies somewhat in colour but is generally of some shade of green. It is also covered with hairs like the larva. It may be found in June and July. Time or AppEARANCE—The imago is abundant in many localities in the chalk in July and the early part of August, but it is perhaps on the wing a shorter time than almost any other British species, two or three weeks being the utmost limit. In 1888, the species was not out until the first week in August. I have known it out the second week in July, but the third and fourth weeks of the latter month are generally the best to obtain this species. Hasitat— The species seems somewhat restricted in England and does not appear off the chalk, so that it is more essentially confined to the South of England. I have taken it abundantly at Dover, Folkestone, Cuxton, Isle of Wight and Stainton records it from Alkham, Cambridge and Mickleham, Mrs. Hutchinson records it iMmomemeceminster,. “rarely,” whilst the “Kev. \O.* P.. Cambridge writes:——‘‘M. pheodactylus is found in one spot only, near Bloxworth, but is common there” (zm litt.) Staudinger and Wocke give as its range:—‘‘Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Italy, Greece, Eastern and Western Russia” (“ Catalog,” p. 343). Mimeseoptilus, Wallengren. In the structure of the imago this genus (as previously constituted) presented two very distinct types, of which phe@odactyla and ptevodactyla (fuscus) may be taken as the prevailing forms. Pheodac- tyla appears to me generically distinct from the rest of our British Mimeseoptili, and Dr. Jordan has before remarked the peculiarities of this genus, but Zeller was perfectly convinced that its true position was here, and I believe it was only in deference to Zeller’s opinion that the species was not long ago removed from its position in this genus. Next to Aciptilia this is the largest Palearctic genus, but, strange to say, the genus is scarcely known in America, only three species being mentioned by Dr. Jordan in the ‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,’ Vol. XVIII., p. 121. Neither of the American species 64 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Marcu appears to occur in Europe. In Britain, we have (excluding phao- dactyla) three species, but many other names occur in our lists which would appear to be synonymous with bipunctidactyla. In the Palearctic area, Dr. Staudinger gives 19 species, although some of these are only doubtfully distinct and some belong to Marasmarcha. Wallengren thus characterises this genus :—‘‘ Antenne of the male fringed with very short hairs. The frontal tuft raised into a blunt cone. Palpi longer than the head, compressed laterally, the middle joint thickened above with hairs, the last joint short, blunt, scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding. The posterior tibiz slender, not thickened. The first pair of spines in the posterior tibiz equal, the second pair slightly unequal. The anterior wings cleft to a third part of their length, the segments more slender, the upper one with a distinct posterior angle. The posterior lanceolate with the posterior angle not well-defined. The segments of the posterior wings slender, the middle segment dilated so as to be somewhat spoon-shaped, the © third or posterior division without any black scales in its short fringe. The anterior wings not perfectly flat, their anterior margin being very slightly deflexed, their inner margin without a tooth, and, when at rest, slightly deflexed, so as to embrace the posterior wings. The veins of the anterior wings ten in number; the 1st and 2nd separate from the base, the 3rd from the posterior margin of the cell, and the 4th and 5th together from the posterior angle of the cell, all running into the posterior segment; the 6th rises from the little transverse vein near the anterior angle of the cell, and the 7th, which is two- branched, rises from the angle itself, these run into the anterior segment; the 8th and oth arise from the anterior maroin of the cell; and run into the anterior margin of the wing; the 1oth arises from the base of the wing and runs along its anterior margin. The cell is distinct, closed, with a very slender, spurious, transverse veinlet, moderately curved, with the convexity turning towards the base of the wing. The veins of the inferior wings are four in number; the 1st two-branched ending in the first segment, the 2nd two-branched, ending as well as the simple 3rd vein in the second segment (this 3rd vein generally joins with the 2nd at the base), and the 4th vein simply ending in the third segment. No cell” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. VI., p. 123). Mr. Meyrick, for no apparent reason whatever, has sunk Wallengren’s name for this well-characterised genus, and brought to . si light an old generic name of Htibner’s which he has had to describe | | himself. Considering Wallengren’s excellent work, Mr. Meyrick | should have been satisfied with separating pheodactyla, for which he wisely constructed a new genus, without re-describing an already well y: ) § defined and natural genus. SY — 1a D pcre V we, - ADVERTISEMENTS. ae : =f EXCHANGE. : = a = e aA - - Lepidoptera marked * are bred. a 2 as NN: ited to exchange “The Naturalist,” from August, 1884, to December, 1891 é or r “The Midland Naturalist, se - Conchological Books, or Shells; We A GAIN, Tuxford, Newark" ae, -Desipprata.—a. prunaria, G. obscurata, E. heparata, L. flavicinclata, M. rubiginata, Mee hastata, tristata, S. undulata, C. russata, immanata..and very many common species. I will ~ endeavour to make a good return.—JoHn E. Ropson, Har tlepool. EXcCHANGE.— Duplicate clutches of Sooty and Noddy Terns, Manx Shearwater, Mute Swan, Golden-winged Woodpecker, American Robin, {its, B intings, and others. Wanted other sorts _ of sideblown eggs with data, ke.—F. W. PApuE, 62 Waterloo-street, Bolton. Cae _Excuance.—Wanted, British Coleoptera and. Lepidoptera, or books on Entomology, in. exchange for Periodicals —THos. W. WitsHaw, 455 Shoreham-street, Sheffield. : ee EXCHANGE. _—Duplicates :—Hesperia lineola in good condition. _ Desiderata: BSE | Bajularia, Saponaria, Lunaria, &e.—¥F. Minron, 184 Stamford Hill, London, N. | DuPLicatus -British Coleoptera, a few Hemiptera and a few land and marine a SESS i iDesiderata. Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and other orders and named ‘types of British and ive? _ shells. —A. Forp, Claremont House, Upper Tower Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. = ExcHanGE— Duplicates —Aglaia, Cardamines, Sylvanus, Alexis, Ulmata, Jacobea, a : _ Rubiginate, and. Chi, Desid. Numerous.— F. EMSEEY, 98, West Street, Leeds. : EXCHANGE, DvpLicatTss.—Alexis, Artaxerxes, Carpini,* Plantaginis,* Velleda, L. digpee : ~ Tlustraria,* Suffumata, Ribesiaria, Conigera, Nictitans, Tenebrosa, Tyitick Valligera, Lucernea, Festiva vars., Neglecta, Suspecta, Rufina, Adusta, Dentina, Solidaginis. — WiLttaM COMP brie: tana Street, Aberdeen, N.B. 5 _ ExcHANGE.— Wanted T ertiary fossils, named and located. Offer ed in return Mediterramican : . 2 AN, lepidoptera, &c.. state desiderata; offered also Foraminifera, mounted or unmounted.— ~ J. A. Cooke, Highland House, St Julian’s, Malta. : i enerate Pocnicetornis. Culiciformis, Porcellus, Statices, Buhrcoliic, Catalans. Lurid- _ ola, Sericea, Caniola, Pygmeola, Deplana, Aureola, Grigcola. Stramineola, Muscerda, Meso- ~~ aella, Miniata, I will endeavour to make a good return.—JoHn E. Roxson, Hartlepool. Australian Bird’s skins and eggs, and: other natural Ii ‘story specimens offered in exchange Wr Cretaceous fossils or skins and eggs of British birds. —J. HLAMMERTON, JUNR., c/o o lammerton and Son, Geelong, Victoria. ae | EXCHANGE. —Colquhounana,* Musciformis,* Carmelita, ee Desiderata.— wee aS Biersas —H Murray, Lowb nk Villas, Carnforth. a Exc HANGE—W anted good Botanical Sections. Will -give a packet, of which 1 faves Six ¢ = lifferent, of Micro- material from New Zealand for each slide.—W. A. GAIN, luxford, Newark. = — GHANGE OF ADDRESS. ae ITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICA\L AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY from 2 _ ALBION HALL, LONDON WALL to 33, FINSBURY SQUARE, E.C. oP. BLACKBURNE- “MAZE from Boundes oes eee Wells, to Shaw House, Newberry Lepidoptera Britannica,” p. 476). Stainton’s diagnosis of bipunctydactyla 1s:—‘‘10” F.-w. greyish-brown, paler towards the inner margin, with a black spot 62 THE (BRITISH NATURALIST [APRIL before the fissure; costal fringes of the anterior lobe entirely dark.” Of var. plagiodactyla, he writes: —‘‘g’” F.-w. greyish-brown, the inner margin paler; the costa beyond the middle clouded with dark brown; before the fissure is a blackish blotch and in the anterior lobe isa short black streak.” (‘‘ Manual,” II., p. 442). Mr. Gregson writes of the imago (under the name of plagiodactylus, which he afterwards altered to scabiodactylus:—‘‘ Head and face fuscous; fore wings irrorated with dark scales on the anterior portion; inner margin ochreous, irrorated; a small dark spot on the third part of the wing; then a large wedge-shaped one at the head of the cleft, and a dark streak in the first lobe, the first cleft-edged with a whitish streak; under wings, together with their cilia, brownish; thorax dark; first segment of abdomen triangular, ochreous, edged with white; upper surface of the legs dark, spurs and feet hight. [Iam not aware that this insect or its larva have ever been previously described; the specimens from which the above descriptions were made were found in the larva state at Llanferris, when I was there in April last, in company with Mr. Greening; the bred specimens were of average darkness, but bred specimens vary much in colour.” (‘* Entom.,”’ Voll h..jp..rs6): VaRIATION—The difficulty of the synonomy of this species is to a great extent connected with the variation in this species. There is a fair amount of variation in the size of the specimens, and still greater variation in their colour. The prevalent colour is grey, but the inner marginal area is frequently tinged with brown, and sometimes the whole wing is similarly coloured, the insect frequently being rather brown than grey. This was especially marked in some specimens I saw in Mr. Sydney Webb’s collection. The local forms which thus vary have been differently named, and Mr. C. G. Barrett points out that the British specimens of avidus, plagiodactylus, Sta. and scabiodactylus, Gregson are only local forms of this species. He writes :—‘‘I have been investigating plagiodactylus from time to time for a dozen years, and am not fully satisfied yet. The distinctive characters, as given by Mr. Stainton, are,—the dark clouding on the costa, and the short black streak on the anterior lobe of the fore- wing. The insect is common in chalky places among Scabiosa columbaria, sometimes swarming about disused chalk pits,—from nine to ten lines in expanse of wings, usually with the markings more or less distinct, and sometimes very pronounced, but also frequently varying in the direction of faintness of those typical markings, until, in some specimens, they entirely disappear. On the other hand, we find scattered all over the country, almost wherever Scabiosa succisa grows, the ordinary M. bipunctidactylus, varying from eight to ten lines, the smallest generally occurring in the drier localities, where the scabious 1892. | TISUE IBRIMEISISE IQUNIN ONS IS Ie 63 is stunted. These are usually without the clouded costa and black streak on the anterior lobe, but in some specimens both characters appear indistinctly, and, in some few, they are to be seen pretty distinctly; in fact, the two forms distinctly overlap. | I remember, that at Ranworth Fen, a patch of very luxuriant Scabiosa succisa produced specimens that leaned altogether to the plagiodactylus form ; while at Brandon, among Scabiosa columbaria and arvensis, the two forms were so mingled that no one could separate them. Now, in all these forms, the black spot before the fissure is constantly present. It does not seem in the least degree to share in the inconstancy of the other dark margins, and the white border of the fissure is also usually visible, From the Lake District comes a form in which these reliable characters are much as usual, but the variable characters—the clouding and black streak - are so much exaygerated that the insect has beer described as a distinct species. It has, however, been reared from precisely the same larve to those of plagiodactylus, feeding in a precisely similar way. I have many times spent hours, with good magnifiers, over long series of these various forms, and have not been able to find any reliable point of distinction between them, and the only logical conclusion I can come to, is, that they constitute but one species —bipunctidactyla, of Haworth. As already stated, I believe the few British specimens that have been reared under the name of avidus, Z., to be pale ochreous varieties of this species. 1 will not venture an opinion upon Zeller’s aridus, of which | have but a single type, and which is recorded from Southern Europe, Northern and Western Russia, Armenia and Palestine.” (‘‘ Ent. Mo. Mag.,” Vol. POV, p. 179): Some three years after Mr. Barrett had come to this satisfactory conclusion (April, 1885), Mr. South writes :—‘‘I am inclined to think that Mimeseoptilus bipunctidactyla and plagiodactylus are only forms of one species. I have a long series of both varieties from various parts of England. Looking at the series of both as a whole, variation as regards intensity of wing-marking and size of individuals is exhibited; but the range of variation, as regards markings and colour, is not so ti Ole teh OF DORSETSHIRE. BY Cy Wa DYNLIS iad Se (Continued from Vol. I., p. 84). SuB-ORDER—APHANIPTERA. FAMILY—PULICID&. 17. Ceratophyllus assimilis, Tach. On shrew mice and voles. Introduced as a British species under the name of Typhlopsylla assimilis = 64 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL in ‘*Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XXVII., p. 170. : NEMOCERA. FAMILY—MYCETOPHID&. Since my former article on this family was published I have discovered that sp. 16, G. ornata, figured in ‘‘ Stephen’s Illustrations,” is identical with sp. 4, M. lutescens, Zett. Of Leptomorphus Walken I took another example on September 1st, 1891. Sp.15,G. Winthemsu, Lehm., was taken at Glanvilles Wootton by my father, in October, 1829, and by myself on May a2gth, 1880. 1 can add the following species to the list :— 6a. Dynastoma fuscicornis, Meig. Common in windows and amongst ivy, ferns, and other plants, thatch, &c. 29a. Platyura laticornis, Meig. A single specimen was taken by my father at Glanvilles Wootton, in June, 1858. 30a. P. discolovaria, Meig. Taken by myself at Glanvilles Wootton, in June, 1891. FAMILY—CECIDOMYIDZ. Of this family my knowledge is very small, and I can therefore give but a very imperfect, list... .The species’ are very numerous; inhabiting many different plants, some depositing their eggs in the sprigs, others in the leaves, others in the flowers, causing thereby either the production of galls, similar to those produced by the Cynifide, in the distortion of the flowers. One of the species produces those well-known galls on the willows, which Swammerdam described under the name of the Rose-willow. Others are extremely injurious to the wheat crops, both in England, Europe, and North America. One species, C. tritici, Kirby, deposits its eggs in the centre of the corolla, where the larve, when hatched, perhaps by eating the pollen, prevent the impregnation of the plant. It is, however, subject to the attacks of a parasite—Platygastey tipule, Kirby. Another species, still more destructive, is known under the name of the Hessian fly— C. destructive, Say., and has spread terror amongst the farmers of the eastern counties of England as well asin America. For particulars consult the Agricultural Report of Miss Ormerod. ‘The following are the Dorsetshire species: — 53. Catocha latipes, Hal. Generally distributed. 54. Campylomyza atra, Meig. Generally distributed. 55« C.vacewms, Mielec scarce.) Glanvalles Wooton 56. \C. bicolor, Wied. “Scarce. Gilanvalles Wootton: 57. Lestvemia leucophara, Meig. Frequents fir trees in the winter time. 58. Lastoptera fuliginosa, Steph. Generally distributed. 1892. ] DHE BRITISH NATURALIST. 65 59. L. picta, Meig. Scarce. Taken by my-father near Bourne- mouth, on June r8th, 1840. 60. Cectdomyia salicina, De Geer. Common. Forms the well- known galls on the willows. 61. Diplosis variegata, Macq.—fpictipennis, Meig. Is figured by Van der Wulp in his ‘‘ Diptera Neerlandica.” Rare. Taken by my father at Glanvilles Wootton on February 1oth, 1832, May 2gth, 1833, and also at Blandford. G2) woemma, Cuet.. Generally distributed. 63. WD. tritici, Kirby. Wheat Midge. Generally distributed. 64. D. flava, Meig. Generally distributed. 65. D.pini, De Geer. Rare. Taken at Glanvilles Wootton by my father on July 21st, 1866, and August 22nd, 1873. 66. Horvmonyia cucullata, Meig. Generally distributed. FAMILY—PSYCHODID&. This is a curious little family of broad-winged flies, covered with down, and somewhat resembling little moths. The larve of P. phalaenoides and sexpunctata inhabit dry cow dung; they are long, subfusiform, and depressed, with a slender, straight, cylindrical tail. 67. Pyschoda phalaenodes, Linn. Common everywhere. 68. LP. sexpunctata, Cuet. Generally distributed. 69. P. humeralis, Meig. Generally distributed. 70. P. bullata, Hal. Generally distributed. 71. Pencoma ocellavis, Meig. Generally distributed. 72. P.tvifasciata, Meig. Generally distributed. 73. P. canescens, Meig. Generally distributed. 74. P. palustris, Meig. Generally distributed. 75. L£.nubila, Meig. Generally distributed. 76. PP. fusca, Macy. Generally distributed. 77. Ulomgia hivta, Linn. Generally distributed. (To be continued). CoLLecTING AT Luss, Locu Lomonp, SEPTEMBER, 1891.— When an Entomologist visits a new district, it is with feelings of eagerness and inquisitiveness to know what particular insects are to be obtained in the locality. He may be fortunate enough in obtaining many rare and local species which he had not harboured in his anticipations; he may also be doomed to disappointment; but what I have to express in the matter is, that I did not feel at all elated at my success last September, when | visited Luss for the first time. The lateness of the season, and the showery and boisterous weather, may account for the lack in number of the insects. 66 THE BRITISH. NATURALIST: (APRIL The village of Luss stands on a headland that projects into the lake, it 1s well situated and romantically beautiful, and many exquisite views of the loch and its numerous islands can be obtained in the vicinity. When my brother and I arrived there, on the 11th of September, the weather seemed settled and promising well, but two or three days later it unfortunately altered, and remained in a showery and changeable condition during our stay of a fortnight’s duration. The butterflies on the wing were few in number. A solitary specimen of Pieris rape was one day observed meandering across a field. Several Vanessa urtice were also noticed, and a single type of Polyommatus phi@as was captured in acorn field. Ovgyita antiqua was sometimes seen when the sun mysteriously condescended to appear. Nonagria fulua was very common in two or three places. Plusia gamma could be taken during the day, and again in the evening as it hovered over the flowers in the gardens. Ovthosia macilenta was perhaps the most abundant, though if we had not accidentally alighted on it very few would have been taken. We discovered it on the day of our arrival sitting on the grass at the foot of a wall, where it was very difficult to distinguish it from the numerous yellow and brown leaves which had fallen from the trees; this is certainly one of the clearest, yet most cunningly disguised examples of natural selection which has come under my observation. A few Anchocelis vufina and A. pistacina were also procured in the same manner. Single specimens of Hadena protea and Agriopis aprilina were taken from the tree trunks. Polia chi occurred on the stone walis and a single Celena haworthia was taken while resting on a flower. The Noctuze in the evening, though few in number, were fairly representative in species; several Noctua glaveosa, Hydrecia nictitans, AH. micacea, Triphena orbona, T. pronuba, Xanthia cerago, X. silago, and Miselia oxyacanthe were caught. Of the Geometrz, Czdavia immanata, C. vussata, C. testata, Ypsipetes elutata, Theva variata, Melanippe fluctuata, and Larentia didymata were common, and a single Chesias spartwata was captured. The Micros were well represented ; Tevas caudana, T. contaminana, Pedisea solandrinana, P. sordidana, Grapholitha mgvomaculana, Tortrix aylosteana, Peronea tristana, and P. sponsana were common. Depressaria avenella, and LD. applana were taken at the ragwort, and single specimens of Harpipteryx xylostella, Gracilana elongella and Amblyptilta acanthodactylus were captured. The Saturday preparatory to my coming home was very stormy, in fact, the wind had almost risen to a gale, but we soon found out that such a day has some advantages to the Entomologist, and which I think is worthy of being mentioned. When walking up the glen on Sunday forenoon we discovered that a great number of larva had 1892. ] ie BRATISH | NATURALIST. 67 been shaken from the trees and were travelling along the road and up the tree trunks to regain their natural station. We obtained in this manner, about a dozen Notodonta camelina, two N. dvomedarius, one Odontopera bidentata, and many others which | am unable to name.— R. ApreE Date isu, Pollokshields, Glasgow. fa BETEROCERA OF .THE- ISLE: OF: MAN. BY HENRY SHORTRIDGE CLARKE, F.E.S., ADVOCATE. (Continued from page 27.) Triphzena janthina.—Took 2 at Bride Rectory some years ago. Triphzena fimbria.—Larve freely in old lanes in April. Triphzna interjecta.--Occurs near Ramsey; Mr. Jager took it there in 1890. Larve in damp lanes in April. Tripheena orbona.—Very common and widely distributed. Tripheena pronuba.—Very common and widely distributed. Noctua glareosa.—Occurs at Ramsey. Larve all along the coast in April, imago at hght in August. Noctua augur.—Has been taken freely at Onchan by Mr. Gregson. Noctua plecta.—Common and widely distributed. Noctua c-nigrum.—Have taken several at sugar in Lezayre. Abundant in old gardens on Gooseberry bushes, when the bushes are covered with honeydew. Noctua triangulum.—Local and rare. Mr. Gregson records its capture at Onchan. It occurs also in old lanes. Noctua festiva.—Occurs at Lezayre, took several there in 18go. Noctua v. conflua.—This variety of the foregoing insect has been taken at Onchan. Noctua umbrosa.—Plentiful on the ragwort flowers growing on the coast in August. Noctua baja.—Abundant in July at sugar in old lanes. Noctua xanthographa.—Common and widely distributed. Tzeniocampa gothica.—dccurs at Onchan and the Nunnery, &c. Tzniocampa instabilis.—Thirty specimens were bred by Mr. Gregson from larve collected in Onchan Nursery grounds. Orthosia lota.—Occurs at North of Island, but is not a common insect. Larvee in twisted leaves of sallow in May and June. Anchocelis lunosa.—Widely distributed. Occurs some seasons, _near Ramsey, plentifully. Anchocelia pistacina.—Plentifully at light in September. Vars. serina and canaria have also been taken.—C.S.G. Anchocelis litura.—Plantations near Port Soderick. 68 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL Scopelosoma satellitia.—Local. Larve have been found at Port - Soderick. Xanthia cerago.—Plentiful at Lezayre. v. flavescens.—Mr. Gregson records the capture of this variety, and he has bred the perfect insect from larve, from sallows, near the Quarter Bridge. Xanthia silago.—Occurs at Lezayre and Bride. Xanthia ferruginea.— Widely distributed. Cirrheedia xerampelina.—Local. Occurs at the Nunnery, Pulrose, and Ramsey. Took several, in company with Mr. Jager at the _ Nunnery, in August. v. unicolor.—Mr. Gregson records this variety. Tethea retusa.— Local and rare. Mr. Gregson records its capture. He has bred the insect from larve taken by him near the Quarter Bridge, and says the larve tie about 3 of the terminal leaves into a triangular home and reside inside. Dianthecia carpophaga v. capsophila.—Local. Occurs at Onchan, Growdle, and near Castletown. —— plentiful in the pods of Silene maritima. Dianthecia capsincola.—Onchan and Growdle, eee the red or white Campion grows, larva in the seed pods. Dianthecia czesia.—Local. Occurs some years more plentifully than others. Onchan and cliffs beyond Douglas Head Lighthouse. Some lovely specimens were taken by me in June, 1890. Is strictly a coast insect, first discovered by me in June, 18go. Diantheecia cucubalii—Mr. Gregson states that the larve are plentiful when young in the seed heads of Lychuis dioica and Silene, afterward, they leave the heads and may then be found amongst the undergrowth in July. Dianthecia conspersa.—Mr. Gregson states the above remarks apply to both these species. Hecatera serena.—Local and rare. Occurs occasionally near Onchan. | | Polia chi.—Local. Mr. Gregson records its capture; he has taken the larve on the Cliffs. Polia nigrocincta and xanthomista.—Local.- Occur at Onchan. See ‘“‘Newman,” p. 395. Messrs. C. E. and J. H. Stott took several larva in June, 1890. Dasypolia templi.—Local. The late Edwin Birchall records its capture. Mr. Gregson has bred freely from larve and pupe taken from roots of Sphoudylium near Ballyselia, July, August. Epunda lutulenta.—Larva on grassy banks near the sea. Epunda nigra.—Appears widely distributed. Onchan. Ramsey, Lezayre, and elsewhere. 1892. | eee helt Sipe Oke Aen Say, 69 Epunda viminalis.—Local. The late Mr. Birchall records its capture. EH punda lichenea.—Larva plentiful, in April, on Douglas Head. Phlogophora meticulosa.—Very common and widely distributed. Occurred in great numbers near Douglas during September, 1890. BKuplexia lucipara.—Common and widely distributed. Hadena adusta.—Comunuion. Hadena glauca.—Local. Occurs occasionally near Onchan. Prefers moor lands. Hadena dentina.— Appears plentifully some years at Onchan. Hadena oleracea.—Common and widely distributed throughout the island. | Hadena pisi.—Appears widely distributed on waste places. v. splendens.—Occurs freely. Rich reddish-purple and yellow. Hadena thalassina.--Occurs at Onchan. Common. Beautiful varieties at sugar. | Xylocampa lithoriza.—Occurs at Lezayre, &c., &c. Cucullia chamomillze.—Occurs at Onchan, &c., &c. Cucullia umbratica.—Widely distributed. Bride, Onchan, and elsewhere. Anarta myrtilli.—Mr. Gregson records its capture on heather. Micra parva.—Local. Mr. Gregson records the capture of one specimen taken by him near Onchan. Habrostola urticze.—Occasionally at Onchan. Habrostola triplasia.-—Occasionally at Onchan. Larva freely on | MSCCISS aa | euaree | Plusia chrysitis.—Common and widely distributed. Bride, Andreas, Ramsey, Onchan, and elsewhere. Plusia iota.—Tromonde, and Onchan Nursery Gardens. Plusia v-aureum.—Some years plentiful near Tromonde, also at Andreas and Lezayre. Plusia gamma.—Common and widely distributed. Gonoptera libatrix.—Port Soderick. Often taken in outhouses in Douglas and Onchan. I took one on sugar at Glenduff, IeZayre, im jane, 1891. Amphipyra tragopogonis.—Common. Occurs plentifully in the Nunnery Grounds at sugar, in Autumn. Mania typica.—Common and widely distributed... Occurred in great numbers near Douglas, in 1889. Mania maura.—Common and widely distributed at the Nunnery Grounds and Lezayre. This insect comes freely to sugar. Stilbia anomala.—Larve in April abundant on grassy banks on the Bete lerfect insect on the wing, on the coast.—c.s.c. Occurs at Ramsey. Mr. Jager took it there in 1890. TO. IS Beis ESie oN Agi Big iees ae [APRIL Euclidia mi.—Plentiful on low coast lands. Occasionally at Onchan. Euclidia glyphica.—Plentiful on Bank’s Howe. Mollusca. Nores on Varieties. The observations on variation recorded by Mr. Gain, on p. 35 are of the greatest interest. I do not agree with all his opinions on this subject, but the careful breeding of the several varieties is just the thing we want, and will go further towards solving difficult problems than any amount of discussion based on cabinet specimens. If it can be proved that the different variations of Helix nemoralis and hortensis, though living in the same hedge, rarely mate and produce fertile offspring; and that individuals of the same - variation give rise to others like themselves, it is a matter of the highest importance from an evolutionist’s point of view. Of course, much has been written on this particular question, notably by Messrs. Gulick and Romanes, and I need not here go into the details of what is known as ‘‘ Physiological Selection,’ but I think the warmest advocates of that theory would be the first to admit the desirability of fresh and numerous experiments, such as those of Mr. Gain, to test the point. Early in 1890 I received a circular from Prof. Romanes, urging botanists to make observations testing this theory, and as it explains what is wanted briefly and lucidly, and applies equally well to animals, 1 will quote portions of it:—‘‘ Several years ago I published ‘“An Additional Suggestion on the Origin of Species,” which, briefly stated, consists in the hypothesis that in many cases, species owe their origin to a sexual variation, such that while tertility continues unimpaired within the limits of the physiologically affected group, some degree of infertility supervenes between members of this group and the unattected portiom) of the; Species. 1 me maemeee Ll Srienms eccurrence of some degree of sterility between allied species, which is so frequently observable, may be explained by the supposition that the sexual change was the prior change. o | ey oe lnsordendias test this theory, constant varieties of plants growing on common areas (or areas not geographically separated) ought to be tested as to the comparative fertility of Ax A, Bx B, Ax B, BxA, where A is one variety and B the other. 1 believe you would find that in most cases where there is a marked difference of fertility even as between such first crosses,—A x A and Bx B being more fertile than A x B or | Bx A, while in many cases I believe you would find A x B and Bx A absolutely sterile. But if there should be no difference observable in the case of first crosses, the experiment ought to be 1892. ] Ete Dina Siie NATURALS Fix continued with the progeny of each, in order to ascertain whether the hybrids [7.¢., mongrels] are as fertile as the pure-bred varieties. . In his elaborate works upon this subject, M. Jordan describes and fig- ures an immense number of constant varieties within the limits of this, that, and the other species—varieties which differ from one another in such minute points of morphological character that they can only be detected by careful observarion, yet, when detected, the varieties are found by experiment to be mutually sterile. ‘‘ Now, in this country, no one, excepting myself, appears to have taken up this very interesting line of research ie inetestimemacaiseypoint sim Helix nemoralis, it would be desirable to ascertain whether the difficulty of mating between different varieties is due to a physiological barrier, as above indicated; or to a psychical tendency, resulting in the Fssociatom of “like to like.” In either case the result would be the same, but there is a radical difference between the two things. I do not quite understand from Mr. Gain’s notes, whether he failed to get diverse varieties to unite, or whether the union between them failed to produce young. In the latter case the barrier would be certainly physiological; in the former it might be either, or both. Scattered observations on the breeding of Helices are fairly numerous, and I need not attempt to enumerate them; but these points can only be decided satisfactorily by prolonged and careful experiments with numerous individuals. Helix hortensis has long been known to occur on islands off the New England coast, where the specimens in each locality are (unless with rare exceptions) alike in colour and banding. Dr. Amcs Binney, in the second volume of ‘The Terrestrial Auwr- Breathing Mollusks of the United States,’ p. 114, remarks ‘‘ When I first visited Salt Island, where this species abounds, ten years ago, it was impossible to find a single specimen with either lines or bands. One uniform colour prevailed throughout. At the present time, the banded varieties are said not to be uncommon.” ‘Tothis, Gould adds, «They have recently been discovered by Dr. Samuel Cabot, in great numbers, on House Island, another of the little islets in the vicinity of Cape Ann, where all of them are of the banded variety. On the outer Gooseberry, another neighbouring islet, he found still another variety.”—This was published in 1851. Recently, Mr. J. H. Thomson sent the present writer a box-full of 4. hovtensis from the Island of Martha’s Vineyard, U.S.A., and these were all plain bandless yellow. The explanation of these interesting cases is, I take it, that only one variety was originally introduced in each island, and this has kept pure by isolation. The fact that colonies on the mainland are not so uniform in colour is well-known; thus, I received six varieties from one locality in Massachusetts. Helix nemoralis, on being introduced into Virginia, has shown the most extraordinary amount of variation, Wa THE BRITISH NATURALIS®: — [Aprit producing mutations not noticed in Europe. This may be set down to the disturbing influence of new environment, but it remains to be seen whether after many years the variation will be kept up, or a new race will be formed, or whether, as is perhaps most likely, the species will tend to revert to the normal. This suggests experiments as to the inheritance of acquired characters, which may well be undertaken with snails. In the case of Paludina, recorded by Mr. Gain, it appears that the large size, which may have been due to favourable environment, was not inherited.—T. D. A. CocKERELL, F.Z.S., F.E.S., Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, February 21st, 1892. THe Genus Rissoa.—fRvussoa 1s one of the smallest genera as regards size, and one of the largest, if we reckon the number of species, that inhabit British waters. The former consideration makes these pretty lttle mites a real stumbling block to the Conchologist at starting, and he is apt to give them up as a bad job when he finds that we boast of 25 species. It is, however, quite possible to quickly acquire a certain facility in ‘“‘ spotting’ several species, and by the process of elimination one gradually is able to work out almost all the commoner fzssoas, temporarily disregarding at least hali-a-dozen, whose rarity takes them out of the ken of the ordinary collector. The variations in the species themselves are not numerous, being chiefly confined to the protean ft. parva, one of the commonest of small shells, which is frequently referred to me for determination under various queried names and with every variation of sculpture, from the smooth shell (var. tnterrupta, Adams) to those with the strongest ribs; the colour too of R. parva is variable, and a dark chocolate shell occasionally occurs which Canon Norman calls var. mgva. Created by *Fréminville in 1813, and named after the- old Nice Naturalist. Risso, the origin of the genus can be traced back at least into Eocene times in the Paris Basin, and many recent species actually occur also in the Pliocene and Pleistocene of Italy, Sicily, England, Rhodes, etc. The range of the genus is universal, though principally in temperate waters, amid the habitat extends from between tidemarks to great pon ey g. R. abyssicola, Fbs. came up, off Malta, from 350 fathoms, this being, as its name implies, a deep-water species, and no doubt the ‘“‘Chalienger” Reports furnish much greater depths even than this. It is, however, a littoral genus in the majority of cases, and Dr. Jeffreys divides our list into 15 littoral and 10 coralline and deep- water species. Woodward gives the total number of species in the genus as about 70, but Dr. Kobe!t catalogues 110 European species only in his ‘‘ Pzodromus ” 1888, and Canon Norman in the same year published a carefully revised catalogue of his shells, listing no less * Journal des Mines, 1813. Bull. dela Soc. Philomatique de Paris, 1834 (Desmarest). 1892. | PAE BRITISH INATURALIST. 73 than 100 palearctic Mzssoas in his own collection. Woodward says that there are about too fossil species. No doubt careful collecting will add enormously to the total,—-last year, e.g., *St. Helena contributed a substantial item of new species, I forget exactly how many, but over a dozen, and Australian waters are not unprolific according to Mr. Petterd.| As elsewhere, the ‘‘splitters”’ have been busy, and not altogether unsuccessfully so, in this genus of dwarfs. As we are concerned with British Rzssoas-only, we will take singly the divisions or sub-genera which have British representatives, 1n no particular order, but according to Canon Norman’s classification of the species, though, by the bye, he gives all these sections generic rank. It should be premised that our small friends were originally classed by Gray with the periwinkle family, but are now justly elevated to the rank of a separate one called Rissoide. SUB-GENUS OnoBa, Adams.— This contains 3 species of which two, R. vitvea, Mont. and Ff. proxima, Alder are rare deep-water species and may be passed over, but the third, named R. siviata, Adams, is of commonest occurrence both alive and dead; for live specimens search the roots of small seaweeds, especially the Covallina officinalis, above low-water mark. A taste of mud always seems to suit it, and frequently the undersides of stones. resting rather firmly on a muddy sand will produce a good harvest. For distinguishing marks we have a good guide, both in colour and form; the former is usually quite a dull white, with two broad indistinct red bands.on the last whorl only. These always end before reaching the edge of the mouth. Dead shells from shell sand wili show these bands up more sharply. The shell is 3 or 4 millimetres long (about + inch) and cylindrical, with a blunt spire—there is very little diiference ail the way up. Some curious ribs, fairly obvious, run from the suture (or joining of the whorls) down- wards, halfway across each whorl. Note then the habitat first of all, and examine your weed-washings for a small oblong white shell, blunt and hardly tapering, perhaps recalling in miniature some of the proportions of Cochlicopa lubrica. Curiously twisted fellows are not uncommon especially in dredgings, and have been dubbed moustr. distortum. ‘Vhere is the usual variation of a smooth (2.z., ribless) form, mostly of northern occurrence, called var. arctica, Lovén, probably identical with the North American fF. aculeus, Gld. Just a word on the best way of working the small seaweeds in quest of minute shells. It is hopeless to do so at all thoroughly on the spot, and they should be carefully scraped off close, with the sand or mud adhering to their roots, and transferred to tins or bags - the growths in small rock-pools Meat low water are. most prolific. Carefully pulled to pieces and * Proc. Zool. Soe., April, 1891. (Oe oun@oncht, LV.) pansy. 74 . THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL washed in fresh watev, the shells, etc., will fall to the bottom, and this sediment can be dried, separated, and thinly sprinkled on a black tray for examination. Species sure to occur are the red bivalve Lasaa, the flat minute brown Séenea, just like a minute Planorbis, and the fry of many species which become familiar by degrees.—B. Tom in, Llandaff. (To be continued ). Notes ON VARIETIES.—Recently I have looked through quite a large number of volumes of Natural History Journals, looking up stray facts for future reference. Among other things I find several papers and notes bearing on the above subject. First, an article, written in 1885 by Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, from which I extract the following : ‘‘ Varieties are often local, abundant at one place, and not to be seen in the surrounding country; and, strangely enough, this localness seems also to a certain extent peculiar to what are generally called mere monstrosities. | mean the sinistral, scalariform, and decollated forms. Miss Hele, in ‘‘ Science Gossip,” records the occurrence of three sinistral Helix aspersa, and two H. hortensis, all in the same lane, and I cannot think that this was purely accidental; there must have been some reason for these shells becoming reversed, and what that reason may be, | cannot imagine. On Chislehurst common I took a specimen of the monst. scalaviforme of Limne@a stagnalis, having the whorls almost disunited, and the suture between the fourth and body whorls forming an acute angle. This specimen was found in a very small pond, where the typical form of L. stagnalis does not occur, but the pond is crowded with a variety which is smailer than the type, and has a deeper suture. [In the same pond my brother took another scalariform L. stagnalis, and he also found a third specimen in a pond not far off.” This seems to strengthen the conclusion to which my own observations and experiments have conducted me, that varieties, as a rule, breed true, and the same may be said, to a less extent, of monstrosities, they are, at least, apt to recur. As bearing on this point I relate the following circumstances :—Several years ago I was acquainted with a female cat which had a supplementary toe on each fore-paw; although there was, to the best of my belief, no other cat in the neighbourhood having a similar peculiarity, all the kittens of this cat, and | remember three litters, had more than the ordinary number of toes. The supplementary digits usually occurred on the fore-paws, but in one instance three had this peculiarity, and in another all four. It is reasonable to suppose that by selective breeding a race of such cats might have been produced. With the recollection of these facts before me I see no difficulty in accounting for a number of reversed shells of any one species being found in a locality. Mr. Swanton, of Ballyshannon, writes in 1889, relating the finding of about two dozen reversed examples of H. nemoralis annually 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. rE by the poor of that district. The original ancestor of these reversed shells was probably produced in a manner analogous to that of the variations in the vegetable kingdom, which gardeners term ‘‘ sports,” these occur more frequently among highly cultivated species than among wild plants, monstrosities are also more commonly observed in domesticated animals than in the wild. In fact, those circum- stances which are highly favourable to the individual seem also to favour abnormal growth. ‘This may serve in some degree to explain BilemoOccUbrence Ol Teversed /examples of two species in the same neighbourhood. When one such Helix has been produced, and bred, I should expect to find among the decendants others of a similar character. If conchologists who are so fortunate as to find reversed and scalariform examples would note such facts as luxuriance of food plants, humidity, sheltered position, &c., some light might be thrown on the circumstances favouring the production of these forms. Mr. Cockerell also mentions certain examples of H. aspersa, H. nemoralis, and A. hortensis, all collected on the same bank, and having peculiarities in common; a straw-yellow tinge of the ground-colour with red-brown bandings or markings. No description of the locality is given further than that they were sent from Torquay. in another place, speaking of banding, he says ‘“‘] am somewhat inclined to suppose that dryness tends to produce forms with the bands much split up and yet distinct. I find this tendency in American examples of 1. hortensis, and it occurs in excess in A. pisana which always frequents hot and dry localities.’ Mr. Tomlin, in 1888, recorded the occurrence of a single example of AH. caperata having translucent ponds in company with A. vwgata of like banding. © These observations tend to show that there are certain local circumstances which tend to produce variation in certain directions, and, I think, a careful record of the conditions under which abnormal forms and rare varieties have been found would throw much light on the causes of these variations. With regard to the descendants of Albinos, Mr. J. W. Willams, writing in 1886, says ‘‘In cases of albino (Helix grisea, Linn.), Dr. Martinati observed that their produce were normal.” It would be interesting to know the extent of his experiments with these mollusks, as his results are very different to those arrived at by my correspondent, Dr. Haeusler (I find [ misspelt his name in a former paper), with Pufa dolium, and to my own observations with regard to H. hispida. On leaving England, Dr. Haeusler sent me his remaining living examples of ?. doliwm, and albinos certainly predominated among them, the others being of a lighter colour than the type.—W. A. Gain. 76 | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL General Notes. A DiscLtaimMerR.— We venture to trouble you with a few observations respecting Mr. R. South’s remarks in the January and March parts of The Bntish Naturalist, which appear to place an erroneous con- struction on ‘‘the action of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society in the matter of my [Mr. South’s] commu- nication with reference to the Lupevina testacea, var. nickerlii, question.” It is quite true that Mr. South sent us a letter on the subject, but this is not the whole story. The said letter in due course was laid before the Council of the Society. As Mr. South was not a member, the Secretaries (Messrs. Lewcock and Battley) were instructed to offer that gentleman an evening to discuss the subject at the Society’s rooms. The invitation was also to include any friends Mr. South might wish to accompany him. ‘These instructions were duly carried out, and the selected date was advertised in the usual position in the March number of the Entomologist, of which Mr. South is editor. But soon aiter publication of the latter magazine, Mr. South wrote us again and declined to attend the meeting. Under these circum- stances the Council could proceed no further in the matter, and left the editor of the Entomologist and the editor of the £utomologist’s frecord to settle grievances which the Council believed to be mainly personal. Therefore, on behalf of the City of London Society, we entirely repudiate the inference deduced from the version given by Mr. South; and, in conclusion, must express our es that this - subject has been raked up again aiter an interval of at least twelve months. — (Signed), G. A. ie Ae Wo BATTLE Gea CEAR Es Noctua Festiva anp VarizTy ConFLuA.—With regard to the rather animated discussion now on the ‘“‘tapis”” ve Noctua festiva and the form known as var. conjlua, from specimens obtained in the North of England and from Scotland, also to Mr. Tutt’s attempt to establish var. conflua obtained from the Shetland Islands as a distinct species, having followed Messrs. Tutt’s, a and Robson’s able articles on the subject with deep interest and with a view if possible to throw a littie more hght on this rather da ve question, I invited the entomo- logical members of our omer s’ Society, Messrs. R. Dutton, S. Walker, J. Hawkins, G. Jackson, and E. G. Potter, all first class collectors and men of considerable experience in matters entomological, to bring all the best forms of festiva, and the so-called var. conjiua from the North of England and from Scotland, together with the true var. conflua from the Shetland islands which they possessed, and - to these | added my own specimens, and we also had the advantage of consulting the long series of festiva and so-called var. conflua 1892.) THE BRITISH NATURALIST. +5 from Scotland in the collection of the late Mr. T. Allis, this collection being placed in the Council Chamber of the Museum where our meetings are held. The result was that a great number of very choice and picked forms of festiva and so-called var. conflua were to be seen from many and widely different localities, embracing most, if not all, of the varieties named in Mr. Tutt’s second volume of varieties of Noctua. Still from amongst all the different forms of festiva we could not find one which bore any great resemblance to the var. conflua from Shetland, or indeed to the forms of festzva from this locality which I possess. Now, with regard to the small form festiva, called var. conflua, from the North of England and from Scotland, I quite agree with Mr. Tutt that these so-called varieties are nothing but festzva. The series in Mr. Allis’s collection erroneously named var. conflua are totally distinct from any form of var. conflua from the Shetland Islands which I have seen. But, with regard to the var. conflua from the Shetland Islands which Mr. Tutt wishes to establish as a species under the name of Noctua conflua, from a very careful comparison of specimens of festiva and var. confiua from the Shetland Islands, I fail to find any specific difference between them, nor can I perceive that the wings of my var. conflua from Shetland are narrower than specimens of festiva which I possess from the same locality ; indeed where Shetland forms of festiva and var. conflua are mixed up, I am sure it would be impossible for the most experienced entomologist to tell ‘‘ t’other from which,” and from what I have seen the forms of var. conflua from Shetland differ more from each other than do festiva from this locality, and until the larve can be shewn to differ from festiva, I shall certainly maintain that the so-called Noctua conjlua from Shetland is nothing but a variety of festiva.