ones i nat Mtn ate don l ee ee aed, pied te Sefer tom mt ' Si, a ig ‘ Ai. | i h ha Ce aes mee Ay et BORNE Ym ay ait oy, Ay hy an ui iy te) Sl ea er F ri etd Ce i ae LU Need 8 ‘if amt a Pt E. NEWMAN, PRINTER, 9, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE. be wall ¥ 2 UY Que hig) vy ep THE ENTOMOLOGIST: CONDUCTED BY EDWARD NEWMAN. VOLUME II. 224 LONDON: EDWARD NEWMAN, 9, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE. 1864—5. The helpless, crawling caterpillar trace From the first period of his reptile race. Clothed in dishonour, on the leafy spray Unseen he wears his silent hours away ; Till, satiate grown of all that life supplies, Self-taught, the voluntary martyr dies. Deep under earth his darkling course he bends, And to the tomb a willing guest descends ; There, long secluded in his lonely cell, Forgets the sun, and bids the world farewell. O’er the wide wastes the wintry tempests reign, And driving snows usurp the frozen plain : In vain the tempest beats, the whirlwind blows ; No storms can violate his grave’s repose. But when revolving months have won their way, When smile the woods, and when the zephyrs play, When laughs the vivid world in summer's bloom, He bursts, and flies triumphant from the tomb ; And while his new-born beauties he displays, With conscious joy his altered form surveys. Mark, while he moves amid the sunny beam, O’er his soft wings the varying lustres gleam. Launched into air, on purple plumes he soars, Gay Nature’s face with wanton glance explores ; Proud of his varying beanties, wings his way, And spoils the fairest flowers, himself more fair than they. ANON. PREFACE. THE ‘ENTOMOLOGIST’ was projected and commenced in October, 1840, the first number being published on the Ist of November of that year. The First Volume, consisting of twenty-six sixpenny numbers, was completed on the Ist of December, 1842, with the following announcement :— “The ‘Entomologist’ under its present title will now cease, but the spirit of the work, more particularly as regards those brief but highly interesting communications which my correspondents have from time to time contributed to the chapter intituled ‘ Varieties, will be continued in the pages of the ‘ Zoologist.’ ” This announcement was literally and effectively carried out, the ‘ Zoologist’ being the only medium through which entomologists corresponded until April, 1856, when Mr. Stainton commenced the ‘Entomologist’s Weekly Intelli- gencer, and thus divided the entomological public. The ‘ Intelligencer’ came to a close in 1861, Mr. Stainton writing thus in explanation :— “ Entomology in England is passing through a phase of depression ; we doubt much if we could now make out a list of 500 English entomologists: to what extent this may have arisen from the Volunteer movement, the deleterious effects of which have been so great, it is impossible to say ; but this is evident, that, as action and reaction are equal and op- posite, and as a few years back Entomology in England was unnaturally buoyant, so now it is depressed in a corre- sponding degree.” My entomological correspondents seemed to think dif- ferently ; for not only during the existence of the ‘ Intel- ligencer’ was I repeatedly pressed to undertake a journal devoted to the Science, but in the interval between the demise of the ‘Intelligencer’ and the birth of the short-lived ‘Weekly Entomologist’ I had no less than ninety-seven pressing solicitations to commence an entomological perio- dical. v1 PREFACE. After waiting a while to ascertain whether anyone would venture on the vacated territory, and painfully aware of the overcrowded state of the ‘ Zoologist,’ leading to the postpone- ment, and sometimes to the rejection, of papers of great interest, which I should have been only too glad to publish, I yielded to pressure, and determined to revive the ‘ Ento- mologist.’ Like Rip van Winkle, it awoke after a twenty years’ slum- ber, rubbed its eyes, and stepped forth amongst its living namesakes with all the formality of its pristine appearance. A few months have altered this, and the ‘ Entomologist’ of 65, although commenced with due solemnity, is as different from the ‘ Entomologist’ of ’42 as good sound Saxon is from the canine Latin in which I formerly had the misfortune to rejoice. It became obvious that | had mistaken my calling. I had no skill in that very peculiar language which, like the Rev. Edward Irving’s, owes its popularity to its obscurity. No sooner was the changed character of the ‘ Entomolo- gist’ apparent than entomologists came fluttering round me like moths to sugar: they could not fail to be struck with the change they had effected, and with the altered tone of a periodical which, on awaking, threatened such rigid formality, and which has in a few short months become the most free- and-easy of all scientific journals. Whoever wants Volume I. will, I fear, want in vain; it reposes in peace on the shelves of the British Museum, the Universities, and the learned societies, but has long since disappeared from the bookseller’s counter. The inconve- nience of the late appearance of this second volume is, how- ever, more than counterbalanced by the non-necessity for a new name. Purchasers need not be told that each volume is complete in itself, and has uo necessary connexion with the other. EDWARD NEWMAN. CONTENTS. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. Anprews, Rev. Prercy, M.A., 175, 296 ArcentT, Wo., 177 ARMISTEAD, WILSON, 253 Barrett, C. G., 228 Batrerssy, W. G., 251 BELL, J. W. B., 340 Bipcoop, Wo., 341 BieneE Lt, G. C., 293, 294, 295, 315 Brircwatt, Enwin, 97, 133, 152, 255, 256, 329, 336 Bircwatr, Henry, 163 Buiackmore, Trovey, 70 Bonnor, C. M., 287, 295 Bono, Freperick, 70 Browne, Rev. Watrter E., 324 Brunton, Tuomas, 251 Burney, Rev. Henry, M.A., 253 Burton, Davin T., 290 Currrorp, J. R.8., 100, 132, 133, 159, 160, 226, 268, 288, 289, 298, 329, 344 Cioee, STEPHEN, 338, 341 Cornisu, THomas, 98 Couttas, Harnanp, 251 Crorcn, G. R., 167, 178, 179, 181, 189, 209, 210, 213, 216, 225, 259, 261, 268, 302, 372 Crorcu, W. D., 111, 176, 179 Curzon, Epwin, 325 Davis, 8. A., jun., 306, 312 Dett, J. S., 85, 293, 305, 315, 343 DonaLpson, ANDREW, 134 Dovustepay, Henry, 251, 294, 305, 327 Drewirt, R. D., 343 Dumspay, ALBERT, 102 Dutton, Joun, 340, 341 Epveston, R. 8., 150 Extison, Miss Marrua, 324 Firsy, Epwarp, 287 FisHer, MarsHatt, 40 Frencu, Davin Joun, 328 Gac.uiarpI, Rev. P. J., 192 GascoynE, GEORGE, 69, 184 Gipson, B., 145 Gisson, WittiaM, 84, 86, 101, 118, 227, 292, 299 GILBERT, JAMES, 68 Greene, Rev. J.. M.A., 116, 158, 190, 325, 344 Greeson, Wm., 287, 313 Gunn, T. E., 324 HapFieLp, Capt. Henry, 147, 339 Hammonp, W. O., 94 Harovine, H. J., 193, 194, 319 Haywarp, W., 292, 296, 297, 313 Heaty, Crarwes, 126, 129 Hottranp, B., 311 Horton, Rev. E., 98, 287 Hutcuinson, Mrs. E. S., 317, 329, 343 Jennines, Rev. P. H., 254, 325 Kenprick, B., 70 Lasr, Timotny, 296 Latuam, A. G., 318 Leacu, Ricuarp, H. W., 192 Lewis, GEorGgE, 134 Licuron, Rev. Sir C. R., Bart., 133, 328 LLEWELYN, J. T. D., 147 Lowneg, Brng., T., M.R.C.S. Engl., 275, 331 MacLean, A., M.D., 288 Mautiock, Miss MareGarer, 312 Martruew, Murray W , 324 Mawson, GrorGeE, 151, 152 Menrnuin, Josernu, 177, 325, 328 Vili Moncrearr, Henry, 86, 100, 144, 145, 177, 179, 191, 294, 295, 297, 300, 311 Mutter, ALBERT, 70, 252, 300 NevILLE, Witson, 299 Newman, Epwarp Descriptions of larve, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 32, 32, 33, 34, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 61, 73, 74, 77, 79, 81, 82, 83, 89, 90, 92, 113, 121, 125, 141, 156, 201, 202, 221, 223, 224 Life-histories, 123, 137, 139, 158, 154, 243, 244, 246, 249, 263, 264, 265, 280, 285, 291, 314 Miscellaneous, 28, 67, 98, 140, 155, 161, 162, 208, 231, 233, 254, 290, 298, 314, 318, 328, 340 Newnan, Henry, 297 Nickisson, Rev. W., M.A., 317 Norman, GEorGe, 327, 342, 345 Owen, ALFRED, 340, 342 Prxrs, JouHN, 33, 54, 55, 62, 63, 97, 135, 250 Porritt, G. T., 288 Power, J. Arraur, M.D., F.R.G:S., 197, 269, 270, 322, 323 Pristo, J., 144, 148, 149, 305, 320 Ranson, Joun, 119, 146 REEKs, HEnry, 68, 161, 174, 178 Rowe, W. J., 195 CONTENTS. Seamay, C. E., 84, 98 Srymour, C., 99 Smiru, FREDERICK, 229, 234, 270, 301, 302, 303, 305 SmirH, SrvepuEn P., 342 SrEvENs, SamMuEL, F.L.S., 119 Srewart, Colonel, 102 Stockley, GeorGe, 208 Stone, S., F.S.A., 84, 98, 295, 318 Srusss, Cuantes K., 324 Titrman, J. H., 341 TEARLE, Epwin, 102 TuHorncrort, THomas, 289 Topp, Rev, E. Hatters, 100, 133, 157, 246, 344 Tuerty, N. C., 42, 294, 295 Watse_er, Francis, F.L.S., 99, 318, 320 Watton, J., 56 Watkins, W., 316 Weir, J. JENNER, 132 West, WittiamM, 86, 345 Wuiraker, J. W., 341 WuirtE, Rev. H. J., 68 Wauyatrt, R., 69 Witkinson, F., 342 Wits, JAMES, 321 Winter, Joun N., 297 Winter, W., 172 Wratis.aw, A. H., 340 Wricut, ALFRED, 296 Wrient, R. W., 72 Youne, ArrHuR, 230 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SUBJECTS. Absidia pilosus, 171 Abundance of butterflies, 287 or rarity of species, 179 Acantholepis Kirbii, 333 > mamillatus, id. tuberculatus, 332 Acari on the wings of Triphena pro- nuba, 100 Acheroutia Atropos, 133, 286, 287; in Ireland, 251; life-history of, 280, 286; in Lancashire, 287 ; larve, id.; near Witney, 295 ; near Minehead, id.; near Hull, 296; near Devonport, tao at Ipswich, id.; barren females of, id.; mear Portsea, 297; at CONTENTS. 1X Leominster, 297; barren females bred, 305, 325; at Portsdown, 311; at Lytham, 313; near De- vonport, id.; near Woodbridge, 324 ; at Henley-on-Thames, id. ; near Luton, 325; on the mode in which it makes its noise, td.; at Eastbourne, 341 ; in Cornwall, id. Acidalia incanata, larva, 344! 6 mancuniata, a new British species, 343 Ph rubricata at Brandon, 70 Acronycta Aceris, larva, 43, 102 o Alni, 287; at Worcester, 316 es Myrice in Ireland, 251 ss) strigosa, larva, 156 Agamogenesis, 28, 254 Agrophila sulphuralis, capture of, 205 Agrotis exclamationis, larva, 68 Akis acuminata, 58 Amber and Animé, insects in, 22 Amphipyra pyramidea, larva, 52 Amphydasis betularia, 150 53 prodromaria, 338 ; Wank Analytical Notices: — The ‘ Ento- mologist’s Annual’ for 1864, 1; lar- * Natural History of the Tineina,’— vol. vili., 15; ‘ Naturalist,’ 21, 40, 96; ‘ Naturalists Scrap-Book,’ 21; ‘Young England, 21, 66, 96, 143; ‘ Transactions of the Entomological Society of Lon- don, 29; ‘ Entomologist’s Month- ly Magazine,’ 38, 64, 94, 114, 130, 142; ‘ Catalogue of Coleopterous Insects of the Canaries, in the Collection of the British Museum,’ 57; ‘ Transactions of the Ento- mological Society of New South Wales,’ vol. i, 105; ‘Canadian Naturalist, No. 4, new series, 132 Anarta Myrtilli, 268 Anchoscelis pistacina, larva, 46 Ancistronycha abdominalis, 168 Angerona prunaria, larva, 10 Animé, insects in, 22 Anisoxya fuscula, 189 Anobium, a new, 270 nigrinum, 271 Anthocharis Cardamines; larva, 73 ; autumnal brood, 293; food- -plant, 306 Anthocomus equestris, 215 Ss fasciatus, id. Ps sanguinolentus, zd. terininatus, zd. Anticlea badiata, larva, 13 ss derivata, larva, 19 ds rubidata, larva, 12 Anuspila Pieifferella, moulting, eco- homy and pupation, 129 - Treitschkiella, moulting, economy and pupation, 126 Ants, natural history of Australian, 275, 331 » British species at Bourne- mouth, 303 Apalochrus feioralis, 213 Apiarian intelligence, 254 Arge Galathea, life-history of, 263 Argynnis, predilection of different species for different kinds of fo- restry, 294 *3 Aglaia, id. a Lathonia near Ramsgate, 132; at Braintree, 311; in Nor- folk, 324; at Aldeburgh, 340; in the Isle of Wight, id. ; at Dover, id. = Paphia, larva, 77 Argyresthia nitidella, larva, 63 Artichoke-gall, 99 Aspilates citraria, larva, 125, 145 Atmospheric changes, influence of upon insect life, 193 Atomaria ferruginea at Birdbrook, 322 Attalus Cardiace, 215 Australian ants, natural history of, 270, 331 Axinotarsus pulicarius, 214 af ruficollis, id. Baikie, Dr., death of, 174 Bees, early swarm of, 56 Beetles, bait for, 134 Biston hirtarius, life-history of, 285 Blown-over theory, 289 x CONTENTS. Boarmia perfumaria, life-history of, 246 Boletobia fuliginaria at Clapham, 70 Bombyx Callune, life-history of, 137; and B. Quercus, differen- tiation’of the two allied species, 140 PA peustria, scarcity of, 160 ; larva, 177; glutinous secretion of female, id.; life-history of, 265 ; near Wimbledon, 329 33 Quercus, life-history of, 139, 140 4 Rubi, 144 ; how to rear the larve, 192 ae Trifolii, life-history of, 291; at Morice Town, 315 Borborophora Saulcyi, a new British Brachelytron, 208 Breeding Lepidoptera in confine- ment, 344 Bryoyhila glandifera, larva, 35 Butterflies, forty thousand pounds’ worth of, 56, 70,367; in Devon, 293 Butterfly, supposed new British, 312 Callimorpha dominula, variety of, 87 Calosoma inquisitur near Burton- on-Trent, 321 Camptogramma fluviata in South Wales, 316 ‘Canadian Naturalist,’ 132 Captures at Monk’s Wood, Hunts, 268 ; on the Bircb Wood day, 269, 270 Caradrina cubicularis, food of the larvee, 205 * Catalogue of the Coleopterous In- sects of the Canaries,’ 57 Catocala Fraxini in the Isle of Wight, 305 Cattle disease in America caused by an insect, 299 Celery-fly at Manchester, 318 Cells, form of, 14 Ceuthorhynchus and its allies, 259 inornatus, 179 suturalis, 845 Charop us flavipes, 216 Chelonia villica, larva, 144, 221 _ caja, ‘peculiarity in the structure, 86 ” Cherocampa Celerio at Hudders- field, 288; near Hull, 327; larva, id.; at Taunton, 341; at South- sea, 342; near York, id. Choleva angustata and its varieties, 322 » cisteloides, zd. » intermedius, zd. eI SLULnOAIIS ed: Chortobius Davus, larva, 83, 254 es Pamphilus, larva, 89 “5 Typhon, 254 Cicada anglica, 147; synonymy of, 207 Cidaria immanata, life-history of, 154, 155 5 miata, hybernation of, 208, 233 33 ribesiaria, larva, 33 Pe russata, life-history of, 153, 155; and C. immanata, differ- entiation of, 155 Coceus-galls of Australia, 107 Cockchaffer, larva of, and the cattle plague, 321 Ceenonympha Davus, 232 Typhon, id. Coleophora Artemesicolella, 150 my cespitiella, 299 5 orbitella, 150 Coleoptera, a genus of new to Bri- tain, 189 ; new British, 208 ; cap- tures of rare, 229; abundance of in Switzerland, 252; Turner's captures of, 270 Coleopterous fauna of the Atlantic, 111 Colias Edusa, 148, 293; at Green- hithe, 289; in the Isle of Wight, 292 ; near Devonport, id.; at Ply- mouth, 293 ; hybernation of, 305 5 at Portsdown, 311; in Ireland, 324; in Cornwall, 338; in No- vember, 339; at Exmouth, 340; at Eastbourne, id.; life-history scraps in re, zd. Colias Hyale, 293; 340 Collectors, 204 at Exmouth, entomological, abroad, CONTENTS. X1 Colymbetes fuscus infested by a fungus, 195 Coremia unidentaria, food-plant, 88 Corycia temerata, larva, 125 Cosmia affinis, larva, 143 Pa diffinis, larva, zd. nl trapezina, larva, 49 Cosmopteryx, European species of, 30 larva, 19; Crematogaster leviceps, 335 os pallidus, zd. a piceus, zd. Crickets and cockroaches, 146, 161 Cryphalus Tiliz in Britain, 228 Cryptocephalus pubescens, 336 Cryptophagus serratus, 210 Cymatophora ocularis, 69 5 ridens, how to look for, 151 Cynips lignicola, 99; dimorphism in the genus, 204 Cynthia Cardui, 149; at Instow, 324 Cyrnus, 65 Dasycampa rubiginea in Oatlands Park, 119 Dasypolia Templi, 145; at Howth, 133 Dasytes, synonymy of, 225 Death of larve in a state of nature, 251 Deilephila Celerio at Brighton, 297 ~ lincata in Cumberland, 341; near Biggleswade, id. Depressaria olerella, 143 Dermestes lardarius a wood-borer, 301 Diantheecia Barrettii, 255 = capsopbila bred, 255, 338 Dicranura vinula, 149, 159 Dimorphism in the genus Cynips, 204 Dosithea eburnata at Bangor, 70 Doubleday’s Supplement, 253 Dromius fasciatus at Littlington, 323 Dying of caterpillars, 151 Ebeus pedicularius, 215 Ebzus thoracicus, 216 Ecnomus, 64 Egg-parasite on Pygera bucephala, 320 Endromis versicolor, life-history of, 184 Ennomos alniaria at Southsea, 145 Entomological Society, 22, 87, 102, 135, 163, 195, 211, 236, 256, ‘272 ‘ Entomologist’s Annual’ for 1864, 1 ‘Entomologist’s Monthly Maga- zine, 38, 64, 94, 114, 130, 142 Ephyra pendularia, 86 » trilinearia, larva, 17 Epione apiciaria, larva, 221 Epunda nigra, 94 39 lichenea, larva, 344 + lutulenta in Gloucester- shire, id. Erastria venustula, 72; at Epping Forest, 317 Kriogaster lanestris, life-history of, 264 Erodius europeus, 58 Eunectes sticticus, 210 Eupithecia consignata at Leomin- sler, 343 5 pulchellata, food-plant, 71 3 subciliata at Denbigh, 70 a subumbrata, larva, 94 Euplexia lucipara, 85 Female of Lepidoptera, does it emerge from the pupa before the male? 336 Fidonia carbonaria, larva, 314 Flies killed by fly-papers, 134 Fluid ejected by larve, 135 Formica eneovirens, 276 a consobrina, 277 55 erythrocephala, 278 s gracilis, 280 P- ivequalis, 331 3 intrepida, 277 3 itinerans, 278 = minuta, 331 Ps nigroenea, 277 Be nitida, id xil Formica purpurascens, 331 as purpurea, 275 yy rufonigra, 279 » Smithii, 276 4) terebrans, 278 Fulgora laternaria, luminosity of, 302 Galls made by a Cynips, 164, 253 ; rose-shaped, of the willow, 234 Geophilus electricus a food of Co- leoptera, 41, 102 Goat-moth, age of larva of, 86 Gonepteryx Rhamni, larva, 74; in Treland, 97, 148 Gonioctena affinis, occurrence of, 232 Gracilaria syringella, 16 Gymnetron, Monograph of, 216 45 Beccabunge, 219 ary Campanule, 220 is collinus, 219 3 Graminis, 220 i labilis, 219 rn Linarie, id. he melanarius, zd. ae Micros, 220 a Noctis, id. 55 Pascuorum, 218 ss Plantarum, 221 53 Rostellum, 219 5 villosulus, 218 Gynandromorphism in Lycena Ar- giolus, 295 Hampshire a good collecting couuty, 305 Harvest bugs, 147 Hearing of insects, 345 Heliothis peltigera, larva of, feeding on the common marigold, 343 Hepialus Humuli, singular geo- graphical race of, 162, 176 Hister, notes on the genus, 307 » bimaculatus, 310 », bissexstriatus, zd. » cadaverinus, 308 » _ earbonarius, 309 » 12-striatus, 311 5, fimetarius, id. » marginatus, 310 » lMerdarius, 309 » neglectus, id. CONTENTS. Hister purpurascens, 309 » 4-maculatus, 308 » 4-notatus, 310 » 14-striatus, 311 », Stercorarius, 310 » succicola, 308 » Uuncinatus, 310 » unicolor, 308 Honey, French, 227 Hybernia leucophzaria, larva, 202 - Tupicapraria, larva, 141 Hydrilla palustris, 27 Hydropsyche ophthalmica, 8 Hypebeus flavipes, 216 Hypbidrus variegatus in Britain, 206 Hymenopteron, aquatic habit of a, id. Hymenopterous parasite in cocoon of Odonestis potatoria, 145 Hypebeus flavipes, 216 Ino Geryon, food-plant of, 87 Insects, larval reproduction in, 56 3 in amber and animé, 22; on the under side of stones, 204 Todis vernaria, oviposition in, 314 Ivy-blossoms at Torquay, 116 Killing insects for the cabinet, 176 Lanthorn-fly, luminosity of the, 22 Larentia cexsiata, larva, 32 i salicaria in South Wales, 316 Larve re-imbibing ejected fluid, 69 ; obtaining nourishment from the ega, 227 Larval reproduction in insects, 56 Lasiocampa Quercifolia, larva, 144 Latridius testaceus, 179 Laurel-box versus pill-box, 116 Laverna decorella, ecouoiny of, 206 Lepidoptera, a list of, collected in Persia, 230; at Howth, 256; near Leominster, 317; does the male or the female first emerge from the pupa? 336 Leuctra, females carrying eggs, 207 Limuephilus nobilis, 7 Lipara lucens, life-history of, 172 Liparis aurifiua, poisonous property of the larva, 191 CONTENTS. Liparis Chrysorrhoea, larva feeding on a blackberry, 342 ns Salicis, larva, 191 Lithosia caniola, life-history of, 123 ; larve, 255, 337 Lobophora polycommata, 151; va, 201 Lobophora viretata, 151 Locusts in Cornwall, 98 Luperina cespitis at Deal, 194 Lycena Alexis, pupa of producing parasite and imago, 295 * Argiolus, Gynandromorph- ism in, id. 53 Arion near Plymouth, id. MacLeay, W. Sharp, death of, 211 Macroglossa Stellatarum, larve, at Devonport, 297; habits, 298; at Instow, 324, 328; does it hyber- nate? is it double-brooded ? zd. ; two winters in pupa ? zd.; settling on coal? id.; in Piccadilly, 342; abundance of, id. lar- Malachius, alterations of nomen- clature in the genus, 209 3 eneus, 213 dy bipustulatus, 214 _ marginellus, id. 5p spinosus, 7d. viridis, zd. Male of Lepidoptera, does it emerge from the pupa before the female? 336 Malthinus and Malthodes, 181 Malthodes atomus, 182 “ biguttatus, id. $ brevicollis, id. PA dispar, 183 + fibulatus, 182 . flavoguttatus, 183 ah minimus, éd. “ inysticus, 182 pellucidus, 183 Mamestra albicolon on the Lanca- shire coast, 256 Mania maura, larva, 53 Meligethes, destructive economy of, 40 Melitwa Athalia, life-history of, 243 Melyride, notes on the, 213 Xlil Miarus, 218 Micra ostrina, new locality for, 233 Migration of butterflies, 163 Monosynamma Scotti, 9 Monotoma 4-foveolata, 179 Moths on trunks of trees, 101 Myrmecia gulosa, 335 -s nigrocincta, 336 wa urens, 2d. Myrmica longiceps, 334 ‘ Natural History of the Tineina,’ 15 ‘ Naturalist, 21, 40, 96 Necrobia violacea in a brick wall, 345 Necrophorus, revision of the British species, 197 me germanicus, 198 bs Mortuorum, id. <3 Vespillo, id. vestigator, zd. Nemeobius Lucina, larva, 113 Neureclipsus, 64 Noctua rhomboidea, larva, 45 » xanthographa, larva, id. Nomenclature, alterations in, 142 Nonagria lutosa, larva, 224 "5 neurica, at Horning Fen, 86 ws pudorina, larva, 224 Nothus, remarks on the genus, 261 Notodonta bicolor in [reland, 71; in Staffordshire, 316 a Carmelita, how to look for, 151 dromedarius, double- brooded, 316 “ trepida, how to look for, 151 Omalium rugulipenne, 5 Ophiodes lunaris in Ireland, 86 Orgyia antiqua, 289 » fascelina, 337 » pudibunda, 144 Oviposition in Lodis vernaria, 314 Ovoviviparous moth, 108 Oxypoda glabriventris, 207 Pachyta livida at Birch Wood, 290 ; resisting vegetable poisons, 290, 300 Parasite and imago produced from pupa of Lycena Alexis, 295 xiv Parasites upon wasps, 98 ; dipterous, on frog, 109 Parasitism not fatal, 72 Pericallia Syringaria emerging in October, 102 Peronea caledoniana, larva, 63 Peronea permutana at NewBrighton, Gly Philhydrus maritimus, 5 Phleotrya rufipes, 178 Phragmatecia Arundinis, larva, 90 Pieris Brassice, abundance of the larve, 147 » Napi, larva, 61 Pill-box versus laurel-box, 157, 158, 174, 175 Platypteryx unguicula, larva, 34 Podabrus alpinus, 168 Pecilocampa Populi, 133; life-his- tory of, 246 Polia Chi, larva, 50 » Havocincta, larva, 51 Polymorphism, 14, 26 Polyommatus Hippothoé near West- bury, 71; larva, 90 x Phleas, larva, 121 Polyrachis Ammon, 333 BA foveolatus, 334 a Hookeri, zd. 3 Latreillei, 333 Presentation of a silver vase to Mr. Saunders, 135 Preservation of larve, 161, 177, 178 Procris Geryon, larva, 131 Pseudopterpna cytisaria, larva, 223 Pterophorous larva on a Geranium, 42 Pterophorus trigonodactylus, larva, 38 Pupe of Lepidoptera, method of keeping, 317 Pyrameis Cardui, larve of, 305 Re-imbibition of fluid ejected by Tortrix larve, 97 Rhagonycha elongatus, 172 “ fulvus, 171 3 fuscicornis, id. a limbatus, id. 5 pallidus, 172 CONTENTS. Rhagonycha testaceus, 171 in translucidus, 171; at Darenth, 208 Rhinusa, 218 Ripiphorus paradoxus, larva and pupa, 84 Ro:e-beetle preying upon the tur- nip-grub, 300 Satyrus Galathea, 148 » Hyperanthus, larva, 82 », Janira, life-history of, 244 ; variety, 294 » Megera, larva, 81 Saunders, Mr. W. W., presentation of a vase to, 135 Scopelusoma satellitia, larva, 47 Seasons, exceptional, 315 Sesia Scolieformis, 88 Sex of larve, 86, 118 Silis ruficollis, 172 Sitones gressorius, 211 » lineellus, zd. Smerinthus, how many times do the larve of change their skins? 67, 100 Species of Coleoptera new to Bri- tain, 210; and varieties, 235 Sphinx Convolvuli near Devonport, 313; at Ramsgate, 325 » lineata, 149 Spiders of Hierro, lethiferous, 179 » preying upon earwigs, 226 » something new in, 152 Sterrha Sacraria near Worthing and near Brighton, 315 ; at Plymouth, id.; in the Isle of Wight, 342, 343; near Horsham, 343; at sugar near Exeter, zd. ; bred, ¢d. Stones, insects on the under side of, 204 Stylopide, Neuropterous, 203 Stylops, natural situation of among insects, 231 Sugar-mixture for moths, receipt for the, 68 » thieves at the, 133 Superabundance of common larve, 152 Syrphus Pyrastri, multitudes of in the Isle of Wight, 84 CONTENTS. XV Teniocampa minivosa, life-history of, 249 Telephorus, revision of the British species, 167 a assimilis, 169 a bicolor, 170 5 figuratus, 169 ss fulvicollis, 170 zs fuscus, 168 = hemorrhoidalis, 171 3 lateralis, 170 | 5 lividus, 169 ae nigricans, 168 i obscurus, 2d. = paludosus, 170 . pellucidus, 168 5 rufus, 169 - rusticus, 168 = thoracicus, 170 Telmatophilus, notes on the genus, 209 Temperature, mildness of at Tor- quay, 190 Thecla Quercus, 312 Thymele Alveolus, 149 Tortrix and other larve, spotting of, 54; larvae, fluid ejected by, 55 » Ministrana, egg and larva, 250 » Vviburnana, larva, 62 Toxocampa Craccz in Devon, 87 ‘ Transactions of the Entomological Society of London,’ 29 Triphena orbona, larva, 44 Trochilium chrysidifurme at Folke- stone, 313 Trogophleus tenellus, 4 Trombidium holosericeum, 192 - Lapidum, 143 Trunks of trees, moths on, 101 Turiip-grub preyed upon by the great rove-beetle, 300 Vanessa Antiopa near Tenterden, 341 5 C-Album, larva, 79; hy- bernation, 98 ss Urtice, 132, 294; abun- dance and temporary disappear- ance of, 251, 288; eygs of, 288 ; disappearance of, id.; first ap- pearance of, 294 Vespa norvegica, 319 3, britannica, zd. Wasps in Yorkshire, 119; none at Bournemouth in 1865, 303 ; scar- city of, 318, 329; at Ilkley, 329 Xylomiges conspicillaris at Worces - ter, 316 ‘Young England,’ 66, 96, 143 Zeuzera Aisculi, larve of, 68, 92 Zyygena Filipendule, larve of as food of the hoopoe, 290 THE ENTOMOLOGIST is a Popular Monthly Journal of British Entomology and Entomological Gossip, published at Sixpence each Number, or Siz Shillings a year, the postage prepaid. Subscriptions may commence — either on the \st of January or the 1st of July, at the option of the subscriber, and will always include thirteen sixpenny numbers. This Volume, containing Twenty-two Monthly Numbers, bound and lettered, is published at Seven Shillings. Any single Number or Numbers may be obtained at this office on forwarding Sixpence each in Postage Stamps. Please address all commu- nications, and remit all payments, to Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, London, N.E. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 1.] MAY, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Analytical Notice of the ‘ Entomologist’s Annual’ for 1864. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row. Fcp. 8vo. 172 pp. letterpress; 1 plain Plate. Price Half-a-crown. Ever welcome is Mr. Stainton’s ‘Annual.’ Should he abandon it a gap in entomological literature. would be severely felt, unless some other devoted patron of the Science supplied its place. The present ‘Annual’ is infe- rior to none that have preceded it, either in the quantity or quality of its contents; and I believe the only alteration that can be spoken of as derogating from its value—1 mean, of course, the non-coloration of the plate—was a matter of accident, and not of design. The contents are as under :— 1. Travel. By H. T. Stainton, F.L.S. 2. A Journey to Finmark. By Dr. Wocke and Dr. Stau- dinger. 3. Coleoptera.— New British Species, Corrections, &c., noticed since the publication of the ‘ Entomologist’s Annual,’ 1863. By E. C. Rye. 4. On the Variation of Species. By H. W. Bates. 5. The Species of the Lepidopterous Genus Ino of Leach, together with some Preliminary Remarks on Local Varieties. By Dr. Staudinger. 6. Hymenoptera.—Notes on Hymenoptera. By Frederick Smith. 7. Lepidoptera.—Notes on New and Rare Species of Le- pidoptera (excepting Tineina) for 1863, by H. G. Knaggs, M.D.; with Descriptions of Two Species of Noctua new to Science, by Henry Doubleday. 8. Notes on British Trichoptera. By R. M‘Lachlan, F.L.S. 9. Hemiptera.—Additions to the Fauna of Great Britain, and Descriptions of Two New Species. By John Scott. NEW SERIES. A 2 ie THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 10. Observations on Tineina. By H. T. Stainton, F.1.8. Addresses of Entomologists. It is necessary to state that many of these articles are extracted, in whole or in part, from other sources, —a practice which certainly detracts nothing from their value, . but which renders it unnecessary for me to do more than refer my reader to the originals. Art. 2, extending to 24 pages, is translated from the Stettin ‘Entomologische Zeitung’ for 1861, pp. 325 — 34]. Art. 4, extending to 8 pages, is extracted from ‘The Na- turalist on the Amazons, by H. W. Bates, vol. 1. pp. 255— 265. Art. 5, extending to 13 pages, is translated from the Stettin ‘ Entomologische Zeitung’ for 1862, pp. 341—359. The remaining papers are more or less original. Mr. Stainton’s paper, Art. 1, intituled “ Travel,” is—not very intelligible: it appears that he has visited Para with Mr. Bates, the Organ Mountains with Mr. Hinchliff, New- foundland and Labrador with Mr. Noble, Newcastle by him- self, the Eastern Archipelago with Mr. Wallace, Frankfort with Frey and Heyden, and Norway with Staudinger and Wocke. As in the modern system of bathing, the extremes of heat and cold were very marked, and I hope invigorating and beneficial to the patient: the information conveyed by the paper is nil. « Mr. Rye’s paper is one of great value; but so many of the species mentioned have been noticed in the ‘ Zoologist’ that I can do no more than repeat the references, making a few brief observations on those which now appear for the first time. Forty species have been added to our catalogue of Coleoptera during the year; four of these are new to Science, and twelve have been confounded. with others already known as English. I will enumerate the species noticed, as arranged and numbered by the author; Mr. Rye makes Mr. Water- house’s ‘ Catalogue’ his start-point, and gives them as addi- tions and emendations to that useful work. 1. Amara brunnea of Gyllenhal to be struck out, for the reason assigned by Mr. Rye, Zool. 8530. 2. Trechus obtusus of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8615. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 3 8. Bembidium Fockii of Hummel to be added. See Zool. 8610. 4. Bembidium Mannerheimii of Sahlberg to be added. See Zool. 8652. 5. Aleochara inconspicua of Aubé to be added. See Zool. 8534. 6. Oxypoda umbrata of Mannerheim to be added. See Zool 8476. 7. Oxypoda lentula of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8614. 8. Oxypoda misella of Kraatz to be added. See Zool. 8615. : 9. Homalota velox of Kraatz to be added. See Zool. 8453. 10. Homalota oblonga of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8480. 11. Homalota planifrons of Waterhouse to be added. See Zool. 8667. 12. Homalota puncticeps of Thomson to be added. See Zool. 8453. 13. Homalota maritima of Waterhouse to be added. See Zool. 8453. 14. Homalota gemina of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8453. 15. Homalota Soror of Kraatz to be added. See Zool. 8455. * 16. Homalota vilis of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8453. 17. Homalota fusco-femorata of Waterhouse to be added. See Zool. 8453. 18. Homalota angusticollis of Thomson to be added. See Zool. 8453. 19. Homalota dilaticofnis of Kraatz to be added. See Zool. 8416. 20. Homolata levana of Mulsant to be added. See Zool. 8416. 21. Homalota parva of Sahlberg. This is a mere cor- rection of nomenclature, required by an accidental misprint : the species = H. parvula of Mannerheim (Kirby), Stephens ; and the H. cauta of Hrichson. 4 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 22. Oligota granaria of Erichson, having been expunged in 1859 by mistake, is to be restored. 25. Bryoporus? castaneus of Hardy and Bold is to be added. See Zool. 8480. It is probable, however, that both names must be changed, since the generic name is only ap- plied donbtingly ; and the specific name was applied in error, on the supposition that the species was identical with Mega- cronus castaneus of Stephens, which proves to be an imma- ture example of Boletobius analis. 24. Mycetoporus longulus of Mannerheim to be added. See Zool. 8479. 25. Mycetoporus nanus of Gravenhorst to be added. See Zool. 8612 and 8652. 26. Mycetoporus longicornis of Kraatz to be added. See Zool. 8611. 27. Philonthus succicola of Thomson to be substituted for Philonthus carbonarius of Gyllenhal. 28. Philonthus temporalis of Mulsant to be added. Bee Zool. 8477. 29. Philonthus agilis of Gravenhorst to be added. See Zool. 8649. 30. Philonthus rubripennis of (Kirby) Stephens, and Wa- terhouse’s ‘ Catalogue of Coleoptera ;’ it is thought possibly to be identical with P. fulvipes of Fabricius. 31. Xantholinus chalybeus of Brullé. This magnificent tropical species, the*capture of which is recorded Zool. 8413, cannot possibly be added to our lists. 81*. Bledius erraticus of Erichson to be added, described in Fairmaise and Laboulbéne’s Faun. Ent. France, iii. 605, 18. 32. Trogophlaus tenellus of Erichson to be added: it was discovered and determined by Mr. C. Waterhouse, who took it at Kingsbury Reservoir. “It most nearly resembles T. pusillus, but may be distinguislHed from that species by its smaller size and decidedly narrower form; the elytra, moreover, are fuscous instead of fusco-testaceous, and the head and thorax almost of the same width, the latter a very little narrower than the elytra, with its sides somewhat con- tracted towards the base and scarcely rounded in front, the fovez on the disk being somewhat indistinct; the thorax may be shortly described as subquadrate instead of trans- versely subcordate, as in Trogophleus pusillus.”—P. 58. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 5 83. Omalium riparium of Thomson to be added. See Zool. 8416. 34. Omalium rugulipenne (a new species) to be added. “This species has the general form, appearance and size of O. rivulare, but differs from that insect in having the antenne shorter and entirely pale, the elytra longer and densely rugu- lose, the neck alutaceous, and with very few and indistinct punctures, and the thorax with the region of the posterior angles likewise alutaceous, with scarcely any trace of punc- tures, whereas in O. rivulare the neck and region of the pos- terior angles of the thorax are glossy and strongly punc- tured. In most of these distinctive characters this species approaches O. riparium, from which, however, its shorter an- tenn and rugosely-punctured elytra will serve to distinguish it; and although O. cesum and O. Allardi come somewhat nearer to it in this latter respect, their elytra are compara- tively too short, with the punctures too gentle and not suffi- ciently confluent."-—P. 60. Named from a single specimen taken near London, and in Mr. Rye’s cabinet. 35. Omalium testaceum of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8650. 36. Omalium brevicorne of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8650. 37. Omalium crassicorne pf Matthews to be added. See Zool, 8650. 38. Omalium nigrum of Gravenhorst*to be added. See Zool. 8650. 39. Hydnobius strigosus of Schmidt. This species was included in Mr. Waterhouse’s ‘ Pocket Catalogue of British Coleoptera,’ dated 1861: it has been described by Schmidt, Erichson and Thomson. It has been taken by sweeping at Hammersmith, and is in the collection of Dr. Power. 40. Helophorus dorsalis of Mulsant to be added. See Zool. 8610. 41. Helophorus eneipennis of Thomson to be added. See Zool. 8611. 42. Helophborus arvernicus of Mulsant to be added. See Zool. 8611. 43. Philhydrus maritimus of Thomson to be added. Of this species Mr. Rye says: — “I have taken this species in brackish water at Gravesend. It is very like P. testaceus, 6 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Fab., but is rather more shiny, a little narrower, and more oblong, the punctuation not quite so close, and a trifle more distinct; the palpi are entirely testaceous (not having the penultimate joint pitchy), and the club of the antenne not so black; the head also is only slightly infuscate in the middle, whilst in P. testaceus it is decidedly black, with the sides of the clypeus testaceous. According to Thomson’s description (loc. cit.) the femora appear to differ in colour in the two species, being black with the extreme apex pale in P. testaceus, and blackish with the upper side of the apex testaceous in P. maritimus, but these last-mentioned minute differences of colour can scarcely be relied upon as constant, and the insects could only present the proper tone when alive.’——P.. 67. 44. Philhydrus nigricans of Zetterstedt to be added. See Zool. 8611. 45. Philhydrus ovalis of Thomson to be added. See Zool. 8611. 46. Athous undulatus of Degeer to be added. See Zool. 8735. 47, Cis lineato-cribratus of Mellié to be added. See Zool. 8792. 47*, Bagous nodulosus of Schénherr to be expunged. 48. Zeugophora Turneri of Pgwer to be added. See Zool. 8735. 49. Cryptocephalus Wasastjernii of Gyllenhal to be added. See Zool. 8413. 50. Scymnus 4-lunulatus of Iliger to be added. See Zool. 8894, where Mr. Waterhouse gives very full particulars, which, not being published until after the ‘ Annual,’ Mr. Rye was unable to give the reference. 51. Ptilium affine of Erichson to be added. See Zool. 8649. Mr. Smith’s paper, intituled “ Notes on Hymenoptera,” is this year very meagre: he admits that a little spice of romance might have made it more piquant and attractive, but he declines making that additon. He complains of the great scarcity of Hymenoptera during 1863, but mentions that he has captured near Lowestoft a specimen of the rare ~ Didineus lunicornis, a male of Myrmica lippula at Corfe Castle, in Dorsetshire, and a specimen of Hemichroa Alni on THE ENTOMOLOGIST. i alder, an insect which he suggests may be the male of Erio- campa ovata. I have beaten these two insects at the same time into my umbrella, and have placed them together in my cabinet, but I have no proof of their identity. Dr. Knaggs, in the paper intituled ‘‘ Notes on New and Rare Lepidoptera,” records the occurrence of five species of Lepidoptera new to Britain, and two of them new to Science, besides the restoration of Lycena Dorylas to its former place in our catalogues ; these are :— 1. Procris Geryon of Hiibner. See Zool. 8407, 8696, 8732. 2. Leucania Loreyi of Duponchel. See Zool. 8407. 3. Luperina Guenéei of H. Doubleday, described at length, and the description copied into the ‘ Zoologist.’ See Zool. 8916. 4. Dianthecia Barrettii of H. Doubleday, described at ° length, and the description copied into the ‘ Zoologist.’ See Zool. 8915. 5. Catoptria conterminana of Herrich- Schaffer, taken some years back both at Folkstone in Kent, and Stratford in Essex, but not previously recorded. 6. Euchromia rufana of Scopoli, a questionable species, taken by Mr. Hodgkinson in the Lake District. A very interesting table of larvee has been compiled with great care, and descriptions of the larve of Oporabia fili- grammaria and Cidaria sagittata complete the paper; both these descriptions have been copied into the ‘ Zoologist.’ See Zool. 8913. Mr. M‘Lachlan’s “Notes on British Trichoptera,” like everything that emanates from that gentleman’s pen, is well considered and carefully expressed. The additions to the English list of species are three in number, viz., Limnephilus nobilis of Kolenati. Anabolia cenosa of Curtis. Hydropsyche opthalmica of Rambur. Limnephilus nobilis. “In the colourless ground of the anterior wings it resembles L. flavicornis, but it possesses a very distinct obliquely-placed fuscous pterostigma, internally gradually narrowing to a point; the fenestrated spot is rather broad but very indistinct; the apex is clouded with dark gray, with transparent irrorated spots; the anterior wings are narrower than in either L. flavicornis or L. Stigma. In the form 8 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. of the appendices it differs greatly from any of our previously recorded species. In the male the upper margin of the last abdominal segment is produced into a broad flap, which is bent down, covered with short black scabrous bristles ; viewed from above, the upper margin has the appearance of being deeply and roundly excavated with a prominence on either side ; the superior appendages are very large and hol- low, broadly and obtusely spoon-shaped, standing out almost at right angles from the body; the inferior appendages are straight, truncated at the extremity, which is furnished with a tuft of long hairs; the intermediate appendages are straight, testaceous in the basal half, but with a black somewhat mucro- nate apex. I have not yet seen the female.”—P. 147. Mr. Wormald has a male taken at Ruislip Reservoir, Mid- dlesex, in September; and J have two of the same sex taken in the same month near Warrington. Anabolia cznosa is restored on the authority of a speci- men taken by myself at Leominster. Hydropsyche opthalmica. ‘ Antenne whitish, annulated with gray; palpi whitish; eyes very large, intensely black ; the vertex clothed with hoary pubescence, almost quadran- gular, slightly longer than broad; thorax and abdomen brownish ; legs whitish, with a faint brownish tinge ; ante- rior wings very pale whitish gray, thickly reticulated and spotted with dark gray, forming conspicuous oblique streaks on the inner margin and on the costa towards the apex; on the apical margin are several rather large spots of the pale ground colour; hind wings pale gray.”—P. 182. In Mr. Scott’s “‘ Additions to the Fauna of Great Britain” the following species are added :— Brachycerea pallidicornis of Fieber. Apocremnus simillimus of Kirschberg. Oncotylus pilosus of Douglas and Scott. Tinicephalus obsoletus of Douglas and Scott. Atractotomus Pini of Douglas and Scott. Orthotylus flavosparsus of Sahlberg. O. Fieberi of Douglas and Scott. Phytocoris longipennis, Flor. Calocoris fornicatus of Douglas and Scott. Leptopterna ferrugatus, Fall. Ceraleptus squalidus, Costa. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 9 Spathocera Dalmani, Schill. Berytus commutatus of Fieber. B. Sigunoreti of Fieber. B. montivagus, Bremi. B. pygmeus of Fieber. Chilasis Typhe of Mulsant. Megalonotus pilicornis of Mulsant. Drymus pilipes of Fieber. Plinthisus bidentulus, H.-Schf. Hydrometra aptera, Wimm. Corixa atomaria of Illiger. Monosynamma Scotti, 7. s. r Allodapus rufescens of Burmeister. Monosynamma Scotti is given as new to Science, with the following description :— “ Black, clothed with a very short griseous-yellow pile. Head shining. Antenne with the Ist, 2nd and 3rd joints black, the 4th pitchy ; base and tip of the Ist, and tip of the 2nd joints narrowly white. Rostrum with the Ist joint pitchy ; the 2nd and 38rd reddish yellow; the 4th pitchy ; tip of the 3rd pitchy. Pronotum finely punctured posteriorly, and in paler specimens with a short reddish central line, not reaching to the hinder margin. Scutellum finely punctured, in paler specimens with a reddish spot at each of the basal angles. Elytra very finely shagreened. Base of the cuneus and the side next the cell in paler examples generally mar- gined with white. Membrane pale pitchy brown; nerves yellowish ; the posterior one margined internally, and a nar- row triangular patch externally next the cuneus white. Legs: thighs pitchy black or red-brown, their tips reddish yellow ; on the under side of the middle pair, at the base, there is a short, longitudinal row of piceous spots ; on the hinder pair there are two rows, one of them along the centre, the other near the upper side, and on the upper side, a little before the apex, there are generally two black spots. ‘Tibiz yellowish, piceous at the tips; 2nd dnd 3rd pairs with large black spots, in each of which is set a short, stout, black hair. Tarsi yellowish, apical half of the second and the whole of the ter- minal joint and claws pitchy. * Length 13 line. “Taken at Deal by Mr. Douglas and myself, in August, 10 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. by sweeping amongst dwarf sallows, &c., in company with Plagiognathus Bohemanni, but not abundant. The speci- mens were sent to Dr. Fieber for determination, who re- turned them with the above name.”—P. 160. Mr. Stainton’s “‘ Observations on Tineina” may be termed notes and queries on species; they appear preparatory to future publication in the ‘ Natural History of the Tineina.’ Epwarp NEWMAN. Description of the Larva of Angerona prunaria. — The female is not very fastidious in the selection of a food-plant for her offspring, but deposits her egg almost indifferently, in June and July, on Prunus spinosus (blackthorn), Salix caprea (sallow), and Crategus oxyacantha (whitethorn) ; this last, however, is the best and most acceptable food in confine- ment: the egg is laid as early as June or July, and although it is hatched in ten or twelve days, does not make much pro- gress during the autumn, but hybernates very small: in the spring it begins to feed voraciously as soon as the leaves have expanded, and is generally full-fed by the end of May: it then rests in a nearly straight posture, with the head and legs porrected: when annoyed it oscillates its body in a very persistent manner, not ceasing the motion for several minutes. Head small, flattened, not notched on the crown; antennal papille unusually long and porrected: body very long, very gradually attenuated from the 10th to the 2nd segment; 5th segment with two small dorsal warts placed transversely, and a transverse dorsal ridge behind them; 9th with a transverse dorsal protuberance terminating in four points, the outer of which on each side is long and curved slightly backwards, the inner is shorter and blunter; they are united in two pairs, each pair consisting of a long one and a short one; the 10th segment has two small dorsal warts placed trans- versely ; the 11th has two still smaller dorsal warts, also placed transversely; and the 12th has two approximate dor- sal warts, larger than those on the 10th, and much larger than those on the 11th: there are several smaller warts in addition to these I have described. The colour of the head is brown of two shades: body brown, clouded with a variety THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 11 of tints which appear to differ in different individuals ; belly paler, the region between the ventral and anal claspers greenish. When full-fed it makes itself a retreat by folding together and overlapping the edges of one or sometimes two leaves, and in the very compact structure thus made it changes to a smooth brown pupa, with rather elongated ab- domen, which is scabrous at the extremity, and furnished with minute hooks, by which it is suspended. ‘This pupa is without exception the most restless and active I have ever seen; if the cocoon be opened it will continue to revolve, while suspended, with incredible velocity ; and if detached from its hold, it seems as though it were impossible for it to remain at rest; it will roll from the middle of a dining-table to the edge and throw itself on the floor in less time than is occupied in recording the fact. The moths appear on the wing about the middle of June. 1 am indebted to Mr. Doubleday for this larvaa—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Amphydasis prodromaria.— The eggs are laid in March, on the bark of Quercus Robur (oak), the female inserting her long ovipositor into the cre- vices of the bark, and therein depositing the eggs: in con- finement she is extremely reluctant to part with her eggs, unless provided with this their natural nidus, or some sub- stance having a similar surface: the larve are hatched in May, and it is a curious problem how the minute larve can ascend to the region of leaves, then beginning to expand. They are usually full-fed in June, and then rest without any arch in the back, but owing to the numerous inequalities of the body the posture can scarcely be called straight; the larva frequently attaches itself to the food-plant by the legs as well as the claspers; by the latter it adheres very tightly. Head as wide as the anterior segments of the body, prone; the face flat, with a depression in the middle ; the crown with a wide and very conspicuous, but not very deep notch: body irregularly covered with raised points, or shagreened, and having numerous wart-like protuberances ; these are always arranged in transverse pairs ; the two on the back of the 2nd segment rather distant ; one on each side of the 5th, 8th and 9th segments, the last large and very conspicuous; two smaller ones on the back of the 12th segment; and two ap- proximate and indistinct ones on the ventral surface of the 12 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 7th, 8th and 9th segments, clasper-bearing segments in the Nocturni, and hence these warts are doubtless the homologues of claspers. Head reddish brown: body gray, marbled with various darker shades, the variety sometimes very pleasing, and greatly resembling cortical lichens; the summits of dorsal and lateral protuberances reddish brown; ventral surface nearly the same colour as the back, except between the ven- tral and anal claspers, where it is pale glaucous-green: legs reddish brown; ventral claspers gray ; anal claspers and anal flap reddish brown. The full-fed larva descends the trunk of the oak in June, and, creeping into the earth, changes to a short obese pupa just beneath the surface, and remains in that state until the following February or March, when the moth appears. Iam indebted to Mr. Wright for this larva, and for interesting information respecting its parent. — Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Anticlea rubidata.—The eggs are laid at the end of June or beginning of July, on Galium Mollugo and other species of the same genus; they are hatched in ten or twelve days. The larve are full-fed in August, and then rest in nearly a straight position. Head semiporrect, of almost exactly the same width as the body: body of uniform thickness throughout and cylindtical. Co- lour of the head smoky brown, with a brown V-shaped mark on the face pointing backwards, and several black dots and hairs. Body red-brown or gray, but in either case beauti- fully variegated; on the body is a median series of five lozenge-shaped or arrow-head markings, each having a dark centre, a pale disk, and a slightly darker margin; beyond and in continuation of these, and extending from the 9th segment to the anal flap, is a medio-dorsal black stripe; the entire back may be described as having five longitudinal stripes ; of these the medio-dorsal passes through and partly comprises the arrow-shaped markings and the black stripe already described: the remaining stripes are somewhat sinuous, of a red-brown colour, and bordered on each side by black dots; the legs are paler, the claspers slightly darker. The larva in figure and marking follows the type of Mela- nippe fluctuata, M. Galiata, &c. It goes to the ground to change to a pupa, and forms a small earthen cocoon. IJ am indebted to Mr. Buckler for the opportunity of examining THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 13 his exquisite drawing of this larva, and to the Rev. J. Hellins for several particulars of its history. The perfect insect ap- pears in June.—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Anticlea badiata. — The egg is laid in March, on the bud or stem of Rosa canina (dog- rose), on the leaves of which the larva feeds. It is full-fed at the end of May, when it rests in a nearly straight posture, attached by the claspers only. Head semiporrect, slightly notched on the crown, slightly narrower than the body: hody of uniform size throughout, slightly depressed, and en- tirely without humps. At first all the larve are green, after- wards they vary slightly. Colour of the head orange, with a large black spot on each side just above the ocelli: dorsal area of the body green, sometimes exquisitely shaded, more especially towards the sides, with purple; the 2nd segment has a minute medio-dorsal pale line, on each side of which are four white dots arranged in a square, and below these on each side are two other white dots placed transversely ; the 3rd and 4th segments have each a transverse series of six white spots on the back, and two placed longitudinally on each side; the Sth, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th segments have each four dorsal white dots arranged nearly in a square ; the 13th segment has a transverse series of six similar dots, and every segment has a lateral white dot at the junction of the dorsal and ventral area; the anal flap is rounded and dark purple-brown; the sides of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments are reddish brown; the sides and ventral surface of the other segments are dingy white; the spiracles intensely black; the legs green; the ventral claspers pale green, with an intensely dark purple-brown blotch on the outside; the anal claspers dingy, with a similar blotch. Descends to the ground and changes to a pupa on the sur- face of the earth in an earthen cocoon. The moth does not appear until the following March. Described from Mr. Buckler’s exquisite drawing.—Jd. Mr. Stainton has issued an Eighth Volume of the ‘ Natural History of the Tineina,’ with life-histories of 15 species of Gracilaria, and 9 species of Ornix, of which one is new. 14 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. The volume contains 312 pp. letter-press, and 8 coloured Plates. Price 12s. 6d. The Trustees of the British Museum have printed the 29th Part of the ‘ Catalogue of Lepidoptera, by Mr. Walker; it is confined exclusively to Tineina, and contains descriptions of numerous extra-EKuropean species; it contains 260 pp. letter-press. Price 3s. 6d. The Linnean Society has just issued a new Part of its printed ‘ Proceedings,’ containing 144 pp. letter-press and two Plates. Price 3s. It contains two entomological papers, bearing the titles which follow :— 1. Catalogue of the Heterocerous Lepidopterous Insects collected at Sarawak, in Borneo, by A. R. Wallace, Esq.; with Descriptions of New Species, by Francis Walker, Esq., F.L.S. 2. Catalogue of the Dipterous Insects collected at Waigiou, Mysol, and North Ceram, by A. R. Wallace, Esq. ; with Descriptions of New Species, by Francis Walker, Ksq., F.L.S. Form of Cells.