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THE ZOOLOGIST FOR 1858.
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POPULAR MISCELLANY
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MAPTURAL HISTORY.
CONDUCTED BY
EDWARD NEWMAN, F.L.S., Mens. Imp. L.-C. Acap.
VOLUME THE SIXTEENTH.
LONDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.
M.DCCC.LVIII.
Oh, attend, whoever thou art,
Whose candid bosom the refining love
Of Nature warms; oh! listen to my song;
And I will guide thee to her favorite walks,
And teach thy solitude her voice to hear,
And point her loveliest features to thy view.
FLETCHER.
CONTENTS.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
Apams, ArTuouR, F.L.S.
A systematic list of Coleoptera found
in the vicinity of Alverstoke, South
Hants, 5966
ANDERSON, RoBERT
Acronycta Alni near York, 6284
Arxrtnson, Rev. J. C., M.A.
Winter food of the ring dove and stock
dove, 5977; Contributions towards
a biography of the partridge, 5977,
6010; On reason and instinct, 6043,
6081, 6196; Does the male partridge
assist in incubation, 6059; Small
variety of the partridge, 6095; Scent
—an attempt to explain its pro-
perties and causes, 6124; Contribu-
tions towards a biography of the red
grouse, 6257
ATKINSON, WILLIAM
Does any insect feed on the tea-tree ?
5925
Backuousk, Joun Cuurcu
Vanessa Antiopa in the North, Colias
Edusa at Darlington, 6276
Baixig, W. Batroor, M.D., F.R.G.S.
A systematic list of Coleoptera found
in the vicinity of Alverstoke, South
Hants, 5966
Baty, J.S.
Capture of Lemophleus Clematidis
near Gravesend, 5929
Barrett, C. G.
Camptogramma gemmaria, 6104;
Abundance of Psyche nitidella,
6215
Bates, Henry WALTER
Excursion to St. Paulo, Upper Ama-
zons, 6160
BircHayi, Epwin
Habits and locality of Anthrocera
Minos, 5924; Habits and locality
of Miana expolita, 5926; Bankia
Bankiana, 6145
Bizxs, Rev. B. H.
The larva of Xanthia Aurago, 6145
Bisnop, H. S.
Capture of Heliothis peltigera at Ply-
mouth, 6101
BLapon, JAMES
The loves of the slugs, 6272
Bop, Tuomas JoHn
Description and capture of Platys-
tethus Capito in Scotland, 5928;
Note on the flying of Bembidia,
Capture of Georvssus pygmzus in
Cumberland, 5973; Notes on the
British species of Blaps, 5974
Bout, Henry
Camptogramma gemmaria and C.,
fluviata, 6251
Bonn, FREDERICK
The red and willow grouse, 6264
Borner, W., jun.
Tengmalm’s owl in Sussex, Fulmar
petrel at Brighton, 5988
Boyp, Tuomas
On the geographical distribution of
butterflies in Great Britain, 6018;
Retrospective criticism on Dr. Gray’s
view of the cause of the cells of the
honey bee being of an hexagonal
form, 6216; Double-broodedness of
the Notodontide, 6283
Bree, Rev. Wittiam, M.A.
Curious variety of Apatura Iris, 5923
BRETHERTON, CHARLES
On marine Mollusca
6231
Brices, JoHN JosEPH
Remarkable anecdote of the cuckoo,
6309
Brown, Epwin
Acentropus niveus a Lepidopterous
insect, 5919
Brown, Tuomas
Larva of Harpalyce sagittaria, 6030
in aquaria,
Bucxte¥, HENRY
Wood sandpiper near Birmingham,
6266
Burney, Rev. HENRY
Tephrosia Laricaria, Gnophos Obscu-~
raria, 6029; Larva of Tephrosia
Laricaria, 6103
Cuapman, THomas
Black specimen of Cicindela campes-
tris, 6286
ConsTantTINE, W. L.
On specific distinctions, 5949
Cook, R.
Cerura bicuspis and Acronycta Alni,
6249
Cooke, B.
On classification, 5951, 6079
Cooper, SIDNEY
Agrotis lucernea, 6213
Cox, Capt.
On the ravages of Scolytus destructor,
5995
Crewe, Rev. H. Harpur, M.A.
Gnophos pullaria, 6029 ; Undescribed
Geometra larve, 6031; The Artax-
erxes question, 6247; Habits of
Nudaria Senex, Note on Nonagria
Ty phe, 6283
Crotcy, W. D.
New mode of capturing Nonagria
geminipuncta, 6213
Daz, J.C.
Gnophos obscuraria, 6102; Sterrha
sacraria a British insect, 6249
Dix, JosHuA
Colias Edusa near London, 6310
Dix, THomas
Buzzard at West Harling, 5976
D’Orvitte, H.
Deilephila livornica near Exeter,
6101
Dovus.epay, HENry
Trochilium Vespiforme (Linn. ?),
Asiliformis (Fab.), 5961; British
Geometrina, as arranged and named
in M. Guenée’s first volume of the
Geometre of the whole world, 5962;
Eupithecia pernotata in England,
Two British Geometre included
under the name Phibalapteryx gem-
maria—Chilo obtusellus of Stainton
=Tinea paludella of Hubner, 5963 ;
British Geometrina, as arranged
and named in M. Guenée’s second
volume of the Geometre of the
whole world, 6027; Hadena pere-
grina of Treitschke in the Isle of
Wight, 6067, 6068; Plectrophanes
nivalis, 6093; Gnophos obscurata
and G. pullata, 6102; The genus
Oporabia, Description of a British
Eupithecia new to Science, 6103
Dovetas, J. W.
A proposal for a new catalogue of
British Coleoptera, 5899; Ants’-
nest beetles, 6067; Metamorphotic
systems of classifying insects, 6079 ;
Beetles in Ants’ nests, 6148 ; Beetles
at home, 6216; Megachile centun-
cularis, 6219; Beetles at Lee,
6286
DraneE, RopertT
Note on the paper by Messrs. Boyd
and More “On the Geographical
Distribution of Butterflies in Great
Britain,” 6099; Correction of an
error, 6145; Additions to the butter-
fly Fauna of South Wales, 6246
Draper, Witttiam HENRY
Capture of Endromis versicolor in Til-
gate Forest, 6066
Dutton, JOHN
Marsh harrier on Pevensey Levels,
6266
Epteston, R.S.
Tischeria angusticolella, Heyd., and
Solenobia triquetrella, Zubn., 5927 ;
Xysmatodoma argentimaculella,
Captures near Bowdon, 6214
Epwarb, THomas
«Capture of Notidanus griseus, a shark
new to Britain, at Banff, 5959; Are
there two species of Priapulus allied
to caudatus? 5976; Ring ouzel
near Banff, 6094; ‘Supposed new
Ammocetes, 6097; Thecla Rubi,
Anthocharis Cardamines and Pieris
Rape in Banffshire, 6101; Rare
birds near Banff, 6268 ;°Short sun-
fish near Banff, 6271; Locusta
migratoria in Shetland, 6288
FarrEN, WILLIAM, jun.
The great gray shrike in Cambridge-
shire, The great spotted woodpecker
at Welney Wash, 5958
Fox, Howarp
Weasel carrying its young, 6309
Frazer, Louis
Proceedings of a Natural-History col-
lector in foreign countries, 5939,
6158
Frey, Professor
A new mine on Centaurea, 6215
GARDNER, J AMES
Avocet in Kent, 5921; Plentiful oc-
currence of Trochilium vespiforme
in England, 5924
GASCOYNE, GEORGE
Double-broodedness of the Notodon-
tide, 6248, 6311
Vil
Gossg, P. H.
o Short sun-fish at Torquay, 6144;
Sphinx Convolvuli in Devonshire,
6282
Gray, JoHn Epwarp, Ph.D., F.R.S.
Reply to ‘‘ Remarks on the Sale of the
Entomological Society’s Exotic Col-
lection,” 6070, 6112
GreENE, T. W.
-Hawfinch building at
6143
Greeson, C. 8.
Gnophos pullaria, &c., 6102; Notes
on the genus Oporabia, 6193; Oc-
currence of a Peronea new to Science
at Liverpool, 6251.
Groves, W.
Zeuzera Asculi feeding on ash, 6283 ;
Reappearance of Scolytus rugulosus
at Greenwich, 6286
GueErinzius, M.
On the Habits of Paussida, &c., 5994 ;
On the habits of the Hymenoptera
of Natal, 6037
GuisE, W. V.
Concerning a venomous lizard in Gu-
jerat, 5921
GuRNEY, Joun HeEnry, M.P.
Note on sparrows attacking rats, 6009 ;
Note on a lapwing’s egg with two
yolks, 6144; Note on the pertinacity
of the spotted flycatcher in its choice
of a place for nidification, 6238;
Note on the late nesting of the wood
pigeon, 6242; Note ona bird and
ona quadruped, both found in Natal,
and both said to prey upon serpents,
6267
Gurney, S., M.P.
Black swans nesting at Carshalton,
5988
Guyon, GEORGE
Clostera curtula in the Isle of Wight,
6145 ; Newt changing its skin, 6210;
. Bembidium laterale in the Isle of
Wight, 6220; Note on Cydippe
Pileus, 6288; TInfusoria on a prawn,
6289
HavFie_p, Capt. Henry W.
Emberiza nivalis, 6239; Nidification
of Swallows, 6241
Hatt, J. EanpLey
Capture of Endromis versicolor in
Tilgate Forest, Note on _ the
breeding of Endromis versicolor,
6066
Hau, THomas
Glossy ibis in South Wales, 6096
Hamixtron, Rear-Admiral W. A. B.
The sea-serpent, 6016
Tonbridge,
Hammonp, W. OxENDEN
Sound produced by the larva of Ache-
rontia Atropos: beautiful variety of
the same insect, 6282
HarvinG, G., jun.
Phibalapteryx fluviata and P. gem-
maria—are they distinct? 6216;
Habits of Camptogramma gem-
maria, 6251
Harpina. H. J.
Lasiocampa Callune—is it a species ?
5925; Flavicinctaria and cesiaria,
6030; Polyommatus Artaxerxes
and P. Agestis, 6211, 6246, 6277,
6310
Harrineton, Capt. G. H.
Another peep at the sea-serpent, 5989,
6016
Hawarp, ALFRED
Cossonus linearis, 6150 ; Carabide in
the Isle of Sheppey, 6251
Hawker, Rev. Wituiam Henry, M.A.
Blackbirds nesting in December, 5958
Hewirson, W.C.
Notes on the swallow, 5921; Note on
the early breeding of squirrels, Early
arrival of the blackcap, 6058; Early
nesting of the longtailed titmouse,
6059; Remarks on the sale of the
Entomological Society’s Exotic col-
lection—a letter addressed to the
President, 6069, 6111
Hotpswortn, E.W.H.
Bats flying in the sunshine, 6257
Huckett, THomas
Capture of Cucullia Chamomille near
London, 6103
Hussey, Rev. Artruur, M. A.
Note on Mr. Wallace’s travels, 5942;
The tzetze, 5965; Reason and
instinct, 6092; Retention of scent
by the partridge and other game,
6094; Domestic ducks nesting in a
church tower, 6144; Scent, 6206;
Short sun-fish on the Sussex coast,
6210; Duck breeding in a church
tower, 6245; Shark on the coast of
Sussex, 6246
Janson, Epwarp W.
Scolytus rugulosus near London, 5944 ;
Lzemophleus Clematidis, 5973
JENNER, EDWARD
Ephyra orbicularia at Lewes, 6103
JERDON, ARCHIBALD
Destruction of rare birds, 5957
Joness, Capt. J. M., R.A.
Spider silk, 5922
Kipp, WARING
Supposed variety of the partridge,
6059
Vili
Kinawan, G. Henry, C.E., G.S.L.
Description of a starling roost, at
Rathkeale, county Limerick, 6003
Kinauan, J. R., M.D., M.R.I.A.
Notes on the subaqueous habits of the
water ouzel, 6001; Descriptions of
two unrecorded British Isopoda,
6098; Notes on two Crustacea new
to Britain, 6274
Lewis, GEORGE
Capture of Chlenius Schrankii in the
Isle of Wight, 6220
LicuTon, Rev. Sir C. R., Bart.
Serpula contortuplicata, 5976
Lioyp, ALForp W.
Note on Holothuria, 6069
Locan, R. F.
Notes on Scottish Lepidoptera in 1855
—6, 6060; Is Artaxerxes a species ?
6100; Polyommatus Artaxerxes and
Agestis, 6276; The genus Oporabia,
6285
Macuin, W.
Undescribed Geometra larve, 6030
Martner, T.
Roller in Flintshire, 5976 ; Barheaded
goose near Chester, 5988
Martuews, Murray A.
Rare birds near Barnstaple, 6014;
Emberiza nivalis, 6207; Note on
the blackbird sucking eggs, 6208;
Botys lancealis, 6213; Little gull
near Barnstaple, 6245; Norfolk
plover and the ruff near Barnstaple,
6264
Martruews, Rev. A., M.A.
Capture of two Coleopterous insects
new to the British list, 6032; A
synonymic list of the British Tri-
chopterygide, 6104
McLacutan, RosBert
Cossus ligniperda at sugar, 6212
Meves, W.
Snipes neighing or humming, 6244
Mrtn\er, Sir WitiiaM M. E., Bart.
The glossy ibis and _ yellowlegged
sandpiper killed in Yorkshire, 5958
Mokrg, A. G., F.L.S.
On the geographical distribution of
butterflies in Great Britain, 6018 ;
Migratory birds in the Isle of Wight,
6270
NeEAVE, Epwarp
Spoonbill near Aldborough, 6266
Newman, Epnwarp, F.L.S., Z.S., &c.
Remarkable variety of Argynnis Eu-
phrosyne, 5923; Fungus on a
Rhyncophorous beetle, 5927 ; Geo-
graphical distribution of British
butterflies, 6065; Deilephila Eu-
phorbie not taken near Bridgewater,
Larva of Tephrosia laricaria, 6066 ;
Larva of MHarpalyce sagittaria,
Pterophorus Lienigianus in Britain,
6067 ; Capture of Vanessa Antiopa
in Scotland, 6100; Notodonta car-
melita at Addington, Stauropus
Fagi, Endromis versicolor and Pe-
tasia nubeculosa, 6101; Aleucis
pictaria, 6104; Note on Scolytus
destructor, 6118; On diminutive co-
coons of Cossus ligniperda, 6191;
Epione advenaria, 6213; Another
talking canary, 6240; The red and
willow grouse, 6264; Larva of Sa-
tyrus Semele, 6276 ; Double-brood-
edness of Acherontia Atropos and
Notodonta ziczac, 6281; Sphinx
Convolvuli in the Metropolis, 6282 ;
Xanthia ocellaris on the Coast,
6284 ; Creamcoloured courser in
Hackney Marshes, 6309; Glea
erythrocephala on the South Coast,
6312
Newman, H. W.
Movements of swifts and migratory
birds, 5958
NewnuaM, Rev. Puiripe H., M.A.
Remarks on the etymology of names
of animals, 5857
NicHots, HENRY, jun.
Bee-eater at Kingsbridge, Devon, 6143
Norman, Rev. ALFRED MERLE, B.A.
The Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde
5875
Norman, G.
Hooded crows at Flambro’ Head
6142; Is the red grouse of Britain
really distinct from the Norwegian
willow grouse? 6209; The red
grouse and the willow grouse, 6242,
6266
Oxtey, (D.J2 RR:
An entomologist’s visit to the Diggings,
5901
ParFitt, EDWARD
Scolytus supposed to attack only
unhealthy trees—Cossus ligniperda
does infest the elm, 6146
Peacu, C. W.
Locusts in Shetland, 6288
PENGELLY, WILLIAM
Sunfish at Berry Head, 6246
Picot, R.
Birds at sea, 5957
PortTER, JOHN, jun.
The Alpine accentor near Lewes, 5958
Power, J. A., M.D.
Notes on Myrmecophilous Coleoptera,
6287
PRATT, ;
Pieris Daplidice, 6212
READING, J. J.
Lepidoptera at Plymouth, 5922; Notes
concerning the capture of several
interesting species of Coleoptera,
5927; Myrmecophilous Coleoptera
captured in the neighbourhood of
Plymouth, 5929; Scolytus supposed
a secondary cause of injury—Cossus
ligniperda does infest the elm,
6148
RIcHARDSON, JOSEPH
Peregrine falcon in Yorkshire, 6058
Ropp, Epwarp Heart
Firecrested Regulus at Penzance,
Great Plover at Penzance, 6009;
Kentish plover near Penzance, 6097;
Baillon’s crake near the Land’s End,
6210; Pomarine skua at the Land’s
End, 6267; Query respecting a
caterpillar, 6282
Rogers, F.
Wild geese in the Isle of Wight, 6097
Rocers, J.
Capture of Vanessa Antiopa at Stoke
Newington, 6100
Scorr, JoHn
Notodonta Carmelita in 1858, Wby is
empyrea considered a Phlogophora ?
5926; What there is beneath our
noses, 5930 ; Proposed generic name
for the Phlogophora meticulosa of
our collections, 5961; A supposed
new species of Tinea allied to T.
rusticella, 5964; Additions to
Messrs. Boyd and More’s “ Geo-
graphical Distribution of Butterflies
in Great Britain,” 6065 ; Elachista
Trapeziella—its food and _ trans-
formations, 6146; The Centaurea
jacea miner, 6215
SHEPHERD, C. W.
Peregrine falcon in Kent, 5976
Suepparo, A. F.
Sphinx Nerii at Brighton, 5961
Staney, W. H.
White thrushes, blackbirds, &c., 6141
Situ, Rev. ALrrep Cuarues, M.A.
On Bavarian sporting, 5870, 6004;
The sea-serpent, 6015; The red
and willow grouse, 6265
Samira, Rev. B.
Larva of Dasycampa rubiginea, 6284 ;
Larva of Ennomos fuscantaria, 6285
Smira, FrepEeRIcK
The sea-serpent, 5990, 6017
Smirn, Freperick (Brit. Mus.)
Notes and observations on the genus
Necrophorus, 6217
1X
SmurRTHWAITE, HENRY
Breeding of the bustard near Leipzic,
5986 ; Hoopoe and pied flycatcher
in Yorkshire, 6093 ; Motacilla cam-
pestris and M. boarula, 6239 ;
Spotted crake near Richmond, York-
shire, 6264 ; Crossbills in Yorkshire,
6309
Spicer, JoHn W.G.
Note on the partridge, 6014; The
sinall partridge, 6143
Spicer, Major
Notes on the hedgehog, 6055
Stainton, H. T.
Note on a curious little Geometra taken
in London by Mr. Hunter, 6039 ;
On the persistence of species, 6153 ;
Larva of Chilo gigantellus, Cole-
ophora leucapennella, Larve of
Cemiostoma lotella, 6214
Stevenson, H.
Early appearance of the hobby in
Norfolk, 6058; Little bustard at
Gorleston, Suffolk, 6059; Broad-
billed sandpiper for the third time
in Norfolk, Dusky petrel in Norfolk,
6096; A nest of Montagu’s harrier,
6207 ; Beautiful variety of the Gar-
ganey teal, 6210; Extraordinary
variety of the common nightjar,
6242; Varieties of black grouse and
hybrid between blackcock and caper-
cally, 6243; Appearance of skuas
off the Coast of Yarmouth, 6309
SwinHoeg, RoBpert
A few remarks on the Fauna of Amoy,
6222
Symet, J. T.
Successful removal of the eggs of the
ichneumon from a larva of Deile-
phila Galii, 6031
Tyomson, Professor WyVILLE
Anthrocera Minos in the West of Scot-
land, 6212
Tuompson, THOMAS
On the derivation of the English word
“Mare,” as explained by the Rev.
P. H. Newnham, 5937
Tuomrson, WILLIAM
Actinia gemmacea at Weymouth,
6238 ; Pigmy curlew at Weymouth,
6244; Glossy ibis in Dorsetshire,
6266; Immaculate wrasse at Wey-
mouth, 6272
Tuornsurn, W. STEWART
Colias Edusa in Scotland, 5922
Tuorncrorr, T.
Capture of Leucania vitellina at
Brighton, 6283; Synia musculosa
at Brighton, 6284
b
Titty, Jonn Henry
Capture of Ennomos fuscantaria near
London, 5926; Capture of Camp-
togramma gemmata and fluviata at
light, near London, 6146
Tomekinys, H.
Timandra_ prataria near Folkestone,
6249 ; Camptogramma fluviata near
Worthing, 6312
Tuck, E. J.
Nesting of swallows and other birds,
5920
Vaueunan, P. H.
The larva of Gnophos—is there more
than one British species, 6101 ;
Calosoma Sycophanta, near Bristol,
6252; A new Nepticula, 6312
WalILEs, GEORGE
Notes on Anisolabia maritima, Bon.,
5895, 5965; Larva of Erebia Blan-
dina, Larva of Erebia Cassiope,
6276; The distinctive differences
between Polyommatus Agestis and
P. Artaxerxes carefully considered,
6278
Watcort, W. H. L.
Preservation of colour in Casside,
5929
Waker, ALFRED O.
Connexion of Polyommatus Agestis
with Helianthemum vulgare, 6248
Wanker, Francis, F.LS.
Notes on Aphis Quercus, 5945
Wa ker, JAMEs S.
A plea for birds, 6092
Wattace, ALFrep R.
Note on the theory of permanent and
geographical varieties, 5887; On
the Entomology of the Aru Islands,
5889; A disputed case of priority in
nomenclature, 6117; Proceedings as
a Natural-History collector in foreign
countries, 6120
WATERHOUSE, G. R.
Descriptions of four species of Staphy-
linide, 6073; Description of a new
species of Oxypoda, 6116
WEATHERHEAD, JOHN EDMUND
Sound produced by the larva of Ache-
rontia Atropos, 6212
Weaver, RicHarpb
Remark on Melitea Dia, Is not Satyrus
Typhon a species? 5923
WeErE, Rosert B.
Anecdote of a dog, 5920
Wes Ley, J.S.
Colias Edusa, Macroglossa Fuciformis
and M. Bombyliformis at Win-
chester, 6145
WILpMan, T.
Two pupe in one cocoon of the silk-
worm, 6213
Witmot, J. P.
Remarks on Dr. Gray’s note (Zool.
6070), 6112
Wrhter, Joun N.
Capture of Pieris Daplidice near Rot-
tingdean, 6212; Deilephila Galii at
Brighton, 6282
Wiry, Marie
Note on the regular perforation of
leaves, 5927
Wo..astTon, T. VERNON
Capture of a Stenus new to the British
Fauna, 5928; Chrysomela Banksii
in December, 5930
Woop, C.
Great spotted woodpecker at Dulwich,
5920
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SUBJECTS.
-Accentor, alpine, near Lewes, 5958
Acentropus niveus a Lepidopterous insect,
5919
Acherontia Atropos, sound produced by
the larva of, 6212, 6282; double-
broodedness of, 6281 ; beautiful variety
of, 6282
Acronycta Alni, 6249; near York, 6284
Actinia gemmacea at Weymouth, 6231
Adalia, 5971
Adimonia, 5969
Adonia, 5971
Agelastica, 5969
Agrotis lucernea, 6213
Aleucis pictaria, 6104
Altica, 5969
Amara brunnea, 5950
» orichalcica, zd.
» Yufocincta, zd.
Ammocetes, supposed new, 6097
Amoy, Fauna of, 6222
Anatis, 5971
Anecdote of a dog, 5920; of the cuckoo,
6309
Animals, remarks on the etymology of
names of, 5857
Anisolabia maritima, Bon., notes on,
5895, 5965
Anisosticta, 5971
Anomia aculeata, 5886
ephippium, zd.
patelliformis, zd.
ay |: Shhlata, 2d.
Anthidium cordatum, 6038
Anthocharis Cardamines in Banffshire,
6101
Anthophora P 6038
Anthrocera Minos, habits and locality of,
5924 ; in the West of Scotland, 6212
Ants’-nest beetles, 6067, 6068, 6148
Apatura Tris, curious variety of, 5923
Aphis Quercus, notes on, 5945
Aquaria, on marine Mollusca in, 6231
* Aquarian Naturalist : a Manual for the
Sea-side, 6255
Arca lactea, 5882
Arcade, 5881
Argynnis Euphrosyne, remarkable variety
of, 5923
Aromia, 5966
Artaxerxes: is it a species ? 6100, 6247
Artemis exoleta, 5877
a) 4ineta, id.
Astarte arctica, 5878
compressa, 7d.
elliptica, zd.
» sulcata, zd,
5 triangularis, zd.
Aviculacee, 5882
Avocet in Kent, 5921
Baird, W., M.D., F.L.S., ‘A Cyclopedia
of the Natural Sciences, 6256
Bankia Bankiana, 6145
Bats flying in the sunshine, 6257
Bavarian Sporting, 5870, 6004
Bee, honey, cells of, 6188; the cause of
the cells being of an hexagonal form,
criticism on Dr. Gray’s view of, 6216 ;
death of, supposed to be occasioned by
a Fungus, 6285; cylindrical forms of
cells, 6291
Bees feeding on pollen, 6291
Bee-eater at Kingsbridge, Devon, 6143
Beetle, Rhyncophorous, fungus on a,
9927
Beetles, ants’-nest, 6067, 6068, 6148 ; at
home, 6216; at Lee, 6286
Bembidia, note on the flying of, 5973
Bembidium affine, 5951
bruxellense, 5950
decorum, 5951
femoratum, 5950
laterale in the Isle of Wight,
”?
9?
Bembidium lunatum, 5951
monticulum, 7d.
prasinum, 7d.
rufescens, 5950
stomoides, 5951
Birds, rare, destruction of, 5957 ; at sea,
id.; migratory, movements of, 5958 ;
rare, near Barnstaple, 6014; a plea
for, 6092; rare, near Banff, 6268 ;
migratory, in the Isle of Wight, 6270
Blackird sucking eggs, 6208
Blackbirds nesting in December, 5958 ;
white, 6141
Blackeap, early arrival of the, 6058
Blackcock and capercally, hybrid be-
tween, 6243
Blaps, notes on the British species of,
5974
Blaps Chevrolatii, 5975
fatidica, id.
gigas, 5974
» mortisaga, zd.
Botys lancealis, 6213
Brightwell, Miss, ‘The Life of Linnzus,
6256
Bulea, 5971
Bustard, breeding of the, near Leipsic,
5986 ; little, at Gorleston, Suffolk,
6059
Butterflies in Great Britain, on the geo-
graphical distribution of, 6018, 6065,
6099
Butterfly of South Wales, additions to,
6246
Buzzard, common, at West Harling,
5976
Callidium, 5966
Calomicrus, 5969
Calosoma Sycophanta near Bristol, 6252
Camptogramma fluviata, 6251; near
Worthing, 6312
- gemmaria, 6104, 6251 ;
larva of, 6250 ; habits of, 6251
Camptogramma fluviata and gemmata at
light, near London, 6146
Canary, talking, 6240
Capercally and blackcock, hybrid be-
tween, 6243
Captures near Bowdon, 6214
Carabide in the Isle of Sheppey, 6251
Cardiade, 5878
Cardium aculeatun, zd.
echinatum, 5879
edule, zd.
fasciatum, 7d.
nodosum, 7d.
norvagicum, 7d.
pyginz2um, zd.
suecinum, zd.
psa saltitans, 6152
9?
9
”
Carpoca
Cassida, 5971
Casside, preservation of colour in, 5929
Cassidide, 5971
‘Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects
in the Museum of the Hon. East India
Company,’ 6255
Caterpillar, query respecting a, 6282
Cemiostoma lotella, larve of, 6214
Centaurea, a new mine on, 6215
Centaurea jacea miner, the, id.
Cerambycide, 5966
Cerura bicuspis, 6249
Chilo gigantellus, larva of, 6214
» Obtusellus of Stainton = Tinea
paludella of Hubner, 5963
Chilocorus, 5972
Chlenius Schrankii, capture of in the
Isle of Wight, 6220
Chrysomela, 5968
Chrysomela Banksii in December, 5930
Chrysomelidx, 5968
Cicindela campestris, black specimen of,
6286
Circe minima, 5878
Classification, on, 5951
Clostera curtula in the Isle of Wight, 6145
Clytus, 5966
Coccidula, 5972
Coccinella, 5971
Coccinellida, id.