—WILLIAM Hewett, 12, Howard Street, York, March 22nd, 1892. LuPERINA NICKERLII AND Noctua conrLua.—Mr. South has written two pages on Luperina nickerlu, but he appears to have got no further than the elementary notions he had at first. One thing is certain,—unickerlu, Fr., is nothing like L. testacea, var. incerta, and if Mr. South has three Bohemian specimens sent to him as wnickerlii which are like the latter, they are certainly wrongly named. Asa matter of fact, obscure species are generally named wrongly by Continental dealers, who get shillings for calling their common species rarities from a certain part of the gullible English public where the common species themselves are not worth pence. Mr. South refers to “‘my opinion.” It has been formed by the use of common sense, on reading the various authors who described the species, and not on the statement of a dealer that the specimens are what they pretend to be, and who has to make a living out of their sale. I am afraid Mr. South’s verbiage will not alter the fact that he did a foolish 78 (Mehta cAelabislekeanpeti i GlroeubiSc, [APRIL thing when he compared Mr. Baxter’s testucea var. with what he called L. nickerlit, without proper reference to the authorities; and a still more foolish thing in sinking what may be a distinct Continental species on no evidence whatever. te N. conflua, Mr. South regrets that | cannot discuss the matter of conffua ‘“‘in a fair and impartial spirit,” and yet in the course of a few lines he uses the following phrases :—‘‘ Criticised in his usual style,” ‘‘indulged in a few mis- quotations,” ‘‘seems to imply,” ‘‘ Dr. Mason may or may not have made* the -statement,« “am, adept in the art ol eeambline, ens ais Record,” which appear to be remarkable signs of ‘‘a fair and impartial spirit.” Iam really very sorry for Mr. South, for he rarely writes anything that does not call down vials of wrath from some one or other. I know he did not mean to make an abortive attack on Dr. Mason through me, but unfortunately he did, and I can only ‘regret that he got such a superficial knowledge of his subject before writing. I wrote all I had to write in the February part of The British Naturalist. ‘There is nothing to add or subtract.—]. W. Tutt, March 11th, 1892. HeEPpiIALUS HECTUS.—I have frequently taken H. hectus with silver spots on the hind wings both near Glasgow and in Argyleshire. It occurs generally in the male, but I once met with a female in which there were faint traces of silver on the hind wings. The male with these spots is not very rare in Argyleshire, but it is not by any means common. It flies about the brackens at dusk, often very abundantly. They hover for a little under the fronds, then dart to another fern. Sometimes they are so sluggish that you may catch them with your hand, at other times they are lively enough.—]J. Mackay, Glasgow. Micro Larv® FoR THE MontuH.—At the wish of many friends I purpose continuing some short notes of the larve occurring each month, and although many of them have perhaps been mentioned in my former articles, my wish to assist all those who have just begun to study this interesting group, must be my excuse for again men- tioning them, for I know by experience a timely hint now and then is a great encouragement, for in this, as in many other matters, the main difficulty lies in the beginning, once get over that, the path is easy, for most of the species are easily set, and collecting the larve may be pursued at any time, in dull weather or fine; a few tin boxes or small bags in the pocket is all that is required at most times, unless one is out for a whole day’s collecting, when of course it is best to go well prepared. Owing to other pressing matters during the coming season, these notes will be just a rough idea of what may be done each month as it occurs; next year, if all is well, | hope ta continue my former articles, with descriptions of the larve then mentioned, also a few directions as to collecting them in the imago 1892. | VA BRMISH) NATURALIST. 79 state. The following larve may be taken this month (April) :—S. olivalis, in a slight web under the leaves of ground ivy; T. fostevana, in curled-up ivy leaves; S. voborana, in shoots of rose; E. feneana and simpliciana, in roots of Artemesia vulgaris; C. stvobilana, in fir cones ; D. petiverana, in roots of yarrow; S. leplastriana, in stems of wild cabbage; X. s@gana, in roots of scabious; and E. udana, in stems of water plantain (Alisma plantago). The long slender cases of Psuedo- bombycella may now be found on palings in shady places, and the short, round, mealy-looking cases of X. melanella on licheny trunks of trees in open parts of woods; the withered shoots of currant trees betrays the presence of the larva of L. capztella ; and in the shoots of raspberry the larva L. rvubiella. P. porrectella is common in some places on leaves and in the close shoots of garden rocket (Hesperia matronalis), and Gel. vulgella on hawthorn, between united leaves ; Gel. anthyllidella in shoots of Anthyllis vulneravia ; and in the shoots of honeysuckle the larva of Gel. mouffetella. The large bladdery-like mines of the larva of Grac. tvingipennella are now to be seen in leaves of plantain, and in cones on leaves of Hyfericum. The larva of Grac. auvoguttella, Col. pyrhulipennella, and juncicolella can now be swept trom heath ; and the cases of Col. solitanella are easily found by the blotched appearance of Sfellavia holostea ; in the leaves of Helianthemum valgare the larva of Lav. miscella is now busily feeding, and in the leaves of reed at the sides of ponds and ditches the larva of E. cerussella are forming their long narrow mines, while those of Bucc. aurimaculella will be found mining the leaves of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum in long galleries which they will now soon quit to feed on the leaves externally. These and many others will reward the exertions of all those students who are really in earnest.—GeEo. EtisHa, Shepherdess Walk, London. BLACK VAR. OF PHIGALIA PILOSARIA.—On the afternoon of March 7th, I by accident noticed a dark looking insect, with wings thrown back showing the under sides to be of a uniform dark colour, drying itself on the trunk of a lime tree, as if larva had feed on lateral shoots projecting from the trunk and pupated at the foot, had emerged, and crawled to about two feet to dry itself. After allowing it an hour, I transferred it to killing bottle, and found the upper wings of soot black, showing distinctly the shining and deeper black veins and discoidal spots ; the under wings of dark, smoky grey, with fringe of a lighter tint. Notwithstanding that the summer of 1891 was here damp and sunless to a great extent, autumn wet, and winter up to now rather a frosty one with plenty of snow, P. pilosaria has appeared Gatlier and more plentiful than | have seen for the last five years.— W. Brooxs, The Grange, Rotherham, March 14th. HyBERNIA LEUCOPHEARIA.—On February 13th there being no direct 80 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 7 See _road to Eastham Wood, I took a round-about way and searched the — wood late in the afternoon. I! was quite pleased to find four leuco- phearia, and they were all I got for my seven hours out and home. Since » then we have had little but frost and snow. —C. S. Greason, Liverpool, February 22nd. CROSS-BREEDING OF ZYGHN&H.—I am not at all surprised to learn that Fulipendule, trifolu, and lonicere have been crossed and bred. Their anal organs are very close, and I do not see why they should not have fertile pairings. But the form of the organs in Meliloti would effectually prevent crossing with it. In this species the organs are more like Exulans than any of these three.--F. N. Pierce, F.E.S. Liverpool. GREY PHALAROPE.— Towards the end of October last year, after one of the many gales, a specimen of this bird was seen in the parish and, I am sorry to have to add, was shot by a man near whose cottage it had stayed for nearly ten days. It was so tame that when disturbed by anyone passing along the road it would only fly off to a short distance and very soon be back near the cottage. We hear that two or three other specimens have been shot in different parts of Hereford- shire during the autumn, a most unusual occurrence, and it is, at least in this neighbourhood, quite a new record.—Norau PRESCOTT Decig, Bockleton Court, Tenbury, February 17th. AMAUROBIUS FEROX.—The spider sent me is Amaurobius ferox, adult male, one of our finest spiders, and, as you surmise, an inhabitant of dark dens and outhouses. It spins a tubular nest amongst rocks by the seaside, in quarries, or in cellars. The female often grows to a very large size, and is very fierce and formidable. The female has in the hind tarsi the calamistrum, which used with the cvibellum (an extra pair of spinning organs) makes the flocculent silk peculiar to the webs of Dictynide, to which Amaurobium belongs. A figure of it will appear in an early plate. They themselves watch at the entrance to the tube. LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE BY WM. REID, PITCAPLE. (Continued from Vol. I., page 164.) Thera obeliscata, (variata)—Abundant among fir trees, a very | variable species. Thera firmata.—Local, but not rare among fir trees, can be | © 1892. | Mie pki lish NATURALIST. 81 found sitting on Scotch fir trunks, towards night, with its wings folded over its back. Ypsipetes ruberata.—-Local and rare. Mr. Esson captured several a few years ago at Derncleagh, and Mr. MacAldowie also had it from the same locality. Ypsipetes impluviata.—Abundant among alders, variable. Ypsipetes elutata.—Abundant, varies from bright green through every shade of brown and bright red to black ; combinations of all these colours are also found. Specimens from the moors are generally small and dark, or very brightly coloured, with a mixture of brown, black, and red, but seldom with any green: lower down they are large and nearly always green; but | have taken nearly alJl the varieties in one wood, so that there is no hard and fast line of demar- cation between the lowland and upland forms. Melanthia rubiginata.—Kather local, but common in damp places in woods. The central bar in all our specimens exhibits a tendency to run across the wing unbroken. Melanthia ocellata.—Abundant everywhere. Dr. Buckall points out “that our Ocellata are more smoky towards the apex of superior wings than in English examples.” Melanippe tristata.-- Local, Braemar (Dr. White). Melanippe subtristata (Soczata).Common everywhere. Melanippe montanata.—Abundant, and very variable. I saw a pure white specimen taken last year (1891) with the stigmata, or central bar, shewing as a round small dot. Melanippe fluctuata.—Common everywhere, and also very variable. Melanippe fluctuata var. Neapolista, (Mill).—Not rare, found everywhere where [| have collected. Anticlea badiata.—Rather rare about Inverurie and Pitcaple. Anticlea derivata.—Rare at Inverurie and Fyvie, not scarce about Pitcaple Coremia munitata.—Common everywhere, especially near streams. Coremia propugnata.—Widely distributed, rather scarce. ‘Coremia ferrugata.—Commnion almost everywhere. Camptogramma bilineata —-Abundant everywhere, ?’s vary much. Phibalapteryx lignata.—Rare, Inverurie, Fyvie, and links at Pperdeen (IL 201). Cidaria psittacata.—Kather local, but not rare. Cidaria miata.— Common, larve on birch and sallows. (To be continued). 82 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [APRIL NATURALISTS. OF THE, DAY. IV.=MISS ELEANOR: A: ORMEROD, F-E.S,, F R.Met-S., &c. The lady whose portrait we have the pleasure of presenting to our readers to-day is best known as Honorary Consulting Entomologist to the Royal Agricultural Society, in connection with which she has recently issued her fifteenth annual report. ‘Only those who have read these volumes are qualified to judge of the services Miss Ormerod has rendered to Agriculture in England. While many are cognizant of the -** scares” “respecting + The ‘Colorado: -Potate msectiey aime Hessian Fly,” or the recent immigration of ‘* The Diamond-Back Moth,” few are aware of the constant and serious injury done in many ways by insects in their various stages. A mere enumeration of the species treated on from time to time in Miss Ormerod’s reports would occupy much of our space. In the last report seven pages are devoted to Ephestia kuhniella, one of the latest additions to our fauna, and which appears to be rapidly extending its ravages to various parts of the kingdom; and no less than sixty pages are given toa full report of the ravages of the Diamond-back Moth (Plutella cruct- feravum), which inflicted so serious an injury on the turnips on the east coast last year. Miss Ormercd is also authoress of ‘‘A Manual of Remedies and Means of Prevention for the Attacks of Insects on Food Crops, Forest Trees, and Fruit,’ which has reached a second edition; ‘‘A Guide to Methods of Insect Life, and Prevention Remedy of Insect Ravage ;” ‘‘ The Hessian Fly in Great Britain; ” ‘© Vhe Aap) Bly 3°" ihe Warble-t lyaeriwer ace: Obituary. PRANCIS “ARCHER It is with great regret I announce the death of my late friend, Mr. Francis Archer, B.A., F.E.S., &c., &c., who passed away on Monday, February 29th, after a week’s illness, of diphtheria, at his residence, 21, Mulgrave Street, Liverpool, aged 52 years. He was the son of the late Francis Archer, Esq., M.R.C.S., a well-known medical practitioner of this town, who was also a Naturalist, his speciality being Conchology. He left two sons, both of whom in- herited their father’s inborn love of Natural History. His eldest son, Surgeon-Major Samuel Archer, has been much abroad with his regiment, and for years has been in the habit of contributing valued objects of Natural History to the Liverpool Museum. His brother, whose death we now so deeply mourn, held a high position his pro- THE BRITISH NATURALIST. NATURALISTS OF THE DAY. MOESS) IGIEIEAINOIse VA. O)neMU eh e(OD) . ToS WUD AS Sa, 1 lBaSoy vicultuval Society. Tad - 5 t to the Royal A us (06 i Honorary Consulting Entomolo , i ht ey j , ' lt ~ t y a 1 ‘ « itn ' i j ' ~ »: ’ 1 - \ ‘ ‘ * D 1892. | Et hel Sree NAT Ui AS. 83 fession, that of a solicitor, and was much respected and beloved by his confreves. Mr. Archer was a man of high culture and most genial disposition, an ardent politician, and a born Naturalist. He was one of the first to accept the late Mr. Darwin’s views on the “ Origin of Species,” &c. He possessed a very practical knowledge of Conchology and Entomology, and was always ready to assist and encourage young people in their scientific and Natural History investigations. He was one of the first to enrol himself a member of our ‘‘ Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society,” in which he always took a deep interest. His loss at so comparatively young an age is greatly deplored. Those who knew him intimately, as I have done for the last 25 years, will mourn a kind, congenial friend, whilst Science has one less ardent follower in Liverpool. S./]. CAPPER. GOSSIPING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. BY G. A. LEWCOCK. (Continued from page 29). L. H@MORRHOIDALIS, F. —One of the doubtfully British species. There are but two records relating to its capture, viz. by the Rev. Pea wilope, at Niettley, Shropshire, on broom; and Stephens, “ Dr. Power has a specimen taken by Mr. Sidebotham, near Devizes.”’ The collection at South Kensington Museum, does not contain even a type of this insect. - Neither is it recorded by Mr. G. C. Champion nor Mr. J. J. Walker. Canon Fowler states that the palpi are reddish testaceous, with striz of elytra indistinct, and interstices flat. [Following L. hemorrhoidilis, Canon Fowler likewise describes L. turcica, which differs from the former in having the strie of elytra well marked, and the interstices convex. Its claim to be regarded as British rested for many years on four specimens reported to have been captured in Okehampton Park. Mr. W. H. Bennett (Hastings) also records it in the Entomologist Monthly Magazine for June, 1883. I am able to give, from Mr. Bennett’s MS., an account of the capture of this beetle :—‘‘ My specimen was taken at Guestling early in the spring, and was quite a ‘ fluke.’ I was on my knees before a sappy birch stump, when I saw a pretty geodephagous beetle rushing about on the ground. I secured it, and saw it was new to me. The next day I examined it, and soon found what a prize I had got. It is hardly necessary to say that I have never seen another.” Canon Fowler remarks that this specimen appears to be authentic, but further confirmation of the species is much needed. Two specimens of the insect are contained in the collection of the South Kensington Museum. | L. cyANocEPHALA, L.—In this species the first joint of the antenne is reddish, elytra slightly pubescent, and scutellum dark. Occurs in chalky places, under stones, in moss, and sometimes by sweeping, FAlypericum, &c. Uncommon. Kent, Darenth, Wood, Dover, Surrey, Mickleham, Reigate, Ripley.—-(G. C. Cuampion, ‘“ Kent and Surrey Coleoptera.”’) —_ 84 aH EBRD SN Ack eA Sar [APRIL L. CHLoROCEPHALA, Hoff.—Distinguished from the preceding in having the first three joints of antenne reddish, the elytra smooth, and scutellum red. The species is not uncommon, but, like many other insects, is wanting in several lists. It occurs generally in South of England. I have found it at Esher, by sweeping. Mr. Champion’s record is as follows:—Under stones, in moss, on broom, beneath juniper. Local and common. Kent: Folkestone, Cuxton, Chatham, Dartford, Rainham. Surrey: Reigate, Ripley, Caterham, Walton-on- Thames, Shirley, Box Hill, Kenley (‘‘ Kent and Surrey Coleoptera’). Also taken by Mr. West (Greenwich) at Caterham, Betchworth Hills (juniper), and a small form at Plumstead under broom. On Hypericum perforatum, at Shirley (Hants) and Lewes (E. A. Newbery). Rare in Hastings district; taken by sweeping near broom in summer, and by shaking tufts of grass in winter (W. H. Bennett). One specimen taken near Bath by the late Mr. Gillo. Recorded by Mr. Gregson from bank of the Alt, Sefton (Dr. Ellis, ‘‘Liverpool Coleoptera”). Mr. Chappel, of Manchester, tells me he takes the species freely, hybernating under bark of poplar and aspens near the ground (W. E. Sharp, Ledsham). Also taken by Mr. Robson, Hartlepool. Several additional localities are given in Canon Fowler’s ‘‘Coleoptera of British Islands” Ireland: Armagh. Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. February 24, 1892.—Mr. Frederick DuCane Godman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. The Secvetary read a letter from General Sir Dighton Probyn, K.C.B., Comptroller to the Prince of Wales, conveying the thanks of the Prince and Princess of Wales for the address of condolence with their Royal Highnesses in their severe bereavement, which had been forwarded to Sir Dighton Probyn by the Secretary, on behalf of the Society. Mr. Walter Cuthbert Biddell, of 32, The Grove, Bolton Gardens, S.W.; and Mr. Douglas Stuart Steuart, of North Leigh, Prestwich, Lancashire, were elected !’ellows; and Mir. Philip de la Garde, R.N., was admitted into the Society. The President referred to the loss the Society had recently sustained by the death of Mr. Henry Walter Bates, F.R.S., who had twice been its” President; and he also read a copy of the resolution of sympathy and condolence with Mrs. Bates and her family, in their bereavement, which had been passed by the Council at their meeting that evening. Mr. Frederick C. Adams exhibited a monstrous specimen of Telephorus rusticus, taken in the New Forest, in which the left mesothoracic leg consisted of three distinct femora, tibiz and tarsi, apparently originating from a single coxa; he also exhibited specimens of Ledva aurita. Mr. | G. A. James Rothney sent for exhibition a series of specimens of two species of Indian ants (MWyrmicaria subcarinata, Sm., and Aphenogastor (messor) barbarus, L., var. punctatus, Forel), which had recently been determined for him by Dr. Forel. He also communicated notes on the subject, in which it was stated that Myrmicaria subcarinata, Sm., was not uncommon in Bengal, and formed its nests by excavating the earth 1892. } PHS pe VRiISH ANAT URAETST. 85 round trees, and throwing it up in mounds of fine grains. The author also stated that both sexes of this species swarmed early in the ‘‘rains,”’ from about July 7th to July roth. Of the second species—Aphenogaster barbarus var. punctatus, Fore!—-Mr. Rothney observed that it, like the bee, Apis dorsata, seemed to have a great partiality for the gardens and buildings of the old Mogul Emperors in the North-West Provinces and in the Punjaub, the bee disfiguring the arches and roofs with its huge nests, and the ants frequenting the gardens and steps. The Hon. Walter Rothschild communicated a paper, entitled ‘‘On a little-known species of Papilio from the Island of Lifu, Loyalty Group.” The paper was illustrated by a beautifully coloured drawing, by Mr. F. W. Frohawk, of the male, variety of the male, female, and under- side of the species. March Gth, 1892.—Mr. Frederick DuCane Godman, F.R.S., President, in the chair’ Captain Clement Alfred Rigby Browne, R.E., care of Messrs. Grindlay, Groome; and Co., of Bombay; His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, LL.D., Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, of Devonshire House, 78, Piccadilly, W. ; Mir? Jo HL. lesticwmoi4As Chemron. square, Upper dootime, S. Wis Min Ro MM. Lightfoot, cf Bree Street, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope; and Mr. Sidney Robinson of Goidsmith’s Hall, E.C., were elected Fellows of the Society. Professor C. Stewart, President of the Linnean Society, exhibited and made remarks on specimens of Cystocelia immaculata, an Orthopterous insect from Namaqualand, in which the female is far more conspicuously coloured than the male, and the stridulating apparatus of the male differs in certain imporiant details from that of other species. A long and interesting discussion ensued, in which Dr. Sharp, Mr. Poulton, Mr. Distant, Mr. H. J. Elwes, Colonel Swinhoe, and Mr. Hampson took part. Mr. Elwes exhibited specimens of Ribes auvewm which were covered with galls, as to the nature of which the Scientific Committee of the Horticultural Society desired to have the opinion of the Entomological Society. Mr. Fenn, Mr Tutt, and Mr. Barrett made some remarks on these galls. Mr. Elwes also exhibited a large number of species of Heterocera recently collected by Mr. Doherty in South-east Borneo and Sambawa. Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. Hampson, and Mr. Distant took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. Barrett exhibited a series of Noctua festiva, bred by Mr. G. B. Hart, of Dublin, which represented most of the known forms of the species, includiug the Shetland type and the form formerly described as a distinct species under the name of Noctua conflua. Mr. Fenn and Mr. Tutt made some remarks on the specimens. Mr. W. C. Boyd exhibited a specimen of Dianthacia Bavrrettii, taken at Ilfracombe last summer. It was remarked that Mr. W. F. H. Blandford had recorded the capture of D. Barrettti—which had until recently been supposed to be confined to Ireland—from Pembrokeshire, and that its capture had also since been recorded from Cornwall. Mr. Tutt exhibited specimens of Polia wanthomisia from Mr. Gregson’s collection, which had recently been sent to him by Mr. Sydney Webb. Mr. G. A. James Rothney exhibited and read notes on a large collection of Indian Ants which he had made in Bengal between 1872 and 1886, comprising some go species. He stated that 18 of these species had been described by Dr. Mayr in his paper entitled ‘‘Ameisen Fauna Asiens,” 1878; he also said _ that Dr. Forel had recently identified several other new species in the collection, and that there were about ten species and one new genus which Dr. Forel had not yet determined. Mr. H. Goss exhibited, for Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, of Kingston, Jamaica, several specimens of palm leaves, from the garden of the Museum in Kingston, covered with Aspidiotus articulatus, Morgan. The leaves appeared to have been severely attacked, the scales entirely covering the upper surface in places. Mr. Cockerell had pointed out, in a letter dated 16th February last, that the species is notable for the sharp division between the thorax and abdomen; and that he had 86 CH EB RG Sr Ne ene aoa [ APRIL formerly distributed it under the name of Asfidiotus rufescens, but had since satisfied himself that it was identical with A. articulatus from Demerara. He added that the species fed on a variety of plants, and was knowa from Demerara, Jamaica, and Barbados. Mr. F. D. Godman contributed a paper by the late Mr. Henry Walter Bates, with an introduction by himself, entitled ‘‘Additions to the Longicornia of Mexico aud Central America, with remarks on some previously-recorded Species.”’ The Rev. A. E. Eaton communicated a paper entitled ‘‘On new Species of Ephemeridz from the Tenasserim Valley.”’ March 23, 1892.—Dr. Davip SHarpP, M.A., F.R.S.. Vice-President, in the chair: The Hon. Mrs. W. Carpenter, of Kiplin, Northallerton, Yorkshire; and Mr. S. G. C. Russell, of 19, Lombard Street, E.C., were elected Fellows of the Society. The Secretary read a letter from the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society on the subject of a proposed Catalogue of the Fauna of the London District. Mr. G. C. Champion exhibited a number of new species of Longicornia from Mexico and Central America, recently described by the late Mr. H. W. Bates, in his paper entitled ‘‘ Additions to the Longicornia of Mexico and Central America, with remarks on some previously recorded species,’’ read at the last meeting of the Society. Mr. S. Stevens exhibited three very rare species of Noctua, viz., Noctua flammatra, Leucania vitellina, and Laphygma exigua, all taken by Mr. H. Rogers at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, in the Autumn of 1891. Mr. F. C. Adams again exhibited the specimen of Telephorus rusticus in which the left mesothoracic leg consisted of three distinct femora, tibize, and tarsi, originating from a single coxa, which he had shown at the meeting on the 24th of February last. The specimen was now reversed, to show the structural peculiarities upon which Dr. Sharp, Mr. Champion and Mr. Jacoby made some remarks. Mr. Osbert Salvin exhibited a series of mounted specimens of the clasping organs in the male of several species of Hesperidz. Dr. Sharp exhibited, for Mr. F. D. Godman, a collection of Orthoptera recently made in the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies, by Mr. H. H. Smith, the naturalist sent to that Island by Mr. Godman in connection with the operations of the Committee appointed by the British Association and the Royal Society for the investigation of the Fauna and Flora of the Lesser Antilles. It was stated that the collection had recently been referred to, and reported on by Herr C. Brunner von Wattenwyl and Professor J. Redtenbacher. Mr. J. W. Tutt exhibited and made remarked on a series of various forms of Orrhodia vaccinii and O. (spadicea) ligula. Mr. C. G. Barrett exhibited and made remarks on a series of specimens—including some remarkable varieties—of Bombyx quercus and Odonestis potatovia. A long discussion ensued as to the probable causes of variation exemplified, in which Mr. Tutt, Mr. E. B. Poulton, Mr. H. Goss, Mr. Jacoby, Mr. Salvin, Mr. Bethune-Baker, Dr. Sharp, and Mr. Distant took part. Mr. G. A. James Rothney sent for exhibition a number of specimens of Camponotus compressus, C. micans, CEcophila smarvagdina, Sima rufonigva, Solenopsis geminata var aymata, and other species of Ants, from Calcutta, together with certain species of Afhide kept by them for domestic purposes; also certain of their enemies and parasites. He also communicated a short paper on the subject, entitled ‘‘ Notes on certain species of Calcutta Ants and their habits of life—H. Goss, Hon. Sec. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. February 25th, 1892.—C. G. Barrett, Esq., F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. J. W. Larkin, of Streatham, and Mr. A. L. Stephens, of Blackheath, were elected members. Mr. Cooper exhibited some specimens of Porthesia chrysorrhea, received some years ago from Whittlesea Mere, Cambridgeshire, and pointed out that there were a number of black dots on the wings. Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited some 1892. | T1808, [SVM Slat INUAID Ogeuibe be 87 examples of several species showing the wet and dry season forms of the same insect and remarked that it had now been placed beyond doubt that many species which were looked upon as perfectly distinct, were wet and dry season forms. Among the species exhibited were Funonia asterie, L., F. almana, L.; the wet season form of Melanitis ismene, Cran., and the dry season form of the same, M. leda; and Mr. Weir remarked that the two forms of Melantis were seasonal varieties, or, as he termed it, horceomorphic of one species had been set at rest by direct experiment. Mr. Weir contributed notes relative to his exhibit. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited Lepidoptera from the Scilly Isles, and remarked on the variation and called attention to the specimens of Pieris napi, Lycena icavus, and Cidaria vussata, which he said were species known to liable to somewhat pronounced local variations, and yet those he had received from Scilly were normal.—Mr. Adkin also exhibited light and dark cocoons of Eviogastes lanestvis, and contributed notes. Mr. Tugwell exhibited cocoons of Nola centonalis and N. albulalis and referred to some remarks recently made by Mr. Tutt that the coloration of cocoons was produced by anal excreta; Mr. Tugwell stated that he did not agree with this view. A discussion followed relative to these last two exhtbits in which Messrs. Jenner Weir, C. Fenn, W. West, South, C. G. Barrett, Carrington, Tugwell, and Adkin took part. It was pointed out that recent discoveries had shown that this was renal excreta. Mr. Billups exhibited specimens of minute Mollusca. and read notes thereon. March 1oth, 1892.—The President in the chair. Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited pallid forms of the following British Rhopalocera, viz :—Satyrus semele ? , Epinephele taniva? , E. hyperanthus 2 , Cenonympha typhon $, C. pamphilus ? three specimens, and Polyommatus phi@asg. These xanthous specimens were all of them much paler in colour than usual, and he regretted that he could not suggest a cause for this want of colour except in the case of Epinephele ianiva; this insect he had taken in the New Forest during the very wet and cold season of 1879, ina damp wood, the temperature was then so low that when Argynnis paphia was pursued it took refuge in the thick brambles, being too weak to fly far, and Argynnis euphrosyne had its emergence delayed through July, in some cases even till so late as the 9th August. His view was that the development of pigment was due to what might be termed surplus energy, and the the vitality of either the larva or chrysalis was lowered by unfavourable environment, then the result might be that the imago would be defective in colour. Mr. W. C. Richter then delivered a lecture on ‘‘ Insects,”’ illustrated by original diagrams and colored drawings, the majority of the latter being enlargements of the objects as seen through the microscope, and he stated that many of them had not hitherto been figured. Owing to this paper the remaining exhibits were not taken, and the discussion on Weir’s paper stood over until the next meeting.—H. W. BarkEr, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday March 3vd 1892.—Exhibits :—Mr. Clark, preserved larve of Orvgyia gonostigma, Dasychiva fascelina and Lasiocampa quercifolia, the latter being taken on the Hacking Marshes last year. Mr. Battley, typical forms of Pieris rape and P. napi, and intermediate form taken at Cheshunt. The underside of this insect was very slightly ‘‘ veined’’ though the upper surface presented the characteristic of P. napi. Mr. Tutt and others expressed their opinion that it was a lightly marked form of P.napi. Mr. Tremayne, Hybernia rupicapraria and Scopelosoma satellitia from Epping Forest. Mr. Bayne, series of Cheimatobia brumata and C. boreata, and a very dark form of Teniocampa populeti from Norfolk. Mr. Riches, series of Arctia lubricipeda and A. menthvasti, also a var. of Ennomos angularia, and a suffused form of Melanippe 83 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. — [APRIL fluctuata. Mr. Southey, a series of Himera pennaria from the Highgate Woods, including a very small female. Mr. Milton, Deilephila galiz, said to have been taken at Swanley last year; also Endvomis versicoloy, Diphtheria orion, and Plusta festuce. Coleoptera ;—Mr. Burrows, Loricera pulicoynis, Dromius quadvimaculatus, D. meridionalis, Stenus bimaculatum. Mr. Lewcock, a number of species of British Coccinellide ; also exhibits of Coccinellidz on behalf of Mr. W. E. Sharp, of Chester, Rev. W. F. Johnson, of Armagh, and Mr. H. G. Cuthbert, of Dublin. Messrs. Heasler, Elliman and Cripps also exhibited Coccinellida. The paper on the subject then read by Mr. Lewcock. In the course of the discussion which followed, Mr. Tutt called attention to the variability of the group, and remarked that, from what he had seen, he thought the colours of the spots were not interchangeable, and that the ground colour (red) appeared as spots from the spread of the black markings over the elytra. Messrs. Heasler and Cripps of Mr. Tutt. Mr. Lewcock, however, was of opinion that the red spots sometimes replaced the black. On the motion of Messrs. Tremayne and Tutt, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Lewcock for his paper. Mr. Clark announced that a specimen of the Dunlin (Tvinga variabilis) had been shot on Tottenham Marshes by Mr. Skertchley. He also announced the decision of the Council to charge members 1'- for second copies of the ‘‘ Transactions for 1891,” and non-members 2,-. ‘March 17th, 1892.—Mr. Hodges, varieties of Polia fiavicincta from Portland and Guernsey, and some fine banded forms of Agviopis aprilina from Durham. Mr. Gates, a living specimen of Melanippe montanata, bred from larve previously exhibited on 17th December, 1891. Mr. Gurney, Amphidasys prodvomaria, Phigalia pilosaria, &c., from Epping Forest, at Wood Street. Mr. Tremayne, a very light specimen of Hybernia leucophgaria frorn West Wickham. Mr. Prout, bred series of Covemia unidentaria and C ferrugata. Mr. Nicholson, bred specimens of Hemerophila abruptaria, second brood. He pointed out that these were smaller and darker than the spring brood. Mr. Sykes, a specimen of Leucania impura, approaching the var. punctilinea, Tutt, taken at Enfield. Messrs. Clark, Tutt, Hodges, Battley, Southey, Milton, and Dr. Buckell exhibited their series of the genus Hadena. Coleoptera: Mr. Heasler, a specimen of Plinthus calizgnosus, taken at Greenwich. Mr. Milton, various beetles ; and in Hymenoptera, Abia fasciata, Cerceris avenaria, Gorytes mystaceus, and Ammophila lutavia. Mr. Riches, flowers of Polygonatwm multiflorum (Sclomon’s Seal), and Dicentra spectabilis. Mr. Tutt then read his paper on the genus Hadena. The discussion was continued by Messrs. Battley, Lewcock, Buckell, Milton, Southey, Tremayne, and others, and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Tutt for his paper. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. March tath.—The president, Mr. S. J]. Capper; ol.s3 221s, inthe vehaire Messrs. H. Locke, of Birkenhead, and G. Norel Deville, of Grosby, were elected members. The president referred to the loss the society and naturalists generally had sustained by the death of Francis Archer. Mr. William Webster, of St. Helens, read a paper entitled ‘‘ Was Shakespeare an Entomologist’ The author stated he had examined the works of the poet, and found 207 references to insects, and as far as could be ascertained, mention of 30 kinds of insects, and showed by numerous quotations, that Shakespeare not only possessed a fair knowledge of entomology but | that he was a philosophical observer of nature. Mr. Willoughby Gardner, F.R.G.S., read a short note on the ‘‘ Popular names of insects about Shakespeare’s time ” some few of which still existed in country places. Mr. Webster exhibited Papilio xcalmoxis. The president, Messrs. Stott, Harker andthe Hon Secretary, long and | variable series of Noctua festiva and conflua, Messrs. Harker and Jones British and continental forms of Lycacna icaru;s.—F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec., 143 Smithdown Lane | Liverpool. a ori Wl Pf —~ yr iss + reer fs) a ABP as pew to A sea Ca Sipe ae Wy eee > AN ¢ re S|, ¥) FS-i Sh CORRE ES 4] , ea ee ie; _ ADVERTISEMENTS. | = E XCHANGE. Lepidoptera marked * are pred ‘D ene Oardamines; Rhamni, Corydon, Paphia, Cardui, 8. populi, Menthastri, Dispar tria, Vinula, Czrule ocephala, lanthina, C. nigrum, N. rubi, Litura, Vaccinii, Satellitia, AZO, Ferruginea, Chi, Oxyacanthe, Meticulosa, Pr otea, Oleracen, | estacea, Nupta, Scutulata, saria, illunaria, Elinguaria, Tiliaria, Pennaria, Miata, Prunaria, Maculata, Desiderata, very erous, also ova, larve and pupe.—W.E. Buriyr, Hayling. House, Oxford road. Readings, (PLICATES-—Fine well set.. Kent D. Gali, Sussex, Sphegiformis and Braemar Exulans: siderxta—dark melanic forms or well marked. Mendica, Pilosaria, Abruptaria, Repandata, scularia, Biundularia, Clathreta, Ruberata, Rubiginata, Glareosa, Rumicis, &e., or C. ericel= jyellus, Fureatellus. Only perfect examples sent or received.—W. H. TUGWELL, 6 Lew- road, Greenwich, S.E. pate CHANGE. —_ We anted to exchange “‘The Naturalist”? > fr om August, 1831, to December, 1891, The Midland Naturalist,” Cone i1ological Books, or Shells. —W.A. Gain, Tuxford, Newark PSIDERATA.—A, prunaria, G. obscurata, E. heparata, 1. flavicinclata, M. rubiginata, M. a, tristata, S. undulata, C. russata, immanata. and very many common species. i will — aveur to make a good return —Joun K. Rogson, Hartlepool. ‘CHANGR.-—Duplicate clutches of Sooty and Noddy ‘ferns, Manx Shearwater, Mute See winged Woodpecker, American Robin, ‘its, Bintings, aud others. \Vanted other sorts”. ‘blown | eggs: with data, &e.—F. W. P ApPLH, 62 Waterloo-street, Bolton. , IXCHANGE. — Wanted, British Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, or books on Patomology, in ge for Periodicals.—THos. W. WILSHAW, 465 Shoreham-street, Sheffield. XCHANGE.— Duplicates :—Hesperia _ lineola in good condition. Desiderata : :—Hastata, aria, Saponaria, Lunaria, &c.—F. Mitron, 184 Stamford Hill, London, N. JuPLIcATES - British Coleoptera, a few Hemiptera and a few land and marine sl:ells— derata, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and other orders.and named types of British and foreign s.—A. Forp, ‘Claremont. House, Upper Tower Road, St. Leonards- -on-Sea, Sussex. XCHANGE— -Duplicates —Aglaia, Cardamines, Sylvanus, Alexis, Ulmata, Jacobea, Aurifiua, gi ata, and Chi,. Desid. Numerous. kusiey, 98, West Street, Leeds. » IXCHANGH, DupricatEs.—Alexis, Artaxerxes, Carpini,* Plantaginis,* Velleda, L. dispar,* ~~ t aria,* * Suffumata, Ribesiaria, Conigera, Nietitans, Tenebrosa, Tritici, Valligera, Luce Tea, va vars., Neglecta, Suspecta, Rufina, Adusta, Ge ‘Solidaginis. WILLIAM Cowie, Bp il Street, Seat Naas core ee A, ee. “state desiderata; offered also Foraminifera, mounted or ‘unmounted, — OKB, Highland ES St Julian’s; Malta. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. y OF) LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISiORY SOCIETY from ALBION HALL, es W ALL to 33, FINSBURY SQUARKH, 4.C. “MEETINGS OF -S0Ci PE PIES Pecan, Sis, EAC Meetings. CS igsaas Fixtures: e Life- oe range 88 Seis. Mr: A. N. Battley. April 2zst. h mrsays in sath month. Apr. Atel sega tal Sone Ae Apvil pee "Mr. E. Step. May 5th and 6th—ANNUAL EXHIBIT ION, open on 5th from 06h». He 1 to ro BP. m. Full es and tickets can n beobiained from the \SHIRE AND CHESHIRE EN FOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY): Free: Library; Ww liam Brown -St., Liverpool. portraits are in rapid preparation. ADVERTISEMENTS. CONTINTS: 23) | The Pterophorina of Britain.—J. W. Tutt, F.£.s. The Diptera of Dorsetshire.-—C. W. Dale, F.E.8.~ Collecting «at Luss, Loch Lomond. The ileterocera of the Isle of Mau. —H. S. Clarke, F.E 8. _Mollusea.—N otes General Notes a : Lepidoptera of Aber deenshire, &e. aay. Reid. GN se Naturalists of the Day.—-Miss EK. A, Ormer od, ‘BES. ke: - Obituary.—¥rancis Archer Ae a es Coleoptera Notes Reports of Societies TO GORRESPONI DENTS. ; i By reducing the leads between the lines, space equal to nearly thiee uC ditional pages has been gained, without Be the Magazine the crowded pearance that is so painful to read. A portrait of Miss Ormerod, F.r.s.; &¢., 1s. given wath the present forming the fourth of a series ‘of portraits of Naturalists of the day. Arrangements are now completed for sontinuihe the M olbuacan See W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land ¢ é Fresh Water Mollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, sq., of ‘he Green, Llandaff, w attend to the Marine 8. ction. Communications may be made to either of ie gentlemen. All letters requiring a reply by post should contain stamp. — “'Phe Section for Coleo ptera is conducted by G. A. Lewcock, Esq.; | Oxford Road, Islington, to whom also direct communication may be made. 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Butterflies, Moths, and _ = Fossils: - ee o “Beetles. By W. Kirby? 3-7. By ew, Williaing. | Fee Crustaceans and pees. re The Microscope. oe ee ie By F. A. Skuse. . 245 = By Yo A. Ratha. | dn pyep oe Sages ; fackone etc. —s_—-'16. Book Colieeting. Zz See was toy . By J. H. slater. (Ln preparation 4 ‘Mosses. Cee M hell ee ee © By. janies 1. Bagnall, AeliSs we arine ry ells. “Pond-_Life. : ees gee Ww illiams & others. & LS By E. A. Butler, F.z.s. | ‘Un proparatio RoEs: Colonial Coins. 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and | z Z = Fossils. By P. Gray Ane 1 3 a Howorth: : ar Siege Ba ‘Woodward. 25 49: Grasses. = ee has. Bees, Wasps, aaa _ By P. Puinail. the prepuati 3 ~ Dragon-flies. By W. H. _20. British Ferns. oo Bath. are By Es. fe Lowes 422-3 2h oe Rois & Tokens English) | By Llew. Jewitt, aS A. glish) aa aes Ege a Chapter on Greek Coins) - P oe __ by Barclay V. Head: _ ’ | 22. Chess Problems. 9. Reptiles. — ete _ .By Catherine Hopley. zo 23. ten Stamps. =2 to. British Birds. : ees By W. T. Ogilvie. _ By HA. es a ee BE Flowering Plants. : ais . Silkworms. 2 se) J ames Britten, F.L.s. | eis it Av Butlers 7s. (oe a [In prepa ti faz: Ed and ee Water ass The ‘Telescope. 7 : ae. ORE VE NARS oa ae By J. W.. Williams.” WN Marae op W. Taylor, and | 26. Copper Coins of Mode: Sel Dennison Roebuck Se pee By F. C. ae A} SWAN SONNENSCHEIN. @ 00, Paternoster r Square, 1892. | fie bx ivish Nel URALIS(, 89 iepe a VME NOPE RA - ACULEATA OF LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. (Continued from page 32). PEMPHREDONID&., The females of this family often burrow in dead tree trunks, posts, &c. (P. lugubris), or in rose and bramble sticks (P. unicolor, P. lethifer, D. tristis, Stigmus pendulus, and P. insignis), and sometimes in sandy banks (D. minutus and S. troglotydes). They prey usually upon Aphides, collected from roses and other plants. DiopontTus, Curt. minutus, Fab.—Bowden, B.C. PEMPHREDON, Latr. lugubris, Fab.—Abundant in the district, B.C. Taken at Bold, unicolor, Latr.—Abundant, B.C. Taken frequently at Chester, | on lilac leaves, E.C.T., R.N. lethifer, Shuck.—Abundant B.C. Bred from bramble stems at Great Meols, W.G. MIMESIDE. Economy various; Mimesa unicoloy and Psen pallipes make their cells in the hollow straws of a thatched roof, and P. pallipes sometimes burrows in bramble stems; M. bicolor forms large colonies in sindy districts. Psen pallipes preys upon Aphides and M. bicolor upon species of Tettigonia. Mimesa, Shuck. breolor, Jur.— Delamere, B.C. Psen, Latr. pallipes, Panz.—atratus, Panz, Shuck, &c.—Manchester and Bowden, B.C., and taken in Cheshire, J.T.G. NYSSONID. These brightly coloured insects apparently deposit their eggs in empty burrows previously excavated by other species; they are very partial to the flowers of the wood-spurge and prey upon various larve. Nysson, Latr. . spinosus, Fab.—Common in the district, B.C. GorvtTeEs, Latr. mystaceus, Linn. —- Manchester, Bowden, Hazelgrove and Marple, ip.©;, Halsnead, H.HiH. go THE; BRITISH NAT URALISE: [May MELLINID-A. The commonly distributed M. arvensis preys upon various Dip- terous insects—Muscide, Syrplidea, &c.; 1t may often be seen lying in wait for these by the side of a patch of cow dung. It burrows in sandy banks, gregariously. MELLINUS, Fab. arvensis, Linn.—Abundant in our district, B.C., Delamere, HC. 1. Bidston Lull {1G CERCERIDA, The species comprising this family are chiefly gregarious, forming large colonies of tunnels in the ground, some, as C. arenaria, preferring loose sandy soil, and others, as C. inteyrupta, choosing hard trodden pathways. The prey varies according to species, Plilanthus attacking bees (Andvena, Halictus, and Apis), C. ornata and C. labiata, bees, (Halictus), C. arenaria, beetles, (Otiorhynchus and other Curculionidae ) and C. interrupta, beetles, (A piomde). CERCERIS, Fab. arenaria, Linn.—Formerly common on the Cheshire coast, B.C. CRABRONID. | This large family contains species with very various places of nidification, and preying upon many different kinds of insect life. Some form burrows fin sandy banks (C. cvibavius, peltarius, varius, Westmaeh, E. brevis, and Oxybelus), some in decayed wood (C. clavipes, leucostoma, chrysostoma, vagus, 4-maculatus, cephalotes), some in bramble and rose sticks (C. tibialis and clavipes ), and some in the mortar of old brick walls (C. elongatulus). The food stored up for the future grub is diversified according to the species, including Diptera (Crabro leucostoma, cephalotes, cribarius, peltavius, vagus, chrysostoma, 4-maculatus, podagricus, Westmeli, and the Oxybeli), Aphides (C. elongatulus), and Coleoptera of the genus Haitica (E. brevis). CraBrRo, Fab. | clavipes, Linn.—vufiventris, Panz.—Higher Bebington, near Bir- kenhead, J.T.G.; generally distributed, B.C. leucostoma, Linn.—Manchester and Hazelgrove B.C.; Rainhill H.H.H.; and Chester, common on lilac and laurel, E.C.T. podagricus, V. d. Lind.—Hazelgrove, B.C. palmipes, Linn.—tarsatus, Shuck.—Several taken at burrows in sandy bank by roadside, Sandiway near Cuddington, R.N. elongatulus, V. d. Lind.—luteipalpis, Shuck.—propinguus, Schuck. | —-obliquus, Schuck. —hyalinus, Shuck.-—Manciester, Hazelgrove | Delamere, and Cheshire Coast B.C. | 1892. ] TE BRITISH NATURALIST. gi dimidiatus, Fab.— Chester, E.C.T,, Cheshire Coast, B.C., West Kirby, ordinary type and a remarkable variety of male almost entirely black, J..G. vagabundus, Panz.—-Higher Bebington J.T.G.; commonly dis- Wibuted 3:C; 4-maculatus, Fab.—subpunctatus, Shuck.—Bowden and Delamere B.C.: Delamere, E:C.T. cribrarius, Linn.—Wallasey, H.H.H.; West Kirby, J.T.G. Delamere, E.C.T.; and general in district, B.C. peltarius, Schreb.—putellatus, Panz.—Manchester, Southport, and Cheshire coast, B.C.; and West Kirby, J.T.G. cephalotes, Panz.—se.xcinctus, Sm.—interstinctus, Sm. ?—Bowden, BAC: chrysostoma, Lep.—xylurgus, Shuck.—Commonly distributed, Eee hioher ebineton, |).).G-; Ince, frequent, KIN. ; “and Eaton Hall near Chester, E.C.T. interruptus, De Geer.—Lindenius, Shuck.—Cheshire coast, B.C. OxyBELus, Latr. uniglumis, Linn.—Bowden, Southport, and Cheshire coast, B.C. Wallasey, W.G.; Rock Ferry near Birkenhead, with one specimen nearly black, J.1.G. mucronatus, Fab.—argentatus, Curt.—feyox, Shuck.—This rare species was taken on Cheshire sand hills, opposite Liverpool, by Mr. Matthews prior to 1836 (v. Schuckard’s ‘ Fossorial 9\ Hywmenoptera.”) It has since been recorded from same district by Mr. Bb. Cooke. (To be continued.) THE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF CHE BRITISH. COLEOPTERA. BY JOHN wW. BLLIS, MB. (VIC.), F.E-S- While in a great number of beetles, as in other insects, no apparent difference is observable between the male and female, in others, so different are the sexes that very frequently they have been described under two names as distinct species until further observation has proved their unity. The various modifications of form and colour which frequently distinguish the sexes of the coleoptera are of value to the systematic entomologist mainly as affording characters for the differentiation of Closely allied species, for rarely are the secondary sexual characters of g2 THE ‘BRITISH, NATURALIST: [May sufficient constancy to be of utility in the classification of families, and only occasionally can they be relied upon in the constitution of any but the small genera—small, that is, in the number of contained species. But though of little real value from a systematic point of view, the philosophic mind is able to find much of interest in the study of such details of sexual difference from the point of view of their teleological significance, for, if we admit the Darwinian hypothesis of evolution, we are forced to believe that these sexual peculiarities have in the present, or have had in the past history of the species, some purpose to fulfil in the economy of their possessors. It is interesting to observe how frequently some of these modifications of structure occur in widely separated groups of beetles often differing greatly in habit; and with a view to facilitate comparison of the distribution of the various types of secondary sexual characters in the British beetles the subject has been approached from an anatomical, rather than from a systematic point of view, and these various characters will be considered under the following heads :— (a) size. (0) texture. (c) colour. (d) structure. SizE.