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CHAPTER’ FT.

———

JANUARY.

WELCOME to the new Year! The old year, with its
hopes and fears, is gone, and become a thing of the
past; but although the year itself has gone, never to
return, it has left behind it sunny memories—memories
of green fields and leafy woods—of the happy social
rambles in pursuit of Nature’s beauties ; rambles which,
besides, supplied us with large draughts of health and
joy. The umbrageous wood, the smiling meadow,
the music of the rippling stream, as it winds its way
over its pebbly bed—the song of the lark, as he rises
from his dewy couch, soaring towards the sky, pouring
out his little soul in floods of gushing melody, to-

‘gether with the busy stir of insect life, combine to form

a scene calculated to produce the holiest hopes, the
loftiest aspirations. Cold must be the heart not moved

_ by such a scene—perturbed, indeed, must be the spirit
that it would not soothe!

O, Memory! we love to linger with thee: thou
bringest to us “voices of the past, shadows of the
mighty dead;” thou fillest our souls with gladness,
and our hearts with joy; thou incitest us to worthier

deeds, to loftier aspirations; thou pointest out to us

our shortcomings and errors; thou recallest to our
minds the actions of the past, placing them in juxta-
B

2 JANUARY.

position with the present, that we may be guided in
our conduct now, and its probable effects on the future,
by the experience of what has been.

Welcome, new year! A new year, a new hope;
new hopes, new fears, new aspirations, new duties:
may we use thy moments as a precious trust: if we
lose or abuse thee, we are made to suffer for our neg-
ligence; “let us work, therefore, while it is day; the
night cometh, when no man can work ;”” we must put
forth all our energies, in order to obtain success in
whatever pursuit we are engaged, and in nothing is
this more true than in regard to entomological science,
which is essentially a science of observation. The en-
tomological tyro must not content himself’ by listlessly
walking beside a hedgerow, or threading the mazes of
a wood, capturing and observing only such insects as
force themselves upon his observation, but he must
diligently hunt for them, search them out, explore
every crevice and crack in search of the perfect insects,
and carefully scrutinize every tree, plant and herb that
he comes across, in order to discover the larve or evi-
dences of their operations: these will show themselves
to the observant and industrious collector in every
possible form, mining in blotches and galleries in the
leaves, puckering, twisting and folding them in every
conceivable manner, agglutinating the young shoots of
plants, and mining beneath the bark of trees; feeding
in a variety of ways upon every species of vegetable
matter, from the lordly oak of the forest down to the
humble lichen upon an old paling.

In order, therefore, to assist the tyro in his obser-
vations, I have endeavoured in the following pages,

JANUARY. 3

under the respective months of the year, to give as
succinctly, and in as plain language as possible, the
ordinary operations to be performed in doors and in the
open air by the Entomological tyro.

The month of January is, to the Entomologist, as
far as the imago is concerned, almost a blank ; it is, .
therefore, necessarily the best period of the year which
he can select to “set his house in order” for the re-
ception of his numerous guests that he may expect as
the season advances; and if he does so he will find that
a great deal of valuable time which he could ill spare
during the busy summer season will be thereby saved
to him. :

The tyro who intends to breed insects (and he must
do this if he expects to make good progress in Ento-
mology) must provide himself with the following ap-
paratus for rearing the larvee of Jicro-Lepidoptera,
viz. :—several air-tight bottles (there is a bottle made
by Messrs. Cook and Crawley, Raven Row, Spital-
fields, that is admirably adapted for this purpose,
especially for the pup of Lithocolletis and Nepti-
cula); itis called the cylinder pattern, and consists of a
bottle in the shape of a cylinder, with a wide mouth,
fitted with a metal cover, round the inside of the rim
of which is a ring of cork: this being flexible, on the
cap being placed on the bottle it adapts itself to the
shape of the mouth, filling up all the interstices, thus
rendering it air-tight ; they may be purchased at from
about 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. a dozen complete.

Qndly. One or more tin canisters, of any form most
convenient for containing larvee when collected ; a large
box, or two or three large garden pots, for planting

B2

4 JANUARY.

therein the roots of such plants as contain larvee, which
require the plant to be kept in a growing state; a few
round tin canisters, about nine inches deep by five in
diameter, with lids whose rims slip on outside the cases,
and with the whole circumference of the lids cut out
to within about half-an-inch of the edge; also a box for
rearing the pup of MWicro- Lepidoptera, as follows :
“¢ Obtain one or more boxes of any convenient length
or breadth, but not less than six inches in depth (either
divided into compartments or not), and fitted with a
lid, having a large space cut out of it to within an inch
of the margin; this open space to be covered with
either close wove wire or old calico affixed with thin
glue. In the bottom of the box, or of each compart-
ment, bore with a centre-bit one or more holes, about
two-thirds of an inch in diameter; cover these with
pieces of perforated zinc, tacked down; place on the
bottom of each box or compartment moderately-large
pebbles or sea-gravel, to the depth of about half-an-
inch, and on this again, to the depth of two inches, the
earth, on which to lay the pup, composed of garden-
mould, silver sand, and thoroughly rotten wood from
the heart of an old tree; on this, after being made
smooth, distribute your pup in such a manner, ac-
cording to their size, that when covered none are more
than half-an-inch below the surface, and cover the
surface of the mould with a layer of moss, about half-
an-inch thick. The inside of the box should be rough,
and the box itself should be raised on pieces of wood,
or have pieces of wood fixed to the bottom in such a
manner that it may stand clearly above the floor.
“By this arrangement you may damp your pupe

JANUARY. 5

with impunity, as it is impossible for them to become

saturated with stagnant water, owing to the bottom

‘drainage, and the moss at the top prevents undue eva-

poration by absorbing a certain quantity of moisture,
and thus striking a medium between the two extremes
of wet and drought.”

Having provided himself with the foregoing, toge-
ther with a ring-net, as described in the “ Entomolo-
gist’s Companion,” 2nd edition, page 3, and a supply

of pill-boxes and pins, the tyro is ready to commence

his Entomological campaign.

And, now, gentle reader, let us take a ramble toge-
ther; let us walk in the open country, explore the
weedy bank, or peer with curious eyes along the old
park-palings’ green and mossy space, examining each
nook and cranny with minute attention, and having
reached the end, retrace our steps for fear some portion
might have escaped our scrutiny; let us examine the
twisted leaf, the roll’d-up grass blade, or dig deep into
the centre of some ancient gate-post or antiquated
paling, for in all these lie concealed the objects of our
search.

It is a fine clear morning ; the sky is brightly blue
and studded with fleecy clouds, that look like a flock
of sheep as they gambol along chasing each other
before the breeze. The milkmen with their shining
cans are hurrying about in desperate confusion, calling
out ‘‘ below” at every few paces, as if they expected to
fall over some unfortunate pedestrian, and were anxious
to give him timely notice of their coming—the peripa-
tetic coffee-shops are going home, some on wheels,
others on yokes, and all looking remarkably sleepy

6 ‘JANUARY.

after their “ night-out,” while the smell and sound of
breakfast (of which we have partaken) ascends in
gushes from the kitchens of the various houses, as we
hurry on our way to the terminus of the “‘ South-Eastern
Railway,” to catch the quarter past-eight o’clock train
for Norwood, “ en route’ to West Wickham Wood.

Having obtained our tickets and taken our seats, our
iron horse soon begins to feel the collar, and with a
puff and a snort he commences the journey. ‘“ Now
we're off!” exclaim one or two of the passengers, which
is the maximum of the conversation we may expect to
hear until we reach our destination.

Having reached the Norwood station, alighted and
given up our tickets to the porter, we recommence our
journey on foot, taking the Addington road; and even
now we are in good collecting ground, the lanes on our
road are bounded by fine hedges, principally composed
of whitethorn, privet and dwarf maple, while the banks
underneath them are covered with herbage of good
growth, consisting of ground-ivy (Gilechoma hedera-
cea), flea-bane (Inula dysenterica), burdock (Arctium
Lappa), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), perfo-
rated St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum),
together with black-knapweed, goose-foot, cow-parsley,
mouse-ear chickweed, Artemisia, and a host of other
plants, all of which form food for the objects of our
search ; let us commence :

If we stoop down and examine the grass upon that
hedge-bank we shall see that some of the blades, in-
stead of being flat as usual, are rolled up from the
bottom upwards, and that some of these rolled leaves
are attached by their points to others in their neigh-

JANUARY. 7

bourhood ; if we open some of these we shall find a
pretty black and white larva, this is the larva of
Gelechia rufescens ; by the ditch side in the wet places
we shall find the common flea-bane (Inula dysente-
rica); the larvee of Gelechia bifractella and Gel. Ino-
pella occur in the seeds of this plant.

But since we have been searching the grass and the
Inule a peculiar aromatic odour has arisen; this is
caused by our bruising that trailing plant at our feet—
this is the ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea). If we
examine the leaves we shall see white blotches on some
of the lower ones—these are caused by the larve of
Coleophora albitarsella ; and if we turn over the leaves
thus marked we shall find on many of them the larva
itself in its black case; upon the heads of the rushes
you will find the larve of Coleophora cespititiella,
while on the underside of the leaves of the wild straw-
berry (Fragaria vesca), growing on the loamy bank,
the larva of the pretty Lampronia prelatella occurs
in its singular case; by its side, on the St. John’s Wort
(Hypericum perforatum), the larve of Gracilaria
auroguttella, having no fear of her Majesty’s officers
of excise before their eyes, manufacture their “ cigars ;”’
in the seeds of the burdock (Arctium Lappa) the
larva of Parasia Lappella reposes in fancied secu-
rity, while in the stems beneath him the larva of
Argyrolepia badiana makes a dainty meal upon the
pith.

The thistles (Cirsium palustre) furnish their quota
of board and lodging, during the winter months, to the
embryo “ Phalene,’ for in their stems the larve of
Ephippiphora cirsiana and EL. scutulana have their re-

8 JANUARY.

treat, and in the stems of the wild parsnip (Pastinaca
sativa) the larvee of Lozopera dilucidana (Stephens)
may be found.

And if we examine the neighbouring bramble-leaves,
we shall see that the larvee of Nepticula aurella are
industriously employed making their wavy tracks.

But while we have been exploring the seeds of
thistles and burdock, and eke their stems, letting day-
light in among their astonished inhabitants, to their no
small distaste and our great pleasure, we have been in-
sensibly shortening the distance (slowly, but surely)
between us and the wood—and here we are at the end
of the lanes, and at the south-east corner of the wood,
opposite the “ Fox’ at Shirley, a house celebrated
during the lifetime of its late landlord for there always
being a “‘beefsteak pudding’ for dinner on Sundays.
Full many a time, after a long walk and the anything
but appetite-appeasing occupation of collecting, have I
walked into the parlour of mine host of the “ Fox,”
and inquired what was for dinner, when, as sure as
daylight, the reply was, “ Beefsteak pudding, sir ;”
and no unwelcome friend, either, under such circum-
stances; but still it sorely puzzled us how “ beefsteak
pudding came to be the invariable standing Sunday
dish.

But to return from this digression. Adjoining the
“‘ Fox,” on the right-hand side of the road, runs a
park paling, surrounding the Archbishop of Canter-
bury’s demesne, and opposite to this is our destination,
“West Wickham Wood.” This isa first-rate locality,
and when I first knew it, some six or seven years ago,
was then comparatively a “terra incognita” to the

JANUARY. 9g

generality of collectors, the questions generally asked
being “ Have you been to West Wickham?” “ Where
is West Wickham?” “ Do you know where West Wick-
ham is?” While collectors of a certain stamp used to
alight at the Annerley Station, if they thought they
had been seen by a less fortunate “ brother of the net
and pin,” in order that the famous “ West Wickham
Wood” should remain the exclusive hunting-ground of
the fortunate few.

The wood is very extensive, and is composed prin-
cipally of birch, intermixed with larch, pine, oak,
elm, beech, whitethorn, and some fine spruce firs, to-
gether with an infinite variety of shrubs and plants
of smaller growth. If we follow the road until it turns
towards the “ Cricketers,” at Addington, and turn into
the Wood on our left, we shall soon see before us a fine
avenue of excellent pines; in close proximity to these
is the ‘‘ Heath Field,” from a corner of which a foot-
path leads to the celebrated “ Hypericum ground.”

But let us return to our station opposite the “ Fox.”
A little way along the road, opposite the palings, on
the edge of the Wood by the roadside, you will see
some fine spruce firs. Have you a bag with you?—
Yes, certainly. Then let us search under these trees,
and picking up a few of the larger cones, examine
their apices; in many of them we shall find a fat
larva, surrounded by a resinous exudation, feeding
upon the pith of the cone: this is the larva of Coccyx
Strobilana. You need not trouble yourself to examine
every cone, but fill your bag with them at random, as,
although you cannot expect every one to contain a
larva, yet, as most of them do, it would be only

BO

10 JANUARY.

waste of time and destruction of larve to examine
them all.

Now let us examine the fallen leaves. If we care-
fully turn over the fallen leaves, we shall probably see
some that have oval pieces cut out of them; this has
been done by the larve of Incurvaria pectinea and
I. muscalella ; they are now in pupa, so that there is
no chance of seeing them moving about, but you will
find the cases on the ground under the leaves, with the
pupe in them; they are found among birch and oak
leaves.

The pupe of the Lithocolletides are very readily
collected in this way in the fallen leaves of oak and
hornbeam, and in this manner the pupe of those spe-
cies that feed upon the higher branches of the oak may
be readily obtained; besides, we have thus a chance of
breeding the scarce species, LZ. irradiella, a specimen
of the perfect insect having been bred by the late Mr.
Wing “from oak leaves collected near Beckenham in
the autumn” (Entomologist’s Annual for 1855, p. 81, ©
2nd ed.)

On the licheny trunks of the trees and on old
palings the larve of Solenobia inconspicuella may be
found, if the day be mild, crawling about in their
portable cases.

This is, “ par excellence,” the best month to obtain
the various root-feeding larvee of Ephippiphora Feene-
ana, Argyrolepia Aineana, &e.

The head-quarters of H. Feeneana are at Northfleet
(although they may be found sparingly at Charlton
sand-pits). Northfleet is best reached by the “ North
Kent” Rail. Having alighted at the Northfleet Sta-

JANUARY. Il

tion, you will have to cross a few fields by a footpath
leading from the station into the main road, having
reached which, turn to the right, and proceed along
it- until you reach the town of Northfleet; on the left
of the road, opposite the town, and by the side of the
Thames, you will see some very deep chalk pits: these
are Northfleet Pits; a pathway from the road, and
bearing to the left, leads you into the pits, whence
turning to the right and passing through the tunnel of
the tramway, you will be in your collecting ground: it
is thickly overgrown with mugwort (Artemisia vul-
garis), teazle, thistles, and a great variety of other
plants.

On cutting off the stems of some of the plants of Ar-
temisia close to the root, or, if the stems are withered,
cutting off the crown of the root, you will see that they
are mined down the centre by a larva: this is the
work of the larva of Ephippiphora Feeneana, which
feeds in the roots, and the larva of Dicrorampha Ar-
temisiana has a similar habit upon the same plant.

If we open the heads of teazle growing in the neigh-
bourhood, we shall find a green larva feeding upon
the seeds; this is the larva of Hupecilia Roseana;
while upon the same plant, but feeding upon the pith,
working its way downwards from the seed head, will be
found the larva of the pretty cloak Penthina Gentia-
nana; in the stems of the thistles the larvee of Myclois
cribrum may be found: the larva of this insect is
taken plentifully in the stems of the thistles on the
banks of the Rochester Canal, near Gravesend.

If we take a walk along the banks of the Padding-
ton Canal, until we arrive within a few score yards of

12 JANUARY.

“Old Oak Bridge,” we shall observe that the banks,
almost down to the tow-path, are covered with the
ragwort (Senecio Jacobea); if we cut open a few of
the roots of this plant, we shall find in them the white
larva of the beautiful Argyrolepia dneana, while the
larva of Hphippiphora trigeminana is said to feed on
the outside bark of the root of the same plant.

If we search the roots of the yarrow (Achillea mil-
lefolium) in places where Dicrurampha plumbagana
occurs, we shall find them inhabited by the larva of
that insect, while the larva of Dicrorampha sequana
feeds within the roots of the “Tansey” (Zanacetun
vulgare). |

In collecting the root-feeding larve of the Dicro-
ramphe and Ephippiphore, we shall most likely
bring home with us a great deal of moss; in this the
larvee of the Crambide will be found making silken
galleries among the roots, and coming out at night to
feed upon the surface, while in the moss growing upon
old walls the larvee of Gelechia affinis may be found
together with the larvee of Hudorea murana.

If we examine old mossy walls exposed to the
weather, we shall, on mild days, see a number of
pretty striped caterpillars crawling about; these are
the larvee of the marbled beauty (Bryophila perla).
The habits of this larva are very interesting, and have
been beautifully described by Mr. William Varney in
the Transactions of the Entomological Society (Part iv.,
vol. ii, N. S., p. 117), as follows:—“On old walls
which are exposed to the weather, I have found a
great many caterpillars which feed upon the fine par-
ticles of a silver colour, which grow upon such places.

JANUARY. 13

They make their cocoons in the holes of the wall,
weaving a web over the hole, then they bite off bits of
stone, brick, mortar or moss, and fix it to the webbing,
so that it is difficult to find them out in such places,
as the cocoon so nearly resembles the wall, brick or
mortar to which it joins. They are found in the winter
months, and when the weather is mild they bite a hole
through their cocoons and come out to feed; then they
return back to their cells and put out their excrements,
then they close up the hole, which makes it complete.
They do not travel more than four or five inches, or at
most a foot from the cell, as they find food close at
hand. They generally return to the cell which they
had occupied before, but when several of them are
feeding near together, they sometimes go into the
wrong ones, and some of them cannot find their own
cells and are obliged to wander about till they can find
a place to build a new one. They feed in the morning
and return to their cells about nine or ten o’clock, which
I have witnessed many times. This morning, Thurs-
day, 5th February, 1852, I saw a great many of them
feeding upon a brick wall, and I saw three of them go
back to their own cells and eject their excrement; then
they closed up the entrance as neat as though it had
never been opened. In cold weather they remain in
their cocoons three or four days, and in very sharp
weather as many as nine or ten days or even more,
without food; but as soon as the weather becomes
mild they feel the change, and break through the cell
and feed as fresh as ever. I put one in the wall ina
small cavity, and puta piece of glass over it to see
how it would begin its cell, and I saw it carry several

14 JANUARY.

threads over the hole. It then bit off several bits of
moss and pushed them between the threads until it
became quite thick and I could not see it any longer,
as the caterpillar was inside the cell. The cells are
quite smooth inside. These larve are about half or
three-quarters of an inch long when they are full
grown, and are marked with blue and yellow stripes
across the body. They change to a pupa, from which
the fly makes its escape in about three weeks, in May.
The eggs of these flies are a long while before they
produce caterpillars, as the latter do not appear before
the latter end of November or the beginning of De-
cember, when the weather is damp and cold; and
although they are very small they seek for a small
cavity in which they construct themselves a nest.
They are provided each with sixteen legs; some are of
a deeper blue than others, and most of them are marked
with blue on each side, a yellow line along the back,
and a few small brown spots.”

In decayed wood the larve of Dasycera sulphurella
may be found, while the larve of Tinea parasitella
and Huplocamus Boleti feed in fungi.

In collecting the larve of the stem-feeding species,
it is not necessary to cut open every stem to see if it is
inhabited by larve; but if we suspect that they are
thus inhabited, it is best to cut one or two of them
down close to the root, and having stripped it of what-
ever leaves may be upon it, examine its surface care-
fully in order to see if there are any small round holes
in it: if there are, let us cut a length out of it, in the
centre of which we must keep the hole; then, slitting
the piece of stem lengthwise, we shall see if they are

JANUARY. 15

inhabited by larve or earwigs (Forficula auricularia) :
if by the former we have no occasion to slit any more,
but simply cut in convenient lengths those in which
the holes appear.

Having said thus much with respect to collecting
larve (as far as this month is concerned), I will now
say a few words with regard to their treatment after-
wards, in order that we may stand the best chance of
rearing them to perfection; and first as regards the
stem-feeding species.

“Larve inhabiting the stems of plants, such as
Pastinaca, Cirsium, Arctium, Jc., require no atten-
tion beyond keeping them away from heat, in order
that the pith on which they feed may not dry up.
They are best kept in tin boxes about eight inches high
by three inches in diameter, and thus packed together
they suffer no injury except in the case of thistles,
which are apt to ferment. When this happens they
require to be taken out of the tins and exposed to the
air until moderately dry, when they may be returned
to the tins until within about a month of the time of
appearance of the insects ; they ought then to be placed
in a box with a hole cut in the lid and covered with
wire or gauze.

“ Larve that feed in leaves, such as Nepticule, re-
quire the leaves to be rolled in soft paper: when the
larve are full fed they will quit the leaves and make
their cocoons either among them or upon the paper; the
latter require to be cut out (attached to portions of
either leaf or paper) and kept in small tightly corked
bottles.

16 JANUARY.

“Tn collecting the pupe of the genus Lithocolletis,
the portion of leaf containing the pupa requires to be
cut out, and the pupa (still in the mined portion of the
leaf) enclosed in a tightly corked bottle. In this man-
ner they may be kept the whole winter without drying
up, provided the bottle is kept constantly closed. (See
page 3.)

“The extremely-interesting genus Coleophora require,
in order to obtain success, open-air feeding. The plan
I adopt is the following:—TI obtain several round tin
cases, about nine inches deep by five in diameter. I
then cut out the whole circumference of the lid to
within about half an inch of its edge (see page 4),
and procuring a piece of old calico or linen place it
flat over the mouth of the tin case. Then put on the
lid, pressing it down. This necessarily draws the
calico tight, and your Coleophora breeding-cage is
then complete. When wanted for use, put about two
inches of earth in the bottom of the tin. In the centre
of this put a small tumbler, or wide-mouthed bottle,
containing the food placed in water. Put the larvee
on the top of their food; cover them (as before ex-
plained). Put the whole out into the open air, in a
cool place, out of the reach of the sun, and you will
have no reason to complain of want of success, if they
are supplied with sufficient food.

“ Larvee that feed in the roots of plants require the
foot-plant to be replanted, either in the open ground
or in Jarge garden pots, until the end of spring, when
they must be taken out of the ground, and placed,
with moist earth, in a deep breeding-cage; or if planted

JANUARY. 17

in pots, both pot and plant can be conveniently set
standing in a large breeding-cage until the perfect
insects have been bred.” *

In concluding this chapter, I have only to remind
the tyro of the importance and necessity of diligence
and perseverance. He must be Argus-eyed, ever-
watchful, and acquire a habit of observation and quick-
ness of reasoning upon any facts that may present
themselves to him (and of which he may not previously
have any knowledge), while practically pursuing the
enchanting science of Entomology.

* Natural History Review, Vol. II. Proceedings of Societies,
p- 107.

( 18 )

CHAPTER ILI.

—~—

FEBRUARY.

THE following anecdote is related of the late Sir Walter
Scott when a child: —A Mrs. Cockburn chatted with
him one day. ‘Aunt Jenny,” said he at night, “I
hke that lady.” “ What lady,” asked Aunt Jenny.
“ Why, Mrs. Cockburn; for I think she is a virtuoso
like myself.” Dear Walter,” said Aunt Jenny,
“what is a virtuoso?” “Oh, don’t you know?
Why, it is one that wishes and will know everything.”
Now, an Entomologist must, as the child expressed it,
be “a virtuoso;” he must “ wish and will know every-
thing” connected with the objects of his study. He
must not be content with a cursory acquaintance with
the imago, and a partial and imperfect knowledge of
its transformations, but he must determine to “ wish
and will know everything” respecting them, and that
in the most complete and perfect manner that can pos-
sibly be attained; and how is this to be done? Is it
to be accomplished by reading books on Entomology?
In a great measure it is; but the tyro must be cautious
--as to what books he reads,—-as to whether the infor-
mation contained in them is reliable; if it is not, they
are only “ blind guides,” the study of which will only
tend to mystify and mislead him, thus causing him to

FEBRUARY. 19

lose much valuable time, as he will not be able to place
implicit trust in them. ‘ For if the trumpet give an
uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the
battle ?”

Is it by practical instruction in the fields and woods?
Undoubtedly this is the best, most certain and easy
method of instruction for a young Entomologist; and
happy and fortunate may the tyro consider himself,
who at the commencement of his entomological cam-
paign possesses an entomological friend who will be
the companion of his rambles; but he must be one
_ who will be ready to teach you, not one who will
snub you, or laugh at every inquiry you make,—one
who will impart to the tyro the knowledge he has
himself acquired,—who will be ready and willing to
help him over his difficulties in the pursuit of that
science which they cultivate in common, and from
which they derive mutual pleasure,—one who will
smooth the path and make pleasant the way he has to
tread, opening up to him the wonders and the beauties of
the insect world,—stimulating his exertions by a cheer-
ing word of praise or commendation, and teaching him
to avoid the errors of judgment into which, unaided,
he would inevitably fall. Reader, if you should pos-
sess such a friend, cherish him; don’t let him be
weaned from you, or you from him, by idle or sple-
netic tales, insinuations or broad hints; but let him
retain your confidence, and those who have maligned
him will soon perceive that “he is not so bad after
all.”

But if he be not of this class, shun him,—shun him
as you would the ague; for be assured that if in your

20 FEBRUARY.

simplicity you give yourself up to his teaching, you
will receive as severe a shaking as if you had had a
visit from the before-mentioned denizen of the Essex
marshes.

But you may be (and I dare say you are) inclined
to ask, how am I to know the difference between the
true friend and the useless companion? Easily ; if in
one of your rambles you accidentally meet an Ento-
mologist armed cap-a-pie with beating-stick and net,
busily engaged in beating the trees or bushes, and
who, on perceiving your approach “ on entomological
thoughts intent,” sidles as soon as he possibly can
down a bye-lane, or into a grove or thicket, shunning
your approach as if you had committed some heinous
crime (don’t follow him)—he is a useless companion.

If, on going into the parlour or other apartment of
an inn to obtain refreshment, you see two or three
persons, who by their appurtenances are collectors,
busily engaged in conversation, but who on your en-
trance become suddenly “silent as the grave,”’—as
uncommunicative as scarecrows, and in a violent hurry
to depart, don’t attempt to enter into conversation with
them; for the effort will be useless; they are unpro-
fitable companions.

If, on inquiring of a collector the whereabouts of an
entomological locality, he hesitates considerably, or
tells you West Wickham Wood is near Oxford, San-
derstead is best reached by the Eastern Counties Rail,
and that ‘“ Darn” is in the vicinity of the Cambridge-
shire fens, that man is hoaxing you. Ask him upon
what plants the larva of any particular insect feeds,
and he will tell you a plant diametrically opposite.

FEBRUARY. 21

Take him a box of insects, and ask him to name them
for you, if there are any rare or uncommon insects
among them, the chances are that they will receive
the names of common ones; this being backed by
a proposition to exchange with you for them; not
that he “ particularly cares about them, but he never
takes anything but good insects, as it is as much
trouble to set a common insect as a good one,” and
he “‘ would much rather exchange for them than take
them.” Of such sophistry beware.

But if you meet a collector in your rambles that
does not shun your company, answers your scientific
questions, freely and without restraint, corrects you if
wrong in any practical matter,—does not giggle at you
if you happen to observe that Argyrolepia Aineana is
very rare, or that you have failed to rear the larve of
Ephippiphora Feneana (after having had consider-
able trouble to discover their habitat)— pompously
adding, “Ah, you may take hundreds of the larve, and
won't breed one; it isn’t every body that knows how
to manage ’em;’’ but informs you that Argyrolepia
Aineana is no longer rare, and explains to you (with-
out egotism) the causes of your failure with the ZL.
Feeneana larve; this is your entomological friend.
Give him a trial; his services will be more valuable—
his knowledge more useful to you—than the acquaint-
ance or company of fifty useless companions.

And now having gained an entomological friend,
and, we will suppose, made some progress in Ento-
mology, do not become vain of your acquirements,
make no sweeping assertions, but let a humble and

92 FEBRUARY.

teachable spirit be sedulously cultivated; and, if a
younger entomologist should require information at your
hands, do not refuse it, but recall to your mind the time
when you were “among the pots,” and were craving
for information of the same kind; and remember also,
that “he that watereth shall be watered.” |

Now with respect to entomological books, these are
of two kinds—good, and good for nothing; those
written to instruct, by men well conversant with the
subject they treat of, having acquired their knowledge
by a long course of study, not only in the library, but
practically in the woods and fields from actual ob-
servation; and those written by fireside naturalists,
whose writings smell more strongly of tea and toast than
of the morning air—meditations began and finished by
the parlour fire—while the authors “ babble of green
fields and smiling hedgerows.” These are the blind
guides ; the men who make sweeping assertions with-
out a particle of foundation for them. The following
extract, bearing directly upon the subject in hand,
will illustrate my meaning; it is from an article on
““Mosses and their Allies,” inserted in the “ Illus-
trated Magazine of Art” (vol. i. N.S. p. 183). It
may be taken in exception, that this is not a strictly
Natural History publication, but I would answer that
it is a strictly educational one, and, therefore, that accu-
racy in its statements should be a prominent and leading
feature. The author states that, ‘‘ Lovely as is this tribe
of plants (Mosses), we cannot give a good report of
them as ministering directly to the life of any part of
the animal creation. They do not furnish nectar for

FEBRUARY. 93

the moth or butterfly, nor honey for the bee, nor does
any grub or worm find its sustenance from them; and
if they are eaten by cattle, or by hares, and other
small animals, it is rather by accident than choice.”
Now here is a sweeping assertion that mosses do not
furnish sustenance to any worm or grub, “neither
does any worm or grub find its sustenance from them.”
Surely the authoress that wrote the paragraph,* from
which the author deduced the observation above
quoted, knew nothing of Entomology; if she had,
the assertion would never have been made and quoted,
and if not, it was certainly very unwise to make a
sweeping assertion on the subject.

Now, it so happens, that instead of no grub or
worm finding sustenance from mosses, many species
do, and not only species but “ genera,” as, for instance,
* Crambus,” and ““Hudorea,” while several species of
Gelechia, together with Noctue, Bombices, and Geo-
metre, find sustenance from mosses, and, still lower in
the scale of vegetable life, from lichens. The follow-
ing species and ‘ genera” of moths will show that
mosses and lichens do not play so unimportant a part
as food for the lower group of the animal creation.
The larva of—

Lithosia rubricollis feeds on moss and lichen on
trunks of trees.

* In a residence of eleven months in Melville Island, Sir Ed-
ward Parry found only six species (of insects), because lichens
and mosses do not afford nourishment for the insect tribes, though
it is probable that every other kind of plant gives food and shelter
to more than one species.—Mrs. Somerville’s Physical Geography,
Vol. ii. p. 189.

24 FEBRUARY.

Bryophila perla feeds on the silvery lichen on old
walls.

Cleora Lichenaria feeds on lichen on trunks of oaks.

All the species of the genus “ Crambus,”’ and the
genus “‘ Hudorea,” together with the following species
of Tineine—

Gelechia desertella ; Moss on the sand-hills, Che-

RS mundella shire.

e ace: Moss on old walls.
55 domestica

bs tenebrella. . Moss.

I think these species will be sufficient to show the
tyro the folly of making any such sweeping assertion
as the foregoing, as it is extremely probable that there
is no plant growing upon the earth that does not fur-
nish sustenance to some animal or other at some period
of its existence, either in its perfect or transition state.

And I would here caution the tyro against dog-
matism. A dogmatic spirit in science shows the igno-
rance and shallowness of attamments in the man who
possesses it in the most striking light; it is not because
you see a certain fact or series of facts in a certain light
that everybody else is to see them so likewise; and it
is the height of injustice and presumption for any man
to set his own ideas up as a standard, and quarrel with
those who presume to differ from them, implying,
“when I ope my mouth let no dog bark.”

And now, gentle reader, let us take a short trip
together, and for a while leave the great Babel with all
its stir and hubbub, its glitter and noise, behind us,
and speed on our way to Plumstead. If we obtain
a ticket at the Eastern Counties Railway at Shore-

FEBRUARY. 95

ditch, by any of the Woolwich trains, we shall in a
very short space of time be located at North Woolwich,
from whence we shall be ferried across the River
Thames to South Woolwich. Having arrived there
we turn to the left, and, following the bearing of the
road to the right, we continue our course until we
reach an open space; then bearing to the left, and
taking the main road, we shall, after we have pro-
ceeded some distance, see on our right a fine avenue of
pines, and a little further on a goodly wood—this is
Plumstead Wood.

Having now arrived at our destination, we prepare
to commence operations. It is a fine bracing day; the
air, though cool, is by no means unpleasant, and the
brisk wind as it flies on its course makes olian har-
mony as it whistles through the tops of the noble pines,
which bend their heads in deference; the rustling
leaves of ‘‘ Autumn’s sad decay” mingle their cadences,
while the robin’s merry song, the blackbird’s angry
chatter, as disturbed at his feast of haws or mountain-
ash berries he dashes through the underwood, together
with the monotonous and plaintive call of the bullfinch,
or the sprightly movements of the active little blue tits,
as suspended, back downwards, they are busily engaged
upon the pine cones over our heads, give life and ani-
mation to the scene.

The ground is thickly covered with underwood and
plants of various growth; whitethorn, sloe, broom and
brambles innumerable cover the ground ; the vegeta-
tion is on the move, the sap is giving evident signs of
returning spring, for on the bushes of broom we shall

Cc

26 FEBRUARY.

see, on their lower branches, the buds enveloped in
their downy covering ready to break forth, while
shaded in the hollows the brambles are putting forth
their fresh buds. I love the bramble, free, easy and
independent as he is, rambling o’er hill and dale,
through valley and lea, ever and anon catching at the
clothes of some incautious traveller, as if to court
attention, or combing large tufts of hair from off the
wandering cow’s sleek sides, wherewith the robin
lines her mossy nest in winter. When almost every-
thing amongst vegetable life is in brumal repose, the
bramble cheers us with his shining leaves; in summer
he throws out bunches of pretty rosaceous flowers,
eladdening the heart of the schoolboy as he speculates
upon how many of those tiny roses will reach fruition ;
while in the autumn the black and shining berry,
hanging in clusters among the deep green leaves, bring
back to our memories reminiscences of happy days
when, with basket on our arm and health in our cheek,
we rambled in pursuit of them.
“ Thy fruit full well the school-boy knows,
Wild bramble of the brake;

So put thou forth thy small white rose,
I love it for his sake.