Coleophora Leucapennella, 6214
Coleoptera, British, proposal for a new
Catalogue of, 5899 ; nutes concerning
the capture of several interesting
species of, 5927; myrmecophiious,
captured in the neighbourhood of Ply-
mouth, 5929; a systematic list. of,
found in the vicinity of Alv erstoke,
South Hants, 5966; myrmecophilous,
notes on, 6287
Colias Edusa in Scotland, 5922; at
Winchester, 6145; at Darlington,
6276; near London, 6310
Corticaria, 5972
Cossonus linearis, 6150
Cossus ligniperda dves infest the elm,
6146, 6148; diminutive cocvons of,
6191; at sugar, 6212
Courser, orgamcolRHtes in
Marshes, 6309
Crake Baillon’s, near the Land’s End,
6210; spotted, near Richmond, York-
shire, 6264
Crangon Pattersonii, 6275
Crania anomala, 5886
Craniada, id.
Crenella decussata, 5881
9 discors, td.
a marmorata, zd.
Crioceride, 5967
Hackney
Xu
Crioceris, 5967
Crossbills in Yorkshire, 6309
Crows, hooded, at Flamborough Head,
6142
Crustacea, two new to Britain, 6274
Cryptocephalus, 5968
Cuckoo, remarkable anecdote of, 6309
Cucullia Chamomille, capture of, near
London, 6103
Curlew, pigmy at Weymouth, 6244
‘Cyclopedia of the Natural Sciences,’
6256
Cydippe Pileus, note on, 6288
Cyprina islandica, 5877
Cyprinide, zd.
Dasycampa rubiginea, larva of, 6284
Deilephila Euphorbie not taken near
Bridgewater, 6066
i Galii, successful removal of
the eggs of the ichneumon from a larva
of, 6031; at Brighton, 6282
liv ornica near Exeter,
Dibolia, 5970
Diggings, an entomologist’s visit to the,
5901
Dog, anecdote of a, 5920
Donacia, 5967
Donacide, 5875
Donax anatinus, 2d.
Doves, ring and stock, winter food of, 5977
Dublin Natural-History Society, pro-
ceedings of, 6001
Dublin University Zoological and
Botanical Association, proceedings of,
5956, 6000
Duck breeding in a church tower, 6245
Ducks, domestic, nesting in a church
tower, 6144
Dyschirius globosus, 5950
6101
" impunctipennis ? ad.
Pe nitidus, zd.
e salinus, id.
‘9 thoracicus, zd.
Egg, lapwing’s, with two yolks, 6144
Eggs, blackbird sucking, 6208
Elachista Trapeziella: its food and trans-
formations, 6146
Emberiza nivalis, 6207, 6239
Empyrea: why is it considered a Phlo-
gophora ? 5926
Endromis versicolor, capture of in Til-
gate Forest, 6066 ; note on the breed-
ing of, td. ; in Scotland, 6101
Ennomos fuscantaria near London, 5926;
larva of, 6285
Entomological Club, 6033; list of
Geometre desiderata to the, 6034
Entomological Society, proceedings of,
5943, 5393, 6035, 6071, 6113, 6150,
6185, 6221, 6252, 6289
Xi
Entomological Society’s Exotic Collec-
tion, remarks on the sale of the, 6069,
6070, 6111, 6112
Entomologist’s visit to the Diggings, 5901
‘Entomology in Verse, 5932
Entomology of the Aru Islands, 5889
Ephyra orbicularia at Lewes, 6103
Epione advenaria, 6213
Erebia Blandina, larva of, 6276
» Cassiope, larva of, zd.
Eupithecia pernotata in Evgland, 5963
= viminata, 6103
Excursion to St. Paulo, Upper Amazons,
6160
Falcon, peregrine, in Kent, 5976; in
Yorkshire, 6058
Fauna of Amoy, a few remarks on the,
6222; butterfly, of South Wales,
additions to, 6246
Flavicinctaria and Cesiaria, 6030
Fly, African brize, 6170
Flycatcher, pied, in Yorkshire, 6093 ;
spotted, pertinacity of in its choice of
a place for nidification, 6238
Frog, living, discovery of in the solid
rock, 5959
Fungus on a Rhyncophorous beetle, 5927
Galeruca, 5969
Galerucida, id.
Gastrophysa, 5968
Geese, wild, in the Isle of Wight, 6097
Geometra, note on a curious little, taken
in London by Mr. Hunter, 6039
Geometre, two British included under
the name Phibalapteryx gemmaria,
5963 ; undescribed larve of, 6030,
6031; list of, desiderata to the Ento-
nological Club, 6034
Geometrina, British, as arranged and
named in M. Guenée’s first volnme of
the Geometre of the whole world, 5962;
in M. Guenée’s second volume, 6027
Georyssus pygmeus, capture of in Cum-
berland, 5973
Glea erythrocephala on the South Coast,
6312
Gnophos, the larva of: is there more
than one British species ? 6101
Gnophos obscuraria, 6029, 6102
a pullaria, zd.
Gonioctena, 5968
Goose, barheaded, near Chester, 5988
Gracilia, 5966
Grammupltera, 5967
Grouse, red, of Britain: is it really dis-
tinct from the Norwegian willow
grouse ? 6209; red and willow, 6242,
6264, 6265, 6266; black, varieties of,
6243; red, contributions towards a
biography of, 6257
Gull, little, near Barnstaple, 6245
Hadena peregrina of Treitschke in the
Isle of Wight, 6066
Halyzia, 5971
Harpalyce sagittaria, larva of, 6030, 6067
Harrier, Montagu’s, a nest of, 6207 ;
marsh, on Pevensey Levels, 6266
Hawhlinch building at Tonbridge, 6143
Hedgehog, notes on the, 6055
Helianthemum vulgare, connexion of
Polyommatus Agestis with, 6248
Heliothis peltigera, capture of at Ply-
mouth, 6101
Helodes, 5969
Hippodamia, 5971
Hobby, early appearance of in Norfolk,
6058
Holothuria, note on, 6069
Homalota imbecilla, 6074
os plumbea, id.
Hoopoe in Yorkshire, 6093
Horsfield, T., and Moore, F., ‘ Catalogue
of the Lepidopterous Insects in the
Museum of the Hon. East India
Company,’ 6255
Hybrid between blackcock and capercally,
6243
Hymenoptera of Natal, on the habits of
the, 6037
Ibis, glossy, killed in Yorkshire, 5958 ;
in South Wales, 6096 ; in Dorsetshire,
6266
Ichneumon, successful removal of the
eggs of, from a larva of Deilephila
Galii, 6031
Infusoria on a prawn, 6289
‘Insect Hunters; or, Entomology in
Verse,’ 5932; two novelties for the
next edition of, 5961
Insects, Coleopterous, capture of two new
to the British list, 6032; metamor-
photic systems of classifying, 6079
Isocardia Cor, 5878
Isopoda, British, descriptions of two un-
recorded, 6098
Itea Mengii, 6099
Jones, Thomas Rymer, F.R.S., ‘The
Aquarian Naturalist: a Manual for
the Sea-side, 6255
Kellia rubra, 5880,
» suborbicularis, zd.
Kelliada, zd.
Lemophleus Clematidis, capture of near
Gravesend, 5929 ; remarks on, 5973
Lamiide, 5966
Lamprosoma, 5968
Lapwing’s egg with two yolks, 6144
Larva of Harpalyce sagittaria, 6030,
6067 ; of Deilephila Galii, successful
removal of the eggs of the ichneumon
from, 6031; of Gnophos, 6101; of
Xanthia Aurago, 61453 of Achcrontia
Atropos, sound produced by, 62123 of
Chilo gigantellus, 6214 ; of Campto-
gramma gemmaria, 6250; of Erebia
Blandina, 6276; of Erebia Cassiope,
id.; of Satyrus Semele, id.; of Ache-
rontia Atropos, sound produced by,
6282; of Dasycampa rubiginea, 6284 ;
of Ennomos fuscantaria, 6285
Larve, undescribed Geometre, 6030,
60313; of Tephrosia laricaria, 6066,
6103; of Cemiostoma lotella, 6214
Lasiocampa Callune: is ita species? 5925
Lathridiide, 5972
Lathridius, zd.
Leaves, note on the regular perforation
of, 5927
Heda caudata, 5881
» oblonga, id.
» truncata, id.
Leiopus, 5966
Lema, 5967
Lepidoptera at Plymouth, 5922 ; Scottish,
notes on, 6060
Lepton convexum, 5880
» hitidum, zd.
Leptura, 5967
Lepturide, zd.
Leucania vitellina, capture of at Brighton,
6283
‘ Life of Linneus,’ 6256
Lima Loscombii, 5882
», subauriculata, id.
7 tans, 2d.
Lina, 5968
Lizard, concerning a venomous, in Guje-
rat, 5921
Locusta migratoria in Shetland, 6288
Longitarsus, 5970
Lucina borealis, 5879
3 PLeKUOSa, 2.
» spinifera, id.
Lucinide, zd.
Lucinopsis undata, 5877
Luperus, 5969
Lutraria elliptica, 5876
Macroglossa Bombyliformis at Win-
chester, 6145
es Fuciformis at Winchester,
id.
Mactra elliptica, 5875
» solida, zd
» stultorum, 5876
55 subtruncata, 5875
‘, = truncata, ¢d.
Mactride, 5875
“ Mare,” on the derivation of the English
word, as explained by the Rev. P. H.
Newnham, 5937
X1V -
Marine Mollusca in aquaria, 6231
Megachile centuncularis, 6219
Melitza Dia, remark on, 5923
Miana expolita, habits and locality of,
5926
Micraspis, 5971
Micrus, 6107, 6109
Modivola modiolus, 5880
Bi phaseolina, 5881
Mollusca, of the Firth of Clyde, 5875 ;
marine, in aquaria, 6231
Monotoma, 5972
Montacuta bidentata, 5880
zh ferruginosa, zd.
substriata, 7d.
Motacilla bo: arula, 6239
campestris, zd.
Mytilide, 5880
Mytilis edulis, zd.
N atural- History collectors in foreign
countries, proceedings of, 5939, 6120,
6158
‘Natural History of the Tineina,’ 6255
Necrophorus, the genus, notes and ob-
servations on, 6217
Nepticula, new, 6312
Nesting of swallows and other birds,
5920; of blackbirds in December,
5958; of black swans at Carshalton,
5988 ; of the long-tailed titmouse,
6059; of domestic ducks in a church
tower, 6144; of Montagu’s harrier,
6207 ; of the spotted flycatcher, 6238 ;
of swallows, 6241 ; of the wood pigeon,
6242
Newt changing its skin, 6210
Nightjar, common, extraordinary variety
of, 6242
Nomenclature, a
in, 6117
Nonagria geminipuncta, new mode of
capturing, 6213
f Typhe, note on, 6283
Northern Entomological Society, pro-
ceedings of, 5917, 5947, 6077, 6190,
6292
Noses, our, what there is beneath, 5930
Nossidium, 6111
Notidanus griseus, a shark new to
Britain, capture of at Banff, 5959
Notodonta Carmelita, in 1858, 5926; at
Addington, 6101
disputed case of priority
is ziczac, double-broodedness of,
6281
Notodontide, double-broodedness _ of,
6248, 6283, 6311
Nucula nitida, 5881
PON UCleus, td.
5, radiata, zd.
» tenuis, zd.
eV
Nudaria Senex, habits of, 6283
Oporabia, the genus, 6103, 6193, 6285
Ostrea edulis, 5885
Ostreade, 5882
Ouzel, water, notes on the subaqueous
habits of the, 6001; ring, near Banff,
6094
Owl, Tengmalm’s, in Sussex, 5988
Oxypoda aterrima, 6116
ae nigrina, 6073
is nigro-fusca, ¢d.
Partridge, contributions towards a_bio-
graphy of the, 5977, 6010; note on the,
6014 ; does the male assist in incuba-
tion? 6059; supposed variety of the,
id.; and other game, retention of scent
by, 6094; small variety of, 6095,
6143
Pausside, on the habits of, 5994
Pecten danicus, 5884
» islandicus, 5885
9 Maximus, td.
3, iveus, 5883
» opercularis, 5885
» Pusio, 5884
» similis, 5885
» striatus, 5884
» ligrinus, zd.
» varius, 5883
Pectunculus glycimeris, 5882
Pelopzus chalybeus, 6038
Peronea new to Science at Liverpool,
6251
Petasia nubeculosa, 6101
Petrel, fulmar, at Brighton, 5988 ; dusky,
~ in Norfolk, 6096
Phedon, 5968
Phibalapteryx fluviata and P. gemmaria:
are they distinct ? 6216
Philongria P 6099
Philoscia Couchii, 6098
Phlogophora meticulosa of our Col-
lections, proposed generic name for
the, 5961
Phratora, 5968
Phyllobrotica, 5969
Pieris Daplidice near Rottingdean, 6212;
near Brighton, zd.
» Rape in Banffshire, 6101
Pigeon, wood, late nesting of, 6242
Pinna pectinata, 5882
Platyarthrus Hoffmanseggii, 6275
Platystethus Capito in Scotland, descrip-
tion and capture of, 5928
Plectrophanes nivalis, 6093
Plectroscelis, 5970
Plover, great, at Penzance, 6009 ; Kent-
ish, near Penzance, 6097; Norfolk,
near Barnstaple, 6264
Pogonocherus, 5966
Polyommatus Agestis, 6211, 6246, 6276,
6277, 6278, 6310; connexion of with
Helianthemum vulgare, 6248
PA Artaxerxes, 6211,
6276, 6277, 6278, 6310
Prawn, Infusoria on a, 6289
Priapulus: are there two species allied
to caudatus ? 5976
‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society
of London, 6256
Psyche nitidella, abundance of, 6215
Psylliodes, 5970
Ptenidium, 6110
Pterophorus Lienigianus
6067
Pterostichus Aithiops, 5950
Bs orinomus, 7d.
Pteryx, 6106, 6108
Pteryx mutabilis, 6106
Ptilium, 6110
Ptinella, 6106, 6108
Ptinella britannica, 6032
Pupe, two in one cocoon of the silkworm,
6213
Rats, note on sparrows attacking, 6009
Reason and instinct, 6043, 6081, 6092,
6196
Regulus, firecrested, at Penzance, 6009
Rhizobius, 5972
Roller in Flintshire, 5976
Ruoff near Barnstaple, 6264
Sandpiper, yellowlegged, killed in York-
shire, 5958 ; broadbilled, for the third
time in Norfolk, 6096; wood, near
Birmingham, 6266
Scent, 6206
Scent: an attempt to explain its properties
and causes, 6124
Scolytus supposed to attack only un-
healthy trees, 6146; supposed a
secondary cause of injury, 6148
Scolytus destructor, on the ravages of,
5995 ; note on, 6118
my rugulosus near London, 5944 ;
reappearance of at Greenwich, 6286
Scymnus, 5972
Sea-serpent, another peep at the, 5989,
6015
Serpents, a bird and a quadruped said to
prey upon, 6267
Serpula contortuplicata, 5976
Shark on the coast of Sussex, 6246
Shrike, great gray, in Cambridgeshire
5958
Silkworm, two pup in one cocoon of,
6213; diseases of the, 6220
Skua, pomarine, at the Land’s End,
6267
Skuas off the coast of Yarmouth, 6309
Slugs, the loves of, 6272
6246,
in Britain,
Snipes neighing or humming, 6244
Solenobia triquetrella, 5927
Sparrows attacking rats, note on, 6009
Species, on the persistence of, 6153 ; on
the tendency of to form varieties,
6293
Specific distinctions, on, 5949
Spheroderma, 5970
Sphinx Convolvuli in Devonshire, 6282 ;
in the Metropolis, zd.
» Nerii at Brighton, 5961
Spider silk, 5922
Spoonbill near Aldborough, 6266
Sporting, Bavarian, 5870, 6004
Squirrels, note on the early breeding of,
6058
Starling roost at Rathkeale,
Limerick, 6003
Stauropus Fagi, 6101
Stenus new to the British Fauna, capture
of a, 5928
Stainton, H. T., &c., ‘ The Natural-His-
tory of the Tineina,’ 6255
Sterrha sacraria a British insect, 6249
Strangalia, 5967
Sun-fish, short, at Torquay, 6144; on
the Sussex coast, 6210; at Berry Head,
6246; near Banff, 6271
Swallow, notes on the, 5921
Swallows, nidification of, 6241
Swallows and other birds, nesting of,
5920
Swans, black, nesting at {Carshalton,
5988
Swifts, movements of, 5958
Synia musculosa at Brighton, 6284
Tapes aurea, 5876
» decussata, zd.
» pullastra, zd.
» Virginea, zd.
Tea-tree: does any insect feed on it?
5925
Teal, garganey, beautiful variety of,
6210
county
Tendency of species to form varieties,
6293
Tephrosia laricaria, 6029 ;
6066, 6103
Terebratula caputserpentis, 5886
Terebratulida, zd.
Thea, 5971
Thecla Rubi in Banffshire, 6101
Thrushes, white, 6141
Timandra prataria near
6249
Timarcha, 5968
larve of,
Folkestone,
XV1
Tinea, a supposed new species of, allied
to T. rusticella, 5964
Tischeria angusticolella, 5927
Titan, 6108, 6110
Titmouse, longtailed, early nesting of,
6059
Travels, Mr. Wallace’s, note on, 5942
Trechus Discus, 5950
» lapidosus, zd.
3» Imienas; 7a
‘5 rubens, zd.
Trichopterygide, British, synonymic list
of, 6104
Trichopteryx, 6109
Trichopteryx convexa, 6107
Trochilium Vespiforme, plentiful occur-
rence of in England, 5924 ; remarks on,
5961
Turtonia minuta, 5880
Tzetze, the, 5965, 6170 _
Vanessa Antiopa, capture of at Stoke
Newington, 6100; capture of in Scot-
land, zd. ; in the North, 6276
Varieties, permanent and geographical,
note on the theory of, 5887 ; of black
grouse, 6243; tendency of species to
form, 6293; tendency of to depart
indefinitely from the original type,
6299
Variety, curious, of Apatura Tris, 5923;
remarkable, of Argynnis Euphrosyne,
id.; supposed, of the partridge, 6059 ;
small, of the partridge, 6095, 6143;
beautiful, of garganey teal, 6210;
extraordinary, of the common night-
jar, 6242; beautiful, of Acherontia
Atropos, 6282; of Cicindela campestris,
6286
Veneride, 5876
Venus casina, 5877
». fasciata, zd.
» ovata, zd.
4 ° seeriata; 7d.
9 verrucosa, zd.
Weasel carrying its young, 6309
Woodpecker, great spotted, at Dulwich,
5920 ; at Welney Wash, 5958
Wrasse, immaculate, at Weymouth,
6272
Xanthia Aurago, larva of, 6145
» ocellaris on the Coast, 6284
Xysmatodoma argentimaculella, 6214
Zeugophora, 5967
Zeuzera Aisculi feeding on ash, 6283
Zoological Society, proceedings of, 5915,
5991, 6040, 6156, 6195
Pree OOL GTS ft
FOR, 1858.
Remarks on the Etymology of Names of Animals.
By the Rev. Poitiep H. Newnuay, M.A.
(Continued from p. 5697).
Ir is not easy satisfactorily to trace the origin of the word /ox.
Richardson ascribes it to the Gothic verb foxa, to deceive; but it is
far more probable, from the analogy of similar instances, that the verb
has its origin in the name of the animal. Talbot refers fox to the
old English word fax, hair (whence the name of Fairfax), as if the
creature were named from its long bushy tail. It is, at all events,
identical with the German fuchs, and this latter word strongly reminds
us of the Latin adjective fwscus, which properly denotes a reddish
brown colour; but I would not venture to affirm that this resemblance
is anything more than accidental. Vixen is only a feminine form of
fox, and was originally written fiven, or, more anciently, foxin. It
appears from an early period to have been applied to quarrelsome
snarling people, irrespective of sex; and, however the ladies may
rebut the charge, one cannot help remarking the significant fact that
language and custom have now made this word the monopoly of the
fairer sex. In Scotland the fox is known as the tod. This word in
Gaelic means a clod, or bush, or a quantity of wool, and we ourselves
use it to denote a measure in Wool weight. As applied to the fox,
it seems to refer to his bushy tail, and this analogy supports the con-
jecture of Talbot which has been already alluded to.
Cat in Latin is catus; French, chat; Greek, yatos ; Turkish, keti ;
Arabic, kitta ; but [ am quite unable to deduce the meaning of the
name. Kitten, of course, is only a diminutive form. The familiar
AVI. B
5858 Etymology of
title of puss seems to be the same as the Latin pusa, or pusilla, tiny,
a name of endearment originally applied to a little child, and thus
transferred generally to any pet, especially to the cat, and, from the
similarity of its long soft fur, to the hare. Talbot’s conjecture as to
the origin of puss is no less amusing than it is curious and far-fetched.
Finding that it is applied to both the cat and the hare, he argues that
the Latin Jepus (hare) may have been corrupted in French into “le
puss,” and that we have borrowed our word from this. But in Welsh
the hare is called cath etthen, 7. e. furze or gorse cat. Little children
call their warm neck-comforters by the name of “ pussies,” and’ the
soft “catkins” of the willow and sallow take their name from the
same source, so that I have little doubt that the origin I have suggested
for puss is the correct one. Grimalkin, a name which is sometimes
given to the cat, is compounded of grey (French, gris) and Malkin, a
diminutive form of “ Moll,” and is one of the many cases in which a
Christian name has been applied to some familiar animal.
Walrus is the Norwegian hvalros, ¢. e. whale-horse. Another Nor-
wegian name for the animal is rosmar, which is similarly compounded
of avs, horse, and mor, the sea.
The whale, in the Scandinavian dialects, is called hval or hvalo.
In Greek it is @aAn and Qaaaiva; in Latin, balena. All these are
identical with our word, and are modifications of the same root as
appears in our verb to wallow, and which we ultimately trace to the
Hebrew pdlal, to roll. Old Isaac Walton tells us that Pliny “ speaks
of the fish called the Balena, or whirlpool;” and assuredly the un-
wieldy wallowing of these monsters of the deep would naturally sug-
gest their distinctive appellation.
Dolphin is the Greek deagis, a name which was in all probability
originally applied to our porpoise; and, when we consider the origin
and affinities of this latter word, we can hardly think the resemblance
between deagic and d&agaé (a pig) to be a purely accidental one.
Porpoise is corrupted from the French porcpoisson, hog-fish. Simi-
larly itis called marsouin, and in German meerschwein, 7. e. sea-swine,
and in the Breton dialect morhuc, or sea-hog ; showing that the re-
semblance of its general contour to the back of a pig is generally
appreciated.
In Mr. Bell’s * British Quadrupeds’ we read ‘‘ Grampus, says the
Rev. Mr. Barclay, is the Saxon hranjisk, which signifies grunting
fish. I cannot, however, help thinking that the more obvious and
probable etymology is the French grand poisson, great fish.” There
is an objection to this latter suggestion, namely, that it does appear,
Names of Animals. 5859
from Mr. Barclay’s remark, that hranjisk is a name which actually is
applied to the grampus, whereas I am not aware that the French ever
use “grand poisson” to designate that animal; and, in endeavouring
to etymologise, we cannot confine ourselves too close to facts as they
are, or too carefully avoid theorizing on what simply might be.
I again copy from the ‘ British Quadrupeds’ the remarks upon the
name of the caaing whale. “ These whales follow their leader with
blind confidence, and hence their pursuers endeavour to guide the
leader on shore, as they are then morally sure of the whole herd.
Caaing is a Zetland name, generally considered by authors as indi-
cating calling, i.e. leading whale. But Mr. Barclay assures me that
the real meaning of the word is ‘ driving.’”
Beluga is a Russian word, and is said by Webster to signify white
Jish.
Rorqual is compounded of hval or waale, and rohr, signifying
whale with folds, in allusion to the series of longitudinal folds beneath
the throat of the animal.
Horse is the Icelandic hross, ross ; Sueth., hors, horsa, ors ; French,
roussin. These words are of kindred origin with the German reiten,
and our rde, road, &c. We may also compare the Latin word rheda,
a chariot; and thus Etymology alone would teach us how very ancient
is the use of the horse as subservient to man. The name mare, too,
reveals to us some very curious and interesting facts. Although it is
now restricted to the female horse, yet it is no doubt identical with
the Celtic march, which simply implied a war-horse, without restriction
as to sex. We trace this same root in many other words: thus, mar-
shal (French, maréchal) meant originally the commander of an army ;
march was strictly the route of an army; the “ marches” were the
boundaries of two countries, which used to be the perpetual scenes of
border warfare, and, hence, marquis (Lat. marchio) was a name given
to those barons who lived near the boundaries, and whose especial
duty it was to keep off marauders. All these words are to be referred
to one parent stock, which we see in the Latin Mars, the god of war,
mors, death, and in the first syllable of our own murder. Surely we
can need no stronger testimony than is afforded by these etymological
facts to the martial spirit of our Teutonic forefathers, and to the well-
known efficacy of their cavalry and terrible scythe-armed war-cha-
riots.
A steed is properly a stud horse. Colt appears to be etymologically
identical with the word child, both of them being merely general
terms for offspring. Foal and /jilly are the same as the Latin pullus,
5860 Etymology of
young, and the Greek 74a0s, a foal. It is curious that we have exactly
preserved the Greek form in the word tadpole, i.e. a young toad.
Pony is doubtless, as Johnson derives it, a small or puny horse. The
barb reminds us, by its name, of Barbary, the country from whence
it was first introduced.
The etymology of cob is worth the trouble of unravelling. A cob
is a strong thickset sort of horse, and the adjective “ cobby” is still
used, in the dialect of some parts of Yorkshire, as an equivalent for
stout. In cobloaf, cobnut, and a host of similar compounds, the idea
is evidently that of size. Our word gaby (the Italian gabbiano) is
again of the same root, and the signification of these words, which
mean what we should call a “ thick-skull” or “ blockhead,” all lead
us up to the original source, which lies in the German kop/; Latin,
caput; Sanscrit, kepala; all signifying head. In like manner the
name of the chub is derived from its large head, and the root ramifies
into a thousand directions, and reappears in a hundred words where
you would least suspect it, but in every case it is intimately connected
with one or other. of its three leading ideas, which seem to be size,
strength, and stupidity.
A dray horse no donbt takes its name from the verb to draw, as
being specially adapted for the draught of heavy burdens. In hack-
ney, and its contracted form hack, we are again led back a long way:
through the French haquenée we can trace it to the Italian acchznea,
which is a diminutive form from the Latin eguus (horse); and the
identity of this with the Greek forms tos and imzos, Sanscrit agvas
(horse) and ibhas (elephant), both of which come from a root signi-
fying to carry, may be-satisfactorily established by a number of inter-
mediate modifications. From the same source we have hobby; Dutch,
hoppe; which is almost the same word as the Greek im7rn, & mare.
Hobby, as the name of the hawks so called, is one of those curious
instances 1n which two words appear to be similar, while they have,
in reality, nothing whatever in common. Nag is the German nake,
from the Anglo-Saxon hnegan, our modern neigh, a word which is
an imitation of the sound which it characterizes. Palfrey is a word
borrowed from our Norman ancestors, and carries us back to the old
days of falconry and chivalry: in French it is palefroy; in Italian,
palafreno; and is clearly derived from par le frein, signifying a
ladies’ horse, 7. e. one led by the rein, at the hands of the attendant
page or knight. In the word roan it is possible that we may have
another instance of what I have before alluded to under the name of
a “pregnant” etymulogy; for although the reference to the colour of
Names of Animals. 5861
the “ red-roan steed ” is abundantly sufficient to account for the name,
yet it is very possible, as Mr. Talbot suggests, that it may have ori-
ginally had reference to the celebrated breed of Rowen horses. In
like manner Sheltie will preserve a geographical fact which may be-
come curious in some future generation, should this breed ever become
extinct in its original birth-place, the Shetland Isles.
‘Ass is the Latin asinus ; French, dne, which is corrupted from asne.
The root seems to be identical with that of ear, which is the Gothic
auso; Greek, ots, and, in the Laconian dialect, ais; Hebrew, é6zen.
There is a common word connected with this root, which would be
the very last in which we should be likely to suspect any reference to
an animal: a painter’s easel is the German ese/ (ass), which is identi-
cal with the Latin asellus, a diminutive form of asinus. We ourselves
speak of a clothes’-horse, &c., and so the Germans also use dock (buck),
and the Greeks ovos (ass), while the Greek word for easel is maaijjas,
which is compounded of xiaaos, an old word for ass. In Greek we find
the verb éyxaouat, to bray. Comparing this with our donkey, it seems
probable that both words originate from the same idea, vz. imitation
of the animal’s voice.