— Among the coleoptera, as in the insect world generally, we find that the female tends to preponderate in size, and especially, as might be expected, is this noticeable in the increased size of the abdomen, which, among the British species, reaches its maximum in the bloated females of Melée and in the apterous females of Lampyris and Drilus.* Ina few British beetles, however, the males are some- what larger than the average females, and this is the case in the larger Staphylinide (Ocypus, Creophilus), Dysticus, Dovcus, and, most noticeably of all, in the fully developed males of Lucanus cervus. Trexture.—I use this word to denote the condition of the upper surface of the insects under consideration; and though this is a character of great importance in the systematic study of the order, it is only in a few groups of beetles —-sometimes only in isolated species —that we find any appreciable dis-similarity between the sexes in the amount or character of the pubescence or sculpture, and when there is a difference in texture the female is almost always duller and less shining than her frequently highly-polished mate. Not only do we meet with this condition among insects characterised as a group by their brilliancy, as the Chrysomelide, where the females are (as in C. marginata) of a silkier texture than the males, but also, and chiefly, * In the early days of spring the Wallasey sandhills swarm with the common coast weevil—Philofpedon (Cucorhinus) geminatus; and these are so frequently found ix copuld crawling on the bare sand, and the disproportion of the sexes is so great, that one of my entomological acquaintances was obliged to meet the enquiries of his children by informing them that the large specimens were the ‘‘ mothers carrying thefr babies.”’ 1892. | MA TBRIMISH NAMURALIST, 93 does this difference present itself in the nocturnal predaceous ground- beetles (Geodephaga) and in the carnivorous water beetles. Thus, of the former may be quoted as examples: the duller females of both British Licini; those of most Calatdi; of Ptevostichus vitveus and P. oblongopunctatus, and especially of P. striola where the female is much more finely striate on the elytra ; Oodes helopioides ; most true Amare (in which the females appear more deeply striate); many Harpfalz, such as H. tenebrosus, tardus, servipes, and most noticeably in the females of H. rubripes and discoideus which are dull and obscure while the males are often brilliant blue, green, or metallic. In the Hydra- dephaga (carnivorous water-beetles) it is quite common for the female to be dull while the male is shining, as is seen in Hyphidvus ovatus, many Hydropon, Agabus bipustulatus, the Gyrini, &c.; while it is in this group alone of the British Coleoptera that we meet with any indication of sexual dimorphism, but which here, in a comparatively small group of insects, presents itself in two forms. In the first and most frequent of these, seen in Bidessus uni-striatus, Calambus novemliniatus and picipes, Hydroporus erythrocephalus and meimuonius, Agabus uliginosus, &c., the male, following the rule, is shiny, while the female occurs in two forms, the one polished lke (and scarcely distinguishable from) the male, the other dull and opaque. Another and more remarkable difference in the sculpture of the sexes is present in the genera Dysticus and Acilius. In the first of these, where the elytra or wing-covers of the male are smooth and very highly polished, those of the females are deeply grooved longitudinally. Tt is in this genus that we meet with the second form of sexual dimorphism, for in all the British species except punctulatus and dimidiutus the female also occurs with the elytra not sulcate, differing only from those of the male in having some fine punctuation towards the apex.* In Aczlius the elytra of the male are somewhat polished, while those of the female are not only sulcate, but the yrooves, which are wider than those of Dysticus, four in number, are clothed with long yellow hairs. In the genera Onthophagus and Aphodius, indeed in the Scarabeidz generally, the head of the female is often more coarsely punctured than that of the male; and in the Aphodz it is usual for the male thorax to be punctured only towards the sides, leaving the disc smooth, while that of the female has the punctures not only coarser but sprinkled more generally over the surface. The males of many Cvyptocephalt are often more strongly punctured than the females. The only exceptions that I know to the rule that the female is the duller sex occur in Lucanus and Dorcus. In Lucanus cervns the head *Tt is worth while to notice here that according to Canon Fowler, Dr. Power's collection contains a female specimen of Dys/icus civcumcinctus intermediate between the two forms—shewing traces only of longitudinal sulci. 94 THE BRITISH. NATURALISTE, [May and thorax of the male are dull, and, the head especially clothed with short pubescence, and the elytra are only slightly shining, while in the female the whole surface is destitute of pubescence and much more shining. The same remarks apply to the sexes of Dorcus except that in neither is there any clothing of hair. The males of several Aphodii (A. contaminatus, e.g.) and of Tvichius are usually clothed with longer pubescence than is the case in the other sex. In the males of two rare longicorn beetles, Monochammus sutor and sartoy the elytra are black without marking, while in the female the wing covers are sprinkled with whitish pubescence arranged in small spots. (To be continued). LIST OFT ERRIDORDE her Or ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE BY WM. REID, PITCAPLE. (Continued from page 81.) Cidaria corylata.—Not rare, but rather local. var. albo-crenata.— Very rare. Cidaria russata.—Generally rather scarce, but widely distrib- uted, and very variable. Cidaria immanata.—Abundant, exceeding variable. Cidaria suffumata.—Common. var. piceata.—Not rare. Cidaria silaceata. -I have only taken a very few, and am inclined to think it is local and scarce. Cidaria prunata.—Abundant in many places, absent from others, rare at Pitcaple. Cidaria testata.—Generally common, very dark wines es are sometimes taken. ; Cidaria populata.—- Always common on the moors and in woods among bilberry, exceedingly variable. Cidaria pyraliata. Sometimes very common. Cidaria fulvata.—Sometimes common. Eubolia mensuraria.—Abundant in many places Eubolia palumbaria.—Often common on the moors. Carsia imbutata.— Local, common about Braemar: Anaitis plagiata.—Common almost everywhere. Chesias spartiata.—Abundant among broom. 1892.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 95 Chesias obliquaria. —Widely distributed, but generally rather scarce. Tanagra cheerophyliata.—Abundant on waste ground and along the coast. © UW S22 ik ID A Wis st PSEUDO-BOMBYCES. Platypteryx lacertula.—Local, not rare flying at dusk, larve common on birch. Platypteryx falcula.—Local and scarce. Dicranura furcula.—\Widely distributed, larvae sometimes common. Dicranura vinula.—Common everywhere, larve on Sallow, Willow and Poplar. Pygera bucephala.—Larve often abundant. Notodonta camelina.—Abundant at edges of woods, flying at dusk, very variable, larva common on almost all trees, with exception of firs and pines. Notodonta dictza.—Larve common on poplar. Notodonta dictzeoides.—Larva not rare about Pitcaple on Birch, scarce elsewhere. Notodonta dromedarius.—Not scarce, we only get the dark variety perfusca here, larvee often very common on smali isolated birch trees. Notodonta ziczac.—Larve common everywhere, unhke dvomedarius which is smaller and darker, our ziczac are larger and brighter coloured that any I have seen from England. NOCTU. Thyatira batis —Commcen, flies at dusk by the edges of woods, comes to treacle, and the larve are found on Raspberry. Cymatophora dupiaris.—Sometimes not rare, flies at dusk, comes to treacle, and the larve are sometimes found on birch. Cymatophora or.--Rare, Braemar, Pitcaple, Inverurie, and near Fyvie. . Cymatophora Havicornis.— Not rare at light, and at rest on trees, fences, &c., larvae common between united birch leaves. Bryophila perla.—Professor Trail records it from Stonehaven, Old Aberdeen and Dyce. Dipthera orion.—Once at Derncleugh, (Horne). Acronycta psi.—Common everywhere. Acronycta leporina.—The larve has been found near Fetter- near and Banchory. Acronycta ligustri.—Very rare, larva uncommon, Banchory, &c. 96 THE BRITISH ‘NATURALIST. [May Acronycta rumicis.— Local, and not common _Acronycta menyanthidis.—Widely distributed, and not uncommon, larve generally in wet bogs, and heaths. Acronycta myricee.—Fairly uncommon everywhere, larve feeding on low plants. Leucania conigera.—- Common at flowers, larve feeding on grass by night. Leucania lithargyria.— Abundant almost everywhere. Leucania impura.—Common, generally distributed. Leucania pallens,— Abundant. (To be continued). Reports of Societies. ENTOMCLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. _ April 13th, 1892.—Henry John Elwes, Esq., F.L.S., Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Francis Jaffrey, M.R.C.S., of 8, Queen’s Ride, Barnes, S.W., was elected a Fellow of the Society. Mr. R. McLachlan exhibited specimens of Anomalopteryx chauviniana, Stein, a Caddis-fly remarkable for the abbreviated wings of the male, the female having fully developed wings; he alludes to the Perlide as including specimens in which the males were frequently semi-apterous. Dr. Sharp enquired if Mr. McLachlan was aware cf any order of insects, except the Neuroptera, in which the organs of flight were less developed in the male than in the female. Mr. C. G. Barrett and Mr. H. J. Elwes cited instances amongst the Bombycide in which the wings of the male were inferior in size and development to those of the female, Dr. Sharp exhibited specimens of both sexes of an apparently nondescript phasmid insect allied to Ovobia, obtained by Mr. J. J. Lister in the Seychellesislands, together with Phyllium gelonus. He also exhibited specimens of both sexes of an Acridiid insect, of the group Proscopides, remarkable for its great general resemblance to the Phasmide, though without resemblance, so far as is known, to any particular species. In reference to the Phyllium, Dr. Sharp called attention to the fact that the similarity of appearance of parts of their organisation to portions of the vegetable kingdom was accompanied by a similarity, amounting almost to identity, of minute structure. Hesaid that it had been stated that the colouring-matter is indistin- guishable from chlorophyll, and that Mr. Lister had informed him that when in want of food a specimen of the Phyllium would eat portions of the foliaceous expansions of its fellows, although the Phasmide are phytophagous insects. The resemblance to vegetable products reached its maximum of development in the egg; and Mons. Henneguy had observed that when sections of the external envelope of the egg of Phyillium are placed under the microscope no competent botanist would hesitate to pronounce them to belong to the vegetable kingdom. Dr. Sharp also stated that in some species of Phasmidg it was easy to obtain the egg by extraction from a dried specimen. Mr. Barrett exhibited, for Major J. N. Still, a specimen of Notodonta bicolava, which had been captured in a wood near Exeter. Major Still had — stated that the captor of the specimen was unaware of the great rarity of the species. Mr. Barrett also exhibited, for Mr. Sydney Webb, some remarkable varieties of Argynnis adippe and Cenonympha pamphilus; also two specimens of Apatura iris, and two of Limenitis sybillain which the white bands were entirely absent. The Hon. Walter Rothschild exhibited, and contributed preliminary notes on, some hundreds | 1892. | MAE DRUM SHYNADURALISH. 97 of Lepidoptera, representative of a collection of some 5000 specimens recently made jn five weeks by Mr. W. Doherty, in the South-west of Celebes. The collection Pecinded species of Nectaria, Ideopsis, Saletaria, Limnias, Radena, Tirumala, Euplea, Lethe, Melanitis, Mycalesis, Yphthima, Elymnias, Amathusia, Pseudamathusia, Discophora, Acrea, Ergolis, Cethosia, Cynthia, Cupha, Terinos, Cirrhochroa, Funonia, Precis, Rhinopalpa, Xoma, Cyrestes, Hypolimnas, Euripus, Rohana, Parthenos, Neptis, Athyma, Symphedra, Euthalia, Limenitis, Abisava, Huphina, Catopsilia, Evonia, Appias, Ornithoptera, Papilio, &c., and several species of Hesperide. Many of the species were new, and others very rare. Mr. Elwes, Colonel Swinhoe and Mr. S. Stevens com- mented on the interesting nature of this collection, and a vote of thanks to Mr. Rothschild for exhibiting it was passed by the meeting. Mr. E. B. Poulton gave a lecture ‘‘ On the denudation of the Scales in certain species of Lepidoptera,” and illustrated it by a large number of photographs shown by means of the oxyhydrogen lantern. Mr. G. F. Hampson, Mr. Elwes, and Mr. Poulton took part in the discussion which ensued.—H. Goss, Hon. Secretary. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. March 24th, 1892.—C. G. Barrett, Esq., F.E.S., President in the chair. Mr. J. R. Burt, of Streatham was elected amember. Mr. T. Merrifield exhibited examples of Selenia illustvarvia, S. illunaria, S. lunaria, Vanessa urtice, Platypteryx falcataria, Chelonia caja, and Bombyx quercus and var. callune to illustrate the effects of temperature on these species. Mr. Merrifield prefaced his remarks on the experiments he had made by referring to those of Weisman and Edwards which were made on seasonally dimorphic species, he said the results obtained by him were consistent with those of these gentlemen but he went further than they did and he found by subjecting the pupa to certain temperatures he invariably, in the majority of the specimens, obtained certain results, a lower temperature generally producing examples which were darker and more intense in colour than those subjected to higher temperatures. In illustvavia a brood divided into two portions and one placed at a temperature of about 80 degrees produced normal specimens while the other portion placed at a temperature of from 50 to 60 degrees were strikingly darker in colour; the same results were obtained with illunavia and lunaria and E. autumnaria, but in these last named species they were not quite so pronounced. P. falcataria, B. quercus its var. callune, C.caia and V. urtice were similarly affected but in a lesser degree than the species of Selenia; in V. uvtice some of the examples closely approached the var. polaris, the specimens subject to the lower temperatures being generally darker and the blue crescents more intense in colour. In conclusion Mr. Merrifield said a temperature of 47 degrees seemed to stunt the size and produced a large proportion of cripples, higher temperatures than this seemed more conducive to health and vigour; it had been suggested that the results he had obtained were attributable to the unhealthy conditions to which the pupz were exposed but this was not at all a correct explanation, in the 172 specimens he exhibited 150 were not cripples, extreme temperatures produced crippling, but moderate temperatures were quite sufficient to account for the extreme difference of colouring. Mr. Fenn said he had since 1859 paid great attention to the earlier stages of Lepidoptera and he assumed variation was either natural or artificial; that natural variation might be again divided into ‘three nearly equal causes, viz.: Heredity, moisture and natural selection. In artificial variation the causes might generally be said to be abnormal or diseased, by the term disease he meant a general weakening of the constitution by unnatural influences, the least deviation from natural conditions might lead to variation. Mr. 98 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [May Fenn then remarked that the temperature necessary to alter the colour, viz.: 47 to © 57 degrees, and 57 degrees alone was quite sufficient to put at least all our winter, spring and aufumn insects entirely out of itS action. E. autumnavia one of the species relied on, Mr. Fenn had had considerable experience in breeding, and in the series he exhibited there were many paler and many darker than any shewn by Mr. Merrifield, and the larve and pupz had been kept under usual conditions and the greater proportion of them followed the parent forms. In conclusion he said such variation as was shown by Mr. Merrifield was practically impossible in a state of » nature unless it was the result of disease. Messrs. Weir, Adkin, Tugwell, Carrington, Dobson, Barrett and Tutt continued the discussion, the last named gentleman following Mr. Fenn in attributing the variation to disease, and that to a large extent it was caused by preventing the proper development and formation of the colouring pigment. He thought the action of temperature was indirect and_ produced variation by interfering with the normal development. Mr. Merrifield agreed with many of Mr. Fenn’s observations and thought most of them were consistent with the results obtained in his experiments as reported by him. In any case there could be no doubt that in the species principally operated on by him, temperature applied in such moderation as not to effect the healthy appearance of the insect, produced with great uniformity conspicuous differences in colouring. There were other species in which no considerable effect was produced unless the temperature was so extreme as to cause a certain amount of crippling or imperfect development. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. Merrifield, proposed by Mr. Fenn and seconded by Mr. Jenner Weir.—H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday, April 7th.—Exhibits, Lepidoptera:—Mr. Gates, a living specimen of Hadena pisit. Mr. Southey, a long and variable series of Hybernia defoliavia from Highgate Woods. Mr. Bacot. a series of Hybernia progemmaria, including var. Ascata ; also an asymmetrical torm of Arctia caja. Mr. Clark, Brephos parthenias, and Amphidasys prodvomaria, both from Epping Forest. Mr. Battley, ova, young larvz and cocoon of Liparis salicis. Mr. Simes, a life history of L. salicis, and a variable series of Hybernia leucophearia. Mr. Smith, a series of Selenia illunaria, showing considerable difference between the spring and summer forms. Mr. Gurney, a series of Lithosia quadva from the New Forest. Dr. Sequeira, a case of Rhopalocera from Central Africa. He pointed out the similarity of several of the species to our British representatives, one in particular very closely resembling Polyommatus phlieas, but having the tails to the hind wings longer. Mr. Milton, Asthena blomeri from Clevedon; and in Coleoptera, Lina longicollis and Grammoptera ruficornis. Mr. Heasler, Chilocorus similis, Bythinus curtisi and Agathidium varians. Mr. Battley then read his paper on ‘‘ The life history of Liparis salicis’’ giving his experience in~ breeding this insect from the egg. He pointed out that it usually pupates by spinning the leaves together, and rarely, if ever, forms its cocoon on the trunk of a tree as stated by Newman. Mr. Mera observed that the time of flight of this species was about midnight, but he had occasionally seen it on the wing at dusk. Mr. Burrows had found cocoons of this species formed upon the trunks of trees, but thought that the larve were compelled to spin in this way, as they had almost defoliated the trees. Mr. Simes called attention to the peculiar yellow blood of the species, and to the glands on the thorax. Messrs. Clark, Gates, Tremayne, Nicholson, and others also took part in the discussion, and a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Battley for his paper. Mr. Riches stated that recently he had seen a freshly emerged specimen of Spilosoma menthastri. Mr. Southey recorded the breeding of Biston hirtavia from pupz that had gone over two winters. A discussion 1892. | rit? DikiiSi IWATURALIST. 99 also took place with regard to the occurrence of Gonepteryx rhamni near London ; Wimbledon Common and Highgate Woods were mentioned as good localities for the species. Thursday, April 21st.—Exhibits:—Five specimens of Teniocampa instabilis from various localities in the north of London, two being of a very light colour. Mr. Huckett, two examples of Selenia illustruvia bred from larva taken last autumn; he stated that the imagines bred from these larvz closely approached the aestival form, Mr. Tremayne, Cidaria miata, Amphidasys prodromaria from Epping Forest, C. flavicornis and Dasychiva pudibunda. Mr. Clark, a series of Dasystoma salicella from Epping Forest. Mr. Hill, a ¢ specimen of Dasychiva pudibunda, quite freshly emerged, having a large area in each wing denuded of scales, these areas were strikingly symmetrical on either side of the insect. Mr. Smith, C. flavicornis and Tephrosia crepuscularia from West Wickham. Mr. Southey, a series of Crocallis elinguavia and Ennomos angularia from Hampstead, one ¢ of the latter species having the tips of the anterior wings suffused with purple. Mr. Battley advised those members possessing any ribbon-grass in their gardens to search for the larve of Apamea ophiogvamma now, he also added that during February these larvae had wandered from the ribbon grass and attacked carnations. Coleoptera—Mr. Heasler, Cnemidotus impressa, Hydroporus erythrocephala, Philydrus melanocephalus and Berosus signaticollis from Mitcham.—A. U. BaTTLey anp J. A. Simzs, Hon. Secs. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. mpi —— ines President, S|. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S., in the chair. Messrs. Pree vevster,, of St. Helens; ©; FE. Johnson, of Stockport; aud the Rev. C. Buckmaster, of Wigan, were elected members. Mr. J. E. Robson, F.E.S., of Hartle- pool, Editor of the “British Naturalist,’ read a paper entitled ‘‘Melanism and the theories explaining it.” After reviewing the various theories of previous writers for the tendency of certain species to darken, he stated that it was his belief that no single theory could account for the phenomena of melanism now going on, and while agreeing with Lord Walsingham that the dark colour of insects in cold, and snowy regions, was due to that c°'our being most advantages for absorbing heat, he also considered that the increase of smoke and dirt, obscuring the suns rays near large manufacturing towns, would also tend to produce melanism by the law of natural selection. The paper was illustrated by numerous examples of melanic forms of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Mr. C. A. Briggs’ very dark Sphinx ligustri, the President’s black Boarmia cinctavia and B. robovavia and Mr. Robson’s very dark Chortobius pamphilus, Avctia menthastri and Odontopera bidentata being especially fine, but the little box that attracted most attention contained side by side, Mr. Briggs’ fine variety of Arciia caja with faint buff coloured markings on the fore wings with black Bicclov-like spots occupying the centre, the hindwings being all red; and Mr. Capper’s variety of the same species, the forewings of which are immaculate with the exception of one black spot near the centre, the hind wings being normal. Mr. Newstead exhibited types of Prosopophora dendvobii Doug. of M.S. only; a very remarkable coccid from Demerara, descriptions of which will shortly appear in the Sev Mr Collins on behalf of Messrs. C. Rk. Billups and J..Dutton of Warrington, ¢ and ¢ of Dytiscus dimidiatus captured in the fens in 1891 after being lost Sight of for eight years, and Si/pha atvata var. subyotundata from the east and south- West coast of the Isle of Man, Feb., 1892. Mr. Sharp, melanic vars. of Calathus Nubigena. &c.. Mr. Scowcroft, fine varieties of Avgynuts aglaia; Mr. Pierce, Macaria lituvata a black form with a broad marginal orange band to both wings:—F. N Bemer, fon. Sec., 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. 100 THE BRITISH NADURALIS® [May General Notes. Nocrua conrLua.—My attention has only just been attracted by the unnecessarily warm controversy about Noctua conflua. 1 must, in the first place, confess that I wrote very carelessly, when, in my list of captures in Iceland, 1 said that N. conflua was first described from Iceland specimens, and I regret that this statement should have led anyone wrong. I was referring to Dr. Staudinger’s paper in the “ Stett. Ent. Zeitung,” for 1857, when, for the first time he described the different forms of N. conflua, from the examination of more than 1000 specimens. At the same time I attributed the name to Trietschke, who wrote 30 years before Staudinger. His description, or rather that of Duponchel, which seems to have been published before that of Trietschke himself, was founded on the examination of 16 specimens from the Riesengebiege, while in no way differentiating it from N. festiva, would exclude the majority of the Iceland specimens, and his figure does not help matters much. Now the Icelandic and Wolsingham specimens are very much alike, and larve of this latter sent to me by Mr. Sang as those of N. conflua produced this form, and differ from any of the Shetland specimens which I have seen. Like the latter, the wing is much more truncate than in the ordinary festzva, but there is an additional distinction in the relative shortness of the wing. In Iceland I found the size and proportions of the wings to be very constant, the markings themselves run through much the same variations as those of N. festiva, and I cannot but think that all the specimens, whether coming from England, Scotland, Shetland, or Iceland, must be referred to one protean species, viz :—N. festiva.— Puitie B. Mason, Burton-on-Trent: NocTua FESTIVA AND VAR. CONFLUA.—- Since the discussion on this subject was started, it appears to me that the original lines of argument have been somewhat departed from; if I am not wrong the “ bone of contention”? between Mr. Tutt and Mr. South was the somewhat tough and marrowless one of nomenclature, as to whether, when. Treitschke founded the name conflua, he had before him and intended it for the small Scotch specimens (Newman’s conflua), or the much more distinct and constant brown one from Shetland, recently dubbed var. thules. From what I gather I should certainly think the latter. Newman was undoubtedly at the bottom of much of the confusion, in establishing the small Scotch race as a distinct species under the name of conflua; except the difference of size, these are in no way different to ordinary festiva, unless, indeed, that on the whole they are richer in colour, but they show exactly the same phases of variation as the normal sized ones, The brown Shetland ones certainly look to 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. toi have narrower wings and are fairly constant, and like no other form of festiva. As I said above, the argument has drifted from nomenclature to a question of whether, what I will allude to as the Shetland var. conflua, is a species, sub-species, or variety. Mr. Hewitt (ante p. 77) says, when speaking of the Shetland var. conflua, ‘“‘which Mr. Tutt wishes to establish as a species.”” I don’t think Mr. Tutt wishes to do Eyunineor tine sort; im his “British: Noctuz,’” Vol. Il.; p. 122; he certainly treats it as a sub-species, but surely a sub-species comes nearer to being a variety than a distinct species, it depends so entirely on what we understand as a sub-species and vamety. I quite believe that the term ‘‘swb-species,” as applied to a local race of a species, in its turn having its own varieties, will, ere long, be very generally used, as the old feeling against describing and naming local races of a Species. wears away, as it must do with the growth of the present desire for studying variation. I cannot agree with Mr. Hewitt when he says ‘“‘where Shetland forms of festiva and var. conflua are mixed up, I am sure it would be impossible for the most experienced entomologist to tell ‘t’other from which.’” No doubt other forms of festiva occur at Shetland, but if Mr. Hewitt has any festiva from the mainland he cannot separate from the true Shetland var. conflua, all I can say is that they must be true conflua also, and he has proved that it is to be taken on the mainland. For my part, I can say with Mr. Tutt, that I have seen no form of festiva from the mainland of Great Britain which could not easily be separated from the true conflua of Shetland. In conclusion, may I broach the delicate subject of the personalities which have crept into this discussion. We are used to such in newspapers of opposite politics, indeed, we look for it; no General Election would be complete without a good dose of it, but in a scientific discussion it seems most undesirable and out of place, and in no way conducive to a satisfactory solution of a subject for argument.— Ww. FarreEN, F.E.S., Cambridge. Micro-Larv# FoR THE Montu.—This is a busy month, and towards the end we shall find larve plentiful everywhere. The following are a few, out of the great number, that may now be taken: In the shoots of holly the larva of G.nevana is now to be taken commonly, and in those of maple, D. forskaleana; the shoots of the Vaccimum is also to be found drawn together by the larva of G. geminana ; H. cruciana in sallow shoots; and boreing down the stems of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum the larva of D. acuminetana is now busy, causing them to drop; in the leaves of the same plant may now be found the larva of Bucc. aurimaculella eating away the parenchyma ; in the topmost shoots of young Scotch firs the larva of P. buoliana is almost sure to be found, especially in open parts of woods, and in the shoots, particularly the ends of the lower branches of the older trees 102 THE BRITISH NATURALIST, [May the larva of Ff. pinicolana will be found giving the shoots a withered appearance. Under the radical leaves of Ballota nigra, the fiddle- shaped cases of the larva of N. schiffermillerella (fasciellus ) can now be taken where the imago occurs, the large holes in the leaves is a sure indication of their presence. The drooping shoots. of the spindle (Euonymus euvopeus) remind us we can now take the larva of Y. plumbellus, and in the shoots of buckthorn (fthamnus catharticus) having a similar appearance, the larva of L. rhammiella is giving them quite a brownish scorched appearance. By beating Oaks we can now obtain the larva of H. radiatelia, and from Sycamore and Maple the larva of H. sequella. In the drawn together leaves of Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) the larva of P. carlinella is now to be seen in the neat little habitation it has formed, and the common hemlock (Contum maculatum) have at this time some of the leaves folded over by the larva of Dep. alstermeriella and Weivella. This is the best month for collecting all the leaf-feeding larve of that large family of case makers (the Coleophora), their characteristic manner of feeding being so very conspicuous on the fresh-looking and, in some instances, hardly expanded leaves.. On the black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) growing on sunny slopes, the long cases of the rare Col. conspicuella and the short ones of C. alcyonpeunella are now to be taken, and in woods, on the Stachys betonica those of C. Wockellia, and along the sides of the main paths, where the Guenista tinctoria is to be found growing, the long curved cases of C. vibicella cannot fail to be observed, and in the shoots of the same plant the larva of Gel. lentiginosella will be found drawing them together. On Oaks the pistol-shaped cases of C. palliatella and ibipennella are now to be taken, and on hawthorn and pear leaves the long straight cases of C. hemerobiella, and on the stitchwort (Stellavia holostea) the straight cases of C. solitanella and, more rarely, the brownish cases of C. olivaciella, the flat serrated cases of C. limosipennella and the short straight cases of C. nigricella are now to be seen on the leaves of Elm, and C. gryphipennella on leaves of Rose, and many others of the same genus on other trees and plants. The Willow herb (Efpilobium augustifolium) has its shoots drawn together at this time by the larva of Lav. conturbatella, and in the shoots of Epiobium hirsutum the larva of L. fulvescens may now betaken. The leaves. of Luzulu pilosa in shady parts of woods are now being mined by the larva of E. magnificella and trapizella, and the larva of E. cimeveopunctella in the leaves of Carex glauca, in the leaves of dwarf sallows growing on heaths, the larva of that local Lithocolletes guinqueguttella is now to be seen feeding, and in those of Whortleberry the larva of L. vaccimella, in the leaves of Aster tripolium the larva of Bucc. maritimella is making their long serpentine galleries, and Bucc. crestatella will be found on leaves of Yarrow. The above, and 1892. | THE BRITISH; NATURALIST. 103 numbers of others at this time, are only waiting the attentions of the assiduous worker.—G. ExLisua, Shepherdess Walk, London. MyRMICA RUGINODIS MAKING WAR ON ITS OWN SPECIES.—Rambling near Clearbroak on the border of Dartmoor on the roth instant I caught sight of Myrmica ruginodis carrying something that I could not at first well define. Standing quietly a few moments I saw many others loaded in the same manner, I captured one and to my surprise I found it was another of the same species it was carrying; I have no doubt a raid has been made on a sinaller colony and the victorious arty were conveying them off to ‘strengthen their home. ' The prisoner was grasped by the throat, the abdomen turned over on the top of the head of the carrier. I have several times seen Formica rufa at the same business, this is the first time I have witnessed it with yuginodis.—G. C. BIGNELL, F’.E.5., Stonehouse, 13th April, 1892. Vanessa lo.—The Peacock butterfly has appeared in this district in unusual abundance during the last few days. It has been almost as plentiful as the Small Tortoiseshell, which is a most unusual thing here.—W. Macmi ian, Castle Cary, Somerset. THE SALLows IN DoneEGAL.— From all it appears to me that we are very deficient over here as to numbers of insects, and we certainly are as to numbers of species. I have just returned from the County of Donegal, where I have been sallow hunting from time to time with very poor success, except that in one place 1 found T. rubricosa abundant. It has, I believe, been regarded as rather scarce in Ireland. Mr. Birchall says, ‘“‘County Wicklow, Mr. Bristowe,”’ which is a sure sign that he never took it himself. I also took some curious pale varieties of 7. gothica, and some nearly black instabilis, also some hibernated Calocampa exoleta, but nothing really good.—G. Veitars, Dublin. SALLows AT HARTLEPOOL.—Common things are very abundant this year at the sallows, but so far, better species have not appeared feral, Im Hezleden Dene near the sea 7. gracilis, was the most numerous, varying from the pale form (pallida, Steph.), to that much sprinkled with dark scales, which I suppose is the type=Sfarsus, Haw.; next in number was vubricosa, then gothica, with odd specimens Sstabilis and instabilis. Ina railway cutting not a mile away, gothica was the most plentiful and I got some fine varieties from pale grey to very dark grey brown, and from pale reddish brown to dark red- brown, with the gothica mark in every stage of developement; none however could be called gothicina, as the tendency here appears to be for the mark to be eliminated rather than changed in colour. Next to gothica, rubricosa was most numerous then sfabilts, of gracilis. 1 only got four.—JoHN E. Rosson, Hartlepool. a 104 THE BRIMISH: NATURAL ISIE: [May THe SaLttows at CastLeE Epren Dene.-—-Perhaps your readers may be interested to hear how the Castle Eden Sallows have produced this year. ‘Two of us were over last Saturday and had a very good time of it. On the Saturday we walked along the coast to Horden Dene, about a mile north of Castle Eden. We found the sallows just right and moths swarming. They tumbled out on to the sheet by the dozen and in splendid condition. Stabzlis was commonest, then came gothica, which was left severely alone, inustabilis and rubricosa were also common. We netted some fine Badiata; one of quite different colour to the ordinary, being greyish and with the markings much blacker, After we finished we walked back to Castle Eden and worked the saliows there. The same species were all common, and we also. got two gracilis and a solitary cruda. Sunday night produced two more gracilis, and swarms of instabilis, &c. Altogether we were well satisfied but shall not be content till ofima turns up.— L. 5S. Braby, Sunderland. ~ fae SALLows AT LiverpooLt.—We have had rather good sport in Liverpool. T. gracilis has been plentiful, and ofima, though scarce enough, seems to be regaining lost ground. Lzmneolata and zonaria have both been common at Wallasey. This is a novelty for zonaria, for it had disappeared for the last few years.—Gero. A. HARKER, Liverpool. | _ Nyssia Zonaria AT LiverPooLt.— On Monday, 11th April, under the guidance of Mr. Gregson, and in company with Mr. C. A. Briggs, of London, and Mr. Newstead, of Chester, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of this exceedingly local and very pretty species. As the excursion had been looked forward to for some time, I was very anxious for success. I hoped to take a hundred or so of the insects that I might supply friends on my side of the island, and I would not have considered the day ill spent if six or seven hours had been taken in obtaining so many. After leaving the |7 station we turned down a street that faded off at the bottom into | © sandhills, and before we were out of the paved portion Mr. Briggs | saw the first specimen on a lamp post. But our guide hurried us on | — and would not allow us to pause till we reached what he called good | ground. It was a secluded little nook of rather dirty-looking sand- | hills, with very little vegetation, and what there was being withered | and disreputable looking. At the bottom sods had been laid for a | tennis court, and in the few yards surrounding the grass we were to | search for zonavia. This was soon done, we could scarcely move fe without treading on them; males drying their wings, females | depositing their ova, crawling about, or sitting paired, there they | were at every step. I picked up 12 fine males without moving my/ feet, which I mention to give an idea of their abundance. Many of the , | 1892. | THe BRITISH “NATURALIST. 105 females were depositing ova in the heads of the Carline thistle, where they were placed with great regularity in the dried remains of the flowers. Mr. Briggs called my attention to a male, on the wing of which some ova were deposited. As the female is wingless, he suggested this might be an occasional means of extending the range of the species. In the morning the males are torpid, except those just emerging, but in the evening they are lively enough. They were so abundant that in about an hour we were all satisfied. Mr. Newstead indeed was very soon done with them, and gave attention to the Bees, concerning which he may have an announcement to make which I will not forestal.—JoHn E. Rosson, Hartlepool. SPONGE-LIKE FUNGUS.—Mr. McMillan, of Castle Cary, sends a piece of fungus to be named, much resembling a fine sponge. Mr. — Soutter to whom we have submitted the specimen writes, ‘ Although © at a distance from all my books, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it to be Dry Rot, Meralius lacrymanas. It is most variable in its appearance, and I need not say very destructive in its ravages. Mollusca. Notes on VarieTiIes.—In this and the following articles I intend to quote opinions and facts bearing on the causes of variation, from various writers. I have before me a pamphlet by Prof. Wetherby, of the University of Cincinnati, treating principally of Helzx (Triodopsis) appressa, Say. He speaks of a variety which occurs in the southern part of Kentucky, smaller than the type, thinner, and very heavily ribbed; of this variety he collected 129 examples, of which 43, exactly one-third, were deformed. These Helices were collected at the base of a mountain, on a talus of loose stones, liable to much shifting, and conseqnently certain to inflict much injury on numbers of the Mollusca inhabiting the place, in fact, the greater number of distortions were clearly traceable to the breaking and repairing of shells at different periods of their growth. After a somewhat detailed description of the accidental deformities, and their results in young examples, such as prominence and depression of spire, &c., comes the following, which I give in the author’s own words:-- **While accidental morphological characteristics are not likely to be perpetuated; and while general analogy stands in the way of the Suggestion, the character of hermaphroditism, and the mutual fecundation of individuals abnormally alike, may present to such as choose to investigate the subject further, a key to some of the mountain molluscan fauna. At all events, we have numbers of specimens, -106 THE BRITISH NATURABESST. [May entively uninjured, exhibiting. siight modifications of the characteristic deformities described above,* and the constant repetiton of accident renders the likelihood that its results will be persistently reproduced, much more probabie than in the accidental cases of deformity which we observe under ordinary circumstances.” The Rev. S. Spencer Pearce has written a paper on A. capervaia, of which | shall give an abstract. The author remarks that we have to deal with “ Variations of Size, of Markings or Colouring, of Form or Shape.” ... ** With regare to the variations in size, we have as the extreme of largeness the var. major, while the extreme towards smallness . . . would have to be characterised as a var. minor.” ‘‘ Judging from the fact that the larger forms of Helix caperata, as also those of Helix virgata are found on arable ground, éspecially in the borders of cultivated fields in limestone districts, size would seem to depend only on the combined presence both of an abundance of food-plants such as are supplied in the cultivated field, with a calcareous soil. Proper herbage, apart from the calcareous earth, and vice-versa, the calcareous soil without the richer food-plants, will not suffice to increase the shells in size.” The writer omits any reference to climate which ] think should always be considered a factor, a suitably warm tempera- ture aided by a free supply of moisture would, I believe, be found necessary for the developement -of-these shells to any extent beyond the usual size. As the writer however is dealing with the County of Sussex, the presence of these climatic conditions are not doubtful. The author next states his opinion as to the origin of the two varieties of form which he has observed, the one a compact form with a raised spire and banded, the other, a mottled form, with a flattened spire and a wider umbilicus (var. gigaxii}. The writer states that the latter is found in the borders of fields, while the former keeps entirely to open downs and pastures, and uncultivated places. The reason of this is believed to be that in tilled fields the flatter shell is of more use, enabling the snail to crawl with house low down close under the matted leaves, where it leads a sluggish life, rarely, if ever seeking to climb. On the turf and grass, on the contrary, a more compact, smaller and handier shell is required that the animal may the more easily manceuvre up and down, in and out among the blades of grass. ees ‘writer remarks that the dattened and mottled form is almost universal in those localities where sheep never feed, the: banded form (var. oynata) occurring very rarely, while on the sheep pastures (commons, &c.) he finds ornata almost equally abunbant with the other form; this he accounts for by supposing that the sheep find the snails an unpleasant addition to their ordinary food, and further that the more conspicuous banded shells are easily avoided, while the less * The Italics are mine. 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 107 ‘easily seen mottled shells are devoured with the grass. It is evidently assumed that the varieties breed true, at least to some extent, although no statement of this kind is made. These remarks are followed up by the suggestion that H. capevata had originally a uniformly brown shell. ‘‘Wecan imagine that the developement which the colouring and marking have passed througn represent to us a gradual change through mottled forms, from an original form which had an uniformly brown shell. which tends, owing to the surroundings of an arid, open, and sunny habitat, to a uniform whitish or white shell, which we know is the prevailing characteristic colour of species living in dry and sunburnt countries.” ‘‘The variety ornata being really an aside form, so to speak, prominent only on the sheep pastures, arises from the causes previously explained.” It is further suggested that the typical forms of H, virgata, H. ericitorum, the var. bizona of H. acuta, and kindred form of continental Helices may owe their prevalence to a like cause. ~The ‘geneology of the colour varieties of H. caperata is summed up as- follows. 1. The brown shell: now perhaps represented by the var. fulva, a reversion to the type from No. 2 or No. 3. 2. Form with paler shades on brown shell 3..Ordinary mottled form and derivative forms,- in which these mottlings tend to produce bands (var. ornata.) 4. Forms in which dark mottlings are disappearing. 5. Form Sot which mottlings and bands have disappeared ‘var. albicans). Produced from No. 4, and also from the var. ovnata. No. 3. These forms in which the dark _ mottling or banding is replaced by translucent markings may be ’ explained by the failure of the animal material, which is the basis of _the colouring matter of the shell.—W. A. Gary, Tuxford. ae Pe a ee a oa es THE» PTEROPHORINA ~ OF’ BRITAIN, BY J. W. TUTT, F-E.S. (Continued from page 63). Striking asin my series of Platyftilia gonodactyla, also from various English localities. Mimeseoptilus plagiodactylus I have bred from larve feeding on, and partly in, the shoots of Scabiosa. These were a me by Mr. Purdey, of Folkestone. Previous to this Mr. Gregson ad been good enough to send me larve of plagiodactylus, or as he tamed it scabiodactylus. In his note accompanying the larve, Mr. Gregson wrote :—‘ You will see how distinct it is from plagiodactylus of our list, which has a larva having a broad claret dorsal line.’ The pody-colour and ornamentation of Mr. Gregson’s larvze may be briefly lescribed thus :—Whitish-green, dorsal stripe reddish-pink (or rose- _ 108 THE : BREASH WAT URA ELST. [May madder), most distinct on the gth to 12th segments. Comparing the Folkestone larvze with the full description taken from those sent me by Mr. Gregson, I found that they agreed in every particular. I admit that the perfect insects bred from Mr. Gregson’s larve are more strongly marked, and perhaps smaller, than imagines from the Folkestone larve; but as the forms are so identical in their early stages I could not agree with Mr. Gregson as to the distinctness of his insect” (‘* Entomologist,” Vol. XXIII., p. 98). Having thus settled in his own mind that bipunctidactyla and plagiodactylus were the same species and that scabiodactylus was simply a local form of the former, it is amusing, though unsatisfactory, to find Mr. South in the November number of the ‘‘ Entom.,’”’ 7.¢., some six months after, redescribing the larva and figuring the species as plagiodactylus, without any reference to the correct name Oipunctidactyla. Mr. Gregson’s original note, on the probability of the form with the inner margin ochreous being distinct, is as follows :—‘‘ At page 186 of the ‘“Entomologist’’ for December, 1866, appears a life-history of Ptervophorus plagiodactylus, written by myself, but, as subsequent discoveries of ‘“‘ plume” larve have confirmed me in the opinion that the species there described is not the plagiodactylus of our Continental friends, their plagiodactylus having a perfectly distinct larva from the species I discovered feeding upon Scabiosa columbarta, | have given it the name of scabiodactylus. I have long suspected the bipunctidactyla, Haw. of tne older English cabinets, was identical with or very nearly allied to the Jlagiodactylus of Continental collections. A little care in that direction will, 1 think, prove that we have also another nearly- allied species in that group,—larger, stronger and darker, and sitting with its wings slightly deflexed, and the hind legs carried straight out in repose. This supposed species stands in my collection as P. hirundodactylus. I have made figures of a plume-larva which I discovered, where I took the perfect insect: the larva is distinct from any species I know, but as I did not breed the perfect insect the matter must remain an enigma” (‘‘ Entomologist,’ IV., pp. 363- 364). I believe hivundodactylus never got further than this, and scabiodactylus and plagiodactylus are now merged into bipunctydactyla as varieties. Larva—The larva was first described by Mr. Gregson as that of plagiodactylus (‘‘ Entomologist,” I11., p. 186). He writes:—‘ The larva feeds on Scabiosa columbaria in April and in May, eating down into the heart of the plant before its flowering-stem is thrown up, and thus utterly destroying it; it is of a light green colour, hairy, and gradually attenuated from the head to the anal extremity ~ (‘* Entomologist,” Vol. III., p, 186). This he afterwards referred to («« Entom.,” IV., p. 363) as the description of the larva of a “plume” — 4 : E XCHANGE. he ‘marked * are bred. XCHANGE, Daas: _Jacobea, Carpini, Haworthii, ~ilago, Zonaria, Pilosaria, and: others. — : Desiderata El penny: A. urtice, Versicolora,. Papilionaria, aud offers.