‘‘ Though woodbines flaunt and roses blow
O’er all the fragrant bowers,
Thou need’st not be asham’d to show
Thy satin-threaded flowers.

“ For dull the eye, the heart is dull,
That cannot feel how fair,
Amid all beauty, beautiful,
Thy tender blossoms are.

FEBRUARY. Q7

‘** And thou, wild bramble, back dost bring,
In all thy beauteous power,
The fresh green days of life’s fond spring, .
And boyhood’s blossomy hour.

** Again, thou bidd’st me be a boy,
More fair than bird or bee,
To gad in freedom and in joy,
O’er bank and brae with thee.’’*

Having fitted our nets and procured a beating-stick,
if we have not brought one with us, we commence
operations ; and first the pines are the objects of our
scrutiny. Holding our nets under the branches with
the left hand, we proceed gently to strike the branches
with the beating-stick in our right, carefully catching
whatever falls in our nets; having well beaten one
branch we proceed to another and another, treating
them all in the same manner, until we have operated
upon all that are within our reach upon the tree. The
nets being now well covered at the bottom with what
has fallen from the tree during the beating process, we
proceed to examine its contents: having laid the net
upon the ground, and (if it be a bag net) partially
turned it inside out, or (if a clap net) spread it open,
we proceed to examine its contents; and truly there
is a goodly assortment — spiders, earwigs, beetles, gnats,
and Diptera of various kinds, together with larvae,
commence a mutual race, each anxious to secure for
himself a safe retreat, of the precise locality of which
he is at present oblivious. It is amusing, during this
helter skelter, to see an active little beetle, in his haste
to escape, running foul of a spider, whom, under other

* Elliott.

c2

28 FEBRUARY.

circumstances, he would most carefully avoid, while
the earwigs chase each other, meeting with occasional
tumbles during their rapid progress, contrasting strongly
with the slow and measured tread of the Geometre
larvee as they slowly emerge from the heap of debris
below. On examining the contents of the net we shall
find a pretty green larva (a G'eometra); this is the
larva of Thera variaria. If we turn out some of the
rubbish, carefully examining it as we proceed, we shall
most likely see some small fleshy looking flat circular
objects, with silvery looking dots upon them: if we
take one in our hand we shall find it is a Geometra
larva coiled up into this spiral form; this is caused
partly, perhaps, for the purpose of concealment, and
partly from cold; for if we hold one of them in our
hands for a short time, or put one of them in a pill-box
into our pocket, we shall, after a time, find he has un-
coiled himself and become more active, and that the
silvery spots have become brighter; this is the larvee
of the Red Bar (Hllopia fasciaria). But what are
those little brown clouded moths flitting about among
those oaks, now settling upon the leafless branches,
and now threading their way among the herbage? this
is the pretty, but common, little tortrix (Tortricodes
Hyemana). If we look closely at the bark of that
rugged oak we shall see in the crevices a dark object ;
on closer examination we see it is a moth with its
wings crossed ; this is the male of Anisopteryx -discu-
laria: while if we look lower down the trunk we may
perhaps see a dark wingless (apterous) object; this is
the female of the above “ Anisopteryx dscularia,”
and in the same situations, upon the trunks of the

FEBRUARY. 29

trees, Hibernia leucophearia and H. rupicapraria
may be found, together with their apterous females.
Let us now diversify our employment a little, and
see if we cannot find a few pup ; and first let us pay
a visit to those alders yonder, with their green mossy
trunks so invitingly placed towards us. But what are
you about ? detaching the moss from the tree! Yes,
but in what manner? you have begun where you
ought to have finished, at the bottom, thus running
the risk of losing whatever pupz may be loose in the
moss by their falling to the earth. In stripping the
trunk of a tree of its moss to search for pupe, always
begin at the upper part, and in this fashion take a
portion, say of five or six inches in width, and with
both hands, one on each side, commence tearing the
moss off gently, working downwards, and keeping the
moss in a sheet as much as possible (not tearing it off
in strips), and occasionally shaking it to see if there
are any loose pupe in it ; if there is, they will roll down
and be caught in the hollow formed by the detached
moss and the trunk of the tree. Now just give the moss
a slight shake; see, there are two or three black pups
in the hollow and several more hanging by the anal
segment to the moss; these are the pupe of Ypsipetes
impluviaria : but what is that small protuberance on the
trunk, that appears as if it were made of dark whitey-
brown paper, with a few pieces of moss attached to it;
this is the cocoon of Odontopera bidentaria. You will
probably find the same kind of cocoon upon the trunks
of the pines, while under the moss that clothes the
spreading roots of the beech the brown pupe of Poly-
pogon grisealis will be found, and among the moss

30 FEBRUARY.

upon the stumps of the neighbouring felled trees, near
the moist rotting wood, the pupe of Hupithecia aus-
teraria may be obtained; while from under the loose
bark of the sycamore a goodly number of the pupz of
Stigmonota Trauniana may be brought to light.

Among the brambles, mining in the leaves, the
larva of Nepticula Aurella will be seen, while among
the grass, in rolled-up leaves, the larva of Gel. rufescens
occurs.

If we examine the rotting or decayed wood of felled
trees, we may perhaps find the “ pale greenish black-
spotted larva of Gelechia luculella—the discovery of
this was attended with melancholy results, for it was
whilst seeking for this larva that the late Mr. Wing
contracted a cold, which suddenly brought the disease
(diabetes), which must long have been lurking in his
system, to a crisis.”’

On mossy walls the larva of Gelechia affinis, toge-
ther with that of Gel. domestica, may still be found.

If we examine the stems of Arundo phragmites
growing in that wet ditch, we shall find them inha-
bited by the larve of Chilo phragmitellus, and, by their
side, in the stems of Poa aquatica, the larvee of Chilo
forficellus will be found, while on the heads of the
neighbouring rushes you will see the case-bearing larve
of Coleophora cespititiella, and under the moss, upon
the ground, the larve of Crambus hortuellus will be
found in their silken galleries.

Under the moss on walls in the north of England
we shall find the larve of Hudorea murana; while
that pest of the bee-keeper, the larve of Achroea
grisella, will be found, much too abundantly, in bee
hives, feeding upon the wax.

FEBRUARY. 31

If we examine the fallen leaves of oak, beech and
hornbeam, we shall find in oak leaves the pupe of
the following Lithocolletides—Roboris, hortella, Amy-
otella, lautella, quercifoliella, Heygeeriella and Cra-
merella; in the leaves of beech, the pupa of L. fagi-
nella; in hornbeam leaves, on the upper side, the pupa
of ZL. carpinicolella, and on the under side that of
L. tenella, while in the leaves of the evergreen oaks
the young larve of Z. Messaniella will be found.

On old palings and licheny trunks of trees the larvee
of Solenobia inconspicuella may be found crawling
about if the day be fine; while in the fungi on the
trunks of the trees the larvee of Tinea parasitella and
_ Euplocamus Boleti may be found; below the seeds
of the carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris), the larva of
Parasia Oarlinella reposes in fancied security, while
in the seeds of the neighbouring burdocks (Arectiwm
lappa) the larva of Purasia Lappella lies entrenched
within the hooked enclosure.

In cases, under the leaves of the wild strawberry
(Fragaria vesca), the larve of the pretty Lampronia
prelatella may perhaps be found; while in sheltered
places, under the leaves of the ground-ivy (Glechoma
hederacea), we may most likely meet with the larve
of Coleophora albitarsella in their black cases.

Among the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perfora-
tum), upon the sandy hedge-bank, we shall find the
“ cigar’ manufactory of Messrs. Gracilaria auro-
guttella in full work; while if we search the rotten
wood in the hedge-row we shall eliminate many of the
larve of Dasycera sulphurella from their moist abode.

Among seeds we shall find the larve of Gcophora

32 FEBRUARY.

pseudospretella and Endrosis fenestrella, while in
grains of barley the larva of Gelechia cerealella revels
in plenty, troubled by no fears of impending scarcity.

Having now noticed the most prominent or most
necessary species for this month, the majority of which
are identical with those mentioned in the chapter on
January, I would now only remind the tyro of the
necessity of application, of not allowing jealousies or
heart-burnings to spring up between himself and other
“brethren of the net and pin,” to raise a storm upon
the otherwise calm sea of Entomology ; but to walk
humbly and teachably—ever willing to teach according
to his ability, and to receive instruction himself—that
instruction of which we all stand so much in need—
the knowledge of the transformations of the various
and beautiful members of the insect world, of those
beautiful atoms of God’s creation, each in its appointed
sphere fulfilling the purpose for which it was created,
drawing forth our wonder, our admiration, and our
praise; for “he who wondereth at nothing hath no
capabilities of bliss, but he that scrutinizeth trifles hath
a store of pleasure to his hand, and happy and wise
is the man to whose mind a trifle existeth not.”

CHAPTER III.

MARCH.

WE are now entering upon our Entomological cam-
paign in good earnest; sharp, biting January has
passed, and “ February fill dyke” no longer throws
his snowy mantle over the earth, burying the face
of nature under a garment of dazzling whiteness—but
still, although we have entered upon a spring month,
we are reminded by unmistakeable signs that it is the
first of them, for stern old winter still does battle
bravely for the ascendancy— disputing with blue-eyed
spring the dominion of this hemisphere — resolutely
refusing to retire to his icy northern caves without a
struggle. No sooner does spring with mild and genial
hand “ unlock the icy fetters of the brook’’—cause the
sap to rise, and entice the pale primrose to unfold its
buds-—-than ‘ whew” with the force of an avalanche,
and the malice of a fury, the icy tyrant sends forth
from his gelid caves the furious northern blast, wither-
ing all beneath its paralyzing touch—and so the battle
rages, spring meekly retiring before the onslaught of
her merciless opponent, until, worn out with useless
bluster, and the gentle, but effectual, power of his
meek-eyed rival, the northern bully retires to his icy
caves and spring resumes her sway.
cé

34 MARCH.

And now, with returning spring, the country begins
to wear a smiling face, the young and tender buds of
the hawthorn, if the weather is mild, begin to show
themselves, ornamenting the young wood with little
ereen spots; the birch, too, puts forth her shiny buds,
in which the larve of Argyresthia Gedartella and
Argyresthia Brocheella live at ease, making a dainty
meal upon the yet unexpanded leaves, as well as under
its shiny bark—while in open places in the woods,
at the root of the forest monarch, the pretty little
“ wind-flower” (Anemone nemorosa) opens its delicate
white flowers to the yet feeble beams of the sun, closing
them immediately if but a cloud obscures his bright-
ness, while on the hedge-bank, sheltered by the over-
hanging whitethorn, the modest violet ‘ ope’s her pale
blue e’e,” and lower down, in the moist places on the
ditch side, nestled amid tufts of rushes and rank grass,
the primrose, “ sweet harbinger of spring,’”’ puts forth
her attractive and beautiful yellow blossoms.

“ Welcome, pale primrose starting up between
Dead matted leaves of ash and oak, that strew
The every lawn, the wood, and shining through,
’Mid creeping moss and ivy’s darker green ;

How much thy presence beautifies the ground!
How sweet thy modest, unaffected pride,
Glows on the sunny bank and wood’s warm side.”

The insect world now begins to feel the effect of the
returning spring; for many of those that hybernate
during the winter season now begin to move, and may
be seen flitting heavily along the hedges at dusk, or
busily engaged upon that “bonne bouche” the sallow
blossoms; or, if the Entomologist has been sugaring,

MARCH. 35

he need not be surprised to find, instead of an early
Noctua, a wasted specimen of Depressaria Arenella,
ocellana or applana, enjoying the sweets of life with
evident satisfaction.

And this leads me to speak of sugaring, and the
processes employed to bring within our reach those noc-
turnal wanderers, which, being but seldom seen in the
daytime asleep on palings or trunks of trees, but be-
taking themselves to the thick underwood, from which
they cannot be beaten out, or crawling into tufts of
thick grass or herbage at the roots of bushes, or at the
stems of trees, and in the herbage of hedge-banks, defy
the keenest entomological eye to detect their where-
- abouts.

And, first, as to sugaring:: it is perfectly evident that
moths have peculiar predilections, and that they are
guided in their taste by some law from which they do
not deviate. I have heard it stated by old collectors
that “‘ it is no use sugaring while the apple trees are in
blossom, for they are so surfeited by feeding at them
that they will not come to sugar.” Now if this be the
case, which it certainly is, there must be some cause
for the occurrence ; for if there were not, we should not
see the effect. Now I believe that nearly all the trees
or blossoms which prove so attractive to moths during
the spring months are almond-scented ; thus, for in-
stance, tle apple and pear, and the flowers of the
syringa or lilac, the latter especially, smell pretty
strongly of almonds, while it is well known that the
moths will feed upon the berries of the yew, and the
flowers of the ivy and sallow, until they become quite
intoxicated as it were, and will suffer themselves to be

36 MARCH.

transferred to pill-boxes without the least resistance ;
but this does not happen at sugar, unless the insect has
imbibed a considerable quantity of it, as I have seen
them fly off it repeatedly before I could capture them,
or as soon as they “smelt”? danger drop headlong
to the ground in the semblance of death.

Now cannot we rival the establishment of Messrs.
Pomona & Co., and present the various members of
the Phalena world with an article that will suit their
taste as well as that supplied by the before-mentioned
establishment: I think so, and would recommend the
following “ sugar’’—

Ale. . . . . . Half-a-pint (nearly).

Common Honey. 3 lb.

HOTS setts Rieu! wu bee, «meee

Rum Half a wine-glassful.

Fesential ail of Bitter dra lea)

Almonds . . .§ P

To mix this “sugar” make the ale quite hot, nearly
boiling, then dissolve in it the honey and sugar; add
the essential oil of bitter almonds to the rum, and mix
with the honey, sugar and ale, when quite cold: this
must be applied in neal streaks, with a brush, length-
ways upon the trunks of trees, upon their shady side,
or upon stones, posts, felled timber, &c., a short time
before dusk ; and when the swifts or “ ghost’? moths
(“ Hepialide’’) begin to fly, you may be sure that
those insects that will visit your sugar are preparing to
start from their hiding-places—the tyro must then visit
with a lantern his trees, or the other places he has
sugared, in succession, and he will find the moths
sitting on the sugar busily engaged in appropriating it

MARCH. 37

to their own personal use; they will continue to come
for several hours after sunset. Windy or damp
evenings, with little moonlight, are the best nights to
sugar, as then moths fly low.

Numbers of moths that will not come to sugar are
attracted by light; one or two candles or a bull’s-eye
lantern, placed at an open window, will draw them
within its influence, when, upon entering the room at
the open window, they will immediately mount to the
ceiling, where they may easily be captured with a net.

Smoke is also a most excellent method of obtaining
insects: by saturating a weedy bank or thick bush with
the smoke of tobacco, rags, or brown paper, the in-
sects concealed therein will come creeping out in a
semi-sluggish state, and may then be easily captured in
pill-boxes. The best way to apply smoke is with the
“patent fumigating bellows” (which may be obtained
of most ironmongers, or at the principal seed shops).
Having put into the chamber of the bellows your
tobacco, rags or brown paper, and lit them, close the
chamber, and, upon turning the handle upon the top of
the bellows, a blast will be produced which will drive
out the smoke at the nosle amongst the herbage with
considerable force; the instrument is very compact,
and may be carried in a moderate-sized pocket. Gele-
chia pictella and Peronea permutana have been ob-
tained by this method on Barnes Common.

Having now enumerated the methods employed to
capture such insects as elude our pursuit by the or-
dinary methods, we will take a stroll together, and
the locality to which I purpose taking you is Sander-
stead and its neighbourhood.

38 MARCH.

Having procured our tickets at the station of the
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway for
Croydon, we shall, after a short ride, find ourselves
located in that town; if we turn to the left (on leaving
the railway station) and continue our route straight
through the town and along the main road for about a
mile or a mile and a half, we shall see on our left a steep
ascent rising from the road to a considerable height and
thickly wooded. Although the trees are mostly of a
young growth, there is a considerable quantity of under-
wood, and in the farther corner a good sized heath
field; on the right of the main road, opposite the
wooded acclivity, there is a gate at the end of a path
leading to a farm-house: by pursuing this path you
will arrive at Sanderstead Downs; the wooded accli-
vity is “‘Coomb Hurst.” The other locality in this
neighbourhood is the “ Old Tram-road” leading to
Sanderstead.

Having arrived at our destination, let us commence
operations ; and, first, we will examine the trunks of
those elms. Ah! what is this large-sized pale-brown
insect, with fine wavy fascia-formed lines across the
wings? that is the male of Phigalia pilosaria, and if
we search the trunks carefully, we shall probably find,
near the place we found the male, the apterous female
of the same insect; the female of this insect is con-
spicuous from its large size. If we continue our search
we shall find in like situations Hibernia leucophearia,
and H. rupicapraria, and Nyssia hispidaria, together
with the not uncommon Ceropacha flavicornis.

But let us have a look at the pines: hold your net
under the branches and beat them carefully. Stay,

MARCH. 39

what is that that has fallen as if dead into your net?
What a beautiful creature! Thisis Z'’rachea piniperda ;
its favourite resting-place is the trunks of the pines,
but it sometimes (especially if the weather is sharp)
nestles in the branches; while close to the ground, on
the trunks of the trees, the pretty Hriogaster lanestris
may be found; and in the hedges at Sanderstead, near
the Railway Arches, the handsome and scarce Lobo-
phora polycommaria may be obtained by beating.

If we visit the sallow blossoms in the evening with
a lantern, we shall find them frequented by T'enio-
campa rubricosa, miniosa and cruda, accompanied, by
the resuscitated Depressarie arenella, ocellana and
applana.

On the trunks of trees, palings, &c., we shall find,
pressed almost flat to their surface, Chimabacche
Fagella, together with his short-winged female, while
by beating the oaks the pretty little Heusimene fim-
briana may be obtained, and if the day be bright we
shall see the males of Dasystoma Salicella flying in
the sunshine; those insects, the larve of which have
fed upon birch or oak, have a much more rosy ap-
pearance than those whose larve have fed upon sallow,
the latter being much blacker; their semi-apterous
females may be found upon the trunks of the trees.

In houses we shall find that pest of the housewife,
Tinea pellionella, the larva of which commits such
ravages among her stores of woollens and furs, to-
gether with the pretty white-shouldered Hndrosis fe-
nestrella, which from its conspicuous appearance and
locality has been branded as the real depredator.

“ Thus justice, while she works at crimes,
Stumbles on innocence sometimes.”’

40 MARCH.

On moors in the north of England, Butalis incon-
gruella may be found ; and among the short grass on
Arthur’s Seat (near Edinburgh) Hlachista consortella
occurs, while on palings in the neighbourhood ot
brambles, we shall find the large and handsome Nep-
ticula aurella, and among wild roses at ‘ Darn”
Spilonota pauperana occurs, and, on trunks of trees
and palings among birches, Semioscopis Avellanella
may be found.

On the pines the larvee of Thera variaria and
Ellopia fasciaria may be found; and in the spruce
fir cones the larva of Coccyx Strobilana is still feed-
ing; these may be obtained in plenty at “ Purley,”
where they were first discovered.

On the licheny trunks of the trees and on old
palings, the larvee of Solenobia inconspicuella may be
found ; while under the moss on decaying trees we shall
find the pup of Lithosia rubricollis in plenty.

In the fungi on old trees we shall find the larve of
EHuplocamus Boleti and Tinea parasitella; while in
cases among the dead leaves of the birch and oak, we
find the pupee of Incurvaria muscalella and T’. pec-
tinea, together with the larve of IJncurvaria Oehl-
manniella ; under the leaves of the wild strawberry
(Fragaria vesca), we shall still find the larva of
Lampronia prelatella in its curious case; while in the
open places among the trees, among the pretty little
“wind flower’ (Anemone nemorosa), thé larva of
Adela Degeerella occurs.

Now let us search the broom (Spartium scoparium),
just beginning to show the power of the returning
spring by putting forth its dark green leaves and

MARCH. 41

downy buds; on this we shall find the larva of De-
pressaria assimilella. Stay! don’t beat the plants; if
you do, you will most likely lose more larve than you
capture, but search them thus :—Take a handful of
the twigs of the broom in your left hand, and taking a
spray in the right, examine it between the twigs; you
will then perhaps see two of them drawn almost close to-
gether and a white web spun between them; in this web
you will find a brown larva with a black head—this is
the larva of Depressaria assimilella, but its presence is
not always betrayed by a web, as it often draws two
twigs together, feeding between so that the web is not
visible, but then the joined stems have a brown ap-
pearance where the larva is. In collecting these larvae
do not take them out of their web, but cut the joined
twigs out in sufficient lengths with the larve undis-
turbed. I have found this larva in the south of Ireland
as early as February. If we examine the broom twigs,
towards their points we shall observe a brown streak
running round them towards the top; this is caused by
the larva of Cemiostoma spartifoliella mining and
feeding beneath the bark, while the larva of Depres-
saria assimilella feeds on the bark.

In the rolled-up leaves of grass upon the hedge-
bank, the larva of Gelechia rufescens will be found,
while in the young shoots of the greater stichwort
(Stellaria holostea) the pretty pink-striped larva of
Gelechia tricolorella will be found, devouring the
young budding leaves, moving from shoot to shoot as
he exhausts his supply of food, and in cases on the
heads of the wild marjorum (Origanum vulgare), the
case-making larva of Gelechia subocellea may be

42 MARCH.

found; and on the under side of the leaves of the
ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) we shall find the
larva of Coleophora albitarsella in its black case,
making white blotches in the leaves; while on the
Hypericum perforatum the “cigars” of Gracilaria
auroguttella may still be obtained.

In the decayed wood lying in that moist place we
shall find the larva of Dasycera Sulphurella, and
probably the larva of the rarer Gicophora unitella may ~
reward our search.

Among seeds we may find the larvee of Gcophora
pseudospretella and Hndrosis fenestrella, while in
erains of barley the larva of Gelechia cerealella lies
concealed, devouring the fecula: this larva is most
destructive in granaries. ‘In France, this ‘Tinea’ has
proved very destructive to corn—wheat, barley and
rye being indiscriminately attacked by it. Duponchel,
quoting from the Memoirs of Reaumur, Duhamel,
Dumonceau and Tillet, on its natural history, informs
us that the female lays her eggs on the grains of these
three kinds of corn before they are ripe; six or seven
days afterwards, the caterpillars appear, being hardly
as thick as a hair, and each one attacks a grain, intro-
ducing itself into it by a hole so small, that it is not
visible to the naked eye. Here it lives, taking care
not to break the husk of the grain, so that the affected
seeds cannot be distinguished from the sound, except
by putting them into water, when the former swim and
the latter sink. When arrived at perfection, the cater-
pillar, still within the grain that has afforded it food,
spins a cocoon of white silk, having first taken the pre-
caution to gnaw one of the ends in such a manner as to

MARCH. 43

form a kind of operculum, which readily yields to the
efforts of the moth to escape from its prison. This
escape usually takes place after the corn is thrashed
and laid up in granaries, but specimens sometimes
appear before this is accomplished.

“‘ Several methods for preventing or diminishing the
ravages of this ‘ Tinea’ have been suggested, the prin-
cipal being exposure in machines to heat or carbonic
gas. In the former it was found that corn would ger-
minate after exposure to a temperature of 70 degrees,
Reaumur, and that a higher temperature, 76 to 96 de-
grees, for a short period, was less effectual in accom-
plishing the destruction of the larve than a lower one,
45 to 50 degrees, continued for a longer time. In the
other method, the corn has been found not to be dete-
riorated for making bread, nor to have lost the power
of germinating.

“‘ T am not aware that this insect, which appears to be
a great pest in granaries in France, has been observed
in similar places in this country, though, from the igno-
rance of insects generally among those most immedi-
ately affected by their ravages, it may exist in plenty
without having been distinguished from other moths
whose larvee feed on grain. My own is the only
British specimen I have seen.” (Mr. J. W. Douglas
on the British Species of the Genus Gelechia of Zeller,
Transactions, Entomological Society, vol. 1, N. S.,
p72)

Since the above was written by that indefatigable
entomologist, J. W. Douglas, Esq., the insect has been
bred in plenty by Mr. J. Scott, of Renfrew.

If we examine the seeds of the burdock (Arctium

44 MARCH.

Lappa) we shall find the larva of Parasia Lappella
snugly ensconced within, while in the stems of the
same plant the larva of Argyrolepia badiana is still
feeding upon the pith, and in the stems of the wild
parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) the white larva of Cochy-
lis dilucidana may still be found.

On the leaves of the black fetid horehound (Bal-
lota nigra), and those of the hedge woundwort
(Stachys sylvatica), the larva of Coleophora lineolea
may be found, and on the heads of the neighbouring
rushes the larva of Coleophora cespititiella is still
feeding, while mining in long dark lines in the leaves
of Bromus asper or Brachypodium sylvaticum, grow-
ing by the ditch side, the larva of Hlachista Meger-
lella occurs, four or five larve sometimes mining in
one leaf.

On the old tram-road, in the holes once occupied by
the sleepers, but now filled with vegetation, the larva
of Lithocolletis Scabiosella occurs, mining in the
leaves of Scabiosa columbaria; while mining in the
leaves of the common Sun cistus (Helianthemum
vulgare) the larve of Laverna Staintonit may be
found ; and in the leaves of the brambles the larvee of
Nepticula aurella may be noticed, forming their ser-
pentine tracks.

In the young shoots of honeysuckle or Cherophyl-
lum, and between united ivy leaves, we shall find the
larvee of Tortria adjunctana, while on the under side
of the leaves of the ground ivy (Gt'lechoma hederacea)
we shall find enclosed in a slight web the white larve
of Scopula olivalis.

Let us now search the grass growing upon that

MARCH. 45

hedge bank, and let us do it carefully: take up by the
roots a tuft of that soft, velvety-looking grass at
your feet; if you hold it between your eye and the
light, you will perceive them mined in broad streaks of
a whitish colour, in which there is very little excre-
ment; this is the mine of Hlachista rufocinerea, the
larve of which you will perceive at the end of the
mine; the grass is Holcus mollis, a grass of bad qua-
lity, although of good appearance, disliked by cattle,
and indicative of bad pastures.

If we examine the leaves of Dactylis glomerata we
shall find that many of them are mined from the points
downwards ; but instead of the leaf remaining flat, it is
slightly rounded, owing to the epidermis on the front
of the leaf being puckered or laid in folds similar to the
mine of a Lithocolletis; this is the work of the larva
of EHlachista gangabella; it occurs near Beckenham,
and sometimes feeds on Holcus mollis; it moves readily
from leaf to leaf.

If we search the leaves of Carex glauca growing in
the shelter of bushes, we shall probably find the beau-
tiful red-spotted larvae of Hlachista cinereopunctella
mining downwards from the tips of the leaves, in which
they have apparently wintered; it occurs prolifically
among the junipers on Sanderstead Downs: the pupe
are situated at the base of the leaves, in which situa-
tion they may be readily collected.

In the stems of the reeds (Arundo phragmites) grow-
ing in yon wet ditch, the larvee of Chilo phragmitellus
occur; while in the stems of the reed meadow-grass
growing by their side the larve of Chilo forficellus
will be found; in the damp moss by the ditch side we

46 MARCH.

shall find the larve of Crambus hortuellus, culmellus
and tristellus; while in the moss growing upon the
thatch of the neighbouring barn the larve of Cram-
bus falsellus may be found ; and in the bogey places, in
the seeds of the flea bane (Inula dysenterica) the larvee
of Gelechia bifractella and Gel. inopella occur; while
in the fallen leaves of oak and hornbeam the pupe of
the Lithocolletides may be obtained, as enumerated
Jast month.

On palings near Convolvolus sepium we shall find
Pterophorus pterodactytus ; while in houses, playing
upon the windows, and flying along hedges among
honeysuckle, we shall find the pretty and delicate
Alucitina polydactyla.

And now, if the tyro has neglected to do anything
that ought to have been done at the commencement
of the year, he must delay it no longer: if he has
neglected to provide breeding-cages and air-tight bot-
tles or jars for his pup or larve ; strips of smooth flat
cork for his setting-boards ; pins of various sizes for his
insects (these may be obtained of Edelsten and Wil-
liams, Crown Court, Cheapside, London; they are
sold in half-ounce boxes, and entomologists in the
country can have them forwarded by post: the proper
sizes to order are—

No. 6, for Sphinges and Bombices ;

No. 8, for Noctue ;

No. 8 and No. 10, for Geometre ;

Nos. 19 and 20, for Micro-Lepidoptera ;)
small boxes, either of wood or tin, corked at bottom
and top, and covered, in the case of the wooden ones,
with smooth paper, for carrying in the pocket on an

MARCH. 47

entomological excursion, to place such insects in as are
sufficiently large to pin when captured: the cork in
the tin ones should not be papered, as they are very
useful for keeping such insects as may be placed in
them in a relaxed state. It often happens that a col-
lector, during the busy summer season, captures a
number of Geometre, Pyrales, large Tortrices, &c.,
which are duly pinned and placed by the collector in
his pocket collecting-box; the majority of them soon
become defunct: this often happens upon a hot July
day, when the heat of the weather and the warmth of
the pocket combined soon renders the dead specimens
too rigid for the collector to set out, on his return from
his entomological excursion: this inconvenience is obvi-
ated by the tin pocket collecting-box. Provide one or
more light tin boxes, hinged, and made to shut to-
gether in the same manner as the wooden ones, but as
tight as possible; cork the bottom and top with smooth
cork, affixed with marine glue or patent liquid glue
(the latter is made by dissolving shellac in spirit of
wine until it becomes of the consistence of cream), as
these resist the action of water, and the box is com-
plete.

When about to use it, fill it with water from some
spring or brook, close the lid, and give it a few turns
over, until you think the cork is sufficiently damp;
then turn the water out, and if there is any supera-
bundant moisture, remove it with your pocket hand-
kerchief, but do not dry it, and it is ready for use.
Insects placed in this box will after death be kept in a
relaxed state for a considerable time, and a good deal

48 MARCH.

of trouble will thus be saved to the collector, as well
as time.

And I would now say a word to the tyro at the
commencement of the season to avoid carelessness and
inattention: it is lost labour, as far as entomology is
concerned, to go out into the woods and fields, collect
a number of larvee, bring them home, put them, with
their food, into his breeding-cages, and leave them to
chance. This will not do: they must be supplied with
fresh food often as the other gets stale; it must never
be allowed to get mouldy; if it does, the larve soon
become sickly, and eventually die. The food should
never be put into air-tight jars, damp with rain, as this
will infallibly cause it to mould, and the mined parts
of the leaves in which the pupe of the Lithocolletides
are contained, if cut out of dead leaves collected on the
ground, should be exposed to the air for a day or two,
or laid open on a plate in a warm room for a few
hours before being finally placed in the breeding-
glasses.

( 49 )

CHAPTER IV.

—)—

APRIL.

APRIL ! coquettish A pril !—season of smiles and tears—
has come, borne on the wings of balmy spring, to woo
nature from her repose, to deck her in her attire of
freshest green, and present her fair and faultless to her
thankful worshippers ; now drenching her with tears
of balmy sweetness, and anon wooing her with sunny
smiles—coaxing the young bud with mild and _per-
suasive eloquence to quit the shelter of its downy sheath,
and show its new-fledged beauties to the world —open-
ing the tiny blossom of the sloe ere yet a leaf appears
upon its spiny limbs—decking the noble apple trees
with a garment of frosted silver—while the blushing
blossoms of the almond smile a welcome as they wave
gracefully in the breeze, and from every copse and
shady grove a thousand feathered choristers pour forth
their hymns of praise, all nature joining in the great
ovation.
‘* T love thee, Nature, as a child
Loves the dear mother that beguil’d

Its many tedious hours of pain,
And soothed it into health again:

‘** T’]] never, Nature, bid farewell
To thee: thou in my brain shalt dwell
Till mind shall have outgrown its clay,
And left its garment to decay.’’—J. W. D,

D

50 APRIL.

How like our life isan April day ; changeable, fickle
and uncertain, composed of hopes and fears, joys and
sorrows, clouds and sunshine, smiles and tears : grieving
over some sorrow, bowed down by some calamity, we
are, perhaps, tempted to repine—but when the mis-
fortune presses hardest upon us, and the grief is nearest
to our hearts, when all around seems dark and hope-
less, the cloud rolls away—sunshine beams upon our
path—and the smile is upon our lip, while the tear dims
our eye; ‘nil desperandum,” never despair—have
faith—faith in yourself—faith in your friends:

* Have faith in one another,
For should doubt alone incline,
It would make this world a desert,
Where the sun would never shine.
We have all some transient sorrow
That o’ercloudeth us to-day ;

But have faith in one another,
And it soon shall pass away.

‘¢ Have faith in one another,
And let honour be your guide;
Let the truth alone be spoken,
Whatever may betide.
Though the false may reign a season,
And oh! doubt not but it will—
Have faith in one another,
And the truth shall triumph still.”
T. E. CARPENTER.

Humility and industry must be the allies of genius—
industry, steady unflinching industry—not that kind
of fuming industry that tries to crowd the work of a
year into the space of an hour, attempting, like Pros-
pero’s Ariel, to place a girdle round the earth in forty

APRIL. 51

minutes, and, finding the effort useless, sinks into
inanity, but a steady, persevering industry, having an
object in view, and trying by all means to attain it.
Now, I suppose that many of my readers are working
men, who have taken up the study of Entomology as
a relaxation after the severer toils of life—but shall it
be a relaxation only—a mere toy? Is not the study
of the works of nature—the tangible evidences of a
good and great Creator—deserving of a higher posi-
tion than that of a mere toy? I think so; and in order
to study them aright we must bring our heart to the
work, determining that whatever we accomplish we
may accomplish well; and in order to do this we must
do all things in their appointed time, not leaving that
till to-morrow that ought to be done to-day, or doing
that in the night to which the hours of the day ought
to be legitimately devoted; thus neglecting our busi-
ness, on the successful prosecution of which our worldly
comfort hangs. I will relate an anecdote in point.
Samuel Drew, M.A., was born of poor parents, in
the parish of St. Austell, Cornwall, March 3rd, 1765,
and at the age of ten years was apprenticed to a shoe-
maker at St. Blazey. The following trifling circum-
stance laid the foundation of his future greatness. He
says: “When I began business I was a great poli-
tician. My master’s shop had been a chosen place for
political discussion, and there, I suppose, I acquired
my fondness for such debates. For the first year I
had too much to do, and to think about, to indulge
my propensity for politics, but after getting a little
a-head in the world I began to dip into those matters
again; very soon I entered into newspaper arguments
D2

52 APRIL.

as deeply as if my livelihood depended upon it. My
shop was often filled with loungers who came to con-
verse upon public measures, and now and then I went
into my neighbour’s houses upon a similar errand.
This encroached on my time, and I found it necessary
sometimes to work until midnight to make up for the |
hours I had lost.