Mule is the Latin mulus; French, mulet; and may be connected
with molior, I labour; in Greek with “a0, labour, and orgy, to go ;
in our own language with the old word moz/, and, indeed, the primi-
tive orthography of the word was moyle or motl. In the Cornish
dialect this latter word signifies barren, and, to say the least of it,
this is a very remarkable coincidence, and it is quite possible that our
word may partake of the double parentage ; although it is equally pos-
sible that the stubborn mulishness of the animal, coupled with its
sterility, may have suggested the name for a hard and barren soil.
Pig is the Danish bigghe, vigghe. These two forms strongly remind
us of the nursery name, “ piggy-wiggy,” and suggest the idea that the
name of pig is derived from its squeaking cries, just as hog and sow
are taken from its more sonorous grunting. This idea is confirmed
by the words which Shakespeare puts into Aaron’s mouth, when he
murders the nurse:
“ Weke! weke!—So cries a pig prepared for the spit.”
Titus Andronicus, Act iv. Scene 2.
The pig is still the especial food of our labouring poor, and, as many
writers have remarked, a study of words shows this to have been the
case for centuries past. ‘The animals which supply our food, so long
as they are alive, are known by their old Saxon names, as 02, calf,
5862 Etymology of
sheep, &c.; but, as soon as they are dead, their flesh receives a Nor-
man name, such as beef (baus), veal (veau), mutton (mouton). So,
too, with our present animal, the fresh pork and the dainty brawn
were for the tables of the Norman lords of the soil; but the Saxon
churl was allowed to feast on his own bacon. This word is variously
derived. Johnson takes it as though it were baken, t.e. dried meat.
Webster refers it to the German bache, a wild sow. But ina curious
old book, printed in 1605, and intituled ‘A Restitution of decayed
Intelligence in Antiquities, we find the following explanation of this
term: “ But whereas swyne’s flesh is now called by the name of bacon,
it grew only at the first unto such as were fatted with Bucon, or
Beech-mast.”
We can trace the word hog, in some modification or other, through
all the cognate languages, and it is, as has been already remarked,
imitative of a pig’s grunt,—a sound which may be fairly represented
as “ugh.” In Welsh hog is hec; in Persian and Zend it is chuk, a
form which reappears in the old English chuck, and is still retained
in the name of the American woodchuck. In French this form gives
us cochon. The Greek word 4 is an intermediate form, and supplies
us with the link which binds together the apparently dissimilar words
hog and sow; for our words soz and its plural see¢ne are manifestly
the same as the German sau; Latin, sus; Greek, cvs. ‘This last is
usually derived by lexicographers from ceva, to rush, in allusion to the
fierceness of the wild boar; but, when we remember how commonly
the aspirate in Greek is merged into a sibilant, we can hardly help
considering % and cvs to be only different forms of the same word.
This view, too, is confirmed by the call to pigs which we can hear in
any farm-yard, “Sus! Sus! Sus!” And this is a good example of
an Etymology which is undoubtedly sound, although, at the first
glimpse of it, it seems to be the very contrary.
Boar is the Anglo-Saxon bar; Dutch, beer. It forms the last syl-
lable of the German eber and Latin aper, and appears again in the
Latin verres and Sanscrit varaha. All these words spring from a
kindred root, which is always connected with the idea of roughness.
We find it in the Latin barba and in our own leard and Oristle, and
the word boar no doubt refers to the bristly back of the animal.
Deer affords us an instance of a word which was originally used in
a very wide sense, but has been gradually restricted to one particular
animal. The Anglo-Saxon deor, German thier, are the same as the
Greek 67g, a name of wild animals in general; but the stag, as the
noblest of the beasts of chase, has monopolized the title of the beast,
Names of Animais. 5863
par excellence. The Greek énp leads us, through its dialectic varia-
tion gip, to the Latin fera, by which, and the French fer, we arrive
at our fierce. Buck is from bocker, to strike, and when we compare
with it the French bouwc, a he-goat, we shall readily arrive at the con-
clusion that it was a general title, applied to the males of horned
animals, and more lately extended to others, such as the rabbit, &c.
Still the stag preserves the same pre-eminence which we have seen to
be indicated by the name of deer, for “a buck” is, again par eacel-
lence, understood to refer to the stag alone ; while, if we apply the name
to other animals, we always specify the kind. A further instance of
this is found in the name we give its flesh, venison. This name was
originally given to the flesh of all beasts killed in hunting, as we see
by its derivation from the French vener, to hunt; but it was ‘soon
restricted to the flesh of the royal beast of chase alone.
Doe is the Anglo-Saxon da; Dutch, deyn; French, daim ; Latin,
dama. Richardson derives it from the Greek deve, timidity ; but this
is one of those mere guesses which always excite suspicion. May it
not be akindred form with dayans, a heifer, and dawaros,a calf? These
words come from dauaw, which is identical in meaning and etymology
with our tame. Doe, like buck, may have originally been a sort of
generic term, referring to the gentleness and tameness of the female
animals as compared with the males.
Hart is the Anglo-Saxon heord; German, hart. It is the same
word as hard, and is meant to imply strength, an idea which we trace
very strongly developed in the kindred words in Greek. Hind is
akin to the Latin hinnus, a mare; Greek, ives, a filly. The Latin
hinnio, to neigh, and our own word whinny, show us that these names
are imitative of the voice of the animal; and it seems probable that
the low quiet cry of the doe has caused the name to be transferred to
her. In all probability fawn is another word from whence we may
infer the high estimation in which the stag was held in the old days
of the chase. It is the French faon, fan, which is contracted from
the Latin infans, a word which signifies ‘‘ speechless,” and is, properly,
only applicable to human infants. |
Skinner suggests that the origin of the name stag is to be found in
the Saxon séigan, our stick, in allusion to its sharp antlers, an ety-
mology which requires confirmation from the analogous term buck.
Junius, with his usual mere punning guess, takes stag from cteixewv, to
goin order. Tooke believes it to be akin to the word stage, and to
allude to the lofty bearing and erect head of the animal
Fallow is an adjective, describing the general colour of the deer to
ae
5864 Etymology of
which it is applied, the Anglo-Saxon /fealewe being akin to the Latin
helvus, gilvus, and to our own yellow. It is most curious to trace this
word through the almost endless ramifications of its root, which, as |
believe, may be ultimately carried back to the Anglo-Saxon gyl, and
to heol, a name of the sun in some old Teutonic dialects. These
affinities are most admirably worked out by Mr. Talbot in his ‘ English
Etymologies,’ but, as is too often the case, his observations are most
painfully in need of some connecting thread.
Roebuck presents us with an ample scope for speculation as to
whether the first syllable of its name be the Celtic roe, red (as the roe
of fish is named from its colour), or whether it be not the Anglo-Saxon
reege, raage (for hrege), signifying a goat, and akin to the Greek
tpayos. Possibly it may partake of both relationships: certainly its
scientific name, Cervus capreolus, inclines us to be in favour of the
latter etymology. In French chevre is a goat, but chevrette is a doe;
chevreuil is a roebuck, but chevrotine is deer-shot. This confusion
has partly arisen from a certain resemblance between cerf (Latin,
cervus), a stag, and chevre (Latin, caper); and the gradual progress
of form from animals of the goat tribe to those of the deer has in all
probability tended still further to complicate this etymology. |
Were I to endeavour to trace the various and most dissimilar modi-
fications of the root which appears in our word goat, I should infal-
libly, though, as I believe, unreasonably, be accused of romance by
the general reader. It is the Anglo-Saxon, get, gat; but in German
the ¢ becomes s, and the word appears as geis, and also in the still
harder form gems. It is the Gothic gaztez, gazisa, and this latter form
reminds us of the Sanscrit adsha, which, be it remembered, was pro-
nounced with a strong guttural g before the first vowel. Through
various other forms we trace it to the Hebrew gaz, which is referred
by Gesenius to the root gdzaz, to be strong. We must, therefore, re-
ject Junius’s guess, that it is derived from yaitn, hair, as well as
Wachter’s more reasonable conjecture that it comes from the Saxon
gytsean, to be lustful. Aéd—the Turkish gets? and Hebrew gedi—
belongs also to the same family as goat.
It may not be out of place to notice here some of our own words
which are derived from the names of the goat. To caper is precisely
the same word as the Latin for a goat; and hence, too, comes caprice,
7. e. a whim as sudden and unlooked for as are the bounds and vagaries
of a kid. Who, again, would have thought that there could be any
connexion between the name of the London “ cab” and that of our
animal? But it is quite certain that cad is an abbreviation of the
Names of Animals. 5865
French cabriolet, a word derived from cabri (caper), a kid, and em-
ployed to designate a light easy-going kind of vehicle, which was able
to traverse roads along which the original heavy and: lumbering cha-
riots were unable to venture.
Sheep is the German schaf. This word is referred by Richardson
to schaffen, in the sense of to drive, the allusion being to the driving
of sheep before the shepherd, just as one of the Greek words for sheep
— mpoBarov — may be derived from zegofaivew, to go before. It may be
that the schdfer, or shepherd, was so called from the schaft, t.e. stick
(our “ shaft”) with which he drove his flock, and that thus his name
may have grown to be applied to the objects of his care ; or, possibly,
the etymology may embrace both these ideas.
Richardson derives ram from the Anglo-Saxon hremman, to butt,
or to ram, as we say; but, as we have already remarked, it is not
probable that any such verb will be derived from the habit of the
animal, but rather vice versd. Family resemblance leads us in quite
another direction. Ram is very nearly the same word as its Greek
equivalent é7, which is probably only another form of aénv, male ;
and this may be traced to an old root signifying strength. So, too,
twp is taken from a root which is now little used by us, but which is
found in the Greek ture, to strike. Wether, or wedder, is similarly
referred by Richardson to the Anglo-Saxon wétheran, to resist.
In the word ewe I think we may trace a very interesting story. It
is the same word as the Latin ovis and the Greek ois, which are, pos-
sibly, imitative of the low inward bleat of the sheep, which is a very
distinct sound from its well-known “baa.” There are many old
words wherefrom we may gather the fact that the wealth of our pri-
mitive forefathers lay in their cattle. Such words are the Hebrew
mik’? neh, which signifies both cattle and wealth or riches; the Greek
utnvos, cattle, as compared with xtiua, a possession; and the Latin
pecus, cattle, as compared with pecunia, money. I believe that our
present word indicates a similar state of things ; for although ovis is a
sheep, yet opzlio is a shepherd; and this latter word seems, at all
events, to be connected with ops, opes, riches.
Lamb is the Danish lam ; German, lamm. In Welsh llanu is to
bound, and is nearly akin to /eap, and other words of the same family.
I suspect, therefore, that the lamb is so called from its frolicsome
gambols.
We may here refer to a fact which is but little known. The breed
of sheep from whence we obtain the merino wool was originally de-
rived from our own country. Stow and Baker tell us that in the year
XVI. C
©
5866 | E tymology of
1404, Edward IV. “ gave a license to pass over certain Cotteswolde
sheepe into Spain.” These were the origin of the present merinoes,
a name which is a slight corruption of the Spanish marino, and refers
to the original importation of the breed from “ beyond the sea.”
Ox is the Anglo-Saxon ova; Danish, ove; Gothic, auhs. The
root will be found in the Icelandic aka; Sueth., acka, to draw, which
is the same verb as is found in the Latin as ago, and in Greek as @yo.
The connexion existing between these words points out to us the
primitive use of oxen for the yoke; while the horse, as we have seen
that its names imply, was used for riding, or for war, but not for agri-
cultural purposes.
Bull is identical with its Latin equivalent bos ; Greek, Govs; French,
boeuf; words which are all formed from the root 00, imitative of the
loud bellowing of the animal. So, too, coze—which in the Teutonic
languages appears as ko or kuh; Persian, gau, kaw; Malabar, ko;
Sanscrit, gou, ghau—is also a name imitative of the voice; and it is
curious that in Greek we have both the verbs fozw and yoaw, expressive
of aloud and deep sound. Richardson suggests that cow is derived
from the Anglo-Saxon ceowan, to chew, from its habit of chewing the
cud; but this very plausible conjecture is found to be unsupported
by the analogy of other languages. Professor Donaldson has some
interesting remarks upon the curious coincidence to be remarked,
throughout the Indo-Germanic languages, between the words which
express the idea of Jand and the names of the cattle which till it.
Thus, in Sanscrit, gaws means both cow and the earth; and in this
latter sense we find the root in the Greek yn, yaia, and the German
gau, country. The same analogy may be traced, though not quite so
evidently, in the words related to dull. Kine is the plural of cov,
just as swine is the plural of sow.
In calf we have another instance of a word which was originally
used as a general term, but which has been gradually restricted to an
individual case, although, indeed, we still speak of a hind’s calf, or of
an elephant’s calf. Our word is the Anglo-Saxon cealf; Swedish,
kalf; Danish, calv; German, kald; and it is akin to the Dutch verb
kalben, to vomit, which comes from a root indicative of gaping, having
its nearest English analogues in yawn and yean. Calf, therefore, pro-
perly means any offspring. Webster ingeniously accounts for the use
of this word to indicate part of the leg. A calf is, properly, as we
have said, any offspring: hence it comes to mean an offshoot or pro-
tuberance, and so has been applied to the protuberant part of the leg.
In the old expression, “calves of the lips,” it is hard to say whether
Names of Animals. 5867
the reference be to the protruding of the lips, or, adhering to the
strict meaning of the word, to the open mouth.
I cannot satisfactorily account for the first syllable of heifer. The
second syllable is, no doubt, identical with the Anglo-Saxon /ear ;
German, farfe; Greek, opts; all of which words refer to the same
animal. In Hebrew, too, we find par, a bull, and pdrah, a heifer,
words which preserve the analogy of ox, and are formed from the same
root as has given us our verb to bear.
I again quote from Mr. Bell: “ When a cow produces two calves,
one a male, and the other a female, the latter is styled a free martin,
which, it is said, never breeds. In Scotland a cow or ox which is fat-
tened is called a mart. Hence, probably, our term originated; for
the female, being unfit for breeding, was free, or at liberty, to be fat-
tened for the mart, or market.”
The breed of Kyloe. oxen are said to derive their name from the
Scotch islanders having to drive their beasts across the “kyles,” or
ferries, on their way to market.
Neat cattle in Anglo-Saxon are called neat, neten; in Swedish,
not; in Danish, néd. The Anglo-Saxon geneat, herdsman, is also
akin. The root will be found in the Welsh cnud, a group, and kin-
dred words are the Latin nodus, our knot, knead, and need, in all
which words the common idea is that of pressure. Neat, therefore,
is a generic name for herded cattle.
The first letter of steer is merely euphonious, and forms no part of
the root. The word is identical with the Latin tawrus ; French, tau-
veau ; Arabic, thawr ; Chaldee, tora. In Hebrew the initial ¢ becomes
sh, and the word appears as shor. It comes from a root signifying
strength, which we trace in the Latin forws, muscle. Beeves, it need
hardly be said, comes from the French baewf, which also supplies us
with our word beef.
Caltle is said to be a general term, corrupted from the Latin capi-
talia, z.e. the personal property of any individual. We find the same
word in the legal term “ goods and chattels.”
Squirrel has a pretty origin. It comes to us through the Latin
scturiolus, a diminutive of sciwrus, which is the Latinized form of its
original Greek name, cxiovgos, a compound of two words signifying
** shadow-tail.”
- The first syllable of dormouse no doubt refers to its sleepy propen-
sities, and is of a root which appears in the Latin dormio, Greek
dapbavw, to sleep, and also, as I believe, in our dream. The second
syllable of our word is, now, at all events, simply mouse. But as
5868 Etymology of
hermaphrodite etymologies—by which we mean words compounded of
two roots which are taken from different languages — are very rare,
and to be received with suspicion, Talbot has suggested that our word
may have been originally the French or Norman “la dormeuse,” the
second syllable of which would soon be corrupted, by country people,
into mouse. cf,
The word mouse, itself, is a very ancient and wide-spread name.
In Anglo-Saxon it is mus; in German, maus; in Latin, mus; in
Greek, wis. It is ordinarily derived from a root which is expressed
in the Greek uveiv, to hide, although Pott considers that it may come
from the Sanscrit mush, to steal.
Rat is the French rat, and appears in modern Latin as rattus.
Wachter refers its origin to the German reissen; Anglo-Saxon,
hreddan; our own rid; to which the Latin rodo, to gnaw, is akin.
The name, therefore, may combine the ideas of gnawing and plun-
dering. It is difficult to account for the name of Norway rat, as this
species 1s aboriginal to Asia, and was not even known to exist in
Norway when our name was given to it. There is an ill-natured tra-
dition that it was introduced to our country by the same ship as
brought in the Hanover dynasty; but this throws no light on the
name: more probably it was imported on board of some Norwegian
trader, which may have touched at one of our ports.
Hare is a word that has sadly puzzled etymologists. Conjectures
concerning its origin are innumerable, and, as it has no equivalent in
the Latin and its kindred languages, its affinities are very hard to trace.
It is the Anglo-Saxon hara, and it is the same word in Swedish. In
Dutch and German the 7 gives way to s, as it is Dutch haas, German
hase. One very plausible conjecture is that the word is akin to the
Anglo-Saxon fer, hair; from the long soft fur of the hare. It
has been suggested to me by a friend that it may come from the same
root as our hoar, hoary; Anglo-Saxon, hara; in allusion to its pre-
vailing colour. ‘Talbot says, ‘‘ Hare, the most timorous of animals,
is perhaps named from the Anglo-Saxon earg, timid; earh, swift.”
Leveret is the French liévre, Latin lepus, and is closely akin to the
French lapin, rabbit. Indeed a close search will reveal to us a very
curious connexion existing between the names for the hare and rabdit,
in the kindred languages. The root is to be found in the Latin levis
and our word leap, indicative of lightness and agility.
Rabbit is akin to the Dutch robbe, which probably comes, as Skin-
ner suggests, from the Latin rapidus, our rapid. It would not be
difficult to establish the etymological identity of this word with the
Names of Animals. 5869
French Japin, and, so, with lepus, leveret, &c., but the pages of the
‘Zoologist’ are hardly suited to such an attempt.
Cony is the Latin cuniculus; German, canichen; Danish, kanzg ;
Welsh, cwningen. Pliny supposes cuniculus to be so named from its
burrows, but this can hardly be the case. In Greek we find the forms
novindos and xuuxaros, but there is some doubt as to whether this be a
genuine Greek word, or only the Greek way of writing the word which
they borrowed from the Romans. Should it be a truly Greek word, I
have little doubt that Mr. Bell’s etymology from xovéw, to hasten, would
be correct, supported as it is by the analogy of the names for leveret
and rabbit.
The Guinea pzqg is hardly an indigenous animal, but as Mr. Bell gives
it a place in his ‘ History of British Quadrupeds,’ we may take the
opportunity of pointing out the solution of a difficulty which he seems
to have experienced. He says, “ The name by which this little ani-
mal is commonly known is founded upon an error of which I have in
vain endeavoured to trace the origin; for I do not find, in any author
by whom it is mentioned, any allusion to its being a native of Guinea.
The country from which it truly derives its origin is the southern part
of the South American Continent,—Brazil, Guiana, &c.” Obviously
iis name originally alluded to the latter province; but as this was an
unfamiliar name to most people, while Guinea was a “household
word,” the substitution of the wrong name for the right one would fol-
low almost as a matter of course.
I have now completed the task which I at first proposed to myself;
and I would fain hope that at all events some readers of the ‘ Zoolo-
gist’ have been interested in the remarks I have made. I must again
repeat one of my preliminary observations, that I have no doubt I
may have made many mistakes. I therefore most earnestly solicit a
personal correspondence with any one who is willing to correct me
or to afford me hints. I have now collected the origins of about 2600
names of animal, vegetable or mineral objects, and I have exhausted
all the means of information within my own reach, and have still a
stock of at least 1200 names of which I can find no explanation, but
with regard to which I trust that others will be found both willing
and able to assist me.
P. H. NewxHam.
Guildford, November 19, 1857.
5870 Bavarian Sporting.
On Bavarian Sporting.
By the Rev. ALFRED CHARLES SMITH, M.A.
I HAVE just been reading (Zool. 5806—7) Dr. Collingwood’s
graphic account of the game-market at Vienna, and his description
brings vividly to my recollection a similar scene at Munich, in the
winter of 1840—1, which I spent in that capital; and on looking
back to my journals of that date, by way of refreshing my memory on
the subject, I have stumbled on some memoranda of various royal
hunts of which I was an eye-witness, and by which these markets
were supplied. Thinking that perhaps a short description of them
may be of interest to the readers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ [ venture to tran-
scribe again from my journals; but, for the benefit of those who have
had no experience of Munich in the winter, I will first say a few
words of that capital and its climate during the cold months, when
these royal battues took place. I will premise, then, that Munich is
the highest capital in Europe, though, not having a Murray at hand,
I cannot state accurately how many feet it stands above the level of
the sea. It is situated in a vast plain, or rather in the centre of a
large basin, surrounded indeed by mountains, but all of them at
a great distance; and on whichever side of the city you may ap-
proach you will see for many a league the great kettle-drum-looking
domes or cupolas on the summit of the two towers of the Dom
Kirche, standing up as beacons to guide you on to your journey’s
end. ‘The plain, too, in which the city stands is truly Bavarian, not
only so vast and apparently interminable, but perfectly flat, and its
surface unbroken by hedges, banks or any other kind of fence, since
fences are not wanted in a country where the cattle are never turned
out to grass; and in the autumn, when the crops are off the ground,
you may strike off from the highway immediately after leaving the town,
and ride in any direction, so long as the open weather lasts. But
though Munich is one of the sultriest and certainly the very dustiest
of towns in the summer, it is one of the very coldest in the winter,
without shelter on any side, and exposed to all the winds of heaven:
-for four months the weather is very severe, and the cold is intense ;
and. there is no gradual change, but in a single night you pass from
the height of summer to the depth of winter: from November to
March the snow lies frozen and trodden into a hard, solid mass: all
wheels disappear from the streets, and the silent sledges, unheard
save through their jingle of bells (which the police rigidly require
Bavarian Sporting. 5871
them to carry), come stealing round the corners and along the streets
at a very rapid pace. Occasionally. sentinels are found frozen at
their posts, though the guard is relieved at very short intervals, and
all are well provided with warm clothing against the intense cold.
The rapid river Tsar is arrested in its course, and soon becomes
a dense mass of ice; and for four months winter reigns triumphant,
without an interval of a thaw or the remotest prospect of a thaw for
a single hour.
Such is the climate and such the situation of the Bavarian capital ;
but, notwithstanding the cold, the air is clear and the sun shines
cheerily ; and when it was announced that the king would shoot
hares at a certain spot about two leagues distant from the town,
it required no second summons to persuade four Englishmen to drive
to the spot, eager to be spectators of the scene. When we reached
the ground the royal sportsmen had not yet arrived, but a large num-
ber of keepers stood ready, and pointed out to us the most astounding
preparations for sport I ever beheld. For two days previous to the
hunt a large number of peasants had been employed to beat up the
country for several miles round: this they effected by making a cor-
don, encircling the game and walking up towards the centre; and
thus they gradually drove the hares in immense numbers into a very
small space, viz., a little cover of perhaps four acres in extent: the
hares so driven up had been enclosed by a wall of canvas from nine to
ten feet in height, and when the keepers took us inside the enclosure,
prior to the arrival of the king, there were the wretched victims lying
huddled together like a dense flock of sheep, to the number of sixteen
hundred, as we afterwards ascertained on counting the slain. Pre-
sently the royal sledges arrived with the king (now the ex-king) Lud-
wig, the Crown Prince (the present King of Bavaria), Prince Luitpold,
Prince Max, and two other royal princes, for none but royal princes
may shoot in these right royal ,battues: immediately they entered
the canvas wall, and took up their positions at the farther end of the
enclosure, each within a certain little nook of boughs, waist high,
which had been previously prepared, of fir branches; whether as a
protection against the rage of wounded hares, or as a pretence at am-
bush, I know not: and now the sportsmen are all standing behind
their respective defences, in a line, about twenty yards apart from one
another, and with their faces towards the canvas wall, which might
be thirty yards in their front, each armed with a double-barrelled gun,
and each with a whole posse of keepers behind him, with other guns
to load and hand over. The word is given that all is ready ; and now
5872 Bavarian Sporting.
the keepers and others, with whom we marched, forming a close line,
began to walk up from the other end of the enclosure, driving all the
unfortunate hares in a body towards the guns; as they neared the
shooters they naturally ran to the sides; and now they were hunted
round the open space, and made to run the gauntlet in front of all the
guns: then the murder began in earnest, and for the first ten minutes
each royal forefinger was continually engaged in pulling trigger after
trigger, for as fast as each sportsman shot off his gun another was
handed in its place. The hares at first came round in perfect droves,
and then it was not only impossible to miss, but also impossible to
kill without wounding many others; so then a horrible sight ensued,
of hares unnumbered shuffling about with broken legs, wounded in
every possible way, half-dead, bleeding, and uttering théir mournful
cry, so like the cry of a child. Soon the ground in front of the
shooters was white with dead hares; still the slaughter went on, at
first amidst a roar of guns, then a dropping fire, then single guns at
longer intervals, then occasional shots, then it ceased, but not till
every one of the hares enclosed had been driven round and round till
it had met its death: happy were those first slain, for, once enclosed
within the canvas, escape was impossible: if the poor animal had
run the gauntlet before all the shooters once’ or twice, and had
escaped unharmed or with a broken leg, the third or fourth round
must destroy it: nothing living could escape. An unlucky squirrel,
appalled at the noise, descended a tree close to the king, who, with a
shout of delight, ruthlessly shot it as it gazed at him in amazement
from the ground at about ten yards’ distance, proving that if “‘a cat
may look at a king” the old adage does not hold good with a squir-
rel, for this poor unsuspecting innocent paid for its temerity with its
life. About twenty roe, bucks and does, had been accidentally en-
closed with the hares, and these, too, must of course suffer the same
fate, and were shot in like manner, save and except five or six bucks,
which, terrified at the first noise of the shooting, and not yet having
been shot at, ran back towards the advancing line of keepers, who
immediately raised their hands and sticks to turn them; but, led by
one noble fellow, the bucks took a spring right over our heads, hats
and uplifted sticks, not a little to the delight of the Crown Prince,
who, priding himself on his English habits and ideas, and knowledge
of the English tongue, told us, he “would give any sum for a hunter
who shall jump so,” though, as the Germans never hunt or leap, and
indeed there are no fences in Bavaria, we did’nt see of what possible
use to his Royal Highness such a fencer would. have been. Some of
Bavarian Sporting. 5873
the roebucks, when driven to desperation, charged the canvas wall,
and most of them fell back, unable to clear so great a height; but
three splendid fellows, more nimble and more fortunate than their
companions, cleared it in great style and escaped. At length the
shooting grew slacker and slacker, and after two hours’ firing the
massacre was ended: then before each sportsman’s bower of firs
were placed, in rows, the hares that were slain by him, and were
lying dead in front of his stand; then they were counted, and great
rivalry existed among the shooters as to who had gained the greatest
score. The whole number killed was above 1600, and the king, who
was always especially friendly and communicative to the English,
observed to us, “There is so much more glory in killing them thus
than if we only killed a dozen or so as you do in England.” It
would have argued a sad ignorance of Court etiquette to demur at
any proposition His Majesty might think fit to assert, so we con-
tented ourselves with a smile and a bow, but we secretly entertained
rather a different opinion. ‘The hares were now suspended on poles,
and these were laid across some light waggons, and thus three wag-
gons loaded with hares trotted triumphantly into Munich to the
king’s cellar, where on the following day hares killed by royalty were
sold to the public at thirty-six kreutzers apiece, or about one shilling
English. At a subsequent battue the same party killed 1200, and on
another occasion 900 hares ; but, as all the hare-hunting consisted of
this abominable massacre, we did not care to go a second time.
It may be supposed we were a little disgusted with what we had
seen of Bavarian sport; but when we were invited to witness a stag
hunt we said to one another, ‘‘ Now at least we shall see something
more worthy of the name:” judge, then, of our disappointment when,
on arriving at the wood fixed on for the rendezvous, we found the pre-
parations in all respects like those made for the hare hunt; the canvas
walls, the posse of keepers ready to drive the game round, the nooks of
fir branches for the shooters, all as before; indeed, excepting that the
wood was larger, the canvas walls something higher, and that rifles
were substituted for guns and roe for hares, it was the.same unsports-
man-like massacre we had seen before. There was a good deal of
bad shooting displayed on this occasion, and some of the stags, after
being driven about and shot at a good deal ineffectually, became at
last so terrified that they laid down and refused to get up. At the
conclusion it was found that about fifty bucks were shot, and these,
too, were taken to the king’s cellar and disposed of next day, just as
XVI. D
5874 Bavarian Sporting.
the hares; and loyal subjects could there buy royal venison at nine
kreutzers (threepence) per pound.