—J.— AV, LDWIN, AG 2 Darwen Road, near Bolton,’ Lancashire. ; LICATES—Cardamines, Rhamni, Corydon, Paphia, Cardui, S. populi, Menthastri, Dispar tria, Vinula,- ‘Cxrulcocephala, Janthina, C. nigrum, N, rubi, Litura, Vaccinii, Satellitia, oes en ce ee - ope es -estace: : pea Scab UPLICATE us--Fine well set. Kent D. Gali, Sussex, Sphegiformis and Braemar Exulans, cularia, Binidularia, Clathrata, Ruberata, Rubiginata, Glareosa, Ruinicis, &c.,; or C. ericel- ellus, Furcatellus.~ Only perfect. ee sent or received. =W. il, ‘Tuawsi, 6 Lew- oad, Greenwich, SE. BSIDERATA ey prunaria, G. obseurata, KH. heparata, lh. ee Mes ri ibiginata, M. eavour to make a good return — JoH\Y EK. Rosson, Lartlepool. gs eges with data, &c.—P. W, Papre, 62 W aterloo- street, Bolton. ge for Periodicals. —THos. W. WirsHaw, 455 Shoreham- street, Sheffield. a, os Lunaria, &c.—F. Matron, 154 Stamford ‘Hill, London; N- eside ae dengan Lepidoptera, and other orders and named: types of British and FO e] A. Forp, pe FOSS, Upper Lower Road, tb. Jseonards- -on-Sea, Sussex. oin i and Ohi] Desid. Numerous. or: EMSERY, 98, West Street, , Let dst ¢ H A N GE OF A D D RE 58 a HALL, LONDON WALL to 38. FINSBURY A BC, “MEETINGS OF SOCIETIE oe ‘Finsbury Square, E.C.. Meetings.—Thursdays, - Fixtures: May 5th and roth. o 46. 10. 0.30 oa m.; 6th, ant 1 to ro p.m. Full particulars and tickets can be he Hon. Se)" Mr. H. W. Barker, 147 Gordon road, Peckham, S.E. TRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, | Free Library, iam Brown St., Liverpool. us; also. ova, ee and pupe. — ae K. Borer, Pastis once! Oixtied road. ones l erata— lark melanie forms or well marked. Mendica, Pilosaria, ‘Abruptaria, Repandata, XCHANGE * ‘Vanted to ence “The Naturalist,” ee Auguat 18 £, to December, “1891, ‘he Midland Naturalist,” Conchological Books, or Shells.—W. A’ Gary, Tuxford, Newark: . ata _tristata, S. undulata, C. russata, immanata. and very mapy common species. 1 will CHANGE. -— Duplicate rohes of Sooty and Noddy Vers, Maux SUE ee Mute Swan, n winged Woodpecker, American Robin, ‘its, B: atings, aud others, anted other “sorts ‘ ANGE. Wanted, British Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, Or books on Entomology, ink tae HANGE. — Duplicates -—Hesperia limeola in yvocd condition. _Desiderata: —Hastata, - British Coleoptera, a few Heiniptera and a few land and marine s elise ia,* Si Ginata, palecnie. ee ; Seat ane: Te oleae, Netien vailgen ese en ee 2 _vars., ee Sie Rutina, DAS ia Dentina, S Solidaginis. -= WILLIAM Cown, 5, OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HIS" ORY SOCIETY © from : OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND\ NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY SOUTH LONDON | ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATP RAL HISTORY’, = é gentlemen. All letters requiring a reply by post should contain stamp. CONTE WTS. < 3 2 The Hymenoptera- -Aculeata of Lasse: cand Ciheetiues 4 Vi RGatdnen F.R.G. By The Secondary Sexual Characters of bee British Coleoptera. ai. W. Ellis, B. A, Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire, &e.—‘V. Keid. Reports of Societies General Notes _ us Mollusca. —Notes.—*V. A. Gain. The Pterophorina of Britain. —J. iV. Tutt, ¥. 5. g TO CORR ESPON DENTS. By reducing the leads between the lines, space equal to carly: three a ditional ages has been gained, without giving the Magazine the crowded “pearance that is so painful to read. _A plate, illustrating the ‘‘ Hand-book ‘of British Spiders,” is issued. mouth, instead of the usual portrait. ‘The series will be resumed next mo when a portrait of J. W. Douglas, F.u.s., will be given. A description of Plate V., issued in September last, appears th mont The description of Plate VJ. wiil appear with the next “ Spider ” supplemen -Arrangements are now completed for continuing the Molluscan Sectio: _ W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land a: Fresh Water Mollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, Esq., of The Green, Llandaff, attend to the Marine Section. Communications may be made to either of t ; ‘the Section for Coleoptera is condueted by G. A. 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Barrett then found larve and these were described by Mr. Buckler. iii barcert wiites (“E.M.M.”, VITI., 156) :—*On: May 30th last, I went over to my favourite chalk-pit, determined, if possible, to make the acquaintance of the larva of Pterophorus plagiodactylus. ‘The sloping banks of the pit are covered with a protusion of wild flowers, and among them Scabiosa columbana and arvensis grow in abundance. At this time, these plants were throwing up strong shoots, and erowing so rapidly, that the infested portions of the plant were almost directly covered, and concealed by the healthy shoots, so that I had no little difficulty in discovering the whereabouts of the larva. The mode of life 1s this:—The larva gnaws a hole in the side of a young shoot, and, working. up, devours its anterior substance, proceeding from shoot to shoot till full-fed, when it attaches itself to the plant by the anal segment, and becomes an angular, bright green pupa, beautifully edged and pointed off with pink, and entirely without hairs. The favourite food-plant is Scabiosa columbaria, but | S. avvensis serves as a substitute, and in the ‘‘fens’”’ the moth is common among S. succisa. This species is double-brooded, appearing in May and June, and again in August, the larva feeding in May and doubtless again in July, but in the latter case the mode of feeding : has still to be observed, as the plants are then well grown;” whilst | Mr. Buckler’s description which immediately follows is-::—“ The i larva of plagiodactylus, when full-grown, is about five lines in length, i of moderate proportion, neither stout nor slender, tolerably cylindrical, _ tapering a little posteriorly; the head rounded and rather smailer | than the second segment, of a very pale colour and shining; the body "is very pale olive-yellow, with a conspicuous brown dorsal line ' attenuated at each end, and with two faint lines along the side a little deeper than the tint of the ground colour; on the lowest line are the ie black spiracles each on a slight swelling; the tubercular warts are of the pale ground colour and furnished with rather long curved whitish hairs; the head and other parts of the body emit short hairs” Ma Ent. Mo. Mag.,” Vol. VIII., p. 156). Concerning the habits of | the larva of the second brood, Miss Kimber writes:—‘‘1 found the ; larvee of M. bipunctidactyla feeding on the flowers of scabious. They are very sluggish, and eat through the bases of several florets. They are thus completely hidden, and, until the flower head is pulled apart Memere 1S no sign of the larva within” (‘‘Ent. Record” &c., Vol. I., yp. 264). Mr. Porritt writes:—‘ A larva which has baffled all my attempts to find it, is that of Ptervophorus bipunctidactylus. The imago "abounds among Scabiosa in some old rough fields here, and is on the “Wing continuously from June until October. Mr. W. Warren informs me he finds the larve of the early summer moths feeding in the 110 DAE) OB RMS IN Ach teyA Te lSie [JUNE autumn, in the flowers of Scabiosa, on sunny afternoons some of the larvee coming outside the flowers, and being exposed should of course then’ be easily’ seen.1 And Mr. C Barrett, if (remember; rightly told me he had found the larva of the later moths feeding in the stems of Scabiosa, before the time for the flowers to appear; but although I have searched season after season, at all the parts of the year from May to September, and Mr. S. L. Mosley of this town has also worked diligently at different times of the year for it, neither of us have ever been able to detect a trace of the larva in any part of the plant” (Ent. Mo. iMag.” Volk Xx. 208): Pupa—The pupa was first described by Mr. Gregson who writes :—‘‘ The pupa is slender with green wing-cases and a pinkish® body ; it is suspended by the tail, either from its food-plant or from any blade of grass or other object it may find in the neighbourhood. In this state it remains fifteen days when the perfect insect appears ” (“Entomologist,” Il, p. 186); 7 Mr. South further adds; <‘ Pale green, with an obscure reddish pink dorsal line or stripe, which in some examples is only represented by short dashes behind the thorax, and on the last four segments. The anal segment and tip of leg-cases pale pinkish; sometimes the whole of the dorsal area is also suffused with pinkish. Wung-cases tinged with yellowish. Leg-cases detached from abdomen. Suspended by anal attachment from a leaf or stem of ‘food-plant—- April;| May and June” 7 (¢Emtomolosist; 77 Volk DOA ip 274). | FHlasrrat—It seems difficult to find a locality that this species does not affect if any species of Scabiosa be found. I have taken it myself in marshy meadows, woods, on roadsides, on inland chalk jilis and on chalk cliffs facing the sea. Mr. C.G. Barrett says :—‘‘ The insect (plagiodactylus) is common in chalky places among Scabiosa columbaria, sometimes swarming about disused chalk-pits,’ whilst again he says that ‘‘ we find bdipunctidactylus scattered all over the country almost wherever S. succisa grows.” He also records it from “Ranworth Ren, on a jpatch! of wery luxiriant | Saamswecisa, vean “Brandon among S. columbaria and S. arvensis” (‘¢Ent. Mo. Mag.,” Vol XVIII. p: 179). Mr. (Gregson records) 4 tommy under the mania of aridus from Wales, in the same Magazine, Vol. VII., p. 88, whilst Mr. Porritt en p. 63 of the same volumn records ‘‘ plagiodactylus from Witherslack,” and Mr. C."G. Barrett im Vol. XXIV.; p: 306 records it from ‘‘near Swaffham.” I have taken it abundantly at Strood Cuxton, Deal, Folkestone and other Kent localities, at Freshwater, in the Isle of Wight, near Wicken Fen, and many other places. Mr. Atmore: records 16 inom WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, “BRIS ion eee : ce Chea ap Sets of well-made Natural History. Apparatus | for young beginners, — ae - all carriage paid. FOR INSECTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins alling Box, a —— ee Boxe eae Label Lists, &c., 6/6. ee FOR HGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, eee Box, ‘Label ce &e., Br - ee FOR SHELULS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes; 3)6. 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It is ane concise, and practical | Saturday Review. : “We aré glad to call attention to this eadellent series of handbooks, iieh Aescers t widely known. ... | Weare glad to see the staff of the British Museum thus co forward to make. popular the stores of learning which they have. )..... The illustratia are eS good—far better than in many expensive books.’’—A pane be tse Sy . Butterflies, Moths, and. 13. Fossils, : Beetles, by Vy signa jr cay dG by. J. Ws Williatns. | : epee and Spiders, 14. The Microscope, : i is by F. A. Skuse. ; OUVAUCE este? NAPA ata riter IgE p op Bos 3° ene, Ae: ete., TGS 16. Book Collecting, A ‘Na a chee alee i omy est “DS a SEE Slater.\ [Ln prepara 4. Mosses, | oe : "by ‘James. E. ieee Ames ney aE es? Shells, ease | ake sete W. Williams & others. 5: Pond- -Life, eR oe ba as : [hl preparatio by E. A. Butler, PoZS, ge g “Giolis 1c ies igh one olonia oins, 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and We } by D. F. Howorth. 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Taylor. ae Ure ed fee Europe, DY: Be noe le in ——— - SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & 00, Paternoster Square, LON 0 1891. | EDITORIAL. ili next part of the ‘‘ British Naturalist.” Ifa reply by post be desired, a post-card or stamped envelope must be enclosed. Not more than twelve specimens will be named in one month for one subscriber. All literary eontributions in this section, Conchological works for review, and specimens to be named, should be sent direct to me at 3 Fairfax road, Bedford Park, London. All notices of exchange and subscriptions to Mr. Robson, at Hartlepool. The writers of signed articles will be responsible for the opinions expressed therein. For all unsigned articles the responsibility will rest upon me. i ODA COCKER Ewe: 1892. | | EB iSe NATURALIST. 137 The first transformation of the egg is the breaking up of the yolk into a cluster of little yolks. In this stage the insect resembles a ripe blackberry. It is still so small as to be quite invisible to the naked eye. What becomes of the white of the egg? What is called the white of the egg is merely food. It undergoes no changes, but simply nourishes the yolk, which is now like a cluster of small shot, or, as I said, a blackberry. Not yet is there any visible essential distinction between eggs of all kinds. The first transformation of the butterfly is the blackberry stage; so it is with the bird, and the rabbit, and the fish. What is the good of if? Take to a jeweller a lump of turquoise stone, and tell him that you want a ring set all round with turquoises. He could do nothing with the lump, he must cut it into pieces in the proper way, and then he could put the pieces round the ring, and a very pretty ring it would be. What was the good of cutting the turquoise in pieces; To apply it to a practical use. Nature wants to do something with the jelly cell, so the jelly is cleft in little pieces which are left sticking together like the lobes of a blackberry, but quite ready to be arranged. This is Called the morula stage, and I think that when you remember that, as a tule, this is a fact in the history of all animal life, you will admit that it is interesting. The next stage is rather harder to’describe.—We look again, the blackberry shape is gone, but we see the little pieces all arranged in beautiful order, covering the surface of a globe which is hollow, like an india-rubber ball, and contains a jelly-like substance. If now I take this india-rubber ball and squeeze it in on one side, I can form a cup, or something deeper like a horse-shce, the sides of which are _ double. This is the third stage, and, as a rule, it is common to all - animal life. The butterfly has passed through this form which is called the gastrula stage. The hollow represents the primitive stomach, and the opening the primitive mouth, and certainly all _ animals need a stomach anda mouth. We have not yet arrived ata __ stage which is plainly visible to the naked eye. The ordinary size of a gastrule form is less than half a millimetre in diameter, the size of a full-stop in ordinary print. Here, however, we have not only life but the. simplest rudiment of animal form. The butterfly is actually coming into shape, and, more than this, it is giving the first visible Signs that it is not going to come out as a monkey or a bird, Distinctive characters now set in by degrees, something special shews that the tiny embryo 1s not going to be an animal with bones, so the vertebrates are left behind. A little further a mark crops out that the _ embryo is not going to be a snail, so the snails are left behind; further _ on the embryo takes a turn that is never taken by the egg of a star- fish, so the star-fishes are left behind. Successively, points arise at 138 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [JuLy which branch off the centipedes, then follows a station at which one may see the signboard—change here for spiders and scorpions; and then, at length, we shall be on the line of rail leading for insects only. Only! Why, half the kinds of living things in the world are insects. The little butterfly germ might yet take a wrong turn, or get intoa wrong carriage and come out a grasshopper, or a beetle, or a bug, or a fly, or, almost safe at its journey’s end, be after all a moth, and perhaps have to fly by night instead of in the sunshine. No fear, that wondrous virtue derived from its parents will preserve from all wanderings. Let me change the word “from,” I am thankful to believe that I know whence it is originally from; but it is through the parents, and the parents, step by step, not one step missing or swerving, nor any Change the result of chance. Semething like this is butterfly hfe before leaving the egg. Time has permitted me to explain only three stages. The fertilised egg which first appears as the cell with its jelly and spot, the blackberry stage, and the indented hollow ball stage. I would remind you that we could see something of a reason for the blackberry stage. I explained it by the operation of the turquoise cutter whose work was the result of the action of his mind. It was quite natural and reasonable, we could see something of the why; similarly of the next stage. And now, lastly, I would ask you to compare the dinted ball without any traces of a head or a tail, or of eyes or legs, with the tiny caterpillar as you first see it issue from the egg in your breeding cages, perfectly adapted for its habits of life. What a procession of transformations you must add to the first three, if you would reckon up all the transformations accomplished in the butterfly’s egg. Nature sometimes makes the outside of the egg pretty, it is but the casket, the higher beauty is within. THE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF THE BRITISH COLEOPTERA. BY JOHN W. ELLIS, M.B. (VIC.), F.E.S. (Continued from page 115). STRUCTURE. —By far the most interesting of the secondary sexual | characters of the Coleoptera are the modifications which some of their organs and parts,—notably the mandibles, antenna, legs, and the | segments of the abdomen,—undergo, and a consideration of these | characters will occupy a large share of attention in the present paper. First in anatomical order comes:—The Head with its appendages — eyes 1892. | THE BRIPISH NATURALIST. 139 mandibles, palpi, and antenne. Ina great many beetles the head of the male is larger, and more especially broader, than that of the opposite sex, and as examples the following insects may be cited :— Many of the Staphylinide, as Quedius cruentus, Velleius dilatatus, Creophilus maxillosus, Emus hirtus, Ocypus olens, some Phulonthi (splendens, @neus, umbratilis, cephalotes), and Cafius xantholoma, in all of which the larger head tends to become quadrangular, that of the female being oval or triangular-ovate; several Steni, notably Stenus incanus; Oxyporus rufus; some Oxyteli; Anthophagus alpinus; Prognatha quadricorms ; some species of [ps (quadripunctata) and Rhizophagus (depressus, nitidulus, dispar); several members of the family Telephoridz or soldier beetles, such as Rhagonycha fulva, pallida, and elongata, which also have the eyes more prominent in the male, most Malthinus and Malthodes, in which the broadened head 1s also strongly constricted behind into a neck; Dolichosoma, and Dasytes. But it is in Lucanus cervus that this portion of the body reaches its greatest development in British beetles, in order to support the enormous mandibles which are often more than half the length of the insect itself, and which from being curved, forked at the tip, and furnished with a strong antler-lke tooth at about the middle of the inner side have caused the popular name ‘‘ Stag-beetle”’ as well as the specific name cevvus of Linnzus to be applied to this species. Specimens of _ the male are frequent in which the mandibles do not reach such great development, in which they are shorter, nearly straight, sharp and not forked at the apex, and with a tooth and some crenulations near the base on the inside, but in all cases these are very different from the small but very strong and sharp mandibles of the female, which, unlike those of the male, are capable of inflicting a very severe bite. Opinions differ as to the use of the enormously developed jaws of the male, but as they have been known in confinement to use them to crush fruit the probability is that in a state of nature they are used for such a purpose and for rasping the young bark off trees in order that they may feed upon the sap. In the allied species, Dorcus parallelopipedus, the head of the male is also larger than that of the female and is furnished with longer mandibles, each of which has a horn-like tooth (replaced by a blunt tubercle in the female) projecting from the middle. Contrary to the usual rule the head of the maie Apoderus covylt 1s narrower than that of the female, and more con- tracted behind. Leaving for the present any further consideration of the mandibles we may notice that several species, more especially among the Brachelytra, have the heads of the males marked witha depression between the eyes ; such is the case in Homalota graminicola, occulta and lineavis; and while the female of Homalota divisa has the head (and thorax also) slightly hollowed, the male has these portions 140 THE BRITISH NATUR AISA: [JuLy of the body deeply grooved longitudinally in the middle. 1n Gryfeta labilis the head of the male only is impressed, while in the very closely allied G. cerulea an impression 1s present in both sexes. The males of Malachius @neus and bipustulatus, and of several species of Cis (boleti, e.g.) have the head deeply and transversely impressed. In the males of several Scolyti the forehead is hollowed out and the surface clothed with pubescence, while in the females this portion of the head is smooth and convex. The males of several beetles bear upon their head horns of various degrees of development. The male of Bythinus Curtis has a small-horn like tubercle in the middle of the clypeus; that of Odontaeus mobilicorms has a long, curved, and (as the specific name indicates) moveable horn on the head, replaced in the female by two small prominences. In Copris lunaris the male is furnished with a long slightly curved horn, itself with a small tooth on each side of the base, while the female has a much shorter elevation, notched at the apex—a character which is never present in any of the males no matter how slightly the horn may be developed. The head of the male Sinodendron cylindricum bears a long recurved horn which is fringed with yellow hairs towards its apex, while the female has only a tubercle occupying the same situation. Many of the genus Aphodius have the front of the head (clypeus) furnished with three small conical elevations. These, and more especially the central one, are invariably more distinct in the male, and in the female they are sometimes absent altogether, sometimes replaced by a blunt elevation nearer the front margin of the head, and occasionally by a slight transverse elevation occupying the position of the male tubercles. In the species belonging to the genus Onthophagus we meet with a remarkable development of head-appendages. In the males the heads tend to become somewhat longer, even shovel-shaped (iutans), the back of the head is raised in the form of a vertical plate or thin’ ridge, from the centre of which springs a long slender horn, often bent forward in the middle--(nutans, cenobita, fracticorms, nuchicornis). In vacca the horn is straight, while in the rare taurus instead of a horn springing from the middle of the plate we have the two extremities of | the plate developed into long curved horns like those of a Spanish ox. In ovatus alone of the British species a horn is absent in the male, the vertical plate or carina only being present. In the females of all the British species the head is furnished with two ridges, one occupying the position of the vertical plate of the male the other situated between this and the front of the head, but in vacca the hinder ridge | presents a smail tooth at each end. In the males of some Bledit (taurus, spectabilis, tvicornis, unicornis, and bicornis) and in that sex of | Platystethus cornutus the side of the head is elevated into a distinct, horn or sharp prominence-—replaced by a blunt tubercle in the} 1892. | THE ERISA YINATURALIST. 141 female. In Platystethus arenarius the middle of the front of the head in the male is furnished with a small tooth, and the margin of the head is also toothed in Micropeplus margarite and staphylinoides. Many species of Cis (boleti, villosulus, micans, nitidus, &c.) have the front of the clypeus deeply notched in the male, and furnished with a blunt tooth at each side of the notch, while in the male Cis bidentatus the front of the clypeus bears two tubercles in the male; and in C. bilamellatus this portion of the head bears an upright plate in the male. The male of Ennearthron fronticorne bears two short horns on the clypeus, that of £. affine two minute horns, while that of E. covnutum has the front of the head furnished with two sharp teeth. The male Clythra tridentata has the front margin of the clypeus furnished with three shiny teeth, while in the female the clypeus is simply notched; the males of all the species in this genus have the mandibles elongate. In Guathocerus cornutus the male has two short horns on the clypeus, and the mandibles are elongate and curved at the extremity, so as to project upwards like horns in front of the head. (To be continued). Pio Omen: | DOr Rinak OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE BY WM. REID, PITCAPLE. (Continued from page 119.) Euplexia lucipara.—A few years ago I used to take this species abundantly, now it is very rare. Aplecta herbida.—Very rare, Fyvie, Haslehead, Aplecta occulta —Widely distributed and not uncommon. Aplecta tincta.—Abundant near Braemar, scarce at Banchory. Hadena satura.—1 have turned up several larve on Bennachie, from which I have as yet only bred one insect. Mr. Common, of Braco, captured a beautiful specimen at treacle several years ago, which has been referred by many eminent entomologists to this species or the next, it differed from my bred specimen, and I am now inclined to think it was a local variety of exulis. tladena assimilis (exulis).—See A. satura. Hadena adusita.--Abundant everywhere. Hadena protea.—Once at Inverurie, and once at Pitcaple, a Jaree and very dark form. Hadena glauca.—Widely distributed, generally rather scarce. Hadena dentina. Common everywhere, 142 THE BRITISH? NATURALIST. [Jury Hadena chenopodii —Local and rare (Lep. of Dee), rare near Pitcaple. Hadena oleracea.—Common everywhere. Hadena pisi.—Abundant, beautifully variegated forms are generally bred. Hadena thalassina.—Local and generally rather scarce. Hadena contigua.— Rare, Banchory. Hadena rectilinea.—Abundant in many localities, uncertain in appearance, sometimes very scarce. Cloantha solidaginis.—Abundant at Derncleugh, scarce else- where. Calocampa vetusta.—Abundant everywhere. Calocampa exoleta.--Not so common as the former species, and is almost a month later in-appearing, very common in spring. Xylina rhisolitha.—Mr. Connon has taken this species on Bennachie, it 1s very rare. Cucullia umbratica.— Local, but not uncommon. Heliothis scutosa.—Once at Bay of Nigg, by Mr. Breen. (see ‘“‘ British Naturalist,” Vol. I., p. 75). Anarta melanopa.—Kare, Braemar (Dr. F. B. White). Anarta cordigera.—Kare, Morroine Hill, Braemar (Dr. F. B. White. Anarta myrtilli.—Common on all moors, larve on heath. Brephos parthenias.—Kare, Braemar, Haslehead, &c. (Lepid- optera of Dee). Abrostola urticee.—Common everywhere, larve abundant on nettles. Plusia chrysitis.—Generally common, larve not rare. Plusia bractea.—Local and scarce, Echt, Peterhead, and several times at Muchalls. Plusia festuceze. -- Widely distributed, always scarce. Plusia pulchrina —Common everywhere, larve not scarce. Plusia gamma.—-Uncertain in appearance, sometimes. very abundant. Plusia interrogationis.—Local, but not scarce, larve only on heath. Gonoptera libatrix.-—Scarce everywhere. Amphipyra trapopognis.— Widely distributed and common. Mania typica.— Abundant Stilbia anomola.—Abundant in many localities, larva common on grass in early spring, very easily reared. Catocala fraxini.—Once at Cutler at sugar by Mr. Mundie and once at Derncleugh at sugar, in September, 1890 (see Entomologist, 1890, p. 170. 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 143 Euclidia mi.—Near Aberdeen (Zoologist 2401). Euclidia glyphica.—Rare, two specimens from somewhere near Aberdeen {Lepidoptera of Dee). | Phytometra zenea.—Common in many places. DRE OMDIES: Hypena proboscidalis.--An abundant species almost every- where. PYICAIe TD S. Pyralis farinalis.—Local, very common in several places. Aglossa pinguinalis.—Widely distributed and swarms in several localities, notably in some of the stables about Aberdeen. Aglossa cuprealis.—Several have been captured near Pitcaple. Pyrausta purpuralis.— Local but not uncommon, I have seen it in some numbers near Braemar. Herbula cespitalis.—Local, occurs on the coast, near Braemar, and in several other localities. Ennychia cingulalis.—Common at Linn of Quoich, Braemar (Prof. Trail’s Lepidoptera of Dee). Hydrocampa nympheealis.—Local, abundant in several places. Hydrocampa stagnalis.— Local, common in several localities (Scotston Moor, and River Doon near Aberdeen, Prof. Trail’s Lepidoptera of Dee). Botys verticalis.—Local, but not uncommon, Shettochsley (Mr. J. Rae). Botys fuscalis.—Widely distributed and generally abundant. Pionia forficalis.—Common almost everywhere. Spilodes sticticalis.—Once near Aberdeen (Prof. Trail) (also recorded in Leach’s British Pyralides). Scopula alpinalis.—Local, occurs on nearly all tne mountains near Braemar, | have found it in grassy places over 2000 feet. Scopula lutealis. -Abundant almost everywhere but not on the high mountains. (Scopula prunalis.—This species is recorded from Inverurie, but I think in error). Scopula ferrugalis.—Once on Scotston Moor, and once at Pitcaple. Stenopteryx hybridalis.— Widely distributed but always very scarce. Scoparia ambigualis.—Abundant everywhere. Scoparia scotica. --Once near Old Aberdeen (Prof. Trail). a i 144 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Jury Scoparia dubitalis.—Abundant along the coast, rarer inland. var. ingratella.—-Occasionally (Mr. Horne). Scoparia murana.—- Widely distributed and not rare. Scoparia lineola. Banks of the Don near its mouth (Zoologist 2403). Scoparia crateegalis.—Common at Braemar, Inverurie, &c. (Prof. Trail). I have never succeeded in discovering this species. Scoparia atomalis.—Common everywhere (Prof. Trail’s Lepidoptera of Dee). Probably this species should be referred to ambigualis, 1 have not yet been able to turn up variety atomalis in either of the counties. Scoparia angustea.—Two at Aberdeen (Mr. Horne) Scoparia alpina.—Common or fairly common, in a _ few restricted localities near Braemar. CRANBMEES. Crambus falsellus.—See ‘‘ Leach’s British Pyralides,” p. 74. Crambus pratellus.—Abundant everywhere, smaller than southern specimens. Crambus dumetellus.— Abundant on the banks of the Dee, and elsewhere near Braemar, also on the Links north of Aberdeen. Crambus ericellus.—A few have been found on the mountains bordering on Perthshire and Forfarshire. Crambus pascuellus.—Very rare, near Aberdeen and Peter- head (Prof. Trail). I have never taken this species myself. Crambus furcatellus.—Exceedingly local. Prot oetrail records it as rather common on Little Craigendall, Braemar, at 2500 feet. I have taken it on the Beinn A’Bhtird range, it also occurs on several of the mountains south of Braemar, but appears to be scarce, and is only found at from 2500 to over 3000 feet elevation. Crambus margaritellus.—Local but not uncommon, Inverurie, Ben-na-chie, &c. Crambus myellus. —Widely distributed but always scarce; on the links near Aberdeen, Muchalls, Banchory, Braemar, Fyvie, and in one or two localities in the Parish of Chapel of Garioch. Crambus pinetellus.—Scarce, Fyvie and Benachie (Ben-na- eine) Crambus tristellus.— Abundant everywhere and very variable. Crambus culmellus, - Abundant everywhere. Crambus hortuellus.—Scarce and local, Muchalls, Inverurie, Pitcaple, and near Fyvie. Myelophila cribreila.— Has been taken on the Murcar Links | P near Aberdeen, by Mr. Horne. 1892. | TSU, BIRDIE Sis IN20IR 1G! scaw Eales be 145 Homoeosoma nimbella.—Very local but not rare at Muchalls (Mr. Horne). | Phycis carbonarieila (Pempelia fusca)—Common among heath, easily smoked out by day, comes to ragwort flowers at night. Phycis abietella.— Widely distributed but always scarce, comes to ragwort flowers, the larvae may be found feeding in fir shoots in spring. Melia scociella.—Not uncommon but rather local. (To be continued.) (Eee sry NOPITERA .ACULEATA OF LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. (Continued from page 121.) PROSOPIS. The females of this genus excavate httle tunnels in the stems of the bramble, wild rose, dock, &c., which they plaster inside, forming cells, as in Colletes. These insects are not usually gregarious; they are very partial to the flower of mignonette. Prosoptis, Fab. _ communis, Nyl.—annulata, WKirb.—Hough End Clough, near Manchester, J.R.H. signata, Panz.—Banks of the Mersey, near Manchester, J.R.H. hyalinata, Sm.—avmillatus, Nyl. Thoms.—Cheshire coast, B.C. confusa, N yl.—punctulatissima, Sm. § .—Rock Ferry, J.T.G. pictipes, Nyl.—vavipes, Sm.—Recorded from the Bollin valley, near Manchester, J.R.H. SPHECODES. These insects burrow in sandbanks; they are usually gregarious and sometimes form colonies in same bank with Halictus and Colletes. SPHECODES, Latr. gibbus, Linn.—Banks of the Mersey, near Manchester, J.R.H.; Rock Ferry, J.1.G.; fairly distributed, B.C. subquadratus, Sm.—Very local; taken at burrows in a field near Chester, E.C.T. pilifrons, Thoms.—-vufiventris, Sm.—Southport and Hazelgrove, B.C.; Wallasey, about burrows of Colletes cunicularia, R.N. 146 THE ). De Monice, MOAL aah alleys eame ca Clitheroe, so that it is possibly fairly distributed, and would reward careful search. It is very much like H. minutus, but is rather larger, and the males are said to appear about three weeks earlier. — 3 | minutus, Kirb.—Generally distributed, B.C.; Bollin and Chorlton, digigaislae Rainhill, H.H.H.; Rockferry, J.T.G.; and Wallasey, W.G. Ty ne eee, ‘nitidiusculus, Kirb.—Hazelgrove, B: C. :. Dunham Park, ‘neas Manchester, Joiswise. ; Rock Ferry, J-F.G: ;°and Chester, E.C/T. 1892. | Tae BRITISH NATURALIST. 147 minutissimus, Kirb.—Taken at Rainhill, H.H.H.; and Oxton, Weak G. tumulorum, Linn.—flavipes, Kirb., Sm.— Has occurred at Bowden, eee wand Kock Merny. |-N.G: Smeathmanellus, Kirb.—Several taken on ragwort at Delamere, R.N. morio, Fab.—evatus, Kirb.—Hazelgrove, B.C.; and Lindow common, near Manchester, J.R.H. leucopus, Kirb.—Taken frequently at Chester, E.C.T. (To be continued). Reports of Societies. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. June Ist, 1892.—R. McLachlan, Esq., F.R.S., Treasurer, in the chair. The Hon. Walter Rothchild sent for exhibition Neptis mimetica, n.s., from Timor, mimicking Andasena orope, one of the Euploeide, and Cynthia equicolor, n.s., a species remarkable for the similarity of the two sexes, from the same lcecality ; also a hybrid between Saturnia cavpini and S. pyri. and specimens of Callimorpha dominula, var. romanovii, var. ttalica, and var. donna, bred by a collector at Zurich; he further exhibited a very large and interesting collection of RKhopalocera made by Mr. W. Doherty in Timor, Pura, Sumba, and other islands, during October and November, 1891. _ Col. Swinhoe remarked that the various species of Neptis were usually protected and imitated by other insects, and did not themselves mimic anything, and that the pattern of the Nefiis in question was very common among the butterflies in the Timor group. Mr. Jenner Weir, Prof. Meldola, Mr. Trimen, and others continued the discussion. Mons. A. Wailly exhibited about fifty species of Australian Lepidoptera, mostly from Queensland, and fertile ova of Tvilocha varians, which are arranged in small square cells, fastened together in large numbers, and present an appearance quite different from the usual type of Lepidopterous ova. Mr. F. Merrifield exhibited a series of Drepana jfalcataria, half of which has been exposed for a week or two,in March or April, to a temperature of about 77 degrees, and the other half has been allowed to emerge at the natural out-door temperature. The latter insects were in all cases darker than the former, all being equally healthy. Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Jenner Weir, and others took part in the discussion which followed. Mr. C.G. Barrett exhibited a curious variety of the male of Arctia mendica, bred by the Rev. W. F. Johnson, of Armagh. Canon Fowler exhibited the egg-case of a species of Mantidae from Lake Nyassa, and specimens of Bledius dissimilis, Er., from Bridlington Quay, Yorkshire. Mr. McLachlan called attention to the re-appearance in large numbers of the Diamond-back Moth, Plutella cvucifevavum, which is very abundant in gardens near London, and expressed his opinion that the moths had been bred in the country and had not immigrated. Mr. Jenner Weir, Mr. Bower, and Prof. Meldola stated that they had recently seen specimens of Colias edusa in different localities near London. Mr. Jenner Weir and others also commented on the large immigration of Plusia gamma, and also on the appearance of a large number of Cynthia cardui and other Vanesside. The Hon. Walter Rothschild communicated a paper on ‘two new species of Pseudacrga.—W. W. Fow ter, Hon. Sec. 148 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Jory THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 26th May.—C. G. Barrett. Esq., F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited a specimen of Anosia plexippus, L., var. erippus, Cramer, which Mr. Weir remarked had been obtained by one of the employees of Captain Parke in the Falkland Islands, until this insect was captured the only butterfly known in these islands was Brenthis cytheris, during Captain Parke’s residence in the islands he had never seen there a specimen of the Anosta in question, it therefore appeared that like its northern representative, the true Anosia plexippus, the southern form had the migratory habit similarly developed. Mr.. Hawes exhibited and contributed a note on a series of Pieris napi, bred from ova laid by parent insect taken near Beniley, Suffolk, June rtoth, 1891, that. seven males and female imagines appearing from 21st to 31st July, the remainder of the brood stood over until ihe spring and emerged between the 6th and zoth of May. Mr. Hawes suggested that the cool summer of last year affected the pupa to such an extent as to retard three- fifths of the brood. Mr. Jenner Weir said this was the most interesting exhibition he had ever seen on this subject, the two forms of the species, viz.:—the summer ‘and spring emergences having both appeared from a single brood reared under exactly similar circumstances, Mr. Frohawk, a pupaof Argynnis paphia, and made some observations as to the time occupied in the pupal change, he also suggested that the brilliant metallic markings mimicked a dew drop on a dead leaf. Mr. Tugwell’s specimens recently taken by him at Tilgate Forest including Syricthus malvg, approaching the var. taras, Meig., Thanaos tages showing variation varieties of Argynnis euphrosyne; also an extremely pale variety of Anisopteryx esculi, taken by Mr Hann, of Redding. Mr. R. Adkin, a bred series of Petasia nubeculosa,and remarked on the species remaining in pupa for two or three years, those now exhibited having pupated in 1890. Mr. Tugwell stated he had bred them the first season. Mr. Hill, Tezniocampa gothica, and var. gothicina~- from Rannock. Mr. Carpenter an example of Vanessa antiopa, taken on Tooting Common some few years back. Mr. Adkin called attention to the unusual abundance of Plusia gamma, on the last few evenings. Messrs. Dobson, J. A. Cooper, Frohawk, Adye, Winkley, Tutt, and Barrett also made some “observations thereon. Mr. Jenner Weir delivered a Zoological lecture in which he drew attention to some remarkable cases in which Mammalia and Birds having been in remote geological times differentiated for one mode of life, had adopted entirely different habits ——H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday, Fune 2nd.—Exhibits.—Lepidoptera: Mr. Battley, a box of Lepidoptera from Southend, Essex, including Lycena argiolus, a dwarf form of Anthocharis cavdamines, Aleucis pictaria, Teniocampa gracilis, Acronycta rumicis, Hadena geniste, &c. Mr. Clark, a series of Anticlea badiata from Epping Forest. Mr. Tremayne, Platypteryx unguicula, Corycia temerata, and Ephyra trilineavia from Epping Forest. Dr. Buckell, living larve of Amphipyra pyramidea and Cosmia trapezina. Mr. Smith, Halias prasinana, Demas coryli and Odontopera bidentata. Mr. Bayne, a series of Tezniocampa munda from Epping Forest, and a specimen of T. stabilis with the wings on one side brown, and partly grey on the other. Mr Bacot, a bred series of Spilosoma mendica. Mr. Southey, Tentocampa gracilis and T. rubricosa from Hampstead. He also exhibited two species of Nociue bred from tomatoes imported from Italy, and a specimen of a Bombyx found in a barrel of foreign apples. Coleoptera.—Mr. Heasler, Philydrus melanocephalus from Mitcham. Mr. Beck, Cicindela sylvatica and Lina populi from Aldershot, Cassida oblonga from Freshwater, Onthophagus ovatus from 1892. ] — ne AS RMeELSir SNA MIVA TS 1. 149 Bonchurch, and Si/pha littoralis taken under a dead hedgehog. Mr. Bayne mentioned that Lithosia aureola was now fairly plentiful at Chingford, and that other species abounded. Mr. Tremayne stated that insects were very abundant at West Wickham, while Mr. Prout recorded Stauropus fagi and Notodonta tvepida from the same locality. Thursday, Fune 16th.—Exhibits :—Lepidoptera—Dr. Buckell, a peculiar dark coloured var. of Lophopteryx camelina bred from a pupa taken in Epping Forest, also a female of Hepialus lupulinus, ovipositing, the ova being merely dropped, and possessing no adhesive property. Mr. Huckett, a specimen of Stauvopus fagi from Monks Wood, Epping Forest, and examples of the summer brood of Selenia illunaria. Mr. Tremayne, specimens of Stauvopus fagi, Notodonta dodonewa and Lithosia aureola, taken in the New Forest at Whitsuntide. Mr. Smith, some prettily marked forms of Hadena pisi from the Lake District, and a series of Nemeobius lucina from the New Forest. Mr. Fox, a long and variable series of Spilosoma menthastri. Mr. Bayne, a pupa of Halias quercana, and a variable series of Stvenia clathvata. Mr. Battley, _Lithosia aureola, Brephos parthenias, Nyssia hispidaria and Eurymene dolobraria, all taken in Epping Forest this season. He also exhibited a specimen of Diphthera orion, taken on sugar in the New Forest, and recorded the capture of nine more examples of this species, two Stauropus fagi, and a full fed larva of Apatura ivis. Mr. Nicholson, bred specimens of Boarmia cinctayia and living larve of the same species. These larve were of a bright green colour, and not brown as stated by Newman. He also mentioned that the larvze feed freely on sallow—a fact which he believed to be unrecorded. Mr. Simes, living larve of Bombyx castvensis from Shoebury. Mr. Clark a series of Gelechia atriplicella from the Hackney marshes. Mr. Milton, a series of Melanipfe hastata from Stornaway, with southern forms for comparison. He also exhibited in Coleoptera, specimens of Philonthus splendens, and in Hymenoptera series of the males, females and neuters of Bombus hortorius and B. lapidarius —A. U. BATTLEY and J. A SimEs, Hon, Secs. General Notes. MicR0o-LARV# FOR THE Monrtu.—-July is a busy season for larve, and during the earlier part we get many species that ought to have been taken last month, but the cold easterly winds we occasionally get at that time cause many to feed very slowly, but the warm weather we now have causes them to feed up and disappear. Searching for these and the many species that ought now to be taken, we find our time fully occupied, the weather also is at times very hot and sultry, so that it requires a little resolution to keep as constantly at work as we should do. In elm hedges we may now obtain the larva of R. formosella by searching and beating, and from oak the » pretty larva of H. prasinana, while that of P. hastiana will be found in — the terminal shoots of dwarf sallows, particularly those growing in the hollows of sand hills. In damp marshy places, where the meadow sweet is growing, the larva of P. aspersana and shepherdana may now be found screwing up the tops, and in the shoots of Bryony (Brioxa dioica ) which is now fast spreading itself over the hedges, the larva of P. yugosana will be found causing them to curl over into a cell-shaped mass; P. immundana is now rolling up the leaves of alder, and S, 150 THE (BRITISH NATURALISn€ [Jury euphorbiana larva is now busy eating its way down the shoots of Euphorbia paralias, which plant is generally found growing on the broken ground of undercliffs; S. n@vaua is now plentiful in the shoots of holly; YT. mediana in seeds of various umbelliferze, and in the seeds of cowslip, the larva of E. ciliana. In drawn together leaves of hawthorn will be found the larva of S. pyrella, Dep. costosella in the flowers of furze, and towards the end of the month the larva of D. nervosella in turned down leaves of Cenanthe crocata growing in wet places, and the larva of Gel. inopella and A. gvanitella in the flowere heads and shoots of Inula dysenterrca. The larva of Gel. nppophaella is busy screwing up the terminal shoots of Hippophae rhamnoides, and in thistle leives the larva of Gel. acuminatella is now to be seen giving them quite a bleached appearance, the larva of G. costella is mining the leaves of Solanum dulcamara, which some of them have now left, and are busy boring down the stems of the terminal shoots. Among the seeds of the chenopodium the larva of G. atviplicella will be found in a tubular gallery. The maple leaves are now being rolled by the larva of Grac. semtfasciella and the alder leaves by those of G. clongellu ; in leaves of plantain the larva of G. tringzpennella may still be found, and in bladdery mines on leaves of Avtemesia vulgaris, the larva of Grac. omissella. Vhe leaves of nut are now being turned down by the larva of O. avellanella, those of the hawthorn by the larva of O. . anglicella, and in birch leaves the larva of O. betule will be found feeding in a similar manner, the cases of Col. troglodytella can now be found on the under side of leaves of Inula dysenterica, and those Col. limosipennella on elm leaves in hedges, and Col. sicczfoliella on leaves of hawthorn. In the shoots of Epilobium hirsutum the larva of L. fulvescens is now feeding, and in the leaves of E. angustifoliwm the larva of L. vaschhtella, in the leaves of dogwood the larva of the beautiful A. pfeifferella is now feeding, and will soon be cutting out their oval cases, the leaves of Poa aquatica should now be examined for the larva Elac. poella, and those of the reed for the larva of Elac. cerusella. “There is plenty to do among the larve of the Lithocolletide, the larva of most of which are now feeding, but as these can be taken in the autumn they are best left till then, which will give us more time to attend to those species only cccurring this month, of which plenty are to be found, especially in rough uncultivated and unfrequented places.—G. Etisua, Shepherdess Walk, London. Apori\ Crataci1.—It does not at all follow that the record of any rarity must be made in one or all of the Entomological | Magazines to be received and afterwards quoted as an authority. Yet I constantly see specimens ignored that have not been thus | placed before entomological eyes although well-known to have been | captured honestly. I think my friend, Mr. C. A. Briggs in his desire J 1892. | ri Sie i ISit (NATURALIST, 15a to call attention to his nephew having taken this now rare insect has forgotten the fact (which I have at least mentioned to him) that A. cvategi is annually taken in small number at or near Sandwich. It is quite true that Mr. Tutt gave 1887 as having been authenticated by me but fully twenty were then taken in one locality whereas in 1888, Mr. Briggs’ was a solitary specimen which had probably wandered from their present location. It may well be that Mr. Tutt being perfectly conversant with the fact, gave only the year vouched for, without mentioning the annual occurrences.—SiDNEY Webs, Dover. SYMPETRUM FONSCOLOMBII IN SURREY.—My brother and I discovered this species sparingly at a pond in Surrey and secured a ievenexamples: on the Sth imst. Where were only, tour British specimens of this very rare Dragon fly previously known; one Qin Mr. Stephens, collection in the British Museum, one g in Mr. Mclachlan’s collection from Mr. Desvignes collection, another g¢ taken by Mr. Hall at Dover in 1881, anda fourth mentioned in Mr. Bath’s hand- book of Dragon Flies, but I cannot find the reference.—C. A. Briaes, Soeimcoln’s Inn, London. [Mr. Bath only mentions three specimens ‘‘ one each near London and Deal, and a third at Exmouth, the latter was exhibited at a meeting of the Entomological Society of London in 1887.” Perhaps this Exmouth specimen is the fourth named by Mr. Briggs, as that he mentions from Dover is omitted by Mr. Bath.--Ed., B.N.] PAIRING OF HEPIALUS HUMULI.