—At the April Meeting of the Entomological Society a very lengthened discussion took place on the hex- ahedral form of the cells in a honeycomb; Mr. Smith, the late President, thinking that the form exhibited design on the part of the builders ; ; Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. Newman and others thinking the figure a necessary consequence of crowded contact: the arguments on both sides will be published. Polymorphism.—My. A. R. Wallace exhibited varieties of extra-European butterflies, proving the existence of a pheno- menon which he calls polymorphism. ‘To me it appears that Mr. Wallace has not studied the departures from normal colour which occur in the Lepidoptera of our own island, or he would neither have laid such stress on colour, nor would he have appealed to the imperfectly-known fauna of distant lands to establish his views. Such a phenomenon, if it exist, would be readily marked at home, and without any risk-of error in the facts; whereas Mr. Wallace found himself com- pelled to assume that C and D were females of A, and then to build his hypothesis on the assumption. ADVERTISEMENTS. The Insect Hunter’s Companion. By the Rev. Jos—epH GREENE, M.A. A second large Edition of the ‘ Insect Hunters’ is now rapidly selling, and, from the number of letters I receive, [ am ready to conclude that every purchaser writes to ask me some questions about catching, or killing, or preserving insects, or whether there is not some work describing the various processes. The following questions have been asked me times out of number : — Where to find moths and butter- flies ; how to catch them; how to bring them home without injury ; how to kill them; how to set them ; how to find the caterpillars ; how to manage them ; how to feed them; how to breed the perfect insects ; where to find chrysalises; what to do with them ; how to keep mites and mould out of cabi- nets; how to cure grease ; how to relax insects when they have become stiff; how to arrange them in cabinets; what wood to use for cabinets; and a hundred similar questions. Replying to these questions has taken up more time than I can possibly afford, and there has hitherto been no cheap handy-book that will at all meet the case. I have often been compelled to refer to that portion of my ‘ Familiar Intro- duction’ which treats expressly on these subjects, and to say, with a late celebrated physician, “ You must read my book :” this I have always done reluctantly, because I have no desire to induce a beginner to lay out twelve shillings on a book, three-fourths of which he will not read until, by col- lecting and studying insects, he has acquired a desire to know wore about them. Then, and not till then, will he appreciate all that I have written of their anatomy, history and classification. At first all that he requires is sound and simple practical advice on the subjects above mentioned, and it is to supply this want that Mr. Greene has written this little book, with the desire to impart to the juvenile student the knowledge and the experience which he has been so many years assiduously and patiently acquiring. Price ls. 6d., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. ADVERTISEMENTS. Synonymic List of British Butterflies and Moths. By HENRY DOUBLEDAY, Esa. This is the only complete List of British Lepidopterous Insects. It contains the names and synonyms of every But- terfly and Moth discovered in Great Britain up to the date of publication. The arrangement is founded on that of M. Guenée, the Facilis Princeps of Lepidopterists. The ereat object in printing this most complete and laborious work is to establish a uniform nomenclature, the diversity hitherto existing, both in names and arrangement, being a source of confusion and perplexity to all beginners. Not only is Mr. Doubleday’s own collection (the normal col- lection of British Lepidoptera) arranged and named in accordance with this List, but so also is every important col- lection with which I am acquainted throughout the country. “ With regard to arrangement and nomenclature of Butter- flies and Moths, I believe that the vast majority of collectors adopt both as contained in Mr. Doubleday’s ‘ Synonymic List.’ This work is a monument of patient industry and laborious perseverance: no collector should be without it.” — Rev. Joseph Greene's ‘ Insect Hunter’s Companion, p. 148. Price, printed on both sides, 7d., post free ; or printed in duplicate (one copy for Labels and the other for reference), 2s., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. Charge for each advertisement Three Shillings and Sia- pence, provided it does not exceed 60 words. If more than siaty words, then at the rate of one halfpenny per word. *y* All offers of Duplicates inserted gratuitously: both the generic and specific names MUST BE GIVEN. Printed and published by Koward Newnan, Printer, at No. 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate Street Without, London, in the County of Middleseax.—May, 1864. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 2.] JUNE, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Analytical Notice of ‘ The Natural History of the Tt- neina, Vol. viii. (containing Gracilaria, Part i., and Nepticula, Part ii.) By H. T. Sraryton, assisted by PROFESSOR ZELLER, J. W. Douaias, and PROFESSOR Frey. London: John Van Voorst, 1864. 312 pp. letter-press, 8 coloured Plates. Price 12s. 6d. “ Tus is one of the very few works which began well, and which have nevertheless improved as they proceeded.” Thus I began my notice of Vol. vii. (Zool. 8225), and thus I begin my notice of Vol. viii: it is equally true of both. We are informed that some of the figures of larve in this volume are from the pencil of Miss Wing, the sister of that Mr. Wing whose services were so early lost to Science, and whose loss was so universally regretted by those who knew him. There is an entomological truthfulness about Miss Wing’s repre- sentations of larve that I have rarely seen equalled, never surpassed: indeed the whole of the illustrations, whether by Miss Wing, Mr. Thomas Scott, Mr. Buckler, or Mr. Robin- son, are alike creditable to the several artists, and valuable to the entomological student. A good description, it has been said, supersedes the necessity of plates; but the natu- ralist will most willingly admit how great an assistance are plates like these. The species of Gracilaria described are fifteen in number, and of Ornix nine: out of these twenty-four only one is new to Science, and that one not hitherto found in Britain, a cir- cumstance which relieves me of the task of transferring the description to the pages of the ‘ Entomologist :’ the previously described species are Gracilaria stigmatella, G. Swederella, G. semifascia, G. elongella, G. syringella, G. hemidactylella, G. tringipennella, G. limosella, G. Kollariella, G. aurogut- tella, G. omissella, G. phasianipennella, G. Ononidis, G. pa- voniella, G. Imperialella, Ornix guttea, O. torquillella, O. VOL. II. B 16 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Scoticella, O. Betula, O. Loganella, O. avellanella, O. an- glicella and O. fagivora. The new species is O. petiolella, discovered at Frankfort, in 1858, by Herr Anton Schmid, and not hitherto found elsewhere. ~* I select for extract the life-history of Gracilaria syringella, not on account of its novelty, but because the ravages of this insect are so familiar and so annoying to the gardener, and to every lover of a neat and tidy garden: — “‘ The eggs are laid in little clusters on the leaves of the lilac, and the young larvze commence operations by mining a little greenish gray blotch on the upper surface of the leaf; in this blotch we generally find from four to ten larve feeding together; they are then very small and almost transparent; as they increase in size they mine a larger portion of the leaf, which becomes brown and much distorted, and eventually the larvae come out from between the cuticles and feed on the extreme sur- face of the leaves, which they roll up laterally ; sometimes a leaf already blotched by the mining larve is thus rolled up. When the larve are quite full-fed they seek some convenient nook in which to spin their opaque whitish cocoons. There appear to be two broods of this insect in the year, the larve feeding in June and again in August and September, and the perfect insects from the first brood appearing in July and those from the second in the May of the following year. The insect is excessively abundant, at times completely disfiguring the lilac-bushes by turning the leaves brown and rolling them up. Though most frequently observed on the lilac, it feeds also on the ash and privet.” My own experience of this little pest is that there is a con- stant succession of individuals throughout the summer, and, instead of confining the number of broods to two, I should incline to extend them to half a dozen. Its life-history was first given by Réaumur, and since his time Haworth, Treitschke, Duponchel and many others have severally described it as a novelty, and have given it a new name accordingly, a prac- tice almost universal among Entomologists. I am truly glad to see Mr. Stainton devoting himself with such energy to the study and publication of these life-histories of insects,—a subject formerly so admirably handled by De Geer and Réaumur, but one which, until within a few years, has been so utterly neglected in this country: indeed the THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 17 expression “neglect” is not sufficiently strong: it has been repeatedly discouraged and condemned as useless. A change for the better is evidently coming over us, and nothing can possibly tend to foster this taste for the study of the living insect so effectually as the publication of such splendid vo- lumes as that now before me. EpwarkpD NEWMAN. Description of the Larva of Kphyra trilinearia. — I am unable to speak with positive certainty as to the single or double-broodedness of the several British species of the ge- nus Ephyra. My friend H. Doubleday considers all of them (with the exception of G. orbicularia, with the life-history of which species he is unacquainted) to be partially double- brooded, and that the autumnal specimens are smaller, deeper coloured and more strongly marked than the vernal ones. It is quite certain that out of a single brood of E. punctaria, E. pendularia and E. omicronaria the great part may appear in July and the remainder in the May following. Those who arrive at conclusions hastily would doubtless assert that these spring examples were the children, instead of the brothers and sisters, of the July specimens. I will not, however, venture to theorize on the subject further than by reminding the reader that I have elsewhere published nume- rous instances of this development of the same brood at two seasons, the specimens disclosed in the autumn being almost invariably infertile. The eggs of E. trilinearia are laid on the leaves of Fagus sylvaticus (the beech), and the young larva is hatched and begins to feed in about a fortnight; the great majority are full-fed in August and September, when they rest in an arched posture, the anterior extremity raised ; the head, anterior segments and legs closely pressed toge- ther and forming a conspicuous mass; the whole of the body as far as the ventral claspers is slowly and regularly os- cillated when the larva suffers the slightest annoyance. The head is much wider than the body, prone, and notched on the crown: the body narrow, slightly depressed, transversely wrinkled, and having a dilated skinfold on each side; the anal claspers spread at right angles with the 13th segment ; on all parts of the body are extremely minute scattered warts, 18 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. each of which emits a slender hair. Head opaque, clear sienna-brown, the face paler, the cheeks somewhat reticu- lated, the labrum and antennal papille white: body clear sienna-brown, with two closely approximate very narrow umber-brown medio-dorsal stripes: the skinfold on each side is decorated with five or six long yellow spots; these are on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and sometimes the 10th segment ; they are bordered above and below by deeper brown, which makes them more conspicuous ; sometimes the yellow is dif- fused and extends the entire length of the body: belly pearly gray, with a tinge of pink; legs and claspers pinkish gray, the latter with a pale yellowish exterior line. It spins a few silken threads, forming a slight web or coating on the sur- face of a leaf, and attaches itself thereto by the anal claspers ; it then spins a stronger thread, forming a girdle or belt, and, supported by this, it changes to a pupa much in the same way as the larve of the genus Pieris among butterflies: the pupa is square and truncated at the anterior extremity, look- ing as though it had been cut in two; the angles produced into two small projecting points ; very pointed at the poste- rior extremity, and furnished at the apex with eight curved hooks, which spread right and left, and by which it is at- tached to the silken web on the leaf: its colour is pale brown and semitransparent, the back clothed with dark brown, the projecting points on each side the head, and a line extending from them along the outside of the wing-cases white, the outer part of the wing-cases dark brown: the wing-rays are so strongly pronounced as to give the wing-cases the appear- ance of being longitudinally striated. These larve and pupz are commonly to be found on the dwarf pollard beeches which retain their leaves throughout the winter, the margins of the leaf generally curling over and concealing the pupa; when the leaf falls in the spring, the pupa is of course con- veyed gently to the ground, and the perfect insect makes its appearance at the end of April or beginning of May, and from that time to August there is an almost constant suc- cession. Note.—In a beautiful variety, of which Mr. Wright took two examples at Epping, the head was reddish brown, the face slightly paler; the body apple-green, with nume- rous irregular whitish markings, which formed longitudinal but interrupted waved lines throughout the body ; the lateral THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 19 skinfold was also white; the spiracles white, with pink mar- gins; legs extremely pale, almost white; ventral claspers green, with a rose-coloured blotch on the outside, and a spot of the same colour just above it on the body ; anal flap and claspers green, tinged with rose-colour. Pupa exactly simi- lar in character to that already described, but of the most exquisitely delicate apple-green variegated with small mark- ings of pure white—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Anticlea derivata.— The eggs are laid in March or April, on the buds or stems of Rosa canina (dog-rose), on the leaves of which species the larva feeds; the Jarve are full-fed in May. Rests in a straight or but slightly bent position. Head semiporrect, scarcely so broad as the body: body cylindrical, but slightly narrowed anteriorly ; the skin appears tight, and has but little appear- ance of wrinkles or skinfolds. Colour of the head light red, tinged with green in the middle of the face: body delicately green, with red blotches as described below; the first ori- ginates immediately behind the head, and is there of the same breadth, but it narrows to a point on the back of the 5th segment; others—three, four or even five in number— form a longitudinal medio-dorsal series, and others some- times appear placed transversely on the 10th and 13th seg- ments: the legs are pinky red; the claspers green, with a red blotch on the outer side. Descends the rose-bush and changes to a pupa in the earth, and the moth does not appear until the following April. I am indebted to the Rev. J. Hellins for a sight of Mr. Buckler’s beautiful drawing of this insect.—Jd. Description of the Larva of Coremia unidentaria. — The egg is laid on Galium verum (ladies’ bedstraw), in July, and the larva feeds freely on that plant, as well as on Asperula odorata (sweet woodroof) ; my specimens were full-fed on the 30th of August, and then rested in a posture slightly bent, and with the head usually porrected, but bending downwards in a prone position on the slightest touch. Head flat, ex- actly of the same width as the 2nd segment, but not so wide as the following: body slightly depressed, without excres- cences, but having a manifest lateral skinfold and numerous minute warts, each of which emits a bristle; these warts and bristles are eight or ten on each segment. Colour of the 920 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. head pale testaceous-brown or putty-colour, with dark brown spots, some of which group together and form two longitu- dinal stripes, one on each cheek: body pale testaceous-brown or putty-coloured, with numerous dark brown dots, which, associated, form lozenges on the back, and longitudinal rivu- let markings on the sides; the perfect lozenges on the back are four in number, and each has a quadrate black spot in the centre; there are two principal lateral rivulet stripes, both of them double ; the lower of these comprises the black spiracles, and terminates in the anal claspers; a long black spot on each side runs into the ventral claspers ; the double rivulet markings of the ventral surface are five in number; of these the median one is the narrowest and the palest in colour, and its component parts most approximate; the upper double stripe on each side is situated just below the skinfold ; it is very interrupted and indistinct, and contains five quadrate black spots, namely, on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th seg- ments ; the warts are pale, and the bristles they emit are black with white tips. I am indebted to Mr. Vaughan, of Bristol, for specimens of this larve ; they changed to dark brown glabrous pupe in a slight web among dry remains of the food-plant on the surface of the earth. The moths emerged from the 17th to the 30th of April. Guenée says of this species that although it does not differ essentially from C. ferrugata, except in colour, it is so constant that he is almost tempted to regard it as a distinct species; but that Sepp has figured it as coming from the same larva. 1 have positively verified the larva described above as being that of C. unidentaria; not that I doubted Mr. Vaughan’s informa- tion, but that I might have the gratification of confirming him. I extremely regret to say that I am still unacquainted with the larva of the common Coremia ferrugata. It appears to me, however, that on the Continent our view of the names of these species, or supposed species, is not exactly under- stood ; for Lederer has sent specimens of unidentaria to Mr. Doubleday, some with a red and some with a black central band, evidently supposing them our unidentaria and ferru- gata; and also our ferrugata ticketed var. spadicearia, Bork. Now the colour of the central band in unidentaria is very apt to exhibit a ferruginous tinge, so that colour taken by itself is insufficient to distinguish them. I am glad to have had THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Oo} the opportunity of proving, through the kindness of Mr. Vaughan, that C. unidentaria comes true from the egg.— Edward Newman. Messrs. J. E. Wheatley & Co., of Huddersfield, have issued the first number of a new periodical, ‘ The Naturalist.’ It contains 16 pages 8vo, and is charged Threepence. There is but little Entomology in this first number, but we may hope for more. Mr. James Varley has captured or bred eleven very familiar Lepidoptera: Mr. G. R. Parke took several specimens of Eupithecia nanata on the 21st of April. This number is chiefly devoted to Introductory Addresses and Botany. Mr. Ker, of Liverpool, has issued Nos. 13 and 14 of the ‘ Naturalist’s Scrap-Book.’ Each contains 16 8vo pp. litho- graphed. In Ng. 13 there are but two papers on Ento- mology—the occurrence of Sesia Tipuliformis in a kitchen on the 19th of June, 1862, recorded by Mr. Edward Gleave ; and “Entomology for Beginners, or what may be done in April,” by Mr. C. 8. Gregson: this Number devotes a large space (6 pages) to an Introductory Address. No. 14 con- tains an interesting paper by Mr. Harrison, on Geophilus electricus, which I shall reprint; it shows that the numerous records we have had of the luminous properties of Carabide and Staphilinide may reasonably be traced to the fact of these Coleoptera occasionally indulging in a phosphorescent repast. ‘Young England’ for May contains an interesting page on Entomology, under the management of Messrs. T. Lovell Keays and Howard Vaughan: the information is contained chiefly under “ Notices to Correspondents,” and will scarcely present any novelty ito the readers of the ‘ Entomologist.’ ‘They are in this way : — “ There are three Kittens, all about the same size; wviz., D. furcula, D. bifida and D. bicuspis. The latter is very rare.” “Large moths generally lay larger eggs than smaller ones, but of course there are exceptions,” I shall probably find more novelty another month. 92 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. The ‘ Corresponding Naturalist’s Circular, projected more especially, as it appeared, for Entomological Notices, has been amalgamated with ‘ Young England.’ I should have thought there would have been an abundant field for both, more especially as the ‘Circular’ was published at Birming- ham, and served as an organ for the midland counties. May we hope for a revival ? Insects in Amber and Animé.—At the Meeting of the En- tomological Society held on the 4th of April, Mr. Butler exhibited a number of insects enclosed in amber and animé ; he believed that all the species differed from those described by the Rev. F. W. Hope in the Ist and 2nd volumes of the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ One of the amber insects, appa- rently a species of Myrmica, was noticeable as having a bubble of air moving in an aqueous medium within its abdo- men. It is scarcely necessary to state that both amber and animé are held to be exudations from trees—amber from cer- tain extinct species of Rosacez, animé from still existing conifers: on this ground amber is called a gum, animé a resin. Luminosity of the Lanthorn Fly.— Perhaps there is no subject on which the opinion of reflecting Entomologists has undergone so great a change as on this. In my boyhood I should no more have presumed to doubt that the lanthorn flies flew about of an evening, carrying before them a vast receptacle of light to guide them on their way, than I should have thought of calling in question the luminous property of the glowworms which I used to bring home from the hedge- banks of Surrey, penned down, I am sorry to say, under the ribbon that went round my hat. Yet even then wiser heads than mine began to doubt the torch-bearing propensities of the Fulgoridz ; for do we not find, in that exquisite chapter on luminous insects in Kirby and Spence, abundant symp- toms of misgiving, as early as 1815! Take for instance the following passages :—“ A genus called Fulgora includes seve- ral species which are supposed to emit,” &c. Again, after mentioning the names of our two most distinguished lumi- naries, the author tells us they “are supposed to have the material which diffuses their light included in a subtrans- THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 23 € parent projection of the head.” In a foot-note we find that Richard and Sieber, the most experienced of all Brazilian Entomologists, deny the existence of any luminous property in Fulgora laternaria. Twenty years afterwards I collected all the evidence within my reach on both sides of the ques- tion, and published it in the 3rd volume of the ‘ Entomologi- cal Magazine.’ It is rather too voluminous to quote, but the amount of evidence in support of the luminosity of Fulgora proved to be very, very small indeed. Still there were many who delighted in retaining a traditional belief in the lanthorn fly of South America, a belief, however, doomed to be rudely shaken by a thirty years’ resident in their very midst. After discussing the possible uses of the lanthorn, a question rather beside my present purpose, this writer proceeds :—“ 1 cannot tell why it is called the ‘lanthorn fly, for it gives no light. I speak from my own experience during a residence of more than thirty years in New Granada, and from the information of the men who catch them.”—Rolert J. Treffry, in Zool. for 1863, p. 8656. This really appears to me conclusive, and the question I should have supposed set at rest; but Mr. Smith, the late talented President of the Entomological Society, in, his Annual Address, revives the question, and boldly takes” up the cause of the deposed lanthorn fly as follows :— “In all branches of Natural History there are certain spe- cies indelibly connected with some cherished history of childhood,—some that no doubt have been so united for centuries past: these we care not to separate, even though stubborn facts would ruthlessly dispel our long-dreamt dream ; thus the robin covered the Children of the Wood ‘ painfully with leaves ;’ the wolf glared on Little Red Riding Hood; and amongst insects, does not the glowworm trim her lover’s lamp, and does not the lanthorn fly, like a wan- dering star, flit before us in the forests of South America? Any matter-of-fact person who ventures to explode any of our popular beliefs meets with a cold reception ; therefore, on looking over the July number of the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 8656), and meeting with an article headed ‘ The Lanthorn of Fulgora laternaria, in which Mr. Robert John Treffry, of New Granada, says, ‘I cannot tell why it is called the lanthorn fly, for it gives no light, in being able to answer his question by replying, ‘ Because other people have been 94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. more fortunate than yourself, and have seen its beautiful luminosity.’ Had 1 possessed no further knowledge of the subject than Mr. Treffry, what had I thought of the follow- ing :— ‘ The so-called Janthorn appears to answer as a drum to reverberate its hum, and as a “ buffer” to protect it, when in its rapid flight it strikes against an obstacle, as it is elastic ~ SAMOCMY. sis -'.i. I think its use is what I have stated—an instrument of sound and a “ buffer.”’ I am expected to be- lieve that the lamp of the winged torch-bearer is no more than this. No! do not believe in any such degrading fact. I will bring evidence before you of such weight as to settle the question of the luminosity of the lanthorn fly, and restore it to its legitimate position in your minds as a light- bearing insect. Ata Meeting of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, held November 24th, 1858, a specimen of the lanthorn fly (Fulgora laternaria) was exhibited by Dr. J. A. Smith, who observed that it was still an undecided question amongst naturalists whether these flies were really at any time luminous or not. It was therefore of importance that the undoubted evidence of eye-witnesses should be produced. Mr. Banks, of Prestonpans, who forwarded the Fulgora to Dr. Smith, was therefore at once requested to obtain further information from his correspondents on that particular point. On the 27th of April, 1859, at a subsequent Meeting of the same Society, Mr. James Banks communicated, through Dr. Smith, the reply of his correspondent at Honduras to the question raised at the Society. Mr. Banks had received various letters upon the subject of the luminosity of Fulgora laternaria: they all bore testimony to the truth of the state- ment of this fly really emitting a light. One from Mr. Alexander Henderson, of Belize, furnished the following de- tails :—‘ In answer to the question, “ Is it really luminous?” certainly the fly possesses light, and therefore emits it. ‘The light is evidently under control, for it increases and dimi- nishes at pleasure. When the wings are closed there are three luminous spots on each side of the head-part, on the upper part (like a cat’s staring eyes) of a beautiful sulphur- coloured light, in rays that spread over the room. The third luminous spot is seen when the fly is on its back, half-way down the abdominal part of the insect. When quiescent the lumination is least; in daylight the upper spots are nearly THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 25 white, emitting no light whatever (its lively time is at twi- light). Immediately on being agitated, or moving about, the spots become sulphur-colour, and radiate forth streams of light, clearly seen, although the sun be shining into the room, _as it now does at the moment I write, with the creature in the glass tumbler before me. We shut out the light, and to test the power of the fly I took up a book and read two verses of the 109th Psalm. Mr. Robert Gregg also took up a book and read by its light. I hope this will satisfy all that the lanthorn fly is luminous. In the ‘ History of the West Indies, by R. M. Martin, 1837, vol. il. p. 104, being vol. v. of the ‘ British Colonial Library,’ is a statement fully corro- borating the truth of the lanthorn fly being luminous. The question must, I think, now be considered as settled; and this, I hope, wipes away the last stain cast upon the fair fame of Madame Merian: romance, as it has hitherto been con- sidered by many, becomes plain reality.” President's Anni- wersary Address to Entomological Society, January 25, 1864. To this I appended a note, which Mr. Smith cites in the communication which follows, forming part of the ‘ Proceed- ings of the Entomological Society’ for April 4, 1864 :— “Mr. Frederick Smith—after remarking that his attention had been called to a note appended by the Editor of the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 8975) to an extract from his Address to the Society on the 25th of January last, the passage ex- tracted being that relating to the luminosity of Fulgora, and the note being in the following words, ‘1 believe the Hondu- ras fire-fly with intermittent light is an Elater; if so, the Fulgora question remains 77 statu quo, —said that he had since had supplied the further evidence of another eye- witness of the luminosity of the lanthorn fly. Mr. James Smith, of 23, Wilton Row, Queen’s Road, Dalston} made the following statement :—‘ The Fulgora candelaria is found most plentifully between the months of May and August; it is occasionally seen in the winter, but these, I think, are hy- bernated specimens ; it is then not luminous, and very much faded. In the summer it has a pale blue or green light at the end of the snout, which may be considerably augmented by a gentle pressure of the insect; it is brightest in the female. It is common throughout all China, and called the “ Star of Eve,” “Eye of Confucius,” “Spark-fly;” and the same 26 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. insect is called, in the winter, the “ Flying Elephant,” per- haps in reference to its long proboscis. When the insect is settled the light is more luminous than when it is flying, and when the male and female have mated it is wholly ex- tinguished. The male, I believe, does not survive many hours, as I never caught one in the summer which was not luminous. They fly in swarms, and I have repeatedly taken two or three species in the same swarm. They are most plentiful in gardens, though they are found everywhere. The Chinese ladies catch them and imprison them in a fine gauze net, and wear them in their hair.’ “ Mr. W. F. Evans said that Sir John Barrow’s experience was in favour of the luminosity of Fulgora. “ Mr. Newman remarked that his note on Mr. F. Smith’s former statement was confined to that part which referred to the Honduras fire-fly, ¢. e. to Fulgora laternaria, not F. can- delaria. Nothing that had been adduced that evening had any bearing upon the luminosity of F. laternaria. “Mr. Bates said that Fulgora laternaria was pretty com- mon on the Upper Amazons; he had been aware of Madame Merian’s statement, and had observed the insect closely ; but he had never found it luminous, and, what was stronger than the negative evidence of any single observer, there was no - rumour or idea existing amongst the natives to the effect that it was luminous. The natives were well acquainted with the insect, which was the subject of fables current amongst them ; for instance, a tale was told of one of these insects having emerged from the forest and attacked a boat’s crew of nine persons, eight of whom were killed by the poisonous creature, and the pilot only escaped by jumping into the river. But though the fly was thus reputed to be venomous; there was no story current of its being luminous. Mr. Bates himself was of opinion that Fulgora laternaria was not luminous, and (strange as it might seem) that the Hon- duras correspondent on whose statement Mr. F. Smith relied had attributed to the Fulgora what, in fact, was the lumi- nosity of a Pyrophorus.” Polymorphism. — At the May Meeting of the Entomolo- gical Society, Mr. A. R. Wallace again introduced the sub- ject of Polymorphism to the notice of the members present, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 97 exhibiting specimens of Papilionide to illustrate his views: on this occasion he relied chiefly on altered form, as, on the former occasion, on altered colour: great discrepancy was observable in the outline of the costa, the normal form being a gradual curve from the base to the distal extremity, and the aberrant form exhibiting a much more arcuate outline, and in some instances a very decided bend at about a third of the length from the base. Mr. Wallace, in a speech fraught with the most interesting observations, proposed to account for the prevalence of this highly arcuate and bent outline, on the Darwinian hypothesis that, in the insular localities where such forms occurred, the individuals possess- ing the normal form had been destroyed by their natural enemies, leaving only those which possessed some pecu- liarity, as rapidity of flight, obscurity of colour, pungency of scent, &c., to protect them: in the instance of the butterflies he exhibited he thought that the abnormal outline of the costa might give them greater power and rapidity of flight. The President asked whether Mr. Wallace had ever seen these butterflies pursued when on the wing, and was answered in the negative. Captain Cox and Mr. Newman contended that the contour of the wing, as pointed out by Mr. Wallace, was not by any means accompanied by rapidity of flight; but that the most rapidly flying insects usually possessed a straight costa; thus the Diptera were the most rapid of flyers, and among the Lepidoptera the Sphingide deserved the palm in this respect; and among the Sphingide the straight- winged genera, as Macroglossa, were much more rapid than such species as Smerinthus Populi, which was the slowest among Sphingide, although it possessed the most decidedly arched costa. Mr. Smith took the same view, and instanced the Hymenopteron, Astata boops, as a most rapid flyer with straight costa. Hydrilla palustris.—At the May Meeting of the Entomo- logical Society, Mr. Dunning (on behalf of Mr. R. S. Schol- field, who was present as a visitor) exhibited a specimen of Hydrilla palustris, captured by Mr. Scholfield in Quy Fen, Cambridgeshire ; the specimen was a male, and was dis- turbed from grass on the afternoon of the 29th of May, 1862. This Noctua was introduced into the British list on the 28 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. authority of an example in the possession of Mr. Allis, taken some years ago near York; but the species was not included (or rather was given as a “reputed British species”) in Mr. Doubleday’s ‘Synonymic List of Bfitish Lepidoptera’ (ed. 1859). Agamogenesis. — In my little pamphlet on ‘ Physiological Classification’ I gave a number of instances in which female insects had produced fertile eggs, and even living young, without the possibility of having had previous access to males of the same species: these were all cited from works of the most eminent naturalists of the Continent, and are en- tirely trustworthy ; but still there is something in all records that makes you think, if not say, “I should like to try that experiment myself.” In my own instance this opportunity has been afforded. In one of my breeding-cages were placed three full-fed larve of Nyssia pilosaria; they soon became pupe ; and at the end of February and beginning of March three females emerged; they continued very quietly on the sides of the cage during the day, but at night amused them- selves with busily perambulating some fallen and withered leaves, and with inserting their telescope-like ovipositors into every cranny and crevice they could find. Of course I-sup- posed they were laying eggs, and still suppose so, but of this T cannot be sure. However, on Sunday, the 17th of April, I found the cage positively swarming with minute loopers, which, bearing in mind as I did the three female pilosarias, I concluded at once to be juveniles of that species. A fort- night has elapsed, and there is now no doubt on the subject: they have been feeding on birch, which, if it shared my feel- ings, was anxiously expecting the emergence of a brood of Endromis versicolor, certain twigs embossed with the eggs of that species having been deftly affixed to the twigs of birch provided for their sustenance. The pilosarias, now a fort- night old, are rather restless, wandering frequently off their food-plant, and reminding one forcibly of “ Japhet in search of a father.” Still the fact, as here narrated, is amply suf- ficient to prove that the union of the sexes, in this particular species, is not absolutely essential to the production of abun- dant and vigorous progeny : whether they arrive at maturity remains to be seen.— Edward Newman. ADVERTISEMENTS. Birdsnesting ; BEING A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTS AND Eacs oF BIRDS WHICH BREED IN GREAT BRITAIN AND [RELAND. By Epwarp Newman, F.LS., F.Z.S. This work is written expressly for the use of out-of-doors Naturalists and that better class of Schoolboys who take up Natural History as an instructive recreation. Under each species will be found 1. The English name. 2. The Latin name. 3. The situation in which the nest is to be found. 4, The materials of which the nest is built, together with any particulars of its shape which will assist in determining by what bird it is built. 5. The number and colour of the eggs, describing such variations as are occasionally met with. In compiling this work the sources whence I have drawn my information are— 1. My own memoranda. 2. Col. Montagu’s ‘ Ornithological Dictionary.’ 3. Mr. Selby’s ‘ Illustrations of Ornithology.’ 4. Mr. Hewitson’s ‘ Oology.’ 5. The ‘ Zoologist,’ not only every volume but every num- ber of which abounds in original and highly important obser- vations on the life-history and distinguishing characters of birds. 6. ‘The Letters of Rusticus.’ 7. Observations, emendations and additions by Mr. Bond, of Cambridge, and Mr. Doubleday, of Epping. With the view of making this work as complete as possible, these two gentlemen, our best British ornithologists, have gone over the list, species by species, and, in a manner deserving the warmest and most sincere thanks of all lovers of birds, have corrected whatever they thought erroneous, erased what- ever they considered doubtful, and added whatever they believed necessary to make the list complete. Price Is. 1d., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. ADVERTISEMENTS. SUGGESTIONS For forming Collections of Birds’ Eggs. By ALFRED Newton, Esq., M.A. These ‘Suggestions’ are from the pen of Mr. Newton, than whom no one was ever better qualified for the task. The first object is to identify the egg, to be quite sure to what bird it belongs. Mr. Newton justly considers that an egg wrongly named is worse than no specimen at all. As soon as the egg is positively identified, the next object is to authenticate it, by attaching such a mark as can neither be removed nor obliterated. Then follows a full and most mi- nute description of the mode of blowing eggs, with figures of all the instruments necessary to be used: it is expressly ex- plained that no hole should be visible, and it is also explained how to avoid this ; on no account whatever should there be a hole at either end, and there should be but one hole. The difficulty of removing the contents from eggs that have been sat on and nearly hatched is entirely overcome; and the proper instruments to use are not only described but figured, and the requisite information is given where they may be obtained. Finally, we are shown how to strengthen the shell of delicate eggs before drilling the hole through which their contents are to be emptied. Price Sevenpence, post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. Charge for each advertisement Three Shillings and Six- pence, provided it does not exceed 60 words. If more than sixty words, then at the rate of one halfpenny per word. A circulation of 500 ts guaranteed. *,* All offers of Duplicates inserted gratuitously: both the generic and specific names MUST BE GIVEN. Printed and published by Epwarp Newman, Printer, at No. 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate Street Without, London, in the County of Middlesex.—June, 1864. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 3.] JULY, MDCCCLXIV. TPricge 6p. Analytical Notice of the ‘ Transactions of the Entomolo- gical Society of London. 'Vhird Series. Vol. i. Part 1X. With 58 pp. letter-press, besides General Index, &c.; and two Plates, one of them coloured. Price Six Shillings. April, 1864. I AM sure that no member of the Entomological Society will be disposed to quarrel with me when I say that, how- ever assiduous and however skilful may have been our pre- vious Secretaries, and no one is more willing than I to yield to each the credit justly due, the swum cuique, still our pre- sent Secretary, Mr. Dunning, stands out in bold relief, when compared with his predecessors, as the Secretary par excel- lence, as the man who has been the first to raise our records to the dignity of Reports: this is no light or ill-considered praise: the value of a Report depends not exclusively on its accuracy, but equally on its intelligibility, — on the pruning out of all that is worthless in our circumlocutory discussions, and arranging and compressing the remainder into readable compass, without subtracting a tittle from their value. And this Mr. Dunning bas accomplished; and now, for the first time since our existence as a Society, have our Proceedings assumed a form which really entitles them to the respect of the scientific world. Lam the more anxious to record my opinion of Mr. Dunning’s great services, on the very threshold of Notices which I| trust may be continued through the brief remainder of my life, now unmistakeably falling into the “ sere and yellow ;” because, knowing, as I do know, that repeated asseveration confers no additional weight on statements of any kind, it is scarcely probable that i shall revert to this subject, however tempting. The present Part of the ‘ Transactions’ contains two sub- - stantive papers, thus intituled :— VOL. II. Cc 30 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 1. On the European Species of the Genus Cosmopteryx. By. H. T. Stainton, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S. 2. On the Types of Phryganide described by Fabricius from the Banksian Collection. By R. M‘Lachlan, . Ksq., F.LS. Also the following sundries :— Journal of Proceedings. 36 pages, including the Presi- dent’s admirable Address at the Anniversary Meeting. Explanation of the Plates. Additions to the Library during 1862—63. List of Members and Subscribers, March, 1864. List of Errata. Bye-Laws. General Index. In the present instance the plates have no connexion with the letter-press: they represent twelve species of Longicorn beetles, five of them coloured: these are — Abryna eximia of Newman, plate xxiv. fig. 1, var. cuprea ; fig. 2, var. viridis; Abryna Semperi of Westwood, fig. 3; Acronia perelegans of Westwood, fig. 4; Lamia ocellifera of Westwood, fig. 5; Abryna eximia seen obliquely, fig. 6; Abryna eximia, var. purpureo-nigricans, plate xxv. fig. 1; A. notha of Newman, fig. 2; A. ceenosa of Newman, fig, 3; A. fausta of Newman, fig. 4; A. Newmanni of Westwood, fig.5; Zygocera pruinosa of MacLeay, fig. 6; Z. metallica of Westwood, fig. 7. Mr. Stainton’s paper is a complete and rather painfully elaborate aggregation of all that has been written on the species of Cosmopteryx. The pith of the matter is con- tained in the concluding paragraphs, which I quote un- altered :— “JT will now glance at the sum total of our present know- ledge of the European species of the genus Cosmopteryx. “ We have six species, viz. :— “ One with ochreous anterior wings (Lienigiella), of which the larva is unknown and unsuspected. ; “One with brown anterior wings (Scribaiella), of which the larva is unknown and unsuspected. “ Both these species have slender, longitudinal, silvery streaks in the- basal portion of the wing; in Lienigiella the THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 31 margins of the central fascia, which is little yellower than the ochreous ground colour, are silvery ; in Scribaiella, which has the central fascia dark yellow, inclining to orange, not the rich reddish orange colour we see in the black species, the margins are pale golden, but the exterior margin is rup- tured a little above the middle of the wing, and the orange- yellow colour protrudes through it. *“ And we have ‘““Four species with black anterior wings, namely—Ex- imia, with the base of the wing black, and the apical streak interrupted, of which the pretty red marbled larva mines the leaves of the hop; Schmidiella, with the base of the wing black, and the apical streak uninterrupted, of which the pretty red marbled larva mines the leaves of Vicia Sepium; Ori- chalcea, with the base of the wing brassy, and the apical streak interrupted, of which the larva is suspected to mine in the leaves of Festuca arundinacea; and Druryella, with the base of the wing brassy, and the apical streak entire, of which the larva mines the leaves of Hicrochloé australis. In all these species the margins of the central fascia, which are golden in the male, have a rosy or violet tinge in the female ; and though all have the tips of the antennz white, there is this difference, that Druryella and Orichalcea have two white rings before the white tips ; and in Schmidiella and Eximia there is only one white ring. “The synonymy of the species will be as follows :— “1. Lienigiella. | Zeller, Isis, 1846, p. 298; Stainton, Zoologist, 1850, p. 2753; Id. Ins. Brit. Lep. Tin. p. 229; Herrich-Schiffer, Schmett. v. Europa, v. p. 284. “2. Scribaiella. (Heyden), Zeller, Ent. Zeit. 1850, p. 197 ; Herrich-Schiaffer, Schmett. v. Europa, v. p. 284, fig. 998. “3. Eximia. Haworth, Lep. Brit. p. 532; Stephens, II- lusty, Haust. iv. p. 273; Stainton, Manual, ii. p. 395. “Drurella. ‘Stainton, Ins. Brit. Lep. Tin. p. 229; Frey, Tin. u. Pteroph. der Schweiz, p. 259; Anm. Fologne, Ann. de la Soc. Entom. Belge. vi. p. 162, pl. ii. fig. 1. Druryella, Herrich-Schiffer, Schmett. v. Europa, v. p. 284, fig. 999. “4. Schmidiella. Frey, Tineen. u. Pteroph. der Schweiz, 32 : THE ENTOMOLOGIST. p- 257. (Alluded to also by Herrich-Schiffer under Druryella). “5. Orichalcea. Stainton, Ent. Annual, 1861, p. 90. “6. Druryella. Zeller, Ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 196; Frey, Tineen u. Pteroph. der Schweiz, p. 258, Anm. (Al- luded to also by Herrich-Schaffer under Scribaiella).” Mr. M‘Lachlan’s paper on the Fabrician types of Phryga- nidz is, as usual with that accomplished Entomologist, clear and satisfactory. Phryganea irrorata of Fabricius, Sp. Ins. 1. p. 389, 9 = Limnephilus intercisus of Walker, Brit. Mus. Cat. Neurop. Pt. 1. p..30, 41. Phryganea signata of Fabricius, Sp. Ins. i. p. 389, 7 = Brachycentrus fuliginosus of Walker, Brit. Mus. Cat. Pt. I. p- 88, 7; or B. incanus of Hagen, Neuropt. North Amer. p. 272,2; but as Dr. Hagen has since expressed an opinion that these two supposed species are identical, it follows that both names must fall, and that of B. signatus be substituted. Phryganea notata of Fabricius, Sp. Ins. 1. p. 390, 12, ap- parently = Dipsendopsis capensis of Walker; but as the Fabrician example is from North America, and as Mr. Walker’s is supposed to be from the Cape of Good Hope, some doubt inust continue to hang over the inquiry. There is really a great deal of interest attaching to this most neglected of all families of insects, and I should rejoice to find that Mr. M‘Lachlan’s labours. produced some better fruit than the bare inference that they entitle him to credit, which every one will admit: I could wish to see others em- barking in the study ; but alas! since my collecting powers have ceased, Mr. M‘Lachlan and his colleagues, Mr. Wor- mald and Mr. Parfitt, seem to be the only students of these aquatic moths. KpwaRpD NEWMAN. Description of the Larva of Larentia cesiata.—The egg is laid on the slender stalks of Vaccinium Vitis-Idza (the wort, whortleberry or bilberry), in July and August, and the young larva hybernates on the surface of the earth, at the roots of the food-plant: it begins to feed again in April of the ensuing year, and is full-fed by the second week in May : THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 33 if then rests on the stalk of its food-plant by day, generally with the head downwards, and in a perfectly straight position ; on the approach of evening it turns round, reascends the stalk, and feeds on the leaves during the night. Head prone, searcely so wide as the 2nd segment, and without any manifest notch on the crown: body of uniform substance thronghont, and having a perceptible lateral skinfold along the region of the spiracles; each segment has a few small warts, and each wart emits a sbort and feeble bristle. Co- lour of the head umber-brown, in some specimens inclining to red: body velvety red-brown, or velvety glivesaveenle in both varieties there is a series of medio-dorsal V- shaped markings of great beanty; these occur on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th segments; the apex oF acl mark points towards the head ; its sides are not quite closed at this point, but allow the passage of a fawn-coloured stripe which expands immediately after entering the area enclosed by the V, and is again restricted to a mere line, where it approaches the boundary of the segment; the re- mainder of the area enclosed by the V is of a lovely rose- colour; each side of the V is bordered with rich brown; - anterior to each V, that is, adjoining the anterior margin of each segment, are four short parallel lines, paler in the brown variety, perfectly white in the green one; lateral skinfold in both varieties almost white, and thrown up in bold relief by contrast with the ground colour immediately adjoining it; belly of the prevalent ground colour; legs semitransparent and pinkish; claspers of the prevailing ground colour. It spins a slight web amongst the leaves of its food-plant, and changes to a pupa in May; the perfect insect appears in June. Tam indebted to Mr. Wright for the opportunity of describing this beautiful larva.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva, of Cidaria ribesiaria. — The eges are laid in July, on the bark of currant and gooseberry stems, but do not latch until the following spring, when the larva feeds on the leaves, and is full-fed in June. Head rather small, porrected, but not distinctly exserted ; 2nd segment small and narrow; 8rd swollen all round; the remainder of the body uniformly cylindrical. ‘bere are two very distinct varieties ; in the more common variety the colour of the head is sepia-brown, variously shaded 34 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. and spotted with darker tints of the same: body dingy brown; 3rd segment with a transverse elevated black band, which contains eight white dots; 4th segment with a conspicuous black dot on each side; on every segment from the 4th to the 11th, both inclusive, is a median dark mark, which divides at each extremity, the anterior divisions divaricating slightly and becoming lost as they gradually merge’ in the ground colour; the posterior division divari- cating decidedly and abruptly, and terminating at the exterior posterior margin of the segment; each pair of divisions en- closes a paler and somewhat triangular space, and these tri- angles meet base to base at the junction of the segments, thus forming a series of medio-dorsal lozenge-shaped mark- ings, eight in number; in each dark making are four white dots, and in each lozenge is a median longitudinal black and slightly waved line; the sides are delicately varied with dif- ferent shades of sepia-brown, and every segment has a few scattered hairs. The other variety is green, and exhibits traces, more or less distinct, of the markings | have de- scribed. Full-fed about the middle of June, when it spins a slight web between two leaves of the food-plant, and therein changes to a pupa. The moth appears in July. This de- scription of the larva is taken from a specimen lent me by Mr. Wright, and carefully compared with an exquisitely beautiful drawing by Mr. Buckler.