After this fresh mstance of barbarous murder we were not very
sanguine when we started to see “a wild boar hunt,” for in such
terms it was announced to us; and yet we had a lurking hope that
there might be some sport in this, but again we were doomed to dis-
appointment ; and when we arrived at the place appointed (the mid-
dle of a large forest) what was our dismay to find that this hunt, too,
was to be conducted precisely as the hare and stag hunts had been :
there were the canvas walls, within which were the poor boars, driven
up by the peasants as before; and not only boars, but pigs of all sizes
and ages; all were driven in, and all shot alike, the total number
amounting to about forty; none of them appeared savage, indeed
they were only half wild, as every day they came for food, placed for
them at the skirt of the forest; but some of the boars had tusks of
considerable size, with which they might have done considerable mis-
chief if they had courage enough for an attack; but they seemed too
frightened to make any resistance, and ran squeaking from place to
place in the extremity of their terror, till a bullet put an end to their
misery. The head gamekeepers, or “ Jagers,” were splendid fellows
in their suits of green and gold, with epaulettes and swords and
sashes, and plumes of dark green feathers in their cocked hats, rather
a contrast to the shooting-jackets and leggings of the business-like
men we are accustomed to meet at the cover side; however, it was all
quite consistent with the sport, and the “Jiger’s” fine clothes were
not soiled with hard work, but they looked very smart in the forest ;
and very valiant, too, they were withal, for,.when one poor unfortu-
nate piggy came running down a green drive towards us, squealing
with terror, one of these brave armed men, dropping down on one
knee in a theatrical attitude, exclaimed, to our intense amusement,
“ Gentlemen, don’t be alarmed; I will defend you,” with which words
he drew his sword, and presented it at the pig; but he, poor fellow,
as soon as he saw us in the way was only too glad to hurry off out of
sight into the thicket. After this hunt wild boar was as plentiful and
cheap at the king’s cellar at Munich as hares and venison were at
other times.
If any comparison can be instituted among the above atrocious:
massacres, I am inclined to think that the latter was the most barba-.
rous of the three hunts; and I don’t doubt that those sportsmen will
agree with me who have been accustomed to hog hunting in India,
which I conclude to be the finest sport (in the true sense of the word)
Mollusks. 5875
that exists, and which undoubtedly requires the greatest exertions
and skill on the part both of the horse and rider. I had almost ap-
pended some account of the rifle shooting at a mark by the ‘Tyrolese
who flock to Munich at certain seasons, and which was really inte-
resting to witness; and also of the horse racing in the same capital,
one of the most horrible sights I ever beheld; but, recollecting that
such subjects scarcely come within the province of the ‘ Zoologist,’
and fearing the wrath of its excellent editor, I spare the readers
of that periodical, at any rate for the present, and conclude.
ALFRED CHARLES SMITH.
Yatesbury Rectory, Calne,
November 9, 1857.
The Mollusca of the Firth of Clyde.
By the Rev. ALFRED MERLE Norman, B.A.
(Continued from page 5713).
Fam. X. Donacide.
*Donax Anatinus (Donax trunculus). Included in the lists of
Mr. Smith and Dr. Landsborough, but I have not met with it myself.
Fam. XI. Mactride.
Mactra solida. Bute, Cumbrae and Arran, but it is not a com-
mon shell in the district.
* 4, truncata. Bute, Smith; Lamlash Bay, Landsborough.
* 4, elliptica. Occasionally taken with the dredge on hard
ground in the coralline zone. The specimens from off Cumbrae ex-
ceed in dimensions any that I have taken or received from elsewhere ;
an individual in my cabinet measures one and a quarter inch long
and four-fifths of an inch broad.
* 4, subtruncata. Is a very abundant shell in the Clyde, and
is known in the district by the name of “ Aikens.” It is frequently
used for bait, and is usually found in the sand at low-water mark, and
is either raked up from the sand, or gathered by the hand when
thrown to the surface by storms. Millport Bay, Lamlash and Ar-
drossan are prolific localities for it. It attains a large size here, ex-
amples commonly exceeding one and a quarter inch long and an
inch broad. “ A large and much-produced variety is very common on
5876 Mollusks.
the Ardrossan sands, in Ayrshire ; a similar but smaller one is also com-
mon in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, where it is gathered alive at low
water to feed pigs (Alder),” #. § H. Dr. Landsborough tells us that
the name “ Aikens,” applied to Mactra subtruncata, is confined to the
Lowlands; “in the Highlands it is called ‘ Mureck-baan ;’ baan de-
noting the colour, which is white ; and Mureck, it is probable, being
the Celtic origin of the Latin Murex, the shell-fish which yielded the
Tyrian dye or imperial purple.” — Lands. Excur. p. 218. I must
confess that my powers of imagination are at fault, and that I fail to
see any connexion between Murex trunculus and Mureck-baan !
Mactra Stultorum (J/actra cinerea). This species, together with
its variety cinerea, is said by Dr. Landsborough to occur in Lamlash
Bay. Ihave not myself met-with it there, or elsewhere in the dis-
trict. Ayr, Sith.
*Lutraria elliptica. During very low spring tides a sand bank is
laid bare at Fintry Bay, Cumbrae, extending along the shore, from
which it is separated by a belt of water a foot or so deep; at such
times fishermen and others go to the bank for the purpose of pro-
curing “ Spout-fish” and the Lutraria, which they take there abun-
dantly and of great size. I have likewise taken young specimens
with the dredge between Clachland Point and the Corriegills, Arran.
Fam. XII. Veneride.
*Tapes decussata (Venus decussata). This local, but for the most
part, where present, abundant shell, must, I think, be regarded with
some doubt as a native of the Clyde. Dr. Landsborough mentions it
twice (at pp. 337 and 362) in his ‘ Excursions,’ but he does not give it
in his more recent lists; nor has it been met with by Mr. Smith or
myself.
* 4, pullastra (Pullastra vulgaris, Venus pullastra). Common
here as everywhere. Very good examples of the variety perforans,
with the shell strongly laminated, especially at the posterior end,
occur in crevices in the masses of shale on the shore of Lamlash Bay,
and in old Pholas burrows.
* 4, virginea (Veniorupis virginea, Pullastra virginea, Venus
virginea). Ayr, Bute, Clyde, Smzth. I have taken unusually large
specimens, measuring two inches and four-tenths long, and one and
a half inch broad, off the west of Cumbrae. It is frequent in the
coralline zone in all parts that 1 have dredged.
» aurea (Venus aurea, Venus enea). Mr. Smith records
this shell from Ayr, and Dr. Landsborough from Arran. At Loch
~~
Mollusks. 5877
yan, to the south of this district, it may be procured in great abun-
ance at low-water mark ; specimens from this locality are in the Bri-
ish Museum.
Venus verrucosa. I include this with doubt. Mentioned once by
r. Landsborough (Excurs. p. 362) in a list of Lamlash Mollusca.
» casina (Venus reflexa, Venus cassina). ‘This beautiful Ve-
us is met with occasionally on the scallop-bed off the south-west of
umbrae ; it is, however, by no means abundant, and I only suc-
eeded in procuring some half-dozen specimens. I have likewise
aken it in Lamlash Bay, and Mr. Smith records it from Ayr. It is
robably distributed throughout the district.
* 4, striata (Venus Prideauxiana, rugosa, gallina and lami-
osa). Common, and is found with the concentric costelle at a
reater or less distance apart, and more or less laminated.
* 4, fasciata. Frequent throughout the district. The colour
f these shells from the Clyde are usually dull, and have none of that
rilliancy which characterizes their more southern brethren. They
re usually, moreover, when found in the Clyde, invested, especially
about the umbones, with a black incrustation.
» ovata. This species is common among nullipore in the
laminarian and coralline zones. .
*Artemis exoleta (*Cytherea exoleta). Two very distinct varieties
are to be found in the Clyde district; the first, the ordinary form,
occurs in and outside Lamlash Bay and other localities; the second
is brownish white, entirely devoid of painting, and has the striz much
more closely arranged than usual, and they, moreover, become some-
what raised and lamelliform at the extremities. This last variety,
which measures two inches by two and an eighth, is taken near the
Tan Buoy, Cumbrae.
» lincta (Cytherea sinuata and lincta). Ayr, Lamlash,
Cumbrae, Largs. The locality in which I have found it to be most
numerous is between the Cumbraes. I have a distortion in which
one valve is larger than the other, the one umbone projecting for-
wards over the smaller one as in the genus Corbula.
*Lucinopsis undata (Lucina undata). I have occasionally met
with the Lucinopsis to the south-west of Cumbrae, and Dr. Lands-
borough has taken it in Lamlash Bay.
Fam. XIII. Cyprinide.
*Cyprina islandica (Cyprina vulgaris). The dredge wili not un-
frequently bring up the Cyprina from deep water where the ground is
5878 Mollusks.
hard. The west of Cumbrae between Fintry and Shell Bays ; between
Clachland Point and the Corriegills, Arran; and north-east of Holy
Island, may be menticned as localities.
Circe minima (Cyprina minima, Cyprina triangularis). This
often beautifully marked shell is common in the deeper parts of the
laminarian zone in the Clyde district. Wherever suitable ground,
that is nullipore, is present, the dredge will seldom come up without
containing one or two examples.
*Astarte sulcata (Crassina scotica, Crassina danmoniensis, As-
tarte scotica and danmoniensis). By no means common, though
now and then to be met with. West coast of Cumbrae, and Lamlash
Bay; Ayr, Bute, Smzth.
* 4, elliptica (Crassina garensis, Crassina elliptica). “ It was
first discovered near Helensburgh, mouth of the Clyde, by H. Witham,
Esq., where it appears to be not uncommon.” — Brown. “The
earlier specimens which found their way into collections were chiefly
collected by Mr. Nicol, and distributed under the MS. name of
gairensis.”"—F’. § H. It was so named from Loch Gair, or Gare, at
the mouth of which Helensburgh is situated. Mr. Smith has also
taken it off Bute. It is, however, very local.
* 4, arctica (Crassina corrugata and Witham?). Mr. Smith
includes this in his list of recent shells, under the specific names of
-corrugata and Withami, as having been found in the Clyde and off
Bute. Withami is figured by Mr. Smith in his paper; and he tells
us that “ one valve was dredged in deep water in Rothesay Bay, ap-
parently the same as that found by Mr. Witham in Yorkshire.”
Astarte arctica, if met with in the Clyde, is probably fossil.
5 compressa (Crassina compressa and striata). Lamlash,
Landsborough ; Bute, Smith.
» triangularis. I have met with a few examples of this little
Astarte among shell-sand from “ Landsborough’s Bay,” Lamlash.
Isocardia Cor. Dredging one day in deep water between Great
and Little Cumbrae, I procured two or three single valves of the
heart shell. This is the only instance of its occurrence in the dis-
trict with which I am acquainted. Although the shells had been
some time dead, they were certainly not semi-fossil ; indeed, the Iso-
cardia has not, I believe, been met with in the glacial beds of
the Clyde.
Fam. XIV. Cardiade.
Cardium aculeatum. Mentioned by Mr. Smith, undoubtedly in
error, as “ common” in the Clyde.
Mollusks. 5879
*Cardium echinatum (Cardium ciliatum and ciliare). To be found
in many of the sandy bays, as for example at Fintry Bay, Cumbrae ;
and in certain parts of Lamlash.
Pee iss edule (Cardium crenulatum). Nowhere, as far as my
observations go, abundant, though generally diffused. }
95 nodosum. Fine and by no means uncommon. Shell
Bay, Cumbrae; Largs; Lamlash Bay; and between Clachland Point
and the Corriegills, Arran.
¥5 fasciatum (Cardium relate abit Frequent in the lami-
narian and coralline zones. Fairleigh ; ‘T'an Buoy, Cumbrae ; Lam-
lash.
ee ity pygmeum (Cardium exiguum). Ayr, Bute, Clyde,
Smith ; Lamlash, Landsborough. Ihave not myself been fortunate
enough to meet with it.
= suecinum. Included by Dr. Landsborough in his last
corrected catalogue of the Lamlash Bay Mollusca.
ints norvagicum. (Cardium levigatum and serratum). Fre-
quent and widely distributed throughout the district. There are two
very distinct forms of this shell: the one which is found in the Clyde
is subtriangular, the hinder margin being much produced, so that the
length exceeds the breadth; two inches and three-fourths long and
two inches and five-eighths broad is the measurement of my finest
specimen: the other variety, which I have taken off Falmouth, is’
subovate, the hinder margin suddenly sloping, and not at all pro-
duced, the breadth exceeding the length, as, for example, one inch
and three-fourths long and two inches and one-fourth broad. On the
Devon coast I have taken an intermediate form, in which length and
breadth are about equal; it is this form which is figured in Forbes
and Hanley.
Fam. XV. Lucinide.
*Lucina borealis (Lucina Radula). Ayr, Smith. It is not uncom-
mon in shallow water just off the pier at Lamlash, and I have like-
wise taken a specimen or two in Kames and Shell Bays, Cumbrae.
» Sspinifera (Myrlea spinifera). Occurs several times in the
lists of Lamlash Bay Mollusca in Dr. Landsborough’s ‘ Excursions.’
I have not myself met with it.
* 4, flexuosa (Lucina sinuosa). Bute, Ayr, Smith. Widely
distributed in the district, though nowhere common. Largs, Cum-
brae, and Lamlash Bay have given me specimens. The spot in which
I have dredged it most frequently is close to the Clerk Rock in
5880 Mollusks.
Millport Bay ; at least thirty single valves may be taken to every
perfect specimen.
Fam. XVI. Kelliade.
Montacuta ferruginosa. I have met with a few fine examples
thrown up on the sand at Millport Bay after gales from the West,
having the animal still in them. It has likewise been taken by Mr.
Alder and Dr. Landsborough in Lamlash Bay.
i bidentata. Occurs occasionally in rock-pools, as for
example at the outer Allans, Cumbrae; and Clachland Point, Ar-
ran. It likewise may be found sparingly among Lamlash Bay shell-
sand.
3 substriata. Fourteen examples fell to my lot from the
spines of Spatangus purpureus taken off the west coast of Cumbrae.
Dr. Landsborough several times met with it in Lamlash Bay (Lands.
Excurs. pp. 195 and 322).
Turtonia minuta (Montacuta purpurea). By no means rare in
rock-pools, if the Corallina be gathered and washed, and the sediment
examined. The Allans, Cumbrae ; and Clachland Point, Arran,
afford it in some plenty.
*Kellia suborbicularis (Mya suborbicularis). Distributed through-
out the district. The best situations to look for it in are the interiors
* of old dead bivalve shells filled with mud. The young may be taken
occasionally in rock-pools.
» Yubra. Common, though somewhat local. Abundant
among Balani which clothe the rocks just north of Fintry Bay, Cum-
brae ; and frequent in rock-pools, among Corallina officinalis and Li-
china pygmeza, at Clachland Point, Arran. A white variety occurs
in this last locality.
Lepton convexum. Lamlash, Landsborough.
5 uitidum. Mr. Webster has informed me that among a
small quantity of Lamlash Bay shell-sand which I sent him he met
with a single example of Lepton nitidum.
Fam. XVII. Mytilide.
*Mytilis edulis (Mytilis pelluctdus). Abundant in the Clyde above
Greenock, but further down itis by no means so, specimens being
few and far between.
*Modiola modiolus (Modiola vulgaris). Frequently taken both at
low water and with the dredge, but full-grown specimens are scarce,
and I am not aware of any locality in which it occurs gregariously.
Mollusks. 5881
Modiola phaseolina. Lamlash, Landsborough.
Crenella discors (Modiola discrepans). 'The young very abundant
mong Corallina in rock-pools ; large specimens, however, rare. A
mall stunted form is found at the outer Allans, Cumbrae.
BY ere, marmorata (A/odiola discors). Ayr, Smith. Not rare
ithin the tunic of Ascidia mentula. From a single specimen of this
scidia, dredged at Cumbrae, I extracted no less than eleven Cre-
elle, some of them very large, such as I have never seen except
rom the West of Scotland. Dr. Landsborough mentions that Major
fartin has dredged this species near the Corriegills, ‘ buried in the
oriaceous coat of Ascidia rustica” (Lands. E:xcurs, p. 49).
» decussata. Lamlash, Landsborough.
Fam. XVIII. Arcade.
*Nucula Nucleus (Nucula margaritacea). Common throughout
the district in suitable localities: Largs, Fairleigh, Cumbrae, Rothe-
say, Lamlash, Ayr.
Fe nitida. [have taken one or two specimens at Cumbrae,
but it appears to be very rare. Bute, Smzth; Lamlash, Landsborough.
- radiata. “ Lamlash, Arran (Alder),” F & H.
ape? tenuis. Forbes and Hanley inform us that “ this essen-
tially northern species” occurs in the Clyde district. Mr. Smith
records it from Bute, and Dr. Landsborough from Lamlash. It must,
however, certainly be very rare, as it has never fallen to my lot to
meet with it.
*Leda caudata (Nucula minula, Nucula rostrata). Very rare.
Clyde, Bute, Smith ; Lamlash, Landsborough). » Nap Hs Atalanta
Anthocharis Cardamines a) bee
Thecla Rubi Satyrus Semele
Lycena Phleas + .wanire
Polyommatus Alsus » &geria
+ Alexis » Hyperanthus
Argynnis Aglaia » Pamphilus
2 Euphrosyne Thanaos Tages
‘5 Selene Syrichthus Alveolus.
Melitza Artemis
A few of these are local: Melita Artemis and Syrichthus Alveolus
affect marshy situations; Polyommatus Alsus, Satyrus Semele and
Thanaos Tages seem attached to a dry or calcareous soil; Argynnis
Aglaia, A. Selene and Thecla Rubi can hardly be called common.
Small as this list is already, it is believed that by strictly followin g
Mr. Watson’s definition several of its species might be transferred to
the next group.
II. The “ English Type” comprises twenty-four species, all of
which are more abundant in the Southern “ Provinces,” decreasing in
frequency northwards.
Thecla W-album (E.) Thecla Betule (E. T.)
Polyommatus Acis (E.) Leucophasia Sinapis (E. I.)
a Arion (E.) Gonepteryx Rhamni (E. 1.)
Melitza Athalia (E.) Polyommatus Argiolus (E. 1.)
Vanessa Antiopa (E.) rs gon (E. I.)
ss Polychloros (E.) Argynnis Paphia (E. I.)
. C-album (E.) Satyrus Tithonus (E. I.)
Polyommatus Agestis (E.) Colias Edusa (E. S. I.)
Nemeobius Lucina (E.) Thecla Quercus (E. S. I.)
Argynuis Adippe (E. 8.) Satyrus Megera (E. S. I.)
Pieris Crategi (E. I.) Pamphila Sylvanus (E. 8. I.)
Colias Hyale (E. I.) F Linea (E. S. I.)
6024 Insects.
The four first, though very local, seem to have their proper place
here, and not in the “ Germanic Type,” as they do not evince a suffi-
cient preference for the Eastern side of England: they, with the next .
six, are said to be absent from Ireland.* Six—Colias Edusa, Pam-
phila Sylvanus and Linea, Thecla Quercus, Satyrus Megera and
Argynnis Adippe—reach Scotland, but only its southern portion.
One, A. Adippe, is found in Scotland, though wanting in Ireland.
The ascertained range of S. Megera does not yet warrant its being
transferred to the “ British Type.”
IIT. In proceeding to illustrate the third group, or “ Germanic
Type,” comprising the South-eastern species, it is necessary to notice
the difficulty of drawing a line between it and the former (or
“ English”). For instance, Pieris Crategi and Thecla Betule might,
but for their occurrence in Ireland, be referred to the “ Germanic,”
while Argynnis Lathonia and Pieris Daplidice approach the “ Eng-
lish.” Thirteen species belong to the “ Germanic Type,” its more
local members being
Lyceena dispar Melitza Cinxia
Thecla Pruni Steropes Paniscus
Papilio Machaon
And those with a wider range, still however preserving the same
greater frequency on the East side and towards the South-east corner
of England,
Pieris Daplidice Polyommatus Adonis
Argynnis Lathonia " Corydon
Limeunitis Sibylla Pamphila Comma
Apatura Iris Arge Galathea.
None of these thirteen have been found in either Scotland or Ireland.
IV. The “ Atlantic” or South-western Type has but one repre-
sentative, viz.
Pamphila Acton,
It is wanting in Ireland.
* Polyommatus Agestis and Nemeobius Lucina have, with Polyommatus Corydon
and Melitea Athalia, been recorded as Irish, but there is no recent authority for their
occurrelice.
Insects. 6025
V. The “Scottish” or Northern Type contains three species,—
Polyommatus Artaxerxes Erebia Blandina.
Satyrus Davus
VI. The “ Highland” or Mountain Type one only,
Erebia Cassiope.
It is remarkable that, of the last four, two only—Satyrus Davus and
Erebia Cassiope—reach Ireland, whereas all of them occur in
England.* When surprise is expressed at the poverty of our moun-
tain Fauna, it should be remembered that it is analogous to that of
the Scandinavian, not the European, Alps.
If we proceed to institute a comparison between our butterflies and
flowering plants, as to the respective proportions of the several
* Types,” we shall find there are—
In Flowering Plants,
according to
Among Butterflies. Mr. Watson's Estimate. Proportion.
British Type (23)...... 2-5ths or nearly 2-5ths... 2-5ths..........00.. Lhe same.
English Type (24) :.... 2-Sths nearly ....,.ccccocee 1-5th ...coccgeceases Double.
Germanic Type (13)... 1-5th ......sceccsesecseeeeeee 1-L5th to 1-20th... Thrice as many.
Atlantic Type (1)...... 1-65th ....cesecereeeeseseee L-L5th to 1-20th... One-fourth.
Scottish Type (3)...... Qthis ciapei. ..tviaede byes 1-20th ............ The same.
Highland Type (1) ... 1-65th csccccccessvcvececeee L-15th ........0008 One-fourth.
So that the greatest contrast is presented by the striking preponde-
rance of the “ Germanic ” and “ English ” Types among the insects :
on the other hand the “ Atlantic” element (which in plants nearly
balances the “ Germanic”) is in the butterflies quite insignificant, and
the “ Highland” is equally small.
The same thing becomes still more evident on adding together the
“ Germanic” and “ English” sections, as they amount to more than
one-half of the whole number against a quarter in plants: from which
it seems reasonable to conclude that our butterflies are much more
unequally and locally distributed than our flowering plants. ‘That
the insects are also much more influenced by a warmer tempera-
ture is plain, both from the higher numbers of southern species and
* Supposing the English P. Salmacis to be a mere variety of P. Arta-
xerxes.
xVI. Z
6026 Insects.
because Ireland has more than twice as many of them as Scotland.*
It is believed this will be still further confirmed by a comparison
drawn between Great Britain and any central portion of the European
Continent.
The readers of Forbes’s Essay will find, in the relative numbers of
Highland and Lowland species, nothing but what agrees with the
hypothesis that our alpine Fauna is the more ancient, and has
descended to us from a period when tlie summits of our mountains
existed as islands, or members of a chain of islands, communicating
with Scandinavia across the “Glacial Sea.” In such a case we
should expect to find the alpine species few in number, since their
area was restricted from the first and its climate boreal: the insects,
too, may have been less able than contemporary plants to survive the
changes of temperature and the accidents of geological disturbances.
On the other hand, the higher numbers of the “ British,” “ English ”
and “Germanic” Types point to a more recent derivation from the
adjoining Continent.
The disproportion, however, among butterflies, between the “ At-
lantic ” and “ Germanic” Types, is worthy of attention, in so far as
these two nearly agree with Forbes’s “ Norman” and “ North-French”
Floras, both of which he supposed (with some reservations) to be
still older than the “ Scandinavian” or ‘‘ Highland.” Now the high
numbers of the “ Germanic” Type, the difficulty of separating it
satisfactorily from the “ English,” together with the fact of its plants
being found (some of them abundantly) in the centre of Germany,
lead to the conclusion that it is but a branch of and contemporaneous
with the central European, Forbes’s “ Great Germanic” Flora.
Looking, on the contrary, at the “ Atlantic” Type, with its fewness
of insect species, at the more clearly southern character of its Flora
(which in great measure consists of plants found towards the Atlantic
and Mediterranean coasts, and absent from Germany), and at its being
* The Trish species are thirty-six :— The Scotch species are thirty-three :—
British, Type-....,... 20 British Type... .se2.,123
English Type ...... 14 English Type ..... wi gis?
Scottish Type ...... 1 Scottish Type ...... 3
Highland Type...... 1 Highland Type...... il
Not one is found in either Scotland or Ireland that does not also occur in England.
That Ireland, with fewer plants than Scotland, should have more butterflies, shows
that the number of the latter is less influenced by western position than might have
been expected.
Insects. 6027
on our shores further isolated from its original abode, we cannot help
inclining to the belief that it presents a distinctness of feature which
the “ Germanic” does not, and approaches closely in character, per-
haps also in age, to the Flora of the West of Ireland, which is said to
be the most ancient of all that still exist in Great Britain.
In conclusion, we would venture to recommend Mr. Watson’s sys-
tem to the consideration of those who are engaged in the study of
other branches of British Natural History: we have no doubt that it
might be applied, with most interesting results, to the land mollusks
and other stationary members of our Fauna; and the advantages of
conforming to a plan already in use it is needless to enlarge upon.
Much, however, remains to be done before the “ Cybele” of even
our butterflies can be considered*complete :
we can only hope that a
point has been attained upon which future observation may be brought
to bear.
T. Boyp.
A. G. More,
British Geometrina, as arranged and named in M. Guenée’s Second Volume of the
Geometre of the whole world.—
TimaNDRA NUMERIA ASPILATES
Amataria Pulveraria Strigillaria
CABERA ScopDIONA Citraria
Pusaria Belgiaria Gilvaria
Rotundaria Favillacearia, D. L. ABRAXAS .
Exanthemaria SELIDOSEMA Grossulariata
Corycia Plumaria Ulmata
Temerata Fiponia LiepIa
Taminata Carbonaria Adustata
ALEUCcIS Atomaria LoMaspPILIs
Pictaria Piniaria Marginata
Macaria Pinetaria PACHYCNEMIA
Alternata Quinguaria, Dili Hippocastanaria
Notata Couspicuata HyYBERNIA
Liturata Minoa Rupicapraria
Hata Euphorbiata Leucophearia
Wavaria Scoria Aurantiaria
STRENIA Dealbata Defoliaria
Clathrata STERRHA Progemmaria
PaNAGRA Sacraria ANISOPTERYX
Petraria #Escularia
6028
CHEIMATOBIA
Brumata
Boreata
OporaBia
Dilutata
Filigrammaria
Autumnaria, D. 1L., non
Boisd., var. prec.
teste Gn.
LARENTIA
Didymata
Multistrigaria
Cesiata
Ruficinctata
Flavicinctata,
D.L.
Salicata
Olivata
Pectinitaria
EMMELESIA
Affinitata
Rivulata, D.L.
Alchemillata
Hydraria, D. L.
Albulata
Decolorata
Teniata
Unifasciata
Bifasciata, D. L., var.
prec. teste Gn.
Ericetata
Blandiata
EupPIrHECIA
Venosata
Consignata
Linariata
Pulchellata
Centaureata
Succenturiata
Subfulvata, D.L., var.
Cognata, D.L., var.
Subumbrata
Pernotata
Plumbeolata
Steph.,
Haworthiata, Doub., n.s.
Pygmezata
Helveticaria
Satyrata
Insects.
EvuprrHecia
Egenaria
Castigata
Pimpinellata
Pusillata
Irriguata
Denotata
Innotata
Indigata
Constrictata
Nanata
Subnotata
Vulgata
Expallidata
Absynthiata
Minutata
Assimilata
Tenuiata
Subciliata
Dodoneata
Abbreviata
Exiguata
Sobrinata
Togata
Pumilata
Coronata
Rectangulata
Debiliata
CoLiix
Sparsata
LoBopHora
Sexalata
Hexapterata
Viretata
Lobulata
Polycommata
THERA
Juniperata
Simulata
Variata
Firmata
YPSIPETES
Ruberata
Literata, Don? Gn.