“One night, after my shutters were closed, and I
was busily employed, some little urchin, who was
passing the street, put his mouth to the keyhole of the
door, and with a shrill pipe cried out, ‘Shoemaker !
Shoemaker! work by night and run about by day!’
Had a pistol been fired off at my ear I could not have
been more dismayed or confounded ; I dropped .my
work, saying to myself, ‘True, true! but you shall
never have that to say of me again!’ I have never
forgotten it; and, while I recollect anything I never
shall. To mie it was the voice of God, and it has been
a word in season throughout my life. I learned from
it not to leave till to-morrow the work of to-day, or to
idle when I ought to be working. From that time I
turned over a new leaf.

“Thanks, a thousand times thanks, for that piece of
midnight mischief !”’

Now the working man in his prosecution of the
science of Entomology need not, ought not, to neglect
his business for it, but if he takes up its study he ought
to prosecute it vigorously (not by fits and starts), de-
termining to know all he can respecting the objects of
his study, and not rest satisfied with being a mere
collector of species, but aim at becoming a naturalist,
not in name only but in deed; and this is quite within

APRIL. 53

the compass of a working man’s powers, if he be only
of an energetic spirit. Take, for instance, the case of
Ralph Finley, the shoemaker Entomologist, who died
in 1789. Lackington mentions him as “ one who had
not dignity of birth or elevated rank in life to boast of,
- but who possessed what is far superior to either —a solid
understanding, amiable manners, a due sense of re-
ligion, and an industrious disposition. Amongst other
acquisitions Entomology was his peculiar delight ; his
valuable cabinet of insects, both foreign and domestic,
all scientifically arranged with peculiar neatness and in
the finest preservation, is supposed to be the finest
private collection in the kingdom, and will remain a
monument of his application and knowledge.” “ Go
thou and do likewise.”

‘ Lives of great men all remind us,
We may make our lives sublime;
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time —
Footprints, which, perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main—
Some forlorn and shipwreck’d brother—
Seeing, may take heart again.”

And now, on this balmy April morn, let us bid
adieu for a while to that huge mass of brick and
mortar, London--beautiful as a city, though it be, like
ancient Rome, “ Mistress of the Nations’—and betake
ourselves to the open country, more beautiful still as it
glows in the sunlight, clothed in verdure of richest
green ;—and whither shall we bend our steps—where
but to the famous “ Black Fence” on Dartford Heath,

54 APRIL.

celebrated for “ Pictaria,’ and from thence we will
extend our journey to Birch Wood.

Having obtained our tickets for the Dartford Station
of the North Kent Railway, and ensconced ourselves in
our seats, we shall in due time arrive there, when, if
we direct our course across the Heath, leaving “* Darn”
on our left, we shall soon arrive at our destination—the
Black Fence surrounding Baldwyns, the estate of Mrs.
Mennett: and truly it is justly celebrated; for if a smart
gale from the south-west blows, the fence is literally
swarming with insects which, as Mr. Stainton observes,
the collector has nothing to do but box—he hardly
needs to look for them. I have been on Dartford
Heath at three o’clock in the morning in the month
of June, when a brisk south-wester has been blowing,
and have seen the moths making direct for the fence,
which many of them never reached, being intercepted
by the net. Dartford Heath is a flat, sandy, elevated
plain covered with heath (rica cinerea), and has a
very wild and comfortless appearance. A tyro, un-
acquainted with the peculiarities of the place, would at
once pronounce judgment against it (if he were prone
to jump at conclusions); but he must not judge by ap-
pearances in respect to Entomological localities ; if he
does, he will often be deceived, the most out of the way
and uninviting situations often producing the greatest
harvest to the collector, and such a one is “ Dartford
Heath.”

Now let us commence our examination of this pe-
culiar locality ; and first we will commence with the
fence: on looking at it carefully we shall find the larvee
of Taleporia pseudo-bombycella and Xysmatodoma

APRIL. 50

melanella wandering about in their cases, while among
the dead leaves accumulated in the hollow at the
bottom of the palings we shall find the pupe of Jn-
curvaria muscalella; and in the stems of the rough
cock’s-foot grass (Dactylis glomerata), mining down
towards the root, we may find the white wiry larve
of Ochsenheimeria Birdella.

On the fungi on the palings the pupe of Tinea pa-
rasitella will be found; while in the shoots of the ash
the larva of Prays Curtisellus occurs, feeding on the
unexpanded leaves: on the palings we shall find the
curious semi-transparent Solenobia inconspicuella, and
by looking very closely we may perhaps detect the
curious vermiform females of the same species. This
is one of the few species of Lepidoptera in which alter-
nation of generation occurs, unimpregnated females
laying fertile eggs. But what is that pale grey insect
on the palings among the fir trees? that is Ocne-
rostoma piniariella ; while on the larches over our
heads we shall find the larve of Coleophora Laricella,
and on the palings we shall see, among the birches,
Semioscopis Avellanella, and in the neighbourhood of
the sloe, Semioscopis Steinkelneriana occurs. But
oh! whatever is this dingy black, plain-looking in-
sect? ‘QO fortunate puer!” you are a lucky man;
that is the very rare and puzzling Aleucis pictaria,
oceurring only on this fence in April, and been once
taken at Colchester, where several came to light in a
room. Having been so lucky as to find pictaria,
you might rest satisfied, but continue your search and
it may be rewarded with Zelleria insignipennella,

56 APRIL.

And now having got to the end of the paling, let us
make a short excursion to Birch Wood. Birch Wood
lies on the direct Maidstone Road, near the ‘ Bull”
Inn, and will be easily found from Dartford Heath ;
Dartford Heath lying in the centre between Birch
and Darenth (“ Darn”) Woods, the latter lying to
the left.

It is a magnificent wood, full of fine old noble
trees, and having a thickness and diversity of under- ,
wood truly surprising, while the herbaceous plants
cover every foot of open ground, and, sheltered among
the underwood, afford a fine cover and food for num-
berless insects. '

And now we will put the sweeping net into requisi-
tion; and first we will operate upon those birches.
Take the net by its handle in your right hand, and
gently but briskly sweep it over their twigs; having
operated thus upon several trees, we will examine the
contents of the net, and laying it down upon the
ground, we commence carefully to turn it partially in-
side out, bringing a portion of the rubbish at the
bottom to the side: now gently blow it in order to get
rid of the dust and dead leaves as much as _ possible.
See! what is that pretty little purple insect so thickly
sprinkled with golden spots? That is the beautiful
little Micropteryx Sparmannella, while by its side,
trying to make its escape from the debris, is the pretty
little Micropteryx unimaculella, with its delicate pur-
ple wings in which is a single white spot, together
with Micropteryx purpurella and semipurpurella.

While (at West Wickham) MWicropteryx Salopiella
occurs on birch, and may be obtained by sweeping the

APRIL. 57

twigs; calm sunny afternoons are the best suited for
this operation.

But look, what is that large insect on the birch
stem near -that pool of water? lucky again, that is
Notodonta Carmelita (this insect also occurs at West
Wickham on the “ Bishop’s palings”’). And now
having ‘“ bagged” your game persevere in your search,
for here the unique Solenobia Douglasii was taken.

And now let us beat the oaks for a little while, and

see what they produce. Click goes the beating-stick
among the branches. Hilloa! what are you? Oh!
only Tortricodes Hyemana; get out, you common
rascal! I can take you any time. Stop my friend;
do you want the insect? Yes! Then take it; don’t
put off till to-morrow what can be done to-day ; if you
don’t take it now, perhaps you will not get another
chance till next season, and your check will be incom-
plete: of a common insect. I believe many cabinets
are thus incomplete from the prevailing idea that com-
mon insects can be taken ‘any time,” and therefore
are to be left till the last, so that the collector fre-
quently comes home with a few insects that he fancies
he ‘does want” that are not common, leaving behind
him many insects that are strangers to his cabinet be-
-cause they are ‘ common.”
_. By beating you will obtain from among the oaks
HHeusimene fimbriana and Dasystoma Salicella ; while
on the trunks of the oak trees near the roots Biston
prodromaria may be found, together with Chima-
bacche fagella, male and female, and among the birches,
flying by day, Incurvaria pectinea occurs.

In cases among the “ wind flower” or ‘ Wood

dd

58 APRIL.

Anemone” (Anemone nemorosa) the larvee of Adela
Degeerella occur ; and among broom, between united
twigs, the brown larve of Depressaria assimilella may
be found.

On the hedge banks, in rolled up grass leaves, the
handsome larva of G'elechia rufescens is still feeding ;
while in a burrow near the root of the sorrel (Rumex
Acetosa), the larva of Gelechia diffinis may be found,
and in the flowers of the furze, entering them at the
back, the larve of Gelechia mulinella find a home.
In the young shoots of the “ greater stitehwort”’
(Stellaria holostea), the larvee of Gelechia tricolorella
may be found agglutinating the shoots, while in the
shoots of the “bog stitchwort” and the broad-leaved
mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), the slug-
gish brown larve of Grelechia fraternella may be
found twisting and agglutinating them in various ways.
If we look at the leaves of the kidney vetch or lady’s
finger (Anthyllis vulneraria), we shall observe the
leaves mined in white blotches; these, at first sight,
have the appearance of being the work of Dipterous
larvee; but on opening one or two of them we shall
find them inhabited by a dark brown larva with a
little white at the back of the head ; this is the larva of
Gelechia Anthyllidella. In the seeds of the burdock
(Arctium Lappa), we shall find the larve of Parasia
Lappella; while in the yellow hoary mullein (Ver-
bascum pulverulentum), the larva of Nothris Ver-
bascella occurs. On the leaves of Chenopodium and
Atriplex, under a loose web, we may find the larva of
Butalis Chenopodiella ; while on the underside of the
leaves of the ‘ dames violet’ (Hesperis matronalis),

APRIL. 59
the larva of the pretty Plutella porrectella occurs;
the larva of this species forms a beautiful open net-
work cocoon on the underside of the leaves of the
plant on which it fed, in which it changes to the pupe
state ; it also occurs in gardens feeding on the common
“rocket.”

In the shoots of the “stone-crop’? (Sedum acre),
“crowing on a barn at Bexley,” the larva of Gily-
phipteryx equitella occurs; while in the shoots of the
birch, and also under the bark, the larve of Argy-
resthia Goedartella and A. Brockeella will be found.

If we look attentively at the leaves of the “ribwort
plantain” (Plantago lanceolata), we shall see on the
front of many of them a dark brown line running up
the centre; this is the mine of the young larve of
Gracilaria tringipennella ; when nearly full fed the
leaf is considerably hollowed out in the mined abode,
which becomes broader, but the back of the leaf never
becomes discoloured ; the pupa is enclosed in a white
cocoon within the mine.

On the Hypericum perforatum Messrs. Gracilaria
auroguttella & Co. still submit their genuine “ cigars”
to the collector’s notice, who will do well to lay in a
stock, as the establishment “ positively closes this
month.” While mining the leaves of the thorny rest-
harrow (Ononis spinosa), and the dyer’s greenweed
( Genista tinctoria) the larvee of Gracilaria Ononidis
may be found.

If, in places having a south or south-western aspect,
we examine the young leaves of the ‘‘ black knapweed”
(Centaurea nigra), we shall observe that many of
them, some actually laying flat upon the ground, are

60 APRIL.

marked with large white blotches; if we turn over the
leaves thus marked we shall see upon some of them a
long black case containing a larva; this is the larva of
Coleophora Alcyonipennella. Now let us examine
that pretty plant with yellow papilionaceous blossoms ;
this is the bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); if
we search the leaves we shall see that many of them
are wholly white, and some have white blotches on
them; these are caused by the larva of Coleophora
discordella, and on turning over the white or blotched
leaves we shall find him in his cornucopia-shaped case.
I took this larva by hundreds in the vicinity of Dublin,
in company with that of C. Alcyonipennella, the latter
not nearly so abundant.

On old palings and trunks of trees we shall probably
find the pupze of Coleophora paripennella ; while in
wet marshy places the larva of Col. cespititiella occurs
upon the heads of rushes; while in the leaves of the
reed meadow-grass (Poa aquatica), making very long
narrow mines, the larve of Hlachista Poe may be
found ; and in the leaves of the rough-stalked meadow
grass (Poa trivialis) we may see the larva of Hla-
chista nigrella in its mined abode.

If, in barren sandy places, we examine the leaves of
the “bugloss” (Achiwm vulgare), we may find the
larvee of Coleophora Onosmella; and on the “black
fetid horehound” (Ballota nigra), and the hedge
wound-wort (Stachys sylvatica), the larve of Col.
lineolea occur ; while, in the roots of the latter plant,
we shall, perhaps, find the larvee of Orthotenia anti-
quana.

On the leaves of the wild rose we shall find the larvee

APRIL. 61

of Col. gryphipennella ; and on the leaves of sallows
and osiers the larvee of Col. Viminetella occur.

On the hedge bank, in the leaves of the rough cocks-
foot grass (Dactylis glomerata), mining from the points
downwards, we shall find the pale larve of Hlachista
cygnipennella; while in the angles of the leaves of
Holeus mollis, and on other neighbouring plants, the
pup of Hlachista rufocinerea will be found; and,
mining im the leaves of Brachypodium sylvaticum
and Bromus asper we shall find the larvee of Hlachista
Megerlella in plenty.

Mining in the leaves of the common sun cistus

(Helianthemum vulgare) we shall find the larve of
Laverna Staintoni; and, in the leaves of Bromus
erectus the larva of EHlachista subnigrella occurs ;
while in the young shoots of the spindle (Euonymus
Huropeus) we shall find the young larvee of Hypono-
meuta plumbellus feeding on the pith, thus causing
them to droop; Theristis caudella also occurs among
Huonymus.

In the leaves of the carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris),
mining the upper side of the young leaves, the larva
of Depressaria nanatella occurs (at Box Hill and
near Torquay, Devon); while between the united
leaves of hawthorn the larve of Gel. vulgella may be
found, and in the leaves of Holcus mollis we shall pro-
bably find the larvee of Hlachista albifrontella ; while
in the leaves of a carex (near Beckenham) the larva of
the beautiful Klachista Gleichenella occurs, making
white blotches in the leaves, and moving readily from
one leaf to another.

In the leaves of the evergreen oak (Quercus Ilex)

62 APRIL.

the larve of Lithocolletis Messaniella will be found;
while mining the underside of the leaves of the honey-
suckle we may discover the larve of JL. trifasciella,
and in places where Scabiosa columbaria grows
(Headly Lane and Croydon) we shall find the larve
of Lithocolletis Scabiosella ; while, mining beneath the
bark of broom the curious larvee of Cemiostoma spar-
tifoliella will be found ; and in the leaves of the bram-
bles the larvee of Nepticula aurella still traverse their
subcutaneous galleries.

In the evening, flying along hedges, we shall see the
resuscitated specimens of the autumn brood of De-
pressari@ liturella, arenella, Alstremeriana, pur-
purea, ocellana, appluna and Heracliana; these also
occur at sugar, and frequent the sallow blossoms at
night, together with the following early Noctue :—
Teniocampa instabilis, gracilis, munda, sparsa, pal-
lida, stabilis and gothica. These should be searched
for at night by the light of a lantern, sweeping the
branches with a net; some good larve may also be
found by searching the young buds of the birch, witha
lantern, at night, viz.: the larvee of T'ryphena fimbria
and Aplecta tincta. At night we may obtain Clostera
curtula and Demas Coryli; while at sugar, and by
beating, the following species may be obtained: Xylo-
campa Lithoriza, Ceropacha ridens, Phlogophora
meticulosa, Cucullia Verbasci, Plusia Gamma,
Biston hirtarius, Odontopera bidentaria, Rumia Cra-
tegaria, Coremia fluctuaria, Ennomos illustraria
and Hupithecia rufifasciaria. While on the heather
the handsome Saturnia Carpini may be found, toge-
ther with the beautiful green larvee of the active and

APRIL. 65

attractive Anarta Myrtilli. In gardens, upon sunny
days, we may see the curious humming-bird hawk-
moth (Macroglossa Stellatarum) hovering over the
flowers, while the early Papilios, Pieris Rape and
Brassice, dodge about among the cruciferze on mis-
chief bent.

On grassy banks the brilliant little Chrysophanus
Phleas glitters like polished copper in the sun; and
at Birch Wood the uncommon Endromis versicolor
occurs.

On sandy heaths the active (Gelechia velocella
occurs ; while in the New Forest, on the trunks of the
trees, is the habitat of Gel. humeralis; and on moors
in the north of England Butalis incongruella may be
found ; while in the hedges, among the woody night-
shade (Solanum dulcamara) we shall find the pretty
Acrolepia pygmeana flying freely on sunny after-
noons ; and, among the sallow blossoms, flying in the
sunshine, the rare Adela cuprella occurs, together with
worn specimens of Gracilaria stigmatella.

Among alders the rare Gracilaria falconipennella
occurs, while in the hedges Swammerdamia apicella
and Pyrella, together with Ornix Anglicella and La-
verna decorella, occur.

In the New Forest may be found, among heather
and oaks, Coriscitum Sulphurellum and C. Brong-
niardellum ; together with C. cuculipennellum among
privet.

On palings, and by beating fir trees, and among wild
apple trees, Lyonetia Clerchellu occurs ; while among
poplars we shall find, most probably, the beautiful
Phyllocnistis suffusella, and, among willows, P. Sa-

. 64 APRIL.

ligna; these may also be obtained by beating ivy.
While on palings, among brambles, the handsome
N. Aurella will be found ; and among orpine (Sedum
telephium) the rare and distinct Hyponomeuta viginti-
punctatus occurs.

In houses T%nea pellionella and biselliella and Hn-
drosis fenestrella may be found “ at home” as usual.

If we examine the stems of the common reed
(Arundo Phragmites) we shall find in them the larve
of Chilo Phragmitellus ; while in the stems of the reed
meadow-grass (Poa aquatica) the larva of Chilo for-
Jicellus is still feeding ; in moss, in silken galleries, we
shall find the larvee of Crambus falsellus and Cr. tris-
tellus; and in the stems of thistles the larva of Myelois
cribrum occurs.

Among seeds we shall find the larvee of Tinea fus-
cipunctella and E'ndrosis fenestrella ; while, snugly
ensconced amid the careful housewife’s stores of clothes,
furs, feathers, &c., the larvee of Tinea Pellionella and
biselliella “ cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war.”

In cases among wild strawberry (/ragaria vesca),
on the underside of the leaves, the larva of Lampronia
prelatellu occurs ; and in the shoots of raspberry bushes
the larve of Lampronia Rubiella may be found;
while, feeding on the pith in the young shoots of currant
bushes, the larvee of Incurvaria capitella works un-
seen; and under the leaves and on the flowers of the
coltsfoot (Z'ussilago farfara), the hairy larva of Pte-
rophorus trigonodactylus will be found ; while, feeding
in moist decayed wood, the larva of Gcophora uni-
tella occurs.

And now for the benefit of the tyro who, in the ardent

APRIL. 65

pursuit of Entomology, may often find a rarity that
older hands may miss, I will transcribe the natural
history of the larva of that beautiful and extremely
rare moth “The Essex Emerald” (Phorodesma Sma-
ragdaria), translated by that active and energetic En-
tomologist, J. W. Douglas, Esq., from the Stettin
“‘ Entomologische Zeitung,’ and read by him before
the Entomological Society of London, March Ist,
1852.

“The larva of Phorodesma Snaragdaria (Esper),
by G. Koch, sen., Frankfort-on-the-Maine.”’

“‘ Hitherto this larva and its natural history have been
entirely unknown 3} neither Ochsenheimer, Treitschke,
nor any other author, has given any account of it,
for if they had, the perfect insect would probably
not be such a rarity. The moth flies in woods late in
the evening ; on which account it is seldom taken; and
the larve are so deceptive to the eye that they have
hitherto eluded all search for them. The merit of
solving the riddle belongs to Herr Verwalter Muhlig,
who succeeded in finding an impregnated female which
laid eggs, by which circumstance we were put upon
the search, and now we find the species not uncom-
monly in our town woods. I give the following
account with this remark, that, although it is made
exactly after nature, everything is not to be found
therein which may be observed with a lens in these
most remarkable larvee. Besides, the matter is suffi-
ciently interesting to render it desirable to be acquainted
with the details of the natural history of these larve,
otherwise than in fragments as at present, and to learn
some particulars about their early states.

66 APRIL.

“As soon as the larva leaves the egg, it loads its
body with finely bitten pieces of stems of plants, scales
of flowers, hard, dry seed capsules and other small
vegetable fragments, which it binds together strongly,
although loosely, and in layers, and forms into a mass
full of points and projections (requiring much trouble
to pull to pieces with pincers), the whole of which it
carries about with it like the allied larva of Phoro-
desma Bajularia. This covering is, however, very
different from the cases of the Psychide. The larve
enlarge these coverings according to their requirements,
and as they hybernate in them when very small, it is
not easy to rear them from that state. The warmth of
Spring entices them out to the plant on which they
feed—the milfoil (Achillea millefolium). When reared.
in confinement, however, they will feed upon Poterium
Sanguisorba. The head of the larva is small, and
the fore part of the body is also slender; the hinder
part is crossed all over with deep wrinkles and cor-
responding elevations. Beyond the first segment
the body is flattened on each side. On the back
stand four elevations or humps, each terminated by a
sickle-shaped hair; a smaller hump stands on each
_ side of the large black spiracle ; these six humps, each
on a distinct segment, are separated by long furrows;
the remaining space is covered with innumerable little
warts, which make the larva feel rough to the touch—
viewed with a lens these look like the deep-cleft bark
of oak trees. All the remaining segments are covered
with these elevations, points, humps and furrows, to
which, as may very easily be observed, the little bits
of plants are fastened in layers of small bundles. The
larva is earth-brown; a long darker line is on the

APRIL. 67

middle of the back, and three, more or less clear, long
streaks on each side. It attains eventually the length
of a Paris inch, but sits always in a contracted posi-
tion, and this, added to the unyielding nature of its
case, gives it a most deceptive resemblance to a hard
seed capsule or a little mass of flowers.

“When about to go into the pupa state, it seeks a
hard flower-stalk, on the top of which, or sometimes
only high up thereon, it makes fast fragments of
flowers in the form of an open-work case, in which, in
about a day, it changes to a pupa, and within three
(seldom four) weeks it appears in the perfect state.

“Light places in woods, plains and dry ditches in
woods, where the plants grow on which they feed, are
the favourite localities of these caterpillars. When
once one is discovered, several more may certainly be
found in that neighbourhood. The best season to seek
them is from the beginning to the middle of June,
when they have become full fed, and are approaching
their transformation. For this purpose it is not neces-
sary to use much apparatus, for if care be not taken
they are very easily deprived of their artistic cover-
ings.”

And now I have only to repeat that which I men-
tioned at the commencement of this chapter—Never
put off till to-morrow the work of to-day ; but make
each day do its own work: for—

‘He who trusteth to the morrow
Soweth gold and reapeth sorrow.’’

(ee?

CHAPTER V.

— 6

MAY.

“ Oh! charming May; oh! charming May;
Fresh, fair; fair and gay :
That com’st from thy bowers,
’Mid perfume and flowers,
Charming, charming, charming May.
Thou art spring with its winter's days gone by,
And summer without its scorching sky ;
The sun may be bright, the storm may be free,
But the tranquil beauty of May for me.”

‘Oh! charming May; oh! charming May;
Fresh, fair; fair and gay:
That com’st from thy bowers,
’Mid perfume and flowers,
Charming, charming, charming May.
There is gladness and joy in thy genial face,
Fit emblem of innocence, freshness and grace ;
There is peaceful delight, to me ever dear,
In charming May, the green month of the year.”

THE season has now commenced in earnest. The
insect tribes are now in full vigour, each on its mission
bent, whether as larvee devouring the young shoot or
mining the yet imperfectly developed leaf, or as the
perfect insect flitting about in the bright sunshine, or
sporting in the balmy air of the soft May evening by
the light of the “‘ Ladye Moon.”

MAY. 69

But not alone do the insect tribes feel the influence
of “the season;” its effects are plainly felt by the
bipedal inhabitants of this sublunary planet. Winter
clothing begins to be “offered at an alarming sacrifice,
in order to make room for the summer stock.’’ Water-
proof alpacas have fallen to an alarming discount;
parasols of mushroom dimensions and elaborate work-
manship take the place of the umbrellas in the shop
windows. The confectioner seriously thinks of expos-
ing to the public gaze the glass label, which has lain so
snugly beneath his counter throughout the winter, on
which is inscribed the single word “ Ices.’’ Peram-
bulating ginger-beer establishments may now be met
with at the street corners. The metropolitan water-
carts now distribute their aqueous contents over the
dusty roads and the polished boots of the unwary
pedestrian. Exeter Hall opens its portals to the “ thou-
sand and one” societies that annually hold their meet-
ings within its walls ; while at the “‘ Royal Academy”
the “ Portrait of a Gentleman’ may be stared out of
countenance, if possible, for ‘‘ the small charge of one
shilling.’’ In fact the season has commenced—- London
has begun to fill with people and the country with
insects. The country now presents a charming aspect.
The fully expanded bud displays itself in all its charms,
clothing the hedges in a garb of refreshing green; the
hawthorn now is in full bloom, filling the air with a
delicious fragrance, and the slender shoots of the
honeysuckle clasp its stems, or hang gracefully from
the branches, exposin& to the sight its clusters of beau-
tiful flowers; while the frisky lambs and full-uddered
cows, as they lay in the green meadows quietly chew-

70 MAY.

ing the cud or cropping the fresh green herbage at
their feet, awaken those feelings of peace and tran-
quillity so welcome to the contemplative mind :—

‘Neglected now the early daisy lies ;
Nor thou, pale primrose, bloom’st the only prize !
Advancing Spring profusely spreads abroad
Flow’rs of all hues with sweetest fragrance stor’d:
Where’er she treads, Love gladdens every plain,
Delight on tiptoe bears her lucid train:
Sweet hope with conscious brow before her flies,
Anticipating wealth from summer skies ;
All nature feels her renovating sway !
The sheep-fed pasture, and the meadow gay,
And trees, and shrubs, no longer budding seen,
Display the new-grown branch of lighter green ;
On airy downs the idling shepherd lies,
And sees to-morrow in the marbled skies.

an
nn

Say ye that know, ye who have felt and seen

Spring’s morning smiles and soul enliv’ning green,

Say did you give the thrilling transport sway ?

Did your eye brighten, when young lambs at play

Leap’d o’er your path with animated pride,

Or gazed in merry clusters by your side?

Ye who can smile, to wisdom no disgrace,

At the arch meaning of a kitten’s face ;

If spotless innocence and infant mirth,

Excites to praise, or gives reflection birth,

In shades like these pursue your favourite joy,

’Midst nature’s revels—sports that never cloy.”
Bloomjfield’s Farmer’s Boy (Spring).

And now, courteous reader, let us ‘‘ pursue our
favourite joy; and to this end we will journey to
Wimbledon Common, and thence to Coombe Wood,
the favourite hunting-ground of the late J. F. Stephens,
Esq.

MAY. 71

Having obtained our tickets at the Waterloo station
of the South Western Railway for the Wimbledon
station, we shall, after about half an hour’s riding,
arrive there, when, in order to reach the common, we
must cross the railway bridge and keep straight along
the road and through the town; this will bring us on
to the common near Wimbledon Park. But if, instead
of keeping by the park side, we bear to the left, we
shall soon arrive at the “windmill” upon the com-
mon, and be at once in good collecting-ground. The
ground is covered with a great quantity of scrubby
sallow and oak, small birch trees, furze, broom, willow,
heather, fern, and a great variety of herbaceous plants.
On the edge of the common, towards the lane leading
to the “ Stag,” area number of good aspens ( Populus
tremula), while at the southern side of the common is
situated ‘‘Coomb Wood.” ‘This is a fine wood, con-
taining a great number of trees of good growth, besides
underwood and a fine broomfield.

And now let us search for our pets: and in the first
place the sallows invite our notice. In their shoots
we shall find the larvee of Depressaria conterminella,
while in their rolled leaves and in those of the neigh-
bouring birches, as well as in poplars, the larvee of
Gelechia populella will be found. If we search the
shoots of the broom (Spartium scoparium), we shall
find between united twigs a brown larva with dark
tubercles ; this is the larva of Depressaria Atomella:
while in the broom flowers, as well as in those of
the furze (Ulex Huropeus), the larve of Gelechia
mulinella occur, and in the heads of the St. John’s
wort, in the dry spots, the larve of Depressaria Hy-

72 MAY.

pericella may be found. Under the leaves of the oak,
in a web, the pretty larva of Phibalocera Quercana
will be found (in Ireland it feeds commonly on the
arbutus); while on the honeysuckle the larve of Ce-
rostoma vittella, nemorella and Xylostella will be
found: on sallows the larva of Gelechia sororculella
occurs; and in the terminal shoots of Artemisia cam-
pestris(?) we may, perhaps, find the larvee of Gel.
Artemisiella. Herr Schmid says ‘ Larvee in May on
thyme (Thymus Serpyllum) between united leaves’ —
“a more likely food-plant than Artemisia.’”’ —(Ento-
mologist’s Annual, 1856, pp. 51, 52.)

In the stems of the “ rough cock’s foot grass” (Dac-
tylis glomerata), near the root, the white wiry larva
of Ochsenheimeria Birdella may be found, while in
the rolled-up leaves of this and other grasses the larva
of Gelechia rufescens occurs.

On the underside of the leaves of the wild rose we
shall find the larva of Coleophora gryphipennella
making white blotches on the leaves, and the larva
of Lampronia quadripunctella occurs on the same
plant; while in the young shoots of the sweet briar
(Rosa spinosissima) the larva of Spilonota roborana
may be found, and in the shoots of whitethorn the
larva of Spilonota suffusana occurs; on this plant
also may be found the larve of Gelechia vulgella
between united leaves.

In the shoots of sloe (Prunus spinosa), feeding upon
the young heart leaves, the larvee of Argyresthia albi-
stria and mendica occur, while in the shoots of the
whitethorn the larvee of Argyresthia nitidella may be
found feasting upon a similar dainty pabulum. But

MAY. 73

what is that plant with white starry blossoms that so
profusely clothes that dry bank? that is the ‘ broad
leaved mouse-ear chickweed ” (Cerastium vulgatum),
in the shoots of which as well as in those of the “ bog
stitchwort” (Stellaria uliginosa), the larve of Ge-
lechia fraternella may be found in plenty; while in the
shoots of the “ greater stitchwort”’ (Stellaria holostea),
which you see trailing along the bank or climbing the
hedge, the larve of Gelechia tricolorella may be
found, while on its leaves, making long whitish blotches,
the larva of Coleophora solitariella occurs, while the
larva of Gelechia maculea feeds upon its shoots and
seeds.

On the shoots of Atriplex, growing on that waste
patch of ground, the larve of Gelechia Atriplicella
may be found, and in its stems, as well as in those of
the goosefoot (Chenopodium), the larve of Gelechia
obsoletella occur ; while on sloe, hawthorn and apple
the larvee of Hyponomeuta Padellus carry on the work
of defoliation in concert; and between the united leaves
of apple (or hawthorn) we shall find the larve of
Gelechia leucatella; while in the shoots of the furze
(Ulex HEuropeus) the larva of Anarsia Spartiella
occurs.

Now let us see what this wet spot, nicely sheltered
by the overhanging aspens, will produce us. What is
that tall plant, with the long willow-like leaf? that is
the “ great hairy willow herb” (Hpilobium hirsutum) ;
in the lower leaves of this we may find the pup of the
pretty Laverna ochraceella, while on the neighbouring
sallows and osiers the larvee of Coleophora viminetella
may be found; and on poplars and willows, between

E

74 MAY.

united leaves, the larvee of Batrachedra preanqusta
occur. On the old heads of the rushes the larva of
Coleophora cespititiella occurs; while on the leaves
of Hupatoria cannabinum and Inula dysenterica the
larvee of Coleophora troglodytella may be found ; and
the larve of Orthotelia Sparganella burrowing in the
leaves of the“ burr reed” (Sparganium ).

On the leaves of the “‘ cow parsley” (Cherophyllum)
the larva of Depressaria Weirella occurs ; and, mining
in the leaves of the “rib-wort plantain” ( Plantago
lanceolata), we shall find the larve of Gracilaria
tringipennella.

On elm, alder, hornbeam and nut, the larvee of Co-
leophora fuscedinella occur; C. palliatella and C.
anatipennella on oak, birch, sloe, &c.; C. curruci-
pennella on oaks ; C. lutipennella on oaks and birches ;
C. nigricella on hawthorn, sloe, birch, &c.; and
C. badiipennella on elm and ash. While, feeding on
the shoots of the heather, the larvee of C. pyrrhulipen-
nella may be found.

In tubularly rolled leaves of honeysuckle we shall
find the larve of Gelechia Mouffetella ; while in the
shoots of the “common sun cistus” (/Zelianthemum
vulgare) the larva of Gelechia sequax occurs.

On the “ yellow hoary mullein” (Verbascum pulve-
rulentum) the larve of Nothris Verbascella may be
found ; while on the “ gout-weed” (CGgopodium poda-
graria) we may, perhaps, meet with the larve of ,
Chauliodus Illigerella; damp places in woods are the
most likely spots to search for them.