—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Platypierya unguicula, — This species is supposed to be double-brooded, a subject on which I am not qualified to express an opinion ; all that I can assert positively is that the larva occurs abundantly in August and September, and the moth in May, and that the May moths emerge from the August larve is beyond a ques- tion, but the point to be settled is whether there is an entire round of existence—egg, larva, pupa and imago—between May and August, which is a view of the case taken by most Lepidopterists. The egg is laid on the leaf of Fagus sylva- tica (beech), especially on those stunted or pollard trees which so abound in Epping Forest. When full-fed, in which state itis found at the end of August and throughout Sep- tember, the larva rests in a nearly straight position, but with both extremities slightly raised, and not touching the object on which it rests; when roughly tonched or jerked off with the beating-stick, it very frequently hangs by a thread, and, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. ; 35 thus suspended, begins twirling round and round, at first . slowly, and afterwards with great rapidity,—a feat I have sometimes seen performed by a slug when suspended by a thread of slime exuded from its own body. Head manifestly wider than the segments immediately following, prone, slightly notched on the crown, which rises- in a very marked manner above that part of the back which is immediately behind the heads the body tapers gradually to the 11th segment, and thence more suddenly tapers in a point; this point ap- pears to be the anal flap; on the 4th segment are two closely approximate warts placed transversely: every part of the body is beset with minor warts, each of which emits a hair. Colour of the head pale reddish brown, reticulated with darker brown ; body having the dorsal surface dark umber- brown ; there is a pale, almost white, narrow stripe on each side, commencing close to the head and passing obliquely towards the back, where it unites with a medio-dorsal white V-shaped mark on the 6th segment; the same marking is continued as a pale brown sbuttle-shaped dorsal stripe on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th segments, and is intersected throughout by an extremely narrow dark median line ; there is a conspicuous and elongate pale spot on each side of the llth segment; the dorsal warts on the 4th segment and the ana] point are reddish; belly, legs and claspers very pale, and having a very obscure tinge of green. It descends to the ground in September, and changes to a pupa on the sur- face of the earth or among the leaves, in a slight web. The pupa is brown, the wing-cases having a greenish tinge.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Bryophila glandifera. — The eggs are laid in September, on those flat lichens which so commonly cover the surface of stones used in building walls, bridges, houses, churches, &c.: they are white, and in con- finement are arranged in a perfectly straight line; they are hatched in October, the little larve on leaving the egg-shell being perfectly black and very hairy : they appear to hyber- nate in crevices of the stone while still extremely small, but in the following March or February, or even the end of January if the weather happen to be wet and mild, they again begin to feed: each then constructs a house for him- self, a kind of cocoon made of silk and particles of earth, 36 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. mortar or stone; this cocoon has little resemblance to the usual formula adopted by larve when preparing for pupation, but is very like the blister we occasionally see on paint; this cocoon, while tenanted, is closed at both extremities, just as though the occupant had shut himself up for good, and all to undergo pupation: in the vight or early morning, more especially in wet weather, he gnaws an opening at one end of his dwelling-place, comes completely out, and feeds ou the lichen ; but during the greater part of the day, and indeed during the night also in very dry weather, he remains shut up in his house: in moist weather, after making a copious meal on the saturated and swollen lichen, each larva seeks his accustomed shelter, always carefully fastening the door, or, in other words, spinning up the opening; but it is curious, and rather opposed to the ordinary habits of insects in this respect, that, as a general rule, each larva is totally careless whether he return to his own dwelling-place or to that of some friend or relation; he will, without a moment’s hesita- tion, coolly possess himself of any tenement he finds unoccu- pied, and, carefully closing the entrance, maintains his position against all comers; supposing, however, that the tenement he examines with the view of taking possession be already occupied, he never presumes to intrude, never thinks of contesting the point, but continues to wander about on the look-out for a house until he finds one unoccupied: an occupied cell is invariably closed, so that when you find one open you-may at once conclude it is an empty house; in no instauce do two larve attempt to occupy the same dwelling, either as joint tenants or tenants in common; should any difficulty arise in finding an empty house, which not unfre- quently happens, he sets to work in the most contented man- ner to construct one, and probably before now is as comfort- ably housed as any of his friends: I have said that in dry weather these larve remain sealed up in their domiciles, and when this continues for long they appear to suffer greatly from lack of food; for if the cocoon be forcibly opened after a long continuance of drought, its body is found in a very shrivelled and atrophied state, and its head disproportion- ately large and conspicuous. When full-fed, which is about the end of May, this larva has a limp and flaccid character, very similar to that of a larva that has been ichneumoned: 1 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 37 neither feigns death nor rolls in a ring when disturbed or an- noyed, as probably the only protection it seeks or requires is that afforded by its cocoon. Head porrected in crawling, rather narrower than the body; it is perfectly glabrous, but emits about thirty fine hairs, which are directed forwards ; body of uniform substance throughout, the back slightly de- pressed, the belly flattened ; each segment has twelve warts, and each wart emits a bristle. Colour of the head intense black and shining, the labrum white; dorsal surface of the body dark smoke-coloured as far as the spiracles, and having an irregular narrow medio-dorsal white stripe, interrupted on the 10th, 11th and 12th segments; the warts and bristles are white; the ventral surface, beginning at the spiracles, as also the legs and claspers, ochreous-yellow ; but in very wet wea- ther, when the larva feeds voraciously, the belly and all the under parts assume a tinge of green; nevertheless, although these parts assume this green tinge after voracious feeding , they invariably return to their normal yellow colour before pupa- tion, thus proving the altered tinge to be the result of re- pletion: when the time for pupation arrives, these larvee usually secrete themselves in holes in the wall, and spin a slight web amongst old spiders’ webs, dust and crumbled earth or mortar, in which they undergo the change, but some- times they use for this purpose the cocoons they had pre- viously constructed as habitations during their larvahood: they usually remain in the pupa throughout June and July, and the moth makes its appearance in August and through- out September. On account of its peculiar economy this species is rather difficult to manage in confinement: the Jarvee from which my description is made proved exceedingly restless in confinement, and pertinaciously refused to build or to feed on the diversified banquet of lichens, which, with more than parental solicitude (L will not say judgment) I provided for their well-being. The ground colour of the moth is very variable, sometimes nearly white, sometimes vray-green, and sometimes reddish or dusky brown: it comes freely to sugar, and sometimes is very abundant, more espe- cially on our southern coast. Forty years back it occurred profusely om the canal bridge in the Old Kent Road, but I find no record of its occurrence elsewhere in the Lon- don district. 1 am indebted to Mr. Dell, of Morris Town, 38 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. for this larva, and for the interesting particulars of its eco- nomy.—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Pterophorus trigonodactylus. —Yellowish white, with a shade of greenish; dorsal line light brown; subdorsal line broader, lighter brown; head and 2nd segment fulvous, shining; spiracles black. The larva appears to attack the top of the scape of Tussilago Farfara (coltsfoot), causing it to wither, and the head to hang down so as to come into contact with the scape. From thence it appears to make its way upwards through the receptacle into the pappus, amongst the silken threads of which it changes to the pupa state. The presence of a larva or pupa in a head of this plant is indicated by the bent and withered scape, and by the pappus being drawn together into a bundle, in which the insect lies.—John Peers ; 64, Butter- market Street, Warrington, May 23, 1864. The first number of an ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Maga- zine, conducted by T. Blackburn and others, has duly made its appearance, and contains the following papers :—1. “ New Species of Butterflies from Guatemala and Panama, by H. W. Bates, F.Z.S.,” in which ten American species are described. 2. “ Descriptions of the British Species of Stenus, by E. C. Rye,” in which four British species are described, namely, Stenus biguttatus of Linneus, 8S. bipunctatus of Erichson, 8. guttula of Miiller, and 8. bimaculatus of Gyllenhal. 3. “A few Words on the Species of Pterophorus noticed by Linné, by H. T. Stainton, F.L.S.,” in which is comprised a life-his- tory of Pterophorus didactylus of Linneus, translated from a paper by Dr. Schleich, at p. 96 of the ‘Stettin Entomologische Zeitung’ for the present year. 4. “On the Structure and Affinities of the Latridii, by T. Vernon Wollaston, M.A., ¥.L.S.,” a very learned and abstruse question on a difficult subject, and handled with Mr, Wollaston’s customary ability. The under-mentioned shorter records will bave more at- traction for the British Entomologist : — “ Observations on the Economy and Moulting of the Larva of Micropteryx, by Charles Healy.” “ Oxytelus speculifrons, a new British species, by E. C. Rye.” Mr. Rye has taken a single female THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 89 on the Thames bank near Hammersmith, and has identified it with the O. speculifrons of Kraatz, Ins. Deutschl. ii. 862, note. “ On Waterfall Insects, by W. Garneys,” in which Mr. Gar- nevs states he found Stenus Guynemeri and Quedius aurico- mus at a water-rill near Matlock: the title of the paper leads one to expect something more than this. “ Orgyia gono- stigma, Notodonta chaonia, Dasycampa rubiginea, Pericallia syringaria, by the Rev. J. Hellins.” Mr. Hellins records that hybernated larve of O. gonostigma began to feed on the 5th of May; that a specimen of Notodonta chaonia was taken flying round a gas-lamp at Exeter on the 25th of April; that a specimen of Dasycampa rubiginea was also taken at a gas-lamp at the end of March; and that a score of the larvae of Pericallia syringaria were found hanging at night from their food-plant, Lonicera periclymenum. “ Butalis incon- gruella at West Wickham, Hermaphrodite Insects, Hybrid Insects, by R. M‘Lachlan.” Mr. M‘Lachlan took B. incon- gruella at West Wickham on the 8th of April: he expresses a wish that all instances of hermaphbrodism and bybridism in insects should be catalogued. “ Probable Food of the Larve of Micropteryx mansuetella, by Charles Healy.” Mr. Healy suggests that Mercurialis perennis is the food-plant of M. mansuetella, from having seen the moths flying about that plant. “ Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Lon- don,” being a glance at the doings at the May Meeting of the Society, after the manner of the concise reports in the ‘Atheneum.’ “ Wasp attacking Larve, by G. Gascoyne.” Mr. Gascoyne relates that half a dozen of his juvenile larvee of Endromis were consumed by a wasp, who received the punishment of death for his crime. ‘ Xylina conspicillaris, by the Rev. E. Horton, M.A.” Mr. Horton records the breed- ing of a fine specimen of this rare Noctua on the 19th of April last ; it emerged in the forenoon, at the same time as the Teniocampe: when at rest the wings are closely pressed to the sides as in X. putris, the breadth across the thorax being greater than across the other extremity, wings included. The price of this little Journal is sixpence: it contains twenty-four pages of letter-press, aud has my hearty good wishes. sto perpelua. 40 "THE ENTOMOLOGIST. I am very pleased to receive a 2nd and 3rd number of the ‘ Naturalist,’ and also to observe that the Editor has afforded us Entomologists a larger allowance of space than in No. 1. In No. 2 Mr. Liversedge records the capture of a specimen of Crymodes Templi on the 30th of April.. Mr. Inchbald has an interesting paper on the oak and its galls, which is well worthy of attentive study ; but it seems to want the names of the species to which the author alludes: I hope he will make this useful addition in his next paper, recollecting that “ Nomina si nescis perit et cognitio rerum.” Mr. Porteous records that he is breeding Clostera anachoreta, and that he has seen a male C. anachoreta paired with a female C. cur- tula; W. H.C. cites a passage from Westwood on the Sacred Beetle of the Egyptians; Mr. Blackburn gives a paper on the preservation of caterpillars; and Mr. Dallas informs us that Ateuchus sacer was regarded as a sacred animal by the Egyptians. In No. 3 Mr. Inchbald again appears, and now as the historian of the galls of the willows; Mr. Hodgkinson gives an account of stray rambles, but some of the insects he mentions are unknown to me, for instance the ‘ Lurker (Bidaria larentaria);” perhaps some of them are misprinted, and I have no desire to be bypercritical on that point; but the names as published afford no clew to the writer’s mean- ing: in conclusion, Mr. Buckmaster gives a list of twelve Lepidoptera taken near London during the present year: none of them are uncommon. Destructive Economy of Meligethes. — 1 write you in con- sequence of the very serious injury the coleseed crops are now suffering from a minute beetle, three or four of which I send in a quill. I also enclose a portion of the plant, by which you will observe that not a single pod has been formed. ‘The beetle makes a hole in the unexpanded flower, and the whole inside is eaten, after which the flower-bud drops off. A great number of the Hymenopterous insects are constantly flying round the flower-heads. I have sent three in a quill. If you can, without inconvenience, give me the names of the insects, or either of them, I shall be greatly obliged. I have hunted through the Agricultural Society’s Reports, but do not find what is wanted.— Marshall Fisher ; Ely, May 16, 1864. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 41 [The little beetle is Meligethes picipes ; the Hymenopte- ron, Microgaster alvearius: | cannot suppose any connexion between these two insects, but rather incline to believe that the Microgaster was in search of some Lepidopterous larva in which to deposit its eggs. — HH. N.] Geophilus electricus a Food of Coleoptera. — The above- named insect is synonymous with the Scolopendra electrica, &c., and has been seen by only a few of the naturalists of this locality. It is not, I believe, of general occurrence through England. Within the boundary-walls of Walton Gaol there are several acres of garden-ground, and on the gravel-walks, during the autumn of 1861, I first observed this insect. It was a dark, warm evening when my attention was drawn to a number of beautiful luminous objects, appa- rently running to and fro on the walks. On throwing the light of a lamp upon one of the moving objects, I was asto- nished to see nothing but a beetle. Examining others, the same thing presented itself, and I supposed that I had dis- covered a new luminous Coleoptera. The light from the lamp, however, was so much stronger than that emanating from the beetle, that I could not make out from what portion the phosphorescence proceeded. The idea of a new phos- phorescent bectle was dispelled a few evenings afterwards, for, taking a big deg along with me, I observed that his feet were soon illuminated, and as he trotted along it was really a very interesting sight. I was now more puzzled than before, for I found that many of my own footsteps had left a light behind me. On examining one of the beetles I per- ceived that it held between its mandibles what appeared to be asmall worm, torn and wounded, and from the wounds the phosphorescent light emanated! Then, searching for some of the worm-like “objects on the surface of the walk, I saw that they were in abundance, and on rubbing some be- tween wy hands they were immediately covered with a pretty blue blaze of light. I had now discovered the cause of the light, or at least what was necessary to produce it. The beetles were feeding upon the Geophila, and before the light could be produced it was necessary to bruise or lacerate the latter. The light continued in each case for about the space of ten minutes, and then slowly died out. Even plunging 42 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. the insects into spirits of wine did not extinguish the light sooner than when exposed to the atmosphere. I may add that during the autumn evenings of 1862 and 1863 there was no perceptible diminution of the Geophila. The question now arises, From whence did they come? It is almost ex- clusively confined to the gravel-walks, and only makes its appearance on warm evenings soon after rain. 1 have been out in the neighbourhood in search of Noctaz-at ail hours of the night, but have never seen anything of the sort outside the prison-walls.” I therefore conclude that it has been intro- duced with the gravel.— William Harrison ; Walion Gaol, Liverpool.—Naturalist’s Scrap-Book, No. 14, p. 21. Pterophorus Larva on a Geranium, — In the autumn of 1863 (about October) I found the pupa of a Pterophorus on the stem of a Tom-Thumb geranium-leaf; it was black, with pale rings, and attached by the tail; there were a few hairs on it. The moth came out between the 14th and 16th inst. ; it was 13-sixteenths of an inch in expanse. I have attempted. to make a drawing of it, which, though not so accurate as it might be, may enable you to recognize it. The pupa was kept in a cool room, without a fire, so it was not “ forced.” As lam not well up in Entomology, [ do not know if there is anything unusval about the matter; but as Stainton’s ‘Manual’ does not give this month for any of the genus, J thought I would send this to you— WN. C. Tuely ; Wands- worth. Is Eubolia lineolata considered a coast insect or not ? — B. Rogers. [1 think so: the localities from which I have received it are the north coast of Cheshire and the South coast of Sussex. Mr. Stainton gives Cambridge, but I know not on whose authority.— FH. N.| Has the day on which Lycena Argiolus first appears ever been noticed ?— B. Rogers. [I think so: Mr. Wright, when in my company, took it this year on the 19th of April. EL. N.) Is I’. biundularia identical with T. laricaria ? —B. Rogers. [I consider T. laricaria and T. crepuscularia synonymous, but regard T. binndularia as distinct. See Doubleday’s ‘ Ca- talogue,’ p. 5.— EL. N.] ADVERTISEMENTS. Wanted to Purchase, STEPHENS’s ‘ MANUAL OF BriTISH BEETLES,’ and his “CATALOGUE OF BriTISH INSECTs.’ Address, stating price, Mr. B. Kenpricx, Warrington. The Insect Hunters. By EDWARD NEWMAN, FE.L.S., F.Z.S. Late President of the Entomological Society. I have written this little book expressly for those who do not pretend to consider themselves experienced naturalists. Ido not assume any knowledge on the part of the learner, but begin at the beginning, and attempt to educate the ~reader up to the point of understanding my more complete and extended ‘ Familiar Introduction to the History of In- sects ;) indeed I am not altogether without a hope that some will consider this inexpensive and unassuming book a suf- ficient Introduction to the Science.—Hpwarp NEWMAN. * UNRIVALLED as A Frrst-Boox 1x EnromoLocy.”—The late William Spence, F.R.S., one of the Authors of the cele- brated ‘ Introduction to Entomology, * We know of no volume that contains so much informa- tion in so small a compass on the habits and economy of insects.” — Natural Hisiory Review, Edited by A. H. Hali- day, E'sq. “The descriptions are accurate, and the author is well acquainted with the subject on which he writes.” Atheneum. *¢ We have in a small compass, and in the most captivating and easy form, all the information that is really essential to the study of Entomology.”—Lilerary Gazette. * Undoubtedly the best and most useful of Mr. Newman’s entomological works.”— H, 7. Stainton, Hsy., P.LS., Enio- mologist’s Annual for 1858. Price 2s. 6d., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. ADVERTISEMENTS. " A FAMILIAR Introduction to the History of Insects. By Epwarp Newman, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Late President of the Entomological Society. This work is illustrated by a profusion of engravings, exe- cuted in the first style of the art, from the Author’s own drawings on the wood. It is divided into four parts. The Jirst gives a detailed account of the habits and manners of the most interesting insects, and a description of their won- derful transformations. The second treats of capturing, killing and preserving insects, and of constructing cabinets : the most ample details are given, and the Author has taken especial pains to explain the most expeditious modes of killing insects, in order to inflict no unnecessary pain on the insects themselves, and also to save the feelings of the hu- mane and kind-hearted, which are too often outraged by the modes in common use. In the third part the Author de- scribes, in an easy and popular manner, the structure of insects, using language which all may understand, yet never deviating from soln Fe accuracy : ‘he has written for the public at large, and not for that learned but limited portion of the public to which the works of modern Entomologists are exclusively addressed. The fourth part gives a sketch of the classification of insects; and the work concludes with an Alphabetical Index, each technical word having an ex- planation as well as reference ; and in this part of the work are explained not merely the terms recommended: for adoption, but also the objectionable terms in common use, pointing out the correct phrases recommended in their stead. Price 12s., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. Charge for each advertisement Three Shillings and Sia- pence, provided it does not exceed 60 words. If more than siaty words, then al the rate of one halfpenny per word. A circulation of 500 ts guaranteed. *,* All offers of Duplicates inserted gratuitously: both the yeneric and specific names MUST BE GIVEN. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 4.] AUGUST, MDCCCLXIV. __., [Price 6p. Description of the Larva of Acronycta Aceris.— The eggs are laid in July, but whether on the leaves, twigs, or trunk of the food-plant I am unable to state with any certainty. The larva is full-fed in August and September, and then if an- noyed rolls itself into a compact ring, with the head on one side like an Iulus, and in this position it remains for a long time most pertinaciously. . Head as wide as the body, wider than the 2nd segment; body almost uniformly cylindrical, densely clothed with long hairs, which converge at the ex- tremities; along each side is a slender skinfold passing immediately below the spiracles. Head black and shining, with a white mark on the face shaped like an inverted letter V; labrum white. Body pale gray, sometimes approaching to flesh-colour, and sometimes having a tinge of smoke- colour, especially near the head, with a medio-dorsal series of kite-shaped snow-white spots; eight of these, those on the Sth to the 12th segments, both inclusive, are bordered with intense velvety black; three others, those on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments, are linear and almost confluent, but still bordered by the same intense black; on the 13th segment the black is present, but the white is wanting: the converging hairs form a double series of dorsal fascicles, each composed of nine fascicles and arranged on each side of the medio- dorsal ornamentation just described ; these fascicles are usually of a uniform dingy orange-red or salmon-colour, but in some specimens are uniformly ochreous-yellow ; in one specimen I have examined six of these fascicles were salmon-coloured, and the rest, indeed all the other hairs on the body, ochreous; spiracles black ; legs nearly black ; _claspers dark brown. This larva feeds on Acer pseudo- platanus (sycamore), often on the loftiest branches ; also on Aesculus hippocastanum (horse-chestnut), and more rarely on Quercus Robur (oak): when these beautiful and very VOL. II. D 44 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. conspicuous larve are full-fed they may be observed crawling down the trunks in order to undergo pupation, which takes place in a web on the surface of the ground, amongst fallen leaves, under loose bark, &c.: the perfect insect does not appear until the following June, generally between the 8th and 23rd, when it may occasionally be found resting on the trunks of. the sycamores. I am indebted to Mr. Blackmore for the specimen described, and have fre- quently found others myself.—Edwzard Newman. Description of the Larva of Triphena orbona. — Egg laid in July, on a variety of low plants, on which the young larva feeds; one of these very commonly selected is Stellaria media (common chickweed): they are hatched in August, and hybernate early: as soon as the buds of the sallow and whitethorn open they ascend the stems and feed on the young leaves: the larva is full fed in May, when it rolls into a compact ring if disturbed. Head, when moving, porrected, rather narrower than the body: body velvety, nearly uniformly cylindrical, but increasing almost imper- ceptibly to the 12th segment, which is the largest. Colour of head and body dingy umber-brown, the head slightly variegated with darker shades of the same colour; the dorsal region of the body is uniformly brown; the anterior segments from the 2nd to the 5th, both inclusive, interrupted by a me- dian very narrow and very indistinct line; the 11th and 12th segments have each two very conspicuous velvety dorsal markings almost black; on the 11th segment these are dis- tant, narrow, longitudinal and waved; those on the 12th seg- ment are decidedly more approximate, broader and larger ; their figure is irregular, but their anterior extremity is pointed, the posterior extremity square ; the spiracles are white, and are situated at the extreme edge of the brown dorsal area ; beneath them is a broad pale wainscot-coloured stripe ex- tending the entire length of the larva, and this, from the 2nd to the 7th segment, is tinged along the middle with brick- red; the belly is smoky brown, and the legs and claspers are of the same colour. Changes to a smooth brown chrysalis on the surface of the earth: the imago usually appears about the Ist of July, and specimens continue to emerge throughout the whole of July and August. I am indebted to Mr. Thomas Huckett for specimens of this larva.—Jd. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 45 Description of the Larva of Noctua rhomboidea. — The egg is laid on Stellaria media (chickweed) and other low plants, at the roots of which it hybernates when small: in the spring it feeds on chickweed, dock, &c., but also ascends the sallows and feeds on the young leaves; very generally full-fed about the end of May or beginning of June. Head almost prone, rather small, generally half-concealed in the 2nd segment: body smooth, velvety, almost uniformly cylin- drical, but having the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments more slen- der than those which follow. Head brown, shining: body with the dorsal area as far as the spiracles brown, but the tint of the brown different in different individuals, approach- ing sometimes to sepia, sometimes to sienna; this brown area is divided by three equidistant narrow stripes of a pale greenish hue, and these three linear stripes are connected on the 12th segment by a transverse bar of the same colour ; the back has several black markings, almost taking the cha- racter of dots; the belly below the spiracles is pale olive- green. The moth appears in July and August. I have been greatly assisted by Mr. Buckler’s beautiful drawing, by which I have recognized larve of this species lent me by Mr. Thomas Huckett.— Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Noctua xanthographa.— The eges are laid in August and September, on the leaves of Plantago major (plantain) and various species of grass, which constitute the food of the larva; it retires towards the roots when very small, secreting itself under any covering that will protect it from the weather; at this season, and again in the spring after it has again commenced to feed, it is very fond of hiding on the under surface of stones, if such occur near its habitat. The full-fed larva drops from its food-plant when annoyed, and rolls itself into a very tight and compact ring, but quickly unrolls when the danger is passed, and crawls with considerable activity. Head in crawling scarcely porrected, manifestly narrower than the body: body obese, almost uniformly cylindrical, but still increasing very gra- dually from the 2nd to the 12th segment. Colour of the head pale semitransparent brown, very glabrous, with two slightly curved longitudinal dark stripes on the face, and the cheeks slightly reticulated with the same colour: body pale velvety brown, with a narrow medio-dorsal stripe still paler, 46 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. and margined on each side with black, which shades off ex- ternally into the pale brown ground colour; this black, how- ever, consists of innumerable minute specks, which are crowded when in close proximity to the pale medio-dorsal stripe, but become scattered as they recede from it: just above the spiracles is a rather broad lateral stripe, somewhat darker than the ground colour, with a dark but ill-defined upper margin and a unicolorous and clearly defined lower margin: exactly intermediate between the medio-dorsal stripe and this lateral stripe is a parti-coloured stripe scarcely so wide as the latter; it is divided longitudinally into two equal parts, the upper part very dark brown, almost black, and- somewhat interrupted at the interstices of the segments, thus forming a series of eleven elongate blotches, the lower part pale and throwing the series of blotches into bold relief; three pale stripes are also to be traced on the 2rd segment : the legs, claspers and belly are pale, and have a semitrans- parent appearance. It enters the ground in May to undergo its change to a glabrous brown pupa: the moth emerges in August, and is sometimes a perfect nuisance to the collector who adopts the sugaring mode of capture. Guenée observes that a great number of individuals die in the pupa state, a conclusion at which he arrives from the fact that in France the larvee are much more abundant than the moth; Mr. Doubleday informs me he thinks this is also the case in England. I am indebted to Mr. Wright for the caterpillar.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Anchoscelis pistacina. — The. eggs are laid in the autumn, on the herbage in meadows after the hay-crop has been harvested, more especially on the flowering-stems of various species of Ranunculus (butter-cup), on the leaves of which the larva feeds. The larve, as mentioned by Mr. Crewe (Zool. 6384), do not emerge until the spring, when they ascend the stalks of the food-plants, which are probably very various, including many Graminee. The larva is full-fed at the end of May and beginning of June, and then may be readily obtained by sweeping standing grass morning and even- ing, but not so abundantly in the middle of the day. When dis- turbed it forms itself into a ring, and rolls to the bottom of the sweeping-net; but on being removed from the dédris there collected, a strangely heterogeneous mass, it soon: finds the ‘THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 47 use of its legs, and crawls with considerable rapidity. Head of nearly the same width as the body, semiporrected in crawling ; body velvety, of uniform substance throughout, and perfectly without humps. Colour of the head dull green, of the body delicate apple-green, with an extremely slender medio- dorsal stripe almost white, and a somewhat broader and much more distinct lateral stripe, also nearly white ; there are, besides, a few white dots on the dorsal surface, each emitting a short and slender hair: on the 2nd and 3rd segments six of these dots form a straight transverse series ; on each of the following segments, namely, the 5th to the 12th, both inclusive, are four of these dots, forming some- what of a quadrangle: as the larva moves a transverse skin- fold becomes conspicuous at the interstices of the seg- ments, and these skinfolds assume the appearance of eva- nescent yellow rings; the spiracles are very pale, almost white, and each is surrounded by a black margin; behind each spiracle there is oflen a jet- -black spot, and Mr. Buckler has most kindly sent me a specimen in which these spots occur on the 3rd and 4th segments, which never bear spi- racles; the whole of the dorsal surface is moreover freckled with minute amorphous markings, scarcely differing from the general ground colour: ventral surface and ciaspers apple- green; legs paler. “It spins a very tight neat earthen cocoon, in which it remains some weeks before assuming the pupa state: the cocoon, when kept dry, becomes exceed- ingly brittle.” The moth appears in August and September. ‘'—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Scopelosoma satellitia.— The egg is laid in March, on twigs of Quercus Robur (oak), by females which have hybernated ; the larva makes its appear- ance in May, and spins together the leaves of the oak, form- ing a retreat from which it sallies forth in quest of its living prey, the larvee of any other Lepidoptera which may happen to have the misfortune to be located in its vicinity: to the Entomologist who, like myself, indulges in the rearing of larvee, they often prove most determined enemies. Mr. Buckler writes pathetically on the subject :—‘“‘ It happens sometimes that in gathering food for other things, one of these wretches, then quite small, lurks among the leaves, and is unconsciously introduced to his prey : an instance of 48 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. this kind occurred to me a few years ago, when I had reared fifty-seven larve of Tzeniocampa Populeti from the egg; they were about half-grown, bad spun the leaves of poplar together, and were feeding between them: all went well for a time, but at length I observed spots of moisture between the withered leaves, and, being puzzled at not finding any larve in the food that was removed, an investigation took place, when I could discover no Populeti larvee, but an ill-looking monster of a Satellitia coiled up at the bottom of the jar. This mon- ster had actually murdered fifty-seven of his fellow-prisoners, and devoured their bodies.” I could not find that my own caplives ate any of the oak-leaves provided for them, but feasted on juvenile Brumarias and such small deer, until I expelled them from the breeding-cage. These larve are SO decidedly cannibalistic in their propensities, that in default of aliens they will devour their own species. When half or three-quarters grown this larva is excessively active, and very persistent in its endeavours to escape observation, crawling with great activity, and often wriggling backwards out of its retreat, after the manner of a Tortrix: the head is porrected in crawling, rounded on the crown, and decidedly narrower than the body: the body is nearly cylindrical, but the anterior segments are attenuated. Colour of the head clear bright brown on the crown, black-brown about the mouth: body rich velvety brown; the 2nd segment has three paler longitudinal lines on the back ; of these the middle one is less distinctly pronounced than the other two: these appear like the anterior extremities of three dorsal stripes, the remaining portion of which has been obliterated in the greater number of specimens, but which are slightly indi- cated in some throughout the entire length of the body : on a line with the spiracles there is present, between the 2nd and 3rd segments, and again between the 3rd and 4th seg- . ments, a somewhat linear but inconstant snow-white spot; a linear white spot on the 5th and another on the 11th seg- ment; these seem like broken portions of a spiracular line which is very evident in some specimens, but scarcely per- ceptible in others: ventral surface, legs and claspers paler and less velvety than the dorsal surface; legs variegated with black. From Guenée we learn that this larva, when ap- proaching its full size, descends from its exalted station THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 49 amongst the branches of forest trees, and feeds on humble herbs, like the Orthoside: emanating from so high an an- thority I cannot donbt the statement, but the fact has never come within the range of my own observation. It changes to a pupa beneath the surface of the earth.—Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Cosmia trapezina, — The female lays her eggs on Quercus Robur (oak), in August, and less commonly on Carpinus betulus (hornbeam); the larve abound in the following May, particularly from the middle to the end of the month, and beginning of June. Although doubtless occasionally feeding on leaves, they seem to prefer animal food, devouring with great greediness the larvee of other Lepidoptera, particularly those of Cheimatobia bru- mata, which absolutely swarm in our woods, forests and gardens during the entire month of May and the beginning of June. It neither feigns death nor rolls in a ring when rudely dislodged by the beating-stick, but falls at full length into the umbrella, amid a shower of the larve of C. brumata, which the same stroke has also dislodged: in this predica- ment it instantly catches sight of the first larva that ventures to crawl, and starts in immediate pursuit, and an exciting race ensues, in which the Cosmia is not always the victor, the Cheimatobia sometimes escaping through sheer supe- riority of speed: the carnivorous larva, however, generally gains the day, and it is curious to observe that he does not seize the leaf-feeder by the hinder part of the body, but never slackens his pace until his head is abreast of the other’s neck, which he then seizes with savage eagerness, reminding one strongly of a deerhound pulling down a stag, or at least to the representations of this cruel feat by the inimitable Landseer. When the first paralyzing grip is given it is all over with the leaf-feeder; there is scarcely a struggle ; the Cheimatobia submits to its fate, and the Cos- mia continues his repast, until one wonders at his power of consumption: when introduced into the collecting-box with any otber larva, a somewhat similar scene ensues, but the chance of escape for the leaf-feeder is gone, and his destruc- tion is inevitable: I have rarely, if ever, opened a box, in which a Cosmia and Cheimatobia have been enclosed together, without finding that the latter bas fallen a prey to the former. The head of the Cosmia larva is manifestly 50 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. narrower than the body, very glabrous, and porrected in crawling ; the body obese, slightly narrowed at the anterior extremity, and slightly swollen on the back of the 12th seg- ment. Colour of the head dusky semihyaline green ; body pale dull green, with numerous small warts, and five equi- distant pale, almost white, stripes extending its entire length; these stripes are often tinged with yellow or yellow-green, and the outer or lateral stripe is often bordered with dark smoke-colour along its upper margin; the warts are jet- black and surrounded by a ring of pure white, and each emits a rather conspicuous bristle; on each segment there are usually eight of these warts; on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments they are arranged in a straight transverse series, but on the following segments, namely, the 5th to the 12th inclusive, four of them are arranged almost in a square on the back, and two below them on each side; the medio-dorsal stripe is narrow, but very distinct; the next on each side is still narrower, irregular and interrupted; the exterior or lateral stripe is much wider than the others and very dis- tinct; it includes all the spiracles, except the Ist and 9th ; the upper margin of this wide stripe is sometimes bordered with black, which merges abruptly in the general ground colour: the ventral surface, including the legs and claspers, is delicate apple-green, with a semitransparent appearance. It changes to a pupa in a slight web on the surface of the earth: the pupa is a brown-colour, covered with a beautiful bloom like that on a ripe Orleans plum: the moth appears in July —Ldward Newman. Description of the Larva of Polia Chi.— The eggs are laid in the autumn, and hatched in the spring, from the 17th to the 3lst of March: the larva feeds on Crategus Oxya- cantha (whitethorn) and Salix caprea (sallow). When full- fed, which is about the middle of May, the head is slightly porrected, and about equal in width to the 2nd segment; the body is smooth and almost uniformly cylindrical, but slightly decreasing in size towards both extremities. Colour of both the head and body giaucous-green; the dorsal area paler than the ventral, and interrupted by three slender white stripes, the medio-dorsal stripe being the least distinct of the three ; the dorsal area is bounded, on a line with the spi- racles, by a narrow black stripe, the upper margin of which THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 51 melts, through delicate gradations of olive-green, into the pale glaucous-green of the back, but its lower margin is bounded by a very distinct and rather broad pure white stripe; belly, legs and claspers glaucous-green ; spiracles pure white, surrounded by a black ring; on the 3rd and 4th segments, in an exquisite drawing by Mr. Buckler, kindly lent me by Mr. Hellins, are represented black dots exactly in the place occupied by spiracles in the spiracle-bearing segments. In reference to these abnormal markings, which may be called false spiracles, Mr. Buckler observes :—“ I have seen similar markings on the larve of other Noctue, but very rarely ; and I may here mention that in some of the more dingy-coloured Noctue, I have had varieties in which the spiracles have not béen visible by any distinction of colour or markings, while in other individuals of the same species they will be most distinct; these aberrant markings on the 3rd and 4th segments are remarkably large on some of the Cuculliz when they do occur.” Since Mr. Buckler wrote this he has had the kindness to send me a larva of Anchoscelis pistacina in which this peculiarity is very appa- rent. ‘he larva descends to the ground about the middle of May, and undergoes pupation beneath the surface of the earth. The moth begins to ewerge about the middle of July, and continues to do so through the months of Au- gust and September. I am indebted to the Rev. J. Hellins and Mr. Buckler for my knowledge of this larva and the particulars of its history. Jt is generally distributed over the continent of Europe, but in Great Britain is considered a northern insect, being scarcely ever met with in the southern counties.—Mdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Polia flavecincta.— The eggs are laid in October and hatch in the spring; the larve feed on Stellaria media (chickweed), Senecio vulgaris (groundsel), various species of mint and many other herbs; they are full- fed in June and July. The full-fed larva rests in almost a straight position, with the head slightly tucked in, but falls off its food-plant and forms a rather loose ring when annoyed. Head manifestly narrower than the body, partially retractile within the 2nd segment: body uniformly cylindrical, smooth, velvety. Colour of the head pale opaque green, with black ocelli: body-pale apple-green, inclining to glaucous, irro- o2 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. rated with minute white dots; there is a narrow median stripe on the back, slightly darker than the rest, but very indistinct; along each side is a very slender white stripe passing below the spiracles, but just touching them; this is bordered above by a very narrow and interrupted black stripe, particularly observable between the Ist and 2nd spi- racles, and having a conspicuous black dot behind the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th spiracles: the spiracles are dingy vel- low, bordered with black; legs almost colourless ; claspers pale transparent green. When full fed the larve enter the earth to change to pupe; the perfect insect appears in Sep- tember. I am indebted to Mr. Wright for specimens of this larva.—Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Amphipyra pyramidea. — Rests in nearly a straight position; it does not fall from its food-plant if annoyed, unless compelled to do so; it never rolls in aring. Stout, obese, of nearly uniform width throughout; the 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments, however, are rather more slender, and the 12th rises in a pyramidal form, and is surmounted with a medio-dorsal horn-like point which is slightly curved backwards. Colour of the head apple- green ; body in some examples apple-green, in others glaucous-green: in all there is a narrow medio-dorsal stripe extending from the head to the anal flap, and interrupted only by the horn-like summit of the 12th segment, which is red: a lateral stripe passes along each side, just below the spiracles, from the head to the extremity of the anal flap, the spiracles themselves being white and surrounded by a black ring on each side; exactly intermediate between the medio-dorsal and lateral stripe is a waved and much inter- rupted stripe which origmates immediately behind the head, and, after pursuing its sinuous course along eleven segments, ascends to the summit of the pyramidal protuberance on the 12th, and again descends in a curve, vanishing in the anal flap ; looking down on the summit of the pyramidal protu- berance, six stripes seem to radiate from it in as many dif- ferent directions: besides these stripes. there are several dots on every segment, excepting the 2nd; on the 3rd and 4th segments these dots are eight in number, and arranged in a transverse dorsal series; on the following segments there are generally three of these dots between the medio-dorsal stripe THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 53 and the interrupted stripe, and one between the interrupted stripe and the lateral stripe: the whole of these stripes and dots are of a yellowish white colour and are very distinct ; each dot emits a minute and delicate hair from its centre ; the legs are green, spotted with black, the black pre- ponderating; the ventral surface and claspers are apple- green. Full-fed on the Ist of June, and then changes to a pupa in a cocoon on the surface of the earth: the moth appears in August.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Mania maura.— The eggs are laid on fruit trees, in the antumn, and the young larve hybernate early ; they feed again in spring as soon as the leaves expand, and are full-grown in May. Head slightly porrected and rather small: body smooth and velvety, rather attenuated and leech-like anteriorly, stouter from the 7th to the 1lth segment. Colour of the head and body dingy umber-brown, with various darker and paler markings ; head obscurely reticulated; 2nd, 3rd and 4th segments with an interrupted pale medio-dorsal stripe ; in some specimens this may be indistinctly traced throughout every segment, except the 13th; on the back of each segment from the 5th to the 12th, both inclusive, the brown colour is intensified in a lozenge-shaped mass ; these lozenges are eight in number ; the last is cut off posteriorly by a transverse black bar ex- tending on each side to the spiracles: on the side of each segment, from the 5th to the 12th inclusive, are a variety of paler and darker markings: the spiracles are reddish, with a black margin, and above each is a rather complicated mark- ing, consisting principally of a pale oblique bar, bordered posteriorly by a dark brown or black oblique bar, and having a black marking united to it anteriorly; on the 12th segment is a narrow black bar extending from spiracle to spiracle. I have found the larva feeding on strawberry leaves, but this is, I think, uncommon. ‘The perfect insect appears in July and August, and is fond of resorting to summer- houses, boat-houses, sheds, &c., in the interior of which it may frequently be observed in the day time, sitting on the inuer surface of the roof: I once counted twenty-eight in a boat-house at Godalming. 1 have been favoured with a sight of an exquisite drawing of this larva by Mr. Buckler, which has greatly assisted me in preparing this description. aa fii 54 THE ENTOMOLOGIST: Spotting of Tortrix and other Larve.—Is there any structural characteristic whereby to distinguish the larve of the Tortrices from those of allied groups? Nothing is more easy, as far as my experience goes, than to breed a Depres- saria, for instance, from a larva taken for a Tortrix. Ifa distinctly marked (spotted) larva of this group be examined, say Tortrix icterana, it will be seen that the disposition of the spots on the 3rd and 4th segments is very different from that of the rest. The dorsal spots, from the 5th to the 11th, both inclusive, are disposed in the form of a trapezoid, the narrow end foremost. On the 3rd and 4th segments, which I suppose we must call the meso- and the metathorax, this arrangement is altered. Here we have the upper four spots following each other in a line across the segments like a necklace; after and below them come two spots, placed side by side at right angles to the others. Below these, again, we have (usually, for in some larve the lower dots are very indistinct) another dot which gives the four a somewhat rhomboid form. Besides these ten spots, which are almost universally present in a greater or less degree, we find two other rudimentary ones occupying the place taken up by the legs and claspers upon the other segments. Now, what I wish to know is, whether this disposition is peculiar to the Tortrices, or is it found in other and allied groups? If pe- culiar, it would be a ready means of distinguishing them. It would appear, from the uniformity of the arrangement of these discoloured elevations, that they are disposed in strict conformity to some law not yet discovered,—that in fact there is some structural reason for their being so- placed. Is it not a most lamentable fact that out of some three hun- dred and odd Tortrices, more than two hundred _ should have their larve either undescribed, insufficiently described, or totally unknown? The undoubted fact that the general run of so-called Entomologists are merely collectors, and not students of Entomology, is, I conceive, the chief cause of this deplorable state of things. When we consider how much better moths are when bred than when taken, and how much breeding them adds to our knowledge of their economy, we are ata loss to understand how it is that this somewhat disgraceful state of things should have so long THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 55 continued. — John Peers; 64, Buttermarket Street, War- rington, June 6, 1864. {The time is approaching when we must have a larval arrangement of Lepidoptera: I can never hope to accom- plish this, but nevertheless it will assuredly be done: the idea occurred to the authors of the Vienna Catalogue, and subsequently to Dr. Horsfield; but the author last-named worked out his system in a manner too fanciful to be of any real utility, and the other distinguished Entomologists never sufficiently explained their views: the truth has already been shadowed forth in a paper by mys self, showing that the larve must be used for mapping out great continents, if we may so call them, of Lepidoptera ; and the characters ‘of the perfect insects for dividing those continents into zones or minor divisions: the formula of spotting, to which my corre- spondent alludes as that of a larval Tortrix, is common to many of the Noctuidae ; indeed it very frequently occurs in those larve which are cryptobious: Mr. Peers will do the Science a great service if he continue his investigations, and from time to time give the results to the public. I will not attempt an answer to his inquiry, never having given suf- ficient attention to the Micros to enable me to do so with any confidence. With regard to my correspondent’s la- mentation over our ignorance of the larval states of insects, “no one can sympathize with him more sincerely than I do. The ‘Entomologist’ is indeed mainly established to fight the battle of the larve ; it will be uphill work, but I think that, having once put my hand to the plough, there is little probability of my turning back while life and health allow me to persevere.