Impluviata
Elutata
MELANTHIA
Rubiginata
MELANTHIA
Ocellata
Albicillata
MELANIPPE
Hastata
Tristata
Procellata
Unangulata
Amnicularia, D. L.
Rivata
Alchemillaria,
D. L., var. pree.
teste Gn.
Montanata
Galiata
Fluctuata
ANTICLEA
Sinuata
Rubidata
Badiata
Derivata
Berberata
CorEMIA
Munitata
Propugnata
Ferrugata
Unidentaria, D. L., var.
prec. teste Gn.
Quadrifasciaria
CamMPTOGRAMMA
Bilineata
Fluviata
Gemmata
PHIBALAPTERYX
Tersata
Lapidata
Lignata
Polygrammata
Vitalbata
Scorosia
Dubitata
Vetulata
Rhamnata
Certata
Undulata
CIDARIA
Psittacata
Miata
Insects. 6029
CipaRIA CIDARTA Carsia
Picata Fulvata Imbutata
Corylata Pyraliata ANAITIS
Ruptata, D. L. Dotata Plagiata
Sagittata Marmorata, D. L. Preformata ?
Russata PELURGA LITHOSTEGE
Immanata, D. L., var. Comitata Nivearia
pree. teste Gn. Chenopodiata, D. L. CuHEs1as
Suffumata EvuBo.ia Spartiata
Silaceata Cervinaria Obliquaria
Prunata Mensuraria TANAGRA
Testata Palumbaria Cherophyllata.
Achatinata, D. L. Bipunctaria
Populata Lineolata
—Communicated by Henry Doubleday, Esq. [The names added in Jtalies are either
those used in Mr. Doubleday’s ‘ List’ for the same species, or are supposed by
M. Guenée to be varieties of the species the name of which precedes each in Roman
characters. |
Tephrosia laricaria.—I have now by me the pup of laricaria, which I hope
shortly to see in their last stage. The larve, which I beat from the larch while in
Lancashire last August, are so varied in colour that it would not be possible to give an
accurate description of them unless they were before me. Having also taken and bred
the larva of crepuscularia (which feeds upon the oak), I state as my firm belief that
laricaria is not a variety of it. I have taken crepuscularia in the greatest abundance,
both in this neighbourhood and elsewhere in the Midland Counties, but never took a
single laricaria nor one intermediate variety—Henry Burney ; Wavendon Rectory,
February 20, 1858.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.’
Gnophos obscuraria.—With regard to obscuraria, as far as my experience goes, I
should decidedly incline to the opinion that it is a distinct species, and not a variety
of pullaria. About eighteen years ago, when mothing on Parley Heath, in Hamp-
shire, in company with Mr. Dale, we found the former insect in the most wonderful
profusion that can be conceived. They were at rest in the dry mounds of cut turf or
peat, on brushing the sides of which with the net they flew out in the most distracting
abundance. I caught a great number, all of which were exactly alike,—no interme-
diates between that and pullaria. Indeed, I have generally considered obscuraria to
be a heath insect. Pullaria I have usually met with in stone quarries and chalk pits.
Near Bath it is not at all uncommon in the large free-stone quarries, and among the
Bath Hampton Rocks, also in Portland, and is quite common in the chalk pits on the
South Downs near Lewes and Brighton. Neither occur in this part of England.
—Id.
Gnophos pullaria.—The larva of this specics hybernates about half fed; it begins
to feed again in April. I found two some years since near Matlock; they fed up
upon the salad burnet (Poterium sanguisorba, L.), and from one of them I bred the
perfect insect. They closely resembled Hiibner’s figure of the larva of G. obscuraria.
I found them by pulling up the grass and low-growing plants by the roots. The
larva conceals itself by day. There was a great deal of Helianthemum vulgare inter-
6030 Insects.
mingled with the Poterium sanguisorba in the locality where I found them.—H.
Harpur Crewe ; Stowmarket, February 20, 1858.—Id.
Larva of Harpalyce sagittaria.—Seeing by the ‘Intelligencer’ that the larva of
H. sagittaria appears to be unknown, I beg to send you the following description
with particulars:—Larva pale drab, with several fine and distinct lines of a dark
drab colour running parallel duwn the sides; a chain of rhombus-shaped markings
of the same colour down the centre of the back, one on each segment, with a central
spot in each also dark drab. In July, 1855, 1 captured a female, which laid nearly
thirty eggs; they hatched in about ten days. I fed the larve upon arrow-head
(Sagtttaria); they seemed to prefer the flowers, but they ate sparingly and grew very
slowly, as by the end of September they appeared only three parts grown; their num-
ber had also diminished to about eight or nine. I then gave them to Mr. Bond, who
kept them alive till October, but they afterwards died. From my failure to rear them
I conclude either that the larva hybernates or that Sagittaria is not their proper food.
—Thomas Brown ; 13, King’s Parade, Cambridge, March 5, 1858.—Id.
Flavicinctaria and Cesiaria.—In M. Guenée’s work on Geometre, I understand
he unites two species, and makes them varieties of one and the same; I allude to
flavicinctaria and cesiaria. I believe I can prove that these species are distinct:
when in Scotland, last summer, J took and examined fully 1000 specimens of
cesiaria, and in no instance could I find any of that beautiful deep yellow, which is
one of the most striking colours in flavicinctaria. In the month of July 1 took some
larve feeding on the common heath: they were new to me; they were of a dark
colour, with some purple angular markings on the back: in August these produced
cesiaria. ‘This insect swarms on all the mountains in Perthshire, and is equally
abundant in the valleys and on the mountain tops: wherever there is heath there is
cesiaria. After this species has been out about three weeks, if you go up the burns
or mountain water-courses, but at some elevation, you will find flavicinctaria just
out. Of course, as cesiaria is everywhere, you will see them along with flavi-
cinctaria, but you will not find the latter species at any distance from the water-
courses, as the larva feeds on Saxifrage, which only grows in the burns. Another
instance of the specific distinctness of the insects is that, though they are both found
at rest on the faces of rocks, cesiaria is excessively restless, and flies off before you
can get to them to box them, but all the flavicinctaria are left behind.— H. J.
Harding ; 1, York Street, Church Street, Shoreditch, March 8, 1858. [M. Guenée,
in bis Errata and Addenda, admits that our flavicinctata must be considered distinct,
but doubts whether it be the Continental species known by that name. However,
Freyer, who treats of the larva of the Continental flavicinctata, says it feeds on
Saxifraga petra; the larva he figures as dull green, with a row of reddish white
dorsal triangles.]—Jd.
Undescribed Geometre Larve.—I have repeatedly bred Cabera rotundaria from
the larva, which feeds on birch: it is very similar to the larva of pusaria, but,
I think, is rather thicker towards the abdomen, and I believe does not vary from
pale green to quite brown, as the latter does: the larva of rotundaria is pale
green. I bred a specimen of Bapta temeraria from a beautiful bright green larva,
with a red head and marked with red on each segment: it was beat from a wild
cherry tree at Joydon Wood, in September, and the insect appeared last June. The
larva of Cheimatobia borearia is not uncommon at West Wickham, in June, on
Insects. 6031
birch: this larva is very similar to that of brumaria, but more transparent and
the lines less distinct; it has a brown head, thus differing from the larva of
brumaria, the head of which is always green. I have bred several specimens of
Ypsipetes ruberaria from larve obtained on Wimbledon Common in September ;
they fed in curled-up leaves of sallow: it is a dirty white or grayish larva, and is
slightly hairy. Of Phesyle miaria I have bred several specimens from larve
obtained from oak and birch, in Headley Lane, in the middle of August: it is a
long slender green larva, with two forks projecting beyond the abdomen.— W. Machin ;
35, William St., Globe Fields, Mile End, March 9, 1858.—TId.
Undescribed Geometra Larve.—I bred a specimen of C. miata this autumn
from a larva beaten off alder, full fed August 18: it so closely resembled the
larva of C. russata that at the time I did not detect the difference: the pupa was
covered with a bloom like that of C. trapetzina. I had seven or eight larve of C.
obliquaria in 1856, and bred the perfect insect in 1857: I beat them off broom
(Spartium scoparium) towards the middle of August: this larva closely resembles that
of C. spartiata, but is a much darker green, and wants the yellowish tinge; it is
also thicker towards the head, and not so smooth: I think there can be no doubt
whatever that Lyonet is entirely mistaken in supposing that it feeds on bramble; Iam
convinced that it is exclusively a broom feeder: the perfect insect is out from the
middle of May to the middle of July: I took it, this last season, without intermission
between May 20 and July 7: the larva of C. spartiata is full fed in June and July ;
it has sometimes a regular yellow stripe on each side. M.Guenée remarks upon
the difficulty of rearing the larva of E. cervinaria through the winter: any one who
takes the trouble may find the larva abundantly in June by searching among the
leaves of Malva sylvestris, and sometimes on the common garden hollyhock: it is
then not at all difficult to rear, but must have plenty of air, as it perspires very freely.
—H. Harpur Crewe ; Stowmarket, March 9, 1858.—Id.
Successful removal of the Eggs of the Ichneumon from a Larva of Deilephila
Galii.—One day, towards the end of October last, when staying at Deal, we were
looking for the larva of Deilephila Galii, after the ground had been carefully hunted
both by Mr. Stevens and myself, so that we scarcely hoped to meet with any, and were
about to relinquish our search iu despair, when we came upon a fine larva nearly full
fed. This was immediately boxed and carried home in triumph. On opening the
box, however, our satisfaction was considerably diminished on perceiving some twenty
or thirty whitish spots, which turned out to be Ichneumon eggs. Having heard that
the attempt to remove the eggs was sometimes successful, we determined to make the
experiment. Our first trial was with a fine needle, but this proved a complete failure,
as the needle would not penetrate the hard shell of the egg: we then tried to crush
the eggs with a small pair of fine-pointed forceps ; this, though a satisfactory mode of
destroying the eggs, caused great annoyance to the larva, which jerked itself into a
circle when they were applied, so that we feared it would impale itself on the sharp
points. The servant then brought a large darning needle, and this proved a most
efficient instrument, piercing the eggs, and, in some cases, lifting them off entire,
without apparent inconvenience to the caterpillar. In a few days it laid up to change,
and soon appeared a fine healthy pupa. In the middle of December it was placed in
a small fern-glass by the fire, the pupa covered with moss, which was kept constantly
damped, and about a month afterwards came out a fine female, without the slightest
blemish.—J. 7. Syme ; 11, Gower Street, Bedford Square, February 18, 1858.—Id.
6032 Insects.
Capture of two Coleopterous Insects new to the British. List. —I have much
pleasure in recording the capture of two small, but very interesting, genera, Spherius
and Ptinella, both, as far as I can discover, new to the British Fauna: they were
taken by myself, some time ago, in Oxfordshire, but, in consequence of the removal
of our family from that part of the country, had become till lately almost forgotten.
The Spherius acaroides, Walt/., was found in June, 1854, on a wall in our garden:
this is a well-named insect; it exactly resembles in size, shape and colour, the black
shining Acarus often found in decaying vegetable matter, and requires a close
scrutiny to assure oneself that it is a Coleopterous insect at all. The Ptinella
belongs to that section of the genus which has no visible eyes or wings: it appears
to be distinct from any species hitherto described ; the nearest approach to it is the
Ptilium apterum of Guérin, figured in Gillmeister’s Monograph of the Trichoptery-
gide, but it differs from that species in many important characters, which I will
shortly notice: it was taken at Weston-on-the-Green, in Oxfordshire, in July, 1853:
the velocity of its motions is wonderful, far exceeding the well-known activity of the
true species of Trichupteryx, and would seem impossible to an animal not endued
with the power of sight. While I was observing it, it coursed several times along the
back of a large spotted slug, Limax maximus, whose slimy skin did not in the least
impede its motions.
PTINELLA BRITANNICA.
Elongata, haud depressa, aptera, rufo-lestacea, fortius punctata ; oculis nullis ; capite
lato, obtuso, rufo-piceo ; pronoto transversali, postice contracto, rufo-piceo, angulis
anterioribus productis, posteriortbus rectis ; elytris capite atque pronoto longiori-
bus, magis subtiliter punctatis, testaceis, ad humeros angustis, medio latioribus,
margine postico valde sinuato ; abdomine elongato, lateribus marginatis, segmentis
quingue apertis, penultima magno, obtuso ; antennis et pedibus pallidis, elongatis,
gracillimis, singulis antennarum articulis corona setarum nigrarum ornatis.
Elongate, rufo-testaceous, deeply punctured, clothed with a pale pubescence.
Head wide, rounded in front, rufo-piceous behind, paler towards the mouth. Pro-
thorax rufo-piceous, transverse, about as long as the head, much contracted near the
base, with the anterior angles produced, embracing the base of the head, and the
posterior angles nearly at right angles. Elytra testaceous, more fiuely punctured and
rather longer than the head and prothorax united, narrowest at the shoulders, and
widest about the middle, with the posterior margin very deeply sinuated. Abdomen
long, with its sides deeply margined, five segments uncovered, the penultimate large
and very obtuse, the apical segment very small. Legs and antenne pale, long and
slender; on the upper part of each articulation of the antenne is a conspicuous
whorl of strong black sete. Length 2 lin.
This species differs from P. apterum, Guér., in the much larger size, in the shape
of the prothorax, which is much wider in front; in the contracted extremities and
deeply sinuated hinder margin of the elytra, and in the obtuse form and margined
sides of the abdomen.—A. Matthews; Gumley, Market Harborough, March 16,
1858.
Entomological Club. 6033
Entomological Club.
(Continued from?page 5839).
Last year we published a statement of the objects of the Entomo-
logical Club, an announcement of the times during which the collec-
tion might be consulted, a list of the Members, and a Catalogue of
the desiderata as far as the new arrangement had been completed.
Of the then desiderata the following have been acquired :—
Petasia nubeculosa, by purchase.
Lithosia complana, presented by Mr. Bond.
» pygmeola, by Mr. Birchall.
Lasiocampa Callunex, by Mr. Bond and Mr. Backhouse.
Gastropacha Ilicifolia, by the late Mr. Weaver.
Psyche Febretta, ditto.
‘ opacella, ditto.
Cymatophora fluctnosa, by Mr. Doubleday.
Acronycta strigosa, by Mr. Doubleday and Mr. Bond.
Synia musculosa, by Mr. Bond.
Miana expolita by Mr. Birchall.
Noctua glareosa, by Mr. Hague and Mr. Killingback.
Dasypolia Templi, by purchase.
Epunda nigra, by Mr. Hague.
Aplecta occulta, ditto.
Hadena suasa, ditto.
Cucullia Lychnitis, by Mr. Doubleday.
2 Asteris, by purchase.
Stilbia anomala, ditto.
For all presents votes of thanks have been passed to the donors at
the monthly meetings of the Club. The collection has been visited
every Thursday evening by entomologists desirous of naming their
captures. The new arrangement has been proceeded with as far as
the end of the Geometre, and a list has been prepared exhibiting the
exact state of that portion of the collection. The numerous coffers for
barter have been respectfully declined: entomologists, seeing that
Chrysophanus Hippothoé (dispar of English collections) was not
named as a desideratum, have applied for it with very much freedom,
and have offered Lithosia complana, Noctua neglecta, and several
XVI. 2A
6034 Entomological Club.
Xanthiz in exchange; Xanthia cerago has also been offered for Po-
lyommatus Acis, “if fine.” The following list of Geometre has been
drawn up on a somewhat different plan from the previous one: those
species which are absolutely unrepresented are. marked with an aste-
risk; the rest are not intelligibly represented, that is, the specimens,
having mostly been taken by myself many years ago, are faded or ill
set, or injured in some way or other; in some instances the species is
represented by one or two specimens presented by friends. In all
instances where the name occurs the space allotted for the species is
not filled, and, as only four specimens are desired, unless in the
instance of strongly marked varieties, it will be manifest that the ob-
ject of thus soliciting assistance is not the acquisition of long series.
List of Geometre desiderata to the Entomological Club.
Eurymene dolobraria * Acidalia contiguaria
Pericallia syringaria » ‘Tusticata
Selenia lunaria bs osseata
» illustraria A holosericeata
Crocallis elinguaria * incanaria
* Ennomos alniaria r obsoletaria
» tiliaria 35 straminata
» fuscantaria - subsericeata
» erosaria immutata
ig » angularia 3 commutata
Nyssia hispidaria 5 strigilata
Cleora viduaria Fr emutaria
» glabraria 3, inornata
Boarmia abietaria degeneraria
5 cinctaria a emarginata
Dasydia obfuscata
Geometra papilionaria
Nemoria viridata
Todes vernaria.
5 lactearia
Phorodesma bajularia
Hemithea thymiaria
Ephyra poraria
a trilinearia
i omicronaria
te orbicularia
Hyria auroraria
Asthena Blomerata
* Acidalia rubricata
as scutulata
pe bisetata
“ reversata
Cabera rotundaria
» exanthemaria
Corycia taminata
Aleucis pictaria
Macaria alternata
to notata
be liturata
Strenia clathrata
Panagra petraria
Numeria pulveraria
Scodiona belgiaria
Selidosema plumaria
Fidonia carbonaria
3 piniaria
7 pinetaria
” conspicuata
Minoa euphorbiata
Entomological Society. 6035
Scoria dealbata * Lobophora polycommata
Aspilates, all Thera juniperata
Abraxas ulmata » variata
Lomospilus marginata » firmata
Pachycnemia hippocastanaria Melanippe tristata
Oporabia filigrammaria Anticlea rubidata
$ autumnaria bs badiata
Larentia multistrigaria 3 derivata
is rufocinectata rr berberata
» Salicata Phibalapteryx, all the species
uf olivata Scotosia undulata
Emmelesia, and Cidaria sagittata
Eupithecia: any good specimens +» populata
much desired » fulvata
Collyx sparsata » + ‘~pyraliata
Lobophora sexalata * Lithostegia nivearia
2 hexapterata Chesias obliquaria
- - viretata
Those twelve species to which an asterisk is prefixed are altogether
absent from the collection; the rest are required to supply the place
of wasted, discoloured or injured specimens, or to make up the num-
ber of four specimens, the shortest series which I think can really
illustrate a species.
The number of specimens of all classes of insects received since
the last report is 363; the number of duplicates given away on
Thursday evenings is 417.
Proceedings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SocIETY.
March 1, 1858.—Dr. Gray, President, in the Chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the
donors :—‘ The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Vol. xviii.
Part 2; presented by the Society. ‘Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean
Society, Vol. ii. No.7; by the Society. ‘The Natural History Review, Vol. v.
No. 1; by the Dublin University Zoological Association. ‘ List of the Specimens of
Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,’ Part xiii. Noctuide ;
by the Author, Francis Walker, Esq., F.L.S. ‘The Zoologist’ for March; by the
Editor. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for February; by the Editor. ‘The
Literary Gazette’ for February ; by the Editor, ‘ The Atheneum’ for January; by
6036 Entomological Society.
the Editor. ‘The Entomologists Weekly Intelligencer,’ Nos. 67 to 74; by H. T.
Stainton, Esq.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Smith exhibited a box of insects sent him by Mr. Foxcroft, by whom they
were captured in the Free Town Garden and suburbs of Sierra Leone, in December
last. The Lepidoptera included Papilio Hippoccon and P. Pylades, a fine Charops,
apparently the female of C. Brutus, and both sexes of Euchromia instructa. Amongst
the Coleoptera were Tetralobus flabellicornis, Sternotomis mirabilis and S. regalis,
Prosopocera bipunctata and Dirphya, n. s.
Mr. Smith also exhibited a Coleopterous insect allied to the genus Myrmedonia,
which he has found amongst a number of specimens of the driver ant (Anomma Bur-
meisteri), sent from Sierra Leone with the before-mentioned collection.
Mr. Stevens exhibited some beautiful Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, taken by
Mr. Wallace in Ke and Aru Islands, near New Guinea, of which the most remarkable
were the sexes of a variety of Ornithuptera Priamus, Papilio Enchenor, P. Ormenus,
P. Ambrax, Hestia D’Urvillii, some fine species of Drusilla and beautiful Erycinide,
mostly hitherto unknown, Cocytia D’Urvillii, and some singular Geometre, &c. The
Coleoptera included three handsome species of Eupholus, a gigantic new Mecocerus,
several brilliant Buprestide, some fine and new Lomoptera, numerous species of the
Papuan genus Tmesisternus, and a noble Batocera, very distinct from all the known
species of the genus.
Mr. Smith exhibited some Hymenoptera captured by Mr. Wallace in the Aru
Islands; amongst the more remarkable were a species of Zuthus, entirely of a fine
brassy green colour, a new and beautiful species of Tremex, several very beautiful
Powpili, and numerous Formicide ; amongst the latter the finest species of Myrmica
perhaps hitherto discovered; three species of Odontomachus, and some entirely new
forms of the genus Polyrhachis.
Mr. Westwood observed that it was extremely interesting to see the fine Papilivs,
&c., which had been found seventy years ago by the Dutch in the Islands of the
Indian Archipelago, and since almost forgotten, were now being re-discovered and
sent to this country in such admirable preservation: the best thanks of entomologists
were due to Mr. Wallace and those who, like him, hazarded their lives in unhealthy
tropical climates to collect objects of Natural History, and he trusted they would
receive the pecuniary reward they so well merited.
Mr. Westwood exhibited a Tortrix of the genus Carpocapsa, allied to C. splen-
dana of Europe, which had been bred by Mrs. Wood, of St. Leonards, from one of the
“jumping seeds” sent from Mexico by Mr. Lettsom, and exhibited at the Meeting of
the Society in October last: he observed that, according to a long statement on the
subject which had appeared in the ‘Journal des Debats,’ some of these seeds had
lately been received at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, where the larva had been pro-
nounced to be Coleopterous ; but the specimen exhibited proved the correctness of the
opinion entertained by entomologists in this country, that they belonged to a Lepi-
dopterous insect. The question as to the mode in which the inclosed larve are able
to execute the jerking movements exhibited by the seeds remained still an interesting
question, for, supposing they were caused by the caterpillar adopting a process similar
to that employed by the cheese-hopper, it must be regarded as a solitary instance of
such action amongst lepidopterous larve.
Entomological Society. 6037
Mr. Westwood also exhibited the larva of Drilus flavescens, which had been sought
for in vain in snail-shells during the excursions of the Society at Reigate, where the
males were not uncommon. He had received the larva from a correspondent who had
found it in a snail-shell, and it agreed with the figures which had been published in
France, where its transformations had attracted considerable attention some years ago,
and where the female had been described as a distinct genus, under the name of
Cochlevetonus.
Dr. Gray observed that this larva was known to Petiver one hundred years ago.
Mr. 8S. 8S. Saunders exhibited two specimens of Leptoderus Hohewartii (Stagobius
troglodytes, Schiodte, Trans. Ent. Soc., x.s., v. 1, pl. 9, figs. 1, 1 a), one of the blind
beetles from the Proteus Cave at Adelsberg, in South Austria. The species, which
pertains to the Silphade (although the extraordinary elongation of the antenne and
legs give it an appearance quite dissimilar to that of any other genus in the family),
was found by Mr. Saunders on a large Stalactite in the deepest part of the cave.
Mr. Smith exhibited some Hymenoptera and their nests, sent from Port Natal by
M. Gueinzius, and read the following note communicated by him :—
On the Habits of the Hymenoptera of Natal.
“A species of Stilbum lays its eggs on the collected caterpillars stored up by
Eumenes tinctor, which constructs a nest of mud and attaches it to reeds, &c., not
in single cells, but a large mass, in which cells are excavated, similar to the nest of
Chalicodoma micraria. How does the fly, with such an apparently weak instrument,
penetrate such a structure? First, it uses it as a gimlet, and when its point has a
little penetrated, then as a saw or rasp: it likewise feels with its ovipositor, aud, finding
an unfinished or an empty cell, it withdraws it immediately, without laying an ege.
A great number of insects breed annually in my house, for which purpose I have
always a door or window open to give them free ingress and egress. I once observed
a wasp (Synagris calida), flying about my door; I attempted to catch it, when it flew
off, but I observed that it returned again and again; at length I noticed some fresh
clay stuck ou the door, indicating an intention of building: I was anxious to observe
its movements and to reconcile it to my standing the door quite back, inwards; this I
effected by partly closing it and then watching the return of the insect with its clay ;
when it was settled, and was eagerly engaged, I moved the door slowly and carefully,
and thus by degrees, in the course of two days, I had the satisfaction tu see the
Synagris during its building operations: it soon became accustomed to the closest ob-
servation, and took no notice of me. One day the Synagris, having finished a cell,
and not having time to commence a new one, had to perch on the exposed nest
during the night; the light of my candle, however, attracted it, and it flew into the
room, and took shelter behind a window-curtain until the morning. This insect
collects the larve of Catocala and other Noctuide which secrete themselves in the
fissures of tree-bark, between seed-vessels or contracted leaves. I once observed this
Synagris sitting on the leaves of a fine Zinnia elegans ; it wandered about as a pointer
dog would do, inserting its long maxille here and there, and getting more and more
excited every moment; at length it began to buzz loudly, and struggling it drew forth
at last a hidden caterpillar from the middle of one of the flowers of the Zinnia. No
tiger could have been more furious over its prey: with what fury it ran its sting into
the abdomen of its helpless victim again and again, and with what a buzz of savage
glee it dragged it about from leaf to leaf! at length, striding over it, the caterpillar
6038 Entomological Society.
lay motionless, but the suckers of its feet stuck fast, the wasp then had to stop to
loosen them; this it did very cleverly by curving its abdomen like a hook under the
belly of the caterpillar, using its point like a lever; the stoppages occurred so
frequently that the wasp got tired of them, so, turning the caterpillar on its back, all
further obstruction was avoided.
“ Large spiders and caterpillars become immediately motionless on being stung,
and I cannot help thinking that the poisonous acid of Hymenoptera has an antiseptic
and preserving property; for caterpillars and locusts retain their colours weeks after
being stung, and this, too, in a moist situation under a burning sun.
“ Anthidium cordatum. This insect forms its cells of vegetable down, glued toge-
ther with a balsam or resin, which it procures from a flower which exudes a brown
balsam ; with this it glues the hair together. I have frequently seen the Anthidium
in the middle of the flowers, and have no doubt this is the plant which supplies the
materials for its nest. I think the plant belongs to the Euphorbiacee; it is described
by Thunberg in ‘ Flora Capensis.’
“ Pelopeus chalybeus. A number of this insect annually make their nests under
my verandah; these they construct in the hollow tubes of the bamboo. Having
stored up a number of spiders, they resort to the forest, where I have seen them scrape
the white birds’ dung off the leaves of plants; this they moisten with saliva into a
pulp, shape it into a lump, and carry it off. With this material they construct the
divisions between the cells.
* Anthophora ? This bee infests the walls of my house inside and out;
there is not a single hollow or hole that is not tenanted by one of these industrious,
tame and stingless little bees. The hotter the weather becomes the harder they work.
They appear twice in the season, November and February. When prevented from
going abroad they are not idle, but busy themselves in enlarging and cleaning out
their nests; this I have frequently heard them doing in the middle of the night. This
bee has a parasite; it is a Crocisa; it inserts its antenne into the cells to ascertain if
there is a store of pollen collected; if it finds the owner at home it tries to squeeze
past it; if the passage is too narrow it lays hold of the poor bee, and pulls him out of
his own door; the bee, without taking any notice of the intruder, flies away after its
own business. This Crocisa has the same habit as many other species of Apide,
namely, that when at rest it does not sit down, but lays hold with its mandibles of the
outermost points of a twig or shrub, keeping its body out in a horizontal position. A
number of species, probably all males, may be found every evening, occupying similar
situations, attached to twigs, blades of grass, &c. It is a strange sight to see a grass
or shrub bearing a number of gray, brown or black hairy bees in the place of seeds or
flowers.
“The large (Sphex) Pompilus preys upon a very large hairy spider, which lives
in thatched roofs, under verandahs, &c. I have seen this spider fly in the greatest
terror from the Sphex, who, however, soon overtook him; the spider kept his enemy
at a distance with his long legs fur some time, until, exhausted at last, it drew its legs
close to its body and remained motionless; the Sphex, like a tiger, was soon upon him,
and, thrusting his sting into his thorax, soon rendered him motionless; the Sphex
then, walking backwards, dragged his victim out of doors.