—I went out the other evening to take a 9? Humuli, with a view to eggs and newly-hatched larve, and Saw one approach a g in the way you are familiar with. It was, however, so light that I noted that the ? settled on a grass stem and the g by her, then he got in front and paired instantly. For some ten seconds his wings were closed, then with a quivering flutter he threw himself off, hanging on merely by the ¢. The meadow had been grazed and was bare except some patches and bents. A few yards further on | saw two more pairs hanging in the same fashion, the end of the costa of the wings of the g being against the hind margin of the ?. I carried these home by cutting the grass stems, thinkiny to get fertile 9’s this way easily, and so it proved; they Gartied easily and remained paired at least 24 hours, but were separate and some eggs laid in the morning. ‘The grand brush on the hind leg of the g suggests that he attracts by scent as well as by sight, and the approach of the female, from the time her attention is drawn till she is very near, suggests following a scent rather than sight—that is, 1t 1s to and fro for several zigzags. In further confir- mation of this, it is to be observed that the g always faces the wind, and that the @ always comes up behind him. This would be in the line of scent, and also, of course, displays the white of wings most. » There is little doubt that, with few exceptions, all virgin ?’s emit an 163 | THE BRITISH NAKURALICH floes odour for the attraction of the g, but I do not think anyone has recorded smelling this odour. The case in question, however, is a g odour to attract the ?, which I think probably exists in humult, as in hectus. This 1s a rare case, so far as records go. Most odours that can be detected are, either in both sexes for benefit from enemies, or Imig ,- not~ to, attract 9. (bat \ tot cham shermaitemeune uaseipecen attracted. This 1s. much the most common im butterties. Prom what I have seen of courtship in butterflies, | believe the @ attracts the g by sight (as well as scent) and then has to be ‘‘charmed” by the 3, both by display of colour, and by a special scent—varying, of course, in different species.—T. A. CHapman, Firbank, Hereford. Larvz Destroyvep sy Micr.—A few days ago | had about 130 larve of Bhirtama in a large cage, and now they are reduced to 6, eaten by mice. They had made a hole through the gauze or leno which covered a part of the cage. Recently they have eaten many valuable imagines of mine, but I did not suspect them of eating larve. E NrErONe Stamnoneds teanile Coleoptera.—Notes. SILPMA LITTORALIS.—On Saturday, May 21st, I took a very nice specimen of this beetle under a dead hedgehog at Mottisfont, near Romsey.—R. Beck, Burnside, Southampton. GEOTRUPES PYREN&ZUS.—-! captured a single specimen of this dung beetle fying in the hot sunshine on May 26th. I have not seen it since August, 1890, when I took one at Swanage.—Ip. CICINDELA SYLVATICA. —Being in the neighbourhood of Aldershot to-day (May 26th) I again paid a visit to North Campin search of this beetle and was rewarded by capturing twelve in excellent condition. This time I took a sweep net with me and found it easier to transfer them from it to the killing bottle than from the butterfly net with which I took the specimens in September, 1890. I again noticed that this insect confined itself to an area of about fifty square yards and although I walked a quarter of a mile from all four sides I did not meet with a single specimen.—lIb. Captures at West WickHam.—On Saturday, June 11th, I paid a visit to Mr. Chaney, and during the afternoon went with him. to | West Wickham. Insects were not common, but | managed to net | several Aphthona venustula, Hermeophaga mercurialis, Strangaha melanuie, &c. Also, by beating birch, hazel, and oak, Ahynchites megacephalus, R. nanus, Polydrosus undatus, Cryptocephalus fulcratus, &c. —G. A. LEwcock, 73, Oxford Koad, N. PoLypRosuS MiIcANS.-On June 11th, I was fortunate in getting four specimens of this good weevil at West Wickham. Three were 1892. | DAE BRITISH NATURALIST. 153 beaten from birch, and one from hazel. My friend, Mr. Chaney also has taken the species this year. -Ip. PacHyTA COLLARIS. —~] found several specimens of this insect during a recent visit to Farnham, Surrey. The species is said to abound in hop grounds, its habitat being in the poles. Mine were obtained, as usual, from Umbelliferze.—Ip. Moliusca.—Notes. Notes on VarieTIES.—Mr. Taylor has published some extremely valuable papers on ‘‘The Variation of the Mollusca” in a recent volume of the Fouwrnal of Conchology, from which I will quote those parts dealing with the causes of variation, to which I shall add corroborative facts and opinions deduced from them by other writers. I particularly wish to call. attention to the following: ‘‘ Environment is the most powerful and perhaps the only force inducing variation, or rather fostering those variations which are most in accordance with the surrounding conditions . . . we are, however, often unable to recognise the cause of many modifications, but it is patent that no change occurs without a reason and no effect without a cause. We must in those cases store away facts and observations to which we may hope sooner or later to find the key.” Supply of Lime :— Deficiency of lime doubtless leads to the production of very thin, fragile, and horny shells. A striking instance is seen in, the remarkably delicate form of H. aspersa, which is plentiful in some parts of Guernsey. Clessin points out that the results of this deficiency are also observable in the form of some shells, thus, he states that the Clausilig -have their shells shorter than usual, and that AH. lapicida becomes somewhat rounded on the periphery. Peat moors, on account of the absence of lime, produce dwarfed and fragile shells. It is remarked that among fresh-water shells, some species, like U. margaritiferus and Nevitina, seem to have a superior power of with- drawing lime from the water, producing solid shells in granitic regions, while Avncilus, in the same water is said to be remarkable for unusual thinness and delicacy. Dr. Jeffrys says, of the Prsidia, “Size, mistance, sculpture, and lustre . . . mainly depend on the chemical ingredients of the water inhabited by the molluscs, as well as their supply of food.” In 1885, I took a large quantity of Anodons and Unios of extraordinary size from the bed of a lake from which the water had been drained. On examination of the water after it had been again allowed to fill its former basin, | found it contained 16.2 grains of CaO per gallon, this is equal to nearly 29 grains of carbonate of lime, probably however, a considerable proportion of this lime was in the form of sulphate, derived from the 154 THE BRITISH NATURALIST [JuLy gypsum of the district. Herr Julius Hazay states that he has verified by actual experiment that JL. feregra and L. ovata (L. peregva var. ovata) may be produced at will by simply placing the ova under suitable conditions, typical pevegra is produced from the ova of ovata if placed in hard running water, and ovata from the ova of pevegra by an opposite treatment. Deficiency of Morsture.--Dry regions are tenanted mainly by mollusks with thick and uniformly coloured dull-white shells. The Rev. Canon Tristram remarks that the shells found in the Sahara are much thicker than those of the same species in more temperate parts, and he is disposed to regard this modification as a means of preventing evaporation in so dry a climate, the white shell is considered desirable as absorbing the least possible amount of heat. Mr. Taylor remarks that the uniformly dull white specimens of A. ertcitorum, H. virgata, &c. in our own country agree with the desert forms in being thicker than usual, and quotes a remark of Strobel, that in Moravia the thick uniformly white variety of H. virgata is exclusively found on the open cultivated lands, and attributed their peculiarities to dryness and warmth. M. Morch, writing on the land shells of the Nicobars, mentions that in almost all the species, two forms, a larger and a smaller have been met with, and that the larger was found by the old collectors, whilst the smaller occurs now, he attributes this to a diminution in the humidity of the climate. Abundant Moisture, according to Herr Dietz, prevents the formation of coloured bands in H. hortensis, and as the result of his observations, says that the albino specimens are more common in wet years, and that the specimens with coloured bands have the growth of the last wet year not coloured. Light.—The absence of light appears to favour, in those species which habitually live in shade and retirement, the production of shells having a uniform but obscure colour, largely composed of animal matter, and often provided with hairs and other epidermic appendages, H. aculeata, H. hispida, H. obvoluta, B. montanus, B. obscuvus and the forest-loving American Helices are quoted as examples. ‘‘Arboreal species, which are almost necessarily expcsed to the full action of air and light, are distinguished by brighter, more vivid, and more varied colouration, than the purely | terrestrial species loving shade and concealment. Our variegated | Helices—nemorvalis and hortensts approach perhaps nearer in habit to | arboreal life, living freely exposed on hedges and hedgebanks, and | these species are the most gaily coloured of our native shells.” Heat —as already mentioned when accompanied with dryness produces a | white or whitish shell, but when combined with moisture and rich vegetation it produces some of the most richly coloured and finest | shells known. H. pisana in sunny places has the mouth tinged with | rose colour which is said to be deficient in less favoured spots. On | 1892. | fee BRITISH PWATUIRALRIST: 155 fresh-water species the effect of too great heat produces a frail, delicate and dwarfed shell, and extreme cold produces the same effect. L. peregra var. thermalis which lives in water said to reach 95° F., and the var. glacialis living in water but little removed from the freezing point even in summer, both exhibit these characteristics. The Rev. W. C. Hey states that the warm water discharged into the river Foss caused the Anodons at that part to be more delicate and larger than elsewhere, ‘:exemplifying the genial effect of ’ (moderate) ‘‘heat upon forms of life.” Among the slugs, melanism is stated to be effected by exaiuemencoid. | Llerm-Simroth has shown that this character ‘is developed in A. ater by cold, and redness by warmth, as seen in A. rufus, a common variety on the continent. L. avborum, says Mr. Taylor, ‘‘gives similar testimony in the north-western parts of this country . . . on the Italian mountains the transition from the ordinary to the intensely dark form can be traced.”—W. A. Gain. THE Genus’ Rissoa—(continued)—Sub-genus Manzoma, Brus. iedkeysein hiss trepert on the <‘Lightning”” and ‘‘Porcupine”’ expeditions proposes a genus *Flemingia for the two species—l. costata and Kk. zetlandica-—_which we are about to consider. Either this becomes a synonym of the earlier Manzonia described by Brusina in the ‘“‘ Journal de Conchylhiologie” for 1868, or may be retained for the latter species by the strictest systematists who prefer to group this shell separately. The two species however seem to fall naturally together, as in Jeffrey’s group B, by the thickening or doubling of their outer lip (called the peristome), which forms a complete and slightly raised rim round the mouth. Both species give one the impression of being twisted aside and form a very distinct little group. +Tryon assigns it eight species—all European; this is probably far too large a number, as besides our two representatives only two others seem to have been assigned to § Manzonia, both from} Madeira. _Rissoa zetlandica, Mtg. is a scarce shell, mostly found in dredgings though I have taken it dead on the shell-beach at Herm amongst the myriads of R. cancellata. \t may be distinguished from this and all other species by being turreted—almost scalariform-—in shape, with a produced spire anda light clear yellow colour if fairly fresh. The shell is strongly sculptured with ribs across and lengthwise at right angles, forming square pits, while the ribs towards the point of the shell gradually dwindle down to mere striae. The distinguishing features to look for are the turreted whorls with their strong concella- tion and deep suture, the double or reflected outer lip, and the oblique twist given to the last whorl and aperture. Anyone collecting in the Channel Isles should look out for it at Herm but it is certainly a deep- meZ,S., 1884, p. 116. + Struct. and Syst., Conch, II., 263. {P.Z.S., 1873, p. 371. 156 Te BiRITAISH ANAT URNS i [Jury water species in habitat, and occurs right up to the Shetlands. No ~ variation seems to occur except in size (from 3 to 5 mm.) JR. costata Adams is by no means an uncommon shell, dead, among the ordinary shore drift and especially in dredgings, but scarce to get alive. It will at once catch the eye amongst a lot of sinall shells by its dead- white colour, and the very prominent, revolving, sharply-cut, longitudinal (7.¢. in the direction of the length of the shell) ribs, which are wide apart and number nine on the body-whorl. The same features are presented as in fF. zetlandica with regard to the peristome and oblique twist of the last whorl: the exact effect of this twist it 1s difficult to describe, but it can be most clearly perceived by laying the shell for examination with the plane of the aperture at right angles to that of the table or other surface. Round the base of the shell runs a strong keel, cutting off the ribs before they reach the edge. Most of the shell is covered with stria, running with the growth of the shell, hardly noticeable to the naked eye. The length seems pretty constant at 3 mm., though Monterosato characterises two form varieties as var. majoy and var. minor. There is no other variation.—B. Tomtin, Llandaff. NATURALISTS OF THE spa Vi Sire: Ate AMS (CHS eb ogee MAE. 2.S.5. BCoPsS. sae lee James Charles Dale, of Glanvilles Wootton, in the county of Dorset, was born in the year 1791. He was sent at an early age to Wimborne Greene School, and afterward to. a private tutor at Enborne, in Berkshire. He took his first degree at Cambridge in 1815, and became M.A. in 1818. In the same year he became a Fellow of the Linnazan Society, and compounded for his annual subscription. His mother, who was born in 1768, was a daughter of Stephen Barton, whose mother was a sister and co-heir of the celebrated Sir lsaac Newton. Stephen Barton’s sister married John Wallop, tst Earl of Portsmouth. Mr. Dale commenced a journal in 1808, which is the most continuous diary in existence, the last entry 7 being dated February 6th, 1872, the last day of his lite. Some butterflies he took when at schoo! are still in his scn’s possession. In | 1825, he, in conjunction with John Curtis, made an expedition to | Perthshire and added no less than thirty species to the British list. Many now are considered common, but in those days entomologists | were not in the habit of going on expeditions beyond the environs of | London. It is in connection with John Curtis that the name of J. C. | Dale will be handed down to posterity. In the ‘‘ British Entomology’ | his name is on almost every page, and it was from his collection that | Curtis derived a vast portion of the material from which his elaborate | work was drawn up. He also assisted Curtis with specimens, | information, and the money to carry on his work. The Dalean | collection is therefore of importance to enable the student to verify | Curtisian species, pai. Je | \S oe US 4 an ay ey) 5 JUL. 99 /e é ety 3 ¥) » “ BO WES me |, | NATURALISTS OF THE DAY. THE BRITISH NATURALIST, | Dip Are AVS Ten ARE ES “DALB; NMAnp DoZeSon MoCrPSoq IAN x c ee A LN 6 E. - Lepidoptera eantieah ai are bred. me EXcnaNer, Baloo Gane Sis rnbi, WW. hee Pruni, Agestis (South oF. Bugle), ‘i pesos. ¢, Lris, Polychloros, Cinxia, Adippe, Paphia, Epiphron, Aegeria, Megera, yperantlius, : : _Actwou, Vaniscas, ius all, the clearwings but Fipnlifinnis, ad OFLN 6) Wine TKO SBON, Re ies Hartlepool. We Wy thnlikon hea | ry hates ae a " S C7 ia HY» HANG. Duplicates: Nae binndularia, rae “banesatata, 3 Ne Wea Me stabiligt Om ezinn. Desiderata : page numerous Ln ova of many SOE a ~W., HCW eae : Howard "ohare Oe ork, ual ort ; eiva Jape ha Pay 1s i ; oy ) h ExouaNGu ie) lanisny and Melufoplmoteni-2¥ am working: " this subject and will Ne d if any one who takes dark forms of” Lepidoptera will communicate with me. L ee Ww Ss information apices pee species that: have assumed darker hues, ei: ha R J ‘ iy Us us eae: yee favontun. : rie: Zonaria, Pitbsdia® ands ; Dende: :--Hlpenor, Ae urtice;. Versicolor a,’ ee and offers:—J. ae LDWIN, Ve Darwen Road, near Bolton, Lane ashirec: >? . sob fan Sei ee ine Cunlamni vines: Ridbnt Cory cee Paphia,, Catlin, Se populi, Menthastes Hispae \ eustria, Vinula, ‘Cwruleocephala, Janthina, C. nigrum, No orubiy Litura,(Vaecinii, Satellitia, 1gO,, Ferrnginea,, Chi, Oxyacanthee, Meticulosa, Protea, ‘Oleracea,. t eStacea, N upta, Scutulata, - ria, TMunaria, Elinguaria, Tiliaria, Pennaria,: Miata,’ Pru unaria, Maeulata, Desiderata, very. merous, also: ova, larvae and PURE — vy ‘By Bor LR, , Hayling House, Oxford road, Readings. ‘ if Ne iets ae aa Be Deentcanes: “Hine well: set Kent De Gali, Buses, eae and Braemar Exulans, Macon eI fiat a fis, My ellus, acitetlnai. “Only povfect ee wei or reeiv on Shay ihe isham road, ‘Greenwich, S.K. i yan ase : on, IA ands. NW ag to ee ef The Neaiatiee: te from" Augnst, 1884, to December, 1891, of § “ The’ Midland Dy abOr lish if ” Cone! vological Books, or Shells. me AL GAIN, Tuxford, Newark. : u ae phitehes: of. Sooty. and Noddy Ment, Mae Shearwater, Mute Sa cats ae AN ae es Fane iits, Bintings;aud others. Wanted punt sor tS | . PARLE, oe Wy, aterloo- street, Bolton. HANGE. Avante: British Coleoptera ae ‘Lepidoptera, or books on: Entomiology, in. ge for Periodicals, --THos. WwW; WTLsHAW, 455 Shoreham- street, Sheffield. ies x@u.—— Duplicates Sete pete ‘Tneola in “Wood condition: Desiderata. Hq . i SUA yA es. Mruron, ee Penro Mill, London, Nw 4 bh ae MEETINGS OF soci ECTES 1 ee TY OF “LONDO N* ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY - eee Finsbury Square,, EF. — “Meetings | _ First. and third Thursdays, in the. month. i, K< ST}, << vA ; “South LON DON -ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NAT URAL HISTORY — Hibernia | (Chamber _ London Bridge, SE Meetings: Second and uA is in cach month Bee eat me : i ae R i As ° ! } ¢ / ' AG Ss SHIRE AND. CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCTE TY; Free pee ~ Liverpool. Next Meeting will be held on Monday, Septembér - : Siac further researches . upon ae Genital Structure of Lepidoptera,” by Ke PS a _- -Mollusea Notes. - pearance that is so painful to read. — es oe portr aits are in rapid preparation. ADVERTISEMENTS. “CONTENTS. Butt: fly Life beter leaving the egg. —H. H. hewn (coneluded) ines wan gee The Secondary Sexual Characters oe the British Coleoptera.—J. W. Ets BAG eet __ Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire, &c.— -¥. Heid. ee Sek _ The Hymenoptera-Acnuleata of Lancs. and Cheshire.— wv "Gardner, F.R-GS. Reports of “societies General Not *s : Coleoptera i otes .. 0 - ... oe = . sce! yee: a Naturalists of the Day TO CORRESPON DENTS. By reducing the leads between the lines, space equal to ridarly chveé at : ditional »ages has been gained, without giving ~ . Magenne the crowded ap- A portrait- of the late J. ©. Dale, F.E.s., is given with this montbise - Magazine, forming the — of a series of - penacis of Naturalists” of the - Day. The August part will contain a poe of G. T. Por ritt, F.E.S., & Other | Arrangements are now completed. for continuing: the Niclluecas Seobigna! - W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land and s ae Water Molliises: and Brocton ‘Tomlin, Esq., of The Green, Llandaff, will attend to the Marine 8. ction. Communications may be made to either of these gentlemen. All letters requiring areply by post-should contain stamp. ees - ‘Fhe Section. for Coleoptera is conducted by G. A. Lewcock, Esq., Oxford Road, Islington, to whom also direct communication may bemade. : gon Mr. Lewcock also represents the Magazine in ‘London, and will receive subscriptions, papers and notes for publication, &e., &e. Subscriptions, exchanges, business correspondence, notes;- papers ‘fot ~ publication, and all other communications, to be addressed- —J OHN by. Rosson, _ HarTLEPoo.. 3 AN MANN, = NATURALIST, aoe ~ WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS TOL. ‘Cheap Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for young beginners, - all carriage paid. ae FOR INSHCTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins. Killing Box, Cork. Boards, oe Boxes ave Label Lists, &c., 6/6. cher 2 ge FOR EGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, Label List, &e., 3'- FOR SHEILUS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting. Tubes, 3 6. 3 FOR BOTANICATL SPHCIMENS.— Botanical. 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Be by fe tis ee 2. Crustaceans and Spiders, 14. The. Microscope, = | © by F. A. Skuse. : piesa by. ae Latham. Ue pel 3 Fungi, Lichens, ete., aN 56 Book Collecting, — by J. H. Slater. (Un prepara by Peter Gray. “4. Mosses, i ae ees Tay, James E. Bagnall, ALS: oa Eas Marine iam | Pp nd- Life, Saas ee he aes by J- Ww. Ww illiams & others. me ne HA: Butler, 6. YS ee : ‘ te ee [In preparatio 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and _ 18. Colonial Coins, - Fossils, by P. Gray-and by DF. Howorth. : = 1B. Woodward. 110; Grasses. — : 7 Ants, Bees, Wasps. Sak _ by F. Tumnail. [ln preparat | Dragon- fies, by. Wee Bh ia52 British Ferns, 1g Po so Barh.. | by Ee Lower | Be 8. Coins & Token (English) i se Pond bate eres Diston by Liew. Jewitt, B.S.Acce With? |- oe a Chapter on Greek Coins ete.) by T. Spencer Smithse eres Se : by Barclay V. A bea es "22. Chess Problems, Pe eeouiee ag bee, _by E. W._Rayner. see ‘by. Catherine Hopley. arte ae eae Postage Stamps, 10. British Birds, | oS by W. T. Ogilvie. ~~ ecu y tt”. oe 24. Flowering Plants, — Tas Silkworms, 4 _. By James Britten, &. Ls. ae by E. A. Butler, Muli ote Sys Sao te aN a Un preparatie 12. Land and Fresh Water 25- The Telescope, aan | Shells; by J: W. Williams, |}... by J. W. Willams. a oe 4 We Deanicon Roebuck, and} 26. Copper Coins of Modep : je WN cae ie : fe , Burone, By c C. Tiga oak SONNENSCHEIN @ C0., Paternoster Saar, LONDON ; 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 157 TRE _PTEROPHORINA. OF - BRITAIN; Bio We DUTT, OPENS: (Continued from p. 113). E Larva—The larva of this species which varies very much in _ colour, was first described by Mr. Gregson and afterwards by Mr. j Porritt. Mr. Gregson describes the larva as:—‘‘ Half an inch long, : rather stout; colour, light yellow-green, semi-transparent (to the _ naked eye pubescent), with three rows of spines on each side of the dorsal line, which is a very narrow claret-coloured, streaky mark, commencing on the second or third segment, and dying away as it approaches the anal segment; sub-dorsal and spiracular lines not visible in some specimens, in others, slightly so as hght streaks; spiracles dark rings; head small, slightly darker than the body and retractile; the larva tapering towards the head and anus.” ‘The larve feed upon the common centaury in July, August and September” (‘‘ Entomologist,’ IV., p. 350). Stainton says:—‘‘ Larva on seeds of Erythrea centaurea. YX-X”-(‘‘ Manual,” II., p. 442). Mr. Gregson foreshadows the variation of the larve of this species in his description just quoted. Of this variation I wrote:—‘“ Like all other plume larve that I know, those of Joewii are very variable. I made the following note some time time aga :—‘ Loew? larve vary very much; some have a red stripe, some pinkish, others with scarcely any trace of dorsal or other longitudinal markings’”’ (‘‘ Entom.”, XXII., p. 105). Although the larvz occur continuously from June to September, I have never noted or heard of their capture in October, one of the months given in the ‘‘Manual.” Stainton erroneously thought the larve followed the imago in the same year instead of preceding it. Mr. Porritt writes :—‘‘ In the middle of August last, Mr. Thomas Parmiter _ of Cattistock, Dorchester, kindly sent me a nice supply of full-grown larve and pupz of this species. The larva is slightly less than half an inch in length, and of proportionate bulk; head much smaller than the second segment, the lobes rounded and polished ;_ body cylindrical _ and uniform, tapering a little posteriorly; segmental divisions fairly defined, and a tuft of several short hairs springs from each of the : indistinct tubercles. In colour, there are two extreme varieties, and the larva varies between these forms. Var. 1 has the ground colour of a delicate pale-green, strongly tinged indeed with yellow; head pale yellowish-green, the mandibles and ocelli brown; medio-dorsal stripe dark green or purple in different specimens; sub-dorsal stripes yellow, and there are two other fine but very faint yellow lines, one "above and the other below the spiracles; segmental divisions also yellow; spiracles black, very narrowly encircled with white. 158 THE BRITISH NAlURAEISY®, [AUGUST Ventral surface, legs and pro-legs uniformly pale yellowish-green. Var. 2 has the ground-colour brownish-yellow; head also brownish- yellow freckled with brown; medio-dorsal stripe broad bright purple; sub-dorsal stripes also broad, but of a much less distinct dull pale purple, and having a fine white line running through them; a narrow purple line, edged above with white, extends along the spiracular region. Ventral surface legs and pro-legs uniformly pale yellowish-brown. Feeds on the flowers of Erythvea centaurea” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XX., p. 228). Pupa—Mr. Gregson describes the pupa as:—‘‘Purplish flesh- colour; the wing-cases change to dark purplish-brown about two weeks after making up and the moth emerges a few days after”’ (Entomologist, Vol: IV, p: 350)... Im the sanre) Magazine, Vol: XXIL., p. 185, 1 wrote: ‘‘The pupe vary almost to the same extent as the larve; some are green, others quite red, with intermediate forms.” They are hung up by the anal segment among the food- plant. Mr. Porritt says:—‘“ The pupa is slender and nearly Gf not quite) as long as the full-grown larva, it is of almost uniform width, the last two segments only tapering to the anal point. It is glossy and cylindrical, but there is a depression on the thorax and front | abdominal segments; the snout and top of the thorax are prominently | and sharply defined; the leg-cases extend a long distance down the front of the abdomen, but before the end become detached from it. The ground-colour is yellow, but is almost hidden with a deep pink, which is suffused all over the surface, and almost forms a stripe from the head through the abdominal segments; wing and leg-cases dingy olive, tinged with pink. All the imagos (a fine series) emerged from August 23rd to September tst.’’ (‘“‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magaz- Ine a VO OES. 101.228) Hasirat—The species seems widely distributed. Stainton gives near Southport in the ‘‘Manual.” It occurs very freely near Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury and other Kent localities, near Dorchester (Porritt); ‘‘ occasionally in various localities in the neighbourhood of \Wiareham, “also at’ Portland’ (A. W.) P. )Cambnidee) a) low tia Portmarnoch (Sinclair), Ventnor (South). It will probably be found wherever Erythyea centaureum is abundant. ‘Time or APPEARANCE—There was some discussion as to the time of appearance of this species, a few years ago in ‘‘ The Entomologist.” Mr. South, Vol. XX, p. 35, made the moth appear im Ausust anda the larve in September thus suggesting that the larvae hatched as j soon as the eggs were laid and hybernated as larve or otherwise | pupated before the winter. Relating to this, I wrote:—‘* May I kindly | ask whether Mr. South has ever bred imagos from the larve of loews collected in September from the flowers of Erythvea centauveum ? or 1892. | VEE) SRW ISH NAT WIRVAILISA: 159 has anyone ever seen the larvae or pupz the same year, in the months following the emergence of the imagos? When I was at Folkestone in the middle of August, 1886, 1887 and 1888, Mr. Austin of that town, was breeding lJoew? from Erythrea flowers, but the flowers were SoleCtcamin tae latter part of june and early July. his is the ordinary time that the larve are to be collected; they pupate through- out July and August, stay in the pupal stage about three weeks, and pieumemeric. Wi hese are, at any rate, the data | have noted. The following year, from June to August, the larve can be again obtained ; but so far as I know, and sofaras I can find out, from the time of emergence of Jocwi in August and September to the appearance of the larve again in June, we have an almost perfect blank, filled in only by the statement in Stainton’s ‘‘ Manual” of larva in September and October, and the same statement in Merrin’s ‘ Calendar’”’ (transcribed probably from the ‘‘Manual’), to the effect that the imago occurs in July and the larva in September. I suppose we MiAVvesaicle presume that. Mr. South's reference to Mr. Leechs ‘‘ Pyralides’”’ (‘‘ Entomologist,” XXII., p. 35) refers to the description which le {Mr. South) published -(‘‘ Entomologist,” Vol. XVIII., p. 99), and where he writes :—‘‘ Larva in August and September, in flowers of common centaury.” This I should have supposed was Based on other authors. But Mr. South goes on:—‘‘I have a description of the larva, taken from a solitary example in 1881,” &c. But surely this is the larva described more in detail (‘‘ Entomologist ” POCteeap ass peand:. to which) Mr. South adds.“ September, in the flowers of Erythrea centauveum.’ Here then is the missing link. If Mr. South has got the life-history of a September larva, when it pupated, and in short, its history until it emerged in the August (his own date) following, we shall have learned something we do not at present know. The ‘ Manual,” in making the larva follow the imago the same year, is in error, the ‘‘Calendar’”’ is in error; but Mr. South has obtained a September larva, and might have cleared up the error, but he perpetuates it by saying, ‘‘Imago, August; larva, September”’ S-Entomolocist;’ XXII. pp. 104-105). - In the footmote to this communication, Mr. South says that my suggestions are correct, but taat he bred the moth in October from the September larve. It is strange that in stating the time of appearance, he did not add such Be important particular, but simply gave ‘‘ August.’ So far as I know the life-history of zophodactylus, it appears to be as follows :— Lavve—May, June, July, and early August (sometimes even early September), in flowers of Evythrea centaureum. Pupe :—July, August, and early September (sometimes late September), hung up by anal segment amongst foodplant. IJmagines :—Middle of August to middle of September (sometimes as late as October). The remainder of the 160 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [AuGusT life-history is, | believe, unknown. I have heard it suggested that the imago hybernates and lays its eggs in the spring, but whether this be so or whether the eggs are laid in the autumn is open to doubt. Nothing appears to be known of the time when the larva hatches but small larva may be found from June onwards. Mimeseoptilus pterodactyla, Linn.—This common species is very widely distributed, occurring probably in all suitable localities in Britain, as it is found in every country in Europe except in the Polar region. SYNONYMyY—_Picvodactyla, Shinn) +“ Hawn.) Succ NO TAS). Wallen: “°Pyaderms,” p. 105 1asens, wetz ““Geuy and ap) Meseeines. 35, Zelluc* isis, 18415, 041s. Sleinn int..Zeit., “Veleemer ian eeciae eBidr 721555 H1- SincVe De 37550 Ltey 4132. es) oder aemel ee opneniee TX.) 2, 244; -Dup. XI. 314, 3 Zell @ Isis 2830, 2772 scan aniyiws Haw. -“Wep; Brit’, 4765-"Stpl “OU aN Aamo S 71) eeewiecle ‘“Man.,”’ II., 442. Although the synonymy of this species has been somewhat confused it appears to have been due to the application of the Linnzan name ptevodactyla by the early authors to Pterophorus monodactyla. The species itself, through so very common, varies but little and there is never any difficulty or doubt about its determin- ation. Fuscus and fuscodactyla are commonly used now in Britain for this species. Mr. Barrett says:—‘‘ Much confusion seems to have resulted from the fact that our old and well-known WM. fuscus, Retz., fuscodactylus, Haw. (feeding on buds of Veronica chamedrys ), is really ptevodactylus, L., and that the species which stood in our lists and ’ books as ptevodactylus, (the Convolvulus feeder) is monodactylus, L. This last name-is wonderfully suitable to this species, which, when at rest, is a conspicuous object, with its fore and hind wings rolled up into ‘one finger’ pointing each way like a sign post” (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol. XVIII., p. 180). Imaco—This species has the anterior wings divided into two lobes with the apex rather pointed; they are of a reddish-ochreous or brownish-colour, with the costa browner and the inner margin more ochreous, with a small dark brown spot at the end of the fissure and a series of tiny dots running from the base to the middle of the wing. The hind wings, composed of three plumules, dark brown in colour and very glossy. The species is very uniform in colour and rarely varies. Stainton’s diagnosis is:—‘‘P. fuscus, 10'/—114". F.-w. brownish, darker towards the costa, more ochreous towards the inner margin ; before the fissure is a small dark blotch. In the hind-wings, the two first feathers are broader and the third is shorter than in P. pterodactylus (monodactyla). V1.—VII.” (‘* Manual,” Il., p. 442), whilst the original Linnaan description is:—‘‘ Alucita pterodactyla alis patentibus fissis testaceis puncto fusco.” ‘Ale superiores 1892. | EEA Bil LSet PNA UAT IS. 161 ferrugineo-testacez, bifida, sed fissura, nisi flectantur non apparente; in medio punctum nigricans” (‘‘ Fauna Suecicz,” No. 1456, p. 371). The imago, larva and pupa are figured with the June number of the ‘“‘ Hntomologist,’ 1882. (To be continued). THE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF ie Bhi tish COLBOPTERA. SY POIRIN We ISILIOUS, “WIss (AiaKes))) acids: (Continued from page 141). The males of Hetevocerus obsoletus and sericans have the mandibles elongate, as is also the case with Anthophagus alpinus which also has the head horned on each side. Pvognatha quadncorms has the head and mandibles of the male much larger than those of the female, the former with two short horns between the eyes (none in the female); the mandibles with long curved horns which nearly meet each other when the mandibles close; while in some species of Agathidium we meet with a still more curious modification of the /eft mandible of the male. In the males of A. marginatum, confusum, varians, and globosum the left mandible is rather more strongly developed than the other; in A. rotundatum this organ is furnished with a small horn-hke tooth, projecting upwards; while in A. rhinoceros this tooth-like proccss has become developed into a long horn curving over the head. The eyes of a few beetles are more strongly developed in the males than in the Other sex. Examples are: Primus lichenum and P. fur, Dryophilus pusililus, Lagnia hivta, Luperus flavipes, and Euglenus oculatus—whcre the eyes in the male are nearly in contact. The male glow-worm (Lampyns noctiluca), too, has eyes much larger than his more phosphorescent mate, and Canon Fowler points out the remarkable fact that in those exotic species of Lampyridz where the females are apterous or larviform the eyes of the males are always more greatly developed, while in those species where both sexes are winged the eyes are equal. There remains now only to be considered that evelopment of the front part of the head into a more or less elongated beak or rostrum, which is characteristic of the insects belonging to the Rhynchophora. In by far the greater number of Species belonging to this group the females have the rostrum ionger and more slender than the males; examples of such development are Balaninus niucum, in the female of which the rostrum equels the length of the body, most Ceuthorrhynchit, most of the genera A pion, Gymnetron, Magdalinus, Mecinus, &c.. In many of the genus Apion 162 | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Aucust while the male rostrum is shorter and stouter it is also duller and more © punctured (or even pubescent) than in the other sex. In Erirhinus vovax, however, and also it is said, in Apron minimum, A. filirostve, and A. onoms the male rostrum is the longer. At times the rostrum becomes more curved in the female, as in Balaninus and some A pions, while in a few instances (Magdalinus carbonarius, M. cerasi, Fhopalomesites tardu, &c.\ the rostrum becomes distinctly widened at the apex in the male, and though in many instances the antenne are inserted nearer to the apex in the male than in the female (E£rirhinus, Mecinus, &c.) the opposite is frequently the case (many Hypera). In only a few instances among the British Coleoptera do we find any sexual modification of the palpi. Those that I have noted areas follows :—In the males of several species of Hydrena there is a shght difference in the degree of development of these organs; thus in this sex of H. atricapilla the last joint of the maxillary palpi is thickened and somewhat cut out near the tip. Some of the species of Ocypus (brunnipes, ater and pedator) have the last joint of the palpi in the male hatchet-shaped, while that of the female is cylindrical, and a similar—but even more marked—securiform development of the last joint occurs in the males of some of the Chrysomelidze—for instance, in Chrysomela banksit, staphylea, hemoptera, and Gettingensis, and in Gontoctena olivacea. ‘The most striking modification of the male palpi, however, is seen in Hylecetus deyvmestoides and the rare Lymexylon navale, in which species these organs become fan-like from a develop- ment of processes on the third joint. Of the sexual differences in the antenne of beetles the most frequently noticed is a more or less evident elongation of these crgans in the male sex — with one exception only among the British beetles, Enthia clavata, a recently discovered clavicorn, in which, according to Fowler, the antenne of the female are one-fourth longer than those of the male. Simple elongation, without any special alteration in the structure of these organs is found in the males of many of the Coleoptera, and out of a large number of instances the following must suffice as examples: Quedius vufipes and boops, Prognatha quadncorms, Bryaxis sanguinea, Lemophleus duplicatus, pursillus, and fevrugmeus; Lucanus cervus; Corvymbites tesselatus and quercus, Limonius cylindricus ; Evos aurora, Phosphanus hemipteyvus, most Telephort and the British species of Rhagonycha, Malthinus frontalis, Ptinus fur, Dryophilus pusillus—in which also, as in the genera Priobium, Anobium, and Evnobium, the last three joints are especially lengthened in the male; Cyyptocephalus labiatus and pusallus ; Luperus betulinus, &c.; Osphya bipunctata ; Anthribus albinus, in which also the end of each joint bears, in the male only, a tuft of white scales. The maximum of development of the antennz is met with in the males of the Longicornia—most notably in Acanthocinus edilis, 1892. ] Irie Bits EOIN AURAL EST. 163 in the males of which the antennz are often four times the length of body, while those of the female are not more than half those of their partners. Ina few instances the number of joints varies in the two sexes, thus: the males of Prionus coriarius, Molorchus minor, and Nacevdes melanuva have the antennz 12-jointed while those of the females have only the usual number -11; and in Holoparamecus depvessus, according to Fowler, the female has to joints 1n the antenne while the male has only 9. Pria dulcamare has the club of the male antennez composed of 4 joints, while that of the female has only 3, a fact which caused Stevens to place the sexes in separate genera. Micmemoeol tie antennc 1S not only much longer im the male Melolontha but is composed of 7 lamella while that of the female has 6 only. In the following species, also we find the club of the antenne longer in the male: Serica brunnea, Rhizotrogus, Throscus deymestotdes, &c.; Helocerus claviger and Megatoma undata; while the male of A ttogenus pellio has the last joint of the club as long as the whole of the other joints together, the female having this joint equal to the two preceding together. Tuwvesias sevva has the club of the male much larger than that of the female and also strongly serrate. The male of Euconnus denticornis has two joints of the antennal club distinctly widened and sharply toothed on the inner side, that of the female being simple. Many beetles have the antenne of the male with the joints so extended as to produce an appearance like that of the teeth of a saw (serrate) or of a comb (pectinate) while the females have these organs either quite plain, or only slightly serrate. Instances of such are common among the Elateridee— Corymbites pectinicornis and cupreus and Microvhagus pygmaeus being examples from this group. The same condition is observed in Pyrionocyphon serricornis, Tillus elongatus, Xyletinus atey, Prionus coviarius, Bruchus pectinicornis, Pyvochroa pectinicorviis, &c. Instances of still greater development of the male antenne are furnished by the fan-shaped (flabellate) structure of these organs in: Melasis buprestoides and Ptilinus pectinicormis—in the females of both of which these organs are simply pectinate, Dvilus flavescens; the male of which has most remarkable fan-like antenne while those of the larviform female are short and thread-like. The antenne reach their greatest development among British beetles in the males of the curious Metecus paradoxus which is parasitic on wasps, in which these organs are strongly comb-like on two sides—like a feather, those of the female being slightly serrate on one side only. Most singularly in Hylecetus—in which the male has the fan-like palpi, this sex has the antennez feebly serrate, while in the female they are strongly serrate or even comb-like-—strange Exception to the usual condition. Occasionally we meet with instances where only one, or a few only of the antenne joints undergo 164 | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [Aucusy sexual modification. Thus while the male ot Cevcus pedicularius has the first two joints widened, that of C. bipustalatus has only the first enlarged, the females of both these species having the joints unaltered —and scarcely distinguishable from each other; the males of Batrisus have the first two joints of the antenne longer than in the females. The genus Aythinus presents some curious alterations in the basal joints, in the male alone: B. punctico/lis has the two basal joints thickened, and the first joint has a tooth on the inner side; B. curtisi has the second joint globular with a similar tooth; 8B. securigey and burvelli have the first joint cylindrical and while in the former the second is very broadly hatchet-shaped, in the latter this joint 1s like a new moon with the horns projecting inwards. Homalota coriaria has the second and third joints of the male antenna furnished with long hairs, while several of the same genus (fagana, oblongiuscula occulta, picipes, &c.) have the third joint thickened (stouter) in the male. Apion difforme has, in the same sex, the third and fourth joints very much broader than the rest. The genus Phyllotreta contains several species in which the fourth and fifth joints or (ochripes) the fifth alone is stouter in the male; this sex of Tychus mger has the fifth joint three times broader than either the fourth or sixth; while Agrilus laticornis has the whole of the middle joints strongly widened in the male, and the same sex of the water beetles Notevus clavicornis and sparsus have the whole antenne greatly, but regularly thickened— those of the female being simple. The most singular modifications in the antenne are seen in the males of some species of Malachius and Meloe—modifications believed to be intended to assist in the capture of the female and for holding her during the act of sexual union. in Malachius eneus the second joint of each antenna projects inwards, and the third is furnished with a long hook, which nearly meets the prominent second; in M. bipustulatus the second joint has a broad prominence, the third has a large tooth, the fourth has a hook nearly meeting the second, and the fifth is swollen; M. marginellus has the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh joints hollowed out on the inner-side, the ends of the joints forming projecting teeth; while the male of MM. vimidis has the antenne quite simple. In the males of several species of Meloe (e.g. M. proscavabaus) the third, fourth, and fifth joints are somewhat dilated, the sixth and seventh are flattened, joined by their edges, and so hollowed out on the inside as to give the organ the appearance of having been | broken and badly reioined—the antenneze of the female being quite simple. The last peculiarity to be mentioned here occurs in the males of several species of Telephorus (lividus, pellucidus, nigvicans, obscuvus, bicolor, &c.), where the middle joints of the antennae, usually the fourth to the tenth, have a very fine groove or impressed | 1892. ] (eS Si MN A Oi ATS a. 165 line running length-wise—-a peculiarity the purpose of which can scarcely be conjectured. (To be continued.) RANDOM NOTES ON BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. BY JOHN E. ROBSON, F.E.S. Several of my subscribers have suggested that a series of Notes on British Lepidoptera, somewhat similar to the ‘‘Gossipping Notes on British Coleoptera,” by Mr. Lewcock, would be of interest; I propose, therefore, to attempt a similar series, though I will not follow quite closely in Mr. Lewcock’s footsteps. He is giving us the whole of the British Coleoptera after a specified arrangement. Whilst I may be able, in time, to go through the whole of the British Lepidoptera, I do not intend to adhere closely to any special order, but to make notes On any species or group that may be attracting attention at the moment, refer to captures of new species or rarities, or any matter that appears to be of interest, without waiting till their turn came in regular sequence, which might not be for a considerable period. When there were no such notes to be made I would take the species in recular order, or go back to species already dealt with, when anything new or interesting turned up conceraing them. London collectors, who meet each other frequently at the meetings of the various societies, have opportunities for knowing much that is going on, that are not available for those residing in the provinces. These articles may, in some small degree, keep country collectors ‘‘up to date” in matters pertaining to lepidoptera. It is only possible, however, to do this if I have the ready assistance of all my friends and correspondents. HaADENA SATURA.—The reported capture by Mr. Tutt (see ante p. 3), of two specimens of this rare insect, is a matter of very great interest, as it was looked upon by many as a doubtful British species. Stainton’s Manual says (Vol. 1, p. 274), ‘‘Two specimens only have occurred, one in Oxfordshire and one in Cambridgeshire.’ Newman adds ‘“‘and one in the county of Wicklow, in Ireland, by Mr. _Bristowe.” During a recent visit to London I had the pleasure of examining the specimens taken by Mr. Tutt, and which are in beautiful condition. They do not closely resemble any species I had seen before, but agee in all respects with a pair of European satura in Mr. Tutt’s cabinet. It will be noticed that their place of capture is within the area of former records. An insect that was seen by many 166 THE’ BRITISH ENAT URADIS 7 [AUGUST of my readers, when sent round in the Young Naturalist Exchange | Club Basket, three or four years ago by Mr. Reid, of Pitcaple, was thought by some who saw it to be satura. 1 thought then, and still think, it was a rather curious example of exulis, but, however that may be, I can say with certainty, after examining Mr. Tutt’s beautiful specimens, that this insect was not satura. Mr. Reid, however, tells me he has undoubtedly turned up the true satura in his own neighbourhood, and what is still more satisfactory, that he has found the larve. VANESSA ANTIOPA.—I have to relate a most marvellous occurrence in connection with this insect, one of those incidents that could not be imagined or deemed possible in the ordinary course of events. It is well-known that the butterfly is common in North America, and the collectors there breed it in some numbers. Last year, my friend, Mr. C. H. H. Walker, of Liverpool, received from a correspondent in Canada 1o pupe of V. antiopa, out of a batch of 30 his friend had reared. On the first day after their arrival in Liverpool nine of them emerged, five being of the ordinary Canadian form, and four being the variety /aturnia. This remarkable variety differs from the type in a most pronounced manner, the yellow margin being from two to two- and-a-half times the normal width, the usual velvety black bordering on the inside, with the metallic blue spots of typical Antiopa, being entirely wanting. This broad yellow border is more or less sprinkled with black scales, especially in one specimen, giving it quite a suffused appearance. Of the two typical yellow spots on the costa, one, the innermost, is absent. The specimens which I had the pleasure of examining when last at Liverpool, are all of large size and perfectly developed. Mr. Walker had not much acquaintance with Antiopa, and finding the forms in so nearly equal proportions, he rashly concluded the difference was sexual; for some time, therefore, no notice was taken of the occurrence. When he learned that this was not a sexual difference, he made enquiry about the form, but no one appeared to know anything about it in this country. Mr. Fletcher, the Canadian Dominion Entomologist, was communicated with, and he replied that the variety in question was known in North America, but was of such extreme rarity that although he had reared many thousands of the butterfly in his desire to possess this particular form, he had never even so much as seen it. The tenth of Mr. Walker’s pupz was now opened, the imago was found to be fully developed and proved to be another specimen of the variety. Thus, out of 10 pupe taken at random from 30 all reared together, 5 proved to be of this exceedingly rare variety. Strange to say, enquiry has elicited the fact that not one of the remaining 20 pupe which matured in Canada, varied in the slightest degree from the usual type. One of the | 1892. | Dy Sel iSE INA TOR ALNS 167 varieties has been forwarded to Mr. Fletcher, in Canada, one is in the collection of our valued correspondent, Mr. F. N. Pierce, and the remaining pair are cherished by their fortunate breeder as much on account of their extraordinary history as from their value as rarities. I hope to give a figure of this beautiful form in a future number. HEPIALUS HUMULI.