—Edward Newman. | Fluid ejecied by Tortrix Larve. — Whilst I am upon the subject of larvee, I should like to ask if you have noticed that a Tortrix larva will reimbibe the fluid which some of them eject when annoyed by a touch near the head? That they will do so 1 have repeatedly observed; and it is a curious fact that the colour of the juice ejected is usually (invariably ?) that of the larva itself.—John Peers. [This is a very curious, and to me novel, fact. I am not aware what is the nature of the fluid so freely ejected from the mouth of larval Tortrices; it may be used merely as a means of defence.—Kdward Newman. | 56 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Larval Reproduction in Insects. —‘ Siebold and KGlliker’s Zeitschrift’ for 1863 relates a curions discovery by Pro- fessor N. Wagner of some worm-like insect larve filled with smaller larvee of the same kind. Except in the remarkable fact that the mothers: are themselves only larve, these in- stances resemble the asexual reproduction of the Aphides. The larve were obtained from under the bark of elms in Kasan, and appear to belong to some species of Diptera. The * Archives des Sciences’ remarks, “ ‘That amongst the asexual plant-lice the pseudova, or false eggs, are found in an organ which is the homologue of the ovary in the sexual individuals; whilst in the apodal larve observed by M. Wagner the pseudova are formed in the fatty body. This organ divides itself into a certain number of lobes, which surround each one with a special membrane.” — Intellectual Observer, May, 1864, p. 306. [Statements of this kind are annually reproduced to the intense delectation of the wonder-mongers: the larve are those of one of the Pteromalide which habitually infests the larve of Diptera. The existence of larval procreation is neither impossible nor unlikely, but we shall make a fatal mistake if we confound it with the familiar parasitism of the Ichneumonide. | Early Swarm of Bees.— The fine weather of the month of May seems to have caused the bees to swarm earlier than usual ; and what is more remarkable, on the 19th May, a swarm of these industrious insects fixed upon, for their tem- porary abode, a Jamp-post opposite a shop in the market- place where bee-hives are sold ; their owner having purchased one of these rustic straw habitations, with very little trouble transferred them to it.—J. Walton ; Knaresborough, June 4. Forty Thousand Pounds worth of Butterflies. —In the canton of Basle not less than 12,000,000 butterflies have been caught this year, and the Government has paid the catchers the not inconsiderable sum of 1,000,000f. Natu- ralists tell us that of every hundred of these beautiful insects, forty-five are females; and as each of the latter is estimated to lay, on the average, forty fruitful eggs, the destruction of these 12,000,000 is virtually the same as the annihilation of 216,000,000 caterpillars.— Daily News. ADVERTISEMENTS. rae LETTERS OF RUSTICUS ON, NATURAL HISTORY. Hollow, sandy Lanes. Birds’ Nests. Wild Cat. Black Grouse. Sand Martin. Hooded Crow. Ring Ouzel. Mi- gration of Birds. Screech Owl. Woodcock. Water Rail. Eared Grebe. Moorhen. ‘Titmouse. Dabchick. Great Northern Diver. Wild Swan. Singing of Swans. Fern Owl. Furze Wren. Crossbill. Siskin. Lesser Redpole. Chaf- finch. Blackcap. Nightingale. Trip to the Isle of Wight —Freshwater Cliffs; Multitude of Birds ; Colony of Cormo- rants; Passage through the Needles; Lobster-pots; Sea Birds’ Eggs; Egg-collectors; Eggs stolen by Gulls, and how ; Eggs stolen by Ravens, and how; Crab Race; Ring Dotterells and Purres; Migration of Puffin. Insects injurious to Vegetables. Hedgehog; hybernation of; error in defend- ing it as a herbivorous animal; destroys Vipers, and is gene- rally carnivorous. lLongtailed Tit. Hare. Weasel hunts Rats as well as Rabbits. “There is a woodcut, some of them most exquisite, to each chapter, and tail-pieces, after the delightful manner of Bewick, are scattered through the work. Itis a most de- lightful book.”— Douglas Jerrold. “The most charming contribution to Natural History since the days of good old Gilbert White. These Letters are well worthy of consultation by all gardeners and agricultu- rists, since the descriptions of these facts are perfectly trust- worthy, being in all cases the result of observation.” — West- minster Review. “The collection of facts and observations respecting blights, or insects injurious to vegetation, are especially worthy attention, and we recommend them strongly.” — Gardeners’ and Farmers Journal. Price 8s. 6d., post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. ADVERTISEMENTS. BRITISH BUTTE REL LESS Being a complete Natural History of these beautiful Insects. By Epwarp Newman, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Late President of the Entomological Society. This work, which is also called the “ Butterfly Number of Young England,” and may be ordered under either title, contains a figure of every British Butterfly, exactly the size of life (all of these figures are drawn and engraved by artists of the first eminence, regardless of expense), and also a full description of each in the various stages of Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly, with all particulars of the plant on which the Caterpillar feeds, and Fu. Instructions How To Find, CATCH AND PRESERVE BUTTERFLIES AND MOoTHs. There is added a Diagram Figure of a Butterfly, with references to all the parts, so that every word used in the descriptions can be understood at a glance, a very great advantage to the learner, who is thus saved the purchase of a more expensive book. => The ‘ Natural History of British Butterflies’ contains a Portrait of the Author, from the well-known Photograph by Maull and Polyblank. Price Sevenpence, post free. Edward Newman, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate. Charge fer each advertisement Three Shillings and Six- pence, provided it does not exceed 60 words. If more than sixty words, then at the rate of one halfpenny per word. A circulation of 500 ts guaranteed. *,* All offers of Duplicates inserted gratuitously: both the generic and specific names MUST BE GIVEN, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 5.] SEPTEMBER, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Analytical Notice of ‘A Catalogue of the Coleopterous Insects of the Canaries, in the Collection of the Bri- lish Museum. By T. VeRNon Wottaston, M.A., F.L.S. 1864. Mr. WottraAsTon is so favourably known to Entomologists by his varied and valued contributions to the Science, that no encomiums of mine can add a tittle to the fame he has so deservedly acquired. A second observation: although I have, for the sake of uniformity, intituled this brief notice “ analytical,” it will, 1 am sure, not be expected that I should minutely analyze a work which treats exclusively of Canarian Coleoptera, in a Journal designed mainly to make known the entomological productions of the British Isles. Lastly, 1 cannot honestly refrain from expressing the regret I fee] that an author so capable of compiling instructive sum- maries and penning logical deductions, should in any instance have left his readers to do this for themselves: there is not only the labour of the task to be considered, but the unsatis- factory character of all conclusions to which the author him- self is not a party. The Atlantic Islands to which Mr. Wollaston’s researches have latterly been extended are seven in number—Lanza- rote, Fuertaventura, Grand Canary, Teneriffe, Gomera, Palma and Hierro; and the coleopterous fauna of the whole, so far as ascertained, amounts to 930 species, of which Lan- zarote produces 277, Fuerteventura 261, Grand Canary 325, Teneriffe 539, Gomera 222, Palma 254, and Hierro 165. The total number of species recorded by Webb and Berthe- lot, whose work contains almost the only previous catalogue of Canarian Coleoptera, is 179; and concerning the authen- ticity of even some of these, grave doubts are entertained by the author, whose great care is shown in the following extracts relating to two of them :— VORGeTr: E 58 ‘THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Erodius europeus. —“I feel far from satisfied that the examples of MM. Webb and Berthelot may not have been accidentally imported into the islands (a possibility which is not diminished by the consideration that a true EKrodius is now before me which was taken by Dr. Crotch on the Mole at Sta Cruz in Teneriffe—escaped from the actual vessel in which he had himself arrived from Mogadore!). I cannot admit the genus Erodius into this Catalogue without at all events further evidence. Indeed, Arthrodes being so essen- tially the representative of Erodius at the Canaries, where moreover it is so universal, it might involve a serious geo- graphical blunder to include the latter (which may perhaps have been a mere chance-introduction from the African coast).”—P. 437. Akis acuminata. —“ The present position being the pro- per one for the Akiside, I should mention that the Akis acu- minata of Fabricius is recorded by M. Brullé as Canarian, on the evidence of specimens supposed to have been captured by Messrs. Webb and Berthelot. I examined them, when in Paris; but as I feel considerable doubt whether they are truly Canarian, I cannot admit the species into this Cata- logue. It is far from impossible that it may occur in these islands; but, at the same time, I think it is much more likely that the examples were obtained (perhaps alive) at Sta Cruz, having been brought over accidentally in some of the trading vessels from the coast of Africa. Such importa- tions are both natural and by no means unfrequent; and, indeed, I have now before me specimens of a large Scaurus, a Pimelia, an Erodius, and of the Scarites gigas, which were picked up by Dr. Crotch on the Mole at Sta Cruz, escaped from the actual steamer in which he had himself arrived Jrom Mogadore (the insects having been captured by himself and the sailors on the little island off that port, and after- wards allowed to run loose on board the vessel)! I conceive it very probable therefore that the Akis may have made its appearance in much the same way; or that, at all events, further evidence is necessary before it can be conscientiously cited as a Canarian.”—P. 468. These extracts will certainly establish Mr. Wollaston’s character for extreme caution. The relative numerical proportion of the different tribes to THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 59 which the ascertained species belong, is exceedingly interest- ing, and becomes more so when compared with the Madeiran list published in 1857. In each instance Mr. Wollaston divides the Coleoptera into twelve sections, arranged as under, and to each I have added the total number of species unquestionably ascertained to be indigenous or naturalised :— MADEIRAN. CANARIAN. I. Geodephaga....... w+ 7 gag BARE Si 113 Il. Hydradephaga............ As Ath 22 TY (Philhydrida:\....0......<:.. BEEN a eR, 21 PV Necrophaga t..t...08..! GES 114 V. Cordylocerata ............ ES) RR 51 VES Prioceratain Ci 8/8.8% SO) 89 VII. Rhyncophora. ............ SE SOR ae 176 Wit Ruceratar Oi han. HE raestttcescess 15 IX. Phytophaga ................ ROE Lee 44 X. Pseudotrimera ............ POU ESA Mead 19 XP. Heteromera’ .......4.:...... ANY OMI NY tacts 125 MIT. Brachelytya }:........03.3. BS! PARE RO Cea 460 930 There are many interesting conclusions to be drawn from these lists, not indeed as contrasted with each other, for the results are very similar, but as compared with other and less insular regions of the earth: the learned author has not failed to avail himself of the information they afford, by ap- pending some general observations of great value, but he does not seem to me to make sufficient allowance for the great difficulty that attends the acquisition of anything ap- proaching to a complete series of the species in some of these sections: such is particularly the case with the longicorns, a group to which he has devoted particular attention: if we compare the difficulty and uncertainty of collecting longicorns (Mr. Wollaston’s Eucerata) with the ease and certainty of col- lecting Geodephaga, we shall at once find an explanation of the great preponderance of the latter over the former. I by no means desire to infer that other and physical causes do not also contribute to this discrepancy, but let any stranger come to England in search of our longicorns, and devote even the 60 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. time and zeal to the subject which Mr. Wollaston has done, and he would inevitably overlook two-thirds of our species, and amongst the omissions would be Saperda Carcharias, S. scalaris, Oberea oculata, Lamia textor, &c.; in a word nearly all our more conspicuous species. Aromia moschata, Clytus Arietis, C. mysticus, Rhagium Inquisitor, R. bifascia- tum, 'l'oxotus meridianus, Strangalia armata, and one or two Grammoptere, would in all probability complete the list, and furnish that stranger with materials for profoundly philoso- phical, yet inaccurate, deductions on the causes which de- prived us of the long-horns,— deductions which a cursory glance at the collections of a Wollaston, a Power, a Rye or a Waterhouse might possibly dissipate. Had the Canaries the good fortune to possess an indigenous Wollaston or a resident Power, those specks in the Atlantic might possibly tell a different tale. With regard to the Hydradephaga the case is somewhat different: there is no doubt that every pool and every rill has been carefully swept, and has yielded up its inhabitants to the energetic skill of the explorers; I use the plural advisedly, because Dr. Crotch’s labours have con- tributed largely to the result. These are mere thoughts which occur in turning the pages of this most interesting volume, which, as a contribution to Science, is one of the most careful and valuable I have ever perused: long may the kind-hearted and indefatigable author live to prosecute his labours! It is impossible for me to do more than invite attention to volumes (I allude to Mr. Wol- laston’s other works as much as to this) which, in profound research and careful elaboration, are unapproached by any= thing that this country has hitherto produced. I cannot, however, resist the temptation to append the following para- graph :— “ Of the genera as yet detected at the Canaries, the largest (and by far the most characteristic) is Laparocerus [Curculio- nide], of which no less than thirty-five exponents have already been brought to light (and there are probably many yet to be found). The next is Homalota; but as a considerable proportion of the minute staphylinids which compose that immense group are eminently liable to accidental diffusion (through indirect human agencies) over the civilized world, I lay but little stress upon this fact. But the third in order, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 61 namely, Hegeter [Tentyriadz] is quite as significant as the first, numbering no less than nineteen species. Then follow Calathus and Attalus [Malachiide], both of which are largely expressed, and have seventeen representatives (manifestly quite indigenous) ; Apion has fifieen, but some of them may perhaps have been introduced ; Bembidium, Arthrodes [Ero- diade], and Philonthus have each fourteen; Acalles and Longitarsus thirteen (the former being equally developed, or even more so, at Madeira); Saprimus, Pimelia, Helops, and Anthicus number, each of them, twelve ; Aphanarthrum [To- micid] eleven (all wltra-indigenous) ; Hydroporus ten; and Tarphius (likewise positively endemic, and of which more will doubiless yet be found) nine. Indeed Tarphius [Coly- diadz]|, as I have elsewhere shown, is almost characteristic of the intermediate sylvan districts of the whole of these At- lantic Islands; nevertheless it is decidedly more dominant at Madeira (where no less than twenty exponents have already been observed) than at the Canaries.” — Preface, p> Xil. Most cordially do I recommend this volume to every Co- leopterist: profoundly learned must be that man who will not reap from it abundant instruction. HpwaRD NEWMAN. Description of the Larva of Pieris Napi.—This butterfly is double-brooded : the eggs which produce both broods are Jaid on Erysimum alliaria, Nasturtium officinale (water-cress), Barbarea precox, and probably some other species of Cru- cifere: the eggs which produce the first brood of larve are deposited in April and May ; those which produce the second, in July and August. They are generally attached to the under side of the leaves in a pendant position: their figure is that of a sugar-loaf, but beautifully ribbed longitudinally, and delicately striated transversely; they are attached by the base. The larve emerge about the twelfih day, and are full- fed respectively at the end of June and middle of Septem- ber, when they rest in a straight position, closely appressed to the food-plant. Head small, decidedly narrower than the body ; body cylindrical, but tapering slightly to each ex- tremity ; dorsal surface transversely wrinkled, the wrinkles 62 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. dividing each segment into six sections; both head and body beset with minute warts or points, each wart emitting a hair. Colour of the head and dorsal surface dull and rather dark glaucous green; ventral surface lighter, the division between the two being very distinct, and taking place at the spiracles, which are black, with a bright yellow ring: the warts on the head are generally white, those on the dorsal surface almost invariably black, and those on the ventral surface almost in- variably white; legs and claspers of the same tint as the body, but semitransparent. Mr. Greening kindly supplied me with the eggs of this species, and Mr. Buckler with the full-fed larvze: the latter spun a delicate web over the surface of a leaf early in July, attaching themselves thereto by the anal extremity and also by a surcingle passing over the body behind the thorax, and thus changed into pupe, having the head rather elevated and terminating in a slender point; the thorax is produced into a slender, thin, medio-dorsal keel, bluntly angulated in the middle; the sides of the 6th and 7th segments keeled and angulated, the 7th more prominently so than the 6th; the following segments have a medio-dorsal] keel very little raised, the continuity of this with the thoracic keel interrupted on the 6th and 7th segments. Colour green, fading as they approached emergence to whitish, minutely dotted with black ; the keel of thorax and lateral keel of 6th and 7th segments yellow, crested with pinkish brown, the posterior angle of the latter tipped with black. They emerged on the 11th of July. I believe that this species never feeds on the various species of Brassica, Tropzolum and Reseda frequented by its congener, Pieris Rape, and I also think that the accounts of its destructive powers are entirely fabulous. Mr. Buckler remarks that all the larvze of this insect which fed on water-cress produced very pretty varieties of the perfect insect, the usual dusky markings of the wings being of a de- licate dove-gray, the bases of the wings being more than usually suffused with this tint—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Tortrix viburnana.—I have lately been breeding Tortrix viburnana from larve which I first found, when very young, agglutinating the leaves of Andromeda polifolia: it then accorded with the following description :— Yellowish gray ; tubercles and spiracular line lighter; head fulvous; 2nd segment fulvous, the hind margin THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 63 dotted with dark brown. It is, however, not confined to the Andromeda, but feeds likewise upon Myrica Gale. The full- fed larva is light brown; spots lighter; head fulvous, shining ; shield lighter, the hind margin dotted with dark brown; legs concolorous with the shield. ‘The pupa is about six lines in length, dull jet-black, with two rows of adminicula on each ‘segment, the posterior one having the points the smallest and most closely set. These rings, after running across the back, cease at the sides, the abdomen being smooth. Along with these occur a few long and scattered bristles. Cremastrz conical, with seven hooks, three apical and four lateral, the latter set two and two on opposite sides. This larva very much resembles that of Tortrix costana, but may be dis- tinguished from that species by its larger size, by its lighter brown colour, and by the hind margin of the shield being dotted with dark brown. Note.—The “ cremastre” are the hooks which usually crown the apex of pup, and by which they are suspended or attached, as the case may be. The * adminicula” are the small spinous projections found upon the dorsal segments of pupae; they are set so as to point backwards, and are the means whereby the pupa emerges from the cocoon, &c. For a full description of them see Kirby and Spence, vol. iii. p. 255, and vol. iv. p. 354, ed. 1826, or Burmeister’s ‘ Manual of Entomology,’ pp. 45 and 47. — John Peers; 64, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, July 27, 1864, Description of the Larva of Peronia caledoniana.— Since last writing I have bred Peronia caledoniana from larve found upon Myrica Gale (sweet gale) on Woolston Moss, on the 6th of July. The larva is green, with the dorsal region darker, especially anteriorly ; head fulvous, shining, with two lateral black spots ; labrum chestnut; shield greenish, shining. It screws up the terminal shoots of Myrica Gale. The pupa is about four lines long, of a reddish colour, the wing-cases lighter. The apex of the puparium is flat or compressed, truncate and somewhat bent under, terminating at each corner in a short, bent, horn-like process. When young the larve are yellow, and live between united leaves of Myrica Gale.—Id. ; August 7, 1864. Description of the Larva of Argyresthia nitidella.—In my search for the larve of Tortrices 1 often stumble upon and 64 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. breed those of allied groups. On the 23rd of June I bred Argyresthia nitidella. The larva is yellowish green; head light brown; shield faintly indicated ; spiracular line light green. This larva, when about to spin up, spins a loose, beautifully reticulated, lace-like web, within which the close oblong cocoon is enclosed.—John Peers. Entomological Periodicals. The ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.—No. 2 contains four principal articles, intituled “On the Genus Polycentro- pus and allied Genera, by R. M‘Lachlan, F.L.S.”; . “ New Species of Butterflies from Guatemala and Panama, by H.W. Bates, F.Z.S.”; “ Descriptions of the British Species of Ste- nus, by E.C. Rye;” and “ Lepidoptera at Rannoch, by C.G. Barrett.” Mr. M‘Lachlan’s papers are always acceptable, but the value of the present contribution seems to me somewhat impaired by the use of abbreviations not generally under- stood, and of which I see no explanation, such as ‘‘ app. sup.” “app. inf.” I have a great antipathy to all abbreviations, and have always endeavoured to do without them, believing that a little attention to phraseology will tend more to economise space than the most carefully prepared code of abbreviations. Mr. M‘Lachlan gives brief characters of two new genera and one new species as under :— Genus Ecnomus, M‘Lachlan. In which the first apical sector of the fore wings ends in a forked cell, but with the following characters presented in the hind wings. These wings are very narrow at the base, and scarcely folded ; the costal margin is slightly elevated in the middle; the ramus discoidalis runs close to the costal margin, the upper branch simple, the lower forked, but no closed discoidal cell. The intermediate tibiz and tarsi in the female are only slightly dilated. Sp. Ecnomus tenellus of Rambur. Genus Nevrecripsis, M‘ Lachlan. One striking character is the absence of the transverse ner- vule, placed between the costa and subcosta, towards the middle of the costal margin. This is present in all the other genera of Hydropsychide, with tricalcarate anterior tibie, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 65 and also in Philopotamus, and all allied genera. In other respects the neuration of the anterior wings is similar to Po- lycentropus as here restricted, the first apical sector ending in a forked cell. The hind wings are also similar in form to those of Polycentropus; the first apical sector forked, and the discoidal cell closed, but there is an additional apical forked cell, formed by the furcation of the anterior branch of the ramus subdiscoidalis. Sp. Neureclipsis bimaculata of Linneus. Genus Crrnus, Slephens. Sp. Cyrnus flavidus, M‘Zachlan. The fore wings are longer than in Cyrnus trimaculatus of Curtis, and the dis- coidal cell is not sensibly angulated at the point where the transverse vein uniting it to the radius is placed. The wings are very pale yellow, reticulated with gray. The app[endices| intermed[iz] are apparently wanting; the app[endices] inf[eriores] are more rounded than in C. trimaculatus. Not uncommon about the remnant of the old Croydon canal at Forest Hill, in May and June. Mr. Bates’s paper contains descriptions of ten new species of Brazilian butterflies. Mr. Rye’s paper contains descriptions of fifteen British species of Stenus: I believe neither of them new to Science. Mr. Barrett records the principal captures made by Mr. Birchall and himself during their visit to Rannoch in 1861. Short notices occur as under :— Mr. Inchbald has bred a sawfly, Cryptocampus angustus, from the galls of Salix vitellina. Mr. Eaton remarks on the range of variation in Sericos- toma Spenciil. Mr. Rye and Mr. Sharp have taken Oxytelus speculifrons at Shirley, and Dr. Power at Mickleham. Mr. Sharp has taken Stenolophus brunnipes of Sturm in the neighbourhood of London. Mr. Rye has taken eight specimens of Epurea oblonga of Herbst under fir-bark at Shirley. Mr. Buckler has the following note on the larva of Leuca- nia littoralis : — “ On the 18th May I found full-fed larvee of L. littoralis at roots of Ammophila arundinacea; | have met with these larve for some years, having first accidently, in 1861, captured a small one, which, after feeding up and being 66 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. duly figured, was reared; when very young their colour is glaucous-green, with longitudinal stripes, assimilating closely to the under side of the almost cylindrical blades of their food-plant ; after April they leave their hiding-places, and burrow beneath the sand, having, by this time, considerably increased in size, and having, also, become much paler im tint, some individuals being almost whitish green, others of a pale flesh-colour.” Mr. Buckler also describes the larve of five species of Lithosia and of Xylophasia scolopacina, which I should mention more at length were it not intended that descrip- tions, somewhat more extended, should shortly appear in this Journal. Mr. Edmunds, of Worcester, has bred two specimens of Xylina conspicillaris, the pup obtained by digging. Mr. Gregson has bred a specimen of Agrotis cinerea; he gives no description of the larva. Mr. Edward Hopley has taken Eupithecia lariciata at Ash- down Forest and Leith Hill; the date the last week in May. Mr. Meek has bred Eupithecia fraxinata from larvee beaten from the ash in August; they emerged on the 19th of May ; and also Cymatophora fluctuosa from larve beaten from birch last autumn. My. Piffard has found Pedisca oppressana on the trunks of poplars at Edmonton; he thinks the larve feed on the bark of the poplar, having found the pupa-cases sticking out of the bark: the moth has a peculiar jumping flight, and in bright sunshine jerks itself from the tree to the collector’s coat or the adjacent herbage, and as suddenly returns, after a short interval, to the tree-trunk. Mr. Horn mentions that a bred specimen of the puss moth did not acquire wings of their full dimensions until the after- noon of the second day after emergence. The number concludes with a Report of a Meeting of the Entomological Society of London. ‘ Young England.” — The June and July numbers are be- fore me, and I can truly say of the entomological portion of this periodical that it improves with every number: the price is raised to sixpence, so that we have now three monthly periodicals engaged in a friendly competition as to which THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 67 shall impart the largest amount of entomological information to the public at the same price. From the June number we learn that Dr. Williams took, near Westbury, during the first week in May, a specimen of Stauropus Fagi. The July number contains “ Notes on the Leucanide ;” an explanation of the apparent truism noticed in the ‘ Entomo- logist, that large moths lay larger eggs than smaller moths ; Mr. Doubleday’s familiar recipe for preventing mould on moths, published in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 8467) ; and a list of a hundred Coleoptera taken within the last two years by Mr. Cruttwell. ‘This last requires revision: as a complete list it is most imperfect, because some of the commonest spe- cies are omitted; as a list of rarities it is equally objection- able, because some of the commonest species are inserted : then again the genus Dendrophilus stands alone without a species, and in the next line the word “ punctatus” stands alone without even the initial letter of the genus; other species which possess this prefix are very unintelligible, as O. rotun- -datus, and the matter is not much mended when two letters are given, as Ep. estiva. There are a few other brief notes of captures of Lepi- doptera, an offer of exchange, a short and pleasantly written review of the ‘Entomologist,’ No. 1, and answers to corre- spondents, among which I observe it stated, as regards Cicada hematodes in the New Forest, that the weight of evi- dence goes to prove that it is not musical. Note.—In this department of the ‘ Entomologist’ I ought to observe that the printing of each number nearly a month before the date of publication has hitherto made these notices appear somewhat out of date: this will probably be reme- died hereafter. Entomological Notes, Queries, Captures and Duplicates. 1. How many times do the Larve of Smerinthus change their Skins ?— Has any correspondent observed the number of times the larvee of Smerinthus change their skin? I have reared a larva of Smerinthus Populi from an egg found on 68 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. the 10th of July, and now, on the 3rd of August, it appears full-grown, but I have not observed a single change of skin. —Edward Newman. 2. Larva of Agrotis exclamationis.—The larve I sent you were from Lymington: I found them feeding on carrots, eating them off just beneath the surface of the soil: they had also attacked a piece of mangold and Swedes adjoining the carrots.—Henry Reeks ; Manor House, Thruxton, Andover. [The larve are those of Agrotis exclamationis: for the. benefit of those whose gardens are infested with this pest I may mention that watering with strong lime-water has proved very effectual, but 1 am perfectly aware how difficult and ex- pensive would be the application of lime-water over a large surface. Examples of this destructive grub have reached me also from Saffron Walden—Z. N.] 83. Larve of Zeuzera Aisculi.— The grubs of which I en- close a small one are doing incredible mischief in a young plantation of ash intended for hop-poles: the young shoots, commonly known as “ ground ash,” are completely killed from the part where the grub is concealed to the top of the shoot. Can you suggest a remedy '—James Gilbert. [Can my readers help me? I know of no effectual remedy. —E. N.] 4. Receipt for the Sugar Mixture for Moths.—Would you be so good as to inform me, in your next number of the ‘Entomologist,’ what ingredients you consider best for ma- nufacturing the sugar for capturing moths: I find great diffi- culty (I may say impossiblity) in making sugar and beer of a sufficient consistency to remain long on the trees without drying up. I should feel much obliged if you would favour me with a good receipt.— H. J. White; Hilton, St. Ives, July 8, 1864. [“ I now proceed to give the various receipts for preparing and using sugar. I believe the first notices of the use of sugar were contained in the ‘ Entomologist,’ a work which I have made many efforts, for years past, to procure, but as yet in vain. I must therefore content myself with extracts from its successor the ‘ Zoologist.’. The earliest notice I find to my purpose is from the pen of Mr. Douglas, who says :— ‘The ‘ Entomologist’ and ‘ Zoologist’ have each contained several notices of captures of moths by means of sugar, but THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 69 there has been no account of the method of using it; and from the communications of some of my correspondents, I am inclined to believe that it is not generally understood by country Entomologists. A brief direction may therefore be of service, and be the means of making many captures during the ensuing summer. The strongest brown sugar, known as * Jamaica foots,” is mixed with hot water to the consistence of treacle, or somewhat thinner, and a small portion of rum added and stirred in; the composition is then laid on the trunks of trees, in favourable situations, with a painter’s brush. I have found that it is better to make long and nar- row streaks than broad patches.” — Hatracted from Mr. Greene’s admirable ‘ Insect Hunter’s Companion, which I strongly recommend to beginners. | 5. Larve reimbibing ejected Fluid. -- 1 can confirm the statement of Mr. Peers, in last month’s ‘ Hntomologist’ (En- tom. 55), that the larve of lepidopterous insects frequently reimbibe the fluid ejected from the mouth when the insect is alarmed. I have observed this habit not only in the Tortrices, but also in the Bombyces and Geometre ; but I think it is confined to cases where the fluid has not been projected, but has remained attached to the head. Many of your readers will have observed with what avidity most larve, reared in confinement, take in a globule of pure water placed in their way, action of the jaws, as in eating, accompanying the ope- ration: the same action takes place when the ejected fluid is reimbibed, but it is slow and deliberate ; why the difference I cannot say; perhaps the fluid has to be carefully re- stowed; if so, are we to conclude that it is supplied in such limited quantities that waste has to be avoided? or is it that, remaining attached to the jaws, the larva has no other means of disposing of it? I can positively state that the fluid is not always of the same colour as the larva ejecting it. That emitted by Endromis versicolor, Notodonta palpina, Nyssia zonaria and Clostera anachoreta is in each case dark green; the larve of the two first-named are green of varying shades, while the two latter have no green about them. — George Gascoyne ; August, 1864. 6. Cymatophora ocularis. —I have had the good fortune to take one specimen of Cymatophora ocularis near Cam- bridge.—h. Whyatt; 16, Newnham, Cambridge, June 29. 70 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 7. Boletobia fuliginaria at Clapham. —I have to record the capture of a specimen of this rare Geometra in a garden at Clapham on the 8th inst. It was taken by Mr. William Dorking, of Battersea, who disturbed it in moving some sash-frames. A quantity of decaying wood, in which the larva had doubtless fed, was lying close by. The specimen, which is slightly damaged, is now in my cabinet. — Trovey Blackmore; The Hollies, Wandsworth, July 19, 1864. 8. Dosithea eburnata at Bangor.—I1 have the pleasure to record the capture, on the 11th and 13th inst., of four specimens (pairs) of Dosithea eburnata (Hiibner’s Acidalia contiguaria), at the same spot at Bangor, N. Wales, where I took that in July, 1862, already recorded in the ‘ Zoologist’ of that year. They appeared to be amongst elder, though many other plants on which they might have fed were equally abundant. Each of the females supplied me with a few eggs of a reddish yellow colour, tough, detached. These hatched on or about the 21st imstant, and are now in the hands of my friends Mr. Greening and Mr. Cooper, who will try to rear them; but as yet they are too small for description. — B. Kendrick ; Warrington, July 28, 1864. 9. Hupithecia subciliata at Denbigh.— I may at the same time mention the capture of Eupithecia subciliata at Den- bigh on the 7th instant; I saw several others, but could only get one.—ld. 10. Actdalia rubricata at Brandon, in Suffolk.—\ was so fortunate last Wednesday, the 27th of July, as to take nine specimens of Acidalia rubricata; some of them were females, and one of these has had the goodness to lay a few eggs, which have been committed to the care of the Rev. J. Hel- lins, in the hope of his being able to rear them. — Frederick Bond ; 59, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, July 29, 1864. 11. “forty Thousand Pounds worth of Butierflies.”—On reading over the ‘ Entomologist’ for August, I see, at page 56, that you reprint from the ‘ Daily News’ an article stating that 12,000,000 butterflies have been caught this year in the canton of Basle (Switzerland), and that the Government has paid the catchers the sum of 1,000,000 fs. Now, as long as I saw this statement only in the newspapers I had no objection to it, as when there is no news something must be done to fill up the columns; but seeing it in a scientific THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 71 periodical I cannot do otherwise than observe that the autho- rities of Basle offer no reward whatever for the destruction of butterflies, the obnoxious species of this order not being nu- merous enough in the said district to do any considerable harm ; but evidently the above-mentioned statement applies to Melolontha vulgaris (cockchaffer), which appears there in considerable numbers every year. It is to check these destruc- tive insects that the Basle Government in some years spends about one thousand francs (not 1,000,000 fs.) to have them col- lected. ‘There is a rule that from every acre of cultivated land a certain number of measures must be gathered, and the proprietors are fined if they do not do so; whereas m bring- ing the cockchaffers to certain places they receive about ten to twenty centimes per measure. The beetles are then killed in kettles with boiling water, and either utilized as manure or thrown in the water. The above explanations are given in order to prevent some of your readers believing that the authorities of the commercial city of Basle are buying up the obnoxious insects at the rate of about tenpence a dozen, and that the insects, for which a very small amount, say about a penny or twopence per measure, is paid, are not butterflies, but cockchaffers. Basle being my native place, I could not allow such statements as the above without correcting them. —Albert Miller ; 33, Guildford Street, Russell Square, Au- gust 2, 1864. 12. Notodonta bicolor in Ireland. — It is reported that Mr. Bouchard has again taken this rarity in the Killarney district of the County Kerry. 13. Lood-plant of Eupithecia pulchellata.— This interest- ing entomological puzzle is at last solved: we are indebted to Mr. Doubleday for suggesting the solution of the problem, and to Mr. Hellins for working it out. Mr. Harpur Crewe, who has made the history of our Eupithecie his especial study, has sent a full description to the ‘ Zoologist” The larva spins up the mouth of the corolla of Digitalis purpurea (common foxglove), and feeds on the enclosed stamens and young seeds. 14. Polyommatus Hippothoé near Westbury.—In ‘ Young England’ for August, Dr. Williams announces the capture of this insect in Godly Grove, near Westbury: the talented Editors, Messrs, Keays and Vaughan having expressed great 72 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. surprise at this statement, Dr. Williams assures them that he is quite certain that the species he captured was dispar (Hip- pothoé). On the same day, the 7th of June, Dr. Williams took, in the same locality, specimens of Vanessa Antiopa and Apatura Iris, captures quite as extraordinary at this date. 15. Erastria venustula.—I wish to record the capture of the above-named insect, on the 4th of July, in Epping Forest ; it was flying, at dusk, over a: spot nearly covered with the common heath.— Rh. W. Wright ; Morland House, Hackney, August 10, 1864. 16. An instance of Parasitism in which a Chrysalis of Che- lonia Caja produced a living Moth and Larve of a Hyme- nopterous Insect at the same time.—It is well known that the parasites on larve usually kill them before the transformation into pup, or at any rate do not allow them to assume the perfect state. M. Kiinckel has communicated to me a some- what rare case, in which parasitism has permitted of the ap- pearance of the imago. It occurred to a female of Chelonia Caja, which made its appearance alive, but with the wings crippled, at the same time that the parasitic larva’ came out of the chrysalis. Do facts of this kind perhaps explain cer- tain abortions in the imago of Lepidoptera in the natural state? The parasites belonged here to the Hymenoptera, for the larva showed traces of punctures, and the little cocoons were found in the cocoon spun by the larva. Robineau- Desvoidy cites an analogous instance among the Diptera (‘Essai sur les Myodaires,’ t. 2, 1830, p. 28). M. Carcel, he writes, has seen Phryxe emerge from the imago of Sphinx Ligustri—M. Maurice Girard, in the ‘ Annales de la So- ciélé Entomologique de France, 4me série, 4me tome, 1864, premier trimestre.—‘ Entomologist?s Monthly Magazine, 17. Duplicates. —TI have a few duplicates of the following Lepidoptera, which I am anxious to give away ; the first ap- plicants will have the choice of specimens; residents in the country will please to request their friends in London to call, as I cannot send the specimens by post: — Agrotis lucernea (good), A. Ashworthii (bad), A. valligera, A. Tritici, and As- pilates strigillaria. Note.—I intend to insert similar offers every month: the earliest applicants will always have the preference. — Edward Newman; 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, August 2, 1864. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 6.] OCTOBER 1, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Description of the Larva of Anthocharis Cardamines (Orange-tip).— The female lays her eggs on Erysimum alli- aria (hedge garlic), Hesperis matronalis (dame’s cress), ‘Turri- tis glabra (tower mustard), Barbarea vulgaris (winter cress or yellow rocket), and occasionally on Cardamine pratensis (lady’s smock), as stated by Mr. Doubleday (Zool. 5146), who observes, with his usual care, that in this instance the greater part of the larve must perish, because, when the meadows are mowed, the Cardamine is cut down with the grass before the larve are full-fed: it is very probable also that other species of Crucifere siliquosz are occasionally selected in the absence of those mentioned above, but I know of no others which have been noticed in England. When the young larva emerges it makes its way up the flowering-stalk, and as soon as the pods have formed begins devouring them : the larva at first requires but little, and the pods, growing with great rapidity, fully keep pace with its requirements, and furnish an abundant supply of food: it is curious to observe with what pertinacity these larve, in confinement, select the pods and neglect the leaves of these plants, and, having watched their proceedings with great attention, I have fancied they devoured the seeds themselves with pecu- liar [relish: sometimes a pod will be pierced exactly over each seed, and the seeds themselves consumed, the pod being neglected until the supply of the more favourite viand had failed. When full-fed, which is during the first week in July, the larva rests in a nearly straight position on the stalk or seed- pod of its food-plant: the head is then of exactly the same breadth as the 2nd segment, and the body of nearly equal breadth throughout, but slightly attenuated towards the anal extremity, which is rounded; the dorsal surface is convex, transversely and regularly wrinkled, the wrinkles dividing each segment into sections; the sides are slightly dilated below the spiracles, and the ventral surface depressed; every VOL. II. F 7A THE ENTOMOLOGIST. part of the head and body is beset with minute warts, and each wart emits a short bristle. Colour of the head and body opaque glaucous-green, this colour on each side of the body fading through pale glaucous-green into white, the extreme margin of the lateral dilatation being pure white, and consti- tuting a lateral stripe which has its upper or dorsal margin very “indistinctly defined, but its lower or ventral margin abrupt and well marked; this white stripe encloses the very pale spiracles, and extends the entire length of the larva, commencing at the ocelli close to the mouth, and terminating at the rounded extremity of the anal flap; the ventral surface, legs and claspers are dark apple-green; the warts on the dorsal surface are intensely black, and also many of those on the sides and ventral surface, but in these regions there occur white warts also, more especially within the white lateral stripe ; the bristles which they emit are black on the dorsal and generally on the ventral surface, but on the lateral stripe they are mostly white. In July the larva descends the stem of its food-plant, and, fastening itself thereto by a surcingle round the middle, changes to a crescent-shaped pupa of very eccentric appearance, both extremities elongated and pointed, the anterior elevated in the air, the posterior firmly attached by a series of minute hooks to a silken film, previously spun on the stalk of the food-plant ; the back is concave, the wing- cases protruding and forming a semicircular arch in the centre of the ventral surface; colour pale dingy green, ap- proaching to wainscot-brown : in this state it remains through- out the winter, the butterfly emerging in May. I am indebted to Mr. Buckler for a supply of this larva, and to that gentle- man, as well as to Mr. Doubleday, for some portions ot its interesting history.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Gonepteryx Rhamni (Bias stone).—The eggs are laid singly, about the middle of August, on the twigs of Rhamnus Frangula and Rhamnus catharticus (buckthorn), the only shrubs on which the larva is known to feed. In the neat hedgerows so common in this country, composed of a mixed growth of whitethorn, blackthorn, oak, maple, hazel, dogwood, and an occasional plant of buck- thorn, it is very interesting to watch the female hovering about the hedge, and selecting, with the most unerring in- stinct, the twigs of buckthorn, though infinitely rarer than THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 75 either of the other shrubs, and depositing her eggs on these and these only ; the eggs hatch in about fourteen days ; thus the Ist of May may be considered the earliest day for dis- closure, but the periods both of oviposition and of emergence frequently extend over three weeks or even a month, so that during the month of June we find larve varying greatly both in size and age; nevertheless, generally speaking, the cater- pillar is full-grown at the end of June, and then rests in nearly a straight position on the leaves of the buckthorn. Head small, decidedly narrower than the 2nd, and still nar- rower as compared with the 3rd, 4th and following segments ; body widest at the 4th and 5th segments, and thence gra- dually tapering to the caudal extremity, very convex on the back and transversely wrinkled, slightly dilated at the sides below the spiracles, and rather flattened on the ventral sur- face; the transverse wrinkles divide the back into sections, of whichevery sixthis just double the width of either of the others ; each segment has one wide and five narrow sections. Colour of dorsal surface of head and body dull apple-green, much resembling the leaf of its food-plant, but densely covered with extremely minute black warts, each of which emits a small short and slender white bristle; the lateral dilatation is glau- cous-green, terminating in a slender waved white stripe ; spiracles very pale; ventral surface, legs and claspers semi- transparent apple-green; the minute points are present, but are much fewer, and therefore do not communicate the same dull colour to the ventral which is observable on the dorsal surface. About the 18th of June it lightly covers the back of a leaf or one of the twigs of its food-plant with a carpet of extremely delicate white silk, and to this it attaches itself by the anal claspers, forming also a surcingle or loop, the two extremities of which are firmly fixed, close together, to the silken carpet at the distance of a third of an inch from the anal claspers ; this loop passes over the back of the larva, supporting it equally well whether on an erect twig or the horizontal under side of a leaf: this arrangement being com- pleted, the lateral plates of the head separate, and the skin of the back is partially ruptured, a green pointed protuberance making its appearance through the aperture; this green pro- tuberance performs a slow but constant circular gyration, and at every gyration the skin of the larva recedes towards the 76 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. anal extremity, leaving more and more of the enclosed pupa exposed: when the ecdysis is complete the shrivelled skin remains at the anal extremity. Pupa pointed at both ex- tremities; a dorsal thoracic hump, and a large, bulging, rounded mass in front, which comprises the wing-cases ; it has also three ridges—one medio-dorsal, extending from the pointed head to the anal extremity; the others lateral and bounding the dorsal area; these latter are produced into an obtuse angle at the insertion of the wing-cases, and at these angles the diameter of the pupa is greatest, and diminishes thence rapidly to the pointed head, and gradually to the anal extremity ; the lateral outline is, however, slightly incurved behind the thorax; the three ridges are very inconspicuous. Colour of the pupa bright apple-green ; the head and thoracic angles tipped with purple-brown, this colour extending from the head towards the thoracic hump, and from the thoracic angle towards the head; the bulging mass containing the wing-cases is so transparent that the outline of the abdomen may be seen within; the dorsal ridge is darker than the ground colour, forming a narrow, indistinct, smoke-coloured, medio-dorsal stripe; the lateral ridge is paler than the ground colour, and forms a narrow, rather indistinct, whitish stripe on each side of the pupa. ‘The pupa state lasts for twenty days; the earliest examples, those from eggs laid on the 15th of April, may be expected to appear on the wing on the 15th of July. The sexes always keep apart during the remainder of the year, never taking the slightest notice of each other; and both sexes enter on a state of semi-hyber- nation very early, being only tempted abroad by mild as well as sunny weather: in March they reappear, and the usual attention of the sexes takes place, followed by the deposition of eggs as already described: the imago life of this species sometimes lasts for an entire year, the tattered and faded but- terflies of one year actually lasting until those of the ensuing year are on the wing: those, however, which appear in spring, although tolerably perfect, never have the exquisite freshness and beauty which they possessed when disclosed in the autumn. This beautiful insect, so common in the South of England, is rare in the North, and entirely absent from Scot- land ; it has only been reported once from Ireland, and that by a non-Entomologist. I cannot conclude this somewhat THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Va lengthy life-history without saying that for important parti- culars, as well as the larve and pupe I have so carefully ob- served, I am indebted to my kind friends Mr. Doubleday and Mr. Buckler.—Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Argynnis Paphia (Silver- wash Fritillary). — The egg is laid towards the end of July, and sometimes as late as the beginning of August, on dead leaves, moss, or the living leaves of Viola canina (dog violet) and Viola odorata {sweet violet): the female, when engaged in the duty of oviposition, seeks out the shaded places under the brush-wood, while the male may be seen sunning him- self and displaying his brilliantly fulvous wings as he rests on the blossoms of the bramble, from which he extracts his favourite food: the young larva, which is hatched in about fourteen days, appears quite black at first, but very soon ex- hibits the markings which are its characteristics when full- grown; indeed the fulvous stripe-like markings on both back and side are perhaps more strongly pronounced at this early period than subsequently when arrived at its full size. in September it descends towards the roots of the herbage, and there, as near as possible to the surface of the ground, spins a loose covering, apparently more for the sake of affording a sure hold for the claspers than for protection; and in this situation it passes the winter months, emerging and crawling up the petioles of its lowly food-plants as soon as the new leaves have made their appearance in the spring. It appears to be full-fed during the third and fourth weeks in May ; at that period, if disturbed, it falls immediately from its food- plant, bending its head and leg-bearing segments under its body until they come in contact with its ventral claspers ; but the terminal segments remain straight, and are not gene- rally incurved. The head is somewhat scabrous, rather nar- rower than the 2nd segment, and most decidedly narrower than those which follow ; the body is of nearly uniform sub- stance, but slightly attenuated towards either extremity, having the incisions of the segments deeply and clearly marked: there are three spines on each side of each segment; each arises from a bulbous base, and is narrowed lo a point at the distal extremity, emitting throughout its length a number of ascending bristles ; two of these spines on the 2nd segment are longer and somewhat more slender 78 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. than the rest; they are strictly dorsal, and are seated imme- diately behind the head, over which they are porrected. The colour of the head is black, delicately reticulated with brown, and having the crown of a still paler brown: body black, with two yellowish, approximate, dorsal stripes, each about equal in width to a medio-dorsal black stripe by which they are separated; the sides are adorned with rust-coloured anas- tomosing lines, extending from spine to spine, in three longi- tudinal series ; all the spines, except two, are rust-coloured, but originate in the black area of the sides; the two excepted are those which project over the head: these are also rust- coloured with black tips; they originate in the yellowish dorsal stripes already described: the legs and claspers are smoke-coloured. Towards the end of May it attaches itself by the anal claspers to a slight silken coating it has pre- viously spun on the stem of a bramble or the twig of some low shrub, and, suspended with head downwards, changes to an obese, humped and angulated pupa, having a divided or eared head, an elevated ridged thorax, and two rows of late- ral abdominal tubercles, six in each row, and all having much the appearance of aborted spines, and being very evidently the representatives of the spines so conspicuous in the larva; the two porrected spines on the 2nd segment are also accom- panied by two tubercles just behind the head: the colour is gray, delicately reticulated with darker shades, and often adorned with spots and washes of the most brilliant and glit- tering metallic lustre. The perfect insect appears at the very end of June or early in July: I have always found the pupa in June. In making my description of this larva 1 have been greatly indebted to a most faithful coloured drawing from the inimitable pencil of Mr. Buckler, who has also most obligingly furnished me with the subjoined more precise information respecting the identical individual he has figured: —“ A single whitish egg was discovered, from a careful scru- tiny of a small bit of moss at the foot of an oak in a wood, by the Rey. A. Fuller and a friend of his, who had previously observed a worn female settled on it. The egg was given to me early in August, and by the Ist of September, 1861, it hatched a small black larva, which fed on Viola canina until November, when I could no longer see it on the plant: it had previously been about three lines in length: a fine web THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 79 seemed drawn about the base of the stem of the plant, over the moss which was potted with it, under a glass cylinder, and placed in a sunny window: J cannot affirm that the web was spun by the larva. In April, 1862, it appeared again on the plant, about four lines in length, and continued to feed well; and on May 5th it had attained about an inch in length, when I took it out to figure, and to change the plant for another. On the 18th of May it had arrived at its full growth, when I took a second figure of it, and two days later it had attached itself to the side of the glass cylinder, and became a chrysalis, brown, with burnished gold spots; and the imago, a male, appeared on the 80th of June, 1862.” — Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Vanessa C-Album (White C). —The egg is laid on Humulus lupulus (hop), in May, by females that may have hybernated, but of this I have no evi- dence, never having seen a hybernated butterfly of this species, which certainly appears three times during the year, namely, in May, end of July, and throughout September, and remains on the wing during the greater part of October: there is of course a probability that these autumnal insects hybernate. The larva is full-grown by the 10th of June, and then is obese in its form and slow in its movements. The head is slightly porrected, scabrous and furnished with two con- spicuous compound spine-like horns, one of which originates in the upper middle of each lateral plate of the head; these horns are quinquefid at the extremity, one division pointing directly forwards, the others ranged round the base of the first and pointing in four different directions ; the ocelli are crowded together at the mouth, and each stands at the ex- tremity of a short pedicel. Body very stout; the 2nd segment no wider than the head; the 38rd and following segments twice that width, very robust, and the interstices between them very deep and clearly defined; the 2nd segment is without prominent spines, but has several minute bristle- bearing warts; it is black, with pale red-brown lines; these are somewhat transversely disposed on the back, but longitu- dinally on the sides: there are seven rows of strong branched spines on the body; four of these rows#begin on the 3rd seg- ment, the other three, namely, the medio-dorsal and the lowest on each side, begin on the Sth: the medio-dorsal ‘a 80 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. series consists of eight spines, and each medio-dorsal spine is slightly in advance of that next to it on each side; the other series of eleven spines each; the 12th and 13th segments have each but two spines. Colour of the face velvety black, but adorned with many paler markings, two of which, ori- ginating on the crown, pass obliquely down the face to each side the clypeus. General colour of the body gray, interspersed with red-brown; there is a broad medio-dorsal stripe of pure white, commencing on the 7th and ending on the 12th segment in an obtuse point; the last segment has also a large white spot on each side. Spiracles exactly in- termediate in situation between the 2nd and 3rd lateral series of spines, black, surrounded with white, the white again with black, and finally the black with red-brown; the space below the spiracles delicately reticulated with gray ; the spines which emanate from the white stripe are also white; those of the 3rd or lowest lateral series, also those of each series as far as the 6th segment inclusive, pale brown; those of the other lateral series from the 7th to the extremity, are white at the tips and pale brown at the base: ventral surface black, irrorated and reticulated with gray and red-brown: legs black and red-brown: claspers red and gray. When full-fed it spins a little hillock of white silk on one of the ribs or on the petiole of the hop-leaf, or on the stem of the hop-plant, or on the hop-pole, or even sometimes on a twig in a neigh- bouring hedge, and, attaching itself thereto by its posterior claspers, it hangs head downwards, and is transformed to an angulated pupa; the head is deeply notched, and the two horns or ears, containing the palpi, are distant, pointed and curved towards each other at the tips; the back of the thorax has a central elevation laterally compressed and very thin; the sides of the thorax have two blunt protuberances ; there is a deep dorsal excavation between the thorax and abdomen ; the back has three series of raised points, and on each side are two such series; the points on the medio-dorsal series are small and inconspicuous, those of the next series on each side large and prominent; the first of the lateral series is above, the second below, the spiracles; both are incon- spicuous ; the sides @f the abdomen, at its junction with the thorax, are much bulged, making this the broadest part of the pupa; the anal segment is long and slender, and THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 81 terminates in a cluster of minute hooks, by which it is sus- pended from the web; the colour is umber-brown, delicately reticulated with black lines; on the back, in the depression between the thorax and abdomen, are three or more blotches of beautifully burnished silver. I am indebted to Mr. Wright for both the larva and pupa of this butterfly. - Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Satyrus Megera (Gatekeeper). —This species is double-brooded: the eggs which produce the first brood of larve are laid on Dactylis glomerata and several other species of grass, at the end of May: the larva is full-fed about the middle of July, when it rests, by day, in a nearly straight position on a blade of grass, feeding chiefly by night. Head subglobose, exserted, wider than the 2nd segment, which is restricted in front. Body somewhat fusi- form, gradually decreasing to each end, decidedly convex above, somewhat flattened beneath; dorsal surface trans- versely wrinkled, the wrinkles dividing each segment into six sections, of which the anterior is the largest; the body ter- minating in two parallel points directed backwards ; entire surface, both of head and body, covered with minute warts, which impart a scabrous appearance to the larva; each wart emits a short bristle; on each side below the spiracles is a decided but inconspicuous skinfold. Colour apple-green, the head and an indistinct narrow medio-dorsal stripe rather darker ; the latter appears to be little more than the food in the alimentary canal showing through the cuticle; it is sometimes entirely absent; a lateral stripe paler; there is also a narrow and very indistinct stripe exactly intermediate between the medio-dorsal and lateral stripes; the minute warts are gene- rally, but not invariably, white; the bristles either black or white ; the legs semitransparent and almost colourless ; the claspers concolorous with the body; the anal points tipped with pink. Changed to a pupa, suspended by the tail, on the 14th of July; this was rather obese; the head truncate, broadly emarginate, the angles almost right angles; thorax dorsally humped and keeled, laterally angled at the base of the wing-cases; dorsal surface of abdomen with a lateral series of six points on each side. Colour apple-green ; the anvles of the head, the lateral and dorsal angles of the tho- rax, and five equidistant raised dots on each side of the 82 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. dorsal surface of abdomen, white tinged with yellow. The butterfly appeared on the 29th of July. [I am indebted to Mr. Buckler for specimens of these larve.—Hdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Satyrus Hyperanthus (Ring- let).— This species has but one brood in the year. The egg is laid singly, in July and August, on several species of grass, of which Milium effusum, Aira cespitosa, and Poa annua have been more particularly observed, but Triticum repens is the species which the specimen described below selected, by preference, for food in confinement. It attains but a small size during the autumn, and hybernates at the roots of the various grasses on which it feeds, but crawls out and begins feeding again very early in the year, and by the end of March is often half-grown; it feeds during the night, and cannot readily be found, unless diligent search be made with a lanthorn among the long grasses so commonly growing along our hedgerows and ditches, more especially in the neigh- bourhood of woods. The individual specimen which I have described was full-fed on the 4th of July: it then rested in a Straight position, was very quiescent, and indeed exhibited a great reluctance to motion of any kind: when disturbed it fell off its food-plant, feigning death and assuming a cres- centic form, but the two extremities never touched ; in this form it secretes itself at the roots of grasses, and does not reascend until the apprehended danger has past. Head ex- serted, wider than the 2nd segment, covered with minute bristle-bearing warts, which make it rough and scabrous: body fusiform, the sides dilated, the dilatation fringed with strong bristles ; the anal extremity terminating in two points directed backwards; the dorsal surface wrinkled transversely, each segment being thus distinctly divided into sections. Co- lour of the head pale wainscot-brown, each cheek having three slightly darker but faint broad stripes ; ocelli crowded together and intensely black: body very pale wainscot-brown, with a medio-dorsa] darker stripe, in which are still darker and ob- - scurely quadrate spots at the interstices of the segments ; from the 10th segment to the 13th, both inclusive, the medio- dorsal stripe is continuously of the darker brown ; the lateral dilated skinfold is almost white; the spiracles intensely black ; the rest of the dorsal surface is marked with very irre- gular brown lines. ‘Towards the end of June it attaches itself THE ENTOMOLOGIST. ' 83 by the anal claspers, and, hanging with its head downwards, is transformed into a short and very obese pupa, the head of which is rounded and undivided; the anal extremity, that is, the 13th segment only, very attenuated and flattened, the ex- treme tip still narrower, slightly incurved, and terminating in a row of minute hooks, by means of which it adheres to a slight web which the larva had previously spun, and from which it had suspended itself. The colour of the pupa is pale wainscot-brown, with a semitransparent appearance in the wing-cases, which, as well as the antenne, are delicately clouded and reticulated with darker brown; the dorsal surface is also delicately dotted with brown, as well as having larger spots methodically arranged ; a pair of these, transversely elongate, but arranged longitudinally, form an almost medio-dorsal series on each side of each segment. The butterflies continue to emerge from the Ist of July to the end of the month, and also in the first and second weeks in August. I am indebted to Mr. Doubleday for the larva and pupa from which my description has been made.— Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Chortobius Davus (Marsh Ringlet).—The egg is laid in July, on the setiform leaves of Rhynchospora alba (beak-rush), and the larva emerges in four- teen days or less, according to the temperature. Head semi- globose, wider than the body, slightly notched on the crown, beset with minute hairs ; body linear, its sides almost paral- lel, but slightly and gradually attenuated towards the anal extremity, which terminates in two points directed back- wards; dorsal surface transversely and regularly wrinkled, the wrinkles dividing each segment into sections, and co- vered with minute warts, which under a lens give the surface the appearance of extremely fine shagreen. Colour of the head dingy semitransparent green; the ocelli very prominent and intensely black: colour of the body dingy green, with five narrow, equidistant, distinct, purple-brown stripes ; the interspace between the 2nd and 3rd stripe on each side is intersected by a very narrow and indistinct stripe, almost similar in colour to the other five, and the exterior purple stripe on each side is bordered below by a pale glaucous, almost white, stripe, extending throughout its entire length. At the end of August these little larva ceased to eat, and 84 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. secreted themselves among the roots of their food-plant. I am indebted to Mr. Hudson, of Bawtry, for the opportunity of making this description—Hdward Newman. Entomological Notes, Queries, Captures and Duplicates. 18.—Larva and Pupa of Ripiphorus paradoxus. — Both Coleopterists and Hymenopterists will doubtless feel inte- rested in the announcement that the discovery of the larva and pupa of the above parasite has at length been made. On Saturday morning last I was fortunate, on opening a cell contained in a nest of Vespa vulgaris, in discovering a larva of Ripiphorus in the act of consuming the spun-up larva of the wasp to whose body it was firmly adhering. It had not then made much progress in the work of destruction, but in the course of the following forty-eight hours it entirely con- sumed its victim, with the exception of the skin and man- dibles. From other cells in the same nest I obtained pup of the parasite as well as specimens of the perfect insect.— S. Stone; Brighthampton, Witney, August 23, 1864. 19.—Multitudes of Syrphus Pyrastri in the Isle of Wight: —Could you, through the medium of the ‘ Entomologist,’ tell me the name of the insect which I enclose? They have swarmed about here for the last week, and no one seems to know anything about it. In a walk along the coast yesterday I saw hundreds lying on the beach, all dead, with one exception. This has further strengthened my idea that they have migrated here. It would be interesting to know if any of your correspondents in other parts of Eng- land have seen them. I found those which I have men- tioned lying between Blackgang and Atherfield. — William Gibson ; Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, August 21, 1864. 20.—Multitudes of Syrphus Pyrastri in the Isle of Wight. —Although no Entomologist, F cannot fail to be struck by the myriads of peculiar flies which have been, during the whole of this week, and still are, swarming about here, and, so far as I can learn, pretty generally along the neighbouring part of the southern coast. They are apparently of two spe- cies. Specimens of them both | beg to enclose you. I find them everywhere ; in the greatest quantities, however, on the THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 85 sea-shore. Here, too, they are still more tame than else- where, though they can at any time be easily caught with the hand. Their being found in such great numbers on the sea- shore gives one the idea of their having come from other climes, by the action of the “ wondrous instinct” of migration. Ihave noticed that, when in flight, they go all of them in the same direction, véz., from south to north. This also has been noticed and observed to me by others. They settle, when their fate leads them to gardens, on flowers of all kinds, seeming to have no great preference for any. At the moment of writing their numbers are somewhat thinner, but on the first three days of this week they were quite a pest. I found hundreds of them yesterday, on the shore near Blackgang, lying dead, killed, I imagine, by some rather cold winds which we have lately been having. They have, [ find, a partiality for the fruit of the fig-tree, which, however, they do not, so far as one can observe, attack themselves, but, en- tering the excavations caused by the wasps, they join in the feast. — C. EB. Seaman ; Northwood, Isle of Wight, August 20, 1864. [Mr. Rogers and several other residents in the Isle of Wight have sent still more extraordinary statements of the multitudes of these flies: all that have reached me are refer- rible to three species—Syrphus Pyrastri, 8S. topiarius and S. balteatus. Entomologists need scarcely be told that the larve of these species feed entirely on Aphides or plant-lice, and that the extraordinary number of Syrphi only corre- sponds with the enormous multitudes of Aphides which the past dry summer has called into existence.— EL. Newman.]| 21. Note on Kuplexia lucipara.—The eggs are white, and are generally laid on the back of some leaf, mostly in a long row on the back fibre; the eggs from which the specimen I send you were bred were laid on the back of a primrose-leaf ; I found them on the 24th of June, and they emerged on the Ath of July: the larve were fed on groundsel and whitethorn : they go down generally in September, the pupa being sub- terranean and enclosed in a brittle earthen cocoon, from which the perfect insect escapes the first week of the June following: the larva also eats both the common species of plantain, as well as sallow, dandelion, &c. — John S. Dell; 121, Navy Row, Morice Town. 86 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. ? [This information is supplementary to my description of the larva, at page 7288 of the ‘ Zoologist. —H. Newman .| 92. Age of the Larva of the Goat Moth.— To what age does the larva of the goat moth (Cossus ligniperda) live, and does the period of its existence vary ?— William Gibson ; Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. [The usual period assigned by Entomologists to the life of the goat moth is four years, but I am not aware that this has been tested by observers of sufficient accuracy.— Edward Newman. | 23. Sex of Larve.—Is it possible to tell the sex of the future moth or butterfly in the larva? What are the signs ?>— William Gibson. 24. Peculiarity in the Structure of Chelonia caja.—TI should like to ask if it has been before observed that between the back of the head and the thorax of Chelonia caja are two valvular openings, from which the insect can eject a strong- smelling acidulous fluid. This is best seen directly after the female has left the pupa, when, if you touch her, she bends the head between the fore legs, and at the same time lifts the two valves, exposing a band of bright scarlet hair, which partly conceals the openings. From these exude two small drops of clear fluid, smelling very much like a strong decoc- tion of nettles, and turning blue litmus red. May not the strong scent thus given out be the means by which the females of many Lepidoptera attract the males ? — Henry Moncreaff ; Southsea, August 24, 1864. 25. Ophiodes lunaris in Ireland.— It is reported that this rarity has been captured in the South-west of Ireland, by that indefatigable collector Mr. Peter Bouchard. 26. Nonagria neurica at Horning Fen.—It is reported that the true Nonagria neurica of Hiibner has been taken at Horning Fen. The insect which stands under this name in our cabinets appears to be Nonagria Arundineti of the Con- tinent. 27. Note on Ephyra pendularia. — After reading your opinion of E. pendularia (Entom. 17), I think I can throw a little light on the subject. I took two larve of E. pendularia off birch in September, 1863, and the perfect insects ap- peared, one on the 22nd of April, 1864, and the other on the 4th of May. I also took a full-fed larva on the 27th of June, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 87 1864. It went into the pupa state on the 2nd of July, and appeared in the perfect state on the 25th. I have all three specimens in my possession, and I cannot see any difference as regards the size and colour.— WW. West; 6, Green Lane, Royal Hill, Greenwich. 28. Beautiful Variety of Callimorpha dominula. — Mr. H. J. Harding, of Deal, has captured a very extraordinary variety of Callimorpha dominula, in which all the usual gay markings are absent; the uniform colour of the insect being steel-blue approaching to black. 29. Toxocampa Cracce in Devonshire.—The Rev. Edward Horton, of Lower Wick, Worcester, is again the fortunate captor of this interesting addition to our lepidopterous fauna: he has distributed these rarities with his accustomed liberality. 30. Food-plant of Ino Geryon.— The larva of this species, found by the Rev. E. Horton feeding on Helianthemum vul- gare (sun cistus), has been tried with Rumex acetosella (sor- rel), the food of its congener, I. Statices, and is found to refuse that plant: since, therefore, each species confines itself exclusively to its peculiar food-plant, there seems good reason for supposing them permanently distinct. 31. Entomological Society, August 1, 1864. — Mr. Bond exhibited Gelechia pinguinella, a species new to Britain, found on the trunks of poplars near London; and a speci- men of Nyctegretes achatinella, one of the rarer British Phycide, captured by Mr. Thomas Brown near Yarmouth. Mr. Weir exhibited an albino variety of Eubolia bipunctaria, caught on the South Downs. Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited a specimen of Libellula striolata, from Montpellier, having the veins at the basal part of the anterior wings covered with specimens of a red species of Acarus. Prof. Westwood remarked that the Acari had probably taken up their posi- tion for the purpose of sucking some fluid matter, which went to show that the wing-veins were not (as had been supposed) mere horny matter, not containing fluid. Mr. Smith doubted whether the Acari had placed themselves on the wing-veins in search of food or suction; humble-bees were often covered with these insects, and 300 or 400 Acari might be found on a single specimen, so that the humble-bee actually fell to the ground through their weight; he thought that the Acari fed 88 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. on the comb, and crawled upon the body of the humble-bee when within the nest, and so were carried out. The presence of Acari on the dung-beetles (Geotrupes) also was notorious. Mr. Edwin Shepherd referred to the frequent occurrence of Acari on butterflies, and thought they were picked up from the flowers which the butterflies visited. 32. Sesia Scolieformis.— 1 am rejoiced to say that this beautiful species has been again taken in North Wales; all fear of its being exterminated has therefore vanished. 33. Food-plant of Coremia unidentaria.— In No. 4 of the ‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, Mr. D’Orville, of Alph- ington, near Exeter, one of our most assidous and accurate observers, writes, in reference to my life-history of Coremia unidentaria (Entom. 19), that in his neighbourhood the larva gives the preference to Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy). He further states that both this species and C. ferrugata are double-brooded ; and further, that he believes the two spe- cies perfectly distinct, never running the one into the other, but remaining true to the parent. 34. Duplicates—Mr. Birchall has kindly sent me, for dis- tribution, duplicates of the following very local Lepidoptera : — Zygena Minos, Nyssia zonaria, Clostera anachoreta, and Bankia argentula. As the number of these duplicates is limited, and as no favour will be shown in their distribution, it will be necessary to make early application, in order to secure them. I must repeat that I cannot transmit them by post.— Hdward Newman; 9, Devonshire Street, Bishops- gate, September, 1864. At Home.—TI shall have pleasure in receiving the visits of Entomologists, as usual, from 6 to 9 o’clock on the following Fridays,—October 7th, 14th and 21st,—at No. 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham.—Ldward Newman. SS It is intended to publish No. 7 of the ‘ Entomologist,’ with a longer list of duplicates, on the 14th of October; and life-histories of Chortobius Pamphilus, Nemeobius Lucina, Polyommatus Hippothoé, P. Phleas, Phragmatacia Arundi- nis, Zeuzera Aisculi, &c., &c. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. O.) '7] OCTOBER 14, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Description of the Larva of Chortobius Pamphilus (Small Heath). —The eggs are laid on Nardus stricta and several other species of grass, in May and June; the larva emerges in fourteen or fifteen days, and is full-fed in about thirty days, or at the end of July: it then rests in a perfectly straight position, re- posing on the stalk of the grass. Head subglobose, slightly broader than the 2nd segment: body somewhat fusiform, gradually attenuated towards the anal extremity, where it terminates in two short points directed backwards; dorsal surface of each segment divided transversely into narrow sections, and these sections, being covered with minute sca- brous points, give it the appearance of being finely sha- greened. Colour of the head opaque green, the mouth and ocelli almost black ; body delicate apple-green, with a clearly defined and moderately wide medio-dorsal darker stripe, bordered on both sides by a narrow paler stripe; on each side, and including the spiracles, is a broader and less clearly defined dark green stripe, bordered towards the ventral sur- face by a narrow but very distinct bright yellow-green stripe; the spiracles are wainscot-brown, and each emits towards the head a faint nebulous paler line, reminding one of the tail of a comet; about equidistant from the dark medio-dorsal stripe and the yellow-green subspiracular stripe, is a third stripe of two tints, its dorsal margin dark green, its ventral margin yellow-green; anal points pink; legs tinged with piuk; claspers concolorous with the ventral surface. When full- grown my larva spun a little band of white silk round a stalk of Polygonum aviculare, and, suspending itself therefrom by the anal claspers, changed to an obese pupa, suspended by cremastre: the head broadly truncate, the thorax dorsally rounded, the colour vivid apple-green, delicately irrorated with white dots ; costa of wing-cases with a double stripe, the outer portion purple-brown, the inner white. I am VOL. Il. G 90 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. indebted to Mr. Buckler for specimens of this larva. — Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Polyommatus Hippothoé (Large Copper).—The egg is laid on the leaves of Rumex hydrolapathum (great water-dock), during the month of Au- gust, and the young larve (never, to the best of my belief, observed) probably emerge during the following month, and hybernate very early at the base of the petioles, a situation in which they would be particularly liable to injury, and indeed destruction, from the long-continued floods of such frequent occurrence in the aqueous districts, which consti- tuted the sole English habitats of this brilliant butterfly. The larva is full-fed in June, and then lies flat on the dock- leaf, rarely moving from place to place, and, when it does so, gliding with a slug-like motion, the legs and claspers being entirely concealed. Head extremely small, completely with- drawn into the 2nd segment; body with the dorsal surface convex, the ventral surface flat; the divisions of the seg- ments are distinctly marked, the posterior margin of each slightly overlapping the anterior margin of the next, and the entire larva having very much the appearance of a Chiton ; the sides are slightly dilated; the legs and claspers are seated in closely approximate pairs, nearly on a medio-ventral line. Colour green, scarcely distinguishable from that of the dock- leaf; there is an obscure medio-dorsal stripe, slightly darker than the disk, and in all probability due to the presence of food in the alimentary canal. Pupa obese, blunt at both extremity, attached by minute cremastre at the caudal ex- tremities, and also by a surcingle round the waist: the exact duration of the larval and pupal states not observed; the butterfly appears on the wing in August. Formerly abun- dant at Whittlesea Mere, in Cambridgeshire, and Yaxley Fen, in Huntingdonshire, but not observed for many years, and now generally supposed to be extinct in Britain. My acquaintance with the larva and pupa was made very many years ago, in Mr. Doubleday’s garden at Epping, where the very plant of Rumex hydrolapathum on which the larve fed is still in existence.—Jd. Description of the Larva of Phragmatecia Arundinis. —Throughgut the month of June, and also in the beginning of July, the eggs are laid, singly, by the extraordinary- THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 91 looking and long-bodied female, on the stems of Arundo Phragmites (reed); they are long, cylindrical, of a pale yellow colour, and adhere very tightly to the stem of the reed. As soon as the young larva emerges it begins to gnaw its way through the green leafy sheath, and also through the hard woody covering of the stem, reaching the interior by a punc- ture scarcely larger than that which might be made by an entomological pin, and only distinguishable on the exterior by the eye of an expert, who may detect a few minute grains of excrement around the mouth of the puncture. When once within the stem it works out of sight, making a complete hollow of the interior. The specimens kindly placed at my disposal had the head upwards, but I will not venture an opinion as to this being always the case: in no instance within my knowledge have two larve been found in one reed-stem: when full-fed, which is during the third or fourth week of the following May, the larval state having endured ten months, it appears closely fitted to the channel it has excavated, and is then an elongate maggot, with a small, flattish, porrected head, capable of being withdrawn and almost concealed in the 2nd segment, which has on its dorsal surface a corneous plate, perfectly smooth and glabrons in front, but furnished behind with raised points, of which a first transverse and perfectly regular series bounds the smooth portion, and a second equally regular series is situated a short distance be- hind the first ; behind the second transverse series the points are less prominent and very irregular; the body is very long, attenuated towards the posterior extremity, and without warts or tubercles. Colour of the head, as well as the dorsal sur- face of the 2nd segment, clear bright brown, and very gla- brous: the remainder of the body may be characterised as cream-coloured. Before changing to a pupa it gnaws away the walls of its dwelling, leaving them in several places with scarcely the thickness of tissue paper, and, having thus pro- vided itself with facility of escape, it ceases to feed, and remains perfectly quiescent until the metamorphosis has taken place: the pupa is long, brown and cylindrical, every - segment being furnished with a double row of hook-like sca- brosities (adminicula), by means of which it travels up and down the interior of the reed with the most remarkable velo- city. The pupa state scarcely lasts more than a fortnight, 92 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. when the moth makes its appearance through the weakened part of the reed-stem which I have mentioned as previously prepared for its exit: the female remains with its long pen- dant abdomen parallel to the stem until sought by the male, when union takes place before the female has left her birth- place. I am indebted to Mr. Brown, of Cambridge, for the opportunity of describing this interesting larva.— Kdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Zeuzera Afsculi (Wood Leopard). — The eggs are laid by the female, remarkable for her long telescopic ovipositor, so well adapted for the pur- pose, in crevices of the bark of trees of a great number of species, on the solid wood of which the larva feeds, and, in the case of younger trees or shoots, before the bark acquires rugosity, just above the cicatrix, whence a leaf of the previous season has fallen. The trees more particularly affected by this beautiful moth are apple, pear, plum, elm and ash: the larva, on emerging, enters the bark and solid wood by an aperture so minute that it can only be detected by a little mass of sawdust-like excrement which generally clings about the entrance. In the young shoots of ash cultivated for making hop-poles, its proceedings have been carefully observed by Mr. Jenner, of Lewes, who ascertained that in one plantation alone the loss by its ravages, in’ 1862, exceeded a thousand pounds: this accurate observer found that the little grub, having entered as described, ascends the stem as far as the next cicatrix, the excavation thus made assuming the shape of a very acutely pointed inverted cone; but when arrived opposite the cicatrix, which is probably accompanied by some node in the interior, it turns round on its own track, and descends to the point whence it started, devouring the wood and widening the gallery in its progress. When the larva has arrived at this point the figure of the gallery has entirely changed ; it is now asmooth cylindrical bore, at the lower extremity of which it guaws the wood away, making a convenient chamber for its transformation, and having the . exterior cuticle reduced to the thinness of tissue paper. It is now full-grown: the head is small, capable of being par- tially withdrawn into the 2nd segment; the dorsal surface of the 2nd segment has a large, corneous, glabrous, semicircular plate, truncated in front, but convex behind; the hinder THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 93 margin, in some degree elevated, and overlapping the dorsal surface of the 3rd and 4th segments; its posterior margin scabrous, and armed with a number of acute points arranged in series ; the series nearest the head is composed of fewer, but larger, points, those nearer the posterior margin being more numerous, but much smaller, and the series more ex- tended: each of the segments, from the 4th to the 11th, both inclusive, have four small and nearly circular, glabrous, cor- neous plates, the anterior pair approximate, the posterior pair more distant; on each side of each segment are two other such plates, one above the other, below the spiracles ; and again, below the lower of these on each side, is a smaller and less conspicuous plate; on the 12th segment are the same number, but arranged in an irregular transverse series, behind which are still two other smaller plates; each of these circular plates emits a bristle; the 13th segment is divided into two sections, the anterior section narrow and transverse, the posterior section or anal flap obtusely triangular and highly glabrous; both these emit several bristles. Colour of the head dark brown, paler on the crown; corneous plate on 2nd segment dark glabrous brown, with a pale median line, and paler also on the anterior margin and on the sides behind ; all the other plates are black-brown and highly gla- brous; the ground colour all over the body dingy white, with a yellow tinge; the alimentary canal, showing through the transparent skin, has the appearance of a narrow, medio- dorsal indistinct stripe; ventral surface dingy white, tinged with flesh-colour ; legs and claspers the same. In the cham- ber which the larva has prepared, it changes to a pupa of a brightish red-brown colour, and having every segment of the abdomen armed with circles of minute hooks. The moths appear from the 1st of July to the end of the month, coming into the world with their head downwards. In every instance where a shoot of the ash is tenanted by one of these larve, it dies from the spot occupied by the larva to the tip, and be- comes utterly useless: the injury it occasions to fruit trees is not so extensive; on the contrary, its attacks often appear to render a tree more fruitful; but I have frequently made the observation that an inordinate propensity to produce fruit often arises from a deficiency of that vigour which promotes rapid and healthy growth; thus unw ‘onted production of 94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. fruit or flowers is often indicative of internal weakness and premature old age.—EHdward Newman. Description of the Larva of Eupithecia subumbrata.— I see that the larva of Eupithecia subumbrata is described as unknown in Stainton’s ‘Manual.’ Probably it has long since been discovered. If it has not, I write to say that I bred the insect from a larva taken on Senecio Jacobea (ragwort), on ground where I had frequently taken the per- fect insect. The larva is easily described, as it was wholly destitute of any markings or lines. It was unusually slender for a Eupithecia, and of a uniform pinkish buff or flesh- colour.— W. O. Hammond ; St. Alban’s Court, near Wing- ham, Kent, September 30, 1864. Description of the Larva of Epunda nigra. — I have this morning bred Epunda nigra from a larva taken in June last, at Bournemouth. The food-plant was a very fine and dwarf grass, growing on peat: I do not know the botanical name. The larva differed altogether from Stainton’s description. It was smooth, rather thick; head light brown; body a red- brown, inclining to violet; dorsal line and subdorsal lines very narrow, pale lemon-yellow ; spiracular line broad, pale lemon-yellow, edged above with dark brown or blackish, shaded off into the ground colour.—d. Entomological Periodicals. The ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.—No. 8 contains the following papers : — “ Varieties of Lepidoptera and their causes, by R. C. R. Jordan, M.D.” “ New Species of But- terflies from Guatemala and Panama, by H. W. Bates:” ten species are described, and eleven species in No. 4, where the paper is continued. ‘‘ Descriptions of the British Species of Stenus, by E. C. Rye:” twelve species are described: con- tinued in No. 4, where seventeen species are described. “ Notes on Collecting Lepidoptera, by H. Guard Knaggs, M.D. :” continued in No. 4. “Capture of Phytometra enea and Eupithecia lariciata, by Dr. Battershell Gill.” “ De- scriptions of the larve of Tethea subtusa and Thera conife- rata, by the Rev. J. Greene.” ‘“Cidaria sagittata bred; Habits and Description of the Larva of Lozogramma THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 95 petraria; Habits and Description of the Larva of Acidalia im- mutata; Note on Acidalia promutata, by the Rev. J. Hellins.” “ Captures on the Cotswolds, by W. Farren White.” “ Cap- tures in the Neighbourhood of Wandsworth, by G. B. Long- staff.” “ Stauropus Fagi near Aylesbury, by W. E. Parsons.” “ Cherocampa Porcellus in Gloucestershire, by the Rev. E. Hallett Todd.” “ Eupithecia tripunctata, by H. D’Orville.” “ Habits of Madopa salicalis, Eupeecilia ambiguana, &c., by C. G. Barrett.” “ On the re-appearance of some Lepidoptera unnoticed since the year 1860, by George Gascoyne.” “Co- leoptera near Lowestoft, by E. Saunders.” ‘“ Nemosoma elongata, by V. C. de Rivaz.” ‘Occurrence of Cordulia arctica in Ireland, by R. M‘Lachlan.” And “ Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London:” continued in No. 4. No. 4 contains :— “ Descriptions of two New Species of Gelechia, and a new Coleophora, &c., by G. G. Miihlig; translated from the ‘ Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung,’ Nos. 1 and 8, 1864, pp. 101—8, by Alice A. Douglas.” “ Re- miniscences of an Excursion up the Demarara River, by B. Piffard.” “ Coremia ferrugata and unidentaria, by H. D’Or- ville:” (see Entom. 88). “ Thatch, by C. G. Barrett.” “ Ku- pithecia lariciata, by Henry Doubleday :” (see Zool. 9254). “ Larva, Pupa and Food of Eupithecia pulchellata, by the Rev. H. H. Crewe;” (see Zool. 9253). “ Notes on the Habits of Toxocampa Cracce, by the Rev. E. Horton.” “ Acidalia rubricata near Brandon, by Frederick Bond:” (see Entom. 70.) “ Description of the Larva of Zeuzera A’sculi, by Dr. Hearder.” It will be observed that many of the facts noticed are pub- lished simultaneously in ¢his Journal and in the ‘ Zoologist ’ this is the case with those communications which have more immediate interest for British Entomologists,—a result that cannot be avoided: other papers, on the other hand, will never appear in duplicate, such for instance as the nine pages, in No. 4, devoted to exotic Entomology, and the seven pages, in the same number, occupied by descriptions of Steni. Few remarks are required from my pen, each subject commending itself to notice: with regard to exotic Entomology, so ably handled by my friend Mr. Bates, I sincerely hope he will continue, and increase the extent of, his communications ; it 96 ‘ THE ENTOMOLOGIST. is exceedingly desirable that the descriptions of the treasures he has obtained in Amazonia should see the light as early as possible, and thus the priority in names be secured to the naturalist by whose industry these novelties have been ob- tained. With regard to Dr. Knaggs’s paper, its utility will be admitted by all: it is indeed difficult, very difficult, to make any addition to the ample instructions given by Mr. Greene in his invaluable ‘ Insect Hunter’s Companion,’ but Dr. Knaggs has had great experience in the craft, and has introduced several new suggestions: on the other hand, he has allowed many particulars to escape him; thus, in his instructions for egg-hunting, he makes no mention of the now universal practice of watching the female in the act of oviposition, and securing the prize as soon as deposited. It is a delightful task to watch the females thus employed, and one with which every Lepidopterist is familiar. ‘Young England’—The August number contains “ Notes on the Apamide,” anonymous. ‘“ The Cicada, by Bernard Piffard.” “ Larva of the Emperor Moth, by M. Merry- weather.” “ Eye of the Psocus.” “ How to find the Larve of Nonagria Typhe, by Howard eae “Captures at Herne Bay in Whitsun week, by A. G. Butler.” “ Extra- ordinary Captures near Westbury, by Dr. Williams :” (see Entom. 71). And “ Captures by W. “Watson.” Two of the records of captures are mere lists of Latin words: I do not perceive their utility, and shall always decline to publish any such in the ‘ Entomologist.’ The September number contains :— Notes on Noctue.” “ Bolitobia fuliginaria, by Howard Vaughan :” (see Entom. 70). “ Polyommatus Corydon at Hampstead, by J. Russell.” And “Captures near London, by Dr. Williams,’ among which are enumerated Papilio Machaon in the woods at Highgate! Argynnis Euphrosyne and A. Adippe near Cam- berwell! Lastly, a reprint of the very amusingly erroneous papers which have lately appeared in the ‘ Times,’ under the signature of “ A Bee-master.” 1 hope no foreign Entomo- logist will chance to see these productions. ‘The Naturalist. — This journal has but little Entomo- logy: Botany seems to be its leading feature. A list of the THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 97 names of Lepidoptera occurring in Perthshire, by F. B. W. White, is the leading contribution in Entomology: from this we learn that Acronycta Psi, Mamestra Brassice, Agrotis ex- clamationis, 'l'riphena pronuba, Cerastis Vaccinii, &c., &c., are found in Perthshire: their absence would have been remarkable; their presence certainly is not. Wherefore should it be recorded ? Entomological Notes, Queries, Captures and Duplicates. 35. The reimbibition of Fluid ejected by Tortrix Larve. —Mr. Gascoyne, in No. 5 of the ‘Entomologist’ (Entom. 69) has done me the favour to confirm my statement of the above fact, with the additional information that the habit is not peculiar to the Tortrices, he having observed it in larvee of Bombyces and Geometre. But that gentleman thinks that it is “ confined to cases where the fluid has not been pro- jected, but has remained attached to the head.” That this is not the case I can assure him, having often applied the mouth,of a larva to the fluid it had Hiefare ejected and left, when it would remain with its head in the position I had placed it until all the moisture was sucked up. This I did in the belief that the fluid was the chylaceous or nutritious juice of the larva, and therefore was anxious that it should not be lost. Some larve eject it in abundance and upon the shghtest disturbance, while others I have never seen do so under any provocation. In all cases | believe it is emitted as a means of defence against a real or imaginary aggression. With respect to the colour of the fluid, subsequent observa- tion has shown me that there is litle relation between that and the colour of the larva. The colour of the juice will, it is probable, be modified by that of the food-plant. — John Peers; 64, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, September 2. 36. Peronea permutana at New Brighton. —1 have the pleasure of recording the capture, at New Brighton, on Au- gust 16th, of above thirty fine specimens of Peronea permu- tana. Enough for myself and some for my friends.—Jd. 37. Goneplteryx Rhamni in Lreland.—1 observe you speak hesitatingly of the occurrence of this beautiful insect in Ire- land (Entom. 76). I am happy to be able to remove the 98 4 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. doubt: I saw it on the wing at Killarney on the 10th of Au- gust last. ‘The locality is a valley at the base of Mangerton, which is crossed by the footpath up the mountain from Cloghereen, about a mile from the village-—Edwin Birchall; Birkenhead ; October 2, 1864. 38. Hybernation of Vanessa C-Album.—Your accounts of the butterfly larvee, in the October ‘ Entomologist,’ are very interesting. 1 am glad also to be able to satisfy you as to the hybernation of Vanessa C-Album in the perfect state. As itis common here, I have opportunities of watching it, and I have for several years seen hybernated specimens on fine sunny days in early spring, showing by their faded ap- pearance that they were not fresh from the pupa. The larve will eat the black currant as freely as the hop.— £. Horton ; Lower Wick, Worcester, October 4, 1864. 39. Hybernation of Vanessa C-Album. — Since I printed my life-history of this butterfly, I have received no less than fifty specimens of the pupa from a kind friend at Leominster, where the species is very abundant: most of these were found suspended from the hop itself; in one instance two from a single hop, presenting a curious and beautiful spec- tacle ; others from the petiole of the hop; and others from the leaf or petiole of the black currant: the first butterfly emerged on the 24th of September, and they have continued to make their appearance every day from that time to the present: they sit motionless in the breeding-cage, and ex- hibit every symptom of intending to hybernate.— EZ. Newman. 40. Parasites upon Wasps.—In a nest of Vespa vulgaris I lately found not only the larva and pupa of the coleopterous parasite, Ripiphorus paradoxus, as already recorded (Entom. 84), but also larvee and pupez of a hymenopterous one, Ano- malon Vesparum, and eggs and larve of a dipterous one, Vo- lucella pellucens. Intermixed with the cocoons spun by the larve of Anomalon Vesparum, were those of a much smaller species of Ichneumon, which may possibly prove to be new ; at any rate I am not aware that one of this size has been de- scribed as an inhabitant of wasps’ nests. Whether the smaller species is a parasite upon the larger, | am unable to say.— S. Stone; Brighthampton, near Witney, October 1, 1864. Al. Locusts in Cornwall.—l have received two specimens of the locust (Gryllus migratorius), out of five, all captured THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 99 together on some of the highlands in this district; and I have received well-authenticated intelligence, but without specimens, of the capture of several others in the withy-beds between this place and Marazion. Isee a statement in some of the daily papers that locusts have appeared in great numbers in the western counties, and have damaged the cabbage and brocoli crops. I suppose the first part of the statement may be correct, but, so far as this neighbourhood is concerned, the second is not. Our brocoli crop and all other crops of a similar nature are suffering most severely from the ravages of a greenish caterpillar, of the species of which I am not informed. These, and not the locusts, are devouring every green herb that grows on the face of West Cornwall. — Thomas Cornish ; September 17, 1864. [On receiving this information I immediately wrote to Mr. Cornish, begging for a supply of the green caterpillar that was doing so much injury, and was rather surprised to find it the too familiar larva of Pieris Brassice. On the subject of the locust I incline to say that 1 have never seen a well- authenticated British specimen of Gryllus migratorius. I shall therefore feel extremely obliged for specimens ; should they prove to belong to any other species, I shall have much pleasure in publishing the correct name.—L. Newman. | 42, Note on Cynips lignicola. — At the top of Highgate Hill there are two little oak trees side by side, with their branches in contact. One appears to be quite healthy, is covered with acorns, and has no Devonshire galls upon it. The other is sickly, is covered with Devonshire galls (Cynips lignicola), and has not an acorn upon it. I hope to be able to notice their rps sind appearance next September. — F. Walker ; September 22, 1864. 