‘‘T have noticed two large species of Xylocopa; the first black, with a ferrugi-
nous thorax, the male of which closely resembles the female; the second black, with
Jong white hairs on the margin of the abdomen; both excavate dead branches, posts,
Entomological Society. 6039
&e. The male of the latter species I have reason to believe is a large yellow one.
Two years ago I broke a hollow fence post, in which I found a species of Xylocopa ;
the females were black, the males of a pale fulvous colour. This species was of
a smaller size.”
Mr. S. Stevens exhibited an entomological store-box lined with Croggon’s patent
felt, instead of cork, for which, he observed, it appeared to be a tolerably good and
very cheap substitute.
Mr. Stevens announced that Mr. Shield proposed to visit Bahia or Paraguay, in
search of insects and other objects of Natural History, and was anxious to obtain sub-
scribers to enable him to do so.
Mr. Stainton read the following
Note on a curious little Geometra taken in London by Mr. Hunter.
“‘ Some years ago Mr. Hunter met with a little species of Geometra, apparently of
the genus Acidalia, in his garden in Bloomsbury Street. The specimen was unfortu-
nately much injured on one side, and the other side was not so brightly marked as
could have been wished ; yet enough was left to show that it belonged to none of our
existing species.
**In 1855 I examined this specimen, and referred it to the circuitaria of Hubner,
remarking at the time, ‘No good figure of this exists, from which it may be assumed
that I did not find a complete agreement between the insect and Hubner’s figure.
The reason of this is now obvious: Hubner’s figure of circuitaria is cited by Guenée
as an excellent figure ; hence it cannot be intended for Mr. Hunter's insect.
“* Mr. Hunter’s insect thus loses the name by which it has passed current for two
years, and what is to become of it? We all remember how we were startled by the
announcement of Eriopus Latreillii having been bred at 24, Bloomsbury Street, and
when I again looked at the little Acidalia I was haunted by lurking suspicions that,
perhaps, what I had before me was only another case of accidental importation.
“¢ Having been lately working at the genus Acidalia, I had the markings of each
species fresh in my recollection, and I became very strongly convinced that this speci-
men must be placed near bisetata and trigeminata, in spite of the great difference in
the ground colour.
“ Referring again to Guenée’s volume, I found, almost immediately following
trigeminata, a species which not only answers our purpose of giving a name to Mr.
Hunter's late circuitaria, but also affords us an explanation of the peculiar habitat of
London for a new British Geometra.
“ The insect in question is Acidalia herbariata and Fischer’s figure of pusillaria is
referred to as the best representation of the insect. The first glance at Fischer's figure
was anything but reassuring: instead of the powdery-looking insect I had before me
I saw a bright neat insect, with a well-defined dark central band. Not content with
the figure, I referred to the description, which I found far more satisfactory.
“The ground colour of all wings is pale loam-colour, mixed with black scales,
which form fascie and strige, whence the markings appear blackish gray. The space
between the base and the middle fascia is dull; the fascia is in many specimens ‘ very
dark’; it seems to have been one of these that Fischer has figured ‘ broadest at an
externally protruding point in which is a black dot, narrowest below the middle,
60-40 Entomological Society.
being rather broader again on the inner margin.’ In the broader parts the pale ground
colour appears through as spots. Beyond the fascia and parallel to it is a line, often
very dark, behind which the space to the fringes is clouded with dark and bisected
into two equal parts by a wavy line of the pale ground colour; the inner portion of
these dark parts has below the middle two contiguous short streaks or spots pointing
towards the cilia,—a character which no specimen is without.
“* On the posterior wings are similar markings, except the central fascia, which is
replaced by a dark cloudy stripe which borders the duller basal portion; beyond it
near the following line and not far from the costa is a black longish punkstrich.
“The elongate form of the central spot of the posterior wings is well shown in
Fischer’s figure, and is perceptible in Mr. Hunter’s specimen, and the two dark teeth
so especially mentioned by Fischer are the most conspicuous markings of the anterior
wiugs; hence, in spite of Fischer’s very different-looking figure, I feel confident that
his insect and Mr. Hunter’s are the same.
“* Now, how do we account for the insect occurring in London? One-half of the
world little knows how the other half lives ; and we may suppose that one-half of the
geometric larve have little conception of what the other half feed npon. At any rate
the tastes of this particular insect are very peculiar. It does not feed on a fungus like
our other London friend, Boletobia fuliginaria, it does not feed on lichens or moss.
On what then? On the dried plants in collections.
“ We read in Fabricius, Supp. p. 457, ‘ Habitat in herbariis folia plantarum exsic-
catarum exedens. Mus. Dom. Bosc.’
“ T supposed Dom. Bosc. was anything but pleased at this new collecting ground
opened out to him; but if it be sothat a geometric larva finds nutriment in dried
plants it is well we should know of it, as a looper casually observed in a herbarium
would be supposed to be there quite by accident.
*“* On referring again to Fischer we read that ‘ the perfect insect occurs at the end
of July on palings and walls near houses, often indeed in houses, but especially in ware-
houses where dried plants are kept, since the larva feeds exclusively on dried plants,
and as far as we know never touches green ones.’
“It feeds all through winter on these dry plants, and is sometimes very injurious
to herbaria, changes in June to a pupa ina slight cocoon in a corner or between dried
leaves, and in ten days or a fortnight the perfect insect appears.
“* Now the whole mystery seems explained ; and the occurrence of a devourer of
dried plants in Bloomsbury Street, in the immediate vicinity of the British Museum,
where perhaps more specimens might be obtained by a careful search, seems perfectly
intelligible.”—E’. S.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Tuesday, February 23, 1858.—Dr. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the chair.
Mr. Gould brought before the notice of the Society a highly interesting series of
birds collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the Aru Islands. Among them were two
species of birds of Paradise—Paradisea apoda and P. regia. Hitherto these magni-
ficent birds have only been sent to this country in a mutilated condition, their skins
having been prepared and dried by the Papuans, frequently without their wings, and
Zoological Sociely. 6041
almost always without their legs. Mr. Wallace’s skins, however, are perfect, and in
the highest possible condition: they comprise not only adult males and females, but
young birds in various stages of development. Mr. Gould remarked that the Orni-
thology of the Aru Islands, like that of New Guinea, partook more of the character of
the Australian Fauna than of any other. The woodpeckers (Picide) and hornbills
(Bucerotide), so common in India and the Indian Islands, are totally wanting, while
the honeyeaters (Melaphagide) and kingfishers (AZaleyonide) are very numerous: on
the other hand, the collection did not contain a single Malurus or any of the finches,
forms represented by numerous species even in the northern parts of Australia.
My. Gould, in remarking upon the beautiful plumes which adorn the Paradisez,
stated that he considered they were assumed, or are in their most perfect state, just
prior to the breeding-season, and that the bird was then adorned in its greatest
beauty,—a beauty apparently assumed not only for the purpose of attracting the
females, but to exhibit to each other their gorgeous finery, when they assemble
and perform many curious and extraordinary evolutions. In South America
the cock of the rock (Rupicola) has many singular habits at the like season,
while in Australia the bower birds attract every one by the curious structures
they make for a similar purpose. Mr. Gould instanced also the peacocks, the
turkey, and the well-known ruff of tbe British Islands, as birds which assemble
and make such displays.
Mr. G. R. Gray communicated a paper, containing a list of the birds, with
descriptions of the new species, obtained by Mr. Wallace in Ké and Aru Islands.
The collection consisted of 121 species of birds (showing great perseverance and
energy on the part of Mr. Wallace), many of which were new and highly interesting
species, and it also exhibited the sexes of several species that were hitherto un-
known: Mr. Gray had therefore, in this paper, drawn up a list of them, with
descriptions.
Mr. Sclater read notes on some birds from Southern Mexico, lately received by
M. Edward Verreaux, of Paris,in which he made some remarks on specimeus of such
of the species as had not been included in his former lists, read before the Society,
together with a few corrections as to statements made in his previous papers on the
subject.
Mr. Sclater communicated a note on the skeleton of the sheathbill (Chionis alba),
by Mr. T. C. Eyton.
The Secretary read a paper by Mr. W. Thompson, containing remarks on the
British Actiniade, with a proposed rearrangement of the genera.
Lhe Secretary also read a paper on Nemophis, a new genus of riband-shaped
fishes, by Dr, Kaup, of Darmstadt.
Dr. Gray read a paper containing observations on the genus Cuscus, with
the description of a new species, characterized under the name of Cuscus Cele-
bensis.
Dr. Gray read a second paper containing a list of Mammalia, sent from the Aru
Islands by Mr. A. R. Wallace. Two new species were described under the following
names :—Dactylopsila trivirgata and Mvoictis Wallacei.
Dr. Gray read another paper, on Aphrocallistes, a new genus of Spongiade, from
Malacca: the type, which he named Aphrocallistes Beatrix, was received in 1842
from Capt. Sir Edward Belcher. Dr. Gray also read a description of Aphrocerus, a
XVI. 2B
6042 Zoological Society.
new genus of calcareous Spongiade, brought from Hong Kong by Dr. Harland: the
type specimen was named Apbrocerus alcicornis.
Tuesday, March 9, 1858.—Dr. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the chair.
The Secretary read a monograph of the genus Miniopteris, by R. F. Tomes, Esq.,
in which a new species was characterized under the name of M. Australis. It was
not until after he had arranged and named the specimens in the British Museum and
other collections that Mr. Tomes found this species to be an inhabitant of Timor
(and probably other of the islands of the Indian Archipelago) as well as of Australia,
and that therefore the name of Australis was not strictly appropriate; but, to avoid
the confusion which might possibly arise from a change of name, he thought it
desirable that it should remain unaltered.
Mr. Sclater, at the request of Mr, J. H. Gurney, exhibited some interesting speci-
mens from the fine collection of rapacious birds belonging to the Norwich Museum,
and characterized two of them as new, under the names Buteo zonocercus and Scops
usta, the former being from Guatemala, the latter from Ega, on the Upper Amazon,
where it was collected by Mr. Bates.
The Secretary also read papers by Mr. H. Dohrn, Mr. Mérch and Mr. Han-
ley, describing various new species of shells, principally in the Cumingian
collection.
The Secretary likewise read a paper by A. Leith Adams, M.B., Surgeon 22nd
Regiment, “On the Habits, Haunts, &c., of some of the Birds of India.” Through-
out this very interesting paper Dr. Adams gave only the result of careful examination
and experience, no species being named whose identity he had not confirmed; such
as are doubtful he had left unnamed and had given a description shortly after
death.
Dr. Gray read a paper “On the power of dissolving Shells possessed by the
Bernhard Crab.” In a note to his paper “On the Formation and Structure of
Shells,” in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions’ for 1833, he stated it as probable that
some Bernhard crabs had the faculty of dissolving shells, it not being unusual
to find the long fusiform shells which are inhabited by these animals with the inner
lip and a great part of the pillar on the inside of the mouth destroyed, so as to
render the aperture much larger than usual. Dr. Gray, having continued his
observations on these shells, was quite convinced that certain species of Bernhard
crab (Pagurus) have this power, some possessing it to a much greater degree than
others.
Dr. Gray read a second paper, intituled ‘‘ Proposal to separate the Family
of Salamandride, Gray, into two Families, according to the form of the skull.”
—D.W. M.
Reason and Instinet. 6043
On Reason and Instinct. By the Rev. J. C. Arkinson, M.A.
In my first paper on “ Reason and Instinct” (Zool. 2333) I gave
definitions of these two essences or qualities, as follows: “ In the first
place, as to Reason. ‘The perception of truth, as it is in itself, is
commonly ascribed to our rational faculties; and these have, by
Locke and others, been reduced to two, reason and judgment. The
former is said to be conversant about certain truths, the latter chiefly
about probabilities.’ Dr. Reid says, ‘We ascribe to reason two
offices or two degrees: the first is, to judge of things self-evident;
the second, to draw conclusions that are not self-evident from those
that are” Secondly, as to Instinct. Instinct is a ‘ certain power or
disposition of mind, by which, independent of all instruction or ex-
perience, without deliberation and without having any end in view,
animals are unerringly directed to do spontaneously whatever is ne-
cessary for the preservation of the individual or the continuation of
the kind.’ ‘Instinct, writes the author of ‘ Ancient Metaphysics,
‘is a determination given by Almighty wisdom to the mind of the
brute to act in such or such a way, upon such or such an occasion,
without intelligence, without a knowledge of good or evil, and with-
out knowing for what end or purpose he acts.’ One more quotation,
which serves, as it were, to bring together and contrast these two sets
of definitions, and we will be content. ‘ Actions performed with a
view to accomplish a certain end are called rational actions, and the
end in view is the motive to their performance. Instinctive actions
have a cause, viz., the internal impulse by which they are sponta-
neously performed; but they cannot be said to have a motive, because
they are not done with a view to consequences. Thus a man gives
charity in order to relieve a person from want; he fights for his
country in order to repel its enemies. Each of these actions is per-
formed from a motive, and therefore they are rational actions. An
infant is impelled to suck the breast, but he knows not that it is neces-
sary for his preservation: it is an action that has no motive, and
therefore is not rational; but, as it is performed by a spontaneous
exertion of the infant, it is not to be attributed to mere mechanism.
It is, therefore, an instinctive action.” And then, in a note, I add,
“The action of breathing is mechanical, being performed without
either motive or spontaneous exertion.”
To the definitions here laid down I endeavoured to adhere, and I
think not without success, in the paper from which I have extracted
6044 Reason and Instinet.
them, and no less in that which was published in two parts last year
(Zool. 5452 and 5565). I had once thought of prefixing at least a part
of these definitions to the second paper; and possibly ] misjudged in
not doing so, seeing so considerable a space of time had elapsed since
the publication of the first paper; not that, if I had done so, I should
have obviated all Mr. Tagart’s criticisms * (Zool. 5737), or perhaps
any considerable portion, but at all events the subject might have
been rendered clearer to those readers who had not my first paper to
refer to.
With deference to Mr. Tagart, I venture to think the definitions
just quoted are sufficient for the purpose of a writer, who makes no
claim to be considered scientific, in a ‘ Popular Magazine of Natural
History.’ I am not careful to contend with him whether Instinct and
Reason are or are not “terms of ignorance.” I submit that if we
take the former to imply the origin, in the brute, of action upon ideas
implanted by the Creator in its mind, and independently of expe-
rience, of instruction, of deliberation, of any distinctly proposed end
in view,—and this is what our definitions convey,— “ we know,” quite
well enough, “ what we are talking about,” when we use that term, to
hope that our inquiries or discussions on the subject involved may
lead to some practical result. We talk of electricity or the electric
fluid; we talk, too, of magnetism or the magnetic fluid: are not both
Electricity and Magnetism as much “ terms of ignorance” ¢ as Instinct
or Reason? What do we know of either that we cannot, after the
same manner, predicate of Instinct? In either case we observe cer-
tain phenomena; we observe, further, that these phenomena recur in
obedience to certain laws: the former testify to the existence of a
* The paper in question appears to have drawn forth notices from three contribu-
tors to the ‘Zoologist.’ That from the pen of Mr. Couch gives an explanation which,
it appeared to him, was rendered necessary, by the form of my quotation from his
book on Instinct. The other two are critical. Capt. Hadfield’s stands first in order
of time: the matter at issue between that gentleman and myself depends on the
meaning of the phrase ‘information properly so called,’ and of the two words “allu-
sions” and “ references ;” and therefore, as one good turn deserves another, to requite
him for referring me to Montagu’s ‘ Ornithological Dictionary, I beg to refer him to
any tolerable English Dictionary. With Mr. Tagart, who imposingly proclaims his
“style and titles” as a “ logician and metaphysician,” and is therefore both champion
and herald in his own single person, I must deal in the text.
+ “We are totally ignorant... of the manner of the existence of electricity in
bodies, whether it be a material agent, vibrations of ether, or merely a property of
matter.”— Somerville’s Physical Sciences, 301. Precisely the same must be said of
magnetism.—See Id, 342.
Reason and Instinct. 6045
certain power, or property, or agent; the latter to some of the quali-
ties or operations, or both, of such power, property or agent; but
neither one nor the other, nor both together, reveals to us what elec-
tricity, what magnetism, really is: and just so it is with Instinct.
We see the phénomena, and we see some of the laws under which
they recur; but the rest is all surmise, except in so far as we know
that the thing we mean is implanted by God the Creator in the living
creature, just as we know the things we mean by electricity and mag-
netism are, by the same Mighty Hand, inseparably connected with the
material creation at large. If men of science had been apt to say,
“We must know what electricity 7s in amber, glass or silk,—what
magnetism zs in the loadstone,—before we can decide whether one or
the other is to be found in metallic veins, in the rocks, in the earth at
large, in the atmosphere,” I fear we should now know very nearly
nothing at all about either beyond the bare fact of their existence: in
other words, such a proposition would have been not simply an unne-
cessary, but a fatal, obstacle to the acquisition of any sound or cer-
tain knowledge about either of those mysterious essences. I cannot,
therefore, agree with Mr. Tagart, that “ before we can decide whether
animals have reason, we ought to know at least what it is in man,”
(Zool. 5738), any more than I can that we must know what Instinct
essentially is before we can decide “ how far animals, or creatures
whom we are accustomed to speak of as guided by instinct,* are par-
ticipants of reason” (Zool. 5737). I think that if all thoughtful men
are agreed on what are to be considered unquestionable indicia of
Reason, or signs and tokens of its exercise, it matters not, so far as
our inquiry is concerned, what Reason essentially is, or whether it be
assumed “ to have its root in sensation” (Zool. 5739), or be considered
as an emanation from the Divine Mind in the image of which we were
created. Wherever I can succeed in tracing these érdicia in any
* T should say Horne Tooke would express no obligation to Mr. Tagart for making him
out (Zool. 5737) so great a blockhead or so poora Latin scholar. Butinstead of giving any
comment of my own on Mr. Tagart’s derivation of Instinct, “ after Horne Tooke,” I
prefer subjoining the comment of an etymological friend of mine. He says, “ His
in, tinctus, is the veriest school-boy folly. nstinguo is identical in root with instigo,
and the root is that of our ‘ stick, —Greek aril, oT yuna, &e. The exact definition
of any word, I am inclined to hold, may be taken from its true etymology; and hence
you would define Zn-stinct to be an inward pricking or goading, or something which
sticks into you within, like a spur. To ‘ distinguish’ is to mark out, or separate
things from each other by points,—to divide into gj/yy or rows: compare ‘ distich.’
As an illustration of this sense of sticking or pricking, you will remember Falstaff and
Justice Shallow, when the former is ‘ pricking’ his men.” See also Richardson’s
English Dictionary.
6046 Reason and Instinct.
individual of the lower orders of animal creation,—to whatever ex-
tent they are discernible, whether simply so or to a high degree,—
there, and to that extent, I believe, and I express my belief, that Reason,
be it what it may in man, exists in the brute: and, in like manner, if
I can succeed in distinguishing and defining what are the marks of
Instinct, the signs and tokens of its presence and operation, without
any attempt at a metaphy sical determination of what that essence or
quality really is, and without running the risk—which I very likely
should run if | made the attempt—of making words my masters in-
stead of my servants, I think I am in a position for carrying on an
inquiry which depends, in no very perceptible degree, upon anything
but observed phenomena and logical reasoning upon such _ phe-
nomena.
Before I proceed further, I may as well at cnce admit the justice
of Mr. Tagari’s criticism on the expression “ Instincts peculiar to
man,” and on the use of the word Instinct in the plural; so far, that
is, as such use “implies that there are many different kinds of in-
stinct.”. The expression was employed inadvertently, and overlooked
in revision. What I meant and what I ought to have said was, “ the
instincts in which man is a participant; ” and it would doubtless have
been more correct—and, possibly, more pedantic as well—to have
said, all through, ‘‘ an operation of Instinct” instead of ‘‘ an instinct,”
and “ operations of Instinct” instead of “ instincts,” however much
ordinary use may seem to excuse, or even to require, such want of
precision. Perhaps, after this admission, I may be allowed to ask
how came Mr. Tagart, who assumes to be “a logician and metaphy-
sician,” when he flings his stone at my window and breaks his pane,
to forget the vitreous composition of his own domicile so far as to
confound “elements” and “ operations” ? (Zool. 5742). Surely these
are not synonymous or convertible terms; at least I, who do n't set
up as logician and metaphysician, did not use them as such; on the
contrary, I always thought they stood for things, or represented ideas,
very essentially distinct and different. Methinks it would sound
strange to talk of hydrogen and oxygen as the “operations” of
water, or of a thorough good drenching as being the “element” of a
sufficiency of that fluid properly applied. I might gratify the love of
mischief, which is a sort of “instinct” in so many of us, by another
“shy” or two at Mr. Tagart’s “house,” and chuckle as I heard the
smash ensuing; but I would fain turn to something, less amusing it
may be, but at the same time, I would hope, less unprofitable.
[ am quite aware that there is a difficulty in the application of the
Reason and I[nstinet. 6047
word Reason in our inquiry; but it does not appear to me that Mr.
Tagart’s remarks are at all intended to apply to that difficulty. It is
of course obvious that there is an immense difference, not only be-
tween the highest exercise of reason in the brute and the same in
man, but between the lowest and the highest operations of reason in
any highly intellectual human creature: and this has led to the desire
and the effort, in more than one powerful and metaphysical thinker,
to restrict the use of the word Reason to those of man’s intellectual
powers capable of the highest exercise, proposing to designate the
other and lower by the term Understanding. In this sense they deny
that brutes have Reason at all; and, admitting that they have under-
standing, yet do not admit even this in the same sense in which they
speak of the human understanding, but allege that the brute under-
standing is a merely instinctive understanding, or a necessary develop-
ment of the powers of Instinct under certain contingent laws, but
determinable by the nature and habits of the animal itself. While
holding different views on this latter point—and I shall presently seek
to show the grounds of my dissent—I am ready most freely to admit
that it is highly desirable to assert the vast distinction between what
they severally designate as Reason and as Understanding: yet, as it
appears to me, there are peculiar difficulties in the way of attempting
to do so by the appropriation of the word Reason to man’s highest
intellectual power; one of which is this, that while we should have
two nouns, Reason and Understanding, standing for things very widely
distinct, we should have but the one verb, ‘to reason,’ to denote the
distinct action of each of the essences designated; and not only so,
but that this verb would be fully as appropriate when applied in
connexion with that noun to which it is not paronymous, nor indeed
even homologous, as when used in connexion with its conjugate; so
that if we wished to speak of the exercise, by the brute animals, of
the intellectual faculties they are admitted to possess, while, by what
we may term verbal necessity, we should have to say that they are
able to reason and often do reason, we must yet by the definition deny
to them any possession of the faculty of Reason. This difficulty is
more clearly seen by a reference to the definitions these writers give
of Reason and Understanding, which they assert to be “ distinct in
kind.” ‘The latter, they say, is “ the faculty judging (that judges) ac-
cording to sense” (Coleridge, ‘ Aids to Reflection,’ i. 168) ; the former,
“the power of universal and necessary convictions; the source and sub-
stance of truths above sense, and having their evidence in themselves ;”
or, “the source of necessary and universal principles, according to
6048 Reason and Instinct.
which the notices of the senses are either confirmed or denied.” (Jd.
i.181). And there is this further difficulty, that the immense majority
of mankind will, according to the strict definition, be cut off from all
but a nominal possession and exercise of Reason. For my own part,
therefore, I should be disposed, in preference, to use distinctive terms
applied to the word Reason itself; thus, the Higher Reason or Pure
Reason (Kirke’s ‘ Physiology,’ 452), and the Lower Reason or Natural
Reason; which latter, in the words used by Archbishop Leighton and
commented on by Coleridge, is the faculty that is said to “judge
according to sense.” And so I should feel justified in the use —
objected to by Mr. Tagart—of such expressions as “the degree or
kind of exercise of Reason from its simplest manifestation to its more
complicated operation.”
Next I proceed to notice the accounts or definitions of Instinct
given by these writers. “The word Instinct brings together a num-
ber of facts into one class by the assertion of a common ground, the
nature of which ground it determines negatively only,—that is, the
word does not explain what this common ground is, but simply indi-
cates that there is such a ground, and that it is different in kind from
that in which the responsible and consciously voluntary actions of
men originate. Thus, in its true and primary import, Instinct stands
in antithesis to Reason; and the perplexity and contradictory state-
ments, into which so many meritorious naturalists and popular writers
on Natural History have fallen on this subject, arise wholly from their
taking the word in opposition to Understanding.”—(‘ Aids,’ i. 190,
note.) This passage is extracted from a note appended to a series of
remarks on a portion of a Lecture delivered at the Royal College of
Surgeons, by Mr. Green, Professor of Anatomy. “ In explaining the
nature of instinct,” Mr. Coleridge says, “as deduced from the actions
and tendencies of animals successively presented to the observation
of the comparative physiologist in the ascending scale of organic life
—or rather, I should have said, in an attempt to determine that pre-
cise import of the term which is required by the facts—the Professor
explained the nature of what I bave elsewhere called the adaptive
power, that is, the faculty of adapting means to a proximate end,—
I mean here a relative end,—that which relatively to one thing is an
end, though relatively to some other it is in itself a mean. . . . I give
as the generic definition of adaptive power, the power of selecting
and adapting means to proximate ends; and, as an instance of the
lowest species of this genus, I take the stomach of a caterpillar: I ask
myself under what words I can generalize the action of this organ,
Reason and Instinet. 6049
and I see that it selects and adapts the appropriate means (that is, the
assimilable part of the vegetable congesta) to the proximate end, that
is, the growth or reproduction of the insect’s body. This we call
vital power, or vita propria of the stomach, and this being the lowest
species its definition is the same with the definition of the kind.
Well! from the power of the stomach I pass to the power exerted by
the whole animal: I trace it wandering from spot to spot, and plant
to plant, till it finds the appropriate vegetable; and again, on this
chosen vegetable, I mark it seeking out and fixing on the part of the
plant—bark, leaf or petal—suited to its nourishment; or (should the
animal have assumed the butterfly form) to the deposition of its eggs
and the sustentation of the future larva. Here I see a power of se-
lecting and adapting means to proximate ends, according to circum-
stances; and this higher species of adaptive power we call Instinct.
Lastly, 1 reflect on the facts narrated and described in the preceding
extracts from Hiiber” (of bees supporting a tottering piece of comb
until effectually propped by pillars of wax, and ants constructing a
passage or tunnel to an under-ground chamber), “and see a power of
selecting and adapting the proper means to the proximate ends, ac-
cording to varying circumstances. And what shall we call this yet
higher species? We name the former Instinct; we must call this
Instinctive Intelligence. Here then we have three powers of the same
kind, life, instinct, and instinctive intelligence ; the essential charac-
ters that define the genus existing equally in all three.” I pause here
for a moment, to ask, if this be so, ought not these three powers to be
severally termed Organic or Vegetative Instinct, Animal Instinct, and
Intelligent Instinct, rather than Life, Instinct, and Instinctive Intelli-
gence? ‘The author continues, “ But in addition to these, I find one
other character common to the highest and lowest, viz. that the pur-
poses are all manifestly predetermined by the peculiar organization
of the animals; and though it may not be possible to discover any
such immediate dependency in all the actions, yet the actions being
determined by the purposes, the result is equivalent; and both the
actions and the purposes are all in a necessitated reference to the
preservation and continuation of the particular animal or the pro-
geny.”—(Id. 1. 190, 192.) |
I have not space for lengthened comments on the foregoing, but I
must demur to the statements in the italicised portions. I do not
think that, as to very many recorded instances of brute intelligence,
these statements can be made with truth. They are not true as ap-
plied to several of the few instances I adduced in my former paper on
xvi. 2C
;
6050 Reason and Instinct.
this subject; and, what is remarkable, the author, in effect, goes on
in the succeeding paragraph, to say there are many recorded actions
of animals which cannot be consistently set down under the category
he proposes, viz. the “extraordinary” but ‘ numerous and well-
authenticated actions of dogs for the preservation of their masters’
lives, and even for the avenging of their deaths. In these instances
we have the third species of the adaptive power in connexion with an
apparently moral end—with an end in the proper sense of the word.
Here the adaptive power co-exists with a purpose apparently volun-
tary, and the action seems neither predetermined by the organization
of the animal, nor in the direct reference to his own preservation, nor
to the continuance of his race. . . . This, I admit, is a problem of
which I have no solution to offer.’-—(J/d. 1. 195). This problem or
difficulty, it certainly does seem, arises simply from, so to speak,
stretching Instinct until it ceases to be instinctive and becomes ra-
tional. As Professor Green says, after speaking of Hiiber’s Bees
(Id. ii. 9), “ Here we are puzzled; for this becomes understanding.”