— On p. 151, Dr. Chapman suggested that the 2 of this species was attracted by scent as well as by sight. To follow up the idea I confined two males in a chip box. They were taken while hovering, the time at which the odour, if there were one, would be given off. Next morning there was a faint but decided perfume in the box, which was still more distinct after longer confinement. I then enclosed other four males in a similar chip box, and the strength of the odour was this time considerably greater than before It gave me the idea of decaying pineapple, but possibly the expectation of such a smell might help the idea of it ; a lady to whom imstibmitted the box, asked if I had had peach stones in it. The boxes were subsequently sent to Dr. Chapman who writes: ‘ Both the boxes still have a decided odour which I cannot exactly hken to anything I know. I think with my observations, the brushes of the g , and this experiment on odour, you are sufficiently armed to say Humulr § attracts @ from a distance by smell, and when near (perhaps three yards) by sight.” The retention of the odour in the box nearly a week after the insects had been set at liberty explains another phenomena that has been several times observed and recorded, iw eioe attraction of the ¢ to a place .where the 9° had probably been some time before. In August, 1890, I took a number of g H. sylvinus flying to a spot on the turf, pushing themselves down upon it and searching about before flying away. I had no doubt a ? had been there, perhaps the previous evening. I went back to the spot the following night and found that only a few specimens were then attracted, and did not seem so eager or certain. In 1891, I observed exactly the same with N. xanthographa, though I did not return on the second evening. This year 1 made a somewhat similar observation respecting E. albulata for which see next note. EMMELESIA ALBULATA.—On 8th June last, I saw this species flying freely in a meadow where yellow rattle abounded. It was just six o'clock and the sun was shining brightly. As I wandered about, netting one or two well-marked forms, I observed a large number at one particular spot. On reaching it I saw two already paired, sitting ona grass stem. Around them the males were sitting, five or six on every stem, looking like small white signal flags waving in the wind, while others hovered about and tried to find places where to settle, pushing others off, and especially crowding up to those already paired. I had received Dr. Chapman’s note (p. 151) that day and 168 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. | AUGUST I took particular notice of the manner in which they came up. I saw that all that passed on the side from which the odour, if there were one, would be carried, instantly arrested their onward flight and began to approach, in what was evidently a searching manner, the spot where the attraction arose. All new comers flew up to the paired couple, and hovered about them for a while, then sought a resting place. There must have been two hundred of them in all, and it was really a very pretty sight. I was quite satisfied that an odour had emanated from the ? and that it remained attractive though she had already found a mate. | THE DIPTERA? OF (DORSE Us sion: BY €:)W. DALE, BoEcS. (Continued from page 67.) Famity—DixibD2&. This family consists but of a single genus, which appear to bea sort of connecting link between the Mycetophilide and Tipulide. The flies are found throughout the year, and in the winter months seek shelter in hayricks and amongst ivy, ferns, moss, &c. The name Dixa is descriptive of the two bifurcate nervures of the wings, which distinguish it from its congener. This family lke many genera of the Tipulidz, is very much confined to northern latitude. The larve inhabit fungi. The flies generally appear in the evening and are found in meadows and damp woods. There are fifteen species found in Europe. 76. Dixa estivalts, Meig. Generally distributed. 77. D.apnlina, Meig. Generally distributed. 78. D. maculata, Meig. Generally distributed. 79. D.nebulosa, Meig. Generally distributed. FamMiLy TIPULIDA. This is one of the most interesting families of the Diptera, and contains a number of species, mostly of large size; indeed one species, Tipula gigantea is the largest British species of the order, for although, not so robust as Tabanus bovinus or Asilus crabrontformis, | it beats them in expanse of wings and legs. It is this expanse of legs which has got for them the English name of Crane-flies or Daddy Long-legs. The legs are moreover extremely brittle and come off at the slightest touch, so that it is best to gum them, irrespective of size, on cards. The species of the typical genus Tipula are found in damp meadows in vast numbers, especially in autumn, the larva feeding | 1892.) tok hi iS INAT URAL LST. 169 upon the roots of the grass, and occasionally doing much mischief. This is particularly the case with Tipula oleracea and paludosa, the larva of which two species sometimes completely lay bare wide tracks oi meadow land. The species of Trichocera are of smaller size, and may be observed, flying throughout the winter from September to May, even when there is a sharp frost and the ground is covered with snow, whenever there is a glimpse of warm sunshine. Dalman also discovered the singular and wingless Chionea avaneoides running quickly upon fallen snow in Sweden throughout the winter. In Britain, we have no wingless species, but the female of Tipula pagana, Meig.—dispar, Hal., and both sexes of Molophilus ater, Meig.= brevipennis, Curt., have the wings so short as to be quite unfitted for flight. The most gaily coloured and robust species of the family are those of the genus Ctenophora, the males possessing most beautifully feathered antennze. The larve of this genus, and also of Tzpula flavolinzata are rotten wood feeders. Most of the larve of the genera Tipula and Pachyuhina feed on the roots of grass ; those of Limnobia and allied genera in fungi and decaying vegetation. muvee lave) of this family are not, however,’ terrestrial, the preparatory stages of several groups being undergone in water; of these the genus Ptychoptera exhibits a singular departure from the rest of the family, the larva being very long and worm-like, but much narrowed at the posterior extremity, whichis terminated by a very - long and delicate tube serving to convey the air to two trachee, which extend through the entire length of the body. Inthe pupa _ this peculiarity is reversed, the body being terminated by five small points, whilst the anterior extremity is furnished with a very long thread-like appendage serving like the former, to supply air to the insect, its extremity being extended to the surface. The larve of these species which reside in damp ground, or in rotten wood, have not the thoracic portion so distinctly observable as in some other species; they are not furnished with false legs, but have two short horns at the anterior, and several fleshy conical appendages at the posterior extremity of the body; the mouth 1s composed of parts which have some analogy to the Mandibulata. The pupe is naked, with two respiratory tubes near the head, and the margins of the abdominal segments are spiny, enabling them to thrust themselves forward to the surface of the ground when ready to assume the winged state. The best’ months for collecting the flies are the months of May, June and September. The following are the species found in Dorset- shire. 80. The variety ““extricata”’ (Smith) is reported from near Liverpool in F. Smith’s ‘‘ British Bees,” second edition, p. 58. Aibienismehno.——-vvell distributed: mm district, B.C. Laken at Sale, Stretford and Rollin, near Manchester, ].R.H.; Rainhill, Pietemwock ery, jj. l.G.; Wallasey, K.N., W.G., and Hoylake, W.G. analis, Panz.—This local species has been taken at Rock Ferry, EG: ‘humilis, Imh.—fulvescens, Sm.—Has occurred near Manchester, Bue wanduat lock Perry, jl .G, labialis, Kirb. -sepavata, Sm.—Taken at Hazelgrove, ‘B.C.; at 172 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. | [Aucusr Bollin Valley, Eccles and Lindow, J.R.H.; and at Rock Ferry, jeu-G: minutula, Kirb. (2nd brood).—parvula, Kirb. (1st brood).—Crosby and Rainhill both near Wiverpool, noe nana, Kirb.— Bowden and Hazelgrove, B.C. Wilkella, Kirb.—xanthura, Kirb.—Bowden and Hazelgrove, B.C. MAGROPIS,)banz The only British species of this genus is very rare, and has not been recorded in our district. DASME@ DW As Our single British species burrows in large colonies in sandhills, generally choosing a bank overgrown with herbage with a southern aspect. | hirtipes, Latr.—Sale and Bollin valley, J.R.H.; Puce! sand- hills W.G:; and ‘Cheshine Coast, 5-C- _CILISSA, «Leach. This genus contains only two species occurring in Great Britain; their habits are probably the same as the gregarious members of the genus Andrena. They have not, so far, been recorded in our district. PANURGUS, Panz. Our two British species burrow in hard trodden pathways. They have not, hitherto, been observed in our district, though fairly distributed throughout the country. : (To be continued). NATURALISTS, OF (TE ae VIT.—GEORGE “TAY LO 2 @ kira miele AE} Sey OITA Apso NC. The gentlemen whose portrait we present with this number is a worthy successor to that band of Northern Entomologists who made Yorkshire and Lancashire famous half a century ago. While he has | kept up the reputation of the Yorkshire naturalists, he has also | extended his sphere of action, and is as well known in town as in the | provinces. | Mr. Porritt was born at Huddersfield in the year 1848, and took so 1 early an interest in matters entomological that he was made a Fellow | of the Entomological Society of London when cnly 22 years of age, | and two years after he was elected to Fellowship in the Linnean THE BRITISH NATURALIST NATURALISTS OF THE DAY. 1D ANC. 1892. THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 173 Society of London. In 1887, he had the honour of being placed on the Council of the Entomological Society. For many years he was President of the Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society. He has also had alone and very active connection with the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. omen years ne edited: (im conjunction swith) Mr. ©. ie. mopdla tine Magazine, “ihe Naturalist’; was President of the Entomological Section in 1880, from 1882 to 1885, and again from IogmmOoniIe mresent time, and in comnection with this Union he published his most important work, ‘‘A List of the Lepidoptera known {to occur in Yorkshire. This valuable list was issued in 1883 and iommisevoln Wl or the ““lransactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Winiem welt contains an. account of the occurrence in Yorkshire of 1349 Species, being nearly two-thirds of the British Fauna. The enormous labour entailed in its compilation can only be appreciated by those who have attempted similar work, while the care exercised ismevideneed by the tact that mo errors have been pointed out, even in this extensive list. Mr. Porritt has been for many years one of the most skilful in raising Lepidoptera from the egg. Descriptions from his pen, of larvee little or unknown to science, are scattered through the various magazines. When the Ray\Society commenced to publish Buckler’s figures of larve of British Lepidoptera, the Rev. John Hellins, who had worked in conjunction with Mr.Buckler, undertook to supply, as far as possible, descriptions of such larve as had been figured, but of which Mr Buckler had left no verbal account, or but an imperfect one. Mr. Hellins died when only the second volume was completed, and Mr. Porritt was the first person asked by Mr. Stainton to Coumiunlemtne work, it 1s greatly to be regretted that he could! not see his way clear to undertake it, for subsequent volumes have been issued without any of these supplementary descriptions. Mr. Porritt has also been very fortunate 1n discovering varieties. A very marked form of C. suffumata which, he tock at Huddeisfield has been named -Porvittii in his honour. He also was the first to call attention to the melanic races of Y. elutata ‘and other species.. More recently he turned up at Huddersfield a wonderfully dark race of A. mendica, to which the Entoniological Society devoted a plate, in their “Transactions” for 1889. In 1887 he discovered, also at Huddersfield, a perfectly melanic form (inky black) of Boarmia repandata, quite different from any of the previously described forms. ee Wane. —Colleetors to look through their duplicates for old, chipped, eritas detornee: ke a return,—F. N. PIERCE, {43 Smithdown , Lane, Lyerpool. © rs. Desiderata: —Elpenor, A. urtice:, Versicolora,: Papilionaria, ‘and offers.—J. W. mows, MI 72 Darwen pve near pee re a ae “CHANGE OF ADDRESS. ory: OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL & NATURAL LISTORY SOCIETY from Pingpuny. Savane, a LONDON INSTITUTION, FINSBURY Circvs, EC “MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES Bs OF. LONDON ENTOMOLOGIGAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY of The’ London. Institution, Finsbury Circus, E’C..°. Meetings: First. and third u days, in the month. | The Peptember part will contain a portrait of Dr De Sharp, M4, MB -©.M., F.R.S., F.L.8.,.F.Z.8., F.E.S. Other portraits are in rapid preparation. A ‘Arrangements. are now completed for continuing the Molluscan Section. — W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land and Frock Water ! Mollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, Esq., of The Green, Llandaff, will gentlemen. All letters requiring areply by post should contain stamp. The Section for Coleoptera is conducted by G. A. Lewcock, Esq., 73, Oxford Road, Islington, to whom also direct communication may bemade: oat NLy, Leweock also represents the Magazine in London, and* will receive Bea oions, papers and notes for publication, &c., &e. 5 e Subscriptions, exchanges, business correspondence, notes, papers tos publication, and all other communications, to be addressed. -Joun kk. 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Or, 69, ‘High i reeh Haitlepéob: iad publiehed by Missense. 4 SONNENSCHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, EC.) aye od) oe $e _ eel area ta Res *} eee, 3 “hy ‘ f ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE q : os OF | NATURAL HISTORY, - pees “CONDUCTED BY. _FOHN E ROBSON, BES “Hartlepool, Ne . oe es 2 WITH THE ASSISTANCE IN VARIOUS ‘DEPARTMENTS OF C. BIGNELL, EE. Poe Piymogin zs LINNZUS GREENING. WARRINGTON. . TKS. BRIGGS, F.E.S:, Lonpon ; eu . C, S: GREGSON, Liverpoor,; — : CAPPER, F.L.S.,F.E8., Liverroo.; A..F. GRIFFITH, M.A., BRIGHTON ; is SDALE, EE. Se) Dorset ; aie: om) LEWCOCK, Lonpon. | _ ELISHA, FES, Lonpon ; Cae ees SOUTTER, BisHop AUCKLAND ; ELLIS, F.ES., LiveRPoot 5 Nee Sa BROCKTON ‘TOMLIN, Luanparr ; N.. A, GAIN, ‘Tuxrorp ; i AN MET. TUGWELL, Ph.C., GREENWICH NC GARDNER PES. Hanruesoor: ‘SYDNEY WEBB, Dover. cs Seo Ah ROOM. s ro SWAN SONNENSCHEIN: & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. SW AN SONNENSCHEIN &Co, Each Volume is very fully illustrated with ance woodcuts, and bond 11 ie to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various department they well deserve can render them so.’—K710 we ledge. Saturday Rei are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.”’ —Acadeniy. 2. Crustaceans and. Spiders, 14. The Microscope, MG, Sadely known. .-.=. Weare glad to see the staff of the- British Museum thus comin _ by F. A. Skuse. by V. A. Latham. Llu prej 3. Fungi, Lichens, etc. ee 16. Book Collecting, “ fa Peter IAy- Give 2 Uby fe Statens: (ia prepavatio ~ 4 OSSES, ae by James E. Bagnall, s-L.s. aye Marine Shells, : | vad: W. WwW illiams & others. - 5- Pond-Life, . [ln preparatio byE. A. Butler, F.z.s. Re eee Oe : 6. Seaweeds, Shells, and - . 18. rates A ons, a Fossils, by P. Gray and Se Howorth, . BoB. AW: oodwaid, 19. Grasses. eee >. Ants, Bees, Wasps, oa by F. Tutail. [In preparatio Dragon-fiies, by W. H. 20. British Ferns, if ath, => = : <2. * Dy Be eawe.. 8: ates & oe (Eneheh) 21. Pond-Life (Alge, Diatong oy Llews Jewitt, £.s.a ith = -._ a Chapter on Greek oes - chee Soe Sn by Barclay V. Head. => | 22. Chess Problems, g. Reptiles, ge BY es _by Catherine Hopley. “= 23. Postage Stamps, 10. British Birds, fae by W. T. Ogilvie. by H. A. Macpherson. —- Ee Flowering Plants, 11. Silkworms. . _ By James Britten, f.1.s. | by. E. A. Butler, F.z.s. In preparati 12. Land and Fresh Water 25. The Telescope, ; Shells, by J. W. Williams, - by J. W. Williams. We Dennison Roebuck, and 26. Copper Coins of ‘Mode J. W. Taylor. © ae Aaron, by F.C. Mies "ADVERTISEMENTS. Cf ee aS YOUNG “COLLECTOR SERIES. ee ce = s cloth extra, Is. each, (post free, Is. 2d-) “They contain just the kind and amount of information required: ~. ire zia ist aoe can be made a commereial success. Certainly, nothing but the enormous circulation whic ‘We have seen nothing better than this series. It is cheap, concise, and practical." = ‘We are ieee call attention to this excellent series of handbooks, w hich deserve to. b forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have.-.- .-* The illustration I. Butterilies, Moths, and | 13. Fossils, - Beetles, by W. Kirby. | by J.. W. Waltawme® ——— SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & 2 Fetervoster Square, LONDOME 1892. | ey iw ori N Ameo we TS i: M77) I have omitted from the present list a large number of minor varieties, while those imperfectly known or at all doubtful from few Oceutnemees, ce. OF whose Claiml to rank as Species OF varieties is disputed, are printed in italics. The following are the more important changes, additions, &c.: Limax cinereo-niger, Wolf, 1s placed as a variety of L. maximus, Simroth and Scharff having both conclusively shown that there is no anatomical difference between the two forms. In the genus Amalia, Moq., Pollonera’s sections have been introduced. The Testacellide are a family which have not as yet received much attention in this country. I have records of a number of varieties, but hesitate introducing the same until they are found to be of more general occurrence. Many important additions and changes are made in the Arionide. Pollonera, the highest. authority on this family, thinks our large black Avion is undoubtedly the A. empivricorum, Fer. The many red and brown varieties of this species have been grouped under the v. rufus, Fér. The var. bocage: is an interesting addition. Under A. subfuscus | am introducing two new varieties which will be fully described in my ‘Review of the Avionid@ of the British Isles.” Arion cottianus, Poll., was first found in this country by Mr. E. W. Swanton, alse A. celtieus, Poll. A. hortensis, v. cevuleus, Collinge, may be looked upon as a species in course of formation. dA. circum- scriptus, Johnst., seems to vary in two well-marked directions. I have HOmmaswyet, veen able to describe the occurrence of A. lusztanicus, Mabille, specimens having only just come to hand. Hitherto it has been confounded: with A. empiricorum, Fér. The method | adopt for killing and permanently preserving slugs is as follows: After measuring the specimens, while still alive, and making notes as to form, colour, slime, &c., &c. I place them in a 20 ounce beaker of water, full to the brim, over which is placed a glass disc with a weight upon it. In this they are allowed to remain until dead, usually about 48 hours. Ten ounces of 124 % alcohol is then added, and at the end of four hours, the same quantity of 30% or 40% alcohol, in which they are allowed to remain another four hours, and then transferred to 60% alcohol, where they may remain for almost any leneth ot time. I usually, howéver, after two or three days transfer to go % alcohol. It is as well to re-measure the specimens aiter preparing as above. momeepropose. to re-publish this list from time to time, any suggestions for improving the same, or notices of omissions, &c., will be thankfully received. 178 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [ SEPTEMBER A CATALOGUE OF THE SEUGS (One iE BRITISH. ISLES, Family.—ARIONID. Sub-family.—ARIONIN&E. Genus.—ARION, Fér. 1 Avion empiticorum, He,, 1819. =A ater, brit. Auct- a, sasciarns, Cla. b. elineolatus, Cell. c. swammerdamiul, Kal., 1851. —=miarginatus, Mog. d. razoumowsku, Kal., 1851. =nigrescens, Mog. e. albus, fer. i easy Jey eg. hibernus, Mab. h. bicolor, Mog. i. pallescens, Mog. j- albolateralis, feoebuch. k. reticulatus, Roebuck. 1. bocaget, Simroth. Arion lusitanicus, Mabille. Arion subfuscus, Drap. a. b. C d. (Se succineus, Bouill. griseus, Clige. lateritius, Cllge. brunnea, Lehm. aurantiacus, Loc. Arion cottianus, Pollonera. Arion intermedius, Normand, 1852. =A. minimus, Simyroth. 6 Arion hortensis, Fér. a. ceruleus, Clige. b. rufescens, Mog. cu. niser, Mog. d. griseus, Mog. e. fasciatus, Mog. f. subfuscus, C. Pfr. 7 Avion celticus, Pollonera. 8 Arion ambiguus, Pollonera. ax a@finoricana, Poll. eae 9 Arion circumscriptus, Fohust. =-A. bourgiugnati, Mabille. a. b. flavescens, Cillge. | neustriacus, Mabille. | Genus.—-GrEoma.acus, Allman. 10 Geomalacus malculosus, Allm. Family.—_TES?TACEVILIDA®. Genus.— TESTACELLA, Cuvier. 11 Testacella haliotidea, Cuvier. 12 Testacella scutulum, Soy. a. pillida, Cell. | 13 Testacella maugei, Fér. a. viridans, Morelet. Family.— LIMACID. Sub-family.—Limacinm. Genus.—Limax, I. Sub-genus.-H EYNEMANNIA, Malm. 14 Limax maximus, L. a, marnoratts, CAL, 1892. | IMGUE, ABIRIIDISISU™ PAGE UL EVAL a0, 179 verus, D. and M. rupicolus, L. and P. cellarius, D’Avg. b CG. pallens, L. and P. Seeemmatinus, lela, E f alpestris, L. and P. pallido-dorsalis, Hudson. fulva, Novm. maculatus, Roebuck. bettonu, Sordellr. losyiichar, Fal, 1851. Sr OC) ba Oa, O = johnstoni, Mog. 8: Qmuarus, Hear Genus,-- AGRIOLIMAX, Malui. h. cinereus, Mog. nO) UN ene, ByeOSiNS,, IL, 1. obscurus, Mog. ferussaci, Mog. aciIsels, Oni fasciatus, Mog. rufescens, L. and P. rufescens, Mog. sylvaticus, Mog. . mulleri, Mog. lilacinus, Moq. reticulatus, Mog. maculatus, Picard. tristis, Mog. strobelli, Pini. cinereo-niger, Wolf. CeO. Cs Os i: J k ] m | n. luctuosus, Mog. O p obscurus, Mog. q h. nigra, Morelet. punctatus, Picard. j. albidus, Picard. 19 Agr levis, Miller. 16 Limax variegatus, Drap. a. maculatus, Chil. =L. flavus, Auctt. Tr ° 15 Limax tenellus, Nils. Subg.— LeEumannia, Heyn. | Genus.—AmatiaA, Moq., a. lineolatus, Cllye. | DeeimMactiacus, Mal. Pirainea section, Poll. euvainescens, Vio. 20 Amalia gagates, Drap. d. rufescens, Mogq. ) a. plumbea, Mog. e. colubrinus, Pini. b. olivacea, Mog. f. suffusus, loebuck. c. rava, Wlims. ge. griseus, Roebuck. Tandonia section, Poll. 17 Limax marginatus, Mull.,1774 21 Amalia sowerbyi, Fér. Ieanboruin, 6. CH., 1830. —A. marginata, Brit. Aucit. a. nemorosus, Baud. Ais loui@elkoirs (Oil. DaeGecipiens 1G v/. b. nigrescens, Chil. Notes. Tue Genus Rissoa (cont.)-—Sub-genus Cingula, Fleming. The name of this group stands well established, chiefly on the authority of Dr. Gray in 1847, though it was proposed originally for certain Aussoas by Fleming as far back as 1828. The shells are all thin, orn mented 180 . LHE BRITISH -NADURAL ISH: [ SEPTEMBER with spots or bands in their normal form (though albinos occur in most species), have a sharp outer tip without a trace of thickening in the most fully adult state. The whorls form a very regular little cone, being flattened and without much suture; the sculpture, too, is very slight, and does not at all affect the Contour of the shell. Of this group we have two members in British waters, /. cimgillus, Mont. (the type of the sub-genus) and &. semistriata Mont., both common and littoral in their‘habitat. For the name f. cingillus, Canon Norman and others have recently substituted the undoubtedly prior one of fe. tvifasciata, Adams, but it seems almost a pity to oust such an old friend as cingillus. The older name certainly is apt in giving one a clue to the species, as it emphasizes the distinguishing feature of this Rissoa, viz.: the three reddish or brown bands on the last whorl, two of them broad and very well defined, the third a shorter one at the base. The rest of the shell usually has a varying yellow tint, while at Weymouth, especially round the Hothe, orange-coloured shells predominate with vanishing bands. Albinos of this species occur sparingly with the type and are known as var. rupestms, Forbes. f. cingillus is not smooth, but has numerous stria, distinct on the last whorl, but almost absent above; they are spiral, 7.¢., running with the coil of the shell and are crossed by still finer lines longitudinally. the Wengthy) warnies! | shichtly, up (to about 73 mms dllinessmeeresnic gregarious and to be found on almost any stony shore, under stones deeplv buried in the shingle, from about half-tide downwards. No criterion will be necessary beyond that of the two clear reddish bands; the third one is not so evident. A pale but not pure-white variety is var. gyaphica, Turton. Jam not aware of any other named variety. R. SEmisTRIATA, Mont., is not such an easy species to identify as the preceding, but Ithink that as before the easiest feavmre) to relly upon is the colouration. This takes the form of more or less oblong blotches of red at set intervals along the upper margin of each whorl, and a corresponding row of smaller and narrower marks, more streaky along the lower margin. Between these two rows there isa well defined plain area the ground colour being yellowish-white, the markings, as usual, gradually die out towards the apex. The shell is more solid, smooth and glossy than the last species, with a spire less produced; to vthe naked Veye it ustally appears irom mac me sculpture at all; the suture is very slight and the whorls much flat- tened. It should be looked for alive at low tide under stones (but not those deeply buried, as with MA: cymevllus), but occurs mime imoxe commonly in shell sand and is generally common in dredged materials. The albino form of the species is called var. puva Jeffreys, and occurs ~ ae a 1892. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 181 (PepigeeyoOM ENO? BeaRAY- ACULE ATA OEPLANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. (Continued from page 172.) NOMADA. ) This is the first genus of Parasitical or Cuckoo Bees, as they are - often called. These insects, instead of making burrows for themselves Hand storing up food for their offspring by their own labours, appropriate the fruit of the toil of other bees, and lay their eggs in the _ carefully constructed and well-victualled cells of various species. The Nomadas are sometimes particular, but more often promiscuous in their parasitism; as far as observation goes, however, the following ' species appear to be more or less exclusive in the choice of their hosts, / viz :— { N. borealis parasitical upon Andrena Clarkella. 5, sexfasciata 5, Luceva longicornis. Panurgus ursines, ,, Pabriciana a 5 4} probably on some ( Andrena. ,, albogutiata 3 », Andrena argentata. WP OGRYOSLOMa ,, e i: labialis. 5, lateralis fi i eh bucephala, 5, fevruginata 5 3 i humilis. (falictus leucogzontia. cata a Sean he vubicundus. (Andrena fulvicrus. 4, solidaginis i ,, Hatlictus lencozonius. eae Trimmerana. atriceps. VUfLCOVNIS 7 ie if ay a | i fulva. \ - migvo-aened. oo fora as eo ELalicius nvorto.. (dAndrena atriceps. N. alternata ns Oe sf wiero-aened. ( nN albicans. PEC OLROUTIaHA 5, if 5 labialis. The species recorded in our district are as follows, v1z.:— Nomapa, Fab. solidaginis, Panz.— Taken at ROGk Tetiny, jadi 182 THE) BRITISH NATURALISE [SEPTEMBER sexfasciata, Panz.—Recorded from Sale, Eccles and _ Bollin *-Walleys2 [alesis succincta, Panz.—Commonly distributed in district, B.C. Par- ticularly recorded trom- Chester, Cl ki No hock) Merny. J.T.G.; and Huyton Quarry, near Liverpool, H.H.H. alternata, Kirb.—Marshamella, Kirb., Thoms.—Also well distri- buted, B.C. Noted specially at Chorlton and Stretford, near Manehester;, |. Robes hambill Hn ockeiicray, |e iaGe. Wallasey, EGA * Delamere, Ci.) andmaiean ne nesters E.C.T., R.N. Observed at: burrows of Andvena albicans, EG d. jacobee, Panz.—Taken in Bollin Valley, near Manchester, |. Re; and sparinglyt-Chester,. KaN. Lathburiana, Kirb.—rufiventris, Kirb., “Thon: — Ehis > local species has been taken near Manchester, B.C.; at Bache Hall, Chester, E.C.T. lateralis , Panz. mee Sm.—vanthosticta, Kirb., Sm.—Manchester, B.C. Banks of the Mersey, Charlton, J.R.H.;. and Bache Hall, near Chester, E.C.T. ruficornis, JLinn.— Valley of the Bollin, J.R.H.; in Cheshire, Hi. Es; - Chester, |ulys orseeo ype eV ialles only were out before we left, they were the largest I haye ever, seen, measuring 2.1 and nearly approaching to the var. hispulla. 1 was very sorry not to be able to obtain females. C. pamphilus.—April 15th. (May 17th). Common in rough heathy places. The specimens were rather larger and the brown border rather deeper than ordinary English ones S. malvae.—April 3rd. (May 7th). Fairly plentiful, the under side hind wings rosy red. N. tages.—April 14th. (May 7th). Pretty abundant and in no way differing from English examples. | In conclusion, I should like to mention that I have this year in the © same time taken here three-fourths of the total number of Diurni taken or seen at Biarritz, nineteen of, them being the same species, 1.e.—Brassice, Rape, Napt, Cardamines, Sinapis, Edusa, Rhamm, T. Rubi, Icarus, Phileas, Selene, Urticw, lo, Atalanta, Megeva, A: geria (v Egerides), Pamphilus, Malve and Tages; the remaining five being :— Euphrosyne, Cavdui, Athalia, Artemis and Sylvanus. Vhe species taken at Biarrity and not here, being Avgiades var. Polysperchon, Baton, Medon, Argiolus, Cinxia, Phebe, Parthene, Dia, Polychloras, Antiopa, Mera and Fauiva, two of which may be out now. This suggests the reflection, that the situation being somewhat similar, the 74 degrees of latitude between North Devon and Biarritz’ do not make as much difference in the insect life as might have been imagined ; though, of course, last year may have been an unusually bad year there, whereas this promises to be an unusually good one here. Worlington House, Instow., fune 16th, 1892. - 1892. | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 193 RANDOM NOTES ON BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. BY JOHN E. ROBSON. New SPECIES OF CoLEopHor#.—Mr. John H. Wood, in the “Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine” for May, June, and July last, contributes an interesting paper on ‘‘Our Rush-feeding Coleophore,”’ in which he introduces to our notice three new British species, two being new to science. In the ‘“‘ Manual,” he tells us, only two rush- feeding species are given (C. murinipenclla and cespititiella ), both inland species. Since then, two others (adjunctella and obtusella), both exclusively coast insects, have been added. Mr. Wood's attention was directed to the ovipositors of the species, and it is the result of this investigation, which he gives in detail in the article referred to. As the three new species, as well as the other two inland species, occur within three or four miles of his own door, he thinks 1t more than likely that other species are waiting to be differentiated, indeed he intimates that he has another himself, only waiting emergence to be described. His new species are thus summarized :— Sylvaticella, n. sp.—A large insect ; forewings greyish white. Flies in woods in May. Larva on Juzula sylvatica; two years in feeding up. Alticolella, Zell. (new to Britain). A small insect; forewings yellowish; antenne annulated in the inner face with pale fuscons. In fields and woods, in July. Larva on Funcus lampro- caypus, more rarely on other species, in autumn and early winter. Glaucicolella, n. sp.—Very like cespititiella, but yellower;,; antennae as in ceespititiella, or sometimes in @ entirely white. Flies in July. Larva on several kinds of Funcus, most partial to F. glaucus, not full fed till spring, case whitish. It is exceedingly interesting to find, whilst our friend, Mr. Pierce, is settling many of our difficulties by an investigation of the gemitalhia of the males, that the ovipositors of the females present equally trustworthy characters, where the ordinary superficial ones are barely sufficiently for our purpose.” DEIOPEIA PULCHELLA.—Mr. South, in the ‘‘ Entomologist” for July, gives an account of the occurrences of this pretty species in Britain since 1869. From this | find there were’ 30 specimens recorded in 1871, 18 in 1874, 24 in 1875, 23 in 1876, and only 31 in all the other twenty years, 8 of which have been taken this year. Since the publication of the article other four specimens have been recorded, making the present one of the best year for the species. Mr. South writes :—‘‘I am not aware of the larva of the species having been found in England,” but Mr. E, L. Layard, in the field for 18th June 194 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. _ [Sepremner last states that his late wife ‘took several examples of Dezopeia pulchella in the larval and perfect stages.” Mr. Layard does not give the date, but speaks of it being 51 years ago, which gives the year 1841. Mr. South concludes that the species is probably, an immigrant, though not in the sense of being blown from the French coast. Mr. McLachlan records (‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” Vol, XXII., p. 12,) the occurrence of a swarm of this insect, in Lat. 0° 47’ N., lat. (lon.) 32° 50’ W.,”—‘‘g960 miles, S.W. of the southern- most of the Cape Verde Islands, from which he thinks they had been blown. Capt. Renaut, who communicated this occurrence, stated that there were many hundreds of them about the ship. No species is more frequently brought me by seafaring friends than D. pulchella, and more than once they have been captured when the vessel was over 300 miles from land. It is evidently an insect with strong migratory propensities. | } - Since the above was in type I have been favoured with a communication from Mr. Layard on the subject, in extension of the note in ‘‘ The Field.” Several examples of the larva were found, and what was more satisfactory the perfect insect was bred. The number was not large, as, owing to the curiosity of a servant girl, several of the larve escaped. Mr. Layard also mentions that the larva was carefully figured and the drawing sent out to him in Canada, and he believes the sketch is still in existence, though he was unable to find it before writing to me. PLusIA MONETA.—It would almost seem that this pretty Plusia had established itself in England, several specimens having been taken in the Southern Counties. The most interesting record is by Mr. R. A. Dallas Beeching, who took three specimens at Tunbridge Wells on the 11th, 12th, and r4th July, at hght not far from the place where he took one in 1890. Light appears to have great attraction for it, it will be remembered the first specimen was taken in a moth trap, at light. VANESSA C-ALBUM.—From the report of the South London Entomological Society at p. 197, it would appear that some doubts are yet entertained whether there arc one or two broods of this species. The doubt is probably kept up by the want of personal acquaintance with the butterfly and also from the statement in Newman's “British Butterflies,” p. 50, where he says ‘‘ An idea seems prevalent that there are two broods in the year—the first emerging from the chrysalis in June and July, the second in August and September. I think this is a mistake; I have been unable to obtain satisfactory evidence of any caterpillars prior to those so abundant in the winter months about the season of hop-picking.”’ A few years ago I was ‘able, through the great kindness of Mrs. Hutchinson, of Leominster, to investigate-the 1892. ] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 195 matter most fully, and it is not only absolutely certain that there are two broods of the butterfly every year, but it is the easiest thing in the world to separate the broods, as well as the sexes, from an examination of the perfect insects only. If anyone with a tolerably good series of the species will take the trouble to examine the under- sides of the wings, they will find four distinct types of marking and colouration. The first is dull dark brown, almost without markings ; the second is of the same colour, but is richly varied with different shades of brown and green, the latter colour being most prevalent towards the hind margin of the wings; the third may be called fulvous yellow, with very slight markings, but not so uniform as the first form; whilst the fourth is also fulvous yellow, but much varied with other shades of yellow, pale brown, and green. The four forms are so distinct that if only one of them be examined, it may be said with certainty to which it belongs. The commonest form is that with brown underside, and it is produced from the larve found so abun- dantly in some years by the hop-pickers. The butterfly emerges late in September, in October, and I have had it emerge in November. These hybérnate, re-appear in the Spring, and lay their eggs on currant or nettle, producing the early summer brood, the undersides of which are of the fulvous yellow forms described above. In both broods, those with plain, almost uniformly coloured undersides are the females, and those much mottled and varied are the males. Perhaps the following will make it quite clear: Early ( Underside: ) Few Markings.—Female. t Summer - Fulvous- Brood. | yellow. ) Much Varied.—Male. Autumn | Underside: | Few Markings.—Female. Brood. | Dull Brown. | Much Varied.~Male. As the autumn brood hybernates, it 1s quite possible to capture specimens with brown undersides almost simultateously with the earlier specimens of those having yellow undersides, which are their direct progeny, but such examples will be too much worn for any doubt to arise. J have referred, so far, to the undefsides, and they are by far the best guide for separating the broods and sexes. If, however, a series of these butterflies be arranged in this manner, it -will be found that the early summer brood are perceptibly paler in hue Wthan those of the autumn brood. I! would not say that every specimen could be placed in its correct position by an examination of he upper side, but the difference 1s clear enough when they are once orrectly placed. It is said, that if a lie has twenty minutes start, it will travel all round the world before it can be overtaken. So ofa ‘scientific error. Though I fully explained all this in the “Young aturalist,” Vol. I]., pp. 108-110; and though the facts are correctly 197 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [SEPTEMBER given in Dale’s ‘British Butterflies,” pp. 169-174, Newman’s error continues to crop up again andagain. ‘The early summer brood is the var. Hutchinson. Reports of Societies. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Fuly 2£8th.—C. G. Barrett, Esq, F.E.S., President in the chair. Mr. Frohawk exhibited seven specimens of Epinefhile hyperanthus, bred from ova. The female parent which was taken in the New Forest was of the ordinary form, possibly the male was of the lanceolate form, as out of the seven bred, no less than three were of this variety, also a variety of Sesia formiciformis, having the usual red colour replaced by burnished gold and also living pupzw of Colias edusa, Vanessa cavdui, and Vanessa atalanta. Mr. Frohawk stated he had obtained seventy pupz of Colias edusa, the ova having been obtained from two females taken in the spring, he also remarked on the abundance of Vanessa atalanta. Mr. Rice exhibited on behalf of Mr. Hickling lepidopterous ova on stems of asparagus for naming, and Mr. T. W. Hall suggested that probably they were Triphena pronuba. Mr. South exhibited Zygena trifolii, out of a number taken in Middlesex, these shewing great variation in the size and colour of the spots, in the colour of the hind wings, and in the width of the border of the hind wings, and stated the series exhibited contained all the known varieties, also Asthena blomert, taken in. Buckinghamshire near the London border and made remarks there- on. Mr. C. G. Barrett. Vanessa C-album and pointed out difference between the first and second broods, a discussion ensued, the general opinion being that the species was certainly double brooded. Mr. Frohawk remarked that he had recently been to the New Forest and although the weather was bad he took three white spotted specimens of Argynnis paphia, the variety valezina was fairly common, and Limenitis sibylla exceedingly so, and very late in its appearance. August 11th, 1892.—The President in the chair. Mr. West (Streatham) exhibited a series of Apamea ophiogramma, and Eupithecia succenturiata. Mr. Barrett remarked that the former species was very dark and one specimen unusually so. Mr. J. A. Cooper said ophiogramma was frequently taken at Chingfood. Mr. Russell a hand- some specimen of Pieris napi, from Woking, the upper wings being strongly suffused with black and the spots unusually large. Mr. Barrett said the specimen was much more strongly marked than those from the North of Ireland. Mr. Russell also exhibited a series of Epinephile janiva, males and females from Abbotts Wood, one male shewed the orange coloured blotch in imitation of that of the female which Mr. Barrett observed was the form found in the more northern and western range of the species. Mr. Short referred to the exhibit made by Mr. Kice at the previous meeting, of ova deposited on Asparagus, and in supporting Mr. T. W. Halls identifi- cation showed ova of Triphena pronuba, on rush. Mr. Hawes exhibited a larve of what he originally thought to be Hesperia comma, but remarked that its lateness in that stage had made him feel doubtful as to its identity and he was now satisfied that it was Nisoniades tages; a discussion ensued in which it was pointed out by Mr. l‘rohawk that the larva of comma was distinguishable from tages by the white markings on the tenth and eleventh segments and which were to be found on the underside. Mr. Hawes also called attention to the tendency to lightness in colour in many species of butterflies during the present season, and gave as instances the extra brilliancy of the blue in the second brood of Lycena icavus ¢'s and the large propor- tion of the ¢’s of that species which were blue. A discussion took place in which ere see ee ee ee 1892. | TPE BRITS ET IAT WANA LIS: 198 Messrs Carpenter. Frohawk, Barrett, Hawes, and Carrington took part. The President read a letter from Mr J. Jager in which he reported the capture of Callimorpha hera, from South Devon on the 6th inst., and stated that as there were still a number of unbelievers regarding the genuineness of this beautiful moth, he felt it necessary to again come forward in its defence, as he felt sure that anyone who knew the country, intersected as it was by wooded mountains and tracts of marsh- land would, he was sure, never favour the theory that it had been artificially planted there —H. W. Barker, and A. SHorRT, Hon. Secs. ClinesOn, LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL . HISTORY SOCIETY. Thursday, August 4th —Exhibits——Mr. Tremayne, a bred series of Callimorpha dominula from Deal, and Melitea athalia from Abbot’s Wood. Mr. Machin, Mamestra anceps, a variety of Acronycta psi, dark forms of Boarmia abictaria and a series of Phleodes demarniana. Mr. Smith, Thyativa devasa, Triphena fimbria, Pericallia syvingaria, Cleorva lichenaria and Hyria auvovaria from Lyndhurst, and Sesia ichneumontformis from Swanage. Mr. Bellamy, Thyativa devasa, T..batis and Leucania turca from Highgate Woods and Dicranuva furcula from Southend. Mr. Hollis, a yellowish variety of Abraxas grossulariata and ichneumons bred from Selenia illustvaria. Dr. Buckell, a series of Amphidasys betularia bred from one batch of eggs. One specimen of these had the ground colour almost ochreous, while the dark markings seemed to have lost their intensity. He also exhibited a variable series of Noctua festiva, all taken in one evening at Highgate Woods, one of them having the dark dot beneath the discoidal spots expanded into a distinct claviform mark. Mr. Clark, a specimen of Grammesia trilinea var. bilinea and a fine variety of Polyommatus phlgas, both from Abbot’s Wood. ‘The latter had a broad black hind marginal band on the forewings, reaching to, and including the transverse row of spots. Mr. Battley, a bred series of Phovodesma smarvagdaria and various preserved larva showing a system of retaining the colour by stuffing with green silk. Mr. Milton, Colias edusa, Sesia tipuliformis, Notodonta dici@vides and Scctosia cevtata; also a living example of a rare species of Diptera, Stratiomys vipavia, of whlch he had recently taken specimens at Gravesend and Stamford Hill. Coleoptera—Mr. Heasler, Scaphidium 4-maculatum, Mycetop:rus lucidus, Megapenthes sanguintcollis and Malthinus frontalis. Mr. Machin stated that he had recently bred Notodonta dictwoides from ova deposited last May, proving that this species is occasionally double brooded. August 18th, 1892.—Exhibits.—Lepidoptera: Mr. Smith, Hesperia lineola, Acidalia immutata and A. emarginuta from Leigh, Essex, also a series of Pamphila acteon from Swanage. Mr. Tremayne, Bombyx quercus bred from. Larve taken at Deal; also Hemithea thymiavia and Phorodesma bajularia from the New Forest. Mr. Nicholson, a series of Vanessa cavdui bred from ova from Chattenden. Mr. Bacot, a ? Colias edusa and a series of Noctua festiva trom Epping Forest. Mr. Broomfield, a fine ¢ of Argynnis paphia from kingwood having a very distinct suffusion of dark green on the upper side, closely approaching the var. valezina, and a fine blue tint on the underside; also Lasiocampa quercifolia, Triphena subsequa and Heliothis dipsacea from the same locality. Mr. Allbuary, Colias hyale, a fine series of C. edusa including the var. helice and a series of Odonestis potataria from Abbey Wood. Mr. Huckett, Halias guercana, Noctua vhomboidea and examples of a third brood of Selenia illunaria from Epping Forest. Coleoptera—Mr. MHeasler, a number of ‘‘ weevils” from Wimbledon, including Phytobius waltont, P. comavt and Balaninus cevasovum.—aA. U. BaTTLey and J. A. SIMEs, Hon. Secs. Erratum.—In the report for July 21st, Brit. Nat., p. 174, 4th line from bottom, _after ‘“‘larvae”’ insert ‘“ of Sphinx ligustri, Mr. Southey series” .°. . 199 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [ SEPTEMBER NATURALISTS OF” THEZDAY: VIII.—DAVID SHARP, MAS OMA Bs). 6.May CR RS.) ole, (F-72450 FB Seay Eee David Sharp was born in 1840. Probably in his case, as in so many others, the naturalist ‘““was born, not made,” for as a little boy he was enormously delighted with a small 8vo. volume that came into his possession, stated to be an introduction to the Linnean system of Zoology, but which was merely a brief sketch, accompanied with rough figures of some of the better known animals. When a little older, Sharp had the good fortune te be for some years the daily companion of Herbert Spencer, who encouraged him in his taste for collecting and rearing specimens, and interested him very much in the questions afterwards discussed by Darwen in the famous ‘Origin of Species.”” He had, however, no special entomologist amongst his circle of acquaintances, and it was not till he met with copies of the beginning of Stainton’s ‘‘ Manual of Butterflies and Moths,” and his ‘‘Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer,’ that the lad became aware that any systematic detailed work was carried on in collecting and | studying insects. Just about the same time, by a happy accident, he made the acquaintance of Mr. J. R. Hind, the well-known astronomer, who, at that time was much interested in butterflies and had a good collection of those of Europe. The kind way in which this gentlemen treated the lad, and the sight of his collection, confirmed the youngster’s nascent taste for Entomology. Originally he was, like so many others, chieflly interested in Lepidoptera, but under the impression that the others were more neglected, and that he hada better chance of doing useful work in them, he abandoned the Lepidoptera, exchanging his collection thereof with the late Henry Edwards and T. V. Wollaston for Coleoptera, and has since devoted his entomological activity chiefly to the study of the latter order. He has always been anxious to encourage the study of the neglected orders of insects, and has himself discovered, for the first time in Britain, several species of them. general AvateS MicRo-LARVE FOR THE Montu.—We cannot help noticing when September arrives that.the season of flowers is passing away, although many, during the earlier portion of the month, are still to be seen in all. their beauty, but as the days pass on, the seed pods and seed heads begin to appear, and with them the larvze of the numerous THE BRITLSH NATURALIST, NATURALISTS OF THE DAY. IDIR. IDs SIS Ae, 1892.] THE BRITISH) NATURALIST. 