In gardens and orchards, feeding on the blossoms of
the pear, we shall find the larvee of Gelechia nanella ;

MAY. 7d

while on the leaves of the same tree the larve of Co-
leophora hemerobiella occur, and those of Argyresthia
ephippella in the shoots of cherry; Cerostoma sca-
brella on apple trees, together with that of Gel. Rhom-
bella. On the “black fetid horehound” (Ballota
migra) and the “ hedge wound wort” (Stachys sylva-
tica) we may find the larvee of Coleophora lineolea ;
while the larva of Col. Alcyonipennella occurs on the
leaves of Centawrea nigra. And in folded birch leaves
we shall find the larve of Padisca Solandriana (in
Wimbledon Park); this larva prefers the scrubby
low-growing birch bushes to tall trees.

On the “ goose-foot” (Chenopodium) and the orache
(Atriplex), under a loose web, we may find the larve
of Butalis Chenopodiella; while on sallows the larva
of Gelechia sororculella occurs.

And now, having spent some considerable time upon
the common (which swarms with insect life) let us
Visit

“The wood,
The covert of old trees with trunks all hoar,
But light leaves young asjoy.....
A populous solitude of bees and birds,

And fairy-formed and many-colour’d things.’’
ByRron—Childe Harold.

On our way to Coombe Wood we pass the aspens
at the edge of the common; if we examine their stems
we shall probably find Clostera reclusa sitting on
them ; the larva of this insect is common on them, and
on the sallows in September.

Having reached the wood let us commence opera-
tions. What is that large pale-coloured moth sitting

E2

76 MAY.

on the trunk of that tree? that is the “ Miller” (Apa-
tela Leporina); while on the trunks of the trees, —
among the lichen, we shall find the once-seen-never-to-
be-forgotten Lithosia rubricollis (the red-necked foot-
man). Let us now try the birches, hy beating them
caretully over the net; gently doesit! what have you
now? Ephyra pendularia and poraria, and a fine
specimen of Platypteryx Lacertula; a good be-
ginning. If we search those alders we shall find ¥psi-
petes impluviaria, while among the spurge (uphor-
bia) we may obtain the plain little Minoa Huphorbia-
ria. Among the sallows Cabera pusaria and exan-
themaria occur; while Cabera rotundaria may,
perhaps, be met with in the same situations.

But the moths on the tree trunks, and settled among
the leaves, are not the only denizens of the wood, of
this order ; on its skirts the pretty Anthocaris Carda-
mines flits along, while in the shady paths Leucophasia
Sinapis and Nemeobia Lucina may be met with; and
in the open glades the beautiful Melitea Athalia may
be found, together with the equally handsome Argynnis
Selene and Euphrosyne; in the meadows, on the out-
skirts of the wood, the active “skippers” Syricthus
alveolus and Thanaos Tages occur.

On grassy banks and meadows the ‘ blues” Poly-
ommatus Argiolus and Alexis occur, and in chalky
places (Riddlesdown) Polyommatus Adonis may be
found ; while in woody places, on the chalk, Polyom-
matus Acis occurs, andin meadows, usually in Suffolk,
Melitea Artemis may be found. Among ragwort
(Senecio Jacobea) we shall find Huchelia Jacobee ;
together with the beautiful Argyrolepia Aineana, on

MAY. 77

the banks of the Paddington Canal, near Old Oak
bridge.

In order to obtain this latter insect (Argyrolepia
Aineana) the tyro has no occasion to use a net either
for sweeping or beating, but only to furnish himself
with a good supply of pill boxes. Having arrived at
his hunting-ground a little before dusk some evening,
in the latter end of May, let him narrowly watch the
bottom of the clumps of ragwort, and the tufts of grass
and herbage surrounding them; as soon as it is dusk
he will see the insects come out from among the roots
and herbage, in order to commence their evening ex-
cursion, and as they successively make their appearance
all he has to do is to box them; they are by no means
active in their movements, keeping very close to the
ground, flying but a short distance at a time, and
alighting upon blades of grass, the leaves of the rag-
wort, and upon the ground; so that with a little care
they are very easily taken.

In the moist places in woods, among bugles, Sesia
Bombyliformis and 8. fuciformis occur; while T'ro-
chilium Cynipiforme is only to be obtained in Hyde
Park. Among the willows Smerinthus Ocellatus and
Tilie occur, together with Clostera curtula ; and in
the evening, on grassy banks, we shall see the pretty
Hepialus lupulinus practising his rapid and eccentric
flight.

In the wet places: we shall find the conspicuous
Phragmatobia mendica and P. menthrasti ; while on
tree trunks and palings, among Lychnis dioica, we
may perhaps find Cloantha conspicillaris. On garden
palings we shall find Hadena oleracea and H. Bras-

78 MAY.

’

sice, together with Coremia fluctuaria; while among
brambles Acronycta Rumicis occurs; and at sugar,
in places where Myrica gale and Salix caprea grows
we may perhaps capture the pretty Acronycta My-
rice (Huphorbie), “ from May 27th to June 15th, at
rest on rocks in open moors.” Mr. Weaver, in the
Zoologist for 1846, p. 1439.

Among birches we shall find Ephyra punctaria,
Coremia ferrugaria, Tephrosia crepuscularia, and
punctularia; while, sitting upon the tops of posts or
on palings, Cucullia Scrophularie may be found.

Harpalyce Achatinaria occurs plentifully on the
common and in the wood, and Hemerophila abrupta-
ria on palings and walls; while Z'ephrosia consonaria
occurs at “ Black Park,” Bucks; Abraxas Ulmaria
among beeches in most districts; Pieris Daplidice
should be sought for at Dover, and Papilio Machaon
in the fens; with Vanessa Io and Satyrus Megera
every where.

Among broom (Spartium scoparium) Speranza con-
spicuaria occurs near Stowmarket; and in woody
lanes, Venilia macularia and the curious Cilix spinula
may be found, together with Chesias obliquaria and
Dosithea reversaria ; while in the wood, among birch
trees, Platypteryx falcula and Hamula occur.

On the Downs at Croydon we shall find Pyrausta
purpuralis, aud at Purley, among spruce firs, Coecyx
Strobilana ; in weedy lanes, among nettles, Botys Ur-
ticalis will be found ; and in gardens and lanes Pijonea
JSorficalis, and, in woody places, Polypogon barbalis
occurs; and on grassy banks, among flowers, Anchy-
lopera Lundana occurs, “ flying from half-past five to

MAY. 79

six in the morning,” and Dicrorampha Petiverana
among tansy (Z'anacetum vulgare).

Under the bark of lime trees we shall find the larvee
of Chrysoclista Linneella, and from beneath the bark
of the birch we shall obtain the pupe of Argyresthia
Gedartella and Brockeella; while mining in the
leaves of the “ chickweed-leaved willow-herb” (Epilo-
bium alsinifolium), near Renfrew and Fochabers in
Scotland (and at “‘ Darn ?’’), we shall find the larve of
Chrysoclista Schrankella.

In the house, among seeds, woollen clothes, furs,
hair, feathers, &c., we shall find the larvee of Tinea ©
tapetzella, pellionella and biselliella, together with the
larva of the ever-present-never-to-be-forgotten Endrosis
Senestrella.

On the common Cromwell (Lithospermum offici-
nale), and the lungwort (Pulmonaria), we may find
the larva of Anesychia pusiella, and in rotten wood
the larva of Gicophora unitella.

In pod-like galls upon the buds of Polygonum
aviculare, in sandy places, we may find the pupe
of Asychna eratella; while feeding on the young
shoots of the heather, in a small case resembling small
heath leaves, the larva of Coleophora juncicolella may
be found at West Wickham, and the larva of Coleo-
phora Wockeella upon Betonica and Ranunculus.
Herr Schmid says, “larve at the beginning of June
on Stachys hirta, preferring the stems to the leaves ;”
and Professor Frey observes, “ not scarce on Betonica
and Fanunculus in April and May.”—Entomologist’s
Annual, 1856, p. 5d.

80 MAY.

And now let us sit down on this grassy bank and
see what the rank vegetation will afford us on a careful
search. Mining in the leaves of the rough cocksfoot
grass (Dactylis glomerata), we shall find the larve of
Hlachista atricomella, luticomella and cygnipennella ;
in the leaves of the turfy hair-grass (Aira cespitosa)
the larve of lachista albifrontella and zonariella
occur; while in the leaves of the upright perennial
brome-grass ( Bromus erectus) we shall find the larva
of Hlachista subnigrella, and in the leaves of Hleo-
charis, mining downwards from the top, the larva of
Elachista Rhynchosporella occurs.

On the water dropwort (CG’nanthe crocata), in that
running stream, the splendid larva of Depressaria
nervosa may be found; while outside the bark of the
broom, ina bright white cocoon concealed beneath a
bud, we shall find the pupa of Cemiostoma sparti-
foliella, and in rolled up alder leaves the larva of
Gracilaria elongella occurs.

And now let us again look attentively upon the
trunks of those trees grey with lichen: perhaps we
may find Taleporia pseudobombycella ; while on
palings Tinea Lapella and Theristis caudella may be
found.

Among sallow blossoms on sunny afternoons we
may perhaps find the beautiful Adela cuprella; and
on sandy heaths, flying at midday, Grelechia velocella
occurs; while by sweeping the twigs of the birches we
may obtain the pretty Micropteryx Sparmannella.

At ‘Headley Lane” we may obtain the larva of
Gelechia ligulella between united leaves of the birds-
foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); while on the leaves

MAY. 81

of the same plant, in their cornucopia-like cases, we
shall see the larvae of Coleophora discordella; and
the larva of Coleophora lixella on Holcus mollis; and
the larva of the rare Coleophora conspicuella on the
leaves of Centaurea Scabiosa and C. nigra; while
on the stony places on ‘ Box Hill” the larva of Gly-
phipteryx equ:tella may be found among the stone-
crop (Sedum acre).

In grassy places among flowers Glyphipteryx fus-
coviridella and G. Fischeriella may be found; while,
among Plantago lanceolata, Gracilaria tringipen-
nella occurs. But what is that pretty little insect
flying in the sunshine along that hawthorn hedge, and
making short excursions into the neighbouring meadow?
That is the “small yellow underwing,” called also
by some collectors the “strawberry tree,’ Anarta
Heliaca.

By beating among the underwood at ‘ Coombe
Wood,” we may perhaps obtain Anchylopera siculana,
readily recognized by the very produced tips of its
anterior wings, which, when expanded, appear hooked.

Among furze we shall find Catoptria Ulicetana in
plenty, and (but rarely) its beautiful variety decorana,
Haw.

Upon Veronica beccabunga, Pastinaca Sativa, and
upon the common dock (Rumewx obtusifolius), I have
taken larve which have always produced insects,
which I have referred to Sericoris lacunana; but it
may be that the closely allied Sericoris herbana might
have been bred amongst them, the food plants being
so dissimilar. This mooted question might perhaps be
set at rest by a careful examination of the larve, un-

E95

82 MAY.

less Sericoris lacunana is polyphagous, like Sciaphila
Virgaureana. |

Mr. Ashworth in the “ Zoologist,” p. 4814, gives
the following interesting notes of the habits of the
handsome Gicophora grandis :—

“ Not uncommon in the end of May and June in
one fence composed of a mixture of dead and living
hazel and birch. They fly only in warm sunshine,
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; when the sun is off the fence
they cannot be made to fly. I think they secrete
themselves in dead leaves on the ground, they so soon
become worn.”’

Among the orpine (Sedum telephium), Lypono-
meuta vigintipunctatus occurs; Anesychia bipunc-
tella on the bugloss (Hchiuwm vulgare); and among
the common Cromwell (Lithospermum officinale) at
“ Darn” Anesychia decemquttella may be found ;
while Chalybe pyrausta occurs only in Sutherland-
shire.

On dry sandy banks among sorrel { Rumex Acetosa)
Gelechia diffinis occurs on heaths. In the north of
England we shall meet with Gelechia longicornis,
Ccophora subaquilea, Glyphipteryx Haworthana,
and Pempelia carbonariella; while im the fens of
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Tinea mona-
chella occurs. Among maple we shall find Gele-
chia scriptella and Tinea picarella; while among
hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) Tinea corticella occurs.
Among sallows Nemophora Metacella occurs; and
Gracilaria stigmatella may be found among sallows
and poplars; G. Swvederella among oaks; G. omis-
sella among mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris); G. auro-

MAY. 83

guttella among Hypericum perforatum; while the
rare G. imperialella was “beat from a hedge, Glan-
ville’s Wooton, May 25th, 1840” (Entomologist’s
Companion, 2nd ed., p. 28). Among apple trees in
gardens and orchards we shall find Ornix guttea and
Trifurcula pulverosella, also among the wild apple*
trees in hedges, and together with Nepticula Malella
on palings in their vicinity.

In waste places, among Chenopodium, Grelechia
neviferella and Hermannella occur; while on sand
hills on the Cheshire coast, we shall find Gelechia
mundella ; and on the sandy coast of the Isle of Wight
Gelechia littorella may be met with.

At Darenth wood Acrolepia perlepidella occurs ;
while among the woody nightshade (Solanum dulca-
mara) Acrolepia pygmeana may be found flying
freely in the afternoon sunshine.

At West Wickham, among oaks, by beating we
may obtain Ccophora tinctella; while on sandy
coasts and at Barnes Common, Surrey, Gelechia pic-
tella may be obtained; and on the coast among thrift
(Statice Armeria), we may capture Gelechia Brizella
by sweeping.

In hedges, among oaks, we shall find the handsome
Harpelia Geoffrella; and on heaths Pleurota bicos-
telia occurs, together with Gel. ericetella. Among
sloe bushes we may perhaps find ¥ psolophus fasciellus,
together with Ornix torquillella and Lithocolletis
spinicolella ; while in sandy or chalky places, among
Helianthemum vulgare, Laverna Staintoni may be
found ; and in a moist place in West Wickham Wood
Llachista occultella occurs.

84. MAY.

In hedges, among dog-wood, we may find the pretty
Hlachista Treitschkiella; while by sweeping in the
hilly field at Headley Lane, and likewise at Darenth
Wood, Hlachista Brunnichella may be obtained.
Among birches we shall find Ornia Devoniella and
.O. Betule, together with Gelechia proximella; and
on palings in their vicinity, Nepticula argentipedella,
and Lithocolletis ulmifoliella and cavella may be
found. In hedges, among hawthorn, Ornia Angli-
cella occurs together with Lithocolletis pomifoliella
and corylifoliella ; while on palings, near hawthorn,
Nepticula pygmeella, Oxyacanthella, ignobilella and
gratiosella may be found; while at the Isle of Wight,
and at Howth near Dublin, Nepticula Acetose may
perhaps be obtained by sweeping the sorrel (Humex
Acetosa) ; and on palings, near elms, Nepticula vis-
cerella occurs, together with the pretty VV. margini-
colella. Among oaks we shall find NV. atricapitella
and ruficapitella, together with Bucculatria Ulmella,
and the Lithocolletides Roboris, hortella, Amyotella,
lautella, quercifoliella, Messaniella, Caledoniella ?
Heegeriella, Cramerella, Dunningiella? and the rare
irradiella; while among the grass on the ditch side
Elachista atricomella, pulchella, Bedellella, obscu-
rella, Megerlella and rufocinerea will reward the dili-
gent collector; while the hedges will produce him
Elachista Pfeifferella and Dasycera sulphurella;
and in gardens the pretty little Plutella porrectella
and cruciferarum may be found.

In the north, on the trunks of fir-trees, Gicophora
similella may be found; while among thistles Grelechia
acuminatella occurs. Among sallows we shall find

MAY. 85

Gelechia notatella ; while among furze bushes Coleo-
phora albicosta occurs, together with Butalis grandi-
pennis; and in grassy places, where many flowers
grow, Coleophora murinipennella and the beautiful
Pancalia Leuwenhoehkella occur. Among honey-
suckle, in hedges, we may perhaps find Perittia ob-
scurepunctella, and among honeysuckle in woods Li-
thocolletis E’mberizepennella and trifasciella occur.
Among nut-bushes we shall find Lithocolletis Coryli
and Nicellii, together with Ornix Avellanella; and
on palings in their neighbourhood Nepticula floslac-
tella and microtheriella may be found. Among
mountain ash Argyresthia conjugella occurs ; whereas
A. mendica frequents sloe bushes, and A. arceuthina
and precacella may be obtained by beating the juniper
bushes on Sanderstead Downs, where the unique
Lithocolletis triguttella was captured.

Among white poplars Lithocolletis comparella and
Nepticula argyropeza, apicella and trimaculella
occur, while among the common buckthorn (Rham-
nus Catharticus) we shall obtain Nep. Catharti-
cella; and by sweeping the Hypericum, probably Nep.
Septembrella may be found, and, on paling near sal-
lows Nep. Salicis, and Lithocolletis salicicolella; and
in the west, L. Spinolella and viminiella; whilst
among osiers, Lithocolletis viminetorum occurs, and
among willows, Pempelia Adelphella may be found.

At Morpeth Lithocolletis nigrescentella occurs ;
L. quinquequttella among sallows in Lancashire; L.
Lantanella among the “ mealy guelder rose” (Vibur-
num Lantana), at Mickleham, and Z. Scabiosella

86 MAY.

among Scabiosa Columbaria near Croydon, and in
Headley Lane.

Among alders we may obtain Lithocolletis alnifoli-
ella, Stettinensis and Kleemannella ; among hornbeam
L. Carpinicollella and tenella; L. sylvella among
maple; while on the trunks of elms, or on palings
near them, the beautiful Z. Schreberella and L. tris-
trigella may be found; and in gardens among labur-
nums (Cytisus Laburnum) we shall find the deli-
cately pencilled Cemiostoma Laburnella. Among fern
Lamprosetia Verhuellella occurs, while Gel. An-
thyllidella may be found among Anthyllis Vulnera-
ria, Clover, &c.; G. triparella among oaks; the de-
structive G. cerealella among barley, &c. in granaries ;
Bucculatric Crategi among hawthorn; while flying
in the sun, round the twigs of the birch trees, Incur-
varia muscalella and pectinea may be found; while
of Argyresthia glaucinella Mr. Ashworth writes thus
in the “ Zoologist,” p. 4815:—“ Taken sparingly from
the middle of May to the end of June sitting on the
trunks and beaten from the branches of three or four
very old half decayed trees.”

Among the common reed (Arundo phragmites), in
marshy places, Hlachista cerusella occurs; while
skimming over the moss, or settling on the blades of
grass, &c., we shall see Crambus pratellus and hortu-
ellus, and in chalky places Crambus chrysonuchellus
occurs.

On palings and trunks of trees we shall find Hw-
dorea ambiqualis, while in sandy places, among the
wild cammomile (Matricaria Chamomille), Homeo-
soma nimbella occurs.

MAY. 87

Among the great hairy willow herb (Hpilobiwm
hirsutum), Laverna Epilobiella, will be found; while
by beating ivy we may obtain Laverna decorella; and
sitting on the flowers of Stellaria holostea, Asychna
modestella occurs.

Among the common hemp agrimony (Mupatoria
cannabinum), Pterophorus microdactylus occurs. Of
the very rare Pterophorus brachydactylus, “ Professor
Frey finds the larvz on the underside of the leaves of
Prenanthes purpurea in fir woods in May; that
plant is not British, but is not unfrequently found in
woods escaped from cultivation,” (Entomologist’s An-
nual, 1856, p. 60); and of Pterophorus tephradacty-
lus ‘ Professor Frey finds the larva on Solidago vir-
gaurea in May. I met with the young larve on that
plant at Clovelly in September.” (Idem.) And in
houses, and among honeysuckle in hedges, the pretty
Alucitina polydactyla is common.

And now we will suppose the tyro, for argument’s
sake, to have worked assiduously at collecting the
objects of his study, and by industry and perseverance
to have got together a great number of species, which,
apart from their intrinsic value as insects for the pur-
poses of study, and as objects of great beauty and deli-
cacy, possess an extrinsic value in his estimation, as
being the fruits of his own labour and diligence, and
as reminding him of the exquisite pleasure he has
experienced in their collection. Full of this feeling,
and wishing others to share his pleasures with him,
he in an unlucky or incautious moment shows his
treasures to some friend whom he wishes to entice
into the ranks of Entomology; when, what is his
disappointment to find his friend does not appreciate

88 MAY.

at all that which he values so highly, and slightingly
inquires, “‘ What is the use of it?’ - Let not the tyro.
be discouraged by the wet blanket thus thrown upon
his pleasure ; why should his spirits be damped at the
unceremonious rebuff? Of what use is it for a man to
ornament his parlour walls with choice paintings at
extravagant prices, or his conservatory with beautiful
exotics? The answer will probably be, because they
refine the taste and elevate the mind. True! And will
not the study of Nature’s works, the investigation of
the beautiful, and the delight engendered by it, elevate
the mind, whether the object be a beautiful painting,
or a beautiful insect coloured by the hand of the great
Master of colour—God Himself? Most certainly it
will; and more than that, the study of Nature will
produce effects upon a well constituted mind that all
the paintings, statuary and works of men’s hands will
never do. It will—

“Lead from Nature up to Nature’s God.”’

And if the tyro is in possession of a microscope, the
pleasures derivable from the study of Entomology will
be increased a thousandfold.

I will finish this chapter by an extract from the
“ Rxordium ” of C. R. Goring, M.D., in the “ Micro-
scopic Illustrations,” by Dr. Goring and Mr. Prit-
chard, in order that the tyro may be the less likely to
have his ardour damped by well-meaning but mistaken
friends: he says—

‘‘T shall conclude this introduction by a vindication
of microscopic science and its votaries from the as-
persions that have been cast upon them by the incon-

MAY. 89

siderate, many of whom have been pleased to assert
that microscopes have, of late, received a degree of
patronage from the most illustrious and distinguished
savans to which they are not legitimately entitled.
Were they applicable to no other purpose than the
dissection of blackguard vermin, the observation of
stinking ditch water, or the amorous passions of ants
and worms, I should perhaps, for argument’s sake,
admit that they were but the tools of a puny pitiful
pedant, whose passions and amusements were of a
trifling if not of a degrading complexion. But I would
ask whether, in the hands of men like Bauer, they are
not applied to the developement of the most curious,
important and interesting details of anatomy and phy-
siology, which without their assistance could never
have beeu known? and whether the finest and most
delicate parts of the structure of animals in their ex-
treme penetralia are not rendered equally intelligible
with the coarsest and most evident parts of their fabric
by means of these instruments.

“Your life will not suffice to study sufficiently the
wonders of the minutiz of natural history.

“‘The supreme Author of Nature has been pleased
to bestow so exquisite a degree of finishing upon many
of His works that they can be only appreciated by man
with the assistance of the microscope. Surely he who
is but a work of God may be allowed to admire the
norks of his Creator without incurring derision or
ridicule, even though they are minutie. T'rifles are
said to take only with frivolous minds ; but minutie
are not necessarily trifles, as it will be easy to prove.
It is not only, in my own opinion, unscientific, but

90 MAY.

even swinish and ridiculous, to condemn anything on
account of its minuteness. To say nothing of the
hackneyed argument, that greatness and _littleness
exist only by comparison, I will ask, if the automaton
chess-player had been made ona scale of one twentieth
of an inch to a foot, or even much less, it would, in
consequence, become despicable as a work of art?

*“‘ Suppose some individual, greatly distinguished by
his talents in ship-building, in making astronomical
instruments, or steam engines, &c., was also to evince a
passion for making minute automata and watch-work,
such as tarantula spiders, minute singing birds, musi-
cal seals, or even such curiosities as a coach drawn by
fleas, &c., would it show good breeding or good taste
to despise or ridicule his minute labours while we
admired his grander and more imposing works ?

“‘ Now it does appear to me, that the Supreme Being
does, in some sense, resemble such an individual ; for
His power loves to display itself in every way in which
it can be displayed, whether upon the minute or grand
scale, in the creation of animacules as well of fixed
stars; and I cannot help thinking myself, that those
who spurn and scoff at the minute works of God, be
they what they may—while they affect an admiration
of His great wonders-—are guilty of a species of im-
piety, and must be either liars, or hypocrites or fools.

“ Men are perpetually wondering, what can be the
use of bugs, and fleas, and wasps, and such kind of
vermin, and speak of them as absolute blots in the
escutcheon of the Almighty. The use of these little
insects is surely to teach man a perpetual lesson of
humility. He is extremely apt to fancy himself the

MAY. 91

only being of real importance in this planet, and that
every thing in it has been made for his exclusive use
and accommodation; whereas a very little considera-
tion must teach him that the said fleas, and bugs, and
wasps, kc., are intended to enjoy themselves in their
own way just as he does; thatis to say, without greatly
considering the convenience, comforts or happiness of
other beings. I consider it as certain that bugs were
intended to prey upon man, as that man and the other
predaceous mammalia were intended to destroy the
weaker animals. Ifa bug (I beg pardon—a Cimes lec-
tularius) could reason, it would probably suppose that

man was of no other use in the creation than to pre-
pare its habitation and supply its food; and would
think that no better evidence need be adduced to prove
the immense importance of a bug than that such boun- »
tiful provision had been made for it, &c.”’

** He prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small,
For the dear God that loveth us,
He made and loveth all.’’

( 92 )

CHAPTER VI.

—~—.

JUNE.

“It was the azure time of June,
When the skies are deep in the stainless noon,
And the warm and fitful breezes shake
The fresh green leaves of the hedge-row briar,
And there were odours there to make
The very breath we did respire
A liquid element, whereon
Our spirits, like delighted things
That walk the air on subtle wings,
Floated and mingled far away.’’—SHELLEY.

June! delightful June! the crowning month of the
year. The period of nature’s adolescence has past, and
the full and mature vigour of its puberty has com-
menced. The leafy wood, the smiling meadow, the
breezy upland, the chalky down, the open moor or
barren mountain side, covered with blooming heather,
its fairy bells sparkling in the sunlight, and bending
gracefully as the ever active and industrious bees rifle
its nectaries of their choicest treasures. A large ex-
panse of blooming heather is a glorious sight, recalling
to the mind the stirring measure of the ‘ Great Un-
known,” as he sings of raid and foray of “ Douglas
and the Graeme,” and of the hardy clans Macdonell,

JUNE. 93

Macdonald and Macallister, who chose these beautiful
plants for their badges.

“The erica here,
That o’er the Caledonian hills sublime
Spreads its dark mantle (where the bees delight
To seek their purest honey), flourishes ;
Sometimes with bells like amethyst, and then
Paler, and shaded, like a maiden’s cheek,
With gradual blushes: others while as white
As rime that hangs upon the frozen spray.’’

* Flower of the waste! the heath fowl shuns
For thee the brake and tangled wood ;
To thy protecting shade she runs,
Thy tender buds supply her food ;
Her young forsake her downy plumes
To rest upon thy opening blooms.

** Flower of the desert, though thou art!
The deer that range the mountain free,
The graceful doe, the stately hart,

Their food and shelter seek from thee;
The bee thy earliest blossom greets,
And draws from thee her choicest sweets.

“Gem of the heath! whose modest bloom
Sheds beauty o’er the lovely moor ;
Though thou dispense no rich perfume,
Nor yet with splendid tints allure,

Both valour’s crest and beauty’s bower,
Oft hast thou deck’d, a favorite flower.

“ Flower of the wild! whose purple glow
Adorns the dusky mountain’s side,
Not the gay hues of Iris’ bow,
Nor garden’s artful varied pride,
With all its wealth of sweets could cheer,
Like thee the hardy mountaineer.

94 JUNE.

“ Flower of his heart! the fragrance mild,
Of peace and freedom seems to breathe ;
To pluck thy blossoms in the wild,

And deck his bonnet with the wreath,
Where dwelt of old his rustic sires,
Is all his simple wish requires,

‘¢ Flower of his dear-lov’d, native land !
Alas! when distant, far more dear !
When he, from some cold foreign strand,
Looks homeward through the blinding tear,
How must his aching heart deplore,
That home and thee he sees no more !”’
Mrs. GRANT.

June is the jubilee of the year. Nature seems to have
chosen it in an especial manner as her own; in it the
trees attain their full leaf; the blossoms of the fruit trees
have long since set, and the sun is gradually trans-
forming them into luscious fruit, the gardens are drest
in their gayest attire, the “rose of June” flaunts gaily
in the nicely kept parterre, the birds are fully engaged
in building their nests or rearing their newly fledged
young, while the hosts of insect life swarm on every
hedgebank, meadow, tree and bush; on the open down,
and in the tangled forest, on the weedy bank, and in
the blossomy hedge-row, countless thousands sport
their little day, and do the work appointed them to do.

“Ts this a time to be cloudy and sad

When our mother Nature laughs around ?

When even the deep blue heavens look glad

And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground ?
There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren,
And the gossip of swallows through the sky ;

The ground squirrel gaily chirps by his den,
And the wilding bee hums merrily by; F

JUNE. 95

The clouds are at play in the azure space,
And their shadows at play in the bright green vale ;
And here they stretch to the frolic chase,
And there they roll on the easy gale.
There’s a dance of leaves in that aspen bower, .
And a titter of winds in that beechen tree ;
There’s a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower,
And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea;

. And look at the broad-faced sun! how he smiles,
On the dewy earth, that smiles in his ray,
On the leaping waters and gay young isles—
Ay, look !—and he’ll smile thy gloom away.”

ANON.

And now, kind reader, while we are in this enviable
frame of mind, let us betake ourselves to the London
Bridge Station of the South-Eastern Railway, and,
providing ourselves with tickets for the Box Hill
Station on the Reigate, Guildford and Reading Branch,
we shall, after about an hour and a quarter’s riding
through some of the most beautiful scenery in the
vicinity of London, arrive at our destination, one of the
most prolific localities in rarities both Entomological
and Botanical, and embracing the most beautiful scenery
with which I am acquainted.

- Having arrived at the “Box Hill” station, and
gained the road, we must turn to the right, and, con-
tinuing our course along the road until we arrive at the
Burford Bridge Inn; we are then at the foot of Box
Hill, as from the garden of the inn we can walk straight
on to the hill, and so round to the left to the top of
Headley Lane; but if we do not wish to explore the
hill, but to make the ‘ Hilly Field” the theatre of our
explorations, we must continue our course along the

96 JUNE.

road for some distance past the Burford Bridge Inn,
until we come to a turning on our right; at one corner
of which, in a garden, are some fine cedar trees, and at
the other a direction post, on which is inscribed ‘ Three
miles to Headley ;’’ this is Headley Lane. Continuing
our course along the lane, we shall come to a farm
house on our right—on our left a lime kiln; just past
which, on the slope, we shall see a path amongst'the
trees; this will bring us into the “ sanctum sanctorum,”
the “ Hilly Field at Headley Lane.”” And now, how
beautiful is the prospect! how varied is the scene!
looking back upon the road we have travelled, the.
beautiful slopes of Norbury Park appear to great ad-
vantage, on which grow the noble old yews, the choice
locality for Dasycampa rubiginea; these yews are
called the “ Druid’s Grove,’ but whether here in

ancient times —
‘¢ The incense rose

That Pagan gods might crush the Briton’s foes—”’

is a point I am unable to set at rest, it being rather
more antiquarian than Entomological ; all I know is,
that it could hardly have been more “sacred” then
than now—“ Trespassers will be prosecuted’’ being in-
tended to strike terror into the hearts of all whom it
may concern. But it is gratifying to think that the
purse-proud lordling cannot destroy the pleasure his
humbler(?) brother feels at contemplating the works
of nature, and that all his gold and all his power cannot
smother the feelings of admiration and pleasure that
throng his heart as he stands in nature’s temple and

pours forth his soul in praise to the Author of all, for

“ He looks abroad into the varied field °

Of nature, -nd though poor, perhaps, compared

JUNE. 97

With those whose mansions glitter in his sight,

Calls the delightful survey all his own.

His are the mountains, and the valleys his,

And the resplendent rivers : his to enjoy

With a propriety that none can feel,

But who, with filial confidence inspired,

Can lift to heaven an unpresumptuous eye,

And smiling say, ‘My Father made them all !’

Are they not his by a peculiar right,

And by an emphasis of interest his,

Whose eye they fill with tears of holy joy,

Whose heart with praise, and whose exalted mind,

With worthy thoughts of that unwearied love,

That planned, and built, and still upholds, a world

So clothed with beauty for rebellious man ?”’
CowPeER.

The soil is chalk, through which the green sand
peeps in places, while the vegetation is luxuriant beyond
description ; the trees are principally beech and birch,
intermixed with hazel, oak and juniper; while the her-
bage beneath is a perfect carpet of flowers, marjoram,
wild thyme and cowslips (here provincially called
“ Paigles’”’), together with Orchidee, and many other
rare plants. But let us commence operations, and first
we will beat those yew trees upon the hill; hilloa!
what is this plain yellowish insect I have beaten out ?
Let me see! a good beginning, that is Lithosia helvola ;
try again; good! Aventia flecula now! Our luck has
set in ; and, while “ the tide”’ of our affairs is at the flood,
let us make our Entomological fortune if we can, and
to this end let us search those beech trees, and, perhaps,
we may find T’ortrix cinnamomeana. In “ Headley
Lane” Lithosia complana occurs; while among the
birches we may find Hphyra orbicularia. In the

EF

98 JUNE.

Hilly Field Hupithecia piperaria occurs ; while among
Spirea filipendula the larve of Peronea aspersana
occur abundantly. Among the spruce firs Coccyx
nanana occurs; while Stigmonota coniferana has been
taken once upon the same trees, and among the beeches
Stigmunota Weirana may be found.

In Headley Lane we may find Setina irrorella;
Penthina sellana occurs in the Hilly Field. Among
beech trees Lithosia aureola occurs, while on the
trunks of trees Stauropus Fagi may perhaps be found ;
while feeding in the evening at the flowers of Silene
inflata we may see Dianthecia carpophaga. Among
bushes, by beating, we may obtain T'oxocampa pas-
tinum; while among oaks Catocala promissa and
C. sponsa occur; and on Mickleham Downs Boarmia
Abietaria may be found. In the “ Hilly Field” Py-
rausta cingulalis and P. anguinalis occur, together
with Cledeobia angustalis and Botys hyalinalis ;
while on Mickleham Downs Sericoris decrepitana
occurs on Scotch firs, and Mixodia Ratzburghiana on
larches.