43. The Artichoke Gall. — Will you have the goodness to explain the curious substances enclosed, growing, as you see, on an oak-twig, and consisting of a small green nucleus and a scabrous covering, enclosing setaceous segments between the exterior covering and the nucleus? On opening the crown a maggot rushed out, and, wriggling backwards, hung from my hand suspended by a thread. 1 enclose it in cotton wool.—C. Seymour. [The so-called maggot is apparently the larva of a Tortrix, and I believe quite innocent of fabricating the gall: I have 100 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. heard it suggested that the green nucleus is the acorn atro- phied, the scabrous and setaceous envelopes the cup con- siderably metamorphosed.—E.. Newman. This form of gall is called the artichoke gall, and is produced by Cynips Fecun- datrix of Hartig. Ihave not been able to rear the fly; I believe it changes in the earth.— Francis Walker.] 44. Acari on the Wings of Triphena pronuba.—I took a specimen of Triphena pronuba the other day with no less than fifty-one small red Acari attached to the wings. — Rev. E. Hallett Todd; Burford, Oxfordshire, September 16. [These Acari have been very abundant on the wings of insects this year: at a late Meeting of the Entomological Society, Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited specimens on the wings of Libellula striolata, when Professor Westwood remarked that the Acari had probably taken up their position for the purpose of sucking some fluid matter, ehich went to show that the wing-veins were not (as had been supposed) mere horny matler not containing fluid: Professor Westwood must have known, but had probably forgotten, that Dr. Bowerbank, in the Ist volume of the ‘ Entomological Maga- zine, clearly proved that the wing-bones or wing-rays of insects contained delicate blood-vessels, through which the passage of the blood was plainly discernible under a micro- scope: since that date, 1852, no one bas presumed to doubt a fact so clearly demonstrated.— Edward Newman.] 45. Number of Changes of Skin in the Smerinthi.— 1 see (Entom. 67) you propound a query relative to the larva of Smerinthus Populi and the Smerinthi generally. 1 have many times reared both 8. Populi and 8. ocellatus from the egg: they have always, in my experience, undergone three changes of skin. 8. ocellatus attains its full size in about forty-five days on the average; S. Populi I have found of rather slower growth, usually about five days longer. Itisa question of some interest, I think, whether the number of the ecdyses is in all cases the same in each species: I am rather inclined to the supposition that it varies in different indi- viduals in some species, though I have no exact data to found this upon as yet. The Smerinthi. frequently consume the cast-off skin, except the head. — J. Rh. S. Clifford ; 21, Robert Terrace, Chelsea, September 23, 1864. 45. Changes of Skin in the Genus Smerinthus. — Having THE ENTOMOLOGIST. . 101 during the present year reared a number of Smerinthus Populi and 8. ocellatus larve from the egg, I can bear tes- timony that this genus change their skin, though in a some- what different manner to others. I have noticed, in all, three changes ; the first takes place when the larve are about half an inch long, the second when one inch, and the third when from one inch and a quarter to one inch and a half. When about to change their skin the larve cease feeding for two or three days; the body becomes attenuated, the head swells and appears to start away from the body. Ifthe larva is now observed through a lens, the head will be seen gradually swelling out of the old cap, and the skin breaking up between each segment and along the spiracles. The cap is thrown off first, by itself, and may be found among the rubbish in the breeding-cage. The rest of the skin is extremely thin, and may sometimes be found rolled up like a piece of thread. These changes, taking place mostly in the night, are seldom observed, though the larva may sometimes be seen during the day making painful efforts to free itself from the old cap. Three-fourths of my young larve perished in their first moult, not being able to free themselves from the old head-covering. I do not restrict the number of changes to three, but that is all I have observed. Others may have noticed a greater num- ber.—Henry Moncreaff ; Southsea, September 6, 1864. 46. Tuking Moths on the Trunks of Trees. — Can you inform me of the best method of capturing moths when on the trunks of trees? I find that the rotundity of the trunk in most cases precludes the possibility of getting the insect into a net; “ pill-boxing” injures the wings, and the only other way with which I am acquainted is that of covering the insect with a box, in which are some bruised laurel-leaves, until stupified ; this takes too much time, for while you are holding the box a rarity may settle on the opposite tree, and only an Entomologist can know how tantalizing this is. I should therefore feel greatly obliged by your telling me of a more practical and expeditious method than either of those which I have described.— William Gibson ; Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, September 17, 1864. [I know of no way to be compared with ‘“ pill-boxing,” either for expedition or security, and I have never before heard of any injury to the wings by the operation. But I 102 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. should like to hear the Rev. J. Greene, Mr. Doubleday or Mr. Birchall on the subject. JI presume Mr. Gibson has Mr. Greene’s ‘Insect Hunter’s Companion ;’ it enters fully into matters of this kind.— Edward Newman. | A7, Geophilus electricus. — Can you give me any informa- tion of the following creeping insect? It was an inch and a half long, and about as thick as small string. It was of a light stone-colour, and had legs all along its body, and two antenne. It gave a rather brighter light than the glow- worm, and when taken up my fingers glowed with phospho- ric light. — Albert Dumsday ; Talbot Hotel, Cuckfield, Oc- tober 5, 1864. [It is a myriapod, and not properly an insect. The name is Geophilus electricus, so called from the appearance of electric light which it emits when trodden on. — Edward Newman. | 48. Pericallia Syringaria emerging in October. — Out of about twenty-five larve of Pericallia Syringaria, which were all hatched in the space of twenty-four hours, ove single larva fed up rapidly, and became a pupa. It emerged a few days since. Is it not strange? The remainder of the larve are still small, and are beginning to hybernate. — William Stewart ; Kldon Villa, Redland, Bristol, October 5, 1864. 49. Larva of Acronycta Aceris. — Mr. J. Sarson, of this town, brought me a caterpillar, which he had taken feeding upon oak, for identification. As I have never seen one like it before, nor remember to have seen the figure of it in any publication I have had access to, I have made three drawings of it for your examination. Will you kindly say, in the next ‘Entomologist, what species it is? — Edwin Tearle; The Crescent, Leicester, October 9, 1864. [The larva is that of Acronycta Aceris, described at page 43 of the ‘Entomologist: I have rarely obtained it from oak, but it is by no means uncommon on Acer Pseudo-pla- tanus (sycamore) in August and September.—F. Newman. | 50. Entomological Society, September 5, 1864.—Mr. Dun- ning exhibited a number of full-fed larvae of a Noctua (Agrotis Segetum, or A. exclamationis?), which had been sent to him by Mr. J. D. Kay, from Brantingham, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Mr. Kay bad had a field of turnips, worth £150, entirely destroyed by these caterpillars. Numerous similar THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 1038 instances from various parts of the country had _ been received, and it was mentioned that their ravages were not confined to the turnips. Mr. Janson exhibited four species of Coleoptera hitherto unrecorded as British, and communi- cated the following in reference thereto :—“ 1. Euryusa sinu- ata of Krichson, taken by the Rev. A. Matthews, many years since, in Oxfordshire. 2. Leptusa analis of Gyllenhal, taken during the past month in the Black Forest, Perthshire, by Mr. D. Sharp; differs conspicuously from L. fumida in its superior size, reddish brown hue, semi-opaque surface, and more strongly and coarsely punctate abdomen. 3. Aleochara spadicea of Erichson, taken by Mr. J. A. Brewer, in Cum- berland, in the autumn of 1863.. 4. Homalota notha of Erichson, taken by Mr. Brewer beneath rejectamenta of the River Medway.” The Rev. Hamlet Clark exhibited a spe- cimen of Buprestis ocellata, a native of Central India, which had been found on board ship between Mauritius and Mada- gascar, and upwards of fifty miles from land. Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a complete set of the species of butterflies and beetles captured by Mr. Lowne in Southern Syria and Pales- tine, during the present year. Mr. J. R. Larkin, of Elm Cottage, Old Brompton Road, exhibited a novel form of case for the reception of insects ; the top and all the sides were of glass; the bottom corked in the usual manner, and framed, so that the whole might be hung picture-wise against a wall. Mr. Tegetmeier read and presented to the Society an extract (probably) from a provincial (Ipswich?) newspaper of 1833, which contained an account of the first scientific meeting of the Entomological Society of London. (This extract is now affixed to the first volume of the ‘ ‘Transactions’ in the Li- brary.) Mr. Tegetmeier also brought under the notice of the Society the letters recently published in the ‘ Times’ on the subject of bees and bee-keeping, and quoted numerous errors into which the writer had fallen, such, e. y., as the statement that the queen selects her husband and passes her honey- moon amid the flowers, that a swarm of bees is as large as a bunch of grapes, that bees are affectionate and foud of children, &c. It was to be regretted that a fictitious value had been given to so worthless a compilation by insertion in the columns of an influential journal; many of the state- ments of the writer had been answered and exposed by Mr. 104 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Woodbury in the same journal, but as a further communica- tion from that gentlemen had been refused insertion in that newspaper, Mr. Tegetmeier thought it right to give the Members of the Society an opportunity of placing on record their opinions on thé matters in question, lest Entomologists abroad should imagine that the letters of the “‘ Times’ Bee- master” represented the amount of practical and scientific knowledge current in this country on the subject under dis- cussion. Lieut. R.C. Beavan, Bengal Revenue Survey, com- municated ‘“ Remarks on the Tusseh Silkworm of Bengal.” Prof. Westwood read a paper intituled “ Descriptions of new Species of Sagrides and Megalopides from the Old World and Australia,” and the Rev. Hamlet Clark a paper intituled “ Description of Species composing the Genus Schema- tiza.” 52. Duplicates.—Zygzeuna Minos, Nyssia zonaria, Clostera anachoreta, Bankia argentula, Agrotis lncernea, A. valligera, A. Tritici, Aspilates strigillaria, Apamea connexa, Pyrophila pyramidea (unset), Miselia Oxyacanthe, &c., &c., may be had on application at 9, Devonshire Street, between the hours of l and 4 p.m. I repeat that 1 cannot post the dupli- cates thus offered— Edward Newman. At Home. —{I shall have pleasure in receiving the visits of Entomologists, as usual, from 6 to 9 o'clock on Friday, Oetober 21st, at No. 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peck- ham.—Ldward Newman. The Cabinets of British Lepidoplera of the late W. J. Russell, Esq., of Ringwood, and the late Mr. H. Reid, of Don- caster.—I am requested to announce that Mr.J.C. Stevens will sell by auction, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, about the third week in October, the Collections of British Insects formed by the above-named gentlemen. Ca- talogues are preparing, and will be ready a week before the sale. Ks" No. 8 of the ‘Entomologist’ will be published on the lst of November. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 8.] NOVEMBER, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Analytical Notice of the ‘ Transactions of the Entomolo- gical Society of New South Wales.” Vol. i. Parts I. and II. 8vo. 206 pp. letter-press, and ten Plates. Price 6s. each Part. NoTHiInG can mark in a more unmistakable manner the rapid progress of an infant colony than its indulgence in the amenities of Science. There is no era in a nation’s history so rude as to reject exciting amusements, such as the race- course or the stage: these follow the acquisition of wealth as invariably as wealth itself attends on persevering industry. With Science the matter is entirely different: there is little excitement, still less show, and a minimum of repute in studying those forms of life which offer a field for scientific research, and occupy the hours and the thoughts of the humble-minded, the studious, and the rettring man. A colony must have passed through the ordeals attendant on the first struggle for existence,—must have subsequently drank deep of the more exciting pleasures and occupations of life,—before it can settle down into the quietude of ob- serving and recording those minute differences of economy and form which constitute materials for a superstructure of . Science. New South Wales has passed through this ordeal,—has drank the cup of so-called pleasure almost to the dregs,— and has now found breathing-time and leisure for more ennobling pursuits. It is with heartfelt satisfaction that I receive, as an evidence of this progress, two numbers of a journal of which I can truly say they would do credit to any country and to any age. I will not insult the Society from which they emanate, by saying that these ‘Transactions’ are very well jor a beginning ; that they do credit to colonial industry, skill, or knowledge ; that they are very creditable wnder the cir- cumstances: grudging praise of this kind would be as VOL. II. H 106 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. untruthful as it certainly would be unkind. ‘The accuracy and beauty of the printing, the elegance and perspicuity of the Latin characters, and the profound knowledge of the labours of antecedent writers, displayed in every page, quite relieve contributors and editors from the necessity for any apology on the score of inexperience, and at once place the ‘Transactions of the Entomological Society of New South Wales’ in the very highest rank of the periodical literature of Entomology. An additional charm invests this journal ; I allude to the constant recurrence of the name of MacLeay, a name not merely associated with a once popular scheme for the arrangement of living beings, but also with the very best descriptions of Australian Coleoptera that have hitherto appeared in print. The original papers are eleven in number: their titles are given below :— “On the Gall-making Coccide of New South Wales, by H. L. Schrader.” “ Descriptions of ‘Twenty New Species of Coleoptera be- longing to the Families Cicindelide and Cetoniide, by Wil- liam MacLeay, Jun.” “ Description of Twenty New Species of Stigmodera, by William MacLeay, Jun.” “Description of an Ovoviviparous Moth of the Genus Tinea, by the Hon. A. W. Scott.” “ On the Pselaphide of Australia, by the Rev. R. L. King.” (In two parts). “On the Scaritidee of New Holland, by William MacLeay, Jun.” (In two parts). “ On the Insects of Australia allied to the Glaphyridz, by William MacLeay, Jun.” “On the Scydmenide of New South Wales, by the Rev. R. L. King.” * Notes on the Metamorphosis of a Dipterous Insect, by Gerard Krefft.” “Description of New Coleoptera from Port Denison, by William MacLeay, Jun.” x “On a New Species of Ornithoptera, by the Hon. A. W. cott.” Three of these papers, treating of life-history, have to me a peculiar interest ; indeed an interest which I cannot now THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 107 feel for mere technical descriptions of new species. In my early days I had an overweaning weakness for compiling such descriptions, and I contributed largely to the number of names cast loose upon the world of Science, without method, and, I fear, without benefit to others. The former volume of the ‘ Entomologist’ was the great repository of my descriptions, and Australia was the continent whence my materials were derived. All this is changed, and I have now much more pleasure in observing the living than in classify- ing the dead: hence the preference I feel for those three of the papers I have enumerated, which relate almost exclusively to economy ; and first Mr. Schrader’s paper on the gall- making Coccide. This may almost be considered virgin soil for the Ento- mologist: in Europe, and especially in Britain, we know almost nothing of galls manufactured, or rather caused, by Cocci; whether they exist is a question of some consider- able difficulty, but it is quite certain we have not studied them. Indeed Mr. Schrader himself does not appear to have expected the result he obtained from an examination of the Australian galls. “When I came to the colony,” he writes, “I was astonished to find so great a number and variety of galls. At first 1 thought they were produced by Cynipide, but I soon ascertained there were comparatively few hymenopterous gall-makers here. Most of the Hyme- noptera which I found in galls were parasites upon gall- making Diptera and Homoptera. The Coccus-galls very frequently exhibit monstrosities in their growth, caused some- times by the early death of the female inhabitant, in which case the orifice of the gall closes up, but sometimes they are owing to the parasitic attacks of numerous minute Hy- menoptera.” The Cocci are, however, exposed to the attacks of Chalcidites, and, moreover, a species of weevil inhabits one of them; and spiders and ants occasionally take up their residence in galls that have been deserted. ‘The enormous size of these Coccus-galls strikes the European Entomologist with astonishment. ‘I found one,” writes Mr. Schrader, “ of the species Brachyscelis munita where the length of the whole gall was eleven inches, and the thickest part eight lines wide. A gall of my species, Brachyscelis duplex, was six inches and a half long, and its greatest width eighteen 108 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. lines.” The living female extracted from this last was eighteen lines in length, far larger than any Coccus of which we had previously any knowledge. Where these insects ap- pear in great numbers they are excessively injurious to vege- tation. “I have seen whole patches of ground,” writes Mr. Schrader, “often a hundred feet square, where the young trees were totally destroyed by the attacks of Brachyscelis phalerata and B. ovicola. In such a case the leaves remain. small, the branches become crippled, and finally die.” Mr. Scott’s paper on the ovoviviparous moth will not bear abbreviation. I therefore extract it almost entire. “The lepidopterous insect brought under your considera- tion is closely allied to the genus ‘Tinea’ of modern authors, is of small size, and boasts of no outward singularity of form, nor extraordinary beauty of colouring, to distinguish it from others of that group. It was after dark in the early part of October, 1861, that we first captured a specimen with the hand, being attracted at the moment by its elegant colouring, and wishing to secure it for the cabinet. Fearful that the plumage might be injured by the struggles of the moth while endeavouring to escape, it was gently compressed, and on _ opening the hand we observed numbers of minute, but per- fect, larvee being ejected from the abdomen in rapid suc- cession, and moving about with considerable celerity, evi- dently in search of suitable shelter and food. This incident, so singular and new to us, required further confirmation, and consequently many more of a similar kind (of course all females) were caught and attached to corks, previously co- vered with black paper, and subjected to the closest scrutiny. These moths shortly commenced to deposit their living pro- geny with great rapidity, the small, white, fleshy larve being seen with great distinctness on the black surface of the paper; thus affording clear and satisfactory proof that this insect, the only one of its order at present known, is unques- tionably ovo-viviparous, and will represent in future this pe- culiarity among the Lepidoptera; similarly to those few species existing in the hemipterous and dipterous orders. This fact having been ascertained, our attention was incited to the care of the little strangers, and to procure suitable shelter and food for them, in the hope that we should be able to rear them, and thus to supply a correct account of all THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 109 their metamorphoses. In this we were guided by the form of the jperfect insect, and accordingly placed before them grains of maize, pieces of flannel and woollen cloth, shreds of partially decayed paper, some fungus and lichen, and other materials known to be the food of caterpillars belong- ing to the genus ‘Tinea’ and neighbouring genera. Unfor- tunately they turned with distaste from all these supplies, with the exception of the cloth and flannel, and even to these they attached themselves with reluctance. We, how- ever, persevered, and put them in a dark and roomy box, aware of the marked dislike to light of larve possessing de- predatory habits, and left them undisturbed for a week, at the end of which we were pleased to find that small silken tunnels or tubes had been constructed on the surface of the brown cloth, and that the denuded appearance of several places exhibited signs of their ravages. From this cloth they shortly after transferred themselves to the flannel, where they fabricated small portable cases, composed of two separate pieces, of an irregular oval form, joined at the sides, but leaving apertures at each end; and being thus comfortably housed, we entertained sanguine hopes of rearing them. These hopes, however, were not to be realised, for towards the end of November (nearly two months from their birth) they ceased to thrive, and eventually all perished.”—P. 34. No less interesting is Mr. Krefft’s paper on the metamor- phosis of a dipteron,—a paper, however, to which I should have thought a more descriptive title might have been found: it records the interesting fact of the existence of an cestri- deous parasite on frogs, at least the figures of larva and pupa lead me to the conclusion that the fly must be related to our Cistride : here is the paper itself :— “In the course of my inquiries into the Batrachian Fauna of Australia, I have frequently captured frogs infested with a number of parasites, seeming to be larve of dipterous in- sects; they are generally found between the skin and flesh, just behind the tympanum, but in cases where from three to four exist upon a single individual they reach as far back as the anus; these larve may be taken for glands at first sight, but closer examination soon reveals a small opening, and a gentle pressure will quickly exhume the yellow parasite. In all cases where the larva was forcibly ejected, the death of 110 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. the frog, whether large or small, was caused thereby ; and in fact these creatures generally die after the larve have worked their way out. 1. Pupa of Batrachomyia attached to a stone. 2. Uperoleia marmorata, an Australian frog, with the skin of its side par- tially laid back to show the larva of Batrachomyia in situ. 3. The same, the skin remaining entire. 4. Wing-rays of Batrachomyia. 5. Another cestrideous larva, parasitical on Hyla citropus, another Austra- lian frog. “The perfect insect, a small yellow fly, called by Mr. W. S. MacLeay, Batrachomyia, was first reared by Mr. George French Angas; the typical specimen is now in the Austra- lian Museum, and was obtained from a species of Cystigna- thus (C. Sydneyensis), the most diminutive of our frogs; the specimen I reared lived on another small Batrachian (Upe- roleia marmorata), and is to all appearance a different spe- cies. Having obtained a frog in the beginning of April, when the larva had almost reached its full size, and deposited it in a glass vessel with some moist earth and moss, I found that the parasite left its shelter a few days afterwards, the frog dying as usual in consequence. I observed the yellow larva for more than twenty-four hours traversing the moss, and found it, after thirty-six hours, completely ensconced in a black covering, but without being attached to any object ; whilst in a state of nature the chrysalis is generally fastened to the under side of some piece of rock in damp localities. Thirty-two days afterwards the perfect insect emerged. “T have subsequently attempted to breed other specimens, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 111 but without success; all my larve went into the chrysalis state, but they always died afterwards. “It appears that some frogs are more infested with this parasite than others ; it is most common upon Cystignathus Sydneyensis in this neighbourhood, a remarkable fact, as this species is the smallest of the tribe, and frequents the water much. ** At Shoalhaven I found Pseudophrine Bibronii much in- fested, some specimens, not more than half an inch long in the body, having two to four larve to support; and whenever I found Hyla citropus I have always observed the larve of a fly upon them. I believe that the insect living upon Hyla citropus will prove to be different from the present species, as its larva varies in structure considerably from all others.” —P. 100. I have been so charmed, I may say so fascinated, with this undertaking, that I have extended my notice and extracts somewhat beyond reasonable bounds; but I trust in this I shall be excused, because all my readers are Entomologists, and all Entomologists will rejoice with me in the publication of a journal of such sterling merit. EDWARD NEWMAN. Coleopterous Fauna of the Atlantic.— Having just re- turned from a second entomological visit to the Canary Islands, in which I was accompanied by my brother, I ob- serve some remarks in the ‘Entomologist’ for September (Entom. 57), embodied in a notice of the Museum ‘ Catalogue of the Canarian Coleoptera,’ Jately written by my friend Mr. Wollaston ; in which the relative number of species existing in the Islands of the Canarian group and Madeira are set down (doubtless in accordance with the earlier Catalogues, but) erroneously ; and it will be observed from the subjoined table that want of investigation, rather than inherent poverty, has caused the disproportion between the Islands themselves, whilst their correspondence with Madeira is rendered still more striking. I hope, in the course of the winter, to pub- lish a history of these Islands, descriptive and deductive ; as I cannot but think that sufficient evidence is now accumu- lated to substantiate the magnificent theory of Atlantis, 112 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. enunciated by Prof. Edward Forbes, whose loss we shall always have cause to regret; further comment would therefore be premature ; but I cannot refrain from adding that Mr. Wol- laston’s ‘ Catalogue,’ besides its undoubted scientific value, does as much credit to his field labours as to his scrupulous accuracy. It was, to us, a constant source of amazement, not that he should have failed to find species which we sub- sequently obtained, but that he should have accomplished so much, and that without the aid of graduated wire sieves, which, in our case, economised so much time and labour. The relative distribution of Coleoptera among the Islands may be stated as follows, viz., Lanzarote 277, Fuerteventura 261, Grand Canary 335, Teneriffe 554, Gomera 408, Palma 254, and Hierro 210; but it must be observed that the num- bers assigned, especially for Grand Canary, Palma and Hierro are probably far too low. The annexed table gives, in the first column, the number of Madeiran species in each section ; in the second, the arithmetical proportion which might be expected in the Canaries ; and in the third, the actual num- bers found. And I believe that if the sections were better chosen, especially with regard to philhydrous representatives of terrestial species, the parallelism would be even more complete :— MADEIRAN. CANARIAN. Proportionate. Ascertained. I. Geodephaga teen Stee LIS i) eas 123 Il. Hydradephaga Ops tesmraieey os eee 22 If. Philbydrida 1 Ly oon oer OG a scctends - 25 IV. Necrophaga 120 Sawa IS2ij ees. 24 131 V. Cordylocerata 26 ious DOE eesti 53 VI. Priocerata AA hae 2 G62. ht: 95 VII. Rhyncophora 129 ........ NOS er ces 191 VIII. Eucerata 1 bvivalias. LF nea 15 IX. Phytophaga QTE thes. Als sine 44 . X. Pseudotrimera 26 _........ 99) > Shae i) XI. Heteromera OT beivett: Biss lade 129 XI. Brachelytra tt hy Cae Corte Wis aa 150 659 997 997 It was to have been expected that the Heteromera would be THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 118 more numerous in the Canaries, owing to the African charac- ter of the Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; whilst, on the other hand, the deficiency in Necrophaga, Pseudotri- mera and Brachelytra may be generally attributable to the fact that these sections find a maximum in more northern latitudes. Amidst about a hundred novelties, the discovery of Buprestis Bertholeti in the Pirial of Hierro, after nearly thirty years’ obscurity, may merit a passing notice, especially as its very existence has of late years been called in ques- tion. In conclusion, I should feel extremely obliged for any notes, especially geological and botanical, with reference to these Islands, or the cognate groups of the Cape de Verdes, Azores, &c., and especially the north-west coast of Barbary. —W. D. Crotch ; Uphill House, October 8, 1864. Description of the Larva of Nemeobius Lucina (Duke of Burgundy).—The eggs are laid about the Ist of June (I give this as a medium date, having no doubt that the period of oviposition may extend over twenty days), on the under side of the leaves of Primula veris (cowslip), either singly or in clusters of four or five; their shape is spheroid, depressed at the south pole or base, and produced at the north pole or apex; their colour is pale glaucous. The larva emerges about the fourteenth day, and remains on the under side of the cowslip-leaf, in which it makes small round holes, thereby indicating its presence; it continues to feed for several weeks, the duration of the larval state being dependant on tempera- ture. When full-fed, it rests with its under surface closely appressed to the leaf; but if touched or annoyed it falls from its food-plant, lying motionless on its side, and bending its body in a crescentic form, the two extremities approaching, but not meeting. Head narrower and every way smaller than the 2nd segment, into which it is received and sometimes completely withdrawn; body somewhat onisciform, the dor- sal surface convex, the ventral surface flat; the legs and claspers concealed; the divisions of the segments deeply incised and well defined; each segment emits about forty . hairs or bristles, of which those on the back are slightly arcuate, those on the sides straight. Colour of the head pale wainscot-brown, glabrous and hairy, the hairs and ocelli 114 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. black: colour of the body dingy white, with an indistinct medio-dorsal stripe of a smoky olive tint, apparently in great measure due to the presence of food in the alimentary canal, an inference that receives support from the fact of the stripe being partially interrupted at the segments; on each side is a waved olive stripe, also interrupted at the segments, and thus divided into a number of short oblique lines, each of which terminates in a yellowish dot; on each segment, be- tween the medio-dorsal and lateral stripes, is an orange- coloured, wart-like and hairy spot; there is a second indis- tinct lateral stripe near the spiracles, which is olive at its anterior extremity, but fades into yellow towards the anal end. ‘The spiracles are black; ventral surface pale olive. Pupa obese, the head rounded; attached by the tail, and also by a surcingle round the waist, to the leaf or petiole of the food-plant ; emitting numerous longish hairs in the same manner as the larva. Colour the most delicate pale wainscot- brown, with a number of black spots; the principal of these are—a narrow band passing over the neck immediately be- hind the base of the antenna-case; a shorter band behind this, but in front of the thorax ; a short stripe on the costa of each wing-case, and numerous subquadrate spots spread over the entire dorsal surface ; these are disposed in two dorsal series of eleven each, and two lateral series on each side ; these are irregular and minute on the thorax, but regular and conspicuous on the abdomen, where is also a third inter- vening series of minute dots; all the hairs are sienna-brown. It remains in the pupa state throughout the winter, and the butterfly appears in June, flying with great rapidity along pathways in woods, and also along the outskirts of woods. 1 am indebted to Mr. Wright, who received the larve from Mrs. Hutchinson, for the opportunity of describing this little- known larva, which I believe was first discovered in England by the Rev. H. Harpur Crewe, who has described it in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 8402) : Hiibner’s figure, as copied by Curtis, is very accurate.— Edward Newman. Entomological Periodicals. The ‘ Entomoloyist’s Monthly Magazine.”—No. 5 contains the following papers : — “ Notes on the Diurnal Lepidoptera THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 115 of North-Western India, by Capt. A. M. Lang (with descrip- tions of new species by F. Moore).” ‘ Reminiscences of an Entomological Excursion up the Demerara River, by B. Pif- fard,.” ‘ A new Nonagria (N. brevilinea), by C. Fenn.” “ De- scriptions of the British Species of Stenus, by E. C. Rye.” “‘ New Species of Butterflies from Guatemala and Panama, by H. W. Bates.” ‘“ 'Thecla Betula near Cork, by G. F. Ma- thews.” “ Occurrence of an Apthona new to Britain (A. ni- griceps of Redtenbacher).” “ Occurrence of a Liodes new to Britain (L. castanea of Herbst), by E.C. Rye.” “ Dis- covery of Larva and Pupa of Rhipiphorus paradoxus, by S. Stone” (published in No. 6 of the ‘ Entomologist,’ Entom. 84). ‘*A Lepidopterous Imago and Ichneumons bred out of one Larva, by A.G. Butler.” “ Captures of Lepidoptera, by J.B. Blackburn.” “ Notes on Orgyia gonostigma, by G. Gib- son.” “ New Locality for Gastropacha ilicifolia, by the Rev. E. Horton. “ Captures in the South, by Trovey Blackmore.” ** Spilosoma papyratia near Cambridge, by Rev. C. Grinsted.” ** Kupeecilia sodaliana, Tapinostola Bondii, and Clostera ana- choreta, by E. Meek.” “ Bombus lapponicus at Keighley, by R. Tyrer.” “ Migration of Aphides, by Dr. Knaggs.” And “ Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London.” I am delighted to see another contributor to Exotic Ento- mology in Captain Lang, and to learn that we are to have descriptions of Indian Lepidoptera by Mr. Frederic Moore ; there is no Entomologist so capable of this task as Mr. Moore, and every subscriber to the ‘Monthly Magazine’ will rejoice that it is hereafter to be enriched by his labours. I cannot, however, congratulate the Editors in having given Mr. Moore’s only description in this paper as a foot-note and in smaller type: these descriptions, being the most important part of the communication, should certainly have the post of honour. Mr. Bates’s invaluable descriptions only extend this month to four pages. Mr. Fenn’s new Nonagria is the one I men- tioned three numbers back (Entom. 86) as Nonagria neurica: from Mr. Fenn’s description 1 fancy he has compared his insect with Nonagria Arundineti, misnamed N. neurica in our cabinets, and not with authentic continental specimens of the true N. neurica. Mr. Doubleday, who has seen the specimen, will do us a service by clearing up this little doubt. The only other papers that require particular notice are those 116 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. by Mr. Butler, Mr. Horton and Mr. Meek. Mr. Butler re- cords the emergence of a perfect specimen of. Acronycta Psi after two small ichneumons, apparently the same as those in- festing Pieris Brassice, had escaped. Mr. Horton’s new locality for Gastropacha ilicifolia is near Lynton, North Devon. Mr. Meek found two larve of Clostera anachoreta feeding on the Ontario poplar at Folkestone. Entomological Notes, Queries, Captures and Duplicates. 58. Ivy-blossoms at Torquay: Laurel-box versus Pill-box. —Since my arrival at this place, equally remarkable for its natural beauty and the profusion and quality of its Lepi- doptera, I have had the pleasure of renewing my acquaint- ance with “ivy-hunting.” With the exception of two or three “ nights” with my friend Mr. Birchall in Ireland, thir- teen years have elapsed since, lantern in hand, I examined the ivy-bloom. I therefore experienced all the delight of a novice, and had, moreover, the pleasure of taking several spe- cies which I had never seen alive. I have only been “ out” three nights. My young friend Mr. B. M. Stewart, of Worcester College, Oxford, was my companion, and he very kindly showed me the best localities. There is not much ivy, and what there is, is extremely difficult to get at, as it grows on the face of steep rocks sloping towards the sea. But the excellence of the insects found here is ample com- pensation for the fatigue, and, I may add, peril. Though labouring under the double disadvantage of cold east winds and a too bright moon, we took the following species, mostly in first-rate condition, viz., Anchocelis rufina, A. pistacina and A. lunosa, Orthosia lota and O. macilenta, Noctua gla- reosa, Epunda lichenea and E. nigra, Agrotis saucia, Polia flavicincta, Xylina rhizolitha and X. petrificata, Cidaria psit- tacata, &c. Mr. Stewart showed me in his collection two specimens of Heliothis armigera, and one magnificent H. unionalis, all captured by himself at ivy. The above re- marks are intended as introductory to a reply to the question asked by Mr. Gibson (Entom. 101), as to the best method of capturing moths on trees. As to the relative merits of “ pill-box- ing” and the tin box with laurel-leaves, I fear that the advocate THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 117 of the one will never succeed in making a convert of the ad- vocate of the other. I can only say for myself that, having, in the ivy-hunting alluded to above, had an opportunity of seeing the pill-boxing method practically carried out, lam more than ever persuaded of the superiority, on the whole, of the tin box. Mr. Newman, in his note appended*to Mr. Gibson’s question, says, “ I know of no way to be compared with $ pill- boxing,’ either for expedition or security.” Mr. Newman will, I am sure, excuse me if, while doubtfully conceding the expedition, I deny the security. {Only last night I saw Mr. Stewart unwittingly perform the horrid operation of decapi- tating an Orthosia lota (he wanted the insect, but with a head), the instrument wherewith the deed was done being a pill-box. This evil deed was followed by another, wherein a fine Xylina petrificata was unhappily maltreated, the result, however, being only the loss of half an antenna, and a serious abrasion of the thorax. That some moths will flutter about and spoil themselves in a pill-box is, I believe, admitted on all hands. I may just observe, in passing, that this cannot occur in the tin box. Upon my asking Mr. Stewart whether he would trust, say Heliothis armigera, to the pill-box, his answer was, “ Oh, I should chloroform thaé at once.” Having seen now this operation of chloroforming, I am more than ever prejudiced against it. The only thing I can allow is that its operation is speedy. But there remains the insuperable ob- jection that insects thus killed are rendered more or less rigid and brittle. Ihave found it almost impossible to set insects, killed in this way, the next morning. Iam well aware that many will be at once ready with the rejoinder, * But we can.” Possibly. Yet I find very few insects (thus killed) which come up to my idea of good setting. I allude especially to the antennz and legs. In whatever position the antennz and legs of a moth may be when chloroformed, in that position they will remain, according to my experience. - Neither persuasion nor force will alter them. Again, I am somewhat disposed to question even the superior expedition of this method. I find the custom here to be, whatever it may be elsewhere, after half-a-dozen boxes or so are filled, to then stupify the insects by dropping a minute quantity of chloroform into each box. ‘The insects are then pinned, and fixed in the collecting-box. What advantage, then, this 118 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. method possesses over the laurel-leaves box I am at a loss to conceive. Certainly no time is gained this way. Let me, then, strongly recommend your correspondent to at least try the tin box. I don’t quite understand his difficulty, which is thus expressed, “ This (the laurel-box) takes too much time, for while you are liolding the box a rarity may settle on the opposite tree,” &c. Does Mr. Gibson mean that he holds the box over the moth on the tree, and that he keeps it there until the moth is stupified? If he does, then he may well complain of the plan, which, however, is his, not mine. If he does not mean this, then I must remind him that he cannot be in two places at once, “ barring (as a countryman of mine once observed) he was a bird.” If he is trying to secure a moth on tree A, he must do so before he goes to tree B, even if there were half-a-dozen rarities on it. Assuming that Mr.G. understands the use of the tin box, I would say, let him take three of them well supplied with fresh bruised laurel-leaves. I think they will be sufficient for all practical purposes. They will not take up more room than a lot of pill-boxes. Each box may safely contain three or even four moths. Suppose there is a good moth on tree A, and another on tree B. Box A moth, and put the box in your trousers’ pocket ; then pro- ceed to B. I challenge the most expert pill-boxer to do this as quickly by his method as by mine. It is better not to have more than three moths at one time in each box, nor will it be required, except on those rare occasions when insects are so plentiful as to cause an embarras de richesses. When boxes 1 and 2 have each three moths, and box 3 one, then proceed to empty the contents of the first two; pin, and put them in the collecting-box. The moths require no chloroforming ; they are already stupified. Perhaps, in reply to these few remarks, somebody will take up the cudgels in behalf of “pill-boxing.” If he should do so, will he kindly inform me whether the usual practice is to chloroform the insects after so many boxes are filled (as above), or to bring all the boxes home, and then perform that operation. — Rev. J. Greene ; 4, Cary Parade, Torquay, October 14, 1864. 54. Sex of Larve.—1I have felt greatly disappointed at not receiving any answer to my question (Entom. 86) re- specting the sex of larva. Surely this is a question on which some “big man” might bestow a thought; or perhaps the THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 119 question has already been raised and settled? I have slaughtered a large number of larvze, chiefly those of Pygezra bucephala, and examined them, both with the naked eye and the microscope, but with no result. 1 hope, however, next year to pursue my inquiries on other species. The microscope, as I have just said, does not, as far as my experience goes, reveal any difference between individuals of the species I have mentioned ; but I am but a young observer, not having to so great an extent the patience and experience of an older * hand,” who would know better how to set about his work. I should feel greatly obliged to anyone who would inform me what is known on the subject.— William Gibson ; Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, October 21, 1864. [To me it seems highly probable that the silence of Ento- mologists is to be attributed to a reluctance to offer an opi- nion on so abstruse a subject: it has been asserted, but I admit without satisfactory proof, that the larve of bees are asexual: the subject is one on which I solicit the views of my readers, rather than express my own.—F. Newman.] 55. Dasycampa rubiginea in Oatlands Park. — Sugaring last week in Oatlands Park, I was not a little surprised to find a very fine specimen of this local and scarce moth on one of the trees. It was a cold night, and the only other moth I noticed was a specimen of Miselia Oxyacanthe. Some few years since, I spent many ah evening in Norbury Park and on Mickleham Downs, in the month of October, searching for this rarity, but until now never saw it alive. Oatlands Park is about six miles from this celebrated locality for the insect, and within seventeen miles of London. I don’t know if any of your readers have noticed the great abundance of earwigs this autumn that are attracted to the sugar; on some trees on warm nights | have counted upwards of fifty, and they scare away all the moths.—Samuel Slevens ; 24, Bloomsbury Street, W.C., October 10, 1864. 56. Wasps in Yorkshire. — Wasps have been very nu- merous in North Yorkshire this year (1864). They have literally swarmed, and have committed great havoc in the gardens, among wall-fruits and the sweeter sorts of apples. | I have been struck by the smallness of one species, which is very much darker in colour than the common wasp. When on the north moors last July, I took two nests, and remarked 120 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. that the nests were deep in the bank, very little comb, and the colonies not large. Near to one of these nests we found one suspended in the hedgerow. It would be the size of a quart basin, oblong in form, with the entrance at the bottom. This species of wasp, unlike its less and darker relations, always shows good sport on being molested. These nests are rare ; some years you may find several, and then for three or four years none. In 1860 there were two in my garden—one in a goose- berry-bush, and another suspended under a projection in the garden-wall. One of my neighbours had two in his hedge- row, and another had one in a rose-bush. Since that time I have neither seen nor heard of one until last July. In July, when pulling red currants, [ found a wasp’s nest suspended to the bough of a red currant bush; it was less than a hen’s egg, pear-shaped and with an entrance at the bottom. It was forsaken, and never contained any comb. In 1852 1 found a similar nest suspended to the under side of a wooden spout over a kitchen-door. It contained one row of comb, contain- ing eight cells, but they were, when found (November), empty.—J. Ranson ; York. 57. Duplicates. — Zygena Minos, Liparis dispar, Calli- morpha dominula, Hepialus hectus, Apamea connexa, Xylo- phasia scolopacina, Erastria fuscula, Clostera anachoreta, Nyssia zonaria, Notodonta camelina, Smerinthus Populi, As- pilates strigillaria, and Saturnia Carpini.—#. Newman. At Home. — Fridays, November 4, 11 and 18, from 6 to 9 o’clock.—E.. Newman ; 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham. Cabinets of British Lepidoptera. —'The sales announced in the ‘ Entomologist,’ No. 7, are postponed until November 8. Edwin Birchall will be much obliged by correspondents forwarding at once any post boxes of his which are now in their possession. Upward of fifty boxes sent out last year have not yet been returned. — Oakfield Villa, Birkenhead, September 5, 1864. Kes" No. 9 of the ‘Entomologist’ will be published on the lst of December. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 9.] DECEMBER, MDCCCLXIV. [Price 6p. Description of the Larva of Polyommatus Phleas (Small Copper). — Without that attentive and unremitting observa- tion which I believe has not hitherto been bestowed on the subject, [ am unable to say, with anything approaching to certainty, whether we have one, two or three broods of this brilliant little butterfly ; its greater abundance at the begin- ning of June, the beginning of August, and beginning of October, favour the idea that there are three broods; and it is quite certain that many of those larve which we find during the entire month of August, and which become pupe in Sep- tember, appear as butterflies at the end of that month or beginning of October: are .we to suppose that some of the pupz remain in that state throughout the winter, and do not effect their final change until the following summer, so that the October and June flights are really portions of the same brood? I am not aware of any instance of the eggs of a butterfly remaining in that state more than twenty days, and I find that ten or twelve days is the more usual period ; so that there is no reason to suppose that in this particular instance the eggs survive the winter; neither have I hitherto found any sufficient reason for supposing that the imago hy- bernates. The subject is worthy of investigation, and [ trust my readers will favour the ‘ Entomologist’ with the results of their researches. The egg is laid on the leaves of several species of Rumex, as R. obtusifolius, R. pulcher, R. acetosa, R. acetosella (docks and sorrels); and the larva emerges in a few days, not less than ten and seldom more than fifteen : it is full-grown in about twenty days, and then rests on the under side of the dock-leaf in a flat position, closely ap- pressed to the surface ; if disturbed or annoyed it falls from its food-plant, and assumes a crescentic form, the two ex- tremities approximating, but not meeting; after a time it resumes its wonted appearance, and glides over the surface of any object on which it may happen to rest, exactly in the VOL. Il. I 122 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. manner of a slug, no separate motion of the body or legs being pereeptible. Head very small, entirely concealed within the 2nd segment; body formed like that of the familiar multivalve-shell known as a Chiton, the divisions of the segments being clearly defined, and the posterior margin of each curvilinear and overlapping the anterior margin of the next succeeding segment; dorsal surface convex, sprinkled with numerous extremely minute warts and slender bristles ; ventral surface flat; legs and claspers forming a medio- ventral double series, and each pair being closely approxi- mate and far removed from the margin. Colour of the head dingy green, with a few dark brown markings; of the body opaque apple-green, the warts being white and the bristles sienna-brown: in some specimens the green is interrupted by three stripes of a delicate purplish pink, one of them medio-dorsal, the others marginal. This ornamentation is described as normal, but I have not found it so, uniform green being the commoner colour. When full-fed it attaches itself to the under side of the leaf or to a petiole, and nnder- goes its change to a pupa, which is obese and short; the ab- domen particularly stout; head rounded, without angles or ears; anal extremity also rounded, and without points, the extremity incurved and furnished with extremely minute cre- mastre, by which it is attached to the web previously spun by the larva; it is also fastened by a surcingle round the waist: the entire dorsal surface and the abdominal portion of the ventral surface are beset with short and stiff bristles, each of which is dilated at the extremity, and has the ap- pearance of a stalked gland, similar to those which occur so commonly on plants: I do not find any of these processes on the cases of the antennz, legs or wings, but they occur freely on every other part of the pupa. Colour dull pale brown, approaching to putty-colour, and irrorated or variegated with dark brown, approaching to black: these dark markings are grouped into a medio-dorsal series, almost forming a con- tinuous stripe from the head to the anal extremity; they also form three lateral series of spots on each side, of which that series nearest the medio-dorsal stripe is composed of very small spots, and is often indistinct, while the others are in- variably distinct and strongly pronounced; similar spots occur on the ventral surface of the abdomen: the dark THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 123 irrorations form oblique series on the wing-cases, and also on the cases of antenne and legs. All my specimens, for which I am indebted to Mr. Moncreaff, appeared on the wing on the 15th of September.