It 7s a puzzle, and the thing referred to 7s understanding. But the
puzzle is avoided (though not in Professor Green’s way), and the
problem ceases to be a problem by letting Instinct be what its deriva-
tion makes it and our definitions describe it as being, and by letting
whatever else in the list of an animal’s actions there may be, which
cannot be bounded and delineated by those definitions, be termed
rational or intelligent, or described as due to Reason—albeit to
Reason, as we are ready to admit—in its lower sense or degree. At all
events this seems to be better and more consistent, with both fact and
reason, than the conclusion adopted by Professor Green, that “ though
instinct is not the same and identical with the human understanding,
the difference is not in the essential of the definition, but in an addi-
tion to or modification of that which is essentially the same in both :”
or, as it stands in Coleridge’s words, “ that if I suppose the adaptive
power in its highest speczes, or form of instinctive intelligence, to co-
exist with reason, free will and self-consciousness, it instantly becomes
understanding ; in other words, that understanding differs indeed from
the noblest form of instinct, but not in itself or in its own essential
properties, but in consequence of its co-existence with far higher
powers of a diverse kind in one and the same subject. Instinct in a
rational, responsible and self-conscious animal, is understanding.”
It scarcely would seem to me that the doctrine that man is moved
or influenced by Instinct, that he is a participant in Instinct, or in the
possession of Instinct, is one which calls for elaborate proof; or that
Reason and Instinct. 6051
the language which speaks of him as a creature of Instinct, or of his
instinctive qualities or processes, or of his various instincts,—except
in so far as this latter expression is open to the emendation admitted
above,—calls for systematic defence, except on the ground that Mr.
Tagart “objects” to both the one and the other: but having to
maintain that doctrine, and being inclined to adopt this language, I
should be disposed to distinguish carefully between mere desires and
true Instincts or operations of Instinct.
To make one more special reference to Mr. Tagart’s paper. He
writes (Zool. 5743), “‘ Say, if you please, with Sir B. Brodie, that ‘ the
desire to live in society is as much an instinct in man as it is in the
bee, the ant, the beaver, or the prairie-dog ;’* but itis no more so. It
is no more an instinct than any other desire, than all desire, the desire
to sit, lie or sleep when weary, to eat when hungry, to drink when
thirsty, to have more clothes or get nearer fire when cold: it is no
more than saying that man is the creature of desire, or subject to de-
sire, like all other animated beings. . . . Is there anything special in
the desire to live in society to make it more than any other desires
worthy the name of an instinct?” The answer to this question—and
it is strange a logician did not foresee it—is only tuo easy after the
admission in the first period of the passage just quoted. If the desire to
live in society is as much an instinct in man as it is in any of the
creatures named,—and it needs not to be more so,—there zs some-
thing “special” in that desire to “ make it worthy to be called an
instinct ;” and that something is this,—that it is not a mere simple
desire in the case of either of the creatures named, or of any other of
the social or gregarious animals. It is much more: it is a necessity ;
a desire or impulse which they cannot resist, which they most certainly
never attempt to resist: in other words, it is “a determination given
* I append Sir B. Brodie’s definition of Instinct. “ Instinct is a principle by
which animals are induced, independently of experience and reasoning, to the per-
formance of certain voluntary acts, which are necessary to their preservation as indi-
viduals, or the continuance of the species, or in some other way convenient to them.”
— Psych. Researches, 187. And I add the following extract that the passage criticized
by Mr. Tagart may be seen in connexion with its context. ‘‘ Man could not exist as
a solitary being. He has neither swiftness of feet nor any natural means of offence
and defence, which would enable him to compete with the buffalo, the lion or the wolf.
It would have been of little avail to him if the Creator had left it to himself to learn,
by hard experience and any wisdom of his own, that he can procure his own safety
and his means of subsistence only by associating with others. The desire to live in
society is as much an instinct in him,” &c.—Zd. 196.
6052 Reason and Instinct.
by Almighty Wisdom to act” in this particular manner, and no other:
that is Instinct, or an impulse of Instinct.*
However, it is neither my wish nor intention to found much on an
argument which, in a measure, may be said to be derived from an un-
wary admission. If man ever acts under or in obedience to the
impulses of Instinct, a little careful observation and thought will,
without doubt, soon render it apparent to any reasonable and candid
person that the case is so. Now I think that the action of the infant,
alleged as an illustration of instinctive actions in our definitions above
given, is one which admits of no question as to its origin. No one
would ever think of denying that the young animal of any other spe-
cies save the human seeks its mother’s dug by Instinct; and it is
simply preposterous to set up a distinction between the act of sucking
as done by a human infant and the same act as done by an infant
brute. And be it observed that it is not a simple desire in this case:
the desire of food may be felt, but it is something beyond the simple
desire which prompts the seizure of the pap by the lips and all the
complicated proceedings which constitute the act of sucking, as it is
something beyond a simple desire which urges the just-hatched duck-
ling into the water and prompts all the complicated proceedings which
constitute the act of swimming. What the simple desire of food
prompts to, as far as I have seen, is squalling in the infant and
squeaking in the small pig.
Again, who doubts that if a male and female infant were thrown
together on an otherwise uninhabited island, and, by a strange com-
bination of circumstances,—neither unimaginable, however, nor un-
imagined,—were to arrrive at years of puberty, there would be a
continuation of the human species in that island? Indeed I may
distinctly state that I am in possession of facts relative to both sexes
which establish, beyond all dispute, the existence of the sexual in-
stinct—I repeat instinct, and not desire, the existence of which needs
not to be established—in the human species.
Further, I might quote a hundred different instances in which ani-
mals,—the cat, the dog, the pig, the donkey, the cow,—having been
transported to a distance (in some cases by the agency of their own
limbs, in other cases in baskets, sacks, carriages, ships) from their
accustomed place of habitation, have, on finding themselves at liberty,
returned to their former home; very possibly taking long, toilsome
_* “ The child is led to seek the society of other children, by an impulse which he
cannot resist, and which is independent of any intellectual operation.” —Brodie, 197.
Reason and Instinct. 6053
journeys, and, in several cases, such as required other means of loco-
motion besides the animal’s own for their accomplishment, before the
return could be effected. No one disputes that this is done by In-
stinct, and indeed no one can, for there is no other explanation to be
given. It is very wonderful and mysterious, but possibly not at all
more so than what we see or may see almost every day, in a hundred
different directions, if we have our eyes open. I refer to such things
as the migration of various birds and beasts, the return of the bee to
its hive,* and the like.
Well! we go into the vast forests of North America, equally
boundless, trackless, directionless: but the Red Mant will guide us
tc a point in any given direction, though he has never been there
before; and, if we take him by a circuitous route to any given point,
scores of miles distant, and never before visited by him, he will return
* In this moorland country it is customary, when the ling (Scottice, heather) is in
bloom, for the keepers of bees to convey their hives to the close vicinity of the moors.
You may sometimes see thirty or forty hives placed in some little enclosure connected
with a cottage or other house just on the verge of the moor. This transportation, I
hardly need say, is effected after nightfall, and the bees have “ gone to bed.” The
next morning, after a little seeming “ wonder where they have got to,” they go about
their business as usual, amid the néw scenes and flowers and sweets,—and very pow-
erful and delicious is the aromatic smell of the ling blossom on a fine sunny day in
August,—and at the usual time return well laden, in their customary direct undoubting
flight, to their comb, notwithstanding its new “ whereabouts.” The honey, I may
add, is almost equal in flavour and scent to the renowned honey of Greece.
+ “Itis truly wonderful to witness the sagacity and unerring precision with which
the Indian hunter can trace his route from one spot to another, no matter how great
the distance may be, through the most dense forests, and over the most rough and
broken country. It does not signify whether he has travelled through the same
country before or not; he knows the direction, and that is sufficient. In his native
forests he is never at a loss; walks evenly and softly at all times, as if he were on the
trail; seldom speaks or makes a false step, or unintentionally breaks a branch.”—
Hardy's Sporting Adventures in the New World, i. 32. I quote from this book as it
happens to be the volume at hand, but the facts adduced are testified to by many dif-
ferent authors. Again, “* Many are the rules which I have heard laid down by white
settlers for finding one’s way through the woods.” ‘The writer then mentions two or
three, such as noticing the bark on the trees, and being “ guided by the mosses and
lichens, which always grow thickest on the north side,” or observing the “ direction in
which the top foliage of pines and the hackmatack grows: they will invariably be
found pointing to the north-east,” &c. &c. He then proceeds, “I have heard all
these methods described as being resorted to by the Indians in finding their way, but
T am confident that they do not use them. When I have mentioned them to an
Indian, he has invariably laughed heartily, saying, ‘Ingine no want look at bark or
tree-top, cept when he hunt porcupine.’ "—Jd, 33, 35.
6054. Reason and Instinet.
by the chord of the arc, and without a hesitation or a deviation; and
moreover I believe that in his case “it is” not “the peculiarity of
man not only to be conscious of the ends which he pursues and of the
methods by which he attains them, but to be able as well to give an
account of these ends and means, so as to instruct his fellows.” (Zool.
5743.) Itis said that he can give no explanation of the remarkable power
of self-guidance he so unquestionably possesses. And it may be added,
multitudes of instances, more or less analogous to this, from the habits
and peculiarities of the Australian natives and other uncivilized or
Savage races, might be adduced. Will any one hesitate in affirming
that Instinct—simple untutored Instinct—is the motive power and
influential cause in all such cases as the one alleged?
The instances which have been thus brought forward are instances
of pure, simple Instinct, as operative in the human species; two of
them illustrated in the experience of, it may be said, every individual
in the species, the third only confined to the experience of the savage.
And besides, it would be easy to adduce other instances, to almost
any extent, as to which it would be very difficult to make good a
negative to the question, Are not all these actions due originally to
Instinct, however much that Instinct may have been restrained, di-
rected, overruled, in its operation by Reason? and this, too, quite
independently of all those many actions in every human creature’s
daily career of doing, which may be ascribed to what Mr. Couch
describes as unconscious irritability ; such, for instance, as the invo-
luntary closing of the eye-lid at the sudden approach to the eye of
any material object, and the like: * but the production of such in-
stances is quite unnecessary for our purpose. Quite enough has been
said to justify what my critic “ objects to,” viz. “the application of
the term Instinct to man;” and, moreover, I shall have to revert to
the subject in a future portion of the present paper.
J. C. ATKINSON.
Danby Parsonage, Grosmont, York,
March, 1858.
* Dr. Carpenter terms such actions Consensual.
Quadrupeds. 6055
Notes on the Hedgehog. By Major Spicer.
THE following notes on the hedgehog may perhaps interest some
of the readers of the ‘ Zoologist :’—
Saturday, July 8th. I this morning found a hedgehog, and with her
four young ones, about the size of small oranges: I took them home,
and placed them in the kitchen garden, the old one and young, making
a sort of nest for them amongst some herbs. The old one soon seemed
to recover her fright and hurts, for she had been much worried by a
couple of terriers I had with me, till I discovered she had young ones
with her, when I made them desist. I make a practice of killing all
hedgehogs as vermin, being confident of their malpractices with regard
to game. On visiting them the same afternoon I found the old one
suckling her young, and I stood quietly by watching her for some
time: she lay at full length on her side, or rather nearly on her back,
for their convenience, just like an old sow with pigs in a sty, and the
young ones worked away at her paps, smacking their lips, and making
almost as much noise about it as young pigs would do: their cry when
not suckling is a sort of continuous short whistle or chirp, like the cry
of a bullfinch, and more like a small bird than an animal.
July 9. They were all in the same place, in the nest I had made for
them: in the path near I had strewn, the night before, little bits of
raw meat, and some of this was gone, but whether stolen by birds or
eaten by the hedgehog or other vermin IJ could not say.
July 10. On looking at them in the morning the old one was not
to be found, but the young ones were all right, and looking as snug
as could be. On searching for the old one, I found a hole scratched
under the garden fence, a wooden close paling, about ten yards from
where the young ones were.
July 11. The old hedgehog still away, but the young ones looking
well and sleeping contentedly, so that no doubt she returned in the
night to suckle them, whereas had they been deserted and hungry
they would have been restless and half-starved in the two nights.
To ascertain whether she returned, I closed the hole under the fence
loosely with earth.
July 12. The hole scratched open from the outside, and the young
hedgehogs strong and well, but no old one to be found; she evidently
returned to suckle them each night, and they lay sleeping as com-
fortably and as full as young sucking-pigs or puppies.
July 13. This morning three of the four young ones are gone, and
6056 Quadrupeds.
the remaining one was baking in the sun in the centre of a broad
gravel-path, which lay between the nest and the hole under the fence,
the mother having evidently managed to carry off three, but, disturbed
in her journey with the last, probably daylight overtaking her before
she calculated. I returned it to its nest or hiding-place to see the
result.
July 14. The remaining young one is gone, no doubt carried off
by the old hedgehog.
The sequel is soon told: some few days afterwards my neighbour,
a farmer, told me, as a remarkable circumstance, that a few mornings
before, he and one of his men, about five o’clock, saw a large hedge-
hog, in his meadow adjoining mine, carrying a young one in its mouth
from the direction of my garden. Between my meadow, which ad-
joined the garden and his, was a high bank and ditch, which she had
therefore passed, and altogether she was, when seen by him, 100 yards
from the garden fence: this was no doubt my hedgehog, in whom
I had at last taken quite an interest: they watched her for some time,
carrying the young one a “smartish way,” as they called it, through
the thick grass heavy with dew; every now and then she put the
young one down and rested, and this she did many times, setting to
work again at her task, and so interested was she in what she was
doing that she took no notice of them, though close to her. She
carried the young one in her mouth, having hold of it by the back of
the neck, and her strength was such that she lifted it usually quite off
the ground, and trotted rather than walked with it. I am sorry to say
they ended by destroying them both.
This poor hedgehog had each night to feed herself, travel from her
own hiding-place to her young, suckle them all, and lastly to transport
them singly away to a place of safety; thus making three or four
long journeys on the night she took them away, the nights being
very short at this season of the year.
This is the amiable part of their character; but I must, from long
experience of their habits, give but a very indifferent account of them
as friends to the game preserver, though it was long before I would
yield to the popular clamour against them. While on the subject of
this hedgehog and her young ones, I will mention that, late on the
evening that I had strewed the pieces of raw meat for her in the path-
way, I found a large black slug feasting on a piece of raw mutton:
there was no mistake about it, as I watched him for some time, and he
stuck to it like a leech; I had no notion that these gentlemen were
Meee A Oo ee a
Quadrupeds. 6057
carnivorous, though it has struck me since that I have found slugs
about garbage and dead animals.
A friend of mine, a good sportsman and close observer, has told me
the following with regard to the hedgehog. He was one day passing
under a rookery, and was attracted by a young rook on the ground,
having fallen from its nest before it could fly, which was making a
great noise, squalling most lustily, and on reaching the spot he found
a hedgehog had got hold of him, having seized him by the back, and
was mouthing and worrying him, and would no doubt soon have
finished him had he not rescued him and destroyed the hedgehog.
This anecdote seems to me to set at rest the long arguments pro and
con which J have read, in the ‘ Zoologist’ and elsewhere, as to whether
hedgehogs are destructive to game or not: this was not an animal in
confinement, debarred from his natural food, but, with all the world
before him, he had chosen a fat young rook as a dainty morsel.
I have over and over again caught them in traps baited with some
dead animal, and set for vermin, and used to try and persuade myself
that they had got there by accident, but I have since had too many
proofs of their delinquencies.
The same person to whom I am indebted for the above also
narrates the following. He found a hedgehog in a meadow, and to
kill it he kicked it several times, when it uttered a cry, as he says,
resembling a calf; so much so, that some cows in the meadow, who
had before taken no notice of him or his proceedings, immediately
camé up and bellowed round him, and he fully thinks that they
imagined he had a calf in some way near him, and he says that the
cry, had he not known whence it proceeded, would have deceived
him. Now possibly this will be ridiculed, and the peculiar tone
emitted by the hedgehog may have been accidental; but there is no
doubt of the fact, as my friend is by no means an imaginative person,
but a very matter-of-fact one. Supposing the cry at that time to have
been the natural cry of the hedgehog, has he the power of uttering it
at pleasure, or are the strenuous kicks of my friend required to bring
it forth? And can it be connected in any way with the old notion of
their sucking cows? as, if they can make the cry at will, it would
very much facilitate the operation. It is extraordinary how deep-
rooted a prejudice this still is in the minds of country people, if
prejudice it is: I confess 1 do not see the great improbability of it.
The hedgehog has the power of stretching its neck a long way out
from its body, as anybody who watches them running about of a
summers evening may remark for themselves, and we know how
KV. uy
6058 Quadrupeds— Birds.
willing a cow is to be relieved of her burden of milk; indeed it is a
most pleasurable sensation to her, and if, in addition, the hedgehog
has the power of imitating the cry of a calf, it might induce a cow,
when lying down, to bear a little punishment from its prickles for the
pleasure of having her milk drawn from her. The hedgehog’s
fondness for milk is very certain, as I have constantly kept them on
bread and milk, and they would refuse every other sort of food for it.
However the case may be, it is very generally believed by the lower
orders of the South of England.
Like other animals and birds, hedgehogs are occasionally albinos:
I have a very large one stuffed, which is perfectly white, the hair of
the lower part and legs, as well as the prickles of the back. The very
young ones are always light-coloured.
JOHN SPICER.
Fowley, Liphook, Hants, -
April 7, 1858.
Note on the early breeding of Squirrels.—On the 4th of March several squirrels,
so young that they were not much bigger than a rat, and scarely fit to leave the nest,
were running about upon the snow. It is a fable, which I had believed until I came
here, that squirrels hybernate; here their footsteps are the first which mark the
unsullied beauty of the snow.—W. C. Hewitson ; Oatlands, April 10, 1858.
Occurrence of the Peregrine Falcon in Yorkshire-—A fine specimen of this bird
was caught by a boy in a grass field at Thorne, on the 8th of February last, the bird
having been shot at, but only winged, and is now in the possession of George Glennie,
bird-stuffer.—Joseph Richardson ; Thorne.
arly appearance of the Hobby in Norfolk.—A female hobby, in good plumage,
was shot near this city on the 20th of March. This bird had evidently been fired at
before, a portion of both mandibles having been broken, accounting for the sluggishness
and lean condition of the unfortunate bird. On dissection, a pellet of feathers was
found ready for excretion, showing that, even in its crippled condition, this hawk had
succeeded in procuring a meal not long before. I have recorded this instance, as the
hobby, a summer visitor to this country, almost invariably visits Norfolk in June;
indeed, with the exception of one killed some years back, near Yarmouth, in February,
I have never known one to appear earlier than the first week of that month.—
H. Stevenson ; Norwich, April 12, 1858.
Early arrival of the Blackcap.—On the 29th of March I heard the blackeap
singing, ten davs earlier than I ever heard it before.—W. C. Hewitson ; Oatlands,
April 10, 1858.
Birds. 6059
Early nesting of the Longtailed Titmouse——On the 18th of March, last year,
I traced some longtailed titmice to their nest by watching them carrying large white
feathers from a neighbouring farm-house: it was in a bush of furze,—a situation
which they seem to prefer,—and in a few days later the bird was sitting on its eggs.
I have usually found the nest in June, and was therefore surprised to see it thus
early.—ld.
Does the Male Partridge assist in Incubation.—I am not able to give the result of
personal observation in reply to Major Spicer’s inquiry (Zool. 6014), as to whether the
male partridge assists the hen in the work of incubation; but I have a note, written
in 1839, recording certain of the actions of a male partridge, and with that note
is connected a distinct recollection that the observers added to the information
recorded a further statement that the male bird did regularly take a part in covering
the eggs, in the absence of his mate. The observers were the then rector of Great
Braxted, in Essex, and a young man who lived with him; the latter having many
opportunities, and using them, of making himself acquainted with the habits of the
partridge and uther game birds. The actions I adverted to were as follows: the
partridge’s nest was in the hedge of the pasture in front of the rectory, and during the
time of incubation a rabbit very frequently came out to feed nearer the nest than the
partridge approved: whenever this happened the male bird attacked the intruder with
the partridge’s equivalent to “ tooth and nail,” and always succeeded in driving him to
a more respectful distance. I have no doubt that my friends were quite correct as to
the sex of the champion, and the fact certainly proves that the male was in the close
vicinity of the nest whenever the approach of the rabbit called for a display of his
prowess, in defence of his wife iz esse and children in posse.—J. C. Atkinson ; Danby,
April 3, 1858.
Supposed Variety of the Partridge.-—With regard to the supposed variety of the
partridge spoken of in the Rev. Mr. Atkinson’s interesting and most valuable paper
(Zool. 5982, at the bottom of the page), I can only say that, thirty years ago, we used
to kill the variety spoken of, on Hindhead, and have always called them “ little black
heath-birds.” They differ most essentially from the usual appearance of our birds,
almost enough to be taken for another species. They are fully a third smaller in size,
invariably uf a blacker colour, and never frequent cultivated land; they feed on the tops
of the heath, and, in the season, on the ripe fruit of the whortleberry, which is so abun-
dant on Hindhead, and always called “hurts” by the country people. I have no
doubt their dark colour is due, in some measure, to this food. One day I killed seven
brace and a half of these little black fellows, all exactly alike, and full three miles from
the nearest cultivated land.— Waring Kidd ; Ockford Road, Godalming ; April 13,
1358.
Occurrence of the Little Busturd at Gorleston, Suffolk.—About the 4th of March
a female little bustard was shot in the Southdown Marshes, at Gorleston, near Yar-
mouth, and is now in the possession of J. H. Gurney, Esq., M.P. This bird was in
fine condition, the stomach being filled with various kinds of green food; the ovaries,
about the size of small pins’ heads, were easily distinguishable, from their being perfectly
white; the wind at the time this bird was killed, and for some days previously, was
N.E.; the weather intensely cold, with snow on the ground; in fact, exactly such as we
experienced in December, 1853, when the last Norfolk specimen (a male, in winter
plumage) was obtained in nearly the same neighbourhood (Zool. 4253): at that time
several vther specimens were recorded as having occurred in various counties about
6060 Insects.
the same date. It may not be uninteresting, in the case of so accidental a visitant to
our coast, to enumerate, as far as possible, the portions of herbs and grasses which
formed the contents of the stomach in this last instance. By far the larger portion
consisted ofa long fine grass, apparently from the marshes, having a brackish odour;
and mixed with this, and matted together, was a species of Conferva from the ditches;
two flowers of the common daisy (Bellis perennis) were plainly discernible, as also a
narrow scolloped leaf, resembling cat’s ear (Hypocheris glabra) ; besides these a small
fragment of some thistle and a portion of the water ranunculus (Ranunculus aquatilis)
were all that could be identified.—H. Stevenson ; Norwich, March 16, 1868.
Notes on Scottish Lepidoptera in 1855-6.* By R. F. Locan, Esq.
THE communication I have to-night to lay before the Society is, as
its title imports, rather a collection of scattered notes than a regular
paper. I shall first enumerate a few insects which were added, during
the years 1855 and 1856, to the list of species occurring around
Edinburgh; principally by the industry and energy of the Messrs.
Wilson, —
The first species on Mr. Wilson’s list is Anisopteryx escularia, of
which he obtained a single male specimen from Corstorphine Hill, in
the spring of 1855. It is probably frequently overlooked, like many
other brumal and vernal species; but does not appear to be common
in Scotland.
Eupithecia innotata. Of this scarce species the Messrs Wilson
obtained one specimen near Morningside in 1855; and have hitherto
been unsuccessful in their attempts to find more. The Rev. Joseph
Greene, in a recent number of the ‘ Zoologist,’ states, that he believes
the food of the larva to be the ash (Fraxinus excelsior); and this is
still further confirmed by Mr. Crewe, who states, in the ‘ Naturalist,’
that he has taken it from that tree. Knoch, however, as quoted by
Treitschke, says, that it feeds on the various species of wormwood
(Artemisia Absinthium, vulgaris and campestris), living on the
blossoms in the month of August, and varying in colour from green
to brown.
The curious little Noctua, Euplexia lucipara, although known to
occur in other parts of Scotland, had not apparently been observed
near Edinburgh till the summer of 1855, when Mr. Wilson obtained
a specimen on Corstorphine Hill; and I afterwards found several, in
* Read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.
Insects. 6061
the larva state, on the Pentlands, in October, feeding on the common
fern or braken (Pteris aquilina). These larve formed loose cocoons
just under the surface of the earth, and produced the perfect insects
in June, 1856.
In June and July, 1855, Dianthecia conspersa was observed by the
Messrs. Wilson, at Slateford and Currie, in which localities they af-
terwards found the larve in August, feeding on the seeds of Silene
inflata, along with those of the rather scarce D. carpophaga.. From
these larve both species were reared in 1856; but those of D. carpo-
phaga are not easily reared in’confinement, and but few moths came
to perfection. These are very different in colour from English speci-
mens of the same insect, being much darker and less ochraceous in
tint, and are no doubt a climatal or geographical variety.
The next species I have to mention is Demas Coryli, of which
Mr. Wilson reared one male, from a larva found in the autumn of
1855. During last autumn Mr. Wilson and I found nine or ten more
larvae, so that the species does not seem so rare in the district as we
had imagined it to be, although certainly less common than in many
other parts of Scotland.
In 1856 the Messrs. Wilson added five species to the list. Lobo-
phora lobulata was found among sallows near Penicuik, in April ; and
in the same locality, in June, Coremia ferrugata and C. propugnata
occurred,—both common insects, but not before observed in the dis-
trict. Thera variata (7. contferata, Curtis; T’. simulata, Guenée,
Hiib. ?) was reared in July, from rather short green larve, with white
lines, found on juniper on the Pentlands, in June, along with the
larve of Kupithecia sobrinata; and on the 8th of October I beat a
specimen of the perfect insect from one of the juniper bushes, appa-
rently indicating the existence of a second brood in the year, as in
Thera simulata. Finally, Mr. Wilson found five or six larve of
Clostera reclusa on Salix caprea, in Drumshorling Wood, near Brox-
burn, in the end of August: they were then full grown, and spun
their cocoons in a day or two after they were placed in captivity.
Late in October, 1855, when the leaves were rapidly departing from
the trees, | found the active, green, fusiform larve of Swammerdamia
griseo-capitella, in abundance on the dwarf birches at Ravelrig Bog,
along with the larve of Phleodes frutetana; and forming circular
mines in the birch leaves, somewhat like those made in the leaves of
apple and pear trees by the brilliant little Cemiostoma scitella, were a
few unknown larve of a Nepticula, which produced, in 1856, N. ar-
gentipedella, almost at the same time that Mr. Stainton bred the
6062 Insects.
species from larve collected in England by Mr. Wilkinson. At the
same time and place, a small larva was found mining in the birch
leaves, and finally cutting out an oval case, in which it descended to
the ground to complete its transformations. This curious little arti-
ficer produced, in June, Tinea bistrigella, an insect already in our
list, but of which the transformations were unknown until the larva
was detected in the south of England, in 1855, by Mr. Boyd.*
A single specimen of Scoparia pallida was taken in the marsh at
the west end of Duddingston Loch, on the 11th of July, 1856; and
on the 24th the larve of Notodonta ziczac, Hypermecia angustana
and Chesias spartiata were found in the vale of the Heriot,—the two
former on sallow, the latter on its natural food, the common broom.
The remaining species added during the two past seasons are—
Gracilaria elongella, which is not scarce in many places during the
autumn, and must feed on other trees besides the alder; Lithocolletis
Scopariella, taken at Heriot, in July, among broom; Nepticula ?
reared from mountain-ash, in the spring; N. anomaiella, mining
in the leaves of the China rose (Rosa zndica), at Duddingston, and
previously taken at Balgreen; and lastly, the old mines of Nepticula
Tityrella have been detected this year, by Mr. Shield, in the leaves
of a beech hedge, between Threipmuir and Balerno.
Early in May, 1856, I bred three specimens of Eupithecia helveti-
caria of Boisduval, from green larvee found on the common juniper,
on the Pentlands, in the autumn of 1855. I had met with the insect
in former years, and suspected it might prove to be a new species.
It was not until Mr. Doubleday sent specimens to M. Guenée, and
thus ascertained that it was already named on the Continent, that I
discovered I had overlooked Boisduval’s description of the insect,
which he says was bred by Herr Anderregg, in Switzerland, from
larve found on Juniperus Sabina. The Messrs. Wilson found several
of the larvee on the Pentlands last autumn, some of which, from being
kept in the house, produced the perfect insects in the month of
February.