Among beech trees Carpocapsa grossana occurs;
C. splendana among oaks, and C. Pomonana among
apple trees. Ina house at West Humble Z%nea Lu-
zella has occurred, while Gi'cophora flavifrontella is
found among privet. ‘ Herr Krosmann has bred this
from a singular case found on the ground; the case is
rather semicircular and broad at its straight edge.”
(Entomologist’s Annual, 1856, p. 54.)

By sweeping we may obtain Grelechia Coronillella,
while among the stone-crop (Sedum acre), growing in

a stony place on Box Hill, we shall find Glyphipteryx

JUNE. 99

equitella ; while in the juniper bushes Argyresthia
abdominalis occurs, together with A. arceuthina and
precocella; and on Sorbus aria, Argyresthia Sor-
biella may be found, while among the viper’s bugloss
(Echium vulgare) Coleophora Onosmella and Doug-
lasia Ocnerostomella may be met with. In grassy places,
under the shelter of bushes, Elachista gangabella
occurs, together with Pterophorus tetradactylus.

And now let us diversify our occupation a little, and
commence a hunt for our pets in embryo: and first
what are those blotches on the leaves of Centaurea
scabiosa and C. nigra caused by? Let us look. Ah!
another slice of luck, one of the gems of Headley
Lane, the best plum in the Micro-Lepidopterological
pudding, the larva of Coleophora conspicuella in its
black case, in appearance resembling that of C. albi-
tarsella, but twice as large. On Hchium vulgare we
shall find the larva of Col. Onosmella. On the
perennial goose-foot (Chenopodium bonus-Henricus)
the larva of Heliodines Rosella may perhaps be
found feeding gregariously in a web on the under side
of the leaves.

Mining in the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris the larva
of Gracilaria omissella occurs; while in the leaves
of lilac, privet and ash, at first mining and afterwards
folding the leaves into a cone, the larve of Gra.
syringella may be found in plenty; and in the leaves
of the ribbed plantain (Plantago lanceolata) the larve
of Gracilaria tringipennella may be found in their
brown mines, while the pretty and conspicuous black
larva, spotted with white, of Tortrix Icterana (pro-
; F2

100 - ‘JUNE.

ducing males only) fold the leaves over, joining them
tubularly. |

Among the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perfor-
atum) the larva of Gracilaria auroguttella have re-
established their “ cigar”? manufactory, while in the
leaves of the aspen (Populus tremula) the larvee of
Phyllocnistis suffusella make their curious mines ; and
in the leaves of the willow the larvee of Phyllocnistis
saligna are busily engaged on a similar operation.

In the leaves of Hpilobium hirsutum ( Circea lute-
tiana?) (Entomologist’s Annual, Ist ed., p. 63, 2nd
ed., p. 85), we may perhaps find the larva of Anybia
langiella; whileamong Cherophyllum sylvestre, Sison
and other Umbellifere the larvee of Chauliodus Chero-
phylellus will be found, discolouring the leaves; and
on the leaves of Stellaria holostea, the larve of Co-
leophora solitariella occur, while the larve of Grele-
chia maculea may be found devouring its shoots and
seeds. In wet places, mining the leaves of the flea
bane (Inula dysenterica), the larva of Acrolepia gra-
nitella occurs (it has the power of moving from leaf
to leaf); while burrowing in the leaves of the burr-
reed (Sparganium), the larva of Orthotelia Spar-_
ganella may be found. In shoots of heather the larva
of Gelechia ericinella may be obtained.

Under the leaves of thistles, in a slight web, we
may find the larva of Depressaria subpropinquella ;
while, in the turned-down corners of Centaurea nigra,
the larva of Depressaria arenella will be found, and
in its rolled-up leaves the larva of Depressaria litu-
rella finds a congenial home.

JUNE. 101

In the shoots of Genista tinctoria the larva of
Gelechia lentiginosella may be found, together with
that of Depressaria atomella; the latter also in the
shoots of broom (Spartium scoparium); while the
larva of Depressaria costosa feeds in the shoots of
furze and broom indifferently.

In the shoots or tops of Hypericum perforatum,
the larva of the pretty Depressaria Hypericella may
be found; while in the shoots of sallow that of De-
pressaria conterminella occurs, together with that of
Depressaria Angelicella—the latter also upon Angelica
sylvestris in wet places.

On limes and sallows we may find the larva of
Cerostoma sequella, while on and in? the leaves of
lime, horse-chestnut, birch? and alder the larva of
that great rarity Bucculatrix Hippocastanella occurs ;
and on the twigs of the juniper, making large webs,
the larve of Ypsolophus marginellus may be found;
and under the leaves of the goosefoot ( Chenopodium)
and the orache (Atriplex), in a slight web, we may
perhaps find the larva of Butalis Chenopodiella,
while in the shoots of Atriplex the larva of Grelechia
Atriplicella occurs; and in the stems of both Atri-
plex and Chenopodium the larva of Gelechia obsoletella
may be found, while the larve of Gelechia nevi-
ferella and G. Hermannella are busily engaged in
mining the leaves of those plants, forming large
whitish blotches.

In the shoots of broom (Spartium scoparium) the
larva of Anarsia Spartiella occurs, while in the
shoots of the dyer’s green-weed (Genista tinctoria)
the larve of Anarsia Geniste may be found; while

102 JUNE.

the umbels and stems of the cow-parsnip (Heracleum
sphondylium) are inhabited by the larve of Depres-
saria Heracliana. On the yellow hoary mullem
(Verbascum pulverulentum), in turned-down corners
of the leaves, may be found the pupe of Nothris Ver-
bascella (but this has only hitherto occurred near
Norwich), while the larve of Psoricoptera gibbosella,
and Grelechia temerella and sororculella occur on
sallows.

On ash trees we may perhaps find the larva of Zel-
leria hepariella, while on spindle (Huonymus) the
larvee of Hyponomeuta plumbellus, irrorellus, Hvony-
mellus and T'heristis caudella occur ; and in the leaves
of Epilobium hirsutum the pupa of Laverna ochra-
ceella may be collected. The pupa of Chrysoclista
Linneella lies snugly ensconced beneath the bark of
lime trees.

In decayed wood the larva of Hxapate gelatella
luxuriates, while on oaks the curious footed larva of
Chimabacche phryganella may be found; and on
hawthorn, in a web gregariously, the larva of Scy-
thropia Crategella occurs, together with the active
larva of Swammerdamia Pyrella on the same food
plant.

In gardens, on cabbages, &c., the larva of Plutella
cruciferarum occurs, while in the orchards and gar-
dens, on sloe, hawthorn and apple, the larve of Hy-
ponomeuta Padellus carry on their work of destruc-
tion and disfigurement, in company with the larva of
Clisiocampa neustria; and on the dames violet or
rocket (Hesperis matronalis) will be found the larva of
the pretty Plutella porrectella, while on apple trees we

JUNE. 103

may hope to find the larve of Cerostoma asperella
and Gelechia rhombella; and from off the bark of pear
trees the pup of Grelechia nanella may be collected.

On the bird-cherry (Prunus Padus) the larva of
Hyponomeuta Padi occurs, while on oaks we may
find the larvee of Cerostoma sequella and Grelechia
gemmella (mining the leaves?); and on the orpine
(Sedum telephium) we may perhaps find the larva of
Hyponomeuta vigintipunctatus, and descending from
birch trees, in their newly made cases, the larva of
Incurvaria pectinea may be observed.

On Cherophyllum sylvestre the larva of Depres-
saria Weirella may be found, while under the leaves
of pear, oak and beech, in a slight web, the pretty
larva of Phibalocera Quercana devours the under
epidermis and parenchyma of the leaves, making brown
blotches.

On elm, alder, hornbeam and nut we shall find
commonly the larva of Coleophora fuscedinella, while
on the leaves of Genista tinctoria the larva of Coleo-
phora vibicella occurs, and in bramble leaves the
larva of Nep. aurella; while in fungi on hornbeam
we shall find the larva of Tinea corticella, and the
larva of Gelechia sequax in the shoots of the common
sun cistus (Helianthemum vulgare), and that of G.
populella on poplars, sallows and birches.

And now the larve of the delicate, graceful and
beautiful ‘“‘ Plumes” (Pterophori) demand our atten-
tion. These larve are all hairy, and feed mostly on
the under side of the leaves of their respective food-
plants. Under the leaves of the burdock (Arctium
Lappa) we shall find the larva of Pterophorus galac-

104 JUNE.

todactylus, while on the leaves of the flea-bane (Inula
dysenterica) the larva of Pterophorus lithodactylus
occurs; and on the leaves of the common white hore-
hound (Marrubium vulgare) we may perhaps be for-
tunate enough to find the larva of Pterophorus spilo-
dactylus, while that of Pterophorus pentadactylus
devours the leaves of the small bindweed ( Convolvulus
arvensis), and that of Pterophorus pheodactylus
occurs both upon the trailing and thorny rest-harrow
(Ononis procumbens and O. spinosa) indifferently.
On the narrow-leaved hawkweed (Hieracium umbel-
latum) the larva of Pterophorus Hieracti occurs ;
while upon the common mouse-ear hawkweed (Hiera-
cium pilosella) the larva of Pterophorus Piloselle may
be found.

And now, kind reader, let us in fancy transport our-
selves to some delightful expanse of heather, alive with
the myriad insects that find food and shelter amid its
dense foliage, and musical with the hum of bees: such
an one is the heath field at Coomb Hurst, and its
ditto at West Wickham; and now let us commence
operations.

Hilloa! hi! where are you running to as if you
had been frightened? Where! why after that beau-
tiful insect, darting along over the heather! Well!
and did you catch it? No, the rascal could fly con-
siderably faster than I could run with my feet ham-
pered by the heather! Exactly so, the only way to
catch that elegant and active insect is by standing still.
What! standing still? Seriously! are you joking?
Joking? no, never was more serious in my life. Just
take up your position, net in hand, in the sunniest spot

JUNE. 105

you can find among the heather, and standing still
await their approach and “bag” them. That is it.
Good ! four specimens in a very short time, taken by
standing still. That is the only way you can surely
capture the beautiful but rapid-flying Anarta Myr-
tilli, which would have led you a dance over the field
again and again, and then have eluded your pursuit,
simply because its habit is to fly rapidly and in the
bright sunshine over the heather, hiding itself among
the heather if the sun becomes cloudy, and reappear-
ing as soon as he shines again; feeding upon the
heather you will find the beautiful green larva of the
same species.

On the trunks of the oaks the pretty little Coccyx
argyrana will be found, while among the thistles
Ephippiphora sticticana occurs; and flitting along
among the coltsfoot (Z'ussilago farfara) we shall see
Ephippiphora Brunnichana, while on the trunks of
trees and hidden among the heather Pedisca corticana
occurs.

Among the tansy (T’anacetum vulgare) Dicroram-
pha sequana occurs, while among sycamores we shall
find the pretty Stigmonota T'rauniana, and Penthina
Betuletana among birches; among the brambles we
shall find Notocelia Udmanniana, while on the
sandy bank (among Hypericum perforatum) Catop-
tria Hypericana may be found; and Catoptria Al-
bersana occurs among honeysuckle at “ West Wick-
ham ;” Catoptria Hohenworthiana among. thistles,
and C’. pupillana on the coast among the sea worm-
wood.

Now there are a great number of insects that do not

FO

106 JUNE.

come to sugar, but flit about in the twilight. As soon
as the sun has descended below the horizon, and the
fields and woods begin to be enveloped in shadow, we
may see a number of moths carefully threading their
way among the bushes, hovering over the weedy banks, .
or gamboling in the dusky twilight about the tops of
the low underwood, or among the lowermost branches
of the trees; upon examination these will be found
principally to consist of Geometre, Pyrales and Tor-
trices. Being armed with a net, we have only to
capture them—this may easily be done, as they are
wholly intent upon feeding upon the flowers or enjoy-
ing their twilight gambols—pinning them and trans-
ferring them to your damp collecting-box, or, in the
case of small Geometre and Tortrices, enclosing them
in pill boxes for future disposal. This process of ob-
taining insects is very productive, and is technically
known by the appellation “ mothing.” It can also be
practised at a time of the day which can hardly be
appropriated to anything else in the way of collecting,
as it is too early in the evening for sugar and too late
for beating; so that while awaiting the “ sugaring ”
time, the intervening period may be profitably em-
ployed in ‘ mothing.”

But while we have been talking, twilight has been
gathering, and our little pets are flitting and bobbing
about in all directions. What is that delicate and
pretty insect, like a small Hnnomos, hovering about
that privet at the edge of the wood? That is Perveal-
lia Syringaria, the lilac beauty; but see, there are
some more “ beauties” flying by: dart over and among
that underwood; capture one or two; they are Ange-

JUNE. 107

rona prunaria. You see the male and female are
very dissimilar, the male being orange, mottled with
small black markings, and the female having a broad
stripe or fascia of lemon yellow through the dusky
anterior wings, and a large spot of the same colour on
the under wings. There is also another insect very
dissimilar in the sexes; this is Midonia Piniaria, but
the colours are transposed ; the female in this species
being orange, with a large dusky apical patch, and the
male lemon yellow, the apical patches being black.
This species is taken at West Wickham and Ripley
flying round pines in the sunshine, but requires a long-
handled net to capture it, as it flies rather high. Flying
along whitethorn hedges we shall see Rumia Crate-
garia, together with Ourapteryx Sambucaria, readily
recognised by the tail-like processes at the edge of the
posterior wings, while Hilopia fasciaria occurs among
pines. On heaths Fidonia atomaria occurs; while
Eupisteria carbonaria occurs on heaths in Scotland,
Perthshire, together with Psodos trepidaria in the
same locality. Among birches we shall find Biston
betularia, while on the trunks of oak and pines Odon-
topera bidentaria will be found. On the trunks of
trees and on palings Aplecta tincta may be found,
together with Acronycta Aceris and megacephala ;
while on palings near gardens Polia serena occurs,
together with Bryophila perla and glandifera. The
handsome but common Plusia gamma may be often
found at rest on weedy banks, and P. Chrysitis among
nettles ; while P. Orichalcea occurs on the coast near
Deal, and P. Bractea in the north of England, toge-
ther with P. interrogationis ; Plusia Jota occurs on

108 JUNE.

hedge banks among ground-ivy, on which the larva
feeds. .

On palings (Dartford Heath) Hupithecia venosaria
occurs, June 8th, together with Anchylopera Ramana
and Tortrix minutana; palings are the great harbour
for the Hupithecie and Dosithee; here they may be
found with their wings expanded, and compressed as flat
as possible against the paling—their brown or dark co-
lour greatly aiding their escape from the searching eye
of the Entomologist—while on the least alarm they are
ready to start at a moment’s warning; in such situa-
tions Hupithecia rectangularia, debiliaria, pumilaria,
castigaria, austeraria, innotaria, minutaria, subno-
taria, plumbeolaria, Centaurearia and irriguaria,
may be found, together with Dosithea virgularia on
palings near gardens.

In bushy places near woods, and on the skirts of
woods, we may obtain, by beating, those beautifully
marked G'eometre (called “carpets” by collectors),
of the generee Hmmelesia, Harpalyce, Melanippe, &c.;
im such localities we may obtain Hmmelesia decolo-
rarta, blandiaria, rivularia and bifasciaria, together
with Harpalyce marmoraria, picaria, fulvaria and
galiaria, Melanippe tristaria, Alchemillaria and am-
nicularia, together with the beautiful argent and sable
Melanippe hastaria. This insect flies in the day time
in the open spaces in woods (at West Wickham it is
not uncommon) at a considerable elevation ; but if the
collector seeing one, follows it a short distance, it will
probably be espied by another of its own species,
when immediately a battle will commence between
them, in the course of which they will approach nearer

JUNE. 109

the earth, when they may be captured by the watch-
ful Entomologist : or should not another insect appear
in sight, to commence a fight and thus increase the
gains as well as the pleasure of the collector, a few
small pebbles or pieces of clay being thrown vertically
upward so as to attract its attention, the pugnacious
disposition of the species will be developed, and it will
descend rapidly after the challenging missile in order
to give it battle, and will thus be brought within reach
of the collector’s net.

Among osiers T'ortrix clorana may be found; while
Halias prasinana and Quercana occur among oaks
and hornbeams, together with Tortria viridana among
oaks; 7’. adjunctana among honeysuckle and ivy;
T’.. Sorbiana among hazel; and 7. Ribeana, unifas-
ciana, Rosana and pyrastrana in gardens.

This month is very prolific in insects at “ sugar.”
The sugar should be placed upon the trunks of the
trees, on posts, smooth stones, felled timber, or any
other convenient places, in long streaks, by means of a
painter’s brush, about an hour before sunset, between
‘which period and the time you commence examining
your “sugar” may be profitably employed in mothing.
The first indications of Noctue, or such other insects
as will visit your “ sugar,”’ being astir, will be the ap-
pearance of the swifts, Hepialide. This genus must
have received its common designation of “swifts” from
the species /upulinus and velleda, from their quick and
rapid flight, in marked contradistinction to the species
Hectus and Humuli, whose flight is a slow, hovering,
pendulum-like motion. After these come the peach
blossoms, Thyatira batis, daintily careening over the

110 JUNE.

brambles, and, if the night be calm, they will soon
discover your sugar; then the smaller fry of Depres-
sarie, Tinee and Tortrices, with an occasional Pyra-
lis, make their appearance until twilight deepens into
the deep shades of evening, when the Noctue, that
especially favour the saccharine repast, make their ap-
pearance, their brilliant eyes burning like lamps as
they sit on the “sugar” that has “betrayed them into
the hands of the fowler.”” Of those species that most
commonly come to sugar, we may enumerate Noctua
festiva, C. wgrum, Phylopira tragopogonis, Nenia
typicu, Agrotis putris, Acronycta Aceris and mega-
cephala, Bryophila perla and glandifera, Ceropa-
cha fluctuosa and duplaris, Phlogophora meticulosa,
Agrotis segetum, suffusa, puta and exclamationis ;
while, as “sugar” plums, we may occasionally capture
Agrotis lunigera (in the Isle of Wight), Acronycta
Alni, auricoma and Ligustri, Dipthera Orion and
Cymatophora Oo.

Light is also very attractive; all the Bombyces and
many of the Sphingide are attracted by it, and, in
country or suburban districts, often make their way
into the gas lamps by running up the lamp posts, and
so make their way in by the hole at the bottom of the
lamp, through which the burner passes ; but once in, it
is impossible for them to get out again, for, from the
universal tendency of all moths (as well as larvae) to
crawl upwards, they often get to the top of the lamp,
and so over the flame, in which position they get
scorched to death, their wingless and shrunken bodies,
on the bottom of the lamps, testifying to the cause of -
death ; and thus they become martyrs to their love of
light.

JUNE. 111

In this way may be obtained many rare species,—
Notodonta dromedarius, Ptilodontis palpina and
Cherocampa Elpenor, while Smerinthus Populi
occurs commonly, and S. Tilie and ocellatus more
sparingly, and Pygera bucephala in abundance, toge-
ther with a good supply of Geometre ; the commoner
species often in little swarms, together with Pyralides
and Crambina.

There are also many plants and shrubs which are
extremely attractive to Lepidoptera, at the flowers of
which they may be readily captured while sporting
over them, and buzzing or feeding at them. Of these
Silene inflata, Virginia stock, honeysuckle, common
red Valerian and the blossoms of the lime tree, now
deserve our attention.

There are three Tinea that demand some notice, viz. :
Acrolepia perlepidella, Nothris Durdhamella and

Coleophora ochrea. Of the rare Acrolepia perlepi-
della it is stated (Entomologist’s Annual, 1856, p. 54),
“ Mr. Vaughan took about ten indifferent specimens,
‘August 28th, 1854, flying in the sunshine round a
privet-bush, surrounded by oaks and birches, in Leigh
Wood, near Bristol! This year Mr. Vaughan again
met with the species in the same locality, June 18th
and 28th.”

Of Coleophora ochrea Mr. Stainton states (Ento-
mologist’s Annual, 1856, page 55), “The larva feeds,
so Herr Schmid assures me, on Helianthemum vulgare,
the latter half of June eating the leaves. The case
must be very conspicuous; it is more than half-an-
inch long, cylindrical, brownish-ochreous.” While of
Nothris Durdhamella, it is the solution of Enigma

le JUNE.

No. 13 (Ent. Annual, Ist edit. p.64; 2nd edit. p. 86),
“¢ the black and white larva, not unlike that of Gelechia
rufescens, was found by Mr. Harding at Deal, on the
Origanum vulgare, at the end of June.” (Ent.
Annual, 1856, p. 53.)

And now, dear reader, I will close this chapter with
a few words of advice, which I hope will be of service
to you. We have now entered upon the most prolific
season of the year in insect life; the fields and woods
are alive with insects, and the tyro may be tempted to
take, and undoubtedly will take, all he can of the
“little gem-like atoms of God’s creation” so profusely
scattered abroad; but I sincerely hope that when he
has taken them, brought them home, and killed them,
he will set them, and not allow them to remain in his
laurel box until they become mouldy, or take them out,
insert a pin through the thorax of each specimen, then
stick them with their wings closed in a store box, or on
a spare piece of cork, and then leave them to take care
of themselves, or to become a prey to mites, spiders
and mould, instead of increasing his stock of duplicates
wherewith to oblige his friends who are in need of the
species he thus wastes. Such conduct brings its own
punishment: mites make their appearance in his col-
lection (and it is remarkable that these creatures seldom
attack common insects; and I believe almost every
Entomologist will confirm my statement, that it is
usually the rarest insects that first become their prey) ;
spiders are fostered, dirt is engendered, and lazy, indo-
lent habits are formed insensibly by the tyro until he
loses his energy, and his collection falls into decay.

JUNE. 113

Often have I seen dozens of pill-boxes emptied of their
defunct inhabitants and scores of insects consigned to
the flames, that by the exercise of a little industry
might have been retained in good condition by their
owners, or have formed a most acceptable and welcome
present to some Entomological tyro.

But, further, we have no right to destroy, indiscrimi-
nately and purposelessly any of the innumerable living
creatures that inhabit and beautify this earth.

‘** They are as free to enjoy as we to live.”

Why then should we wantonly cut short their little
span of existence, and then suffer them to decay, useless
alike to ourselves and others? Be sure the tyro who
is habitually guilty of such conduct will never become
an Entomologist in heart. Nature is never wasteful
of animal life! why then should man be? How do
we know that the Great Author of their being (as well
as our’s) does not hold them in his estimation as especial
evidences of his creative power, seeing that he has not
only endowed them with great external beauty, but has
given even the smallest of them a muscular system of
such power, that if the elephant was endowed with the
strength of these insects, in proportion to his size, his
powers of destruction would be fearful to contemplate.

Thomas Rymer Jones, F.R.S. (in his ‘ General
Outline of the Animal Kingdom,” page 250, paragraph
292), says :—

“The muscular system of insects has always excited
the wonder and astonishment of the naturalist, in what-
ever point of view he examines this part of their eco-

114 JUNE.

nomy—whether he considers the perfection of their
movements, the inconceivable minuteness of the parts
moved, or the strength, persistence or velocity of their
contractions.” Insects are proverbially of small com-
parative dimensions—“ minims of nature” —
‘‘ that wave their limber fans
For wings, and smallest lineaments exact,
In all the liveries decked of summer’s pride.”

Their presence, indeed, around us, is only remarked
as conferring additional life and gaiety to the land-
scape; and, except when by some inordinate increase
in their numbers they make up by their multitude for
their diminutive size, the ravages committed by them
are trifling and insignificant. Far otherwise, however,
would it be if they attained to larger growth, and still
possessed the extraordinary power with which they are
now so conspicuously gifted ; they would, then, indeed,
become truly the tyrants of the creation; monsters such
“as fable never feigned or fear conceived,” fully ade-
quate to destroy and exterminate from the surface of
the earth all that it contains of vegetable or of animal
life.

We have already seen that the flea or the grasshopper
will spring two hundred times the length of its own
body ; that the dragon-fly possesses such indomitable
strength of wing that for a day together it will sustain
itself in the air, and fly with equal facility and swiftness
backwards or forwards, to the right or to the left, with-
out turning; that the beetles are encased in a dense and
hard integument, impervious to ordinary violence ; and,
we might add, that the wasp and the termite ant will

JUNE. 115

penetrate with their jaws the hardest wood. Neither
is the velocity of the movements of insects inferior to
their prodigious muscular power. “ An anonymous
writer in Nicholson’s Journal,’’ say Kirby and Spence,
“calculates that in its ordinary flight the common
house-fly (Musca domestica) makes with its wings
about six hundred strokes, which carry it five feet
every second; but if alarmed, he states their velocity
can be increased six or seven fold, or to thirty or thirty-
five feet in the same period. In this space of time a
race-horse could clear only ninety feet, which is at the
rate of more than a mile ina minute. Our little fly,
in her swiftest flight, will in the same space of time go
“more than the third of a mile. Now, compare the —
infinite difference of the size of the two animals (ten
millions of the fly would hardly counterpoise one racer),
and how wonderful will the velocity of this minute
creature appear! Did the fly equal the race-horse in
size, and retain its present powers in the ratio of its
magnitude, it would traverse the globe with the rapidity
of lightning.”’*

Let the reader, therefore, imagine for an instant that
great law of nature, which restricts the dimensions of
an insect within certain bounds, dispensed with even in
a single species. Suppose the wasp or the stag-beetle
dilated to the bulk of a tiger or of an elephant—cased
in impenetrable armour — furnished with jaws that
would crush the solid trunk of an oak—winged, and
capable of flight so rapid as to render escape hope-

* Kirby and Spence, Op. Cit. vol. ii. p. 358.

116 JUNE.

less ;—what would resist such destroyers, or how could
the world support their ravages ?

Go, child of nature to thy mother’s breast,

And learn the lesson she can teach so well;

No longer in the lap of folly rest,

But hear the truths that Nature loves to tell.

Go to the forest when the tempest lowers ;

List to the roaring of the mighty wind:

Ask by what force the raging torrent pours,

Or why the wilderness it leaves behind.

Go to the bubbling fountain and the rill,

Or mark the gentle fall of silent dew:

Ask whence the stream its wasted course shall fill,
Or who the lapse of waters will renew.

Go to the bee, and watch its daily toil,

And ask what sweetens labour and repose,

Who bears it onward laden with rich spoil,

And guides it home to rest at evening’s close.

Go to the bird, that seeks her leafy nest,

To guard her young ones with her sheltering wing :
Ask who it is that plumes her downy breast,

And tunes her voice to music while she sings.

Go to the streamlet, murmuring through the vale;
Gaze on the wreathing flowers that o’er it twine;
Will they not tell their own untutored tale,

And say, ‘The hand that made us is Divine?’ ”

CMF )

CHAPTER VII.

—~—

JULY.

“ What more felicity can fall to creature
Than to enjoy delight with liberty ?”’
SPENSER.

‘© The love of Nature and the scenes she draws
Is Nature’s dictate. * * * *
The air salubrious of her lofty hills,

The cheering fragrance of her dewy vales
And music of her woods.”
CowPeER.

“ We fee] within ourselves
His energy divine ; he tells the heart
He meant, he made us to behold and love
What he beholds and loves, the general orb
Of life and being. * * * *

Thus the men
Whom Nature’s works can charm, with God himself
Hold converse, grow familiar, day by day,
With his conceptions.”
AKENSIDE.

Anp this is July! Hot, baking, sultry July! in which
the dog-days hold undisputed sway, in which the sun
darts his powerful rays in an almost vertical direction
upon us, causing the soil to crack with the heat, and

118 JULY.

the chalk-cliffs and the marsh to shine like polished
silver in the effulgence of his rays:

The noise of the humble bee, which in the early
morning might be heard beside every hedge-row and
on every weedy bank, along which the black and
yellow-coated gentry winged their way, has ceased, the
Bombi having retired into their holes until the heat of
the day has past; while, on the contrary, the pretty
little Cicindela campestris is in full activity, running
swiftly along the sandy bank, or making short excur-
sive flights along the hedge-row. The corn just
coming into ear stands almost erect, gracefully bending
to the soft zephyr-like wind, that comes in little gusts
from the south-west, while the gaudy poppy and the
scarlet pimpernel (its brilliant blossoms fully ex-
panded to Sol’s refulgent beams) beautify the ground.

But let us leave the fields and retire within the
leafy expanse of the woods, beneath the verdant shade
of which the heat has driven the birds to take shelter.
And let us rest awhile our languid limbs beside the
cool margin of the brook, over the surface of which
those tyrants of the insect world, the Libellule or
dragon flies, dart with the rapidity of arrows, and into
which the kingfisher (Alcedo ispida) plunges, looking
as cool, and comfortable, and unconcerned as if it
were anything but a baking July day, and provoking
us to emulate him in his refreshing ablutions.

But what is this? The dragon flies have ceased
hawking and have retired among, or are hanging to,
the sedge and rushes on the brook side ; the kingfisher
has disappeared ; the wind no longer comes in slight
gusts, but “soughs’” among the trees, making the

JULY. 119

leaves of the birch and aspen vibrate upon their slender
stems, and the tops of the tall pines bend and creak
before it; the birds have ceased their calls and taken
refuge among the trees and underwood; the mono-
tonous caw! caw! of the rooks is heard overhead, as
they hurry home from their feeding-grounds ; the sky,
erewhile so intensely blue, has become covered with
one mass of leaden clouds—all animated nature seems
hushed, not a sound is heard save the croak of the
frog from his marshy covert, or the song of the black-
bird, or the storm-cock (T%rdus viscivorus) from the
top of yonder elm—save these sounds all is still—
pat! pat! pat! fall the large drops of rain upon the
_ leaves overhead, at first slowly and in measured time,
then faster, faster still, until the clouds pour forth their
burden in continuous streams—the frogs croak the
louder—the storm-cock shouts peto! peto! peto! more
energetically than ever, as if exulting in the deluge of
waters, when suddenly the clouds open, the forked
lightning descends, cleaving in twain in its course yon
noble oak, while the artillery of Heaven shakes the
firmament. * * * * The rain relaxes in its vio-
lence, the clouds break up and move slowly before the
wind, and the blue sky appears again—the sun shines
in his splendour, his rays, refracted by the rain-drops
on every leaf and branch, convert them into spark-
ling gems—the birds forsake their leafy sanctuary—
the dragon fly and kingfisher are again darting over
the brook—the pimpernel has ope’d her scarlet eye—
the hum of the bee is again heard—the skylark rising
from the corn pours forth floods of melody — hundreds
of young frogs are skipping about in all directions,

120 JULY.

enticed abroad by the copious moisture—a delightful
coolness pervades the air—all nature feels refreshed,
and no record remains of the strife of the elements but
yonder rifted oak.

And now, dear reader, I am going to take a trip
across the—“ say’ to the “land of St. Patrick,” the
“‘vem of the ocean,” to that “sister island” in the
broad Atlantic which Tom Moore designates as—

“* An emerald set in the ring of the sea.”’

And should any of my readers ever in this age of
cheap travelling avail themselves of Mr. Marcus’ ex-
cursion trains, by which they may travel to Dublin
and back “ for thirty shillings,” they will not be unpro-
fitably employed (in an Entomological sense) by visit-
ing the locality I purpose directing them to, and to
which I will shortly call their attention.

Ireland, as far as Lepidoptera are concerned, has
not as yet produced, and I don’t think contains, so
many species of insects as England. Nevertheless
she produces many rarities, and some species in abun-
dance that are only occasionally or sparingly obtained
in England. This scarcity of species is, I think, ina
great measure caused by the absence, in a great degree,
of old wooded districts in Ireland, and to the large ex-
tent of bog, heath and rocky ground, as well as to the
mildness of its winters, a circumstance that is highly
unfavourable to the development of Lepidopterous
insect life; but, however this may be, I have not
the least doubt that Ireland, if well worked, would
produce an abundant harvest of rarities of the fami-
lies Tortricina and Tineina. Of the other families

JULY. 12}

of Lepidoptera I cannot speak so positively, as I
do not think the peculiar features of the country
favourable to their production, from, as I before stated,
the absence of old wooded districts; but I sincerely
hope that some of the members of the “ Dublin Uni-
versity Zoological Association,’ and the other Natural
History Societies in Ireland, will bestir themselves,
and that, by their exertions, we shall hear that there is
more in her than we give her credit for, and that in
this, as well as in other things, the dawn may only
give place unto the perfect day.

But to return from this digression. The locality to
which I purpose to conduct my readers is “‘ Howth”
and its vicinity.

Let my reader suppose himself located in the fair
city of Dublin, and, being entomologically inclined,
pondering where it would be best to direct his steps in
order to obtain the greatest chances of success. His
ideas of an Entomological locality would probably
point to the south side of the city as the most favour-
able by its position; such is not the case, the north
side of Dublin is the best and most productive; from
its soil being limestone it seems to be analogous with
the chalk districts of Kent and Surrey, while its posi-
tion being on the coast it enjoys a temperature equal to
the famous south-east coasts of Deal and Dover.

Having chosen the locality which we intend visiting,
let us make the best of our way to the station of the
Dublin and Drogheda Railway” in Amiens Street ;
and obtaining our tickets for the “ Baldoyle and Sut-
ton” Station, we shall, after about twenty-five minutes
riding, be startled by the cry (as the train draws up

G

122 JULY.

at the Station) of ‘ Baldoyle and Sutton,’ “ Bal-
doyle and Sutton,” “Tickets, gentlemen!” “ Tickets !
tickets! tickets!” when, having alighted, and com-
plied with the request for our tickets, if they are single
journey ones, or given up the half if return ones, we
walk along the platform—descend the steps, and, turn-
ing to our left, proceed along the lane in the direction
of the “ Howth Road,” into which the lane leads.
And here, already, we are in good collecting-ground,
for the lane is walled on each side by turf walls; and,
perhaps, it may not be amiss to describe these walls,
which afford such good collecting. They are mostly
about three or four feet high, by eighteen inches thick,
and are composed of alternate layers of grassy turf,
placed topsy-turvy, 7. e. with the grassy side down-
wards and the earthy side upwards, and layers of ditch
mud, or earth wetted with water, and mixed with short
straw ; these walls, as a matter of course, present an
admirable surface for the propagation of plants of
every conceivable kind, as from their form they pre-
sent different aspects, together with great shelter for
insects; and when of a considerable age are covered
with an extremely rank vegetation, rivallmg our most
luxuriant hedge-banks; while in the hollows or dry
ditches at their base the burdock, thistle, knapweed,
wild rose, sweetbriar, brambles, and a host of other
plants, grow freely.