—Edward Newman. Life-history of Lithosia caniola. — The moth appears on the wing early in August, and the female lays her eggs on Trifolium repens (Dutch clover), Lotus corniculatus (common bird’s-foot trefoil), and other Leguminose, on the leaves of which the larva feeds. The young larve emerge in about ten days, and are then of a pale yellowish colour, semitrans- parent, and bristling all over with hairs: they feed for about six weeks, changing their skins four or five times before they hybernate, eating very little, growing very slowly, and not attaining a length of more than a third of an inch; about the middle or end of September they retire towards the roots of the herbage, and, spinning a very slight web, remain con- cealed during the winter; in the spring they reascend the food-plant, feeding principally by night, and in damp weather retreating under stones by day, but when the weather is warm and the sun bright they mount on every exposed stone and bask in its rays. The process of changing the skin again goes on, and really seems the chief occupation of life ; nor can I say that the number of ecdyses is by any means constant ; four or five changes seem to be the allowance for the autumn, and from five to eight for the vernal moulting: at each ecdysis they seem to lose almost all they had pre- viously gained, crawling to the top of their cage consider- ably increased in size, and coming down again most disap- pointingly small; they seem to grow alternately larger and less. The extremely different account given by the pre- eminently accurate Guenée, in a former number of the ‘ Zoo- logist’ (Zool. 8391), must be cited here, lest it should appear _that I ignore the labours of that eminent lepidopterist :— “The larva,” says M. Guenée, “lives chiefly, perhaps exclu- sively, on the lichens which grow on walls, and especially on the tiles of roofs.” Such is not my own experience here. These larve are full-fed on or about the 15th of June, and then roll in a ring and fall off their food-plant if touched or annoyed: it is stony ground where they principally occur, and a small shell —a species of Planorbis ?— abounds in the same locality, and has almost exactly the appearance, in 124 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. form, colour and size, of a rolled-up caniola larva, a circum- stance which greatly increases the difficulty of finding them when thus feigning death. In confinement, as at large, they feed exclusively on Leguminose, and seek no change of diet, per- tinaciously refusing to touch, and indeed appearing to avoid, the lichens that my solicitude for their well-being had pro- vided. Head narrower than the body ; when perfectly at rest, partially concealed by the 2nd segment. Body of nearly uni- form thickness, but slightly decreasing towards the anal extremity ; the segmental divisions deeply inciseds the 2nd segment has the dorsal surface scabrous behind the head, the scabrous surface emitting bristles which project over the head; this segment has also two scabrous warts on each side ; the other segments have twelve scabrous warts, that is, six on each side, and each wart emits a fascicle of radi- ating bristles; four of these warts are strictly dorsal; two anterior, smaller and approximate ; two posterior, larger and more distant; the third on each side is large and circular ; the fourth smaller and linear; and the fifth much smaller, and immediately above the claspers when these occur. Co- lour of the head black and shining; a white spot on each side at the base of the mandibles. Body with a very nar- row black medio-dorsal stripe, bounded on each side by a still narrower and very sinuous gray stripe; this is followed by a somewhat broader smoky black stripe, and this, again, by a sinuous and irregular orange stripe ; this last contains, and is interrupted by, the second row of scabrous warts ; next on each side follows a broad stripe of smoky black, de- licately tessellated with sinuous gray markings ; this lateral stripe contains the third series of warts, and also the spiracles, which are pale orange ; finally comes a narrow subspiracular stripe of a dingy orange-colour, and this contains a fourth series of warts. The ventral surface is smoky flesh-colour ; the legs and claspers rather less dingy. On or about the 8th of July it spins a slight cocoon at the roots of the clover, and changes to a smooth brown pupa: the moth appears at the beginning of August; the males assemble freely, after the manner of Bombyces, to seek the company of bred females. I have not only bred this species myself, but have received a number of interesting details, as well as a liberal supply of larvee, from Mr. Birchall. The species has not long been THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 125 known as British. Mr. Doubleday,.with his usual acumen, discovered it in a collection of insects made by Mr. G. King at Torquay, and both Mr. Birchall and Mr. Barrett have taken it near Dublin —Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Corycia temerata.—The egg is laid on the leaves of Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) and P. padus (bird-cherry), at the end of May or beginning of June, and the larva emerges towards the end of June, and is full- fed at the end of July, when it rests in a nearly straight po- sition, with the head porrected on a plane with the body. Head flat, narrower than the 2nd segment, not notched on the crown; body smooth, velvety, uniformly cylindrical. Co- lour of the head pale green, semitransparent, with a large pear-shaped spot on each cheek, the smaller extremity of which approaches the mouth, the larger extremity the crown; this spot is orange-red in the centre, and black on the mar- gin; dorsal surface of the body grass-green, with a medio- dorsal series of elongate orange spots, which occur at the interstices of the segments, and are continuous only on the 3rd and 12th segments; these spots are bordered on both sides with rich brown; the 2nd and 13th segments are not thus decorated ; the dorsal surface is also sparingly dotted with glaucous-green, approaching to white: on the sides are a series of spiracle-like black dots, the spiracles themselves being brown, and each surrounded by a glaucous ring: the ventral surface is pale glaucous; the legs pale transparent green; the claspers grass-green, with pink extremities: spins a slight cocoon, and remains in the pupa state throughout the winter and until the following May, when the moth emerges. I am indebted to Mr. Wright for this larva, which was bred from the egg by the Rev. J. Hellins, of Exeter; I have also beaten it, during the past summer, from the blackthorn in Epping Forest.— Jd. Description of the Larva of Aspilates citraria.— The egg is laid in May, on the petiole of Daucus Carota, Plantago co- ronopus, and several other plants: the young larva emerges about the 17th of June, and is full-fed at the end of July: it rests in a slightly bent posture, with the anterior extremity raised, and on being touched or annoyed it suddenly tucks in its head, and the anterior extremity assumes the form of an Ionic volute; in this posture it remains until the apprehended 126 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. danger has passed. Head rather narrower than the body, slightly notched on the crown, the two lobes slightly tumid : body of uniform substance throughout, without humps, but having the skin delicately shagreened ; there is a manifest skinfold on each side, and the skin is also transversely wrinkled; the 13th segment has below the anal flap two long, conical, acute points directed backwards. Head and body putty-coloured, with numerous narrow, waved, longitudinal stripes of a darker tint; of these the more conspicuous are five in number and approximate, constituting a ddtsal orna- mentation; the middle one, double during a part of its course, is more conspicuous and darker-coloured towards the head, where the others are less conspicuous and paler; the spiracles are dark brown. On or about the Ist of August it changes in a very slight cocoon among the leaves of its food- plant; the pupa is rather slender, and much attenuated at the anal extremity; it is beautifully variegated with two colours, wainscot-brown as the ground colour, and dark um- ber-brown approaching to black for the ornamentation ; this is disposed in oblique stripes on the wing-cases, leg-cases and antemna-cases; in rings on the abdominal segments, and in diversified markings on the thorax and back. The moths appeared on the wing on the 14th of August, and the females deposited eggs on the 20th, the young larve emerging on the 29th ; they are now very small, and appear likely to hy- bernate: thus it appears that in confinement the moth breeds twice in the year. I am indebted for specimens of this larva both to Mr. Moncreaff, of Southsea, and Mr. Wright, of Lon- don. Mr. Wright and I have succeeded in rearing it on Polygonum aviculare (common knotgrass), on which it feeds with great relish.— Hdweard Newman. Observations on the Moulting, Economy and Pupation of the Larve of Antispila Trettschkiella. — The larve of the genus Antispila have two distinct modes of mining their food, Cornus sanguinea (dogwood), some making narrow mines along the margin of their food, whilst others, directly after their birth, form small dark blotches more near the centre of the leaf. As soon as the larva emerges from its dark blotch or narrow track, it makes a small greenish blotch in the leaf. Its first two segments are black; body whitish; the under side of each of the segments (excepting the penultimate) has THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 127 a black spot on it, and the last segment is tipped with black ; the penultimate segment, on close inspection, is observed to be slightly dusted with several minute black spots on its ven- tral surface ; when held up to the light the black spots show through the body of the larva, but are somewhat diminished. After feeding a short time the larva undergoes its first moult 5 when this has taken place the larva may be observed lying motionless, the margins of the upper and under sides of its head being darkish; the remaining part is of the same colour as its body: 2nd segment black; body whitish; the anterior of dorsal vessel faint reddish: after awhile it recommences feeding, its head in the meantime regaining its original colour; and as it continues feeding, a curious, but gradual, change takes place in the colour of its body, until at length it becomes dull greyish green. It then moults for the second time, when its mouth becomes light brown, tipped with dull red; head and 2nd segment black; body grayish green ; dorsal vessel darkish : after reposing for a short period the colour of its body becomes perceptibly lighter, the dorsal vessel, in the region of the 3rd and 4th segments, assuming a reddish tint; a day afterwards its body has a clouded ap- pearance; after this it feeds up rapidly, the colour of its body becoming lighter from day to day, until it becomes grayish white; head, 2nd segment and spots black, and at the base of the under surface of the penultimate segment there are between cight and ten perpendicular black lines ; dorsal vessel dark, so much so as to prevent any reflection of the ventral spots appearing through the body of the larva. At this stage it is full-fed, and it then sets about the con- struction of its elliptic-shaped case; after having lined a portion of the upper and lower cuticle of the mined part of the leaf with brown silk, it commences cutting out its case, and every now and then, after cutting the leaf for a short dis- tance, it binds the edges of its partially-formed case together with silk (the ends of it being purposely left open); this course is pursued until it has cut out the whole of its case, excepting a small portion at one end; the larva then retires to the end of its case that is entirely separated from the leaf, and there constructs, on the outside of each side, three or four white, silken, thorn-like projections; whilst engaged fabricating these the larva protrudes its body some distance 128 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. out of its newly-formed case ; one end completed, it devotes its attention to the embellishment of the other, on each side of which it constructs similar silken projections ; this accom- plished, it entirely liberates its case from the leaf, and falls to the ground. The larva now crawls about on the ground for a day or two, at the expiration of which it moults for the third time, its cast-off skin projecting from one end of the case ; its body is then milk-white, the eyes and mouth being represented by so many pale brown spots: in this position it remains stationary during the winter months, and by the fol- lowing spring the eyes and mouth become dark brown, and its body has a faint red blotch in the centre of its back. About the 10th of May the larva throws off its skin for the fourth time, and enters the pupa state, when its head, body and Wing-cases are whitish, mouth light brown, eyes colourless, and the posterior part of the abdomen is light brown; some days afterwards the eyes become darkish, head and wing-cases very faint brown, thorax white, ventral surface of abdomen white, and the back of the abdomen is faint brown, with a dull brown spot on the back of the 2nd abdominal segment ; this dull brown spot, which deepens in colour, is slightly re- flected through the body of the pupa; the eyes after awhile become shining black, and the mouth dark brown; the centre of each wing-case has then a faint dark tinge ; on the back of the thorax the outlines of what ultimately becomes a squarish patch of dark pigment makes its appearance, and, after slowly spreading itself over the thorax, head and wing- cases, finally retires into the abdomen, to which it likewise imparts a dark tinge; while this is taking place the usual markings of the imago gradually develope themselves. In this position the pupa remains until the period has arrived for the imago to appear; the latter, in its efforts to escape from its case, pushes its pupal covering almost entirely out, and the imago is set at liberty by the pupa-skin splitting open from the.head downwards; the pupa-skin is almost colour- less, very thin and transparent, and is slightly tinged with pale brown on each side of the head. What office the silken thorn-like projections on the case are intended to fulfil I am at a loss to conceive, unless they act the part of so many anchors, to prevent the case, when on the ground, from being drifted away ; sometimes the projections have a silken web THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 129 interwoven between each, whilst others are, however, quite free from any webbing, and stand ont bold and sharp. By continuous observation I find it occupies the larva thirteen hours in the entire construction of its case, eight hours being employed in carpeting the interior with brown silk, and five to cut out the case and add the necessary white silken pro- jections. If, after the imago has escaped from the pupa, we cut open the case, we perceive that during the winter the larva has employed itself in spinning a coating of white silk over the original brown silken lining. The perfect insects keep coming out for a month, and the extent of the life of the imago is nine days. — Charles Healy; 74, Napier Street, Hoxton, N. Observations on the Moulting, Economy and Pupation of the Larve of Antispila Pfeifferella.— This larva mines its food, Cornus sanguinea (dogwood), like the larva’ of A. Treitschkiella ; but I have no particulars to relate respecting its economy whilst feeding in its mine; that it moults I have proof,_as I find the presence of a cast-off skin inside the mine. When full-fed its body is grayish white; head brown ; 2nd segment brown, darker at the sides; dorsal vessel red- dish, and like that of the larva of A. Treitschkiella: it coats the part of its food it intends appropriating for its case with brown silk, and afterwards, cuts out a similar shaped case, but, unlike the larva of A. Treitschkiella, it does not decorate the extremities of the same with silken projections: after cutting out its case it falls to the ground, and crawls about in search of a suitable spot in which to pass its pupal state, and, having fixed upon a locality, the larva throws off its skin ; its body is then milk-white; mouth dark brown; eyes black : it then re-lines its case, but this time with white silk; after this the larva, unlike that of A, Treitschkiella, retires under the ground, and, after moulting once more, enters its pupal state, in which it remains until the following May, ,when the imago comes forth in all its beauty. It will be observed that, when speaking of the full-fed Jarvee of this genus, I have said they fall to the ground after cutting out their cases, and crawl about. ‘The question that will most naturally suggest itself to the minds of my readers is,—How, considering that the larvee are apodal, can they craw] about, and that, too, whilst enveloped in a case? In answer to which my reply is, that 130 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. it is in part effected by the muscular action of the body, but principally by the jaws of the larva. I give two instances by way of illustrating my meaning: here, on the one hand, is a larva that wishes to move sideways ; this it effects by giving its body a sudden and violent twist or jerk, by which means it moves its body and case sideways a quarter of an inch or so: on the other hand we have a larva which, feeling dis- posed to propel its body forward, .does so by simply pro- truding its anterior segments, and, catching hold of any object immediately in front of its head, pulls its body and case forward by the sheer strength of its jaws; by this means the larva, though destitute of legs, is enabled to move about on a level surface with ‘almost as much ease as an Adela or Incurvaria larva. On first perceiving this pecu- liarity in their economy I was impressed with an idea that they would possibly recommence feeding, and accordingly supplied them with some unblemished Cornus leaves, over which I kept a strict watch for the slightest indication of their having been eaten; continued observation, however, convinced me it was contrary to their habits to partake of any food after having constructed their cases.—C. Healy. Entomological Periodicals. The ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.—No. 6 contains the following papers on exotic Entomology, all of which are written with the accustomed excellence of the various con- tributors: that by my friend Mr. Baly is entirely in Latin, the true language of Science. Thus enriched this admirable jour- nal cannot fail to rank high among the current entomological literature of Europe. “Ona singular Caddis-worm Case from Ceylon, by R. M‘Lachlan.” “New Species of Butter- flies from Guatemala and Panama, by H. W. Bates.” “ Notes on the Diurnal Lepidoptera of North-Western India, by Capt. A. M. Lang (with descriptions of new species by F. Moore).” “ Descriptions of some uncharacterized Genera of Phyto- phaga, by J.S. Baly.”. There are also a number of minor contributions, of which I give a more detailed notice below, omitting those which have already appeared either in the ‘ Zoologist’ or ‘Entomologist,’ and one or two others which are of no particular interest :— THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 131 Ceuthorhynchideus Powerit. Under this name Mr. Rye describes a rhynchophoron which he believes new to Science. Its allies are C. floralis and C. pyrrhorhynchus ; it more par- ticularly resembles the rufous examples of the latter. These Specimens were taken in June last, by Dr. Power, at Wey- bridge. Oligota pygmea. Mr. D. Sharp took a single specimen of this insect last September, in a refuse-heap on Shirley Com- mon. Ennearthron fronticorne. Dy. Power has determined this Panzerian species as British, from a considerable number of specimens found in a fungus growing on an old willow at Weybridge. Quedius truncicola. Dr. Power took some half-dozen specimens of this insect early in the present year, in some old trees near Esher. Oligota flavicornis. Dr. Power took this insect in pro- fusion in September last, on one particular lime tree near Esher. Odonteus mobilicornis. Mr. De Rivaz took a single spe- cimen of this rare beetle on the road between Twickenham and Hanworth; date not given. Swarms of Syrphi in the Isle of Wight. Mr. Walker, in alluding to this remarkable visitation, says that Syrphus Py- rastri prefers the so-called sycamore Aphis, which is limited to the maple, and does not belong to the migratory groups of Aphides. Larva of Leucania comma. — Mr. Buckler describes this larva, which I believe no English Entomologist had pre- viously succeeded in rearing: I hope to publish a full de- scription hereafter in the ‘ Entomologist.’ Larva of Procris Geryon. Myr. Horton. has discovered that the young larva of this species mines the leaves of He- lianthemum vulgare, and Procris Statices those of Oxalis ace- tosella: with regard to the latter, a similar observation had previously been made by M. Guenée. Cherocampa Celerio. Mr. Borthwick records the capture of this rare insect on the New County Buildings [at Alloa ?]. Platypteryx unguicula. Mr. Machin has taken the larva of this species at the same period and in the same locality where I found it in such profusion last year, as already 132 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. recorded, namely, on the pollard beeches in Epping Forest, in September. ‘The Canadian Naturalist.—No. 4 of the New Series, dated August, 1864, contains an excellently-written and most interesting paper by Mr. G. J. Bowles, on the occurrence of Pieris Rapz in Canada, from which the following facts ap- pear :—'l'wo lists, very carefully prepared, of Canadian but- terflies have been published; the first by Mr. Kirby, in 1837 ; and the second by Mr. Gosse, in 1839; in neither of which does the name of the species occur; but long since those dates Mr. Bell and Mr. D’Urban have published complete lists of butterflies found on the Lower St. Lawrence and in the vicinity of Montreal, in which the only Pieris men- tioned is P. oleracea: the date of these lists is 1857-8-9. The first specimen of Pieris Rapz was taken in 1859-60, and the species had so increased in three years that its ra« vages in 1863 were very great, and means were being devised to arrest its progress. The paper is transferred at length to the pages of the ‘ Zoologist’ for December, as I consider it of great value in proving the natural spread of a species over an extended and new area. Entomological Notes and Captures. 58. Argynnis Lathonia near Ramsgate.— At a Meeting of the West Kent Natural History Society, on Wednesday, Oc- tober 26th, Mr. W. Groves exhibited a specimen of Argynnis Lathonia which had been captured by him on the 17th of September, 1864, in a chalk-pit at Cliffs End, about two miles from Ramsgate ; it was in a somewhat wasted con- dition.—J. Jenner Weir, Hon. Sec. of West Kent Nat. Hist. Society ; October 28, 1864. 59. Note on Vanessa Urtice.— The larvee of Vanessa Ur- tice, and, I surmise, of the genus Vanessa in general, are remarkably exempt from the attacks of Ichneumons. Thus I collected (at random from various places), last July, about forty nearly adult larve of this insect. Every one of these became a pupa, and emerged in due time. I observe that in rearing butterfly larvee, if from insufficient or inappropriate THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 133 food they have not attained their due size when they enter the pupa state, they make their appearance thereafter with the wings perfect, but are of diminutive size. With moths, on the contrary, under the like circumstances, the wings are usually shrivelled and imperfect. — J. R. S. Clifford ; 21, Robert Terrace, Chelsea, November 16, 1864. 60. Acherontia Atropos.—I have been fortunate in securing two fine specimens of this noble insect. One was found at rest upon a log of wood in a timber-yard, and the other upon the side of a small boat, in this port. — [ Rev. Sir] C. R. Lighton | Bart.] ; Dartmouth, October, 1864. 61. Note on Peoecilocampa Populi.— On November 14th by accident I broke the pupa-case of a Peecilocampa Populi, and pulled out the imago. It lay with its wings unspread during several hours. I was astonished, however, in the evening to find it fully formed, and not a whit the worse for its unnatural birth, On November 16th I found three pupz of the same insect under the bark of a willow tree. I broke, again by accident, the case of one. The imago perfected itself in half an hour. The other two came out naturally before I reached home, and one, a female, deposited fifty eggs before the next morning. I am satisfied that it was the shock given the pupz in moving them that brought the imagos out, for some that I procured in the same place earlier in the season, and that have not been touched, are stillin pupa. This seems fully to substantiate the fact that P. Populi has the power of keeping itself back, though fully formed in the pupa-case.—[Kev.] FH. Hallett Todd ; Burford, Oxfordshire. 62. Crymodes Templi at Howth. — I took six magnificent specimens of Crymodes Templi at the Lighthouse at Howth on the evening of the 4th of October; one of them measures two inches and a half across the wings. What a wonderful little peninsula that is !— five species of Lepidoptera, Litho- sia caniola, Dianthaecia capsophila, D. Barrettii, Nepticula acetose, and Elachista Tarquiniella (found nowhere else), three of them new to Science, besides a host of rarities, and the ground has only been very casually worked for a few days during three or four summers.—Edwin Birchall. 63. Thieves at the Sugar !— Mr. S. Stevens complains (Entom. 119) very justly of the annoyance he experienced 134 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. from earwigs, when sugaring for moths. My own experience this year fully corroborates his assertions. All through the season earwigs have been very abundant, and the ensnaring syrup, spread for the special benefit (?) of moths, brings them together in swarms. Amongst other insects also attracted, but not desired, I have found numerons individuals of a long- legged spider, unknown to me by name; also wood-lice, and, rather to my surprise, the larve of Mamestra Persicarie and Arctia lubricipeda. These latter I at first supposed were there by accident, till I found them engaged in imbibing the com- pound, cautiously, however, avoiding the immersion of their feet or claspers in it. The capture of most of the Geometree which resort to sugar is attended with some difficulty ; if one can manage to “box” them with the left hand, it is possible, by having a small net in the right hand, to secure some of those that fly off as the tree is approached.—_J/. R. S. Clifford. 64. Enormous Number of Flies killed by the Fly-papers. —I noticed in the ‘ Glasgow Morning Journal’ the following paragraph, and, thinking it might prove interesting to some of your readers, I copied it, and have taken the liberty of sending it to you:—“ A grocer in Cathcart Street, being an- noyed at the superabundance of the fly tribe in his shop, and being of a speculative turn of mind, invested in one of Mather’s halfpenny fly-papers, which he placed in the win- dow, on a plate and a little water. After it had lain thus for a week, on the usual turn over of the window on Wednesday afternoon, an immense number of dead flies were collected from it. Astonished at the result, curiosity led the young man to put them in the scale, when he found their combined weight to be two ounces and a quarter. He thereafter tried two drams weight, and on counting them found there were 600 in it. Thus upon calculation it appeared that the two ounces and a quarter would contain 10,800 dead flies. Be- sides these, it is considered that nearly half as many more would be dusted out of the window during the week, making a grand total of 15,000 of the tribe slanghtered in a week by this housewife’s benefactor.”—Andrew Donaldson ; Carnagie Street, Edinburgh, October 27, 1864. 65. A Bait for Beetles.—I was out hunting yesterday, and in my travels came across a plum tree in the centre of a large wood. Scores of the ripe fruit were rotting on the ground, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 135 and under the most putrid ones I found Ips, Epurea (two species), Soronia (two species), Cryptacha (two species), Cy- chramus, and Haploglossa. Whether the fellows preferred fruit to their legitimate food I cannot say; but I recommend the trial in Shirley and other metropolitan woods, where rot- ting trees with oozing sap are not always to be found. — George Lewis; Nagasaki, July 28, 1864. 66. Fluid ejected by Larve. —I take this opportunity of mentioning a fact in connexion with the subject of the fluid ejected by larve as a means of defence. In July last I found a sawfly larva feeding on the leaves of the hawthorn. It had the habit, when handled, of squirting a clear, or sometimes greenish, juice from the anus.—John Peers. 67. Entomological Sociely, October 3, 1864.— Mr. Dun- ning announced the arrival of, and exhibited, a miscellaneous collection of insects from India, collected and presented by Lieut. Beavan. Mr. Janson exhibited an extensive series of insects, of all orders, collected by Mr. Pullinger, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Rio Janeiro. Major Parry sent for ex- hibition a box of Coleoptera, collected at Gibraltar by his son. Mr. Stevens exhibited a large rhynchophoron, from the body of which a number of filamentous Fungi had grown. Mr. Bond announced that he had found in the crop of a ‘partridge the Agrotis larvee which this year had been so de- structive to the turnips and other crops, thus showing the value of the partridge as a destroyer of this pest. Mr. Sharp exhibited three species of Coleoptera new to Britain—Auta- lia puncticollis, a new species; Tachinus proximus of Kraatz ; and Lesteva monticola of Kiesenwetter. Mr. Pascoe read a description of a new Cyphagogus and a new Atracto- cerus, and Mr. Baly a paper on new genera and species of Phytophaga. Presentation of a Silver Vase to Mr. Saunders.—Prior to the usual business at the Meeting of the Entomological Society of London, held on the 7th of November, a hand- some silver vase was presented by the undermentioned Mem- bers to their former President, William Wilson Saunders, Esq., E.R.S., V.-P.L.S., Treas.R.H.S., &c., in acknowledgment of the generous aid which for years he has bestowed upon every- 136 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. thing tending to advance the science of Entomology, and in grateful recollection of his unvarying kindness, and the con- stant and liberal support he has given to the Society :— J.S. Baly, H. W. Bates, James Bladon, Thomas Boyd, E. H. Burnell, Rev. Hamlet Clark (Vice-President), Major Cox, Charles Darwin, Earl de Grey and Ripon, T. P. Dossetor, Henry Doubleday, J. W. Dunning (Secretary), James Dutton, George Fenning, Horace Francis, John Gray, Ferdinand Grut, Samuel Hanson, Alfred Haward, General Sir John Hearsey, W. C. Hewitson, T. E. Hughes, John Hunter, W. F. Kirby, J. W. Lea, John Lubbock, R. M‘Lachlan, J. W. May, R. Mitford, Frederic Moore, G. 8. Mosse, Edward New- man, Major Parry, F. P. Pascoe (President), William Phil- lipps, J. C. Pickersgill, Rev. T. A. Preston, E. W. Robinson, F. O. Ruspini, David Sharp, Edward Sheppard, E. A. Smith, Frederick Smith, H. I’. Stainton (Vice-President), Samuel Stevens (Treasurer), H. Tompkins, W. H. L. Walcott, Fran- cis Walker, A. R. Wallace (Vice-President), J. Jenner Weir, Professor Westwood, S. J. Wilkinson, and T. V. Wollaston. On this occasion the Secretary read an address composed for the occasion, and Mr. Saunders made an eloquent reply, ex- pressive of high appreciation of this acknowledgment of his services. In the course of this reply Mr. Saunders alluded in very strong terms to the necessity of working out not only the specific characters of insects, but also their life-histories : he considered the habits and economy of insects one of the most interesting as well as most useful branches of the study, and concluded by saying that his own collections should always be at the service of any Entomologist who desired to make use of them. ‘The address as well as the reply were received with great enthusiasm by the members present. At Home. — Friday evenings, December 2, 9 and 16, from 6 to 9 o’clock.—E.. Newman ; 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham. No. 10 of the ‘ Entomologist’ will be dated January, 1865, but will be on sale to the trade at Mr. Van Voorst’s, and also at 9, Devonshire Street, eeleueee on the 28th of December, 1864. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 10.] JANUARY, MDCCCLXY. [Price 6p. Life-history of Bombyx Callune.— The male flies ra- pidly over the heather by day at the latter end of May or beginning of June; its flight is jerking or zigzag, and its object evidently to find the female, who rarely moves until impregnation has taken place; the sexes remain in cop. about three hours, and, about two hours after the union has ceased, the female takes wing, and flies over the heather with an oscillating, pendulum-like motion, dropping her eggs at random as she flies, and the eggs, having no glutinous covering, do not adhere to any object which they may acci- dentally touch in falling: the act of oviposition lasts from half an hour to three-quarters, and when it is completed the exhausted and emptied female hides herself amongst the her- bage, and rarely survives the day. The young larve emerge on the surface of the earth, or on any object that may have arrested the fall of the egg, and crawl up the stalks and twigs of Calluna vulgaris (common ling), their only natural food- plant, although in confinement they will eat freely the leaves of Betula alba and B. glutinosa (birch). On emergence, which usually takes place during the second, or at latest the third, week in July, the young larva is dark ash-coloured, the incisions of the segments being indicated by two minute orange streaks, each of which is accompanied by a small black spot: after the first moult the ground colour becomes more smoky, the incisions velvety black, and on each seg- ment a triangular orange spot makes its appearance: subse- quently these markings become more conspicuous, and at the end of October, when it hybernates for the winter, they are very distinct: it now rests in a straight position, and, if disturbed, falls off its food-plant, and rolls in a ring, with its head slightly on one side. Head prone, scarcely so wide as the body, clothed with soft hairs; body uniformly cylin- drical, except that it has on each side of the 2nd segment a small excrescence or wart close to the head; these warts are VOR i. K 138 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. clothed with radiating hairs, and every other part of the body is clothed with soft downy hairs. Colour of the head pur- plish black: body purple opaque black; dorsal surface vel- vety black, slightly interspersed with purple-black, and adorned with a median series of brilliant orange transverse’ markings, each of which is pointed anteriorly and truncated posteriorly ; in fact these markings constitute so many tolerably distinct triangles, with very broad bases, and each triangle is divided near its base by’a slender transverse black line: the 2nd and 12th segments differ from the rest in having a transverse band of the same rich colour instead of a triangle: the sides and ventral surface are purplish opaque black, and the legs and claspers are nearly of the same co- lour ; the soft hairs which clothe every part of the body are gray, but so nearly colourless, and so delicately slender, that they do not in any manner obscure the markings. In April this larva begins to feed again, and in June it undergoes its final moult, having then completed the first year of its exist- ence: after the last moult the dorsal triangles entirely disap- pear, and an obscure medio-dorsal stripe, caused by the convergence of pale hairs, makes its appearance, partially obscuring the velvety black of the back, which, however, shows itself in transverse bands when the larva crawls, or rolls in aring: the 2nd segment has a small spot, on each side, of mixed orange-brown and white; the 3rd and 4th segments have each a lateral transversely oblong spot, larger, but of the same colours; and the remaining segments, the 5th to the 12th inclusive, have each a portion of an interrupted lateral stripe, of the same two colours, orange-brown and white ; in other respects the sides and ventral surface retain the same purplish hue they possessed in the younger stage. The larva is full-fed in August, and then again retires towards the roots of the ling, and spins a dark brown, oblong, tough cocoon, which it attaches to the stems and twigs of heather, ling, sedges, and other kinds of herbage which constitute the covering of the waste grounds where this species occurs ; and are to be found plentifully by separating the herbage down to the very roots: within this cocoon it changes to a short, obese, dark brown pupa, in which state it continues throughout the winter, and until the following May or June, when the insect, having completed the second year of its THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 139 existence, appears in the perfect state. I am indebted to Mr. Backhouse and Mr. Doubleday for a supply of these larve, and for many interesting particulars of the economy of the species.—Edward Newman. Life-history of Bombyx Quercus (Oak Eggar).— The male flies rapidly, both by broad daylight and after sunset, at the Jatter end of July and beginning of August; the female is very lethargic, and rarely moves prior to impregnation; in some instances the males have been observed by hundreds buzzing about and crawling up the herbage in the neighbour- hood of a virgin female: after impregnation the female also flies, but heavily, lazily and languidly, and never to the same extent or with the same rapidity as the male; during her slow and oscillating flight she scatters her eggs, which, being unprovided with glutinous covering, do not adhere to any object with which they may happen to come in contact. The young larve emerge towards the end of August, and at first are of asomewhat dull ash-colour or smoky gray, the divi- sions of the segments being marked with orange: they feed on Rubus freticosus (bramble), Crataegus oxyacantha (white- thorn), Prunus spinosa (blackthorn), Cytisus scoparius (broom), and a number of other shrubs: towards the end of October, when they hybernate, they are somewhat more than an inch long, and fall off the food-plant when annoyed, form- ing a very compact ring, with the head slightly on one side. Head prone, scarcely so wide as the body, and clothed with soft hair: body uniformly cylindrical, excepting a small ex- crescence or wart on each side of the 2nd segment, close to the head ; these warts are crowned with radiating hairs, and every other part of the body is clothed with soft downy hairs. Colour of the head purplish black; body also purplish black, the dorsal surface deeper velvety black, with the 2nd seg- ment almost entirely orange, and the 12th segment having a large orange spot; the intervening segments have each a somewhat lozenge-shaped medio-dorsal ornamentation, con- sisting of four transverse orange markings, separated only by slender black lines, and the first and second of them inter- sected by a pure white wedge-shaped mark: the second of the orange markings is much the most wide of the four, and each of its extremities emits a thread-like streak directed forwards, and this streak, interrupted at the incisions, is 140 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. continued on the preceding segment; the white wedge- shaped marks, ten in number, form a striking medio-dorsal series ; the ventral surface is smoky black, and the legs and claspers are rust-coloured. In the spring they again appear, and commence feeding ; after an additional moult the dorsal ornamentation has entirely disappeared. The head is now purplish black ; the body velvety black, but densely covered with a short pile of an umber-brown tint, and this again is interspersed with longer hairs; these especially form two in- distinct and ill-defined tufts, on each side of each segment, pointing outwards ; these hairs are gray at the extremities: the velvety black ground colour shows conspicuously, at the incisions of the segments, as so many transverse black bands, on the posterior margin of each of which is a small white spot; these white spots forming together a medio-dorsal series, but neither the black bands nor the white spots are observable when the larva is at rest, and only appear when it is in active motion, or when rolled in a ring; on each side of the 3rd and 4th segments is a somewhat crescentic white mark- ing, decorated with an orange dot in the middle; a row of smaller white spots form a lateral series just above the spi- racles, and each of these is accompanied by minute orange markings; the spiracles are pure white ; the ventral surface is smoke-coloured, and the legs and claspers pitchy black. It is full-fed in May, and then, retiring towards the ground, spins a compact, oval, yellow cocoon, and turns to a dark brown and smooth, but not shining, pupa, from which the moth emerges in July.—Edeard Newman. Differentiation of the two allied Species, Bombyx Cal- lune and Bombyx Quercus.—All differences in Natural His- tory are attractive in proportion to their amount, valuable in proportion to their constancy. In pairs of species the amount of difference decreases as the individuals approach maturity. As regards the pair of species now under consideration, the differences are—lIst, in time of appearance ; B. Callune ap- pears in May, B. Quercus in July: 2nd, in the time occu- pied in arriving at maturity ; B. Quercus takes but one year, B. Callune two: 3rd, in food; B. Quercus feeds on white- thorn, blackthorn and broom, B. Callune only on ling: 4th, in ornamentation of the young larva; B. Quercus has a dor- sal series of lozenge-shaped markings white and orange, B. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 14] Callune a dorsal series of triangles orange only: 5th, in pu- pation ; B. Quercus forms a smaller and yellower cocoon, B. Callunz a larger and browner cocoon: 6th, in the colora- tion of imago; the wing-rays of B. Quercus, in passing through the pale band of the wing, assume its colour; in B. Callune they are darker than the band; in B. Quercus the lower extremity of the band has a direction towards the abdo- men, in B. Callune its direction is towards the anal angle of the wing; this holds good both in fore and hind wings, more especially in the latter: the males of B. Quercus have a fer- ruginous-brown colour, those of B. Callunz are umber- brown; B. Quercus is the smaller, B. Callune the larger, insect.—Edward Newman. Description of the Larva of Hybernia rupicapraria.—The eggs are laid in February, on the trunks and twigs of Crate- gus oxyacantha (whitethorn), Prunus spinosus (blackthorn), and less commonly of Quercus Robur (oak); the larve emerge in April, and, wandering among the twigs, are ready to begin eating as soon as the leaves expand: they grow rapidly, and have attained their full size by the end of May or beginning of June. The full-fed larva generally rests with both feet and claspers attached, and the back arched. The head and body are of nearly equal width, the head not conspicuously notched on the crown; the body velvety and without humps or warts. In colour the variation is extreme ; the head usually semitransparent apple-green; the more usual colour of the body glaucous-green, approaching to white on the dorsal surface, and to apple-green on the ven- tral surface ; the white appearance of the back is partially due to the presence of whitish stripes, of which the more con- spicuous pair extend on each side from the head to the anal extremity, and divide the dorsal area into three nearly equal parts: the other white markings are irregularly arranged in waved linear series, often imparting a reticulated appearance to the surface; at each interstice of the segments adjoining the principal white stripes are blotches of darker or olive- green: in the varieties, some of which are extremely beauti- ful, all the parts usually pale green have become extremely dark bottle-green or almost black, the white markings re- maining almost unaltered, and being thrown up in strong relief by the contrast: the spiracles are extremely small and 142 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. inconspicuous, pale brown, with a darker margin. It is full- fed by the end of May, and then descends to the ground, and turns to a pupa in a slight web on the surface: the moth does not appear until the following January. or February. This larva is very abundant in Epping Forest at the time I have indicated.—Edward Newman. Entomological Periodicals. The ‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine.—This invaluable journal gets more and more scientific with each succeeding number. No. 7 contains :— “ Description of a New Species of Articerus from Australia, by G. R. Waterhouse.” “ An Essay towards a knowledge of British Homoptera, by the Rev. T. A. Marshall.” An excellent paper: the cha- racters being given in Latin will render this paper as accept- able to our continental neighbours as it is to ourselves. British Species of Bolitobius. Mr. Rye describes eight British species of this genus: all of these are characterized with the customary care of this able coleopterist. “Notes on Tarsophlebia Westwoodii, a fossil dragon-fly, by Dr. H. A. Hagen.” “ Cidaria russata and immanata, by the Rev. J. Hellins.” My own paper, now in the hands of Mr. Doubleday, will comprise any new matter brought before us by Mr. Hellins in this paper. Alierations in Nomenclature. Mr. Rye thinks the Aniso- toma ornata of Fairmaire, Ann. Soc. Ent. de France, 3rd series, 11. 30, identical with A. Litura of Stephens, Manual, p- 104, No. 829; and Tychius pygmeus of De Barneville, Rev. & Mag. de Zool. 2nd series, xii. 167 (1860), identical with T. brevicornis of Waterhouse, Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. (1862). The names Litura and pygmeus, having the claim of priority, must stand. A New British Tachinus and New British Aphodius. Mr. Sharp describes T. pallipes of Gravenhoorst, and A. ob- literatus of Panzer, as new to Britain; the latter from two specimens taken at Mickleham: for the former no habitat is given. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 143 Eggs of Trombidium Lapidum. Mr. Westwood notices the eggs of this Acarus as occurring on stones: those who recollect the institution of the Microscopical Society cannot fail to remember also the harvest of lucubrations produced by these familiar objects: great were the doubts whether they were animal, vegetable or mineral: the vegetable hypo- - thesis, however, prevailed, and they were pronounced “ mi- nute Fungi.” Mr. Westwood has, however, hit the right nail on the head: they are the eggs of Trombidium. Gelechia humeralis. Mr. Barrett has beaten a fine series of this micro-lepidopteron out of thatch at Haslemere: he notices six varieties. Depressaria olerella. The same indefatigable Entomolo- gist obtained this species (new to Britain) from thatch in Woolmer Forest, in September and October; he thinks the larva feeds on Achillea Millefolium (yarrow): the imago bears a general resemblance to D. albipunctella, but is de- cidedly paler, and has the pale hinder fascia much more sharply angulated. Young England.” — The numbers for October, November and December are principally occupied with lists of cap- tures, which, however interesting to the writer, cannot be so to the reader. Amongst the captures I observe Coccinella 7-punctata, Pieris Brassice, P. Rape, P. Napi, and many of similar ubiquity. The following note by the energetic Editor is of more interest. . “ Notes on the Larve of Cosmia diffinis and affinis.— About the middle and end of last May I beat a great many larvee of Cosmia affinis from the lower branches of elm trees. Most of them answered Mr. Stainton’s description pretty well; but two little ones with black heads, which I had mis- taken at the time for diffinis, duly appeared as affinis. Mr. Stainton, in his ‘ Manual,’ says on the larve of diffinis, ‘head black ;’ affinis, ‘head green.’ I at any rate obtained two distinct varieties of the larve of the latter, which answer the description given iu the ‘Manual’ of both species re- spectively. J also found, about the same time, crawling on some railings under a large elm, from which it had evidently dropped, a pretty apple-green larva of about an inch in 144 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. length, with white dorsal and lateral stripes, and with a rich brown head, in shape resembling that of Cosmia affinis, and I did not know what to make of it. It was kept separately, and the emergence of a specimen of C. diffinis rather sur- prised me. In the imago state diffinis was abundant, and affinis appeared to be rare; from which circumstance 1 should infer that the larve of the former fed on the higher, and the latter on the lower, branches of the trees. I hope next year to ascertain if it is the rule that the larva of affinis has a brown head.” Entomological Notes and Captures. 68. Larva of Chelonia villica. — The larva of this species can scarcely be said to hybernate, as it may be found on most fine days through the winter, feeding on Achillea Mil- lefolium (yarrow), Beta maritima (beet), Stellaria media (chick- weed), and many other plants. It is very common near Southsea beach in autumn, but, owing to the voracity of the birds, few are to be found in spring. — Henry Mon- creaff ; Southsea. 69. Orgyia pudibunda. — On the 10th of June, 1862, a female laid eggs which hatched on the 5th of July. In 1864 I watched a female laying her eggs on the stalks of Lolium perenne in a Clover field, and another female ovipositing on the trunk of a Lombardy poplar. This species emerges from the pupa about 9 o’clock in the evening.— J. Pristo ; Alver- stone, Whippingham, Isle of Wight. 70. Bombyx Rubi. —1 have found the eggs of this species twice ; once on the tip of a bramble-leaf, and once on the stalk of a grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum): it also feeds on oak and Lathyrus pratensis.—J/d. 71. Larva of Lasiocampa Quercifolia. — Common in au- tumn near the Salterns, Island of Portsea. The eggs are laid in June, singly, on the leaf of Prunus spinosa (black- thorn), the very dwarf plants being preferred: they are hatched in about fourteen days in confinement, and the young larve feed up very slowly until the end of October. During this time they have changed their skin three times, and have attained a length of about one inch. Fixing them- THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 145 selves to the shoots of their food-plant close to the ground, they lay up for the winter, and commence feeding as soon as the young leaf is expanded. I have found them full-fed at the end of May. — Henry Moncreaff; Southsea, November 22, 1864. 72. Ennomos alniaria at Southsea.—I send for inspection a moth found by one of my children in my own garden, in August, 1863. I placed it in my collection as a dark variety of Ennomos tiliaria, but now think it different. I have never taken another like it.—Jd. [The specimen, being forwarded in a deal pill-box which was crushed perfectly flat, was of course broken to frag- ments: the fragments, however, are those of the very rare Ennomos alniaria.—Edward Newman. | 73. Larve of Aspilates citraria.— They are very common near Southsea beach in spring and autumn, living through the winter. Although a general feeder, I find most of them on Daucus Carota (wild carret), and on several species of plan- tain. The imago is on the wing for about ten days in May, and again for the same time in August, the males flying in the sunshine; the females may be found among the grass. They come to light.— Henry Moncreaff. 74. Capture of Dasypolia Templi.—Last week myself and a friend made a short excursion for the purpose of capturing Dasypolia Templi, and, after two days’ hard work, succeeded in taking eight specimens: the situation in which we found them was stone-quarries, where heaps of stone have laid un- disturbed for some time. ‘Templi-hunting is very tiring work; tons of stone must be turned over; for the insect is always found at rest on the under side of the stone, and often at a depth of two or three feet.— B. Gibson; Wakefield, - November 21, 1864. 75. Hymenopterous Parasite in Cocoon of Odonestis po- tatoria. — During the summer of 1863 1 removed the pupz of Bombyx Quercus and others from their cocoons, and in three of them I found an hymenopterous pupa, but could in no way account for their presence in such a place. In this instance all three of the imagines came out; two of them were very small; the third had its wings perforated on one side. In September last a circumstance came under my notice which threw some light on this subject. I captured a 146 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. larva of Acronycta, and placed it in a box, where it spun up. On removing the cover I ruptured the silken cocoon, and discovered that the larva was about to change into a pnpa. I was surprised to see that with the skin it was also throwing off six small hymenopterous larve, which spun their cocoons in the cast-off skin. The lepidopterous larva changed to a pupa, which has since dried up. This convinced me that the parasitic pupze found in the cocoons had been thrown off in a similar manner, as none of the pupze showed the slightest trace of punctures through which the larve could have escaped. May not this arise from the eggs of the ichneumon having been deposited in the larve during the later stages of their growth? They would then be ready to enter the pupa state before the parasitic larve had attacked the vital parts. These, feeding directly under the skin, would be thrown off with it. Are not the whole of the so- called changes of skin (except the last) merely a throwing off of the epidermis, the last a casting of the entire skin? If not, why were the larve thrown off in the last and not with the previous changes? I think, if this were to be properly investigated, Entomologists would soon be able to account for the not infrequent occurrence of a lepidopterous and hy- menopterous imago from one cocoon.