200 species of Micro-lepidoptera that feed upon them, the hedgerows and waste places at this time literally teem with an abundance of ripening vegetation, that gives plenty of occupation to the assiduous worker in his eager search after some of the rarer or unknown larve. The haw- thorn is now at its full growth, and by examining its leaves we notice some have a slight web across them, causing them to contract slightly ; under this web will be seen the brown-striped, yellowish larve of Swam. pyrella, and some of its leaves are turned over into a sort of cone by the larve of Ornix anglicella, and on its leaves the flounced cases of Col. paripennella. The larve of P. tristana will now be found drawing the leaves and shoots of the wayfaring tree ( Viburnam lantana ) together, the larve of P. dovasana 1s now to be taken in folded leaves of Rhamnus frangule; they fold the entire leaf over, forming a sort of pod; and feeding in the seed heads of ragwort, the larva of G. nigromaculana. Yhe very conspicuous seed pods of the bladder campion (Silene inflata), which is seen occasionally in profusion on hedgebanks of meadows and cornfields, have the unripe seeds caten by the larya of Col. inflatella. The white cases of the larva of this species are very conspicuous as they are fixed at right angles on the seed pods, it is as well to take a good supply for they are very local. _ The seed heads of the hawkweeds Hieracium should now be examined for the larva of E. dubetana, and the leaves of the wild convolvulus for the larva of B. somnulentella, these larve mine the leaves between the upper and lower cuticle and are very erratic in their appearance, being seen in profusion one year and@then disappearing for several years. Now is the time to collect the fallen acorns for the larva of C. splendana and juliana, and the beech nuts for the larva of C. grossana, we can also take the larve of D. malvella in seeds of hollyhock, and those of G. vibella in seeds of mallow growing in sandy places. The thistle leaves are being conspicuously mined by the larve of G. acuminetella, and the long whitish cases of Col. therinella will now be found on the underside, the larve of G. atriplicella is now to be seen in a sort of silken gallery among the seeds of Chenopodium, and those of G. triparella between united oak leaves. The pinkish larva of the very beatiful Cosmop. drurella may now be seen mining along the midrib of the leaves of wild hop, which spreads itself over the hedges in many placcs. The cones formed by the larva of Grac. stigmatella are now to be seen on leaves of poplars and sallows, and those of Gvrac. aurogutella on Hypericum. The very curious snail like tracks on the leaves of Poplars now to be seen, are formed by the larve of Phyl suffusella ;} and in turned down leaves of wild apple the larva of Ornix guttella may now be taken; the seeds of Angelica should be examined for larve of GZ. flavimaculella, -and hawthorn berries collected for larva of Lav. atra, the larvze of that little gem A. trietshiella is now to be seen busily mining the leaves 201 THE (BRITISH: NATURALIS®. [SEPTEMBER of the dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) when full grown they cut out oval cases and drop to the ground, remaining among the rubbish till the following season, there are also many other species of Coleophora to be taken this month besides those mentioned above, all of which must be left to the full force of wind and rain during the winter months. On the leaves of Alders the larva of Bucc. cidavella are now feeding, and will soon be spinning their long ribbed cocoons on the stems ‘of the branches, and the pretty little Cemiostoma laburnella may be seen forming their concentric looking mines in the leaves of the laburnam ; many of that large family of exquisite little gems the Nefticule are now beginning to make their serpentine galleries in various leaves, but they are best left till next month, for being nearer full growth we shall have a much better chance of rearing them., .G. ELIsHa, Shepherdess Walk, City Road N. ABUNDANCE OF CRAMBI IN SCOTLAND.—This season appears to have been a good one for these pretty little moths. All the commoner sorts such as Crambus tristellus, Culuielus; and. Pratellus were as usual, abundant at Aberdeen. Pevlellus and var. Warringtonellus and FAfortellus swarmed on the Moroyshire Sandhills, but they do not occur at Aberdeen. I have. taken the latter at Muchalls in Kincardineshire. Dumetellus was abundant on the sandhills both at Aberdeen and Burghead, Movayshire. Margaritellus I turned. up in abundance (for the first timein my experience) at Monymusk, Aberdeen- shire and I was ably assisted by Mr. J. P. Hutch, of London, in* securing a splendid series. Mr. Hutch displayed most wonderful ability and energy in catching these moths on the rough mountain side. Perhaps my best capture is six fine specimens of Myellus like- wise taken at Monymusk, four of them I netted in a garden at Honeysuckle and two by Mr. Hutch in a clover field close by and which he kindly presented to me. They were all taken flying at dusk about g o'clock in the evening, I think this is the principal cause of their present rariety. I am convinced that when their habits are better known that they will prove to be a common and perhaps a garden insect.--ARTHUR Horne, Watson Street, Aberdeen, N.B. Epusa AND fHyaLce ar CoLcHESTER.—Edusa and Cardui are both common here now, and somewhat variable, but the former is not so common at present asit wasin the great edusa year. Hyale is very rare, my two sons have each taken a single pee but.I have not met with it myself.. W.-H. Harwoop, Colchester. NyYSSIA ZONARIA AT FropsSHAW MARSH.—Nyssta-zonaria larvee were taken abundantly by the members of the ‘“‘ Warrington Field Club.” during their ramble to Frodshaw marsh on 23rd July. They did not appear to be at all locally confined, but were common in all the grassy meadows we tried. The larve were extended along the stems of Centaurea, Lotus corniculatus, grasses &c., and being full grown were rather conspicuous and easily seen. It is rather interesting to find this pretty species in hay fields, and in a new locality some 12 or, 13 miles from W allsey where it was first discovered, and which was long believed to be its only habitat. There is little doubt buf if well looked for, it will be found to occur in many other ee CoLiins, Warrington. ye \ 2 SEP 92 Sea ane a, _ADVERTISEME NTS. -. EXCHANGE, Lepidoptera marked **. are bred. “Durricares —A. Crategi, II, Sylvanus, Statices, Lonicers, Senex, Griscola, Anachoreta, Gas, Immutata, Taminata, Dealbata, Strigillaria, Sparsata, Pudorina, Despecta, -Phragunitidis, Negricans, Umbrosa, N. Rubi, Pastinum, Barbalis, Farinalis, Phragmitellus, / Consociella, Chlorana, Dumetana; Conchana, Inopiana, Trigeminana; Seopoliana, Craciana, BE: Angustana, Misella, Pullella, (reoffrella, Albistria, Kpilobiella, Crepusculella, ete. /DESIDERATA. 208 Aut: Antaxerxes (undersides), Cassiope Betulx, Meliloti, P. populi, Do! obrar.a, = iniata, Fucitornas, Basciaria, tunar.a, Heyerata, Sylvata, Cambricarina, Fumata, ‘Salicata, ' “Hexapterata, Firmata, Impluviata, Rubiginata, (Scotch), Hastata, Rubidata, Psittacata, Miata, Russata, lmmnata, Silaceata, Hamula, Lacertula, Dictaea, Dromedaius, . / Duplaris, Glandifera, Ligustri, Menyanthidis, © Ripe, Prevox, Cespitis, Gilvago, Aurago, _ Autulenta, Nigra,. Herbida, Carpophoga, Luctuosa, Crassalis. 1. W. Torr, West teombe Hill, 8. i. ExcuanGe.— Duplicates: A. Blomeri, ‘f. punctata, biundularia, E. satyrata, larieata, A- a -ulmata, Z. louiccre, bred. Desider ‘ata very uiimerous.— W. Ewer, 12 How: ard-street, York. Dupricatrs.—Cinxia, Statices' (Guernsey), Emutaria (few), Lunigera, Lucernea, Reg ~ Hepatica, Brunnea, Triangulum, Lithoxylea, Pastinum, Anceps, Derasa, Conigera, Nebulosa, — Duplaris (few), Viretata, Veniaee (few), Russula -d, Z. trifolii, Irrorella, Spilodactyla, Pupe of Geminipuncta. Desiderata: . Exteérsaria, Fuseula, Leporina, Xerampelina, Aurago, — ~ Menyanthidis, Dahli, Lutulenta, oa and offer I's. peas kt J. HopGes, 2 Highbury Place, ip arendon, N. a si DupturcatEs.- Fine Lubricipeda yar. Radiata avd inter midis forms ; accepted ons only ms ae to atithis time of the season.—-J. HARkIsuN, 7-Gawber- road, Barnsley. EXCHANGE. —Desiderata: Sinapis, T: rubi, W. album, Pruni, Agestis (South of Englands Bgon 2, Iris, Polychloros,, Adippe, Paplia, Epiphron, Algeria, ‘Megera, Hyperanthus, 8 Actzon, all the cleatwings a Umer, Porcellus, Elpenor, Bigustan. — JON he Rossuw; pn ReDOOL, 5 eet - EXcHANGE. -Melanism anal A mabeoils Iam ee at. this subienk and will be Bias solear if any | one who takes dark forms of Lepidopter a will communicate with me. i ee ‘especially. want information respecting those species that have assumed darker hues during 4 Tecent years. — JOHN kK. Rogson, Hartlepool. rie WanrTED.—Collectors to look through their duplicates for old, Mapped, crippled, deformen. - damaged : and utterly useless Male Lenidoptet “a with bodies ; will pay postage or endeavour to — make : BY return, — F. N. ‘PIERCE, : 143 Sinithdown- Lane, Liverpool. at os EXCHANGE. Duplicates : + Jacobeea, Carpini, Haworthii, Silago, Zonaria, Pilosaria, and 4 many others. Desiderata: —Elpenor, A, urtica, Versicolora, Papilionaria, and offers.—J, W. eae N, 472, Darwen Road, near Bolton, Lancashire. | ; - DupricatEs—Cardamines, Rhamni, Corydon, Paphia, Cardui, S. populi, Menthastri, Dispar F Neudinia, Vinula, Ceruleocephala, Janthina, Csnigrum,, N. rubi, Livura, Vaccinii, Satelitia, — ~ Cerago, Ferruginea, Chi, Oxyacant! 1, Meticulosa, Tete. Oleracea, ‘J estacea, Nupta, Scutulata, bilo, Neem Elinguaria, Tiliaria, Pennaria, Miata, Prunaria, Macuilata, Desiderata, very Pe a “MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. F TTY. OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND ON: ATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY c The London ‘Institution, Finsbury Cireys, Ee; Meetings: First and third a Thursdays, in the month. 9 — | | os Te HE. SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGIGAL: AND: NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London bridge; S-E. Meetings: Second and = Thursdays in cach month. “muir erous, also ova, larva: ands come —= Wi - Butier, Hayling House, Oxford road, Readings. ANCASHIRE. AND .CHE SHIRE “EN TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Free Library , William Brown St. Li’ ee Next Meeting will be held on Monday, September “ADVE RTIS SEMENTS. 4 Be a at oA petal) set SST CONTENTS. ont UL wy | aie ’ Coys PAGE _ Mi S Catalogueof the Slugs of the British This Walter E. ‘Gollinge a | a oe Bac , ; 172 The Hymenoptera-Aculeata of Lanes, and Gheshire.—W. Gardner, F.R.6.8. py: 181 4 The Secondary Sexual Characters of the British Coleoptera. mae Ww. Ellis, B. A. 4 a Sue (oO ! "Spring Collecting at Biarritz.-—-Miss K.M. Hinelieliff. 9... 09... Le naam teh eae 188 rs - Random Notes on British Lepidus: Bah Robson, F.E.S. ee RA: ise 193 Reports of Societies Bee ence ae Oy ed BON Ce TS pik « Naturalists of the Day eee ap Pa ete iragsh Fie a sein hey gaa _ General Notes Saf fs Dai PA Sa bale ae Bonen GE 3 ay Aig ea ate na TO CORRESPON DENTS. ee 8 portrait of Dr. D. 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British Birds, — Lb on ON a Ota - pomby bt A: Macpherson. ag. Flowering Plants, ee Silkworms, BPI inde tek Fd eek Sor aN, JARs Britten, Biss ae iby EA, Butler, Pes Ree aaa eae apres [In Pie parieon ee B2. ‘Land and Fresh Water 25: The 7 Telescope, ns ) .~ Shells, ‘by: J. W. Williams: 2, by J. 30) Wilke 2 Cae Deahison Roebuck, and | 136, Dah Coins” of. Moder: Botts Bi a + ) a # he aH Ae pet ue 3 fete ne E, ie Higgi 1892. | DOW ies DIRTEKA OF DORSETSHIRE. a CVV ico DAU Ie ss Vata ye (Continued from page 185). 121. L. quadyinotata,,Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton, in August, amongst oak underwood. ieeemevvasciara, schraub. A common species from July to September. This and the last seem to differ from their congener in {frequenting dry open places in copses. 123. LEphelia marmorata, Meig. Common in shady situations in May and June. 124. Idiopteva trimaculata, Zett., rare. Taken by my father near Bournemouth on May rst, 1867. 125. Poecilostola punctata, Schrank. A scarce species occurring on the banks of the stream at Glanvilles Wootton in April and the beginning of May. 126. P. pictipennis, Meig. Figured by Henrich Scheeffer as fuscata. A scarce species and much smaller than the above; it occurs on the banks of the stream at Glanvilles Wootton in the end of May. iy pyphyagma picid, Wab., figured by Curtis as ocellaris. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in June, but is not common. 128. Limnophila meigenu, Ver.=nigricans, Maeq. Occurs at Wey- mouth and Bournemouth in May and June. Although it does not occur at Glanvilles Wootton, it is a widely distributed species as | have taken it in the Shetland Isles. 129. L. dispar, Meig.=punctum. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in june. 3 130. L.limeola, Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in May and September. 131. JL. limeolella, Ver. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in June. 132. LL. apevia, Ver.—fulvescens, Hoff. Common in rushes through the summer. ieaue wm renuemed, Nei. Common: on rushes im June and 134. Le ochvacea, Meig. Common from May to July. 135. L. bicolov, Meig. Occurs at Weyniouth in May and June. 136. L. fuscipennis, Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton from June to August. oye ea discicollis, Mele. Common trom May to July. 135. L.lucorwm, Meig. Common from June to August. 139. L.nemoralis, Meig. Common in woods in June, -——>. 203 THE BRITISH-NADPURALIST. [OcToRER 140. L. filata, Walb.=angustipennella. Occurs in marshy situa- tions at Glanvilles Wootton in May and June. 141. L. senilis, Hal. A scarce species occurring in wet places in woods at Glanvilles Wootton. 142. Tvichoceva annulata, Meig. Common in the winter, more especially in November. 143. T.hiemalis, Dieg.—Common from October to April. This is the commonest of the genus. 144. T. fuscata, Meig.—Common amongst bracken in November. 145. T. regelationts, Linn.—Common throughout the winter. 146. Ula. pilosa, Schum.—Common on the banks of wet ditches throughout the summer. 147. Dicranota panida, Hal.—Common on the banks of wet ditches throughout the summer. 148. D. bimaculata, Schum.-— Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton on rushes growing in water in June. 149. Amalopis immaculata, Meig.—Common throughout the summer. 150. A. littovalis, Meig.—Common in watery places in June and July. 151. Pedicia rivosa, Linn.—This is a widely distributed species, occurring as far north as the Shetlands, from June to August. It is not a common species in Dorsetshire. 152. Cylindrotoma distinctissima, Meig.—There are two broods of this species, the one occurring in May, the other in August and September. It occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in woods. 153. C. glabrata, Meig.—Rare. Taken at Glanvilles Wootton by my father on July 2oth, 1863, and by myself on July, 1890. Baron Osten Sacken has founded a new genus—Liogma for its reception on account of the discal cell not being forked. 154. Tipula gigantea, Linn. Generally distributed. Very common in June, 1891. 155. I. lutescens, Fab. Common in woods at Glanvilles Wootton in August and September. 156. TI. ochvacea, Meig. Common in May. 157. TI. fuscipenms, Meig. Common on Poole Heath in July. 158. T. pabulina, Meig. Common in woods at Glanvilles Wootton in June. 159. I. flavolineata, Meig. Not a common species. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in June. 160. TZ. pruniosa, Hoff. Occurs in marsh situations at Glanvilles Wootton in June. 1892. | is HEISE INATUR AIST. 204 161. T. wttata, Meig. Occurs in woods at Glanvilles Wootton in April. 102, 1°) Junata, Linn. Common in marsh situations at Glanvilles Wootton in the beginning of June. 163. J. longicornis, Schum. Common at Glanvilles Wootton in July. The males of both this species and of flavolineata have long antenne. 164. T. vanipennis, Meig. Common at Glanvilles Wootton in May. 165. TI. vevnalis, Meig. A very common species in meadows in May. 166. J. latevalis, Meig. Common on rushes growing in water from June to August. 167. T. luteipennis, Meig. Occurs at Charmouth in October and the beginning of November. I have also found it at Hayle in Cornwall and at Tenby. 168. J. oleracea, Linn. Common in pastures in July and August. 169. J. paludosa, Meig. Very abundant in fields in September and October. 170. TI. scripta, Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in July. i iemconiisc Nan. d. \Vulf (Common in the woods at Glanvilles Wootton in September. 172. TI. hovtulana, Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in May. ieimnpuimoca, bab. 1 was surprised + at meeting with this species on Poole Heath on April r1th, as I always considered it to be exclusively northern. 174. JI. pagana, Meig. Common amongst rushes in the end of October and beginning of November. This is the last of the genus to appear in the year; and 7. vittata is the first, I have often found the short winged females sticking on the wall of my house. 175. Nephvotoma dorsalis, Fab. A very. rare species and may easily be distinguished from the species of the following genus by the long antenne of the male. Occurs only in part of a copse at Glanvilles Wootton at the end of July and beginning of August. The larva is probably a rotton wood feeder. 176. Pachyrhina annulicornis, Meig. Common at Glanvilles Wootton in the beginning of June. 177. P. quadrifaria, Meig. Common in June. 178. P, covnicina, Linn. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in copses in the end of July and beginning of August, 205 TEE VB RISE SNA IORI ih Say [OCTOBER 179. P. maculosa, Meig. A very common species in May and June. 180. P. histvio, Fab. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton and on the Chesil Beach in July. 181. P.impervialis, Meig. Occurs at Glanvilles Wootton in August. An earlier brood sometimes occurs in May. 182. Ctenophova bimaculata, Linn. Rare. Has been taken at Glanvilles Wootton on May 31st, 1872, and July 7th, 1880. 183. C. flaveolata, Fab. Has been taken at Bloxworth by the Rev. Ons Camibiadee: 184. C. pectinicorms, Linn. Rare. Has occurred at Glanvilles Wootton on June 12th, 1867, May 22nd, 1871, and May 27th, 1874. 185. Ptychoptera contaminata, Linn.—Common from April to October. 186. T. paludosa, Meig. Common in June. 187. P. albimana, Fab. Common in June and July. 188. P. lacustris, Meig. Common in May and June. 189. P. scutellaris, Meig. Once taken at Sherborne by my father in October 6th, 1838. (To be continued). PA EY PY MEN OP PR RCAS - AC Usp ls OF LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. (Continued from page 183.) The records for our district include :— MEGACHILE, Waltre maritima, Kirb.—/agopoda, Thoms.—-Cheshire coast, B.C. Willughbiella, Kirb.—Bowden, B.C.; near Birkenhead, J.T.G.; Chester, on flowers of sweet pea, E.C.0.; mear Chester, iN. cincumeincta, .vep.— Southport, jb. C.. @ INockamiseiatagmn)etintm near Birkenhead, H.H.H.; Poolton, Hoylake, and Wallasey, W.G.; Chester, a colony behind garden steps in the city, K.N. centuncularis, Linn.— Fairly distributed in district, B.C.; noted in particular from Stretford and Dunham, near Manchester, | Ron. Rock Pemy,)\h Gand Chestemalenr ANTHIDIUM, Our one British species forms cells in various suitable holes which 1892. | pee RAT Sa VON AC UR AIST . 206 it finds ready-made, such as the tunnels of Cossus ligniperdi, &c. ; these the female lines with down collected from plants with woolly leaves, such as Lychnis. ANTHIDIUM, Fab. manicatum, Linn.—Bollin near Manchester, J.R.H.; Rainhill elvall ike: SRELIS, Panz. The three species found in Great Britain are parasitical upon the genus Osma; S. pheoptera and S. atterimus upon O. fulviventris, and S. octomaculata upon O.leucomelana. They have not yet been recorded in our district, though they have been taken just outside. CHELOSTOMA. The members of this genus are the true ‘‘ Carpenter Bees”; they usually drill holes in wood, though they sometimes choose ready-made cavities, such as straws in a thatched roof; they line their tunnels with clay and sand. CHELosToMA, Latr. fomsomme, Winn. — Rainhil, HoH... Frequently found, as name implies, asleep in flowers, or hanging therefrom, in state of somnolence, by the mandibles. HERIADES, Spin- This genus contains but one species, of habits similar to Chelostoma ; it is rare, and has not been recorded in our district. OSMIA. The Bees of this genus are called ‘‘Mason Bees;’’ from the marvellous way in which they construct their cells of a cement formed of grains of sand, small stones, &c., agglutinated together by a secretion of the insect. These cells are constructed in many different situation by the various species with an extraordinary power of adaptability to circumstances. O. cerulescens, vufa, bicoloy, and aurulenta frequently burrow in sandy banks, but as often, when such are not available, in decayed wood; O. fulviventyis also selects the latter situation. O. leucomelana forms its nidus in dead bramble stalks, O. xanthomelana constructs its beautiful little pitcher-shaped cells in the roots of grass, and O. parietina clusters its cocoons under flat stones on mountain sides. Some species, such as O. vufa, bicolor, and aurulenta, in addition to the situations mentioned above, occasionally make use of almost any avaailable cavity which offers, frequently constructing their cells inside straws and reeds, or even in deserted snail shells. Several of the species form large colonies, 207 THE. BRITISH UN ATURA IISA: [OcTOBER Osmia, Panz. rufa, Linn.—Bowden, J.R.H.; Rainhill, H.H.H.; Cheshire coast, s+G: +(Chester; Bsa S(O xton awa xanthomelana, Kirb.—fusciformis, Gerst, nec Sm.—This rare species was taken in abundance near Liverpool by Mr. G. Waterhouse in 1835. It builds beutifully constructed pitcher- shaped cells of mud and grit at the roots of tufts of grass; the imago frequents around ivy, and appears in May. v. ‘ Zool- ogist,” Vol. IL. ceerulescens, Linn.—@nea, Sm.—Cheshire coast, B.C.; Rock Ferry, ]-1.G. near -Chester, ik Nei WU ptonmacam Cicsrem males about wall of old barn, E.C.T. fulviventris, Panz.—Has been taken at Crosby jw: biel re) said inOck Metiy,) |. LeGe aurulenta, Panz. - Occurs at Wallasey, breeding in snail shells, CERATINA, Latr. Our one small British species excavates its burrow in dead bramble stalks. It is rare, and has not been noted in this district. EUCERA, Scop. The single species of this genus, E. longicornis (after the long antennz of the male), burrows about 8 inches deep in the ground, and usually forms large colonies where it occurs. It has, apparently, not been observed in this district. ANTHOPHORA. A genus containing four species, three of which, A. vetusa, pilipes, and quadrimaculata, burrow in hard banks, and the fourth, A. retusa, in decayed wood; the two first-named are gregarious. ANTHOPHORA, Latr. retusa, Linn. - Haworhthiana, Kirb. -Taken at Hazelgrove, B.C. pilipes, Fab.—acervorum, Sm.-—vetusa, Kirb.—Fairly distributed. Sale;,) “Bowden, +-and ~ Stockport, «| Kali; Wikarnek: Viel: Rainhill,, S40 .Ae 3 franmere near < Birkenteadsye aGee abundant, locally at Bromborough R.N.; Bache, Eaton and Broughton Halls, near Chester, E.C.T.; Hoylake and Meols, W..G: furcata, Panz.—One specimen in garden near Chester, E.C.T.; and one at Hooton, Cheshire, R.N. SAROPODA, Latr. The quick flying and shrill sounding S. bimaculata is the only 1892. | Ppa Ist! NA UR AMES 208 British species ; it forms large colonies in banks and sandy cliffs; it | has not been recorded in our neighbourhood. : Leaving the ‘‘ solitary” geneva, we now come to the ‘social’ bees, which live in communities, comprising male, female and neuter. BOMBUS. This genus embraces the well-known Humble Bees. They construct nests of moss, grass, &c., in which large numbers live; some species, such as B. terrestmis, lapidarius and hortovum make use of ready- ? made cavities under ground; others, as B. muscorum, cognatus, ; Sylvarum and pratorum build elaborate nests above the surface. : Bomesus, Latr. cognatus, Steph.—senzlis, Sm.—venustus, Sm.—Warrington B.C. ; iticner Bebington, |2i).G.; on Tlyacinth’ at Hooton, K.N.; and ; at Baruston, W.G. | muscorum, -Linn.—agvorum, Schmied, Thoms.—Very common and generally distributed. Latreillellus, Kirb. —subtevraneus, Thoms.--Mersey Banks at Senectord, ||. x. ta. vay. distinguendus, Mor.—elegans, Sm., nec Seidl.—fragrans, Auct., mec Pall.—Reported from Lindow and Chat Moss near Miameinestern, (jai: ke. | hortorum, Linn.—Common and generally distributed. | var. subterraneus, Auct., wec Thoms.—Frequent, B.C., R.N. vay. Harrisellus, Kirb..-_Two specimens of this black variety. pialcemeat Wiest kKanby,) |b \Gu,\ andvone at:Chester, EC. I. pratorum, Linn. —Abundant; partial to Campanula and Rhodo- Gendron, "©. lapponicus, Fab.—Taken on high moors near Marsden, also at Selweomeace, Is.C-; Chat Moss, [ink : sylvarum, Linn.—Common nearly all over our district. | Derhamellus, Kirb.—/fajellus, Kirb., Thoms.--Eaton Hall, near | CGiesten a on punple mutestipe, EC knot uncommon , im neighbourhood of Chester, R.N.; Heswall on heather, W.G. lapidarius, Linn.—Abundant everywhere. ‘‘ Males specially partial to purple iris, females to lavender, and neuters to clover. Workers of Vespa vulgaris observed to enter nest at Baci@ lal” VAC rans terrestris, Linn.—ducorum, Sm.--virginalis, Kirb.—Common | everywhere. (To be continued). 209 TEE BRITISH WATURALIS £2 7 [OcTOBER THE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF LE. DRIATSH COLE OP Tiina. BY JOHN W. ELLIS, M.B. (VIC.), F.E.S. (Continued from page 188.) The sexual characters presented by the legs of the Coleoptera are so numerous and so very various that they are very difficult to classify. Perhaps the best order will be to consider the modifications (a) of the coxz and trochanters, (b) of the femora and tibiz, and (c) of the tarsi. But we may first notice the much longer front legs of the males of Lucanus cevvus, Erivhinus vorax, and the species of the longicorn genus Monochammus ; the much stouter anterior and intermediate legs of the male Hypiidrus oratus; and the longer and more slender legs of the male Ptinus fur. The little genus Bryaxis presents some curious sexual modifications of the anterior trochanters; thus the male B. fossulata has them triangularly toothed; that of B. helferi has them furnished with a long curved spine; that of B. juncorum has them shortly spined while the middle trochanters have each a long spine; while the same sex of B. zmpressa has the trochanters simple but the anterior coxe are spined. The posterior trochanters of the male Sphodrus are long and projecting ; those of the rare Emus hirtus have a long curved hook in the male; the same sex of Pmstonychus has the hind trochanters prolonged in a sort of spike; those of Choleva angustata and cisteloides are sharp and pointed, of C. intermedia long and shaped like a gouge, and those of C. agilis with a distinct curved tooth. Very frequently among the Rhynchophora or ‘‘ weevils” the anterior and sometimes all the femora are furnished with a more or less distinct tooth on the lower margin, and when present in both sexes it 1s usually much less developed in the females (but some Ceuthorrhynchi have the posterior femora toothed omly in the female). In some species, as in some members of the genus Cronus, the males have all the femora toothed while those of the female are simple and while the male of Gymuetvon collinus has a tooth on all the thighs, those of the front legs of the female are toothless. The femora, especially the two hinder pairs, of the male Cryptorhynchus are distinctly two- toothed, while those of the female have only one tooth. . The males of the genus Scydmenus generally have the anterior femora clubbed at the extremity while the front tibie of the males of Scydmenus scutellans and S. pusillus are triangularly dilated at the distal end. Such is also the case in the males of the tiny Tvichopteryx brevipennis and T. kirbyit, and in the males of some species of Cryptophagus. The males of some species of Monotoma (picipes, longicollis); of Lathridius lardarius, angulatus, constictus and tyansversus ; of several species of the 1892. | Watts, pt Wa RAT 210 genus Corticaria (denticulata, serrata, fulva, .clongata, gibbosa, &c.); of Cniocems asparagi; of Prasocuris aucta, marginella, and hannoveranna ; of both British species of Tenebrio, and of many of the weevil group have the anterior tibia bent or curved while in the females they are stratght. In Bythinus curtis, Bryaxis sanguinea, and Tychius melilot1, the anterior tibia of the males have a more or less sharp tooth in the middle. A curious exception to the general rule occurs in the genus fthizotrogus, in the females of which the anterior tibia are furnished with three teeth on the outer edge, while those of the male are quite plain. The males of the genus Geotrupes have a distinct ridge or keel on the anterior tibia which terminates in one or two teeth at the extremity, and the free margin of this keel 1s either plain as in stercovarius, toothed as in spiniger, or serrate as in mutator, sylvaticus and vernalis. In most insects the anterior tibia ends in one or two spines or hooks; in many ‘ weevils” these are present only in the male, and in the males of a few species of Aphodius (quadrimaculatus, merdarius, prodvomus, contaminatus, luridus and depressus) these are stouter, curiously bent or twisted and cut off very bluntly at the extremity, while in the female they are slender and sharp pointed. Singularly enough, while the males of the genera Afttelabus and Apoderus have the anterior tibie terminated by a single hook, the females have two hooks at the apex of these limbs. The male of Bruchus lott has a bifid tubercle at the apex of the intermediate femora ; its ally B. atomarius has a small tooth before the apex of the intermediate tibia ; while the male Claviger foveolatus has both the femora and tibie of the middle legs toothed. The males of Amara spinipes, convextuscula and alpina have a few small teeth on the inner side of the middle tibia, which are absent in the female; while the males of many of the same genus have these limbs curved, as is also the case in the same sex of Choleva agilis, of Corticaria crenulata, denticulata, elongata, and fenestvalis. Again, in almost one half of the species of the genus Epurea the middle tibiz of the male is wavy on the inner side or strongly widened at the extremity, while E. pusilla has all the tibia curved in this sex. Inthe male Limnebius truncatellus the middle tibiz are arched and the hinder ones very much widened and flattened in their distal two-thirds. The males of the Rhyncho- phorus genera, Amalus and Phytobius, have the intermediate tibia hooked at the apex. It is in the hinder legs that we find the greatest variety of sexual modifications, and two genera, Anisotoma among the Clavicornia, and Donacia among the Phytophaga, especially illustrate the diversity of sexual armature. In Anitsotoma cinnamomea, dubia, ovalis, brunnea, calcavata, &c., the hind legs—especially the femora— of the male are very much elongated; in 4A. calcarata the posterior thighs of the male end, each, in a large triangular tooth; in the same 211 THE (BRT Tish TNA) ORAS. | OCTOBER sex of cinnamomea, oblonga, and dubia the hind thighs each end in two teeth, one on each side of the point of attachment of the tibie; the intermediate tibiz of the male cinnamomea are distinctly curved, while those of lunicollis are widened at the apex; and the hinder tibiz are curved in cinnamomea, oblonga, dubia, ovalis, brunnea, punctulata, and calcavata. In tne females of all the species the tibiz are straight and the femora never toothed- as is also the case in the male of a single species, parvilu. In the genus Donacia the hind femora of the male are often furnished with two large triangular teeth, while those of the female have two slightly smaller (crassipes, bidens) or one large and one very indistinct tooth (deutata, spargani) ; some males have only a single large tooth while the female has either none or one very slightly developed (lemne, sagittanw, migra, affmis); while D. cvassipes, bidens, and dentata also have the hinder tibiz of the male with a number of fine rounded teeth on the inner side. The following (among other) species have the hind femora toothed in the male: Colenis dentipes (with two teeth, one blunt and one sharp), Cyrvtusa minuta, Agaricophagus cephalotes, Hyduobius punctatissimus (both strongly hooked), H. punctatus (tooth spiniform), H. strigosus (tooth broad and triangular), Choleva angustata and C. sturmu, Agathidium nigripenne, A. atvum, A. seminulum, Liodes orbiculams, all the species of Colon except C. latum, and Epurea decemguttata (which also has the hinder tibiz excised at the apex). The males of some species have the hinder thighs much thickened ; such as: Stenus Funo (which also has the hinder tibiz widened and curved), Megarthrus denticollis in which also the intermediate tibia are curved, Jelmatophilus caricis, Rhynchites betule, Necrodes littoralis (in which the thickening is sometimes enormous and which also has the hinder tibize curved), Osphya bipunctata, Oneomera femorata (in which the hinder tibie are strongly bent) and, most remarkable example of all, Gedemera nobilis, in which the hind thighs project from the sides like huge knobs. In the males of the British species of Clytus the hinder thighs are much elongated, and the same sex of Callidium alm has the hind thighs greatly curved. The males of several species have the posterior tibize curved; instances being Sipha quadvipunctata, Cryptophagus populi, Phratora vulgatissima, Thyamis lurida and nasturtu, and Strangalia ayvmata, in which species the curved portion is finely crenulate, with a tooth at each end. A tooth is present on the posterior tibie of the male Stenus atey; and the male Malthinus fasciatus has a tubercle behind the middle of the same hmb. The males of Hydvena gracilis in addition to having all the femora thickened have the hinder tibiz ciliated on the inner side, while the same sex of H. pygmea has the posterior tibiz thickened from the middle to the base. Megarthrus depressus and sinuatocollis have the hinder tibiz thickened in the male, while 1892. | ekki rS El NATURALISM. Ze the latter species also has the intermediate and the posterior tibie curved. The male Coninomus nodifer has the hind tibie widened and notched just before the apex, and this sex of Anthicus instabilis has the same limbs much widened towards the extremity. The male of Heliopathes gibbus has the middle and posterior tibia and the base of the hinder femora fringed with long tawny hairs, which are absent in the female. The males of some genera of weevils (C@liodes, Centhorv- hynchus, &c.) have the posterior tibize furnished with a hook at the apex. (To be continued). Sa = = = == Mollusca.—Notes. INQUUES) OW WAKO E IU S:. (Continued from page 155.) OVERCROWDING, or too limited a supply of water, has an injurious effect on Limnaea stagnalis as well as on Homo sapiens. Semper shows that these conditions, even when food is supplied in abundance, produce dwarfed individuals, and such dwarfing cannot be com- pensated afterwards by any especially favourable conditions or treatment, as the shell is constructed on a more diminutive scale. Too ABUNDANT VEGETATION in water 1s considered conducive to the formation of scalariform varieties of the genus Planorbis, ‘which are often found in those bodies of water choked up with vegetation, and according to Herr Clessin, also on the margins of lakes amongst large stones.. M. Van den Broeck considers this spiral form as a modification consequent upon, and adaptive to the special peculiar features of their environment, as he conclusively proved by experiment that these spirally coiled shells make their way more readily through ‘the dense vegetation than those of normal shape which traverse the thick masses of duckweed, &c., with great labour and difficulty.” UNHEALTHY AND UNNATURAL CONDITIONS are also noted as productive of distortions which are occasionally spiral, found in warm water reservoirs, and in streams of water pumped from coal pits. Mr. Taylor quotes a case in which nine-tenths of the L. peregva found one season in a pool near Geneva had a curious malformation at the base of the columella, which was coincident with an extraordinary abundance of Hydra viridis in the pond. On the following year the Hydra disappeared and the malformation ceased. FLOWING AND STAGNANT WaArTER.— Mr. S. C. Cockerell writing of Limnea has remarked that running water tends to foster a light and slender form of shell, and stagnant water a stronger and more 213 THEY BRITISH INA URAIZI So [OcToBER expanded one. Mr. Taylor expresses a similar opinion, instancing L. burnetti as an expanded form of L. pevegra inhabiting still water, ‘‘ while the opposite condition, comparative increase in length and decrease in breadth . . . as exemplified by the varieties micvostoma, elongata, &c., is said to be generally found in. flowing waters.” It is added, however, that many exceptions to this rule prove that other unascertained causes exercise great influence in modifying the contour of shells. This rule, as regards substance of shell, does not hold good for Anodon, which in larger and almost stagnant sheets of water attains its greatest size with a light shell, the smaller and more heavy varieties being usually found in rivers. This is what might be expected, the greater thickness and strength of the shell being necessary to withstand the force of the current when increased by rainy seasons. STRONG CuRRENTS.—Mr. J. B. Bridgman is of opinion that the pecuhar breadth of the var. compressa of U. pictorum is caused by the wash of strong currents, ‘‘the current washing away the softer par- ticles of mud, and the shell having harder work to keep itself partially buried in the bottom causes the unusual expansion.” The Rev. W. C. Hey attributes the presence of small and malformed specimens of U. tumidus to the effect of water rushing over a dam, and he adds, ‘rapidly running water is always deleterious to the development of such shells as generally effect still waters.” Mr. Taylor says, writing of L. peregra, ‘‘The strong-shelled forms appear from ‘published observations to inhabit the margins of turbulent streams or rivers, and the shores of large bodies of water, where the wave commotion necessitates a robust shell to withstand its force and violence, the varieties lutea, fluminalis, solida, &c., serving to typify this line of variation.” DeptH oF WartTerR.—Mr. Taylor writes, ‘‘Deep water is said to have a similar effect [to the extremes of heat and cold] judging from Nilsson’s description of L. balthica [a variety of L. peregva| which is said to live at a depth of 24 to 36 feet in the brackish-water of the Baltic, and Mr. W. Thompson, the able Irish naturalist, ascribed the peculiar delicacy of the specimens of the var. lacustris [of L. peregra| from Lough Neagh, to the circumstance that they habitually lived in the still depths of the lake.” Foop doubtless has a very large share in determining the size of all species of Molluscs, but to produce a large size other favourable conditions, suited to the species are required. Mr. E. H. Rowe read a paper before the Lambeth Field Club some years ago, in which he mentioned taking some extremely fine examples of Succinea putris, giants among the Succinew, Cochlicopa in the same situation was also of large size and beautiful lustre. Examining the other parts of the 1892. | Aree Reisen) NAD Oke wes 1: at4 Thames bank, and also that on the opposite side, the shells were found plentiful, but of much smaller size, the vegetation was every- where abundant, and supply the general conditions favourable to the species, but in the first locality ‘‘there was alluvium, more sand, and no mud. The water was at times as fierce in activity, yet occasionally more still; the vegetation was much bolder, and more generously developed. There was more shade, more shelter, and more humidity and there were bordering grass lands which drained into the water- course. The logical deduction is that even slightly altered conditions can produce decided differences in animals.” The Rev. W. C. Hey, previously quoted, writes, ‘“‘ near Clifton Slope occur some very thin, but bright and clean, Anodontas, only small in size. They are clean, doubtless because of the absence of drainage, and they are small and thin because, not only is drainage absent, which often affords rich food, but the river is very clear of vegetable matter.” As regards the possible influence of different foods in affecting the colour of shells, Mr. Charles Ashford writes, respecting H. virgata. ‘‘ Another variety of a uniform purple-brown colour, sometimes wholly black, seems to be chiefly confined to a few square yards near the sea-cliff. The pre- vailing plant there is Cavduus tenuifolius, upon the stems and leaves of which it is to be found associated with the typical forms.” Writing on the mollusca of Herefordshire, Mr. A. E. Boycott states that he found the var. albida of H. hortensis, the var. alba of H. vufescens, and a light variety of Succinea putvis ‘near to S. virescens” all on horse raddish.—W. A. GAIN. Errata in “ List of Slugs” for September.—Page 177, line 16, for v. vufus, Fér,, réad v. ruber, Mog. Page 178, v. f., of A. empiricorum should read ruber, Mogq. Ossie ING NOTES ON BRITISH COLEOPTERA. BY G. A. LEWCOCK. (Continued from page 84.) Cyminpis, Latreill.—Greek for ‘‘night hawk.” The genus was formerly called Tavus \Clairv.) But two species occur in Britain, both of which may be considered local, and not common. C. axillaris, F. (angularis, Steph.)—The upper surface of this species is shining; the elytra with humeral patch and margins yellow. It occurs at Box Hill and several other localities in Surrey ; recorded by Mr. C. W. Dale from Portland. Canon Fowler adds Isle of Wight, New Forest, Lewes, Swanage, Portsmouth, Weymouth, Lowestoff, Swansea. Dyes | THE ) BRITISH NAW Wiad iste | OcTOBER C. vapovariovum, L.—Upper surface, dull; elytra red brown at base. The species occurs chiefly in northern localities, but Mr. West informs me that he has taken it at Deal. Mr. W. E. Sharp ‘“‘takes the insect at Heswell, an elevated and heathery situation on the shore of the Dee. It is found under stones, either in late autumn or early spring. {have never seen more than one specimen under a single stone. It also occurs at Llangollen, but sparingly.” Also taken by Mr. Wilding at Heswell and Bidston, under stones in spring and autumn. Dr. Ellis (Coleoptera of Liverpool) records the capture of two specimens on Oxton Common in October, 1885. The species also occurs in many parts of Scotland, andis recorded from Donegal, Ireland, but on whose authority it appears to be doubtful. Masoreus, Dejean.—But one species occurs in Britain, namely M. Wetterhalu, Gyll.; it is found in sandy places, and is not uncommon at Deal, ‘‘by grubbing at roots of grass” (Newbery, West, A. E.Hall); recordedson Chesil Bank (C:, W-,Dale). “Two specimens of this interesting little beetle were captured early in the spring of 1889 at roots of grass on the Cumber sandhills” (W. H. Bennett, Hastings). Not recorded from either Ireland or Scotland. Loricera, Latr.—The single species L. pilicornis, F., which occurs in the British Isles is generally common and widely distributed. The specific name is the Latin equivalent for the (Greek) generic term, and refers to the setose antenne. PanaG#us, Latr.—The Greek origin means ‘ very holy,’ apparently to the cruciform marking on the elytra. Two species occur with us, P. cvux-major and crux-minoy. The former has the thorax more transverse, and in the latter the thorax is almost circular. P. crux-major, L.--Occurs in marshy places; has been recorded from Shooter’s Hill (Kent), and Oldham and Norwood (Surrey), probably in mistake for the next species (G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera). Boxhill, under turf (West). P. quadripustulatus, St. -On chalky hillsides and sandy places, under stones, moss, &c.; not common; Cuxton, Deal, Down (Kent); Caterham, Coombe Wood, Sanderstead, Mickleham (Surrey). © G. C. Champion, Kent and Surrey Coleoptera. In rabbit hole, Deal, 1890 (Heasler). Under moss on cliffs at Dover, also taken at Deal (G. C. Hall). Does not occur in Scotland. The specimens in Dublin Museum are from the South of England (H. G. Cuthbert). ’ alluding, CoLEoPTERA AT MuarcHamM.—Since writing the last notes on locality I have continued my visits to the common, meeting with equal, if not greater success than ever. In December I took, by trowelling in the banks of ponds and ditches, Notiophilus 4-punctatus, Amara bifrons, Mycetopovus clavicornis, Quedius mauyorufus, and also a specimen of 1892. | DEE ele Sie NA OVA S 1 216 Cleonus sulcirostris which completely deceived me at the time, as, besides, being in rather an unusual locality, the insect itself was such a dark one that I imagined it to be C. nebulosus. On the same day, out of a clump of grass I took the following: 2 Choleva angustata, 4 Lathrobium longulum, 6 Simplocaria semistriata, 3 Oxypoda longiuscula, 3 Homalota pygmea, and several Myllena elongata. To finish up the day I found some putrid fungus which yielded Homalota occulta, var. fungivora, and 2 FL. triangulum. ‘This day’s success induced me to go again on the following Saturday, but the weather was cold and windy and it rained nearly the whole time; the result may be imagined. During the short time I was there I secured Philonthus micans and P. signaticorms; also one of the best insects that the locality is likely to produce, namely : FHlomalota splendens. in April I made a special excursion after Berosus signaticollus, but only took a single specimen. ‘The deficiency in this respect, however, was made up by a series of Cuemidotus tmpressus and a single specimen of Haliplus cinereus; whilst among the commoner water beetles may be mentioned Dytiscus punctulatus, Colvmbetes pulverosus; Hydroporus erythrocephalus and H. picipes: - Visiting the same locality in May, I took Anacena bipustulatus, Limnebius papposus, Anchomenus viduus, and Chleniwus nigricornis; but the best capture was a specimen of Homalota debilis. My visit in June produced 8 Steno- lophus teutonus, 2 Polydrosus confluens, 1 Tvechus discus, and 1 Hydroporhus fervugineus, all of which, especially the last two, were very acceptable. The past month (September) has yielded 7 Halipus cinereus, Tachyusa atva, and another Homalota splendens.—H. HEASLER, Peckham. Reports of Societies. CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. September Ist, 1892.—Exhibits -—Mr. Jackson, a fine var. of Papilio machaon, in which the two black blotches on the costa had coalesced; also a var. of Polyommatus phigas, without the copper band on the posterior wings, and a gynandromorphous specimen of Tvichiuva cvategi. Mr. Gates, a number of species taken this season near Hammersmith, including P. salicana, P. neglectana, P. bilunana, D. olivella, C. laburnella, P. trigonodactylus, C. cygnipennella, S. internana, G. hermanella, G. velocella, P. cruciferarum, and one specimen of S. ¢triquetella. Mr. Bacot, a series of Bombyx neustvia bred from larve from South Devon and Hadleigh. This series included a var. of the ?, in which the central band was resolved into.a triangular mark on the costa and the inner margin. Mr. Smith, two living larve of Acronycta tridens, and examples of Zygena trifolii and Guophos obscurata from Swanage. Dr. Sequeira, Colias edusa, Eupithecia subfulvata, and a pair of Leucania lithargyria, the ? being set underside to shew a tuft of black hair situate behind the last pair of legs. Mr. Tutt considered this tuft as a secondary sexual character and thought that it might be connected with the scent glands. Mr. Sykes, Coltas hyale, C. edusa, and var. ¢? helice At DEE (BRITISH -NATURALIST. |OcTOBER from Folkestone, and a specimen of Polyommatus thl@as with a very pale posterior wing. Mr. Clark, a very dark ? OJonestis potatovia and a fine specimen of P. phizas without the characteristic copper colour. Mr. Tutt stated that he considered this, and the many similar varieties recorded from time to time, to be cases of the ill- development or absence of the pigment. Mr. Goldthwait, two vars. of Spilosoma menthvastvt from Walthamstow, one closely approaching S. urtice, also a series of Colias edusa from Folkestone. Mr. Riches, a long series of Abraxas grossulariata and living larvae of Dianthecia capsincola feeding on the seeds of ‘‘Sweet William.” Mr. Poul, a large number of species from Tunbridge Wells, including Covemia propugnata, Macaria lituvata, etc. Dr. Buckell, living larvze of Eupithecia centaureata ten days old; aiso a series of Acidalia immutata from Leigh, Essex, and he read the following notes on this species: ‘‘ This is an insect about which Newman appears to have known but little. Merrin states that it is found in fens and similar localities in June and July and sometimes again in September; he also adds that the larva hybernates, feeds on some marsh plant and will also eat knot grass (Polygonum). Mr. Seymour St. John gives purple loosestrife, plantain, yarrow, valerian, and meadow-sweet as regular foods, and groundsel, dandelion, whitethorn and clematis as foodplants in confinement. The natural footplants appear to be quite as much hedgerow plants as fen plants. ‘* The best time for the imago would appear to be about the second week in July. The examples shown were taken on July 15th, and on the 26th, they were pussé. They rise out of the long grass as one walks along. Ova deposited last year oa July 26th, hatched on August r2th. On the 30th, I noticed that the larve were growing very slowly, they rested on the stems and leaves of the chickweed curled up in the shape of a note of interrogation (?)