Having arrived at the bottom of the lane, we are in
the “ Howth Road ;” we must now turn to our left,
and, continuing a short distance along the road, take
the first turning on our right, at the bottom of which
is the Sandy Beach of Sutton; turning to our left, and

JULY. 123

continuing our course along the beach, keeping by the
sea wall, we shall soon see on our left a large heap of
bricks, the remains of an ancient brick-kiln ; just past
which we shall see a deep hole, of some considerable
size, at the further end of which is a large pond; this
hole was for two seasons the “‘ Ultima Thule” of my ex-
plorations—this is the “ Hilly Field of Ireland.” The
soil is limestone, and is covered with an infinity of
plants of all kinds; the ground is literally carpeted
with the “ bird’s-foot trefoil” (Lotus corniculatus),
which here grows luxuriantly ; together with Anthyllis
Vulneraria, Matricaria Chamomille, Centaurea ni-
gra, burdock, Veronica, Heracleum sphondylium,
Plantago maritima and lanceolata, and an immense
number of other plants; and the steep slopes upon the
‘beach are clothed with verdure in a similar manner
and of a similar kind, down to within a short distance
of high-water-mark ; while the edges of the slopes are
fringed with old black-thorns (among which Hudorea
lineola occurs), together with white-thorn, brambles,
broom, &c.

Following the main path, bearing to the left, we shall
soon see on our right a lodge-house ; a little past which,
and in front of us, is a gate or stile; on passing over
which we are in a wild, uncultivated, damp field, over-
grown with brambles, furze, broom, honeysuckle, and
a great variety of undergrowth of herbaceous plants ;
crossing this field we come to a stone wall in front of
us, but if we look in the right-hand corner we shall see
a few stones placed, after the manner of steps, in the
wall; ascending these, and jumping down to the other
side, into a lane, we turn to the right, continue our

a2

124 JULY.

course to the end of the lane, and, turning to our right
again, we are in the straight road to the “ Baillie
Tavern” and the “ Baillie Lighthouse ;” while on the
left of the road we see the “ Hill of Howth” in all its
wild heathery beauty. But we will not at present
digress from the straight road to the “ Baillie.” IPf we
continue our route straight along the road for about a
mile, or a mile and a quarter, we shall then see on our
left, a little way up the hill, off the road, a small tavern ;
and at the end of a narrow road, a little distance further
on, we shall see a board placed high above our heads,
on which is inscribed ‘‘'To the Baillie Tavern ;” con-
tinuing straight along the road we have come for a
little distance further, we shall see before us a stile by
the side of a gate, and the “ Baillie Lighthouse” in the
distance, at the bottom of the road which leads from
the gate to the lighthouse.

Having got over the stile we are now in fine col-
lecting-ground ; on our right the ground sweeps down
to the sea in a series of terraces placed one below ano-
ther, and in many places covered with sorrel (tumex
Acetosa) as thick as grass, in the leaves of which, in
places where it is sheltered by brambles, or on the lee
side of the ridges and inequalities of the ground, the
larvee of Nepticula Acetose may be found in abun-
dance; while among Dactylis glomerata, in the same
localities, the new Elachista flavicomella may: be found
running up and down the stems of the grass, and
making short excursive flights, but never quitting the
shelter of the brambles; and here Mr. Hogan’s spe-
cimen of the rare Hlachista triseriatella was captured.

Nearer the lighthouse the vegetation becomes of a

JULY. 125

different character; here, instead of the sorrel being in
profusion, the thrift (Statice armeria) predominates,
the ground being literally matted with its roots; to-
gether with the curious

Sea lavender that lacks perfume :’’

the flowers and flower stalks of which retain almost
all their colour and beauty when dried, and are on this
account used by the bird-stuffers to decorate their cases
of birds, and also for the purpose of making winter
bouquets; while the former (Statice armeria) may
be commonly seen used as bordering for the flower-
beds in gardens, but is not much appreciated, on
account of its creeping roots, which soon find their
way where they are not wanted, and thus annoy the
gardener :

“**Tis this which rustic neatness leads
Round the trim garden’s walks and beds,
Whose globe-like tufts of blossoms throw
O’er the green marsh a rosy glow,

Nor less when Alpine regions lift
Their misty tops—the hardy thrift.’’

Here Sericoris littorana, cespitana and lacunana
occur, together with Argyrolepia Badiana and Ge-
lechie tricolorella and fraternella, and Cemiostoma
spartifoliella. Continuing our course round to the
left, keeping “ Dublin Bay” on our right, we have a
fine collecting-ground on each side of us, for above four
miles, until we arrive at “ Howth Harbour.”

But let us direct our steps towards the “ Hill,” re-
turning to the stile over which we got to arrive at the
“ Acetose” ground; we must again betake ourselves

126 JULY.

to the main road, and, turning to our right, turn our
backs upon the bay, and, having the gate and stile on
our right hand, continue our course for a little distance,
when we shall see a stile on our left; crossing this,
and likewise the field into which it leads, we shall find
ourselves in the ‘ Old Road,” with the Hill before us,
into which we may obtain access by any of the nu-
merous gaps we shall see in the walls that bound it
and the road.

Having now reached the “ Hill,” ashort description
of its characteristics may not be out of place. The
‘¢ Hill’’—or rather the “ Hills of Howth,” for the “ Hill
of Howth” is composed of two, of which the highest is
called “Dun Hill’—is a wild uncultivated tract of
land, of which the surface soil isa black heathery loam,
on what appears to be a subsoil of limestone; it is
covered with a luxuriant growth of heather (Hrica
cinerea and Hrica tetralix), intermixed with Vacci-
nium Myrtillus, honeysuckle, bramble, stunted sloe
bushes, sallow, &c.; while the plants of lowly growth
comprise Hypericum perforatum, Veronica and Thy-
mus serpyllum; and the wet bogey places, which are
thickly scattered about, produce, in addition to a goodly
crop of rushes, Veronica beccabunga, Myosotis palus-
tris and peppermint. On the margin of the Hill are
three good plantations, which, although of young
growth, produce many insects. One of these plan-
tations is situated in the lowest and wettest position,
and is composed principally of alder, birch and pine ;
of the other two, on the other side of the Hill towards
“‘ Howth Castle,” the residence of Lord Howth, one
is composed of birch, small oaks and spruce fir, and

JULY. 127

the other principally of beech and birch, intermixed
with a few pines; the underwood of all of them is very
varied, comprising brambles, fern, broom, furze, sloe,
sallow, &c., while the plantation nearest the castle is
nearly surrounded on the “ Hill” side with a hedge of
broom ; and, on the surface of the Hill, a great number
of large masses of stone are scattered about, covered
with mosses and lichens. Having ascended “ Dun
Hill,” which may be distinguished by its having a tall
pole planted on its summit, the view from thence of the
surrounding country is magnificent; before us, on the
opposite side, lies Kingstown, and in the distance the
Wicklow mountains, the most conspicuous of which
_ are the two apparently in the centre, at a little distance
apart, and of a conical shape; these are the “ big’’ and
“little Sugar Loaf.” On the left, stretching away
along the coast, lies Killiney and the bold “ Bray
Head;’’ while to the right stretches the “silver
strand” of Baldoyle; and, far away in the distance,
may be seen, if the weather be favourable, the “ Mourne
Mountains” in the county Down, and at our feet the
sandy strand of Sutton meets our gaze. If we turn
around and view the scene behind us it is almost equally
beautiful. To the left is situated “‘ Howth Castle,” and
the town of Howth with its commodious harbour,
which in the herring season is filled with fishing-
smacks ; alas! how few of them owned by Irishmen!
while a little way out in the sound is situated “ Ire-
land’s Eye,” and further out, to the right, the almost
barren island of “ Lambay,” while all around us lies
the beautiful Bay of Dublin, its waters sparkling in
the sunlight like molten silver.

128 JULY.

Often have I sat upon the summit of “ Dun Hill,”
and enjoyed the glorious prospect, the cool bracing sea
breeze, as it played gently over the hill, tempering the
sultry atmosphere of a July day.

But let us return to our starting-points—Sutton
strand, and the Hilly Field of Ireland. Here among
the wild chamomile (Matricaria Chamomille) Ho-
meeosoma nimbella occurs, while among the bird’s
foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) we shall find Coleo-
phora discordella; and among the knapweed (Cen-
taurea nigra) Coleophora alcyonipennella may be
found.

Among the broom on the edge of the slopes we
shall find Depressaria costosa and assimilella, toge-
ther with Cemiostoma spartifoliella; while, among
the Centaurea, Depressaria liturella occurs.

In the Howth road, and in the lane leading from
the Baldoyle and Sutton Station, on the turf walls
among the broad leaved mouse-ear chickweed (Ceras-
tium vulgatum) we may find Gelechia fraternella,
while Depressaria applana occurs among the Umbel-
lifere (Cherophyllum), &e.

In the Hilly Field we shall find Tortria Icterana
(males) and Lozopera dilucidana, together with the
larvee of Gracilaria tringipennella, mining in leaves
of ribbed plantain (Plantago lanceolata); while the
conspicuous black larve, with white spots, of T'ortria
Icterana (producing females only), may be found on
the same plant rolling up the leaves tubularly.

Among the sea plantain (Plantago maritima) the
variable Gelechia instabilella occurs, while Nepticula
Aurella occurs among brambles; and the pupe of

JULY. 129

Depressaria Heracliana may be collected in the stems
of the neighbouring cow parsnips (Heracleum sphon-
dylium).

In folded leaves of (Centaurea nigra) we shall find
the larve of Depressaria arenella, while mining the
leaves of Anthyllis vulneraria the larva of Gelechia
Anthyllidella occurs; and in the leaves of the brambles,
making large blotches, we shall find the larve of
Tischeria marginea, while in the leaves of the haw-
thorn and sloe, the larva of Ornix Anglicella occurs,
together with the larvee of Lithocolletis Corylifoliella
on hawthorn, upperside, and L. pomifoliella on the
underside; while in the leaves of the sloe the larvee of
Lithocolletis spinicolella may be found.

In the rough uncultivated field by the Lodge house
Notocelia Udmanniana occurs among brambles, and
the larvee of Lithocolletis trifasciella may be found in
honeysuckle leaves.

In the straight road leading to the Baillie Tavern
and the Baillie Light House, in the wet ditch by the
road side, may be found among the flea bane (Inula
dysenterica) the pretty Acrolepia granitella; while in
the hawthorn leaves in the hedge-row may be found
the larve of Nepticula Oxyacanthella and ignobilella,
while in a small mine in the hawthorn leaves, and
feeding externally, may be found the larvee of Buccu-
latrix Crategi.

Near the Baillie Tavern, if we climb the loosely-
built stone wall on the left of the main road, we shall
find ourselves in a dry ditch filled with a profusion of
vegetation, consisting of Stellaria holostea and uligi-
nosa, Cerastium vulgatum, brambles, furze, broom,

G5

130 JULY.

honeysuckle and Hypericum perforatum. Here may
be found Gelechie fraternella and tricolorella, Gra-
cilaria auroguttella, Catoptria Ulicetana, &c. The
insects occurring in the Acetose ground have been
already enumerated.

Let us now push forward to the Hill and its planta-
tions. In the wet places on the Hill we shall find
Bactra lanceolana, together with Crambus pratellus,
pascuellus and culmellus, while among the Atriplex
and Chenopodium, growing under the walls of the
plantation, we shall find Coleophora annulatella ;
while the beautiful Plusia Iota may be occasionally
beaten out of the heather; and upon the bilberry
(Vaccinium Myrtillus) the larvee of Coccyx Vacci-
niana may be found in plenty: “ July 18th, larvee on
Vaccinium in plenty.”

In the plantations we shall also find plenty of our
little pets.

In the leaves of the alders, the larva of Lithocolletis
alnifoliella abounds ; while on the birch we shall find
the larve of ZL. ulmifoliella, together with the larvee
of Nep. argentipedella ; and on the oak the larve of
Lithocolletis quercifoliella and Messaniella, together
with the larva of Gracilaria Swederella in cones on
oak leaves.

On beech the larve of Lithocolletis Faginella
occurs, while on the trunks of the trees we shall find
Coremia didymaria and Polypogon grisealis; while
among the plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Botys
etialis will be found, together with Aglossa pingui-
nalis on the stone walls.

Among the wild roses in the plantation nearest

JULY. 131

Howth Castle, we shall find the larve of Nep. ano-
malella, while on the hawthorn, in their curious gal-
lery-like webs, we shall find the active larvee of Swam-
merdamia pyrella; while in gardens on cabbages,
&e., we shall find the larve of Plutella Crucifera-
rum, and in fungi on hornbeam we may perhaps find
the larvee of Tinea corticella.

In the leaves of elms on the Malahide road, near
Clontarf, we shall find the larve of Lithocolletis
Schreberella, together with the larve of Nepticula
marginicolella; and in the leaves of sloe, further
along the road, near Dunnycarney, the larva of Nep.
plagicolella occurs, together with that of Lyonetia
- Clerckhella in the leaves of the wild apple (Pyrus
Malus).

The slopes of the Dublin and Drogheda railway,
from Clontarf to Howth, afford fine collecting. On
these I have taken Hlachista cygnipennella, Eupe-
cilia atricapitana, Dicrorampha plumbagana, plen-
tifully, and D. Ulicana, one specimen, together with
Stigmonota perlepidana; and in a mixed hedge, just
off the line near Raheny, the rare Lithocolletis irra-
diella was captured.

And now, dear reader, let us transport ourselves, in
fancy, to some well-wooded spot on English soil, and,
armed with beating-stick and net, pursuing our plea-
surable occupation. What is that pretty insect that
skips so lightly in the sunshine over the tall grass, its
black and white markings forming a bold and pleasing
contrast?) That is Arge Galathea, while that large
butterfly you see sporting round those elms is Vanessa
polychloros; while flitting along the hedge-row, or

132 JULY.

settling on nettles and thistles, the beautiful Vanessa
Urtice and V. Cardui may be seen.

But give those elms a stroke or two with your beat-
ing-stick. Ah! What is that green insect with large
brownish blotches on the front and hind wings?
Catch it! That is Phorodesma bajularia; the larve
are case-makers, and feed on elm. The very scarce
Phorodesma smaragdaria also occurs this month in
open spots in woods among the yarrow (Achillea mil-
lefolium).

Among oaks the beautiful Liparis monacha occurs ;
while among plantain in woods we shall find Phrag-
matobia fuliginosa ; and among sallows Orgyia gono-
stigma occurs.

In meadows Satyrus Tithonus occurs abundantly,
while on chalky soils we shall find Satyrus Semele ;
and, soaring round the lofty oaks, we may see the prince
of British butterflies, Apatura Iris, now making wide
circles around the top of the tree, now alighting upon
some favourite twig, and anon darting down to the
margin of some pool of water for an instant, and as
quickly resuming his exalted station at the oak’s sum-
mit, while the handsome Thecla Quercus bears him
company, like an attendant knight.

Among willows Scoliopteryx libatrix occurs, while
on the licheny trunks of oaks Cleora lichenaria may
be found; and among sycamores we shall obtain the
pretty Stigmonota Trauniana, while the larve of
Tortrix viburnana may be found securely rolled up in
the sycamore’s ample leaves, on which it feeds.

Among elms, sheltered in the holes or crevices in

JULY. 133

the trunk or bark, we shall find Cosmia affinis, and
in hedge-rows Huperia trapetzina occurs.

But what are those little larvze mining the leaves of
those thistles (Cirsium palustre) at our feet? They
are the larvee of Gelechia acuminatella. Those blotches
or lithocolleti-form mines on the underside of those nut
leaves, and those turned-down corners on the same
leaves, are the work of the same larve at different
ages—this is the larva of Ornix Avellanella, which,
when young, mines the underside of the leaves, but
when older turns down the corners; on birch leaves
we shall perceive similar turned-down corners, the
work of Ornix Betule, while on the leaves of the
_ sloe and apple we shall see the similarly constructed
residences of Ornix torquillella and Ornix guttea.

In the leaves of the woody nightshade (Solanum
dulcamara) we shall find the larve of Gelechia cos-
tella ; while in the stems of Chenopodium and Atri-
plex the larva of Gelechia obsoletella occurs.

But what is that beautiful insect with scarlet mark-
ing, flitting about in that sand pit, apparently intent
upon finding a snug place to hide itself in, as we have
driven it from its late place of rest? That! why
never? Yes! it certainly is Hypercallia Christier-
nana! Well, who would have thought it? This is
a lucky spot! Let us search again. Agreed! Beat
this old furze. Crack, crack! another slice of luck !
Upon my word it is nothing less than Ccophora
Lambdella. Well, after this, whatever else we may
take to-day will certainly not eclipse these.

Among thistles we may find Depressaria Cardu-
ella; while D. Hypericella occurs among the St.

134 JULY.

John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), among which
also you will find the handsome little Gracilaria auro-
guttella; while among sallows Gelechia sororculella
and Psoricoptera gibbosella occur, together with De-
pressaria conterminella.

Among juniper bushes we shall find Depressaria
pulcherrimella and the striking Ypsolophus margi-
nellus; while, among Grenista tinctoria, Gelechia len-
tiginosella and Anarsia Geniste occur: the latter has
also been bred from broom by Mr. Machin (Zoologist,
p- 4746).

Among birches we shall find Pedisca Solandriana,
Harpalyce ruptaria and Geometra Papilionaria,
while Camptogramna bilinearia may be taken in every
hedge-row.

On old walls and palings Bryophila perla may be
found, while on palings and tree trunks Miana literosa,
Polia dysodea and Xylophasia lythoxylea may be met
with, together with the beautiful Hupithecia pulchel-
laria.

On heaths in the north of England Anaitis imbu-
taria occurs; while Gelechia Hubneri may be found
on the trunks of oaks also in the north.

The tyro, who may wish to diversify his employ-
ment, may profitably do so by pupa digging; the
latter half of this month is the best time for the ope-
ration, as by then the greater part of our spring and
summer feeding larvee will have arrived at the pupa
state, the perfect insects from which will appear in the
autumn.

But no tyro should commence pupa digging unless
he have a good stock of patience, and, I may add,

JULY. 135

good temper. It is rather disheartening to a young
beginner to turn over the earth at the roots of several,
perhaps a great number of trees, and find nothing to
reward him for his trouble; but he must not give up,
but keep steadily at his work and remember the lines—

“If you find your task is hard,
Try, try, try again;

Labour brings its sure reward,
Try, try, try again.

He must keep cheerily on and he will doubtless, after
his day’s work is done, find himself in possession of a
goodly number of pup, which, if he had allowed his
energies to be cooled by the unproductive trees, would
still have remained snugly ensconced in “ mother
earth,’ instead of finding a “local habitation and a
name” in his pupa-box.

In digging for pupe the young Entomologist need
not try every tree he comes across; it is useless to try
young trees of any kind, large timber trees being most
favoured by Lepidopterous larve ; and all species of
trees are not alike productive of pupz, and some more
productive at one season than another: thus the oak
produces the greatest quantity of summer species, and
the beech and poplar the greatest quantity of insects
that pass the winter in the pupa state. The Rey.
Joseph Greene, in his admirable paper on “ Digging
for Pup of Lepidoptera” (Proceedings Entomo-
logical Society, April 4th, 1853), observes, “ The trees
which I have found the most productive are the fol-
lowing :—elm, oak, ash, poplar, beech and willow. I
neyer found anything at birch, maple or chestnut.

136 JULY.

Perhaps a short list of a few of the pupz obtained at
these trees may prove interesting.”

“ Elm.—Smerinthus Tilie (why this insect should
be called the lime hawk-moth I know not; I have
found dozens of pupe at the roots of elm, but not one
at lime), Petasia cassinea, Teniocampa rubricosa, T.
Populeti, T. munda, Cosmia diffinis, Xylina semi-
brunnea, Anisopteryx escularia, $ and 2, Hiber-
nia leucophearia, $ and 9, H. aurantiaria, $ and ¢,
&e.

“¢ Oak.—Considering the number of larvee that feed
upon oak, I have been surprised at finding so few
pupe at it. This, I suppose, is partly owing to the
fact that a considerable number of the insects whose
larvee feed upon oak do not pass the winter in the pupa
state. However, when you do succeed in getting one
it is generally good, and I have found Notodonta tre-
pida, N. Chaonia, N. Dodonea, Geometra Papili-
onaria, Biston Prodromaria, &c. Iwas much sur-
prised to find, on two occasions, the empty cocoon of
Cerura Vinula on the trunk of an oak.

“ Ash.—Pecilocampa Populi, Acronycta Ligustri,
Geometra lunaria, G. illustraria, &c., Ke.

“ Beech.—This and the poplar are the best trees.
At the former I have found Lithosia rubricollis, L.
aureola, Orgyia Coryli, Notodonta Camelina, Te-
phrosia consonaria, &e.; at the latter Phragmatobia
mendica, Peecilocampa Populi, Cerura bifida, C.
furcula, Ptilodontis palpina, Notodonta dictea, N.
Dicteoides, Clostera curtula, Ceropacha Or, C.
ocularis, ¥ psipetes ruberaria, &e.

“The next point which may be considered worthy

JULY. 137

of notice is the mode of search. This, of course,
varies according to locality. In digging it must be
borne in mind that all pup are close to the trunk of
the tree, seldom more than two inches distant. Fre-
quently the trunk of the tree forms one side of the
cocoon, especially the cocoon of such insects as spin.
Again, pupe lie close to the surface of the earth (I
have seen those of Smerinthus Populi and S. Tilie
half out the earth), the larva of Calocampa ewoleta is
the only one I know of that goes to a considerable
depth. Insert then the trowel about three inches from
the trunk to the depth of two inches or so, then push
it to the tree and turn it up. If the soil be dry and
_ friable without grass, knock it gently with the trowel,
which will be sufficient. If, however, there be grass
you must proceed more cautiously: take up the sod in
the left hand, knock it very gently with the trowel,
and those pupz which merely enter the ground will
drop out. To find those which spin you must care-
fully examine the sod, tearing the roots of the grass
asunder. These are, of course, much the most diffi-
cult to find, the cocoons being generally the colour of
the earth. I may here remark that it is useless to try
sticky or clayey ground, the caterpillars being unable
to penetrate it. In searching under moss the best
plan is to loosen the edge, then to tear it gently off,
observing whether any pupe fall. Look at the trunk
to see if anything adheres to it, and then carefully
examine the moss itself. Experience alone will enable
you to detect a spun cocoon.

“Tf I were asked which are the most ‘likely trees, I
should say those whose branches spread out towards

138 JULY.

the ground, since moths seldom fly to the high
branches ; those whose roots form an angle filled with
loose dry earth, especially when covered with grass,
and lastly those which have a loose thick moss upon
them. Nothing, however, can be more uncertain than
any rules in this matter. You will perhaps see ten
elm trees to your eye exactly alike: at nine you may
find nothing, at the tenth possibly twenty or thirty
pupe. I remember on one occasion trying a number
of ash trees without the slightest success, and was about
to give up the searching as hopeless when I resolved to
try one more. At that one I found forty-six pup
of Ennomos illunaria, and three of Pecilocampa
Populi.” |

There is one locality to which I would direct the
tyro’s especial attention. On heaths, downs, in old
gravel and sand pits, hidden among brushwood, and
scattered about on the sea shore, we may often see
large stones or boulders, and old trunks of felled trees,
covered with moss, under which the pupa-hunter will
often reap an abundant harvest.

( 139 )

CHAPTER VIII.

—>—

AUGUST.

“ What transport to retrace our boyish plays,
Our easy bliss, when each thing joy supplied,
The woods, the mountains, and the warbling maze
Of the wild brooks.”

“ T care not, Fortune, what you me deny,
You cannot rob me of free Nature’s grace;
You cannot shut the windows of the sky,
Through which Aurora shows her brightening face ;
You cannot bar my constant feet to trace
The woods and lawns, by living stream, at eve ;
Let health my nerves and finer fibres brace,
And I their toys to the great children leave,
Of fancy, reason, virtue, nought can be bereave.’’

* All hail! ye fields, where constant peace attends !
All hail! ye sacred, solitary groves !
All hail! ye books, my true—my real friends !
Whose conversation pleases and improves.”’

AnD truly the contemplation of nature is delightful—
soothing to the wounded spirit—elevating to the in-
quiring mind-—peaceful to all; drawing the mind from
the petty cares and frivolities of life, she opens out to
the humble student her world of wonders, showing him
beauty where he least expected it, use in the most

140 AUGUST.

apparently trivial objects, and fitness, adaptation and
design in all.

It was remarked by the celebrated Dr. Johnson, on
being told that a person whom he knew had destroyed
himself, that “‘ he never would have done so had he
learnt how to hem a pocket handkerchief.” Now to how
many of the working men of this country, who now
find the little time which they can call their own, after
the labours of the day are over, hang heavily on their
hands, may this remark apply, many of them listlessly
sitting in the chimney-corner with a pipe in their
mouths, their thoughts of as little practical worth as
the smoke that wreaths round their heads; some vic-
tims to ennui, not knowing how to spend their time or
what to do, and many, I grieve to say, spending
their time in a more than questionable manner to the
profit of the publican and the degradation of them-
selves—to how many of this class would the study and
contemplation of the works of nature bring happiness
and contentment, raising them from the grovelling and
debasing tendencies that kind of society into which a
working man is usually thrown produces, expanding
his intellect, giving him larger and more compre-
hensive views of the great plan of creation, and the
relations we bear to each other and the world at large;
and fostering in him habits of observation and reflec-
tion eminently calculated to make him a better citizen
and a better man. The habits of order, reflection and
energetic industry he will have acquired in the pursuit
of Entomology (and indeed by all branches of natural
history the same effect will be produced upon the
earnest student) will tincture all his actions, and thus

AUGUST. 141

he will not only become more happy as a man but
more valuable as a servant.
‘©The man who consecrates his hours,
By vig’rous effort and an honest aim,

At once he draws the sting of life and death!
He walks with Nature, and her paths are peace.”’

The scorching sun still holds sway over the earth ;
the teeming earth welcoming his smiles as it approaches
fruition. The corn, now ready for the reaper, waves
in the breeze, its heavy bending head giving signs of
an abundant harvest, while the golden tints of the
orchard promise a full supply of Pomona’s dainty
stores, while the stray fallen leaves, as they flit along
our path, give evidence of the year’s maturity.

And now, kind reader, let us visit another of the
residences of our tiny friends, viz., “ Charlton Sand
Pit,” and to this end we can take “ the (once) silent
highway” of the river Thames, or travel over the un-
stable foundations of the Eastern Counties Railway, to
further our object. If we choose the Thames we must
land at Charlton Pier, and then turning to our right,
and taking the Greenwich road, we must turn down
the second turning to our left; we shall then find
ourselves in Charlton Sand Pit, at the edge of which,
on our right and above our heads, is the hanging wood.
But if the speedier transit of the “rail” be our choice,
we must obtain tickets for Woolwich, when we shall
speedily find ourselves at North Woolwich, from thence
we shall be ferried over the river to South Woolwich,
when upon our leaving the pier and gaining the town,
we must turn to our right, and continuing our course
along the town and through, or rather between, the

142 AUGUST.

churchyards, and then past the dockyards, we shall
soon enter Charlton, on the left hand side of which
clean little village we shall see the celebrated sand pit
and its hanging wood. Having now reached our desti-
nation, let us say a little respecting its peculiarities.
Charlton Pit is a place which will try the patience of
the tyro intent on adding to the number of the beau-
tiful objects of which he is an admirer; for if the day
be a little windy, farewell to all hopes of using the net
within its precincts, for turn which way he will, and
accommodate himself how he may to the different points
of the compass, the wind will, with a strange perver-
sity, ferret him out, and at-last compel him to give it
up in despair, unless he be made of sterner stuff than
most mortals, or determines to assert in his own person
the truth of the remark which has been applied to
Englishmen of ‘never knowing when they are beaten.”
Or if he escape the persecution of the wind, another
torment awaits him in the shape of the boys of the
neighbourhood, who somehow seem to have an in-
stinctive knowledge of a collector, for no sooner does
one arrive in the neighbourhood than he unwittingly
finds himself the centre of attraction to some half-
dozen of these anything-but-to-be-desired assistants,
who, as soon as he commences operations, mar the
serenity of his temper by causing him to lose the first
insect he attempts to catch in their anxiety to “see
what the gen’l’mans (got ?).”

But, however, Charlton is a good locality for many
things. The soil is covered with a good growth of
Artemisia, thistles, ragwort, broom, brambles, &c.,
together with clumps of whitethorn, furze and sloe,

AUGUST. 143

while on the hill, in the centre of the pit, the larve
of Arctia villica may be obtained plentifully in the
spring months by raking them out from the roots
of the Hieracium; while the hanging wood contains
many fine old trees, together with a good undergrowth.
Here the beautiful Cochylis dipoltana was first taken,
and here too Gelechia acuminatella occurs, together
with Depressaria nanatella and Parasia Metzne-
riella, while among broom we shall find T'rifurcula
immundella and T’. squamatella.

Among grass we shall find Hlachista Megerlella
and H. obscurella—while among the common reed
(Arundo phragmites) in the Greenwich marshes Hla-
chista cerusella occurs, together with its larvae mining
in its leaves.

But to leave Charlton and its Sand Pit, and to dis-
course of the species generally to be found this month.

Among Atriplex, Coleophora annulatella occurs ;
while among Helianthemum vulgare we shall find
Laverna Staintoni; and among Lpilobium hirsutum,
Laverna Epilobiella and Anybia langiella oceur.

In the leaves of willows, sallows and poplars, roll-
ing the leaves into cones, we shall find the larve of
Gracilaria stigmatella; while in rolled-up leaves of
alders the larve of Gracilaria elongella occur, together
with the larve of Phlgodes frutetana, and the dark-
coloured and sluggish larvee of Y psipetes impluviaria;
it is desirable to keep the larvee of Y. impluviaria by
themselves, as, should the vegetable pabulum become
distasteful to them, they make no ceremony in appro-
priating the Gracilaria larvee to the purposes of nutri-
tion.

144 AUGUST.

Between united oak leaves we shall find the larve
of Gelechia triparella, while in the stems of Atriplex
and Chenopodium the larve of Grelechia obsoletella
occur; while on its leaves, under a loose web, the
larve of Butalis Chenopodiella may be found.

In turned-down sloe leaves we may find the larve
of Enicostoma lobella; while on _ sallows, alders,
birches and oaks the larva of Dasystoma Salicella
occurs. Those larve which have fed on oak or birch
produce insects which may with truth be termed
“rosy,” those bred from sallows being in nearly every
instance almost black.

In the leaves of the woody nightshade (Solanum
dulcamara) the larvee of Gelechia costella and Acro-
lenia pygmeana may be found; while in the leaves of
hawthorn, apple, &c., the larve of the pretty little
Cemiostoma scitella may be obtained in plenty.

Among furze the conspicuous Depressaria Umbel-
lana occurs; while among Centaurea nigra, Depres-
saria liturella and arenella occur; and Depressaria
conterminella and ocellana among sallows.

Among sallows on Wimbledon Common we shall
find Peronea Hastiana, together with its larve in
abundance; this also occurs in other localities, such as
Lewisham, Hampstead, Epping, the New Forest, &c.
I will now, in order that the tyro may not be dis-
heartened at meeting with rebuffs and questionable
treatment at the hands of “ unprofitable companions,”
relate for his edification nry own adventures in pursuit
of the larvee of Peronea Hastiana. It was in the year
1849 I first heard of the larve of Peronea Hastiana
having been discovered; I therefore was anxious to

AUGUST. 145

obtain it, and, to this end, I made inquiries with all
humility among those who I thought would be most
likely to afford me the information as to its food and
_ habitat, but without success.

It so happened that at this time I was acquainted
with a collector, with whom I was upon very friendly
terms, and in whose company I was very often. To
my oft-repeated inquiries respecting the Peronea
larve, I obtained no information, excepting that he
was taking them by bushels! that a blue bag of the
ordinary size carried by lawyers was nothing extra-
ordinary to fill in one day’s collecting. This startled
me; collecting larvee by bushels was a circumstance,
-in my Entomological experience, I had never met
with, and which I did not, in my own mind, believe; _
but, however, no information as to food or locality
could I obtain from my “ unprofitable companion.”

The winter passed over, and the summer of 1850
came ; I still inquired about the Peronea larve, and,
by great good luck, I casually learnt that they fed on
sallow, and were found on Wimbledon Common.
Here was a slice of luck! I was in ecstasies. I then
lived in Larkhall Lane, Clapham ; and I determined
that I would have Peronea’s of my own breeding
that autumn. August came. One afternoon I de-
termined upon an expedition after the Peronea larve ;
so accordingly putting a tin can in my pocket, which
would hold about a pint imperial measure, I started
on foot for the common. I had never been there
before, so had to inquire my way, and, after sundry
inquiries, I arrived at my destination. But where
were the sallows? I could see none. But, however,

H

146 AUGUST.

I determined to take the windmill for a landmark, and
search until I found them. Soon after arriving at the
windmill I found some sallows; here was another
point gained—there were the sallows, but where were
the larvee that could be collected by bushels? I could
see none (I was a little early for the glut, it being early
in the month); at last, after a great deal of searching,
I found a folded leaf—opened it, found it empty ;
opened. another, the same success; so on with another
and another until I had opened several, until at last I
found a folded leaf with a larva in it— hurrah, a prize!
I was about to transfer him to my capacious tin, when
lo, with a twist and a wriggle, he quitted the leaf and
dropped to the ground. Could anybody have seen me
then, no doubt he would have noticed my jaw drop
‘wonderfully: but never give up; where there is one,
there usually are more; so I persevered, and before
dark I had, I dare say, three or four dozen Peronea
larve !