—Henry Moncreaff. 76. Crickets and Cockroaches.— My present residence, an old country house, was neither infested with cockroaches nor crickets until very lately. The cockroaches made their ap- pearance about four years ago, and increased so rapidly and to such an extent that every night the kitchen-floor was black with them when the candle had been out about an hour. They made their way into every place, and although we tried every means to kill them they seemed to increase the faster, as if in mockery of our efforts. During last winter the chirp of the cricket was heard by the fire-side, and they increased from the solitary one to a full and noisy chorus, and as they increased the cockroaches decreased, and now (August) there is not a cockroach to be found. It has long been one of the articles of “ folk-lore” that the two will not live together, and here is a proof. A neighbour of mine, a large farmer, has lost the crickets and is pestered with the cockroaches, which live and increase in spite of shoe-heel, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 147 traps, poppy-leaves, elder-leaves, or beetle-poison.— J. Ran- son; York. 77. Cicada anglica {hematodes, Lin.] in Surrey. — Mr. Barrett, to whom we are indebted for so many and such im- portant additions to our insect Fauna, took, last June, a spe- cimen of Cicada hematodes in a copse near Haslemere: it was flying in the sunshine, down a grassy ride, and pitched among some rushes and long grass, making with its wings a rustling somewhat like that produced by dragon-flies. — ‘ Entomologists Monthly Magazine’ for December, p. 171. 78. Harvest Bugs. — Will any of your readers try and suggest some remedy for the following serious nuisance ? The country round Keevil, in Wiltshire, is infested with mi- nute scarlet insects, which are usually known by the name of “harvest bugs.” These insects appear in thousands between the months of July and October, lasting apparently till the cold weather destroys them; and during this period they will bury themselves in the flesh, and cause such violent irritation as sometimes to produce illness. The country is almost entirely grass land, with fine hedgerow elm-timber : but it is in the garden and orchard, where the grass is kept tolerably short, that these creatures appear to have their head-quarters ; and here they attack any intruder upon their colony with such virulence that the present occupier of the place says he will be forced to leave it if he cannot find some remedy for the evil. He and his family are not exceptions ; the country labourers and all are affected more or less; and as these latter de not appear to have any “ nostrum” or re- medy, beyond the application of vinegar and water or ammo- nia to the place bitten, I am induced to ask if any of your numerous readers, some of whom will surely have expe- rienced this evil, can suggest some remedy. If the garden could be any way treated, syringed or what not, or any pre- ventative be used, the advice will be most gratefully re- ceived. —J, T. D. Llewelyn ; Ynisygerwn, Neath. 79. Abundance of the Larva of Pieris Brassice (Large White Cabbage Butterfly).—I never knew these so numerous, except on one occasion some years back, when they spread themselves over the country in search of food, and were to be seen crawling over the garden-walls, and on to the foot- paths and pavement, where many were trodden under foot. 148 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. This year the cabbages and brocoli in the neighbouring gar- dens have been devoured, so that nothing remains but naked stems and a net-work of fibres. Observing numbers of large white butterflies among my brocoli, I was forewarned, and prepared for the result; consequently I removed many of the infected leaves, chiefly the lower ones; however, with all my precautions, I did not succeed in ridding my garden of the pest, for innumerable caterpillars made their appearance, and, though destroyed by hundreds, there was no getting rid of them; but on the 9th of September I observed the house sparrows settling on the leaves and perambulating the rows, all apparently engaged in picking the eggs and grubs from off the leaves ; so that I am now rewarded for my toleration, not to say encouragement, of this much maligned and perse- cuted species, of which I have now a goodly flock about my house and roosting in the ivy on the walls. — Henry Had- field ; Ventnor, Isle of Wight, October 10, 1864. 80. Gonepteryx Rhamni.— In June, 1862, I found several larve of this species on the leaves of Rhamnus Frangula: they rest on the upper surface of the leaf, close along the midrib, and, being very much of the same colour as the leaf itself, are not easily seen: the first changed to a chrysalis on the 8th of July, and the perfect insect appeared on the Ist of August. — J. Pristo; Alverstone, Whippingham, Isle of Wight. 81. Colias Fdusa. — In 1859 I took a female of this but- terfly, intermediate in colour between the ordinary colouring and the pale variety known as Helice ; it was iv cop. with a male of the usual colour: I also took two of the variety known as Helice. This species was very common in the Isle of Wight in 1859, but I did not see a single specimen in 1860.—/d. 82. Satyrus Galathea.—In May, 1861, I obtained two larve of this species by sweeping grass; one of them was green and the other brown: both of them changed to pupe on the surface of the earth on the 29th of June, and to perfect insects on the 24th of July: the pupe of both were dull white, and both proved females: the pupz were uot attached to the food-plant by the tail, as represented in Humphrey and West- wood’s ‘ British Butterflies and their Transformations.’ Eggs were laid on the 24th of August, and hatched on the 20th of THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 149 September. Exactly eleven months are taken by this insect to complete its transformation. Egg deposited August 24th, hatched September 20th, changed to pupa June 29th, imago appeared July 24th.—J. Pristo. [By Mr. Pristo’s calculation it would appear that a month elapses between the appearance of the perfect insect and the act of oviposition. Although in this particular instance I have no doubt of the accuracy of Mr. Pristo’s observation, still I can scarcely suppose that this is generally the case. Will Mr. Hellins, Mr. Buckler or Mr. Greene give us the advantage of his experience on the subject ?>—E. Newman. |] 83. Cynthia Cardui.—I found the larva of this species on the perennial thistle in the beginning of July, 1863: it is solitary, and draws the leaves together with a few silken cords, in the same manner as C. Atalanta: it changed to a chrysalis on the 26th of July, and the perfect insect appeared on the 10th of August, being fifteen days in the chrysalis state.—J. Pristo. 84. Thymele Alveolus. — In May, 1863, I found a pair in cop., and put them in confinement: the female laid a number of small round eggs, of a pale green colour, on the stems and upper surface of the leaves of the common bramble, each egg being deposited singly.—Jd. ‘ 85. Sphina lineata. — One specimen was taken by Mr. Winchester, at Osborne, in 1860; another by Miss More, at Bembridge, on the 21st of May; another by Mr. Rogers, at Freshwater, on the 20th of May; four or five at Brighton, one at Exeter, and three at Torquay.—Zd. 86. Dicranura vinula. — When young the larva of this species rests exposed on the upper surface of a willow-leaf during the day, sitting on a little pad of silk which it has prepared for the purpose ; when larger it rests in a similar manner on the twigs or leaf-stalks: the colour alters at every change of the skin. The larva spins in about ten or eleven weeks: in 1861 a specimen in my possession spun up on the 14th of July, and the perfect insect appeared on the 5th of June following, being nearly eleven months in the pupa state. On the 29th of May, 1864, I observed that a cocoon had been moistened at 10 or 10°30 a.m., and the imago appeared at 11°30, and the wings were fully developed at 12: it was rest- ing at this time with the points of its wings hanging down * 150 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. and meeting over the back; these were closed down at 12°30, so that two hours elapsed between the moistening of the co- coon and the insect attaining perfection, but the wings were not wholly hardened at this time.—J. Pristo. [It has often occurred to me as a curious subject of in- quiry how the intensely hard cocoon of the puss moth be- comes sufficiently softened to admit the passage of the imago: what is the fluid employed? where is it elaborated ? and how does it escape? As far as my observation has ex- tended, there is no external opening of an cesophagus in the puss moth, nor in many other Bombyces and Pseudo-Bom- byces.—Hdward Newman. | 87. Coleophora Artemisicolella, Bruand. — In September, 1863, in procuring larve of Eupithecia succenturiata on Arte- misia vulgaris, I met with a few cases of the above ; in Novem- ber they left their food, and fixed their cases to the sides of the glass where the muslin covers the top, and remained so till the end of the past July, when to my surprise several of the cases were moving about: on supplying them with fresh food, on the top of the old dried seed, they commenced feed- ing. From the fixed cases I had some two dozen moths in July and August; the remainder of the cases have taken up their “long vacation,” and I presume will appear in the moth state next August; so two years is the time to produce this small moth. — R. 8. Edleston; Bowdon, near Man- chester, December 9, 1864. 88. Amphydasis betularia. — Some sixteen years ago the “negro” aberration of this common species was almost un- known; more recently it has been had by several parties. Last year I obtained the eggs of a female of the common form, which had been in cop. with a “negro” male: the larvae 1 fed on willow, and had this year some remarkably pretty aberrations, the connecting-link between the “ negro” and the usual form, but far before either as regards beauty: I placed some of the virgin females in my garden, in order to attract the males, and was not a little surprised to find that most of the visitors were the “negro” aberration: if this goes on for a few years the original type of A. betularia will be extinct in this locality. —Jd. 89. Coleophora orbitella. —I captured a male and female of this variety by beating a small birch on Carrington Moss, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 151 July 27th: the common heather must be its food-plant; I never met with it except on small birch trees growing in the heather.—R. S. Hdleston ; December 9, 1864. 90. How to Look for Notodonta Carmelita. — From the 10th of April until the 21st I believe to be the best time; [ never knew it taken sooner than the 10th nor later than the 2ist, having noticed its time of appearance in the North for many years. It is generally found upon the trunk of the birch tree or the oak, about mid-day, from four to six feet up the stem. Although I have seen many specimens taken, I never saw an imperfect one; all seemed as if just emerged from the pupa.— George Mawson ; Cockermouth. 91. How to Look for Cymatophora ridens.— The same dates apply to C. ridens: the 15th of April I have found the most successful time for the search: it is taken upon the trunk of the oak tree, mostly from one to four feet up: being nearly the same colour as the bark it is very difficult to see, and is often passed by. C. ridens requires some patience, as every oak tree in the wood ought to be looked at. I have looked from 7 until 12 o’clock without taking one specimen, but by persevering in the search I have taken one dozen before leaving the wood. The larva of this species may be taken in June by carefully looking over the leaves of the oak that are drawn together, as it draws two leaves together for protection.—Id. 92. How to Look for Notodonta trepida. — This species may be taken from the middle of May to the middle of June, in the same way as Cymatophora ridens. The larve may be beaten from the oak about the end of June or the second week in July.—Jd. 93. Lobophora viretata and L. polycommata.—These may be taken the first week in May by carefully examining the mountain ash. L. viretata is generally about four feet up the stem, L. polycommata generally getting close down to the grass, and often concealed by it from view. I have often tried, but never succeeded in getting the eggs of L. viretata. —Td. 94. Dying of Caterpillars.— All my larve of Hadena rec- tilmea died about three weeks ago: I much regret I have not succeeded in rearing it. I find those of a similar nature very difficult to keep alive over winter, Aplecta tincta for 152 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. instance. The larve fed well and looked well up to the very last, changed their skins very frequently, and always kept the same in colour and markings. I hope you are succeeding with yours.— George Mawson ; Cockermouth. [I regret to say I have failed also: vast numbers of larve fail in this way: after having nearly attained their full size, and while apparently in excellent condition, and surrounded by abundance of food, they fall from their food, or hang from it attached by their claspers, quite dead, and if examined ap- pear to be mere bags of water—Hdward Newman. | 95. Superahbundance of Common Larve.— In some of the woods near here, by the end of April this year (1864), and in strips of two to three hundred yards of the wood, the leaves of every tree were consumed by the larve of our common autumn moths, especially Oporabia dilutata, Hybernia defo- liaria, Cheimatobia brumata, C. boreata, &c., thousands of the larve dying for want of food.—George Mawson ; Cocker- mouth. 96. Something New in Spiders. — A writer in the ‘ Liver- pool Mercury,’ desirous to establish the fact that insects suffer pain, relates the following anecdote :—“ I know an in- stance of a spider having been accidentally shut into a hot oven by a servant girl, and the poor thing in its pain screamed so as almost to freeze the blood of the listener ! Who will say that this spider felt no pain? As for beetles, if you pour a little boiling water upon one it will die in an instant; and I firmly believe that there is no animal, however low in organization, that is not as capable of feeling pain as the most delicate lady.".—Edwin Birchall ; December 13. At Home. — Friday evenings, January 6, 13 and 20, from 6 to 9 o’clock.—E. Newman ; 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham. Rs” No. 11 of the ‘Entomologist’ will be published on the lst of February. E. NEWMAN, PRINTER, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 11.] FEBRUARY, MDCCCLXYV. [Price 6p. Life-history of Cidaria russata.—This species is uniformly double-brooded: the eggs which produce the spring brood are laid about the middle of August; those which produce the autumnal brood are laid about the middle of May: the larve from this second brood hybernate, or rather live through the winter, feeding at intervals when the weather is mild: the egg is flattish or depressed on the crown, and of a dingy yellow colour, “resembling that of a pale-tinted chip- box ;” it is laid on the leaves of Fragaria vesca (wild straw- berry), and also, according to Guenée, on birch and white- thorn, and according to Mr. Hellins “on sallow:” the young larvae emerge about fourteen days after the egg is deposited, and are at first of a dirty white, but soon acquire a green tinge, which continues to increase as they advance toward maturity. When full-fed this larva usually rests in a straight position, but when annoyed or disturbed tucks in its head, bringing it in close contact with the legs, thus causing the anterior half to assume the volute form. Head about the same width as the 2nd segment, not notched on the crown, slightly hairy: body almost uniformly cylindrical, but some- what restricted immediately behind the 4th segment, which is produced ventrally into a lump, on the summit of which are seated the third pair of legs; the 13th segment below the anal flap is produced into two parallel, “ acutely”-pointed processes directed backwards. Colour of the head pale opaque green, with conspicuous black ocelli ; body pale yel- low-green, with a medio-dorsal stripe, narrow and indistinct, of a darker, duller green; there is also on each side a paler stripe, equally indistinct; and in many specimens, below this subdorsal stripe, a lateral, but often interrupted, rosy red or purple stripe: this red stripe is accurately described by Guenée, but when I wrote my former description of this larva (published Zool. 7763) I had never seen this variety, and therefore left it unnoticed: it is also to be remarked that VOL, II; L 154 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. both Mr. Edleston and Mr. Wright have never met with it, but Mr. Doubleday assures me it is of common occurrence, and he has now examples feeding which exhibit the stripe in the clearest manner: the transverse skinfold at each seg- mental division is yellowish, and over the entire surface of the body are scattered minute white warts, each of which emits a slender hair, and is surrounded by an area slightly darker than the prevailing ground colour: anal processes generally tipped with rose-colour, and the legs and claspers tipped with dull purple. When full-fed it spins a leaf toge- ther with a few slight threads, in the manner of a spider’s web, and in this flimsy retreat turns to a delicately green semitransparent pupa. The moth is on the wing in May and August. Iam indebted to Mr. Huckett and Mr. Wright for a supply of the larve.—Hdward Newman. Life-history of Cidaria immanata. — This species is uni- formly single-brooded: the eggs are laid in August, on the leaves of Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry); they are rather flat, and of a primrose-yellow colour, in some instances with a reddish tinge: the young larvee emerge towards the end of March of the following year, and are then yellow, but after the first moult acquire a green tint, and the colour continues to change as the spring advances, until the end of May or beginning of June, when they are full-fed, and then are almost precisely of the same colour as the leaf on which they are feeding: when young they drill small circular holes in the strawberry-leaf, but when older feed in the usual manner at the edges. The position in which the adult larva rests is usually perfectly straight, but on being annoyed it raises the anterior part of its body and tucks in its head, which is brought into contact with the legs, and the whole crowded together: if the annoyance is continued the anterior part of the body is curled into a compact volute. Head about the same width as the 2nd segment, not notched on the crown, . slightly hairy ; body almost uniformly cylindrical, but some- what restricted immediately behind the 4th segment, which is produced ventrally into a lump, on the summit of which are seated the third pair of legs: the 13th segment below the anal flap is produced into two parallel “ bluntly”-pointed processes directed backwards. Colour of the head uniform dingy green, the ocelli black and conspicuous; body apple- THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 155 green, with narrow inconspicuous stripes of a darker hue; the principal of these is medio-dorsal ; the others, in the region of the spiracles, are extremely difficult to distinguish, and have a median, hair-like, whitish line; a transverse skinfold at each segmental division is yellow: the body is beset with minute white warts, each of which emits a slender white hair, and is surrounded by a green space rather darker than the rest of the body ; the tips of the anal processes are rosy ; the legs and claspers green, tinged at the extremities with purple. When full-fed the larva either goes down into the moss usually kept in the breeding-cage, or selects a dried leaf, fastening the moss or the edges of the leaf together with a few silken threads; within this flimsy retreat it changes to a smooth, green, semitransparent pupa. The moth first ap- pears on the wing about the middle of July ; a succession of fresh specimens are kept up until the middle of August. I am indebted to Mr. Edleston for a supply of the larve, and to that gentleman and Mr. Doubleday for several particulars of their history. — Edward Newman. Differentiation of Cidaria russata and C. immanata. — Mr. Hellins, whose observations have at different times thrown so much light on the life-history of our native Lepi- doptera, has turned his attention to the difficult task of dis- tinguishing between this closely-allied pair of species. His first paper, treating of the imago, is published in the ‘ Zoolo- gist’ (Zool. 8986); his second paper, treating of the prepa- ratory states, appears in the ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Maga- zine’ (EK. M. M. 165). I have freely availed myself of both these papers, and still more freely of my friend Mr. Double- day’s assistance, to whom Mr. Hellins fully acknowledges his obligation for much of the information he has given to the public. From these sources, far more than from my own observations, the following summary results. rst—The time of appearance in the imago state differs: C. russata ap- pears in May and again in August, the May moths being the parents of the August moths: C. immanata appears in July: thus the single brood of C. immanata is intermediate between the two broods of C. russata. C. russata certainly hybernates in the larva state, but C. immanata passes the winter in the egg state. Secondly—The habit of the imago differs: C. russata has the habit of a true Geometer, when at rest with 156 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. its wings deflexed; C.immanata rather resembles a Deltoid : and this difference arises from a difference in structure, the fore wings of C. immanata being somewhat narrower and somewhat more pointed, in some individuals almost falcate. Thirdly — The colour and markings: both species vary greatly in colour, especially as regards the disk of the fore wings, the extremes being dark smoky almost black, and pale cinereous almost white; but C. russata has a very common variety in which the disk is fulvous: C. immanata has no such variety: C.immanata, moreover, has two narrow, waved and angulated, transverse, chesnut bands on the fore wings, which are never so distinct in C. russata: moreover, there is a difference in the exterior outline of the broad central band of the fore wings; “in both species this commences at the costa, at about two-thirds of the distance between the base and the tip, and runs across the wing for a little way with very small teeth, then shoots out into a large bilobed (some- times, in C. russata, trilobed) tooth [projection], which is fol- lowed by another not quite half as large, and, lastly, slants away to the inner margin, forming three more teeth not much differing in size, but the distinction is this, that in C. imma- nata these teeth, especially the largest of them, are more pro- minent and acute; in C. russata they are not so prominent and often rounded.” Fourthly—The larva of C. russata is dull ochreous at first, but afterwards brightish green, and often ornamented with red on the sides: the larva of C. immanata is bright yellow at first, but afterwards dull green, and never ornamented with red on the sides: Mr. Hellins also says that the anal points are acute in C. russata, obtuse in C. immanata. I have described both larve from nature without observing this, but have added these words in inverted com- mas, as quoted from Mr. Hellins.—Edeard Newman. Description of the Larva of Acronycta strigosa.—The’ egg is laid at the end of June, on the twigs of Crategus oxyacantha (whitethorn), more particularly in old whitethorn- hedges, growing in chalky districts throughout the neigh- bourhood of Cambridge: the larva emerges in July, and is usually full-fed at the end of August or beginning of Septem- ber. Head porrected, flat, of about the same width as the 2nd segment: body of nearly uniform width throughout; the segments strongly pronounced, the divisions between them THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 157 deeply incised ; there is a double series of bristle-bearing warts down the back—two each on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 10th segments; four on the 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th segments. Colour of the head umber-brown, with very dark reticula- tions on the cheeks; colour of the body delicate apple-green, with ‘a well-marked medio-dorsal stripe, of a rich purple- brown colour; this is dilated on the 2nd segment imme- diately behind the head, also on the 5th, 8th and 9th seg- ments; thence it decreases in width, and on the 12th and 13th segments is very narrow; the spiracles are white in a brown ring; the legs and claspers green, red-brown at the extremities ; when full-fed it spins together any dead leaves or rubbish within its reach, or buries itself in decayed wood, if it have the opportunity ; and, thus concealed, it changes to a pupa, and remains in that state throughout the winter, the moth appearing on the wing in the June following. I am indebted to Mr. Brown, of Cambridge, for the opportunity of describing this larva.—Edward Newman. Entomological Notes and Captures. 97. Pill-box versus Laurel-box.—I am an advocate for both plans, for I cannot as yet make up my mind which has most advantages on its side. frst—Pill-box advantages. (1). Each box takes one moth, and so they do not rub against one another, (2). Eggs are often the result, which in a laurel-box would be destroyed. (3). One has the pleasure of seeing the insects alive on the following morning (1 keep them till then and chloroform them all at once, put- ting pill-boxes and all into an empty plum-jar, and dropping in on flannel the killing fluid). Secondly — Pill-box disad- vantages. (1). Some species knock themselves to-pieces before the morning (this I cannot of course get over), but they are not so very many. (2). The pill-box may decapi- tate, or otherwise injure: an experienced hand never (sel- dom ?) does this. (3). The insect becomes stiff sooner than in the laurel-box. Thirdly—Laurel-box advantages. (1). The insect is destroyed at once, and kept relaxed, so that it does not beat itself about, and allows better setting of the legs and antenne. (2). The colour is not injured (7). Fourthly 158 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. — Laurel-box disadvantages. (1). The insects are longer dying (I do not believe myself that insects feel pain, so this is no objection on my part). (2). The insect often recovers when on the board, though apparently quite dead when put there. (3). In autumn, winter and early spring the Jaurel- leaf loses much of its strength. (4). To be efficacious new leaves should be used every day, which is often inconvenient at the time when wanted. (5). The advantages lost in not using chloroform.—These, then, are my reasons, pro and con. The most subtle against laurel-box are (2), under the head “Pill-box advantages,” and (2) and (3), under the head * Laurel-box disadvantages.” J gave up laurel for chloro- form for these reasons, but I lose some moths from their beating the tips of their wings off in the pill-boxes before the morning: instance Diloba cxruleocephala and Pecilocampa Populi. I never carry chloroform in my pocket. It is diffi- cult to use out-of-doors, and too expensive to waste.— [ Rev.] E. Hallett Todd ; Windrush, Burford, Oxon, December 29. 98. Pill-box versus Laurel-box.— Through the kindness of the writer of the above, I was enabled to see his commu- nication before it was sent to the ‘ Entomologist, and can therefore at once make one or two short observations upon it. I will commence with the disadyantages which Mr. Todd thinks the use of the tin box entails. (1). The insects are longer in dying. This is true, if laurel-leaves be used for the purpose of kélling insects. But I] never employ them in that way. They are only intended to stupz/y. When thus stupified they are killed instantaneously with oxalic acid, and, if it be desired to kill the insects on the spot, a small glass stoppered bottle of the acid may be carried in the waistcoat pocket. (2). “The insect often recovers,” &c. This I can easily believe ; but an insect killed as above (2. e. stupified with the laurel-leaves, and then pierced with oxalic acid) never recovers ; at least I never knew an instance. I was rather surprised to find this particular objection brought forward by Mr. Todd, as I had always understood that it was admitted, by the admirers of chloreform, that insects killed, or rather supposed to be killed, by it, frequently came to life again. Thus Mr. Crewe, writing against chloroform, alleges that, in nine cases out of ten, insects submitted to it re- cover again after atime. I have myself seen this over and over again. Objection (3). True to some extent; but, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 159 if well bruised, I have always found them sufficient for the purpose. The moths I took here on ivy at the end of Octo- ber were stupified under a minute. (4). There is certainly a little trouble in collecting and bruising fresh laurel-leaves, but surely that is of small moment. (5). “ The advantages,” &c. The alleged advantages are:—(1). That each box con- tains only one moth, and therefore they cannot rub against each other. But they can, and often do, rub against the box itself, as is admitted. I believe that many a polished thorax which meets the expectant gaze of the collector on the fol- lowing morning, if left alive (which is Mr. Todd’s second recommendation), is due to a pas seul which takes place during the night. (2). This, if correct, would, I at once grant, be an unanswerable objection. But it is an error. If a moth be killed by laurel-leaves, ‘there will certainly be no eggs; but if only stupified, and afterwards put into a box, it will, if so “ dispoged,” lay its eggs just as readily after as before the operation. Let me here add one valuable use of the tin box, which I did not refer to in my first communica- tion. Most collectors have probably experienced consider- able difficulty in safely killing dred insects, especially Geo- ~ metre. I mean supposing them to be killed with oxalic acid, and not chloroform or ammonia. Of course an insect, to be killed with oxalic or prussic acid, must first be pinned. This is a very difficult operation to be performed successfully on a delicate Geometra, if not first stupified. This is done so admirably by means of the tin box that I should keep one or two of them for this purpose alone. I have thus answered, to the best of my ability, Mr. Todd’s observations, which are, I think, very much to the purpose. I feel I cannot but admit that pill-boxes have many advantages, but I cannot get over the “knocking about.” Some insects do knock about, more, I imagine, than the advocates of the pill-box are willing to allow. What about the male Bombyces? And, further, who shall say how many insects, unknown to us, get the cilia injured, or the wings slightly rubbed, while in the durance vile of a pill-box ?— [Rev.] J. Greene; 4, Cary Pa- rade, Torquay, January 7, 1865. 99. Note on Dicranura vinula. — As 1 can boast of a pretty extensive acquaintance with this moth of historic celebrity, I may venture to offer a few remarks upon its habits and changes, supplementary to those at page 149 of 160 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. the ‘ Entomologist.’ My own record of the time of its existence in the larva state differs from the statement of your correspondent. Six weeks, or a day or two beyond, is its invariable period, at least in the vicinity of London. It is well known that various causes (temperature for instance) will accelerate or retard the growth of a larva; in this case the locality mentioned appears, to me at least, more favour- able to a rapid development. ‘The “pad” of silk referred to is, I think, only spun by the larva at the different periods of ecdysis, although it may occasionally continue upon it fora short time beyond, until it has consumed the leaves which are immediately around it. Upon the subject of the moth’s extrication from (the cocoon many speculations have been advanced, some of the older naturalists attributing the result to friction, others to a solvent fluid. JI have no doubt this latter is the agent employed. It has usually been my prac- tice to remove the pupa from the cocoon previous to emergence. Of course, though the solvent is not then needed, it would still be ejected by the moth; and I have, in fact, often seen this liquid on the moth’s first appearance from the puparium. It appeared certainly to flow from the head, of sufficient quantity to form a bead, of a lightish pink colour, which rested just above the first pair of legs. I be- lieve it to be of a powerfully acid nature, for, having on one occasion got a little of it under a finger-nail, I found a slight irritation produced by it. On one occasion, when I had reared a number of these larve in a common habitation, some of them made their cocoons in clusters. When ex- amining them I invariably found that those individuals upon whom several other cocoons had been superimposed were dead, perhaps from an exclusion of air.—John R. S. Clifford ; 21, Robert Terrace, Chelsea, December 9, 1864. 100. Scarcity of Bombya neustria.— This insect has been’ exceedingly scarce in the west and south of the vicinity of London for some years. Last year I only picked up a soli- tary larva. I should be glad to hear whether, in other localities, it has appeared as usual. Far different was it with that common Tinea, Yponomeuta Padella. In many places, last summer, near my residence, countless numbers of these larve appeared, extending their ravages from the hawthorn, their favourite food, to all other shrubs growing near, care- THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 161 fully avoiding, however, the privet and elder. — John R. S. Clifford. 101. Crickets and Cockroaches (see Entom. for January, 1865, p. 146). — Mr. Ranson’s note 1. ¢. will, | think, call up other cockney sportsmen besides myself. The noble art of “ Venerie,” as far as regards the ‘‘ World of Insects,” is ela- borately taught and largely practised in this great metro- polis: we have flea-powder, phosphorus-paste, wafer-bread, catch-’em-alive-ohs, papier moure, and a hundred other con- trivances for entrapping or slaying the unwary; and Mr. Ranson is not the first to propose the patronizing of crickets on account of their presumed tendency to extirpate, or at least to drive away, the cockroaches: regarded as hypothe- tical the idea is excellent, but reduced to practice it is scarcely so satisfactory: my own experience is that the two creatures live together in exuberant abundance, and in the most sociable communion, in the kitchen of — Edward New- man; 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham. 102. Preservation of Larve. — May | invite the attention of the readers of the ‘ Entomologist’ to the very important subject of preserving the larve of the Macro-Lepidoptera ? I cannot fancy a collection of these insects complete without the addition of the larva and pupa of each species: this would not interfere with the ordinary arrangement of them. I certainly do not see the feasibility of the method recom- mended by Mr. Blackburn in No. 2 of the ‘ Naturalist,’ viz., after destroying life, to make an aperture at the anus, and squeeze out the whole of the contents of the body, then in- flate by means of a small straw, and finally secure by tying a piece of silk, the same colour as the larva, tightly above the incision, to prevent the wind escaping. What a grotesque appearance must a larva thus operated upon present! I have heard of a “ bloated aristocracy,” but that is no reason why we should have absurd and unnatural-looking larve in our cabinets. Mr. Blackburn tells us to squeeze out the whole of the internal parts, and of course this is absolutely necessary for the preservation of all larve; but after doiug so, if we follow Mr. B.’s method of inflating, what is to prevent the wind escaping through the mouth and spiracles ? As to the method of restoring larve to their original size and shape, of course nothing better than cotton wool can be 162 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. used ; but the desideratum is to know what liquid should be used as a preservative, either before or after the bodies are emptied. On Saturday afternoon, December 31st, I put two or three Jarve of Agrotis Segetum into weak spirits of wine (I say weak, because, after an immersion of ten minutes the larvee showed evident symptoms of life), and allowed them to remain in the spirit until Monday morning, when, upon look- ing at them, I found them as black as a piece of coal, and of course utterly spoiled. I should therefore feel greatly obliged to you or any of your readers for information on this sub- ject. — Henry Reeks; Manor House, Thruxton, Andover, January 16, 1865. [A very excellent subject for inquiry: like Mr. Reeks: I find that spirits of wine turns my larve black, and shall be greatly obliged for a remedy. I have obtained a gross of small vials for the express purpose of containing larve, and there is not now a single specimen with recognizable colours. —Edward Newman. | 103. Singular Geographical Race of Hepialus Humult. — There has just been added to the British collection in the British Museum a most abnormal series of Hepialus Humuli, taken in the Shetland Islands. 1 am unable to decide on the sex of each specimen ; indeed, so extremely puzzling is the appearance of the series, that I have been led to doubt the accuracy of the conclusion at which Entomologists have arrived, that all the specimens of Hepialus Humuli with white wings are males, and all those with fulvous wings females. In some specimens the fore wings are tinted with yellow, while the hind wings are pure white; in others the fore wings are pure white, the hind wings dark fuscous. In those specimens supposed, from their general appearance, to be females, the tint is paler than in our southern specimens, and more approaches a dull lemon-yellow than fulvous: the body is uniformly dark fuscous, and the hind wings, when tinted at all, are of the same dark colour: Mr. Bond ex- hibited these insects at the last Meeting of the Entomolo- gical Society, and made some observations respecting them. Should these specimens prove anything more than a geo- graphical race, and be received as a species, I would pro- pose for them the name of Hepialus thulensis. — Mdeard Newman. P.S. Can any Entomologist inform me how to THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 163 distinguish the sexes of Hepialus Humuli, leaving colour and size out of the question ? 104. Migration of Butterflies. —1 saw another flight of white and yellow butterflies (Callidryas) the other day, some three leagues from here, and going exactly in an opposite di- rection from that before noted, —from south-east to north- west, along the Valley as it lessens, which perhaps may have caused deflection of course,—not so numerous as the pre- vious one, but still very well marked. Whilst the fellows drove ahead steadily, I observed others, precisely similar in look, fluttering about as usual, and evidently not taking part in the migration; just as in Ireland I suppose you would find some Paddies looking after pig and praties, in spite of the rush to the Untied States of America of the mass of the bog-trotters. I have not observed any migration of butter- flies except of the genus Callidryas. — Henry Birchall, in a Leiter to his brother, Edwin Birchall. Entomological Society. November 7. — After the presentation of the vase to Mr. Saunders, as recorded in No. 9 of the ‘ Entomologist,’ Mr. Janson exhibited four species of Coleoptera from the col- lection of Mr. Sidebotham, of Manchester, all of them new to the British list. 1. Ceuthorhynchideus Poweri has already been noticed (Entom. 131). 2. Lixus filiformis, Fabr.; a single specimen (at first taken for L. bicolor) captured by Mr. Sidebotham by beating the oak or birch in a wood on the side of Roundney Hill, near Devizes, early in June, 1864. 8. Sybines canus, Herbst; two specimens taken by Mr. Sidebotham, by sweeping, in a lane between Devizes and Pottern, early in June, 1864. 4. Peritelus griseus, Oliv. ; several specimens were collected at Ventnor, in April, 1864, by Mr. Wainwright, probably by shaking herbage upon a sheet of paper, in which manner some bottles full of Co- leoptera had been obtained by that gentleman. Mr. F. Smith exhibited three males and a female of a Bombus new to Britain, the Bombus Pomorum of Panzer: the males were captured some years ago, and had been placed in his collection as a variety of another species ; the 164 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. female was the specimen exhibited at the Meeting in June last, and was captured at Deal. Mr. Edwin Shepherd (on behalf of Mr. 8. Carter, who was present as a visitor), exhibited three males and a female of Sesia spheciformis, W. V., bred from pupe found. in the stems of alder-trees in the north of Staffordshire. Mr. Saunders exhibited some galls which he had found in making an excavation at the foot of an oak about a month previously ; the galls were attached to the root of the tree, but were not in clusters, and were at a depth of four feet below the surface ; each gall contained two or three larve, and during the last few days five specimens of the perfect insect had gnawed their way out; at first a very small hole was visible, through which, when it had been made large enough, a mandible was pushed; the insect continued its gnawing, an antenna was soon protruded, and gradually a perfect Cynips emerged. The whole of the five specimens were females, and he believed that the whole brood would prove to be of that sex. Mr. Saunders also exhibited three other kinds of gall which he had found during a recent trip to Switzerland. The first was found on a glaucous-leaved willow, and oc- curred near the Lake of Brienz: it resembled a small fir- cone, or might even be likened to the flower of a Centaurea: no larve were discovered, but traces of their action were visible, and the cause of the excrescences was doubtless a Cynips. The second kind was found in July near Coire, where a dwarf and stunted species of willow was covered with red berries looking like so many red currants; these also were doubtless due to a Cynips. The third kind was formed on the beech, and was an indurated conical gall, so hard as with difficulty to be cut with a knife, but neverthe- less made on the leaf of the tree; it was hollow, with a large flat base in which the larva nestled, and was found at Ragatz and at Interlaken and in other parts of Switzerland in July and August. Mr. Stainton exhibited a gall found on the oak near Bath, the exterior of which was of a woolly texture and of yel- lowish colour. Mr. Smith read a most interesting extract from a letter addressed to him by Mr. Stone, on the larve and pupe of o THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 165 Ripiphorus, remarking on the great discrepancy in size, and suggesting the possibility of the existence of a second spe- cies of Ripiphorus. The other papers related to foreign Entomology, for which cannot afford space. December 5. — Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited some mi- croscopic preparations of the spiral tongues of butterflies, for the purpose of showing the diversity of striation of the spiral tongue in different species, and of certain papillee existing at the end of that member; the papilla in Vanessa C-album were very different from those of the closely-allied species of Vanessa, whilst in the genus Argynnis they were found to be extremely brittle. Mr. Bond exhibited a coloured drawing, by Mr. Buckler, of the larva of Acronycta strigosa, feeding on hawthorn: and a photograph of a remarkable negro variety of Abraxas Gros- sulariata. Mr. F. Smith exhibited a parti-coloured wasp’s nest be- longing to Mr. Stone, of Brighthampton. Mr. Stone had a nest of Vespa germanica in a window on the ground-floor, and in a corresponding position in the first-floor window, immediately over the other, was a nest of Vespa vulgaris ; his attention was called to the nest on the ground-floor by the different colours of different parts thereof, some of which were found to be constructed of decayed wood, such as would be used by the common wasp, but not by Vespa ger- manica. Examination showed that the lower nest owed its construction to the united labours of both species of wasps, the different material employed by each determining the co- lour of the portion built by that species. Further observa- tion proved that specimens of the common wasp, when returning homewards with a low flight, entered the nest of V. germanica, apparently by mistake, and deceived by the similarity of situation of the two nests. Mr. F. Smith also exhibited the large larva a pupa of Ripiphorus, found in queen-cells of the common wasp, re- ferred to at the previous Meeting. Mr. W. F. Kirby read the following Notes on the Syno- nymy of certain British Butterflies, taken chiefly from Stau- dinger’s Catalogue :— 166 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. “Genus Pyrameis, Hub., Doubl. & Hew.— This genus, which can be immediately distinguished from Vanessa by the rounded and scalloped hind wings, contains a number of very closely-allied species from different parts of the world, and forms an exceedingly natural group. “Genus Melanagria, Meigen (Arge, Esp., Hub., Bd.) — This genus contains the group of Hipparchie represented in England by Melanagria Galathea. ‘The name Arge is In- admissible, because it is the specific name of one of the European species. “Erebia Epiphron, Anoch (Cassiope, Fab.) — Epiphron has the priority by ten years. “ Krebia Medea, W. V. (Blandina, Fab. )— The name Me- dea should be retained, as it has a priority of seventeen years. “ Polyommatus Medon, Hufnagel (Agestis, W. V.) — Me- don has a priority of ten years. “ Polyommatus Icarus, Rottemburg (Alexis, W. V.)— The name Icarus has a slight priority, but that of Alexis is ex- tremely objectionable, as there is an East Indian species of Stoll’s (4Zlianus of Fabricius) bearing that name. “ Polyommatus Semiargus, Rotlemburg (Acis, W. V.) — Rottemburg’s name has a slight priority over the other. “ Pyrgus Malve, Linn. (Alveolus, Hub.)—Wallengren and Staudinger agree in assigning Linneus’s name to this insect. Illiger’s P. Malvarum, to which Linneus’s description is ge- nerally referred, does not appear to occur in North Europe at all. “Genus Cyclopides, Hub. (Steropes, Bd.) — Boisduval’s name is quite inadmissible, as it is the specific name of the type of his genus.” I may remark that several of these names—as Pyrameis, Epiphron, Medea, &c.—have long been adopted in the Boe lection under my care.—E. N. At Home. — Friday evenings, February 3, 10 and 17, from 6 to 9 o’clock.— E.. Newman ; 7, York Grove, Queen’s Road, Peckham. E. NEWMAN, PRINTER, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE. ADVERTISEMENTS. On these two pages will be inserted gratuitously all Ad- vertisements of Duplicates and Desiderata, in the order in which they are réceived: excepting always that paid adver- tisements will take precedence of gratuitous ones. From Rev. Joseph Greene, 4, Cary Parade, Torquay. Duplicates. — 2 N. Senex (g.), 3 N. Dictzoides (b.), 1 N. Cucullina, 1 D. Coryli, 5 T. Subtusa (b.), 7 C. Xerampelina (b.), 5 E. Expallidata (b.), 3 E. Haworthiata (b.), 2 A. Pic- taria (g.), 2 N. Pulveraria (b). Desiderata. — S. Testudo, G. Tlicifolia,* P. Nubeculosa,* A. Auricoma, A. Pyrophila, A. Agathina, D. Rubiginea,* T. Retusa, D. Oo, C. Pyralina, C. Absinthii, 8. Turfosalis, S. Sticticalis, N. Viridata, E. Fuscantaria, A. Rubricata, EK. Te- niata, E. Irriguata, E. Consignata, EK. Helveticata. Marked thus * no specimen. From George J. Hearder, Powick, near Worcester. Duplicates. — Zygena Lonicere, Saturnia Carpini (bred), Peecilocampa Populi (male), Petasia cassinea (male), Tenio- campa munda, lodis vernaria (bred), Cidaria miata. Desiderata. — My wants are very numerous, so IJ shall be glad to hear from any one who has insects to spare that are not common everywhere. From Rev. E. Horton, Lower Wick, Worcester. Duplicates.—L. Alsus, L. gon, P. Geryon (?), L. Meso- mella, O. Pudibunda, E. Advenaria, A. Ornata, N. Pulveraria, M. Euphorbiata, A. Strigillaria, E. Subnotata, Ek. Absinthiata, E. Trisignata, E. Albipunctata, M. Galiata, P. Tersata, M. Tristata, T. Munda, E. Viminalis, E. Flammealis, T. Cau- dana, G. Nisana, E. Bimaculana, E. Nebritana, X. Pariana, X. Zoegana, P. Osteodactylus. Desiderata. —C. Hyale, L. Sibylla, V. Polychloros, H. Comma, L. Helveola, L. Quadra, B. Castrensis, E. Erosaria, A. Circellata, E. Subumbrata, E. Helveticaria, EK. Denotata, ADVERTISEMENTS. E. Consignata, N. Dodonza, A. Obelisca, X. Gilvago, A. Cuprealis, C. Adipellus, C. Hamellus, C. Furcatellus, I. Car- nella, P. Ormatella, R. Suavella, M. Anella, G. Cerella, C. Rutilana, X. Isodactylus. From R. W. Wright, Morland House, Hackney, London. Duplicates. — B. Hirtaria, H. Semele, S. Euphrosyne, C. Curtula, C. Anachoreta, H. Megera, H. Augeria, M. Per- sicarie, B. Perfumaria, C. Fulvata, KE. Trilinearia, O. Sambu- cata, A. Litura, A. Rufina, H. Abruptaria, N. Zonaria, A. Lucernea, A. Valligera, A. Tritici, M. Furva, L. Corydon, Z. Trifolii, P. Purpuralis, E. Albulata, H. Micacea, H. Tithonus. Desiderata.— A. Prunaria, C. Propugnata, P. Comitata, 8. Certata, P. Lignata, M. Notata, M. Hastata, C. F lavicornis, B. Glandifera, A. Leporina, A. Anceps, T. Piniperda, T. Ru- bricosa, E. Fulvago, H. Serena, C. Vetusta, C. Exoleta, A. Luctuosa, E. Fuscula, T. Pastinum, P. Fimbrialis, R. San- guinalis, E. Octomaculalis, H. Nymphealis, H. Stagnalis, E. Verbascalis. To Entomologists. —'T. Last, Naturalist, Borough Road, Ipswich, has the following Insects for sale, well set and in fine condition, captured by himself, at the under-mentioned prices: — A. Adippe, 2d.; lL. Sibylla, 4d.; S. Semele, 2d.; Z. Trifolii, 8d.; Z. Lonicere, 3d.; N. Senex, 4d. ; N. Cristulalis, 3d.; L. Complana, 1s.; A. Villica (bred), 4d.; S. Mendica, 3d.; T. Crategi (male), 6d.; P. Populi (bred), 6d.; A. Promutata, $d.; A. Immutata, 1s.; F. Con- spicuata, 3d.; E. Pumilata, 4d.; C. Spartiata (male and fe- male), 2d.; C. Obliquaria, 4d.; C. Vinula (bred), 4d.; N. Camelina (bred), 3d.; N. Dictaa, 6d.; N. Dodonza (male), 1s. 9d.; C. Or, 6d.; D. Orion, 1s. 3d.; L. Pudorina, 6d. ; L. Straminea, Is. 9d.; L. Phragmitidis, 4d.; N. Despecta, 4d.; N. Fulva, 2d.; D. Pinastri, 3d.; A. Aquilina, 4d.; N. Glareosa, 4d.; N. Dahli, 4d.; X. Cerago and Silago, 2d. ; C. Xerampelina, 2s.; A. Herbida, 3d.; H. Dentina, 3d.; B. Parthenias (male), 3d.; B. Notha (male), 6d.; A. Pyramidea, 2d.; H. Cribralis (male), 1s.; C. Phragmitellus (male), 4d. ; S. Ligrustri, 3d.; C. Elpenor, 3d. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. No. 12.] MARCH, MDCCCLXYV. [Prick 6p. Revision of the Genus Telephorus, as fur as regards the British Species. By G. R. Crorca, Esq., M.A. CONSIDERABLE attention has of late been paid to the European Telephoridz, the species of Germany, France and Sweden having been carefully worked out by MM. Kiesen- wetter, Mulsant and Thomson ; and finally, M. de Marseul has produced a general revision of all the European species. It is to these works that the reader is referred for more de- tailed descriptions, synonymy, &c., the aim having been, in the present paper, to give characters as concisely as possible, which should yet be sufficient to separate our indigenous species. Indications of those most likely to occur have been added. Our fauna will bear comparison with other countries, for we have now (two additions being made here—T. assi- milis, Pk., and T. limbatus, 7.) twenty-four species. In Sweden, M. Thomson has enumerated twenty-six ; of these four only do not occur in England; but on the other hand two of our species (T. translucidus, Kryx., and T. abdomi- nalis, #.) are confined to Central Europe. It is to the Alps and Pyrenees that we must go for this genus; but there is little probability that more of these species will be found here, though we have indeed a singular number of Pyrenean forms, as Stenus Guynemeri, S. Kiesenwetteri (since found at Paris), &c. Some diversity of opinion exists as to the genera admitted in this family: the distinctions which are founded on the tarsal claws appear to me merely of sectional importance. Telephorus may then be thus divided :— Thorax emarginate at the base. Head constricted to form a neck. Podabrus, Fisch. Tarsal claws dentate at the base. Elytra blue. . Ancistronycha, Mark. External claws dentate in male. Thorax quadrate or slightly transverse. . . Telephorus, Awct. Thorax elongate, sides straight. . .°. . .