—a similar attitude to that assumed by the larve of many Eupithecize, etc. Their colour was a dingy green without any characteristic markings. The larvz were exhibited before this Society on October rst, and on the 4th, I noticed that some appeared full grown whilst others remained quite small: some of the larger ones began to make earthen cocoons on October toth, and the first pupated on the 17th, of the month. The moths however failed to put in an appearance. The insect seems to be widely distributed but local. It does not figure in any of London lists, but is recorded from the neighbourhood of Swansea, Leigh, Romsey Hertford and Warrington. Mr. Tutt, also records it from Wicken Fen, Mr. Simes, from Matley Bog near Lyndhurst, and Mr. Fenn, from Deal”. Mr. Tutt also read a paper on his recent work at Wicken Fen. In ‘‘oleoptera, Mr. Heasler exhibited two very local species from Mitcham—Tvechus discus and Hydroporus fevvugineus; he stated that he took the example of the latter species with his hand and that he felt sure he could have procured more, had he had a water net. September 15th, 1892.—Exhibits.—Lepidoptera: Dr. Buckell, larve of Ephyra punctaria 19 days old, Liparis aurifiua without the black markings, Nonagria despecta from Wimbledon, and a dark form of Amphipyva pyvamidea bred from a larva fouud in Kensington Gardens. Mr. Southey, series of Hadena pisi and Cidaria dotata from ijampstead, also a long series of A. giossulaviata containing a specimen with a pale straw ground colour, and a finely speckled example. Mr, Bacot, examples of Melitea cinxia from the Isle of Wight, and a series of Thecla betule bred from South Devon larve. Mr. Rosevear, two specimens of Torrubia robertsii, a parasitic fungus having for its host the larva of Hepialus virescens, from New Zealand; he also read some notes descriptive of the growth, &c., of the fungus. Dr. Sequeira, Acronycta ligustri, alni, and series of Leucania turca and Aplecta herbida from the New Forest. Mr. Allbuary, two very pale examples of Vanessa urtice from Northfleet, the pale colour being evidently produced by failure of the pigment. Mr. Clark, a very fine series of Liparis monacha, bred from a pair received alive from Scarborough. The female was very much suffused, and the male nearly black and the progeny followed their parents. 1892. | Mis ety iaididl Sit oN AO ATE TS il. 218 the males in many cases being jet black, but all the females shewing a considerable white area. Mr. Clark, also read a paper on ‘‘A Melanic Race of Liparis monacha” Coleoptera: Mr. Heasler, series of Hlater balieatus, Melandvys cavaboides, Amaspis thovacica, Ceuthorhynchus asperifolium.—A. U. Barriry, and J. A. Simes, Hon. Secs. LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Seprember 12th.— The President (Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S.,;.F.E.S.) in the chair: MigLoeNulaterce, Msi S.\read a eae entitled, ‘‘Some further researches upon the genital structure of Lepidoptera.’’ The author described the different species in the genera Acronycta, Agrotis, Noctua, &c.. aud showed that in cases where the identity or otherwise of species was disputed the genitalia might often be used as a sure means of differentiation. The paper was illustrated by the author’s preparations of these parts thrown upon a screen by the aid of Oxy-hydrogen Micro-Lantern, and by photo- graphs and specimens of each species described. The President exhibited varieties of Angerona prunavia. Messrs. Gregson and Robson, challenge series of Abraxas evossulaviata. Mr. Scowcroft, varieties of Xanthia cerago; Mr. William Johnson, a fine variety of Vanessa urtice, which had the ground colour very pale, Bombyx rubi with the bands absent and Ovgyia fascelina with a mass of dark scales near the. centre of the costa of the forewings; Mr. Prince, varieties of Abraxas grossulaviata and a specimen of Colias edusa nearly the variety helice, captured at Wallasey. Mr, Harker C. edusa from Crosby. Mr. Crabtree, a long series of C. edusa captured at Sidmouth South Devon, who remarked that he had only taken one var, helice among 56 ty pes. BON? Prerce, Hon: Scc., (No other veport had reached us up to the time of going to press). General Notes. ee Micro-LARV# FOR THE ice has arrived, and now is the time to enjoy the autumnal beauty of the woods and country lanes. The hedgebanks are still gay with many wild flowers, but a change. may soon come, so we must endeavour to collect all aes larve that are now to be taken feeding on the leaves as soon as possible, for towards the end of the month we occasionally get slight frosts and boisterous winds that soon cause the leaves to be scattered, and the larva also, we then lose our chance of obtaining them during the present season. In the seed heads of golden rod (Solidago virgaurea) the larvee of C. emulana may now be taken, and-in the seed heads of Centauria, the larve of C. stvamineana, the Inuia conyza generally found growing on dry chalky banks have the seed heads tenanted at this time by the larve ot G. bifracteila, and in the s awe of Chenopodium the ! larve of G. obsolitella are now feeding, and the leaves are’ being mined by the larve of G. nevifferella, which He. a whitish mine, and by the larva of Gel. heymanella whose mine is a greenish colour, both of which are often feeding on the same plant. The heads of the wild marjoram must now be taken, for they contain the larva of G. subocellea which are among the seeds, in their Coleophora-like cases. The fruit of the alder should now be examined for the larvz [OCTOBER 219 hE BMI SE NAD UIA TALS I. of S. pfedella, which are betrayed by the httle heaps of frass sticking out between the scales, and the discoloured hips of the wild rose. if we want a series of S. roseticolana. The heads of the Carline thistle, which grows generally on chalky slopes, should now be taken, for many of them contain the larvee of P. carlinella. P. lapella is now feeding in the seed heads of burdock. There are two species of Ornix to be taken this month, viz.: O. avellanella on nut, and O. betulevorella on birch; these Jarve are leaf miners when young, afterwards turning down the edge of the leaf and eating away the surface. On oaks we notice some of the leaves have large whitish blotches on them, this is caused by the larve of T. complanella, and the serpentine galleries of the larve of Nep. atricapitella and Nep. subbimaculella we cannot help noticing. This is the month for the seed-feeding Coleophora, all of which must be kept in the open air when put into the ciges; on seeds of Atriplex and Chenopodium the cases of C. annulatella may now be seen, and on the seeds of Achillea=millefolium those of Col. argentula ; Col. virgaurella on seeds of golden rod, C. salinella on Atriplex portula- coides, growing on salt marshes, and C. me@macella on the same plant and Suida maritima. The flower heads of the sea lavender should now be gathered, for many of them contain the larva of G. brizella, also the larva of Col. limoniella (Goniodoma auroguttella); these larvee eat out the contents of one of the seeds which it then uses as its case, and when full-grown it crawls down the stem half way and bores it way inside, hollowing out sufficient space to pupate in, the small hole is then webbed over and the cases drop off. The larva of many species of the Lithocolletis are to be taken this month, they are easily seen by their characteristic mines in the leaves of the various trees; and many other species of Nepiicala than those mentioned above, so that altogether this may be taken as one of the busiest months.—Gero. ELisua, Shepherdess Walk, N. CynTHIA CARDUI AND ATaLanta.—The larve of these species have been unusually plentiful in the Warrington district. My father and I have secured a good number of both.—]. CoLtins, Warrington. LITHOSIA SERICEA.—Lithosia sericea is out in our locality but it is very scarce. One or two per night are all I can get hold of.—Ip. APLECTA NEBULOSA VAR. Rossoni.—I have just finished breeding my Nebulosa, and I have only got a single pair of var. Robsoni. My friends have done slightly better, for they got half a dozen between them.—Ib. Cotias EDusA.—On the 8th of September I saw an example of the clouded yellow butterfly, Colias edusa, the first I have seen alive since 1877. I have seen records of its appearance in other parts this year. Is there any explanation for these re-appearances after such long intervals ? —W. A. Gain, Tuxford. 1892. ] Mis I BRIISH NATURALISM. 220 [The explanation I have offered for some years, and which now seems to be generally accepted, is that the appearance of the butterfly in our country is owing to immigration. The spring brood migrates and an autumn brood abounds, but few seem able to bear our winter, and the number appearing in spring will be very small and unless next year give a favourable season it will disappear again.—J.E.R. ] Smo ins OK AY HOLLY HEDGE: BY REV. FREDK. O. PICKARD-CAMBRIDGE. Those who read this httle paper must not jump to the conclusion that the spider population of a holly hedge differs essentially in kind or character from that of ‘any other sort of hedge. It has merely happened that by a concurrence of advantageous circumstances the particular hedge in question, which has furnished material for the following notes, is unusually rich in examples of spiders and spider- webs. Situated as it is on the brow of the steep northern bank of the Eden, known as the ‘“‘Scar,” close to the city of Carlisle, its southern aspect fairly sheltered from northern and eastern inclemencies, it seems to present special advantages for the construction of those delicate fy and moth nets which we term cobwebs. My attention was first attracted to the locality and the webs towards dusk on one of those lovely September evenings such as Eden valley can produce to perfection when in the mood. The tall, weird chimney stacks, looming through the uncertain mists, stood erect like ehostly sentinels in the southern distance beyond the river; while the hectic flush from the dying sun, as she sank into her western tomb, shed a delicate rosiness over the landscape. Upon my holly hedge were stretched numbers of beautiful and perfect orb-webs, the owners hanging behind each, beneath the central platform. Now and again, when the vibrating air and tell-tale threads heralded the approach of some winged presence, they would clutch convulsively, with nervous tarsal claws, the divergent spokes of that treacherous wheel whereon many a poor moth and gnat were destined to be broken. Othersome were not so wrapped in thoughts of daily food but that their spider instincts would readily and hghtly turn to love, for upon many of the webs the small, dark, handsome male might be observed feeling his cautious way into female favour, essaying to bridge, with sly and nervous footsteps along the slender lines, the gulf between him and the somewhat irritable object of his affections. It was indeed a pleasing sight for a naturalist, such numbers—] have counted more than sixty of an evening—of specimens of a very rare and, to me, quite new form of Apeira hanging expectant in their snares; the snow-white crescents beneath the body gleaming clearly 221 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [OcToBER in the dusky twilight. The web itself, a very perfect and beautiful structure, is typical of the Epeiidz, and consists of a number of lines radiating from a common centre, where they are connected by a closely meshed ‘‘hub” or platform. A fine thread spun round at a little distance from the centre and thence onwards to the circumference in a spiral form is called the scaffold line.” It serves as a guide in laying down the sticky spiral- line proper, and is snipped off, rolled up and swallowed, as the spider proceeds in the work. This latter line, so familiar to all observers, strung as it is with viscid globules, is attached to each of the radu with theassistance of the hind tarsal claws and spinners. From the centre to a distant nook amongst the holly leaves, sometimes direct, often on a system of branching lines, is stretched a stouter line, the ‘‘trap-line,” leading to the spider's place of concealment, a white silken domicile spun within a conveniently curved holly leaf in the far recesses of the hedge. Within this retreat, safely ensconced, lurks the spider during the day, not easily discovered, but at night-fall or in early morning to be readily observed in the centre on the look out for prey. Often, it is true, she does a little fishing from her parlour door, when the trap-line held in her fore-finger indicates Hie smallest agitation of her net. The name of the spider which has thus furnished so many opportunities for observation is Epeira patagiata, C.L.K., a species hitherto recorded from but a few localities. It belongs to the same family and genus as the ‘‘garden spider,’ with white cross on the abdomen, so familiar as the typical example of a spider given in most works on popular natural history. It is closely allied to, yet quite distinct from £. cornuta, Clk. (E. apoclisa, Blk.), a very common species throughout the country, often abounding along the river banks, where they construct their webs and nets amongst the fringing grass and rushes. My kind editor will not, I fear, allow my pen,the scope it would desire in order to put before my readers the many interesting facts concerning the Epeinde ; but I must venture to risk his displeasure, and before passing on to other species and their ways, give a short account of an experiment which may be made with the wheel-web spinners. Now it is well known that the larger species, E. quadrvata, diademata, for instance, are by no means averse to a diet of bees and wasps if such can be secured without serious mishap. Take then a tuning fork to the heathy moors this month, when guadvata abounds, strike it and present it gently from various points towards the spider as she hangs in her web. She will start, exceedingly excited at the sound of, as she thinks, a real live hum, her forelegs will reach out towards the PLATE X!t- )F.0.P.é del.li th-1891. EXCHANGE ae A ‘Glee: H. Sylvie uns, Statices, ont cecas, Senex, Griseola, Anachoreta,.” 5 im iitata, Jaminata, Dealbata, ‘Strigillaria, Sparsatay © Pudorina, Despecta, — eericans, Umbrosa. N. Ruhi,. Pastinum, Barbalis, Farinalis, Phragmitellus, | na, Dumetana, Conchana, Inopiana, ‘Trigeminana, ’ Seopoliana, Crneiana, Kh. , Pullella, ¢ xeoffrell Ha, Allnstria, kK pilobiclla, Crepusculella, ete: . C, Album, Aataxeerxes (andersides),, Cassiope Betule, Meliloti, P. populi, a, Fuciformis, Masciaria, | unaria, Heperata, Sylvata. Cambricarina, Vumata, ic 4) Pirmata,. Impluviata,, Rubiginata,’ (Scotch), Hastata, Ruiidata, | - Russata, Tmmianata, Milaceata, Hamula. Laéertula, Dictaea, Dromédains, die Ligustric -Menyanthidis, Ripae,. Praecox, Cespitis; Gilvago, Aura 0, 14a a , Carpaphoga, ‘Luctuosa, Crassalisol. W. for, Westcombe Hill, S. Rees Duplientes: as ee ae ee _biundularia, K. satyrata: laricata; AY bred: o - Wo Hewer?, 12 Howhard-strect, York. Lunigera, Lucernea, erbida, - : Tieesples Sie tate Adeepe Derasa, Conigera, Nebulosa, ay (few), Russula ¢, “. trifolit, Trverella, Spilod: ictyla, Pupee of: oe siderata; . Extersaria,. Fuscula, ee Xerampelina, Aurago, is y cstualentns S igra, and offers. ~ ALBPR Tht HOpens,-2 Highbury Place, | + tei = ‘ iy + ine ‘Lubiteipeds var. Radiata and intermediate forms 4 accepted offers only nel of eee season: -f HAKRISON. ¢ Gawber-road, Barisley. NE ee rabi, W. album, Pruni, Agestis (South. of Epghind)y Sop. . Paphia, » Bpiphron, Bigeria; Meégera, H yperanthus, - nwings but pu Forinis, Porcellus, BIpen on; 43 igustri- JOHN Ki. Hows ih 7 i; : : ¥ bi eg ania ‘those species Ju have assumed siren tude Raping he . Rogson; Hartlepool. oN e Oy Ce a ag Ae i to look through their ‘duplicates: fi f old, chipped, crippled: deformed, seless ‘Male Lepidopter a with bodies ; will pay postage or Pa Ney to» ‘Punce, 443 Smithdown Lane,, Liverpool, } “Jacobean, Carpini. Haworthii, silago, Zonaria, Pilates and Savant A. urtices, Versicolora, Papilionaria, and- offers.—J. We pec: near Rolton, Lancashire. ‘ hh a Se sich pc ces MRSA GROSSING Sa re ‘CHANGE, OF ADDRESS. t ea ie to. 13, Queen’s Down Read, EETING §) OF: $0.01 wee eB) Bos ON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY | Institution, FBiaSoury Circus, E'!C..» Méetmgs: First and third NATURAL HISTORY’ od ‘Meetings : Second and. ye ES 4 ag ) SOCIETY, Free Library | at > held on. Monday, October” ob a MongLey, RES. Mit oa 3 erurud aw AP ies: ee Pf, t : aR AER US id I EARN Se oie pe) G3 i Sik OR 3 AG Pte ’ "ADVERTISEMENTS. do Meech ne a | ‘EXCHANGE. | Brie. 13 ge Cie F . ae DyeeredT es) ie ‘Blahdind, anus! Euphrosyne, Artemis (Scotch), . Lonicerse, Mendica /‘Seotch), Capsincola, A. Ligustri, Villica, Orbona (vars.), Fasciuncala (var. Cana), Strigilis. _ var.) Ethiops), Liturosa, Plecta —T. Mappison, South Bailey, Dnrliam Ne - Dupricares.— gon, Blandina, Davus, Tilix, Lonicere, Filipendule, Petasitis, Conigera, ritici, Carpophaga. “Polyodou (black vars.) - Festiva—vars. Biundularia, Zonaria, Silaceata, ‘Ulmata, Basilinea, Umbrosa. Gothica, Rubricosa, Gracilis:; Albicolon, Rurea, and vars: Testacea> “dark and light), ‘Mieacea, V. aureum, &c., Ke! — Desiderata, very: many common species. to i , enlarge series.—_ JOHN E, Roxsoy, Hartlepool. ag -- Excuance (Duplicates)— Velleda, Mundana, Fulva, Nictitans, Lithoxylea, Rarea, Graminis, - Oculea, Fasciuneula, Literosa, Fuvuncula, Arcuosa, Macilenta, Rufina, Chi, Protea, Candidata, - Aversata, Vulgata, Olivata, Rubiginata, Ocellata, Badiata, Immanata, Fulvata, Lutealis,’ A ~ Prunalis,- Decrepitalis, (2 or. 3, fair), Cembre, Iubitalis, Murana. Octomaculana, Bertrami, - Trigonodactylus, Caudana, Subjectana, Rubiella. Albulata, Menthastri, Basiliuea, Biset:ta, and — * eee ADIE Dalglisli, 21, Princess Street, Pollock shiels, Glasgow. peg \ Dupricar 38. - Suxpecta; Thalassina, Plecta, Pisi, Pudorina, Sparsata, Lonicerw, Basilinea: gare and vars, Brunnea, Gemina, Augur, Strigilis, Segetum, «Trapezina, Oleracea, Nantho-: ? grapha, Comes, Senex (few), Ulmata, Festiva, and Blomeri.’ Desiderata—Numerous, and Birds’ Hees. —H. Ge Porren, 19, Price Street, York. bay ey io at ache AS aks as5 * Brrps’ Eces FOR ExcHANGE.—Great | lovers, Razorbills; Guillemots, Jackdaws, Magpies esl : ee series or elute hes), Sand’ Martms, Com. Teris, Puttins, Blackeaps, Partridge Ss Lapa “wings, Moor Hens, and one Golden: Plover. Wanted Cuckoo’s eggs with + clutches, ee many Se i, other species, —E. G. Porrgr, 19, Price Street, York. ON EXCHANGE Unset specimens. of the following insects :—NSilago,* Cerago,* Lucipara; eaimiiationts, Chrysitis, Pulchrina, Typica, (Sothicn. l estacea, Misdoe: a; Segeluin, Suffusa, Pronuba, Orbona, Comira, Imputa, Palleus and Rhomboidaria, &¢., &e. Desiderata, very ee numerous (Revising $ Series) H: SHorTRIDGE Crarky, 2 O.borne Terrace, Douglas, Isle of t Man. ie ea We we ae Cbs RAR: a Abani: Artaxets es (undersides), Cas sslope Betulew, Meliloti, \P. populi,. Het -Dolobraria, a, \tiniata, Fuciforiis, Fasciaria, 4Jounaria, Heperata, Sylyata, Cambricaria, Fumata,. ye Salicata, - Hexapterata, Firmata, “Impluviata, Rubiginata, (Scotch), Hastata, Rubidata, ~ Psittacata, Miata, Russata, Immanata, Silaceata, Hamula, Lacertula, Dictea, Dromedarius, an Duplaris, Glandifera, Ligustri, |Menyanthidis, Rips,- Preecox, Cespitis, Gilvago, eee Rr Lutulenta, Nigra, Herbida, Carpophoga, Luctuosa, Crassalis, 1. W. Tura, W esteombe Hill, S.i ru ly a, fad _ Wan rep. —Collectors to look through their duplicates for old, Gaia crippled, isa ‘ie damaged and utterly useless Mule Lepidoptera with bodies ; will pay, postage or endeayour to omake | a vevurn, FP. Ni: PIERCE, yas Smithdown Lane, peepee “MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. TY OF ee ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY | a i The London Institution, Finsbury Circus, E.C. Meetings: First and third . Th ysdays, in the month. Fixtures :—November 3rd, ‘' Antenne, wings, and colour as secondary sexual Characters of Lepidoptera ” by Mr. J. W. Tutt. Nov. ‘17th; *( Random - “notes on the Hybernide’’ by Mr. L. B. Prout. . December 1st, Annual Business Meeting. resident's Address. December 15th, Discussion and Exhibition, ‘The Colias Edusa of ey 2,’ to be opened by Mr. A.U. Battley. a TOMOLOGICA fy SOCIETY OF LONDON. Wednesday, 2nd November, 1892, » oe -atzp.m. - Papers to) be read ‘—(1) “ Additions to the Longicornia of Mexico and — ntral. America, with notes on some’ previous recorded species,” by Charles J. Gahan, HAshak os (2) “Contributions to a knowledge of the Homopterous family Fulgorida,’ by W. 1. Distant, F.E.S.; (3) ‘ Rurther Observations upon Lepidoptera, 1888-1892,’ by a dward B.:Poulton, M.A., F.R-S. ; (4) ‘The Secretion of Potassium-Hydrate by Dicranwra wnula, and the emergence , of the imago from. the. Cocoon,” by Oswald H~. Latter; mmunicated by Fredéric\ Merrifietd, aE: Biscay tA revision of the genus .Ypthima-~>°% 1 nly faut on the form of the genitalia in the malesex, "by Henry J. Elwes, F.L-S. 4 Ja 1e8" oe F-E:S. ; ree ve > oa DVER TISEMEN Ts, CONTENTS. Siitiers of a Holly Hades ik, The Pterophorina of Britain.—J. W. Tutt; F-r.s, Ree Callimorpha Hera in South Devon.—G. C. Bignell, F.1.s- Naturalist of the day.— Kev. Octavius Pek Cambridge, M-A:, BE. s Mollusca Notes : Si: fhe Secondary Sexual Characters of the Britis Coleoptera, AN, Ellis, B.A. Reports of Societies s ey inaee ae ; Obitnary.— Howard V dushian an, F.WS., ae ; De Random Notes on British Lepidoptéra.—Jolm E. absen General Notes s is TO CORRESPONDENTS. A Portrait of the late Howard Vaughan, B.E.S-, will appear in the next — : ean . : f @ ; ee part. + ~ : ~ i ; 4 ‘eh & aes ; *y f Although eight extra pages are given with this part, a dee ve import tant com? ner one still Bend over till next month. ete hea oa): : Arrangements are now completed for continuing the Molluscan Section. Be W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark, has kindly undertaken the Land and — Fresh Water Moltusca: and Brocton ‘Tomlin, Esq., of ‘The Green, Llandaff, will - ‘attend to the Marine Scction. Communications may be made to either oF these s gentlemen. All letters requiring a reply by post should contain stamp. a he Section for Coleoptera is conducted by. Gi ok, Temnook Esq., re ; Oxford Road, Islington, to whom also direct communication may be made. wou : : Mr. Leweock also represents the Magazine in London, and will receive subscriptions, papers and notes for publication, &c., &e. : fice AS : Subscriptions, exchanges, business cor selgonilens notes, papers for publication, and all other communications, to be — oe —JouHN fk _ Roxgson, - d -HARYLEPOOL. : CN 3 oe Wie (MANN, | 3] - NATURALIST, ee “WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS TOL. a ee 4 Cheap. Sets of well-made Natural History Apparatus for young beginners, ia all carriage paid. « L FOR INSHCTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins Killing Box, Cork- Boards, hope Boxes, i Label Lists, &c., 6/6 FOR HGGS. — Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, abel List, Bo. Sie | Pe Nie FORK SHEULLS.—Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and: Glass Collecting tubes, roy 6. 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BRIGHTON ; e Cw: DALE, F.E.S., Dorser; ~~ «GA. LEWEOCK) Lonnon. | ‘ ee GEO. ELISHA, F.ES., Lonpon ; | J. P. SOUTTER, Brsnor Auckanp: ie E De, ELLIS, BES, LIVERPOOL , 2 BROCKTON TOMLIN; LiranparFF: «a Be oe GAIN, TUXFORD ; “SOW. H. TUGWELL, Ph.C., GREENWICH: ne JOHN GARDNER, F.E.S. HARTLEPOOL ; _ SYDNEY WEBB,, Dover. be MONTHLY, PRICE SIXPENCE, ; With a Portrait of some well- known Natur ‘alist. ‘ Nas London : --*» SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co., PATERNOSTER SQUARE. ower it A DVERTISEMENT S. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN &C YOUNG COLLECTOR SERIES. Bach Volume is very fully ‘ustrated with ee oe. and bound mn A cloth extya, Is. each (post free, 1s. 2d.) “They contain just the kind and amount of information required. It is not ea to understand how works like these, written by men of science in the various departmen can be made a commercial success. they well deserve can render them so. "—Knowledge. ‘We have seen nothing better than this series. Saturday Review. “We are glad to call Aenea to this excellent series of handbooks, which deserve to | widely. nba DD. is Ii. EQ . British Birds, | Butterflies, Moths, and — 13. Beetles, by W.. Kirby. © 4) | . Crustaceans and Spiders, wane by F. A. Skuse. : . Fungi, Lichens, etc., a! by. Peter Gray. Mosses, by. James E. Bagnall, a.L.s. | . Pond-Life, by EE. A;- Butler, p.z-s5 | | . Seaweeds, Shells, and ves Fossils, by P. Gray and ~~ B. B. Woodward. Rinse eee pice Ants, Bees, Wasps, and | Dragon- fiies, byt Wee elo sab, Bath. : Coins & Token (relish) | lat. by Liew. Jewitt, £.s.a/: With. | a Chapter on Greek Coins | by Barclay V. Head. 22. . Reptiles, fe by Catherine Hopley. | 23. , by H. A. Macpherson. Silkworms, by i). Ay. Butler p76: Land and Fresh Water Lae a Shells, by J.. W. Williams, W. Dennison Roebuck, and | 26. {..W. Taylor. ertainly nothing but. the enormous circulation whic It is cheap, concise, and practical.’ ... Weare glad to see'the staff of the British Museum thus comi: forward to make popular the stores of learning which they have. — are uniformly good—far better than in many expensive books.’’— A cadejiy. - The illustratio Fossils, . by J. W. Willams. The Microscope, by V..A. Latham.” Book Collecting, by J. H. Slater. Un prepara . Marine Shells, by J. W.W illiams & others. [In preparatio Coloniai Coins, by D. F- Howorth. Grasses. ; iy E Tufnail. [In preparatic British Ferns, by E. J. Lowe, Pond-Life (Algz, Diator etc.) by T. Spencer Smithso Chess Problems, . [Jn ie Dy, We Rayner> Postage ‘Stamps, by Wor: Ogilvie. .Flowering Plants, By James Britten, E.L.s.° [Lin preparatio The Telescope, by J. W. Williams. Copner Coins of Moder es by F.C. Higgin SWAN SONNENSCHEIN E 00, Paternoster Square, LONDON. 1 a ang nee 1892. | foto ik tS re oN Anwiki iS 1. 246 ie oa CONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS. OF ite MESH COLBOPRTLER A. BY [ORIN Ws Ini) wie (QiaKen))y wamses) (Continued from p. 285). ABDOMEN. —The extreme variety of sexual differences presented by the abdominal segments precludes anything like a systematic ana- tomical arrangement of these characters. Taking the peculiarities connected with the dorsal segments of the abdomen first, we notice that in Gnovimus the pygidium—that is the exposed last abdominal segment—is plain in the male, but bears two tubercles in the female, especially evident in G. variabilis. The male of Bryaxis helfert has a small tubercle bounded by a semi-circular fossa on the first segment. But it is in the smaller Brachelytra that we find the greatest number of sexual abdominal variations. Thus the male Ceranota ruficornis has a transverse raised plate on the second, tubercles on the third and. fourth, and the sixth segment depressed with three elevations near the apical margin. Homalota vicina has a distinct tubercle on the second segment of the male, very indistinct in the female; H. cuspidata has two tubercles on the third, fourth, and fifth segments in the male; a group of the same genus containing #. curvax, languida, insecta, &C., has a distinct tubercle on the sixth segment in the male; in H. circellavis the male has a tubercle on the sixth and two on the seventh segments; the same sex of H. depressa has one tubercle on the sixth segment and four on the seventh; H. hepatica has two raised lines converging behind, on the sixth, in the male; Leftusa analis has, in the male, a keel on the sixth and one on the seventh segment, while its ally, L. fumida, has a tubercle on the sixth and a keel on the seventh. The genus Gyropheena offers an admirable illustration of the variety of sexual sculpture in allied species. G. pulchella has a horse- shoe-like elevation on the sixth dorsal segment; G. affinis has a tubercle at the apex of this segment; Hl. poweri, gentilis, nana and minima have this segment furnished with four short ridges; levipennts with four tubercles; fasciata with six short ridges ; while lucidula has the surface of this segment finely granulated. In all these species the same segment is perfectly smooth in the female. Many Homolate (nitidula, vicina, pagana, etc.), have the dorsal surface of the seventh segment of the male covered with fine granulations; in graminicola these are especially distinct, and scattered over the sixth as well as the seventh segment ; and in awtummnalis, both sixth and seventh have oblong granulations. Homulota occulta has the sides and apical margin of the last dorsal segment distinctly raised in the male. Detnopsts evosa has the sixth segment of the male truncate and the seventh slightly notched ; while in the female the margin of the sixth is wavy 247 THE BREELSH NATURA hse | DECEMBER and the seventh is deeply cleft. Many brachelytra have the seventh dorsal segment in the male notched, or emarginate, as in some of the genus Aleochava, some of which also have the margin of the notch furnished with minute teeth (A. lanuginosa). Lathrobium termunatum has the seventh segment rounded in the male and somewhat pointed in the female. Several species of Homalota (scapularis, subterranea, autumnalis, nigva,) have the last dorsal segment of the maie split into four teeth ; in the species of Tachinus, the last dorsal segment of the male is split into four lobes, and that of the female into three, in flavipes, humeralis, and vufipes, and into four, which differ, however, trom those of the male in shape, etc., in the otherispecies ot sthe genus. Among the diversities of the underside of the abdomen we may notice the following, treating the groups systematically for convenience. Among the Geodephaga we find little of interest in the abdominal sculpture, but in the genus Ptevostichus the males of several closely allied species can easily be differentiated by the condition of the last ventral segment, which is always smooth in the female. Thus while P. madidus has a transverse ridge and a depression behind it, P. ethions (which has been considered only a mountain form otf madidus) has a large tooth anda shallower depression. FP. niger has a keel on the last abdominal segment beneath, while P. vulgaris is smooth in both sexes. P. anthracinus has a deep depression, P. nigvita a tubercle, while the’ male of P. gvacilis is simple, like the females of all these species. Among the water beetles it is only necessary to note the presence in the males of Agabus affinis and unguicularis of a series of stria on each side of the stridulatory file. Lamnebius truncatellus has a blunt tubercle on the last ventral segment of the male; while J; papposus Iwas, mothe Same.sex, ay tuna otlMaitcnarmude extremity of the abdomen. A great many species of Brachelytra (many species of Aleochara, all the species of Micvoglossa, most of those of Oxypoda, Chilopora, Calodera, Iiobates, many species of Homalota, Tachyusa. etc.)—have the last ventral segment of the male narrowed into a blunt point and projecting beyond the last dorsal ; but in some species of Homalota (imbectlla, vestita, tibsalis, etc.) the last ventral segment is rounded in the male and emarginate in thefemale. In the males of some species the prolonged ventral plate is strongly ciliate at the apex. In Conosoma, Cilea, Tachypovus, and Tachinus, the last ventral segment of the male is so deeply notched as to expose the (usually covered) eighth; in the females of Conosoma and Tachyporus tne last ventral segment is entire and ciliate, while in this sex in Cilea it is six-lobed. In the genus Hypocyptus the sixth ventral segment of the male tends to project over the deeply notched seventh ; while in the males of Philonthus intermedius, laminatus, and scutatus, the fifth ventral segment projects over and nearly covers the sixth. 1892. | i BRIM ESE NAM UR ATES 248 In many of the Quediide, Staphylinide, and Paderide (Lathrobium, @derus, Stvicus, etc.),- and in Oxyporus rufus, the seventh ventral Segment is more or less deeply notched in the male, while being rounded in the female. Many Quedtide, and some Staphylini and Philonthi, have this emargination preceded by a smooth (triangular Or Oblong) Space ; others, Philonthus @eneus for example, have the borders of the excision membranous ; while in P. cruentatus the notch is nearly, and in P. fimitarius is sometimes completely filled up by membrane. Some species of Lathrodium (elongatum, borcale, etc) have, in the male, two tufts of dark pubescence on the seventh ventral Sesmemn enclosing, an impressed Space.’ In the male of Siiicus fragilis the filth ventral segment bears an oblong tubercle surrounded Dyaciitamandune sixth nas a deep excavation with raised edges.” In DIC tus ivacticorms, ‘etc, the sixth ventral segment of the male is emarginate, but the notch is filled up with membrane ; and in the males of several species of Oxytelus the sixth segment is furnished with tubercles, which are red in insecatus and laqueatus, and pale in sculpturatus. Acvognathus mandibularis has a tubercle in the middle of the arse abdominal segment. The genus Stenws presents a great Variety of sexual characters, mainly consisting of motches in Hiemmanrsans or some and keels on others of the segments, ‘but S. providus and S. lustrator present the peculiar feature of tufts of curled hairs on the ventral abdominal segments of the male, while S. juno and S. speculatoy have in the same sex, tufts of hair between the middle coxe Among the Clavicornia, out of a great variety of modification of the abdominal segments, it will suffice to mention that the most frequent sexual alteration is an emargination or sinuation of the hind margin of the sixth ventral segment, as.in the males of some Scymnus, Coccinella, Euplectus, etc. In this last genus other species have the ventral segments foveolate, while £. nubigena has the whole abdomen longitudinally sulcate beneath. The males of the genus Meligethes are often furnished with a tubercle or keel on the last segment (ochropus, brunnicornis, ovatus, etc), while M. bidentatus has two tuberclesin the same position. The male Claviger foveolatus has the sixth ventra! segment tuberculate at the apex. In Dermestes vulpinus and frischii the male has a tuft of brown bristles on the fourth ventral segment, while in the same sex of murinus, lardarius, and undulatus, the third and fourth segments are so tufted. The males of Cetonia have the first five segments of the abdomen longitudinally impressed in the middle; Agvilus angustulus has the first ventral segment of the male with two tubercles. The genus Malthe tes presents, in the males, a very complicated development of some of the ventral abdominal segments ; the penultimate segment is usually - semicircularly or triangularly notched, the last segment is often much 249 THE BRITISH NATURALIST. | DECEMBER elongated, and may be nearly entire at the extremity (fibulatus, dispar), or the tip may be notched (flavoguttatus), forked (atomus), or the segment may be cleft into two very slender filiments (marginatus, mysticus, etc.) Occasionally in the same genus some of the dorsal segments are also modified in the male, even to the extent of being furnished with hooksat the hinder edge of theantepenultimate one (dispar and flavoguttatus). A great many of the group Longicornia have the fifth ventral segment of the male truncate, while the same segment 1s rounded or truncate in the female (Aromza, Callidium varsabilis, Rhagium, Pogonocherus, etc), while in Acanthocinus this segment is notched in the male and prolonged in the female. In Leptura vivens the fifth segment is notched in the male, while in the allied L. fulva the same segment is furnished with two teeth. The same segment genera undergoes various sexual modifications in some members of the Donacia, Cryptocephalus, and Thyamis. The females of Cryptocephalus according to Fowler, usually have a large fovea on the last ventral segment in which the egg is carried previous to its deposition on a plant. The males of some species of Chrysomela have the last ventral segment swollen (sanguinolenta) or convex (gvaminis, didymata, etc), while those of menthastri and hemoptcra have a small fovea in the same segment. The male Phyllobrotica has the third and fourth segments triangularly impressed, and the fifth very large and channelled in the middle. In Thyamuis the fifth ventral segment of the male is usually furnished with an impressed line, a depression, or a smooth space, or even a tubercle. The males of Blaps mortisaga and similis have a tuft of yellow or red hair at the apex of the first ventral segment. Nacerdes melanuva has the last segment of the male with a deep triangular notch. The males of some of the genus Anaspzs, (frontalis, forcipata, melanopa, etc) have long slender processes attached to the underside of the third segment of the abdomen, varying somewhat in shape and in length in the different species. in some species there is, according to Crotch, a tendency to the formation of similar processes in connection with the succeeding segment. The male of Scolytus ratzburghii has a tooth at the front margin of the third and fourth segments, that of S. multistvatus has a large tooth on the second segment beneath ; Ceuthorrhynchus sulcicollis has the last segment but one furnished with two smal! tubercles in the male, and the last segment has a depression bounded behind by a ridge, while in the allied C. ailiaviw the male has no tubercle on the penultimate, and the last has a hollow succeeded by atubercle. The males of most of the Centhorrhynchidei have the last ventrat abdominal segment impressed or foveate. Otiorrhynchus tenebvicosus and fuscipes have the segment deeply scratched in the male, smooth or punctured only in the female. 1892. ie eer ISi INA ORAS i 250 The male Cronus scrophularie has a ridge of yellow hair on the last segment. The male Miarus canpanule has the last ventral segment with two tubercles. Poy ME NOPTERA-ACULEATA Cre wNe ASHI & CHESHIRE, BY WILLOUGHBY GARDNER, F.R.G.S. (Continued from p. 208). FSA YRS: Another genus of parasitical Bees; they resemble the members of the genus Bombus, upon which they are parasitic, living apparently in perfect harmony with them in their nests; they consist of two sexes, male and female only, no neuter. The various species are usually promiscuous in the selection of their hosts, but the following are frequently associated together, viz.: P. rupesiris in nests of B. lapidarius. P. vestalis - 53 B. terresins. B. shrimshiranus. IB. pratovum, etc. , B. hortorum. MECC My | B. latriellellus. The species which have been taken 1n our district are :— PsirHyrus, Lep. rupestris, Fab.—Apathus, Newm.-—Only reported, so far, from West Kirby, |. .G.; and Thurstaston, W.G. vestalis, Fourc.—Southport, b.C.; Chat Moss, on catkins, J].R.H.; Weimer welclciys and Chester, h..Ny; Chester, C1: barbutellus, Kirb., wec Sm.—-campestris, Lhoms.?—Near Man- Binesnem@wa|ivoileon otvaimionl Stoll ta .8) Oxton, )W-Gy; Rock ie tata) Gr campestris, Panz.-— Jrossiel/us, Karb., Thoms. — Hough End Clough near Manchester, ].R.H.; Knowsley, near Liverpool, H.H.H. ; AbunGdmoneat WJelamere and Chester,, E.1:C., R-N. Two specimens taken at the Leadworks, Chester, are entirely black P. quadncolor ,, 05 varieties, R.N. quadricolor, Lep.—avrbutellus, Sm.—'Two very dark specimens fimiinonpe: Villa, (Chester, Ey 1°. APIS. eyprs. inn. mellifica,. Linn.—The hive bee. The variety ligustica occurs near Manchester, J.kt.H. 251 | THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [DECEMBER This completes our list of Hymenoptera-Aculeata from the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire, so far as observations have been recorded. It is, I trust, only a preliminary one, containing, as it does, but 164 of the 373 species described by Mr. Edward Saunders in his ‘‘ Synopsis,” as indigenous to the British Islands. It will be noticed that the records at present are confined to very few and scattered localities ; there is little doubt therefore that the investigation of hitherto unexplored districts will afiord material additions in the future. In conclusion, it may not be uninteresting to compare the above results with the two orders of insects of which local faunas have previously been compiled by the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo- logical Society, viz: Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, as follows : Species recorded from Lane. and Ches. Hymenoptera-Aculeata, 164; or 44 % of total British species (373). Lepidoptera, 15355 5 35g05 Sy 53 (2,079). Coleoptera, HOOF 5 20 ix (e5227)) TE 2 PE ORO el Nea © Foo kale ane BY Je Who Uns Bai aSe (Continued from p. 229). Oidematophorus lithodactyla, Tr.—This widely distributed and very distinct looking species seems fairly abundant wherever its food plant occurs. Synonymy—Lithodactyla, Tr. 1X., 2,225; Ev. ‘“‘ Faun. Vol. Ural.”, Go7; Zell “olsis,” 1341, 843) “Weim. it. Zena Vi lene ames oer 10;, V..p. 3785 Frey 414. — Septodaciyla, Vie DX i227) 2Aopeearong lon dacwyins, Dup. X1-; 313.3. Dessevadactyla, tiaw. -- Wepas eid eee oie Simulidactyla, Dale “ Mag. Llist.<, Vil., 2037 Stplis.. Wn vies 7i5e Sit. “Cat.” 31. Theres a. ereat deal ot dithiculine melarmemromenc synonymy of this species, which appears to be the tesseradactyla of Haworth and the similidactyla of Wale. ~ Of “this” 1 wrote. — ‘‘ Tessevadactyla 1s given as British by Haworth, but the species known on the Continent by this name is not a British insect, the name being applied to a species closely allied to gonodactyla. The Linnzan description, ‘‘Systema Nature” (12th edition, p. goo) might mean anything. Itis:- ‘Alucita alis patentibus fissis cinereo-nebulosis; posticis fusis.’ it is Haworth (quoting Fabricius’ description) writes : —‘Alis patentibus fissis cinereo-nebulosis, posticis fusco nebulosis,’ which is (except the last two words) exactly the Linnzan description; but Haworth adds :—-‘ Habitat prope Londinium at rarissime. If the Continental lepidopterists are right in their assignment of the correct 1892. | PES Bik tS Ho NAR DIR AICIST . BED) species (a noa-British one) to the Linnean name tesseradactyla, it becomes clear that Haworth’s tesseradactyla (a British one occurring near London) is not the Linnzan one. Haworth places the species between punct:dactyla and didactyla (== distans, according to my deter- mination), and the only British species which has occurred continuously near London, which is ‘‘ ashy-grey ” or clouded with ‘ ashy-grey,” is lithodactyla, a species which our early collectors must have known, and taking the few British species now known, that Haworth does not distinctly describe, I think it isimpossible to apply tlie description to any other Lritish species. Referring to the Continental tesseradactyla again, 1 dare say the Continental lepidopterists have a species, distinct from, but closely allied to gomodactyla ; but, | have some specimens of Continental tessevudactyla, which are entirely indistinguish- able from some large gonodaciyla | have bred. At any rate, I feel no doubt that the tessevadactyla of Haworth is the lzthodactyla of our present lists. This makes no difference to our nomenclature as tessevadactyla, Linn., 1s prior, and therefore tessevadactyla, Haw, simply becomes synonymous with lithodaciyla, Yreitschke. ‘Vhere is still another point—Wocke makes isodactyla, Zell, synonymous with similidactyla, Dale. But Dale’s description of s¢milidactyla is a first- class one of lthodactyla, and has nothing in common with isodactyla, ZNeeeloumea DupricAtEs—-Fine Blaudina, Davus (Scotch), Euphrosyne, V. urtice (Scotch), Mendica, -Fulgimosa and borealis, Lonicerw, Capsincota, .Myrice, Menyanthidis, Adusta, Rectilinea, H. -urtice, Duplaris (dark), Rurea (vars.) Polyodon (dark), Plantaginis, Conflua, Plecta, Wavaria, Maeulata, Atomaria, Pinetaria, Lobulata, -uffumata, Corylata (light), Testata, Populata (vars), Fumata, Atomalis, Hastiana, Ministrana,’ Cosmophorana, Ochracella.—T. Mappison, South _ Bailey, Durham. | he ' Dupricates.— Mgon, Blandina. Davus, Tilize, Lonicere, Filipendul, Petasitis, Conigera, — » Tritici, Carpophaga, Polyodou (black vars.) lestiva—vars. Biundularia, Zonaria, Silaceata, Ulmata, Basilinea, Umbrosa, Gothica, Rubricosa, Gracilis, Albicolon, Rurea, and vars. Testacea _ (dark and light), Micacea, V. aureum, &c:, &c. Desideiata, very many common species to enlarge series.—Joun KE, Rozson, Hartlepool. | Excuanen (Duplicates)— Velleda, Mundana, Fnlva, Nietitans, Lithoxylea, Rurea. Graminis, ~~ Oculea, Fasciuncula, Literosa, Furuneula, Arcuosa, Macilenta, Rufina, Chi, Protea, Candidata, * Aversata, Vulgata, Olivata, Rubiginata, Ocellata, Badiata, Immanata, Fulvata, Lutealis,- Prunalis,. Decrepitalis (2 or 3, fair), Cembre,. ubitalis, Murana, Octomaculana, Bertrami, _ Trigonodactylus, Caudana, Subjectana, Rubieila Albulata, Menthastri, Basiliuea, Biset sta, and Aprilina.—A. Apr Dalglish, 21, Princess Street, Pollockshiels, Glasgow. | -.. DUPLICATES. --Suspecta, Thalassina, Piecta, Pisi; Pudorina, Sparsata, Lonicers, Basilinea: Rurea and vars, Brunnea,'Gemina, Augur, Strigilis, Segetum, Vrapezina, Oleracea, Xantho-— _~ grapha, Comes, Senex (few), Ulmata, Festiva, and Blomeri.. Desiderata—Numerous, and Birds’ _ Egegs.—H. G. Porrer, 19, Price Street, York. ~ Biros’ Ecos For HxcHaNncE.—Great | lovers. Kazorbills, Guillemots, Jackdaws, Magpies (variable series or clutches), Sand Martins, Com ‘Terns, Puffins, Blackcaps, Partridges, Lap-~ wings, Moor Hens, and one Golden Plover.—Wanted Cuckoo’s eggs with clutches, and many other species.— E. G. Porrer, 19, Price Street, York. ss GHANGE OF ADDRESS. oe kK. Connrner, from St. Andrew’s, Bs to Mason College, Birmingham. : POeOMELERTINGS OF SOCIETIES. “ 7XITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY >) Meets on the First and Third Tuesdays in each month, at the London Institution, Finsbury Circus, E.C., from 7.30 to. 9.30 pm. ‘The following programme has been arranged for the coming winter: December 6th—Annual General Meeting. President’s — _ Address, etc. December zoth—‘‘The Colias edusa. of 1892,’’ by Mr. A. U. Battley. _ January 3rd.—Pocket Book exhibition. January 17th——‘‘ Stauropus. fagi,". by Mr. A. F. - Bayne.—A. U. Battley and J. A. Simes, Hon. Secs. ; - FO NTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, December the 7th, 1892, at 7 p.m. SN ies Papers to be read :—(r) ‘‘ Further observations upon Lepidoptera (Illustrated by the Oxy-hydrogen lantern), by Edward B, Poulton, M.A., BPRS eh 2 joan The Effects, of _ Temperature on the colouring of Pieris napi, Vanessa atalanta, Chrysophanus phigas, and ‘Tephrosia punctulata,’’ by Frederic Merrifield, F.E.S. (3) 0" Notes on Hydroptilide belonging to ‘the European Fauna, with descriptions of New Species, by Kenneth J. Morton; communicated by Robert McLachlan, PLR‘, (4) ‘On some neglected points in the Structure of the Pupa of Heterocerous Lepidoptera, and there probable value in classifica- tion: with some associated observations on. larval prolegs,”’ by Dr. Thomas Algernon .Chapman, M.D., PEGS 405) “Description of a new species of Butterfly, of the’ genus -Calinaga, from Siam,’’ by James Cosmo Melvill) M.As,«F.L-S. one t Rape “The Saebaithty Ge ial Ctiainetsrs of the British Coleoptera —J. W. Ellis, B. hi ee) ‘The Hymenoptera-Aculeata of Lane. and Cheshire.—'\V. Gar dner, F. R.G.S. fe _ The Pterophorina of Britain —J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. -Mollusea Notes . . i Naturalist of the day.—The Late Howard Ww. i Vania BES; pre. | Reports of Societies. ae yo ° General Notes oe ree Be ae yatss ae : Title Page and Index next Month. 5 TO CORRESPONDENTS. a, A Hortrait’...of tareu Flower, “KC B:, “part, - 0. Je Although eight extra pages are: given ith this part, a great Be ‘im ortant communications still stand over till next mon st aig porta bed 1 till stand till t the: _ Arrangements are now completed for continuing the “Molluscan Seen W. A. Gain, Esq., of Tuxford, Newark,’ has kindly undertaken the Land and — Fresh Water Mollusca, and Brocton Tomlin, Ksq., ‘of The Green, Llandaff, will — attend to the Marine Section. Communications may be made to either of these gentlemen. All letters requiring a reply by post should contain stanip. The Section for Coleoptera. is. conducted by G. A.’ Leweock, ne 73, a Oxford Rvad, Islington, to whom also direct communication may bemade. ne Mx. Lewcock also represents the Magazine in London, and will receive subscriptions, papers and notes for publication, &o., &e. : _ Subscriptions, exchanges, business dogeceonl anes notes, “papers for publication, and ali other. communications, to be addressed. —JoHN kt. Rozson, | ie _ HARTLEPOOL. : « Maa }) WwW. K. MAN N aN <— NATURALIST, ._ ee WELLINGTON TERRACE, CLIFTON, BRIS TO Cheap Sets of well- made Nafural History Apparatus for young beginners, Na ae all carriage paid. - FOR INSHCTS.—Net, Store Box, Pins Killing Box, Cork Boards, “Chip ‘Bo Label Lists, &c., 6/6. Sie eva FOR HGGS.—Drills, Blowpipes, Collecting Box, Label List, es rete alia: FOR SHELES. —Dredging Scoop, Boxes, and Glass Collecting Tubes, Bi6:. 4 FOR BOTANICAL SPHECIMHNS.—Botan icalCollecting Case, the Pa A atl) Fera and Plant Digger, and Boxes, 3/6 — FOR FOSSILS AND MINERALS. --Geological Hammer and 1 Chisel, Bo and Labels for specimens, 3/6. eh | All orders are carefully packed and despabbed On ¥ “dais of order. ee Ay oS nA ee ~~ A very large stock of Birds’ Eggs and Skins, Lepidoptera, Shells, Naeieal’ ‘History Boks and ae barat NEW CATALOGUE Cae 2 ay | ( Printed be B. .. Ons 69, High Street, ‘Hawhlessels and. published by Massns. Sy SoxnenscHEIN & Co., Paternoster Square, E. ote pes ih : _ 7 2» = a Soe oe ee he Ue eee Oe ee | i emai al ll ee le ad RE a ek ee OT a ok i gel es ea ‘_fe. fe”. s+ 2 ~~ 8. jo8 ee 0S. Le ee See TT S)hl CC Chr lee ee a , , 7 5 a . a wo n - Z enon rl ** > F L - - —_ ? ‘ \