A week after this I again visited the common on the
same errand, and was busily engaged in collecting
larvee of Peronea. Opening every leaf in order to see
if there was anything in it, by which means I not only
lost a great deal of time, but a great many larve,
besides being kept continually employed in watching
those I had got in the box, to prevent their crawling
out, as I had disturbed their privacy, when suddenly a
voice behind me shouted—“ Hilloa, Dick! what are
you about?’ when, on turning round, I beheld an
Entomological friend, who was bent on the same
errand. Collecting Peronea larve,” said I. “ Col-
lecting Peronea larve! and is that the way you collect

AUGUST. 147

Peronea larvee, opening every leaf to look for its
tenant?’ “ Yes, certainly,” said I, “ how would you
know whether you had a larva or a leaf unless you
did?” ‘ Well,” returned my companion, “come with
me, and I'll show you how to collect Peronea larve.”
So accordingly I followed him, and he soon taught me
how to improve upon the Irishman’s instructions to
his friend, whom he was initiating into the mysteries
of Donnybrook fair—“ Wherever you see a head,”
said he, “hit it!’ ‘ Wherever you see a twisted leaf,
or one or more leaves, affixed close to the stem or the
top of a shoot twisted or agglutinated, pick it, cut it
off with your knife, and transfer it to your bag or
_ box without examination.”’ I followed his advice, and
soon not only filled my box, but was compelled to con-
vert my pocket-handkerchief into a temporary bag,
which was soon filled. Here then was the solution of
the difficulty which had perplexed me—collecting them
by the bushel—i. e. leaves and all, many of them being
untenanted.

In another week I again visited the common, and,
having walked there and started early, I had been at
work some time, and, having now procured a good
sized bag, I was well up to my work, when I was
again saluted by “ Hilloa, what brought you here ?”
and, turning round, I beheld my “unprofitable com-
panion,’ who had not deigned to give me the slightest
information, although he was taking them by bushels.
Not being particularly good-tempered with him, I an-
swered, “ My legs; what else do you think brought
me here? no thanks to you that I am here at all,”
“True,” he said; “it would have been a long while

H2

148 AUGUST.

before I had given you the information that would
have brought you here.” ‘It don’t need a prophet
or fortune-teller to divine that,” said 1; and coiftinued
my operations, at which he was not slow to begin.
Dinner time arrived, and we adjourned to the “ Stag ”’
to refresh the inner man. After dinner we again re-
paired to the common, when another collector appeared
upon the scene. After the usual greetings, silence
again ensued, each being intent upon his occupation,
when suddenly my “ unprofitable companion’’ broke
the silence by exclaiming (at the same time giving a
side-lone glance at me), “‘ 1 say, Z——, if we have so
many boys finding their way here, there won’t be many
Peronea’s left for the old ones: they’ll be carrying
off common and all some day.” To this sensible and
philosophic remark, the other mumbled out, “ Ye’es.”
Silence again for some time, when suddenly my “ un-
profitable companion” became very friendly and com-
municative. Coming close to me, he said, “I say,
Dick, don’t you see what Z—— is about ? He’s pick-
ing larvee off blackberry, not sallow! Those on the
blackberry are better things than those on the sallow ;
I intend following his example, and I’d advise you to
do the same.” Suspecting this sudden friendship, but
not being able to rebut the assertion, I said nothing,
but determined to watch their movements, at the same
time picking larvee off blackberry ; when I very soon
found that my suddenly friendly companion only
picked blackberry when he thought I was looking,
and sallow when I was not. So much for his friendly
offices. His object in getting me to collect larve on
blackberry instead of sallow was that, instead of ob-

AUGUST. 149

taining Peronea Hastiana, Peronea Abildgaardana
should be my reward.

This is a fair sample of the usual kind of assistance
given by a certain class of collectors to their younger
“brethren of the net and pin.” Whether it is condu-
cive to the spread of science, or the cultivation of friendly
feelings towards many of its followers, the reader can
form his own conclusions.

** He who will not give
Some portion of his ease, his blood, his wealth,
For others’ good, is a poor frozen churl.”

And now, kind reader, let us in fancy transport our-
selves to some old wood or shady copse, peopled with
insect life, or to some sandy coast fringed with the
purple thrift (Statice armeria), while its loose and
crumbling soil is bound by the roots of the sea plan-
tain (Plantago maritima), among which the variable
and uncommon Grelechia instabilella occurs, while its
larva mines its leaves or bores into the stem; this
larva also feeds on the annual sea-side goose-foot (Che-
nopodium maritimum). But what is that beautiful
orange-coloured butterfly careering along so gaily?
that is the clouded-yellow Colias Hdusa, while that
pale yellowish one, with the green tint on the upperside
of the underwings, is Colias Hyale, and that sulphur-
coloured insect with the pointed wings is Gonepteryx
Rhamni.

-Among JTelianthemum vulgare, Gelechia sequax
occurs ; while among Statice armeria we may perhaps
find Gelechia Brizella.

Along the grassy hedge banks and fields the hand-
some Polyommatus Alexis may be seen flitting along,

150 AUGUST.

exposing their beautifully marked under-wings as they
settle on the blades of grass and the clover tops, while
the grizzled skipper (Zhandos tages) dashes along as —
if defying the eye of the tyro to follow his movements ;
and Vanessa Urtice, together with Satyrus Aigeria
and S. Megera, flit from plant to plant, giving beauty
to the earth by their presence, and pleasure to the eye
by the harmony of colour they present.

A remarkable instance of the utility of the study of
natural history, as to its educational bearings on the
arts, is exemplified by a passage in “The Life of
Thomas Stothard, R.A.” “He was beginning to
paint the figure of a reclining sylph, when a difficulty
arose in his own mind how best to represent such a
being of fancy. A friend who was present said, ‘ Give
the sylph a butterfly’s wing, and then you have it.’
‘That I will,’ exclaimed Stothard, ‘and to be correct
I will paint the wing from the butterfly itself.’ He
sallied forth, extended his walk to the fields some miles
distant, and caught one of those beautiful insects. It
was of the class called the peacock. Our artist brought
it carefully home, and commenced sketching it, but
not in the painting-room ; and, leaving it on the table,
a servant swept the pretty little creature away before
its portrait was finished. On learning his loss away
went Stothard, once more to the fields, to seek another
butterfly. But at this time one of the tortoise-shell
tribe crossed his path, and was secured. He was
astonished at the combination of colour that presented
itself to him in this small but exquisite work of the
Creator; and from that moment determined to enter
on a new and diflicult field—the study of the insect

AUGUST. 151

department of natural history. He became a hunter
of butterflies. The more he caught, the greater beauty
did he trace in their infinite variety ; and he would
often say that no one knew what he owed to these
insects; they had taught him the finest combinations
in that difficult branch of art—colouring.” From
“The Life of Thomas Stothard, R.A.”

Among ash trees we may, perhaps, find the rare
Ennomos fuscantaria (several specimens have been
taken by Mr. W. Kirby of Wandsworth), together
with the rare Zelleria hepariella and Z. insignipen-
nella; while among junipers the pretty Ypsolophus
marginellus and Chrosis rutilana occurs.

Among the “dyer’s green weed” (Genista tinc-
toria), we may find Grelechia lentiginosella, while
among Anthyllis vulneraria, clover, &c., Gel. An-
thyllidella occurs; and in orchards and on orchard
palings, the pretty little Gelechia albiceps may be ob-
tained.

Among broom and furze Gelechia mulinella occurs ;
in houses, and on mossy palings and walls, we shall
find Gelechia domestica, while among oaks (in the
New Forest) we may obtain Gelechia humeralis ;
and on the trunks of lime trees Chrysoclista Lin-
neella occurs.

The end of the month is the best time for collecting
Peronea cristana and its varieties; this insect, which
occurs in different places, far apart, and which is taken
by collectors (by beating) far more freely than the con-
generic P. Hastiana, is as great a puzzle as the famous
Aleucis pictaria. On what does the larve feed ? has
been the question many years, a question which has

152 AUGUST.

hitherto received no satisfactory reply; how long it is
to remain in statu quo is uncertain, but still I think
that if some of our collectors, who take the insect year
after year, would notice its habits a little more closely
than they have hitherto done, we should not be much
longer in the dark respecting it.

It occurs at Hainault Forest, Coombe Wood, Surrey,
Whittlebury Forest, Northamptonshire, Birch Wood,
Leatherhead Common and Fetcham Down, and in the
neighbourhood of Belfast, in Ireland.

Among beech trees we shall find Peronea favilla-
ceana, on the underside of the leaves of which, in a
slight web, the larva feeds; while on their trunks we
shall probably find Lithocolletis Faginella and Nep-
ticula Tityrella.

In the leaves of Convolvolus arvensis we shall find
the larvee of Bedellia somnulentella, while on various
umbelliferee, such as J'orilis, Sison amomum, Hera-
cleum sphondylium, &c., the sticky-looking larve of
Chauliodus Cherophyllellus may be found; and in
cones, on the under-side of the leaves of the “ biting
Persicaria,” or ‘ Water-pepper’ (Polygonum hydro-
piper), we may find the larvee of Gracilaria phasiani-
pennella.

By sweeping we may perhaps obtain the very pretty
little Goniodoma auroguttella (in the Isle of Wight).
“‘ The larva (figured in Fischer) feeds in an angulated
case on the seeds of Atriplex (its case resembling in
form and colour the rhomboidal perigone of the fruit) ;
in autumn, when the larva is full fed, it attaches its
case to the lower part of the stem of the foot plant,
and, boring into the interior, spins a white silken cocoon

AUGUST. 153

there, leaving its case attached to the exterior of the
stem; it remains unchanged in this cocoon during the
winter, but in spring it assumes the pupa state, and the
perfect insect appears in July (and August). Accord-
ing to the observations of Fischer and Mann, it fre-
quents only those plants which grow in very sheltered
situations.” (Entomologist’s Annual, 1855, p. 68.)

In the leaves of Poa aquatica, growing in the
Greenwich marshes, also at Southend, Hackney, &c.,
we shall find the larva of EHlachista Poe; while on
the seeds of Angelica sylvestris the larva of Gicophora
flavimaculella occurs; while mining in the leaves of
oaks the larva of Coviscium Brongniardellum may
be found, and Coriscium cuculipennellum in rolled-up
leaves of privet. ‘ Mr. Sang bred this, this summer,
from a pupa, enclosed in a long white cocoon, in a
rolled-up. ash leaf.” (Entomologist’s Annual, 1856,
p. 95.)

Among clover, at Ripley and Hainault Forest, we
may perhaps obtain the rare Aplota palpella; this
species is bred on the continent from rotten wood, and .
is thus mentioned by Mr. Stainton (Entomologist’s
Annual, 1856, p. 53): “When at Hanover Herr
Krossman gave me a specimen of the continental
Balucella (which we hold synonymous with Haworth’s
palpella); it was twice the size of our specimens, but
he assured me it varied in size from quite small to those
unusual dimensions. TZ'his specimen he had bred from
rotten wood! |”

Among alders the rare Gracilaria fulconipennella
occurs; G. tringipennella among the ribbed plantain

H 5D

154 AUGUST.

(Plantago lanceolata), and the pretty Gracilaria
auroguttella among Hypericum.

Among sloe bushes we shall find Ornix torquillella,
while Ornix« Betule occurs among birches, and Ornix
Avellanella among nut bushes.

Among bullrushes we shall find Nonagria Typhe
and on the trunks of elms the beautiful Cosmia diffinis
may be found.

In the leaves of aspens (Populus tremula) the very
curious and interesting larva of Phyllocnistis suffusella
may be found feeding on the juice that lies between
the skin of the leaf and the parenchyma; the mines
are not at first sight perceptible, but when we hold the
mined leaf between our eye and the light, looking
along its upper surface, we see a tortuous shining
track reflecting prismatic colours as if a snail had
crawled over it—this is the mine of P. suffusella.

( 155 )

CHAPTER IX.

—~—

SEPTEMBER.

Tue year rolls on apace. As week after week ex-
pires, bright summer, though she still retains her
throne, looks evidently towards more southern lands.
There are voices and signs full of warning around us—
the mysterious heralds of her speedy departure; yet
not in grief does she leave us, nor with grief do we
watch her vanishing; for, though glorious her pre-
sence, she gave us only sweet promises, the fulfilment
of which now draws nigh. Her purpose is ended—
her task accomplished—and with the sound of her
receding pinions blends a sound of joy. The fruit has
ripened—the harvest is being gathered ; who does not
gladly exchange the trustful but anxious watching for
the perfect fruition of hope? Thus it is throughout all
creation—with animate and inanimate things alike—
first the promise, then the fulfilment, ever faithful ;
season succeeding season, generation following genera-
tion, whether of men, animals or herbs; each and all
showing forth the unchanging spirit of nature, which,
though flippantly lisped by earth-wise fools, is re-
verently named amongst the angels, being indeed a
glorious manifestation of the might and mercy of

God.

156 SEPTEMBER.

And now, dear reader, let us wander together amid
the sights and scenes that betoken the year’s decline.
The fields are busy with the harvest, the brown moor
is alive with grouse, the tangled cover in which the
gaily painted pheasant struts proudly, in due time,
perhaps, to form a dainty dish upon the squire’s table
—brought down by the legitimate barrel of the certi-
fied sportsman—or by the stick of the poacher, who,
in his nightly rambles, has been drawn to its roosting-
place by its short, oft repeated crow —while the plump
partridge runs among the stubble of the cleared wheat
field, or lurks amongst the sheaves. The woods are
now beginning to assume a more sober tint, the bright
green in which they shone in summer is deepening into
a darker hue—the leaves of the oak and maple are
becoming patched with brown—while stray leaves and
small branches, torn off by the wind, strew the ground ;
and in the paths in the woods the pretty and curious
little shrew mouse (Sorex araneus) is often found
dead, nipped by the night frosts.

And now, equipped for hunting our “ untaxed and
undisputed game,” let us betake ourselves to Hamp-
stead’s cheerful vale, and in the shady recesses of the
“‘ Bishop’s Wood” spend a few profitable hours. But
first let me give my readers some description of the
locality to which I purpose conducting them.

Hampstead has long been known as celebrated for
the purity of its air and the number of its laundresses ;
while its beautiful heath has been, from generation
to generation, the paradise of the inhabitants of
** Cockaigne’ and of landscape painters—and may it
long continue to be so; may its beautiful scenery never

SEPTEMBER. 157

be marred by heaps of brick and mortar, called villas,
into which the wind finds its way through the walls, and
the inhabitants of which choice structures may think
themselves well off if they escape death by the contrac-
tion of chronic rheumatism. But to proceed; Hamp-
stead Heath is a large sandy elevated plain, on which
many patches of furze, fern, broom, brambles, &c., lux-
uriate; it is dotted over also by many patches of small
trees, besides good hedge-rows, in which trees of larger
erowth are found, including some noble old oaks, elms
and alders. Keeping the main road from the village
of Hampstead (which may be reached by omnibus)
across the heath in the direction of Highgate, we shall
see a little off the road, on the heath, on our left, a
group of tall firs (these firs are said to have been a
favourite resort of Steele and Addison); and a little far-
ther on, on our left, we shall come to the “ Spaniards”
tavern, to reach which, in the days of the “ Spectator’
was a pilgrimage, and to have a game of bowls on its
level green the height of enjoyment. On the right of
the road is situated “Caen Wood,” the seat of the
Earl of Mansfield, whose manly battles with the lord
of the manor to prevent the enclosure of the heath de-
serve all praise ; while on our left, a little further along
the road, and separated from it by a field, we shall see
a large and fine wood: this is the spot to which I pur-
pose conducting my readers—this is the “ Bishop’s
Wood,” or the “ Big Wood,” Hampstead, as it is more
generally called.

In order to gain access to the wood we must turn
down the lane (the first turning on the left from “The
Spaniards,” and nearly opposite the entrance gates of

158 SEPTEMBER.

Lord Mansfield’s demesne), and about half-way down
it, on the right, we shall see a gate leading into the
wood ; if it should be unfastened, we have only to push
it open and walk in, but if it should chance to be
fastened, we shall see a large hole in it big enough for
a man to pass through by taking his hat off: through
this aperture we must therefore pass, and are thence-
forth in the wood.

The wood is large, and is composed of hornbeam,
oak, beech, birch, &c.—oak and hornbeam prepon-
derating,—while the undergrowth is very varied, con-
sisting of sallow, privet, small black poplar bushes,
sloe, spindle, brambles, honeysuckle, &c.; while the
herbaceous growth is abundant and varied, consisting
of Solidago virgaurea, Choeerophyllum, Hypericum,
Pastinaca, broom, Heracleum, together with a great
variety of smaller plants, Orchidee, rushes, &c.; and
the hedge banks surrounding it are carpeted with ver-
dure ; while in the centre of the wood there is a large
cultivated field of three or four acres, usually sown
with wheat, no unfavourable circumstance or feature to
the Lepidopterist, especially at sugar.

Just past Caen Wood, on the main road to High-
gate, we shall see a turning by the side of Lord Mans-
field’s domain: this is Millfield Lane, and leads from
Hampstead to Highgate Rise, and is well worth visiting
by the Entomologist; as in this lane alone, in this
neighbourhood, have I as yet met with the larva of
Nepticula angulifasciella sparingly on rose bushes,
together with V. anomalella in abundance; and Li-
thocolletis Coryli more sparingly on nut bushes.

In the wood, i.e. Bishop’s Wood, on hornbeam

SEPTEMBER. 159

(Carpinus Betulus), we shall find Lithocolletis tenella
mining the underside of the leaves; the only other
locality I know for this species is Epping Forest,
while on a single sloe bush, among the underwood,
near the brook, we shall find the larvee of Nep. Prune-
torum; this extremely local insect has only occurred
hitherto at the locality in which it was discovered by
Mr. Boyd, at Loudwater, Bucks. Among the sallows
we shall find the larvee of Nepticula Salicis in pro-
fusion, while on hornbeam the larvee of Nep. micro-
theriella and floslactella occur ; and feeding upon the
same tree, and also upon oak, the beautiful green
shagreened larve of Halias prasinana may be found ;
‘in sloe leaves the larva of Lithocolletis spinicolella
occurs, while on sallow we may find the larve of
Lithocolletis salicicolella, often sharing the same leaf
with the larve of V. Salicis, together with the larvee
of Peronea Hastiana; while in the leaves of the
honeysuckle the larvee of Lithocolletis trifasciella may
be found in plenty ; and, mining in the leaves of nut
bushes, and in turned-down corners of the same, we
shall find the larve of Ornix Avellanella, while in
oak leaves, in blotches, the larvee of T%scheria compla-
nella occurs, and that of 7’. marginea in blotches, in
bramble leaves.

At sugar, we may take here Orthosia lota, macilenta
and neglecta; together with Anthocelis litura and
pistacina, Noctua plecta and Phlogophora meticulosa,
Glea vaccinii and Spadicea. Among whitethorn we
shall find Orgyia antiqua, together with its apterous
female, on the trunks, while at rest on the trunks of
the trees, or on the earth, we may occasionally find the

160 SEPTEMBER.

large and beautiful Sphinw Convolvuli; im the year
1846 this beautiful insect swarmed throughout the
country.

I have enumerated a few of the more prominent or
uncommon species which occur here at this season, but
no doubt, from its position and the great variety of its
erowth, the wood, if well worked, would produce an
abundant harvest of rarities.

I will now pass to those insects which generally
occur this month.

At Whittlebury Forest we may find Lyonetia padifo-
liella. Of thisspecies Professor Frey, of Zurich, states :
‘‘T bred in August all these forms (L. prunifoliella,
L. padifoliella and L. Albella) from one kind of sloe
mine, with similar larvee, and am disposed to unite
them all as one species. The mine is broad, not narrow
like that of Clerkella; Albella is very scarce, padi-
foliella the commonest. The pupa is suspended as in
Clerckella.”” (Entomologist’s Annual, 1856, p. 58.)

On the coast, among the ‘sea buckthorn” (Hippo-
phaecs Rhamnoides) Gelechia Hippophaella occurs,
while among Chenopodium maritimum and Plantago
maritima we may find the extremely variable Grele-
chia instabilella ; and in similar localities, at Brighton,
on the Cheshire sand hills at New Brighton, and in
the Isle of Wight, G'elechia marmorea and vicinella,
together with Grelechia celerella and vilella occur ;
while at Deal we may find Depressaria granulosella,
and at Folkestone Depressaria ultimella occurs.

In wet places, among Lnula dysenterica, we may
find the pretty little Acrolepia granitella, while among
alders Gracilaria elongella occurs, together with the

SEPTEMBER. 161

rare Gracilaria falconipennella; while among Ange-
lica sylvestris the delicate Depressaria ciliella may be
found.

In houses those domestic pests Tinea fuscipunctella,
pellionella and biselliella occur, together with the pretty
Endrosis fenestrella.

But what is that mass of web on that hawthorn bush
inhabited by? Surely not by spiders ? Go and see! touch
it! Hilloa, why what are those curious active creatures
the larve of? They are the larve of Swammerdamia
Pyrella; they never seem comfortable unless enve-
loped in a mass of web, in which they make a kind of
tubular galleries, in the centre of which, on sunny days,

‘they may be seen lying at full length—but touch the
web, or approach a finger towards it, and hey! presto!
off they are, either backwards or forwards, to the shelter
of a neighbouring leaf.

In the leaves of Convolvolus arvensis we may find
the curious and anomalous larve of Bedellia somnu-
lentella; while, mining in the leaves of the wild hop,
the larve of the small, but splendid, Cosmopteryx
Drurella may be noticed.

If we examine the leaves of the “ St. John’s Wort”
(Hypericum perforatum), we shall see many of them
mined in an extremely circuitous manner, being nearly
covered with a black mine; this is the work of the
larvee of Nepticula Septembrella (it occurs at West
Wickham and at Headley Lane); while in cones on
the leaves the larva of Gracilaria auroguttella occurs.

In cases among fallen leaves we may, by diligent
search, find the larvee of Incurvaria muscalella and
pectinea ; while in their curious cases, feeding under

162 SEPTEMBER.

the leaves of the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca),
the larve of Lampronia prelatella may be found ; it
also feeds on Spirea ulmaria. “Mr. Wailes has found
the larve of this species (Lamprosia prelatella) feed-
on Spirea ulmaria—a new food plant for this singular
larva.’’-—(Entomologist’s Annual, 1856, p. 49.)

In cones on the leaves of oak we shall find the
larvee of Gracilaria Swvederella, and on ash and lilac
that of G. Syringella; while in the leaves of Arte-
misia vulgaris the larva of G'. omissella occurs.

On Lithospermum officinale, at “‘ Darenth Wood,”
the larve of Anesychia decemguttella may be found ;
while on Sedum telephium the larvee of Hyponomeuta
vigintipunctatus occur, and in the seeds of Angelica
sylvestris the larve of Gicophora filavimaculella may
be found. ‘

In turned-down leaves of sloe we may find the larvee
of Enicostoma lobella, together with the larve of
Ypsolophus fasciellus, which “ feed on sloe, doubling
up the leaf and leaving an opening at each end, through
which they hurriedly escape on any alarm, so that they
are most easily obtained by beating the sloe bushes
where they occur. The larva is yellowish grey—the head
reddish ochreous—the second segment pale ochreous—
the ordinary spots small and black ; it is very lively,
with a tremulous motion of the anterior segments.” —
(Entomologist’s Annual, 1846, p. 52.)

Among broom Chesias Spartiaria occurs, together
with Depressaria atomella, and among pines Thera
variaria occurs; while among the junipers at Mickle-
ham, Sanderstead, and at Birch Wood, we shall obtain

SEPTEMBER. 163
-

the conspicuous Thera Juniperaria, while commonly
among underwood Thera simularia occurs.

On the coast at New Brighton, and in the Isle of
Portland, Spelotis precox occurs; while among bur-
dock we may obtain the handsome Gortyna flavago
not uncommonly.

In the “ New Forest,” the “ Isle of Wight ” and at
“ New Brighton,” we shall obtain Hpunda Lichenea ;
at this latter locality this insect has occurred in plenty
—“‘nearly 100 specimens of this insect having been
taken at New Brighton in September, 1850.’’—(Zoolo-
gist for 1850, p. 2958.)

On the Sussex Downs we may perhaps be fortunate
enough to capture the very rare Deiopeia pulchella.

Among elms we may meet with Xanthia gilvago,
of which Guenée says, “It is very common in France,
the larvee feeding on the seeds of the elm.”

A species (Xanthia ocellaris), very closely allied to
it, and only recently distinguished from it, frequents
poplars. Guenée says, “The larva lives in the buds
of the poplars, and is almost as abundant as that or
gilvago is on the elms.”’

On the flowers of the mullein (Verbascum Thapsus)
we may find the larve of the rare Cucullia Lychnitis.
Mr. Stevens in the Zoologist for 1845, p. 1142, states,
“T have annually, for the last three or four seasons,
obtained the caterpillars of this rare shark from off the
leaves and flowers of the mullein, found in a chalk-pit
at Arundel, in Sussex.”

On sloe, nut, birch, hawthorn, bramble, &c., we
shall find the larve of Coleophora paripennella;
while feeding on the seeds of Atriplex the larva of

164 SEPTEMBER.

>

Coleophora annulatella occurs, and that of C. argen-
tula on the seeds of the yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

On roses in gardens, on the dog rose in hedge-
rows, and (in Ireland) on the Rosa spinosissima, we
shall find the young larve of Coleophora gryphipen-
nella; this is one of the few Coleophora larve that
construct fresh cases as they outgrow the old ones.
This is effected in the following manner. The young
larva, finding from its increasing size, its habitation
become too circumscribed, proceeds to remedy the in-
convenience by providing a new one. To this end,
having chosen a leaf on which to operate, it attaches
its case firmly by the mouth or bottom part to the
foot-stalk of the leaf at the extreme corner; it then
mines between the cuticles of the leaf until it has made
a blotch at the edge of the leaf of a semicircular shape
of sufficient size to suit its requirements; it then com-
mences cutting off the mined portion (turning round
in its new case to effect its object), and fastens together
with silk the edges as it detaches the mined portion
from the leaf, and gives to its case a curved form as it
proceeds towards the point at which it entered: having
arrived here its task is accomplished, when it either
lets itself drop in its new abode by a silken thread to
the ground or a neighbouring branch, or crawls
upwards according to its fancy, leaving its old case
firmly affixed to the leaf stalk, and in this manner
manufactures several cases in succession, according to
its requirements, always leaving the old case sticking at
the foot of the leaf from which its new abode was cut.
Thus the tyro, whenever he sees a semicircular piece
cut out of a rose leaf, and on its foot-stalk a small or

SEPTEMBER. 165

moderate-sized case, may be sure it is empty. If, by
any accident, the larve, in constructing its new case,
should cause it, in cutting it off, to double upon itself,
or otherwise make it untenantable, it directly withdraws
into its old case, and, disengaging it, proceeds in search
of another leaf on which to operate afresh.

On alders, birches, oaks and sallows, we shall find
the fat larva of Dasystoma Salicella; while on oak,
beech, &c., the curious club-footed larve of Chima-
bacche Fagella may be found.

Among limes we may find the pretty Xanthia
aurago, while among brambles the curious larve of
Chrysocorys festaliella may be found. In the “ En-
tomologist’s Annual,” 1856, p. 57, Mr. Stainton thus
notices this larvee: ‘‘ Mr. T. Wilkinson, of Scarborough,
sent me in September some larve of this species ; and,
subsequently, 1 found them at Bideford rather com-
monly. They feed either on the upper or under side
of bramble leaves, eating the leaf half through, and
making conspicuous blotches, which are very evident
even -when you are not specially looking for them.
The larva agrees well with Hubner’s figure, which is
copied by Curtis.”

Among the golden rod (Solidago virgaurea) we
may find the larve of Botys terrealis feeding upon
the flowers.

If, on some sunny morning, we examine closely the
bottom of some old paling we may, perhaps, see some
curious little mounds composed of grains of sand, small
stones, pieces of the wing cases of beetles, bits of shells,
&e.; if we touch one of these mounds, we shall find
that it springs to the touch, and, on detaching it, we

166 SEPTEMBER.

shall see that it is a larva-case ornamented in this cu-
rious manner ; this is the larva of Diplodoma margi-
nepunctel/a, but what its food is at present is unknown.
I have taken the larva some years back on Lord
Mansfield’s palings at Hampstead, but never succeeded
in rearing the insect. In Mr. Stainton’s “ Observa-
tions on British Tineina” (Entomologist’s Annual,
1856, p. 49), it is thus noticed: “‘ Two of the curiously
clothed larvee of this insect have been sent me, one by
Mr. Parfitt, of Exeter, in August, the other by Mr.
Scott in September. Neither larva was seen to eat, so
that the food still remains a mystery.”

In woods among brushwood we shall obtain the
pretty Phesyle miaria, and in chalky localities. the
handsome Phesyle Psittacaria may be found; now
also appear Harpalyce achatinaria and Geometra
angularia, while among the bush vetch (Vicia se-
pium) we may obtain the larve of the new and beau-
tiful Lithocolletis Bremiella.

“This species was discovered a few years ago at
Zurich by Herr Bremi-Wolff, in whose honour it has
been named ; the larvee was detected mining the leaves
of several species of Vicia. On the 26th of September
last, I received several mines of this species from Herr
Schmid, of Frankfort-on-the-Main, and, profiting by
the information derived from the sight of these mined
leaves, I visited, on the 28th, a locality near Bexley,
where I was aware that Vicia sepium grew abundantly
by the edge of a wood. In half an hour Mrs. Stainton
and I had collected about thirty leaves containing
larve or pupe, and Mr. Douglas nearly as many—a
striking instance of the ease with which new species

SEPTEMBER. 167

may be added to our Fauna if we coach up the subject
from those who are already skilled !

“The species is double-brooded, the larve feeding in
July and September ; many of the latter brood appear
in the perfect state in October, while other specimens
remain pupe all the winter.” —(Entomologist’s Annual,

1856, p. 40.)

( 168 )

CHAPTER X.

awe

OCTOBER.

OctosBER, herald of the falling year, has come,—the
shortening days,—the lengthening nights,—the cold
bleak winds,—the stormy blast as it sweeps along
stripping the trees of their leaves, and strewing the
woods with acorns and beech masts, providing a dainty
meal for

“The restless wandering tenants of the sty:

From oak to oak they run with eager haste,

And, wrangling, share the first delicious taste

Of fallen acorn; yet but thinly found,

Till the strong gale has shook them to the ground.

It comes: and warring woods obedient wave :

Their home well pleased the joint adventurers leave ;

The trudging sow leads forth her numerous young,

Playful, and white, and clean, the briars among,

Till briars and thorns increasing, fence them round,

Where last year’s mould’ring leaves bestrew the ground,

And o’er their heads, loud lash’d by furious squalls,

Bright from their cups the rattling treasure falls.”’
Bloomfields Farmer’s Boy, Autumn.

Autumn calls up many reflections of the past happy
summer time, when all was light and joy,—when per-
haps with a youthful companion, in whose heart we
wished to implant a love for Nature’s beauties, and to

OCTOBER. 169

draw forth the thinking and reasoning powers of his
mind, we wandered through the leafy maze of some
old wood, or trod the grassy carpet of the breezy down,
—teaching him to observe and note for himself the
various changes in the objects around him, and thus
opening up to him a fund of instruction and amuse-
ment so vast that the longest life, or a series of lives,
would fail to exhaust it; and this is within the com-
pass of the mind of the young. The poet Words-
worth tells us of a boy who from his sixth year had
been engaged in solitude in contemplating the starry
firmament and the scenery around him, and bears
witness to the good effect it had upon his mind. He
" says—
“While yet a child, and long before his time,

He had perceived the presence and the power

Of greatness: and deep feeling had impressed

Great objects on his mind, with portraiture

And colour so distinct, that on his mind

They lay like substances, and almost seem’d

To haunt the bodily sense. He had receiv’d

A precious gift; for as he grew in years,

With those impressions would he still compare

All his remembrances, thoughts, shapes and forms;

And being still unsatisfied with aught

Of dimmer character, he thence attained

An active power to fasten images

Upon his brain; and on their pictur’d lines

Intensely brooded, e’en ’till they acquir’d

The liveliness of dreams.’’

“Tf we wish rural walks to do our children any
good, we must give them a love for rural sights,—an
object in every walk. We must teach them—and we

I

170 OCTOBER.

can teach them—to find wonder in every insect, sub-
limity in every hedge-row, the records of past worlds
in every pebble, and boundless fertility upon the barren
shore; and so, by teaching them to make full use of
that limited sphere in which they now are, make them
faithful in few things, that they may be fit hereafter to
be rulers over much.” *

And now, dear reader, let us take a trip together,
and for awhile commune with green fields and shady
woodlands, and to this end betake ourselves to the
Eastern Counties Railway Station at Shoreditch, ob-
tain tickets for the Ilford Station, at which, after about
three quarters of an hour’s riding, we shall find our-
selves at Ilford en route for Hainhault Forest—now,
alas! doomed to destruction, but which in days gone
by was, with the adjoining forest of Epping, a choice
hunting-ground.

Having reached the Ilford Station and alighted, we
must, on leaving the station and gaining the town,
turn down the lane on our left, when, continuing our
course along it until we reach the bottom, we shall
then find ourselves on the margin of the ‘ Forest.”

The forest is principally composed of elm, oak and
hornbeam, together with a sprinkling of birch and a
number of old whitethorn trees. This is the head-
quarters of the handsome and variable Peronea cris-
tana in the London district.

Having reached our destination, let us commence
operations, and, net and beating-stick in hand, make
ready for the fray. Ah! what are those active brown
insects darting about in and out the branches of those

* Kingsley.

OCTOBER. 17]

oaks? They are the males of Chimabacche Phryga-
nella, and their apterous females may be found on the
trunks of the oaks. The females differ considerably
in colour from the males, being light grey, with a dark
dash through their abbreviated wings. By beating
the oaks we shall obtain the extremely variable Ceros-
toma radiatella, and perhaps the beautiful Coriscium
sulphurellum likewise; while at sugar Calocampa
vetusta and C. exoleta, together with Chariptera
Aprilina and Miselia Oxyacanthe, occur; and by
beating we may obtain Hibernia aurantiaria and H.
defoliaria, while their apterous females may be found
on the trunks of the trees. This latter species, H.
defoliaria, is subject to great variation in the mark-
ings, some specimens being wholly of an orange colour
thickly sprinkled with black atoms.

Let us now turn our attention to those species that
will be most likely to attract the notice of the tyro this
month, if he be really in earnest in his search; and let
the Lithocolletides and Nepticule have our first atten-
tion. This month is the best time in which to collect
them, the larve being now nearly if not quite full fed.
On oaks we shall find the following species of Litho-
colletis, Roboris, hortella, Amyotella, lautella, querci-
foliella, Messaniella, Heegeriella and Cramerella,
together with the following species of Nepticula,
atricapitella, ruficapitella and subbimaculella. In
hawthorn leaves we shall find the larve of LZ. pomi-
foliella on the under side, and L. corylifoliella on the
upperside, together with the larve of N. pygmeella,
Oxyacanthella, ignobilella and gratiosella; in sloe
leaves, L. spinicolella, N. plagicolella and Prune-

12

172 OCTOBER.

torum; in beech leaves, L. Faginella and N. Tity-
rella; in birch leaves, LZ. ulmifoliella and the larvee
of the new species of Nepticula Betulicola. The
larve is thus noticed in the Natural History of the
Tineina, vol. i. p. 22:—“ An amber-coloured larva
with green dorsal vessel, making a small contorted
gallery, of which the commencement is filled with
brown excrement, the latter half having the greenish-
grey excrement only in the central portion.”

In alder leaves, on the upperside, we shall find the
larva of LZ. Stettinensis; while on the underside the
larva of LZ. Frolichiella (distinguishable by its large
mine and cocoon), and ZL. Kleemannella and alnifo-
liella, occur.

In elm leaves the larve of the beautiful LZ. Schrebe-
rella will be found, together with the yellow larve of
the equally beautiful WN. marginicolella, and the gut-
formed mine and green larve of the plain N. visce-
rella.

But let us for variety examine that clover-like plant
with pea-like seed vessels growing on that hedge bank,
the bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). We may
perhaps see on some of the leaves white blotches.
These are caused by the larve of Coleophora discur-
della, and on turning over some of the blotched leaves
we may find a larva in its small curved case, at present
hardly the eighth of an inch high. This is an example
of a Coleophora larva, which does not quit its case, and
form a new one, as is the custom of Col. gryphipennella,
but increases the dimensions of its case by adding new
portions to the original one; and the manner in which
this is effected is rather curious, and is as follows :—-

OCTOBER. 173

The young larva having outgrown its original case,
proceeds to increase its capabilities of affording accom-
modation to its occupant by adding to its dimensions.
To effect this object the larva having selected a leaf of
its food-plant, attaches itself to the edge of it, and
commences mining between the cuticles in a semicir-
cular manner at the bottom of the mine, but starts off
at right angles from the base of the old case, thus
making the addition to its former case larger at the
bottom or mouth than at the point of juncture of the
old case, and giving to the whole a cornucopia-like
shape. Having mined a sufficient depth into the leaf

for its purpose, and drawn its old case for a little dis-
- tance within the new mine, the larva lines the whole
with silk, and, cutting off its improved habitation, it
takes its departure. This process is repeated as often
as necessary, the case becoming of course longer and
broader at every addition, until the larva has become
full fed. The edges of the several additions to the
case by drying assume a curled form, thus giving to
it in many instances a fringed appearance; while the
newer additions, being much lighter in colour when
fresh than the other portions, often give the structure a
curious party-coloured patchwork appearance.

On the seeds of the yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
we may find the larve of Hupithecia subfulvaria, toge-
ther with the larve of Coleophora argentula.

If in places where the dogwood ( Cornus sanguinea)
grows we examine the leaves, we shall see many of
them marked with large greenish blotches, and others
with holes in them cut out of the previously-mined
places. This is the work of the larva of the beautiful

174 OCTOBER.

Elachista Treitschhkiella, which first mines the leaves,
and then, spinning a portion of the two cuticles together,
cuts out a small flat elliptical case, in which it descends
to the ground in the manner of the larve of Lam-
pronia and Incurvaria.

Among bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus), on which
the larvee feed, we may obtain the rare Peronea Mac-
cana; while on the same plant the larvee of Coccyx
Vacciniana may be found in many places in plenty, and
in the stems of thistle (Cirsiwm palustre) the larve
of EKphippiphora Circiana and Ephippiphora Scutu-
lana may be found, Hphippiphora novana_ being
merely a variety of the ¢ Scutulana. ‘ H. novana
is, I believe, merely a variety of the ¢ Scutulana.”
(Entomologist’s Annual, 1855, p. 51.) And in the
stems of the wild parsnip ( Pastinaca sativa) the larvee
of Lozopera dilucidana may be found.

On Wimbledon Common and at Hackney we may
obtain the pretty Simaéthis scintillulana; while on
nettles Simaethis Fabriciana occurs in plenty, toge-
ther with Pionea forficalis in gardens and weedy
lanes.

On yew berries at Norbury Park, near Dorking,
the rare Dasycampa rubiginea may be obtained; while
in cultivated places, especially in the neighbourhood of
potatoe fields, the large and curious death’s head hawk-
moth (Acherontia Atropos) occurs. This insect, like
many of the Sphingide, occasionally appears in large
or unusual numbers, when it becomes an object of
terror in the agricultural districts, all kinds of ill luck
and misfortune being prognosticated by its appearance;
while the curious markings on its thorax, representing

OCTOBER. 175

an outline of a death’s head, are not a little conducive
to the popular superstition at one time, if not now, pre-
valent in Cornwall and some other parts of the coun-
try, that, if one of these insects entered a house, it was
a sure sign of the early death of one of the inhabitants,
with what truth may be surmised.

At Darenth Wood, among maple, the rare and
curious Ptilophora plumigera occurs, while on trunks
of trees Petasia cassinea may be found.

Among bee hives Galleria mellonella and Achroea
grisella occur in too great plenty for the bee-keeper ;
while inside the grains of wheat, barley, &c., the larvee
of Gelechia cerealella commence their destructive
ravages.

Among sallows, willows and poplars, the larva of
Gracilaria stigmatella occurs; and on the leaves of
the poplar, on the upper side, we may find the curious
fork-tailed green larva of Cerura bifida, while on the
trunks of poplars Chelaria Hiibnerella will be found.

In houses Tinea ferruginella and Endrosis fenes-
trella occur; while in shady places, in woods among
the biting persicaria (Polygonum hydropiper) Graci-
laria phasianipennella may be found, and among
alders the rare Gracilaria falconipennella occurs.

Among Chenopodium and Atriplex we may per-
haps find the rare Butalis Chenopodiella, and on the
seeds of the Atriplex the larve of Coleophora annu-
latella occur; while in the stems of the said plant,
growing in very sheltered situations, we may find the
larve of the very beautiful Goniodoma auroguttella.

Among ash trees Zelleria hepariella occurs; while

176 OCTOBER.

among privet and ash we may find Corisciwm cuculi-
pennellum; and among the traveller’s joy (Clematis
vitalba) Gracilaria semifascia may be found.

In the seeds of the Lychnis dioica we may find the
larvee of the pretty Dianthecia conspersa; while
among Convolvulus arvensis, Bedellia somnulentella
may be found.

in cones on the leaves of the oak, the larva of Gra-
cilaria Swederella will be found, while mining in the
leaves of the Artemisia, the larva of Gracilaria omis-
sella occurs; and on the leaves of the St. John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum) we shall find the larva of
Gracilaria auroguttella, while mining in the leaves
of the said plant, the larva of Nepticula Septembrella
occurs,

In the leaves of the laburnum in gardens we may
find the larva of the handsome and delicate Cemio-
stoma Laburnella, while in the leaves of the wild
apple and birch(?) the larvee of Lyonetia Clerckella
occur in their long gallery-like mines; and among
apple trees, in orchards, we may obtain the scarce
Cerostoma asperella.

Among Cherophyllum Sylvestre, &c., we may find
the sticky-looking larve of Chauliodus Cherophyl-
lellus; while among the said plants Depressaria ap-
plana will be found, D. umbellana among furze-
bushes, and D. propinguella among thistles, together
with Depressaria depressella among the wild carrot
(Daucus carota), on the heads of which the larve of
Semasia rufillana may be found.

On wild rose we may, perhaps, find the larve of
Acronycta tridens; while on brambles the larve of

OCTOBER. 177

Thyatira derasa may be found the beginning of the
month.

On wild roses we shall find the larve of Nep. ano-
malella, together with that of NV. angulifasciella. This
latter larva does not continue mining in a gallery,
but eventually forms a blotch upon the leaf it inhabits.

On the bugloss (Hchium vulgare) we may find the
larva of Anesychia bipunctella; while mining in the
leaves of Chenopodium and Atriplex, the larva of the
pretty Gelechia neviferella may be found. This is a
species the collector should breed every season, as it
speedily looses its beauty after death.

And now I would say to the tyro, do not imagine
that because winter is approaching that it is a lazy
time for the Entomologist. The reverse of this is the
case—what between pups digging, searching rotten
wood, fungi, stems of plants, &c., he will find his time
fully employed, and no doubt many rarities will be the
reward of his industry. He must be ever watchful,
and never let a chance escape him, from want of perse-
verance or from dilatoriness of observation, of adding
to his store of knowledge.

One man walks through the world with his eyes
open, and another with them shut, and upon this dif-
ference depends all the superiority of knowledge the
one acquires over the other.

15

(GIBuN)

CHAPTER XI.

NOVEMBER. -

THE year, with all its varied pleasures, joys and
sorrows, sunshine and clouds, storm and calm, is draw-
ing to a close; day succeeding day, week to week,
month to month, in the onward course of time. We
have almost arrived at that period when we cease (most
of us) to derive pleasure from the contemplation of
nature; we associate with the idea of winter an almost
total cessation of animal and vegetable life, and con-
sider it a dreary and unsatisfactory period—the death
of the year—but is such really the case? are the winter
months such a “ tabula rasa,’ such a blank as some
would fain make us believe. I think not: ’tis true the
oak, the ash and the elm no longer exhibit to us their
dense masses of foliage, and on the slender twigs of
the birch the beautiful leaves have ceased to vibrate,
glancing and sparkling in the sunlight ; and the gaunt
figure of the poplar, as he stands denuded of his leafy
honours, looms heavily in the murky air.

The active and pugnacious redbreast has left the
woods to pay his annual visit to the dwellings of man ;
the sprightly chiff-chaff, the black-cap and nightingale,
have taken their departure for southern lands and
sunny skies; while the bare hedge-rows expose to view
the now-deserted nests, within whose mossy depths

NOVEMBER. 179

many a feathery songster (now carolling in far-off
lands, or flitting along the woodside) was ushered into
life.

But all is not barrenness, all is not desolation. Win-
ter, though it robs the trees of their leafy mantle, clothes
their branches and trunks in a garb of beautiful lichen,
_ exquisitely pencilled and delicately carved ; while the
bright green mosses, as they clothe some rough hewn
stone, dilapidated wall, or gnarled tree trunk, rival the
emerald in beauty, and the stems and trunks of the sloe
and whitethorn present, in their licheny coats of gold
and orange, a picture of beauty such as winter alone
can produce.

But not alone does the vegetable kingdom present
to the eye of the observer a broad and varied field of
beauty, but the insect world also braves the chilling
blasts of the north, which, as if enraged that they should
have been pent-up so long under the glorious summer’s
_bounteous reign, sweep over the fields and woodlands
with impetuous rush ; for, on the hawthorn’s stem, the
small Cheimatobia Brumaria may be found at rest in
the daytime, or seen flitting along the hedge-row in the
evening in search of his apterous spouse ; while, on the
trunks of the neighbouring birches, the larger, but
more delicate-looking, Cheimatobia borearia may be
found, but their apterous females but rarely, although
they frequent the same localities; and, dancing about
in the fitful gleams of sunshine, the males of Chima-
bacche Phryganella sport their little day, while on the
trunks of the oaks their stay-at-home consorts may be
found.

On old palings, in the neighbourhood of Putney, we

180 NOVEMBER.

may find, by searching with a lantern at night, the
delicate Exapate gelatella, whose female is also ap-
terous ; while in houses and in sheltered hedge-rows,
and on palings, Z%nea biselliella and EHndrosis fenes-
trella will be found.

But not alone to delicate pencilling does nature con-
fine her powers in beautifying the objects that gladden |
the sight in “ November dark and drear ;” she has her
jewels for those that woo her—whose brilliant sheen
reflects the light of the glorious summer, fondly re-
gretted, anxiously expected—for on the honeysuckle
the beautiful Lithocolletis trifasciella may be seen,
gay in his brilliant garb of saffron-yellow, black and
white, while among the oaks in the woods, and the
evergreen oaks in the gardens, the brilliant and de-
licately pencilled Zithocolletis Messaniella may be
found.

On the herbaceous plants, now fast fading before
sturdy winter’s piercing breath, many larve may still
be found making the most of the little remaining time
they have to complete their “jaw-work.” In shel-
tered places, on the “ ground-ivy” (Gilechoma hedera-
cea) we may find the young larve of Coleophora al-
bitarsella, while on the leaves of the “ greater stitch-
wort” (Stellaria holostea) the young larvee of Coleo-
phora solitariella occur ; and in their curious cases, on
the underside of the leaves of the “ wild strawberry”
(Fragaria vesca), we may find the larvee of Lampronia
prelatella.

In cases, among fallen leaves, we may find the larva
of Incurvaria muscalella and T’. pectinea, and from
the plants of Hypericum perforatum, in sandy shady

NOVEMBER. te 5: 3 ee

places, a stock of the “ cigars” of Gracilaria auro- |
guttella & Co. may be obtained ; while in the leaves of

the said plant we may find the larve of N. Septem= ae
brella. oe

In oak leaves, mining in the green patches, we shall
find the larva of Nepticula subbimaculella ; while in
bramble leaves the wavy tracks of the larva of N.
aurella, and the brown blotches of that of Tischeria
marginea, may be seen, and in rose leaves we may find
the larva of NV. angulifasciella.

Winter is the period in which the seed, rotten wood,
fungi, grass and lichen-feeding larve revel. The larvee
of many of the Gcophore, Tinee, Gelechie, Pa-
vrasie, Dasycere, &c., revel in abundance, and only
await the diligence and perseverance of the Entomolo-
gist to become his lawful prizes.

In fungi we may find the larve of Huplocamus
Boleti and Tinea parasitella; in the seeds of the
“‘ flea-bane’’ (Inula dysenterica) we shall find the
larvee of Gelechia inopella and Gt. bifractella; while
in cases, on the seed-heads of the “ wild marjoram”
(Origanum vulgare) the larve of Gelechia subocellea
occur; and in the seeds of the burdock (Arctium
Lappa) the larve of Parasia Lappella may be found,
whereas that of Parasia Carlinella feeds below the
seeds of the “common carline thistle” (Carlina vul-
garis).

The rotten-wood-feeders are in great strength during
the winter months, and are well worthy a diligent search
by the Entomologist, for not only may many rarities
be his reward, but it is not unlikely that new species
may thus be obtained. And here I cannot do better

182 - NOVEMBER.

than transcribe for the benefit of my readers Mr. Stain-
ton’s remarks upon this subject (in the ‘“ Zoologist,”
page 4180): he says, “ Many Entomologists labour
under the impression that there is nothing to be done
during the winter months, at least among Micro-Lepi-
doptera. ‘It may be all very well, say they, ‘for a
beetle hunter to go poking into old stumps, and picking
up moss, but that sort of game don’t suit us.’ So, as
nothing is to be got by poking into old stumps, nobody
thinks of looking, and so nothing is got; but is the
assertion true? It has several times been recorded that
Dasycera sulphurella feeds as larva under the bark of
decaying trees: has it alone that habit? Where did
(the late) Mr. Wing find the larve of Mcophora
unitella last spring? In some old pea-stichs, which
he had used in the formation of an arbour. Where
did Herr Richter find the larva of cophora simi-
lella? Under the bark of decayed fir-stumps, which
were brought to his house as fire-wood. Now, in order
to discover the larve of the species of a genus, you
must first discover that of one species, next assume that
the habits of the others are similar, and look for them
in the then most likely places. The larve of Gcophora
augustella, Woodiella, formosella, lunaris, Lambdella,
subaquilea, Panzerella, tinctella, flavifrontella* and
Suscescens are unknown, probably they are all rotten-
nood feeders. Professor Zeller found CZ. formosella
rather freely last summer (that of 1853) in a wood-
yard, along with @cophora unitella. This strengthens
previous suspicions. Most of the other species appear,

* The larva of @. flavifrontella has been discovered since this
was written. See ante, p. 98.

NOVEMBER. 185

by their haunts, to frequent places where their larve
might have fed upon decaying wood ; CG’. Lambdella,
originally found swarming in a furze bush, may feed
in the decaying stems of the furze. If formosella
and Lambdella won’t tempt an Entomologist out in
January, I don’t know what will. And it should be
borne in mind, that probably all these species feed, like
Dasycera sulphurella, throughout the winter, so that
from December to February, when other sport is scarce,
is the very time to seek for the Gcophora larve.
When the collector is weary of poking into the old
stumps he can agreeably diversify his occupation by
collecting Hlachista larve, of which he had probably
destroyed several by treading on them, whilst at work
on the @cophora larve. They are to be found mining
the leaves of grasses, preferring such long grasses as
grow in the shelter of a hedge, or at the foot of a tree ;
he may find a goodly variety, hardly two grasses con-
taining the same larve. These, again, may be found
throughout the winter.”

Added to this, the observations of continental Ento-
mologists go to establish the fact, that many more spe-
cies besides those enumerated are rotten-wood feeders ;
thus (in the “ Entomologist’s Annual,” 1856, p. 53),
we read: “ When at Hanover, Herr Krosmann gave
me a specimen of the continental Balucella (which we
hold synonymous with Haworth’s Palpella); it was
twice the size of our specimens—but he assured me it
varied in size from quite small to those unusual dimen-
sions. Z'his specimen he had bred from rotten wood !”’
And again, Herr Schmid notices of Gicophora augus-
tella, “‘the larve of this certainly in rotten wood”

184 NOVEMBER.

(idem). May not the larva of @cophora grandis
feed on the same pabulum? it may be inferred it does,
from the habitat of the perfect insect ‘‘in one fence
composed of a mixture of dead and living hazel and
birch” (idem); while (at page 123, Entom. Annual,
1856), it is stated that Herr Krosmann “ also rears
Tinea arcella from rotten wood.”

On old palings and licheny trunks of trees the larva
of Solenobia inconspicuella may be found; while in
rolled-up grass leaves, sheltered by the hedge-row, the
young larva of Gelechia rufescens occurs.

In grains of barley, oats, wheat, &c., the larva of
Gelechia cerealella works destruction, and on the heads
of rushes the larva of Coleophora cespititiella may be
found.

In the stems of thistles the larvee of Myelois cribrum
and EHphippiphora Scutulana and Cirsiana may be
found; the larva of H. Cirsiana also feeds in the
stems of the knapweed (Centaurea nigra), while on
chalky or sandy soil, in the roots of the Artemisia, the
larvee of Ephippiphora Feeneana and Dicrorampha
Artemisiana occur; while in the heads of the ‘ teasel’’
(Dipsacus sylvestris) the larvee of Penthina gentia-
nana and Hupeecilia Roseana may be found.

In the stems of the wild parsnip we shall find the
larvee of Cochylis dilucidana, while among seeds, &c.,
the larvee of Hindrosis fenestrella may be found.

This is the best time of the year to collect the pupe
of the Lithocolletides, as many of those species that
feed only on the leaves of the upper branches of the
trees may now be easily collected in the fallen leaves:
of this class are LZ. Amyotella and hortella. All the

NOVEMBER. 185

species that feed on oak, with the exception of L. Mes-
saniella, are now in pupa, viz.: L. Roboris, hortella,
Amypotella, lautella, quercifoliella, Heegeriella and
Cramerella. In hornbeam those of Z. Capinicolella
on the upper, and tenella on the underside; while in
alder leaves the pupz of Z. alnifoliella and L. Stetti-
nensis may be collected, the former on the under, the
latter on the upper side; and in the leaves of the
““mealy guelder rose” (Viburnum lantana) the larve
of Lithocolletis lantanella may be found (at Mickle-
ham); while in the heads of the cotton grass (Hrio-
phorum), lying on the ground, the larvee of Glyphip-
teryx Haworthana may be collected (Mr. Edleston,
in Zoologist, page 4654).

This is the best month for the collector to dig for the
pup of those insects that appear in spring and sum-
mer, as if he leaves this operation later than the end of
this or the beginning of next month, the pupe (many
of them) will, instead of becoming the lawful reward
of his industry and perseverance, form only a “ bonne
bouche” for the mice, who have a wonderful knack in
finding out their whereabouts, and appropriating the
delicacy to themselves.

A great number of hybernating caterpillars may
now be found by raking at the roots of primroses,
docks and other herbaceous plants, also under moss, in
company very often with the pupe of Geometre and
Bombyces; but if hybernating larve are taken at this
time of the year, it will be absolutely necessary, in order
to rear them, to keep them out of doors exposed to the
weather, leaving them to take care of themselves (of
course in suitable breeding-cages), for to attempt to

186 NOVEMBER.

rear them within doors will, in eleven cases out of
twelve, be a failure, your kindness will only cause their
death.

If the tyro should not have convenience for replanting
the roots of those plants in which the various internal
root-feeding larve are, it will be better for him to defer
their collection until the spring, than to risk the loss
both of his time and collected larve by collecting them
now.

And now the time of year has arrived in which the
tyro may look back upon the results and achievements _
of the past season ; he has to arrange his captures, note
remarkable species or varieties, together with anything
he may have observed of their habits which may be
likely to be useful to himself or other people; i. e.
whether any leaf has been mined in a peculiar way ?
or any shoot been distorted in an unusual manner by a
larva which has left the marks of its operations, but has
itself decamped ? whether any plant has been operated
on by larve on which they have not been observed
before ? and, lastly, whether any marks of larve already
known to you, but which you have not before observed
in your neighbourhood, or of species for which you
have been too late in distant localities, have been ob-
served in localities nearer home than those in which
they usually occur ?

This last remark I think necessary, as I believe we
frequently make excursions far into the country for the
larvee of many species that might be conveniently col-
lected within a short distance of our residences, if we
would only pay a little attention to entomological mat-

NOVEMBER. 187

ters when we do not make a professedly entomological
excursion. Our business matters sometimes take us a
little distance into the outskirts of town, and if we would
only pay a little attention to these matters at those
times, we should save a great deal of time thus wasted,
which might be used advantageously in pursuit of those
species that do not favour suburban localities.

(eR S

CHAPTER XII.

DECEMBER.

THE year is now almost gone. The period of time is
now drawing to a close, during which we have spent so
many sunny, happy hours in the pursuit of those beau-
tiful objects of Nature’s handiwork, which, fragile and
tender as they seem, are yet dispersed with no sparing
hand over the earth during every period of the year
from January to December, during the summer’s fierce
heat and the winter’s biting cold. Some of our beauti-
ful pets are to be found enjoying, in the manner as-
signed them, their brief span of existence—an exist-
ence which, however brief and unsatisfactory it may
seem to us shortsighted mortals, is yet no doubt as full
of enjoyment and pleasure to them as our more pro-
tracted and elevated existence is to us.

We have now put by our nets. The sound of the
beating-stick no longer resounds through the woods
and copses, waking the echoes far and near. The grassy
turf, which a few short weeks ago felt so soft beneath
our feet, now gives forth a cracking sound as it sinks ©
under our tread; the robin as he flits along the bare
hedge-top, his wings dropped at an angle with his body,
looks remarkably cold and uncomfortable, his puffy
body, the feathers on which stand on end, forcibly re-
minding one of a ball of worsted after it has been ope-

DECEMBER. 189

rated upon by a playful kitten; the hedge-sparrow darts
through the tangled mazes of the hedge, while the
sober-coloured wren glides along the bank, popping in
and out of the holes and through the herbage in search
of hybernated Diptera and other small fry of the
like kind; and the handsome and sprightly little gold-
crest (Regulus auricapillus) beautifies the dark
branches of the pine by his gay dress and sprightly
motions.

But do the birds alone give life to the otherwise
dreary scene? No! for on the trunks of the ash the
pretty December moth (Pecilocampa Populi) may
be found, and on old palings at night Hxapate gela-
tella may still be seen, while in houses Endrosis fenes-
trella still makes his presence known by immolating
himself in the candle flame.

But although stress of weather has compelled us to
lay up our nets in port, and Bombyces, Noctue, Geo-
metre, Tortrices, Tinee or Pyrales do not fall into
our nets at the gentle admonition of the beating-stick
as during the genial summer time, yet we may equip
ourselves with “the tin canister and glass jar,’ and
betaking ourselves to the sheltered sides of woods, to
grassy banks and hedge-rows, or licheny tree trunks
and similarly beautified palings, reap a rich reward for
our perseverance by obtaining the larve of many of
the winter-feeding species, for the larve or pupe of all
the species enumerated last month may be obtained
during this, with the exception of the larvee of Nepti-
cula Septembrella, subbimaculella and angulifasciella,
and Lithocolletis alnifoliella and Stettinensis; while

190 DECEMBER.

in addition the larve of Gelechia affinis may be obtained
in and among moss on old walls.

Having now got to the end of the out-door duties of
the year, the tyro will no doubt begin to think of his
carpet slippers, arm-chair and comfortable seat by the
fire; and no bad place either, but only when the wea-
ther is so unfavourable to out-door operations as to
render it useless labour to attempt them. In sucha
case he has no excuse to lead an idle life; he has his
collection to overhaul—his breeding-cages to set to
rights, and more to make or get made if he should be
so fortunate as to need them; he has his notes of the
various observations he has made during the past sea-
son to arrange, and by them, in a great measure, to
direct the course of his next season’s Entomological
campaign: all things being favourable, new species and
varieties of old ones must be eliminated from the bulk
of his captures, and his various incomplete series filled
up as far as possible, and the duplicates of all species
of which his checks are full set aside for the benefit of
his friends and correspondents.

And now I would whisper a word into the ear of the
tyro at this juncture—a word of warning and advice.

We will suppose he has well picked over all his
captures, and having satisfied the demands of his own
collection, he has a goodly number of specimens left,
all nicely pinned and set and disposed in rows in
his store-boxes according to their varions species. He
looks at them and admires them; they are all the fruits
of his industry and perseverance, gained by many a
hard day’s and night’s collecting, and reared by un-
wearying care and attention. The question suggests

DECEMBER. 191

itself to his mind, What shall I do with them? And
if he has not learnt his lesson well, the answer will be
make all you can of them, barter, huckster and peddle
with them—drive hard bargains—give as little as you
can, and take as much as you can get. And if a certain
something tells him this is not right, that it is not liberal,
that it is not just, he smothers it by arguing that it is
only the usual course, almost everybody does the same,
and that many of our oldest Entomologists are not
above practising it. But beware: the practice of huck-
stering, chaffering and bartering duplicates has been
the cause of more lying and deception than anything I
know of in the Entomological world ; has caused more
heartburnings, alienated more friendships, and gained
for its votaries more ill-will, slander and backbiting,
which has damaged their characters for years, and
thrown them considerably in the rear of the Entomo-
logical throng who have acted in a more liberal and
brotherly spirit. And all for what? That he might
have the pleasure of saying, “he had an insect that
Mr. So-and-so had not; that he was willing to part
with a few specimens if he could get something good
for them, but unless he did he should not let them go.”
The collector who speaks and acts in such a manner
has no part or lot in the science of Entomology. He
does not bring his heart to the work further than so far
as it fills his cabinet ; he grudges his brother Entomolo-
gist any rarity he may have taken, and if the latter be
a tyro or young beginner he will by fair or foul means
obtain it from him, and chuckle over the action as if it
were meritorious. Such are the actions, I grieve to
say, of many of the collectors of the beautiful objects

192 DECEMBER.

of the insect world, who, after having spent the greater
part of their lives in collecting, are still human mile-
stones on the Entomological road, their only use being
to show in their own persons what Entomology was in
their day. But “‘ Excelsior’’—a new school of Ento-
mology has sprung up; men have begun to see that to
practice conservatism in science is, in fact, to stand
still, to become a human milestone for the liberals in
science to pass by. Science is social not solitary. The
man who considers himself able to prosecute success-
fully the science of Entomology by his own unaided
industry, however indefatigable and persevering he may
be, will find he has become the victim of a miserable
delusion.

As entomological science is a social science, and
cannot successfully be prosecuted except under these
conditions of liberality, friendship and good-will, each
being willing, as far as in him lies, without fee or re-
ward exacted, to assist his ‘ brother of the net and
pin,” how is it that there is so much ill-feeling and
want of charity among its votaries? The reason is
‘obvious—ignorance is at the bottom of it. I do not
mean to say unlearned or brutal ignorance, but mental
ignorance; that kind of ignorance that breeds sus-
picion, that makes you consider every man a rogue
until you find him honest—clicqueism—the ignorance
that has instituted guilds and other institutions sacred
to the middle ages, but which will not stand the full
blaze of noon-day—the want of a liberal spirit, of a con-
viction, and a practical one too, that to reap knowledge
you must sow knowledge—“ cast thy bread upon the
waters and thou shalt find it after many days,” —as are
thy actions so shall thy reward be, sooner or later.

DECEMBER. 193

Now, with respect to the exchange of duplicates, I
cannot do better than quote Mr. Stainton’s opinion of
the use of the list of Entomologists published in the
Entomologist’s Annual, 1856, in facilitating exchanges :
he says, ‘ But independently of this use of the list of
Entomologists, it may also be extensively useful by
enabling those who are far advanced beyond being mere
beginners, to obtain some of those local species of which
their collections are at present deficient. The Entomo-
logist who lives in Sussex will never meet with Hrebia
Blandina, though he collect for fifty years. The En-
tomologist located in Argyllshire may be equally cer-
tain he will never there meet with Limenitis Sibilla.
‘Now if the one collector meet with more Sibilla than
he can use, he may as well give them away ; and if the
Argyllshire Entomologist meet with more Blandina
than he wants, he will, in like manner, be no poorer
from parting with what is a superfluity with him—yet
each will be a gainer by the exchange.

““ By the word exchange I do not mean that each
obtains an exact equivalent for the hypothetical money
value of the specimen parted with. A duplicate is
something we do not want, its value to us is 0; if we
attempt to bargain with a correspondent what he shall
give us in return for our duplicate, we become hucksters
and petty tradesmen. Many a young Entomologist,
to my certain knowledge, thinks that by exchanging
insects is meant parting with his duplicates for others
of equal value ; and, therefore, that in opening a cor-
- respondence by saying, ‘I have got so and so, what
will you give in exchange for it,’ he is merely acting
according to the customary practice of most of our

K

194 ’ DECEMBER.

distinguished Entomologists, but in this he labours
under a great mistake—

‘ Freely ye have received, freely give ;’

and he will find that the practice is to give away
duplicates to others who may be in want of the re-
spective species, without any stipulation with regard to
exchanges.

“‘ Directly he begins to ‘drive a bargain’ he gets a
bad character, and ‘mercenary,’ ‘ greedy,’ ‘stingy,’
are a few of the epithets that get freely applied to him
behind his back, and it damages a man’s career for
many years to get a bad character at first starting.

“No one will find himself a loser by obtaining a
character for liberality.”” (Entomologist’s Annual,
1856, page 12.)

In conclusion, I would remind my readers never to
promise to send any particular insect to a correspondent
without being certain of their power of doing so; never
promise in prospective, as it is ten chances to one you
may not be able to keep your promise: I mean thus,
“When the ivy is in bloom I shall be able to send you
petrificata, semibrunnea, &c.” How do you know
that when the ivy is in bloom you will be able to ob-
tain such species? and if you do not, and therefore do
not send them, you create suspicion, however much
you might have felt yourself able, at the time you
made the promise, to keep it. Never deceive a cor-
respondent by any falsehood or misrepresentation, but
“‘ Be just and fear not.”

THE END.

ar

On Saturday, April 5th, 1856, will be published

THE FIRST NUMBER

OF

THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.

PRICE ONE PENNY.

a

To be continued weekly during the summer months (that is,
till the end of September), for the purpose of instantaneous
transmission amongst the Entomologists of this country of
all important Entomological information. No existing pub-
lication supplies this want; at present a rarity, caught on
the 29th of June, cannot be published till the Ist of August,
when the information comes too late to be of use to others.

Those who may make any discoveries or captures of im-
portance are requested to communicate at once to the Editor
Mr. H. T. Starnton, Mountsfield, Lewisham, near Lon-
don), and all authenticated intelligence received by him
prior to 8 p.m. on the Wednesday, will be published in the
““INTELLIGENCER” of the following Saturday; and each
contributor of important information will receive gratis a
copy of the paper in which it appears.

No notice whatever can be taken of anonymous commu-
nications.

Those who wish the “ Enromotoaist’s WEEKLY INTEL-
LIGENCER’’ forwarded by post on the day of publication are
requested to transmit 5s. in postage-stamps to the Editor.

Will be published every Saturday by E. Newman, 9,
Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate; and may be had of all
Booksellers and Newsmen.

N.B. Please to order early, to prevent any disappointment
in receiving copies.

= MANUAL OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOT THS,
, By H. T. Srainton, <

Editor of “ Tur ENTOMOLOGIST’s ANNUAL.’

This work will contain Secne date of all the British Specie
9) popular readable instructions where to find them and how to know
) and will be illustrated with numerous Woodcuts. To be contples
~ about Thirty Monthly: Numbers. :

PLL LI EOL III

THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S ANNUAL FOR 1855. 4

Dr

2 ‘THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S ANNUAL FOR 1856, _
12mo. 174 pages. Coloured Plate. Price Half-a-Crown.

SPADA DADRA EOL POPAIAPAIINOS

THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S COMPANION, —
By H. T. Stainton.
Second Edition. 12mo. 146 pages. Price Three Shilings,

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THE WORLD OF INSECTS;

A Guide to its Wonders. By J.W. Dovetas, Secretary to ‘wie E to-
mological Society of London. 12mo. 244 pages. Price 3s. ae Wan

CONTENTS:
The House. The Heaths and Commons.
The Garden. The Downs.
» The Orchard and Fruit Garden. The Woods.
~ The Fields. The Waters. ~~
The Hedges and Lanes. The Sea-Shore.
The Fences. The Mountai

London: Jonn Van Voorst, Pater:

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Shield, Richard.

542 Practical hints

$5 respecting moths and

Ent. butterflies, with
notices of their
localities. f

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