Another very interesting species of the genus Eupithecia was found
in some numbers by the Messrs. Wilson, although it is not new to the
district, having been taken near Edinburgh many years ago by
Mr. Curtis; aud one of its apparent varieties, on several occasions of
late years, by Dr. Lowe and myself. I allude to the large and hand-
* I have some slight doubts as to whether the lary found by Mr. Boyd are iden-
tical with those above mentioned.
=i",
Insects. 6063
some Eupithecia cognata. Having fortunately obtained the eggs of
E. subfulvata,* from a worn specimen captured at Duddingston, at the
same time that Mr. Wilson kindly furnished me with those of E. cog-
nata, I have no hesitation in saying, from the results of a careful
comparison of the larve in all their stages, that they are the same
species, and feed on the same plant, the common yarrow (Achillea
Millefolium). With regard to the other supposed variety, E. succen-
turiata, I can say nothing, as I have not seen the larva, which is said
to feed on the seeds and flowers of Artemisia maritima. Should it
prove to be the same species, the last mentioned, being Linneus’s
name, must be retained for the insect.
In August and September many larve of Eupithecia assimilata were
found at Duddingston, on black currant (Liibes nigrum). The insect
stands already in our list, and had been bred by Mr. Wilson, under
the name of E. minutata; but the latter species is said to feed upon
heath, and to frequent uncultivated localities, while the former is
always found in gardens.
During the autumn of 1855 I received a few eggs of Coremia
olivata from the neighbourhood of Loch Rannoch: they hatched
shortly after I received them, and the young larve fed on the different
species of Galium, passing the winter without feeding, and com-
mencing again early in the spring. The full-grown larve were dingy
brown in colour and remarkably hispid, bearing no resemblance to
Réaumur’s “ Arpenteuse qui vit de feuilles du fréne.” About the
same time Mr. Wilson obtained the larve of Coremia munitata from
the egg, but only one survived the winter: it resembled very closely
the larva of C. montanata.
Having likewise received fertile eggs of Erebia blandina from Ran-
noch, I placed the young larve in a glass cylinder, having the upper
end covered with a piece of muslin, and the lower end placed in a
flower-pot containing several species of growing grasses, and exposed
the whole to the weather in the garden. Here I had the satisfaction
to perceive that the young larve throve apace, and before the hard
weather set in they were about three lines in length, of the usual form
peculiar to the Satyridi; and when resting, as they generally did,
near the roots of the grasses, they resembled the withered sheaths so
closely as to be almost undistinguishable. In this position five of
them survived the winter, but the last of these died on the 19th May,
1856; and | have been still more unsuccessful in a second attempt,
* See ‘Zoologist’ for 1857, p. 5719.
6064 Insects.
which I was enabled to make last autumn through the kindness of
the Messrs. Wilson.
In April, 1856, I received, from Perthshire, eggs of Petasia nube-
culosa, Brephos Parthenias and Semioscopis Avellanella—all very
interesting species to the systematic entomologist, from the positions
they appear to occupy on the limits of the respective tribes to which
they belong, each apparently possessing the characters of two of the
principal divisions of the Heterocerous Lepidoptera. These involved
affinities are fully borne out by the characters of the ova, which have
been too much neglected as an aid to classification. Thus, the eggs
of the Petasia are spherical and ribbed, like those of the Noctuina;
and the young larva, when first disclosed, arches the central segments
slightly in walking, like nearly all the larve of the Noctuina, before
their second moult. The eggs of Brephos Parthenias, which Guenée
places at the end of his first section of the Noctuina, are oblong-oval,
smooth, and resemble the eggs of most of the Geometrina; while
those of Semioscopis Avellanella are flat and scale-like, indicating a
close affinity with the Tortricina. The young larve of Petasia nube-
culosa were disclosed from the egg about the middle of May, and
were then bluish-gray, with small dark tubercles and an amber-
coloured head. They were very restless at first, and it was some time
before they commenced to feed. They changed their first skin in
about fourteen days, spinning a silken carpet on the leaf, in which
they fastened their prolegs for security of position, and then appeared
of a pale green, with three whitish lines, minute black tubercles, and
translucent green head; the thoracic feet and a spot upon each of the
prolegs black. They still looped slightly in walking, resting solitarily
on the under sides of the birch leaves, with their heads stiffly re-
curved, like the larva of Endromis versicolor, and dropping, when
suddenly alarmed, by a silken thread, which they used for the purpose
of regaining their position when the supposed danger was over. In
disposition they were most pugnacious and irritable, hitting and biting
each other whenever they came in contact, and wandering restlessly
about when disturbed. In consequence of these habits, several of
them died from the wounds they received from their companions.
The second moult was completed in eleven or twelve days, when the
black tubercles became pale whitish yellow. After the third moult,
which was again accomplished on the fourteenth day, the young larve
were pale yellowish green, the hair-warts sulphur-yellow ; an oblique
lateral streak on the fourth segment, and a transverse bar on the
twelfth segment, of the same colour; head unicolorous green; tho-
Insects. 6065
racic feet and a spot on each of the prolegs black. After this they
did not appear to alter much in the succeeding moults, and I was pre-
vented from completing my observations upon these interesting larve
by the demise of the last one, before it was full grown; but some of
the English entomologists were more successful, and, I believe,
obtained the pupe. R: F. Loean.
Geographical Distribution of British Butterflics—The paper on this subject by
Messrs. Boyd and More, at p. 6018 of the ‘ Zoologist,’ is one of those careful and
thoughtful papers which give me the greatest pleasure to receive and publish: it has,
however, suggested a few doubts in my mind, the solution of which will, I am sure,
be as interesting to my readers as to myself. In the first place, I feel a strong
repugnance to adopting any theory of geographical distribution of insects that does
not recognise as a primary postulate the abundant presence of suitable food, and,
as a secondary postulate, suitable conditions of climate, whether as regards heat or
moisture: thus, as a familiar illustration, I suppose that Brassice and Rape swarm
-in our London gardens, first, because we provide them so abundantly with suitable
food, and, secondly, because they find the temperature of the London atmosphere
conducive to their well being and increase. I cannot imagine that the clouds of
white butterflies I sometimes see opposite my window are the descendants of a colony
settled there some hundreds of thousands of years ago, but that they are attracted
simply by the rows of cabbages, and I arrive at this conclusion because when the field
is occupied by a crop that the white butterflies do not seek, I do not see them there.
Again, for several years we had lucerne near us, and the field produced an abundant
crop of Polyommatus Alexis, but now mangold wurzel has succeeded the lucerne, and
Alexis has deserted us: surely in our theories we should allow margin for such
obvious causes of the presence or absence of species. I may also observe that any
conclusions drawn from data so obviously imperfect as those to which Messrs. Boyd
and More have had access, while they aim at rigid truth, may convey a totally false
impression. Thus I think that working entomologists would agree with me that the
gloriously varied “ Province” of “South Wales” was likely to prove the richest in
butterflies of all the eighteen, and “ Ouse,” on account of its monotonous surface, to
prove the poorest, but we find that the butterflies of “South Wales” stand at 0, those
of Ouse at 59. In both instances the facts of the case are misstated, simply because
the absence or presence of butterflies is inferred from the absence or presence of
entomologists.—Hdward Newman.
Additions to Messrs. Boyd and More’s “ Geographical Distribution of Butterflies in
Great Britain.”—
Anthocaris Cardamines. Area 15. Very plentiful at Fochabers.
Vanessa Antiopa. Area 13. Two specimens taken several years ago on the
banks of the canal, not far from Paisley; one of these, a few years ago, was in the
possession of a bird-stuffer in George's Street, Edinburgh.
Satyrus Tithonus. Area ll. Taken by myself at Morpeth: I believe it is also
plentiful in the neighbourhood of Durham.
~ Area 6. This is without a single representative. Has no one visited this portion
of South Wales who is able to supply any information?—John Scott; Southfield
Villas, Middlesbro’-on-Tees, April 5, 1858,
XVI. 2E
6066 Insects.
Deilephila Euphorbia not taken near Bridgcwater.—Having seen an” erroneous
statement that a specimen of D. Euphorbie, taken by the late Mr. Baker near Bridge-
water, was still in the collection formed by that lamented naturalist, and having an
opportunity of tracing the source of the error, by writing to the late Mr. Baker’s friend
and coadjutor, Mr. Clark, of Halesleigh, I find it is simply a misnomer, the insect in
question being Deilephila Galii.. Mr. Clark writes thus, “ There is no specimen of
Deilephila Eupborbie in the cabinet of the late William Baker, neither has that
cabinet ever contained one; the species is D. Galii, and the similarity of the two species
has probably led an incompetent observer into this error. Euphorbia Paralias grows
to a great extent among the Burnham Sands, a mile or two northward of the mouth of
the river Parrett, and William Baker used to remark to me that that one might expect
to find the larva of Euphorbiz there: we searched, but always in vain. There are two
specimens of D. Galii in the late W. B.’s collection, and a third in that of the Taunton
Museum: one of William Baker's was bred from a larva found by himself on the
southern side of Bridgewater; of the history of the other two I know nothing.” I fear
that this beautiful insect must now be struck out of the British list, since it appears to
have been extinct ever since the late Mr. Raddon’s razzia among the spurge at
Braunton Burrows.—L£dward Newman.
Capture of E'ndromis versicolor in Tilgate Forest.—On Thursday, the 8th of April,
in company with Messrs. Andrews and Tester, we made an expedition to the birch
woods, further up this line, the usual haunt of E. versicolor, taking with us a bred
female, which, notwithstanding the comparative dulness of the weather, proved such
an attraction that, after plying four nets with great rapidity as long as the rain would
allow us, we found we had captured between us 118 specimens, generally in fine con-
dition. Sundry specimens of Brephos Parthenias and Ceropacha flavicornis completed
our captures. ‘To spare the trouble of application we had better add that, after sup-
plying the wants of our numerous friends, we shall have no remaining duplicates.—
J. Eardley Hall; William Henry Draper ; Keymer, Hurstpierpoint, April 16, 1858.
[I hear that more than six hundred of this species were taken simultaneously with
the above near Brighton.—Z. N.]
Note on the Breeding of Endromis versicolor.—I succeeded in rearing twenty-eight
specimens this year from thirty-six eggs and ten caterpillars, which.I obtained last
season. I kept the pupe out of doors, during the winter, in a flower-pot covered with
moss.—J. #, Hall; Keymer, Hurstpierpoint, April 16, 1858.
Occurrence of Hadena peregrina of Treitschke in the Isle of Wight.—Mr. Bond
kindly lent me a Noctua, which he captured last summer on the coast of the Isle of
Wight, to send to my friend M. Guenée for examination, and it proves to be, what I
supposed it was, the Hadena peregrina of Treitschke. It is a common species along
the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and will probably be found here along the
southern coast in those localities which Aporophyla australis inhabits. Mr. Bond’s
insect is slightly darker in colour than the Continental specimens which I possess.—
Henry Doubleday ; Epping, April 17, 1858.
Larve of Tephrosia laricaria—Mr. Burney has given us most interesting informa-
tion (Zool. 6029) concerning this previously unknown larva, but I am sure he will
excuse my asking him to add how he recognises a larva of which no figure or
description exists, indeed which no one had previously seen, and which he has not
yet bred, to be that of Tephrosia laricaria? I may mention that I have a decided
wish to prove the two species distinct; I neither desire to fuse such pairs of species, as
Insects. 6067
M. Guenée has done, nor to pooh! pooh! them, as mere relations of analogy, as
Mr. Westwood proposes: these opposite conclusions remind me of opinions I have
sometimes heard expressed of a very attractive lady, the young deciding that she was
quite passée, the more mature that: she was “ ridiculously young ;” but these views
did not deprive the lady of existence, any more than the conflicting opinions of
entomologists annihilate my isomyious pairs.—EHdward Newman.
Larva of Harpalyce sagittaria—Under this title Mr. Brown gives (Zool. 6030) a
description of a larva reared from the egg; so far this communication is interesting;
but how comes the writer to confound the name, which is derived from the beautiful
sagittate mark on the fore wing, with the idea that the larva feeds on the Sagittaria?
Is there any record or evidence of any kind that this arrow-marked insect feeds on the
arrowhead? Such a coincidence would be most astounding. Would it not be well
to try the larva of this insect, when again reared from the egg, with the various species
of Chenopodium which occur in the neighbourhood where it is found? Will Mr. Bond,
to whom Mr. Brown has alluded, obligingly give the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ what
information he possesses on this subject ?—Id.
Occurrence of Pterophorus Lieniyianus in Britain.—In the course of the year 1857
Mr. Harding recorded, in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 5437), the discovery of a Pterophorus
in the following words:— The larva was feeding on the under side of the leaves of
the common wormwood ; its presence is easily detected by the white appearance of the
leaves; the larva is light green; full fed in June ; imago out in July: it is very local,
and far from common.” Mr. Harding associates with this insect the name of
similidactylus, but I cannot find the authority for this name. Mr. Doubleday, who
has well examined the specimens, agrees with me that they differ from all our ascer-
tained British species; and Mr. Stainton, having carefully compared it with Zeller’s
description of Pterophorus Lienigianus, in ‘ Linnea Entomologica,’ vol. vi. p. 380,
believes it identical with that species.—Jd.
Ants’-nest Beetles.—Y esterday I made my first essay at examining an ants’ nest for
the tenant beetles, and was delighted with the new forms of life and habit revealed
tome. I found a nest of Formica rufa, about a small cart-load, and sat myself down
to examine it. The occupiers, or at least some of them, were lazily clearing out the
entrances, reminding one of the preparations made for his expected guests by the land-
lord of a Highland hostelry; but I could not see any hexapod lodgers in this hotel:
so I boldly thrust in my hands and lifted as much of the nest as I could into a large
sheet of white paper. ‘The first thing that surprised me was the heat of the nest, the
temperature being very sensibly greater than that of my hands; but I had no leisure
to think much about this, for I bad to free my hands from the ants, which clung to
them tenaciously, yet without biting, and while doing this the strong odour of formic
acid was very perceptible. The ants swarmed out of the heap of wooden débris which
lay in the middle of my paper: I swept them off with a bit of stick, and after repeating
the process two or three times I began to move the material before me gently backward
and forward, taking up the topmost and largest fragments, and throwing them back on
to the nest. By continuing to do this I soon got free of most of the ants and tle
larger pieces of wood, and among the dusty remainder I saw a little tail curled up,
which I knew must belong to a Staph.; so I wetted my finger and brought up the
entire animal by habeas corpus: it was Leptacinus formicetorum. Presently I sawa
speck shining like ore; I raised it from its degraded position, and recognised Dendro-
philus pygmeus. Then a browner and smaller brother was visible—the rare Saprinus
6068 Insects.
piceus, which was being trampled under foot by Thiasophila angulata. I spent nearly
an hour over this handful of the nest, which proved the best I examined, and, after
three hours took stuck and found I had, in all—
Dendrophilus pygmeus . 5 - . , tee le)
Saprinus piceus : , : : : ; =
Leptacinus formicetorum : : : ° 5
Thiasophila angulata : . . - : ‘ 4
Oxypoda hemorrhoa : : . . : P 2
Othius ? sp... ‘ ‘ ; : : 1
Trichopteryx Psp. . ; , : . : . 1
I bope to go again and get more specimens and species, but I am desirous to put
others on the search of the ants’ nests in their neighbourhood now, because the process
is not only more practicable than it will be later in the season, when the ants are more
active, but it is probable the beetles are now more centralized than they will be later
in the season. Every one will, for his own future chances of success, be glad to replace
the materials he takes from the nest, remembering that it is not every nest that is
productive of beetles—J. W. Douglas; 6, Kingswood Place, Lee; April 3.— From
the ‘ Intelligencer.’
Ants’-nest Beetles.—“ I am sorry to see that England, like France, ‘ openly preaches
and elevates to a doctrine’ ants’-nest ravaging. Of course there is a difference between
taking a handful and sifting a nest: the teaching, however, is precisely the same, and
when it is coupled with such success as yours, and recommended by a person of your
entomological status, I feel confident the system will be disastrous to the occupants of
the nests, both Hymenopterous and Coleopterous. Such examinations of ants’ nests
as you mention, when done tenderly, at this time of the year, may not produce much
mischief, but if often repeated, at a more advanced season, when their different
chambers are completed and occupied by larve and pupe in their various stages,
requiring various degrees of warmth, how are these conditions to be ensured if the
hands of all the Myrmecophilous Coleopterists of the ‘Great Babylon’ are to be
‘boldly thrust’ into the nests of their pets, overturning the pillars and divisions of their
house, letting in the roof, and putting all in confusion? This is what must occur if
done in your style, and with the most gentle hands: what will be the fate of colonies
operated upon by ‘roughs?’ It will be no less than spoliation, and you must be pre-
pared for such scenes to be common, and all nearly equal to the Highgate performance,
which must necessarily make Myrmecophilous Coleoptera first ‘common,’ soon ‘rare:’
who is there but laments the condition of ‘ the light loamy bank?’ Now this is no fault
of one or two persons, but the fault of a system, and I very much regret that you should
have identified yourself with a system you may feel to be harmless, but which I think
will soon prove otherwise.” The foregoing is an extract from a letter I have received
from a well-known collector, and as every subject is better for being seen on both sides,
I have requested and received the writer’s permission to publish his remarks. Iam the
last person to advocate the wanton destruction of any creatures, and in this case the
disastrous consequences of the “system,” I cannot but think, are greatly overstated, for
I have seen nests of Formica rufa thoroughly and repeatedly stirred up by boys, and
yet the ants flourished afterwards as much as ever. It is so clearly the interest of the
collector not to destroy the nests, that I think no one will do that which will produce
such an effect, but even if, regardless of consequences, any one were willing to exter-
minate the ants, I doubt if they would let him, so pertinacious and formidable are their
;
'
Radiata, &c. 6069
attacks directly the weather gets warm. The solicitude recently evinced for the welfare
of ants seems to me to be very singular. Water-beetles are taken out of their element
by hundreds, moths are attracted to sugar and sacrificed by thousands, nay, whole
broods of caterpillars are reared from the eggs, only that they may furnish “ fine speci-
mens” for collections, and not a word is said. But these sepoys of ants, the terror of
all other insects, whose haunts and homes are strewed with the mangled remains of
their victims, are selected and recommended to our special care and attention ; why, it
would be difficult to state, unless the sympathy for them be of that morbid kind which
is exercised towards the greatest offenders. Certainly there is nothing in the manners
of these ants to give them a preference in our affections over all other insects, and if
it is wrong to hurt or disturb them, what may not other insects so remorselessly hunted
complain of? But, gentlemen, be consoled: it is not necessary to do more than to
take up and examine the loose bits of stick at the outside of the nest. I said before
that my first handful was the best, and I have proved that the most of the beetles are
to be obtained from the loose matter which the ants have carried up, and which it can
do no harm to remove and replace. At this second search I took all the species I got
on the first occasion, except the Othius, and in addition
Quedius brevis j c J : : : 3
Monotoma angusticollis . : - : : : 3
9° conicicollis . _ 8 J . . 3
Note on Holothuria.—In 1856 (Zool. 5181) I noticed that a Holothuria (Pentacta
pentactes), in my possession, had voluntarily thrown off its tentacles, and did not
appear to be incommoded by the loss. I have now the pleasure of adding that a new
set of tentacles are forming, and that they have begun to bud out, pale and tender, to
the extent of one-eighth of an inch. Reproductions of this kind are now so commonly
known to occur that they are scarcely worth recording, unless, as in the present
instance, One is able to give positive periods of time. I have notes of many other
similar cases as occurring in my practice among other creatures. The water in the
great glass jar, containing the Holothuria, has not been changed during the whole
period.— W. Alford fst 19 and 20, Portland Road, Regent's Park, London, W.,
April 5, 1858.
Remarks on the Sale of the Entomological Society's Exotic Collection; a Letter
addressed to the President.
Oatlands.
Dear Dr. Gray,
I address you, as President of the Entomological Society, myself
ignorant whether or not you had any hand in the somewhat remarkable proceeding
which has just taken place. I ask you to use your influence with the Society to
mitigate, as far as yet may be,—in one instance at least,—a wrong which they have
done to all those who have contributed to their collection. I ask you to make over
to the children of the late Mr. Stevens, of Bogota, whatever sum the collections which
6070 Entomological Society.
he sent you may have sold for. Mr. Stevens, though a poor man, out of health and
with children to provide for, made a great self-sacrifice to gratify his enthusiasm as an
entomologist, that he might send you many rare insects, fondly hoping that he
was conferring a present and future benefit upon the entomologists of his native
country.
The sale of the collection in Paris was most disreputable, and I fear that you may
apply the tw quoque to yourselves.
You have done that which 1nay have a most injurious influence upon the welfare
of other Societies. Who would be at the trouble and expense of sending some rare
animal to the Gardens of the Zoological Society if there is a possibility that the object
of his care may, by some freak of the Council, be sent to the hammer? You have
done that which I believe to be neither lawful nor right. You are only life-tenants of
the property which you have sold. Part of it had probably been so cherished through
life by its possessor that he left it to your care to prevent its dispersion.
I am in total ignorance as tu the promoters of this scheme, and therefore mean no
personal affront to any one.
I am yours very truly,
W. C. HEwIrson.
Reply to the preceding by Dr. Gray.
British Museum,
Dear Mr. Hewitson, April 20, 1858.
In reply to your note to me, without date, received this morning,
T hasten to inform you that I have had nothing personally to do with the proceeding,
and was not even on the Council when the subject was discussed. The resolution
under which the sale took place was regularly conducted, and expressed, in a legal
manner, the unanimous wish of the Society, and I believe that no wrong has been
done to any one, the Society having selected and retained all the specimens which
have been specially described from its collection. It is the general mistake of Societies
of the kind to spread their exertions over too large a field, aiming at everything, and
then finding that they cannot do any part well. Collections of insects, to be well
kept, require one or more special curators, which the revenues of the Society will not
afford to pay; the consequence is that the collections are not arranged so as to be
useful for consultation, and get into a bad state; the library does not increase and is
not catalogued, and the Secretary, however willing and industrious, is over-worked.
The Society will therefore, I believe, derive great benefit from what it has done, as its
officers will be able to give their exclusive attention to its meetings, publications and
library, and make them more available to the members, and thus advantageous to the
improvement of the Science.
I consider that the Society has every right to do as they have done, and every one
of any experience in England or France must be fully aware that Societies of the kind
cannot be considered as permanent institutions, and that their property must be liable
to be distributed, like that of a private individual, though perhaps not as frequently.
T do not suppose that you think that you or your executors are precluded from selling
or otherwise parting with the specimens which have been presented to you by different
collectors, and that their families should have any right to the proceeds of such
sale.
ee
on er
Entomological Society. 6071
If you feel so strongly on the subject it is much to be regretted that, as a member
of the Society, you should not have objected before the sale was finished. The subject
has been in discussion for several years; the resolution ordering the sale was passed
at the anniversary meeting, Jannary 28, 1856, more than two years ago; the sale was
advertised in February last, and the catalogue distributed and sent to you at least
fourteen days before the sale, and if you had then stated your objection, the evil (if it
is any evil) might have been prevented, but as it is I fear that you must be considered
equally in the wrong (if it is a wrong, which I deny) as the other members of the
Society.
I am, dear Mr. Hewitson,
Yours truly,
Joun Epwarp Gray.
To W. C. Hewitson, Esq., M.E.S.
Proceedings of Societies.
EnTomoLocicaL Soctery.
April 5, 1858.—J. O. Wrsi1woop, Esq., V.P., in the chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given tu the
donors:—‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society, Vol. ix. No. 29; presented by the
Society. ‘The Zoologist’ for March; by the Editor. ‘Catalogue of British Cole-
optera, by G. R. Waterhouse, Esq , F.Z.S., &c., two copies, one of them printed on
one side only; by the Author. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for March; by the Editor.
‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for March; by the Society. ‘ Exotic Butter-
flies, Part 26; by W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S., &c. ‘Stettiner Entomologische
Zeitung, xix. jahrgang, Nos. 1—3; by the Entomological Society of Stettin. ‘The
Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer,’ Vol. iii.; the same, No. 79; by H. T. Stainton,
Esq. ‘The Atheneum’ for February and March; by the Editor. A pair of Carabus
intricatus, Linn.; by J. J. Reading, Esq.
Election of Members.
Alexander Wallace, Esq., of Bembridge, Isle of Wight, and H. G. Knaggs, Esq.,
of Maldon Place, Camden Town, were balloted for and elected Members of the
Society.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a specimen of Papilio Ulysses, taken by Mr. Wallace in
Aru, and observed that Mr. Wallace saw this species on the wing almost daily during
his three months’ stay in the island, but, owing to its high and rapid flight, he ouly
succeeded in capturing two examples.
Mr. Janson exhibited various Coleoptera, handed to him for that purpose by
Mr. Douglas, which had been recently taken by that gentleman in nests of Formica
rufa ; the species most noteworthy were Saprinus piceus, Z//., Dendrophilus pygmeus,
L., Leptacinus tormicetorum, Maerk., and Thiasophila angulata, Brichs.
6072 _£ntomological Society.
Mr. Janson also exhibited a specimen of Harpalus servus, Duft., which had been
detected by Mr. H. Squire among a number of unset Coleoptera presented to him by
Mr. F. Smith, by whom they were captured, near Deal, last autumn. He observed
that Mr. Squire, who had identified this insect, considered it specifically identical with
Harpalus maritimus (Kirby), Steph. olim (subsequently sunk, in the ‘ Manual,’ as
synonymous with H.complanatus, Sturm.), as he found the individual exhibited
agreed precisely with the specimens thus denominated in the Kirbyan, Stephensian
and Leachian cabinets. Mr.Janson remarked that he had not himself yet had an op-
portunity of following Mr. Squire’s investigations in this matter; he was therefore not
competent either to confirm or contradict the view he advanced.
Mr. Janson likewise laid before the Meeting the following, which he had recently
taken :—
Ocyusa ruficornis, Kraatz, Naturgesch. d. Ins. Deutschl. ii. 158, 2 (1856), a species
not previously recorded as an inhabitant of Britain, and indeed only recently discovered
by Dr. Kraatz, near Berlin. It has also been taken in the vicinity of Paris, and is
described by MM. Fairmaire and Labonlbéne in their ‘ Faune Entomologique de
France,’ i. 441, 33 (1856), under the name of Oxypoda fulvicornis: the specific title
imposed by Dr. Kraatz will, however, stand by right of priority, his description being
anterior in publication by several months. The present species may be at once dis-
tinguished from its near ally and as yet sole congener, O. maura, Hrichs., by its
superior size, brown hue, longer antenne, and by the bright brownish red colour of
those organs and of the legs; other, less apparent, differences exist in the form of the
thorax and in the sculpture and pubescence of the elytra, &c.
Hygronoma dimidiata, Grav., Erichs., Steph. ’
Stenus picipennis, Evichs., first discovered and identified by Mr. Edwin Shepherd,
in the autumn of 1857, and subsequently taken, he had heard, by Dr. Power, in
Hampshire.
Ischnodes sanguinicollis, Panzer (Ctenicerus sanguinicollis, Steph.). The female,
which differs somewhat in size and form from the male, is unquestionably Sericosomus
fulvicollis of Stephens.
In answer to a question of Mr. Westwood, relative to the localities in which these
insects had been found, Mr. Janson stated that he had captured the last-named species
in the London district; in respect to the other three, he was not certain whether the
locality was situate within that limit or not,—at all events he might venture to say
one of the home counties South of the Thames; this he considered quite sufficient for
all scientific purposes, and most respectfully declined henceforth publicly to indicate
the precise localities of his captures, an announcement which appeared to afford much
amusement to some of the Members, as it was greeted with considerable hilarity.
Mr. Waterhouse exhibited the following species of Culeoptera, believing they had
not hitherto been recorded as British, viz. :—
Hister marginatus, Evichs. Two specimens of this insect had come under
Mr. Waterhouse’s notice, one specimen in his own collection, and one in that of
Dr. Power. The localities in which they were found are unfortunately unknown.
Saprinus immundus, Gyll. One specimen taken by Mr. Waterhouse, at the mouth
of the Orwell, in September, 1855, and several specimens taken by Dr. Power and
Mr. F. Smith, at Deal.
Entomological Society. 6073
Saprinus metallicus, Fabr. Two specimens taken at Deal by Mr. F. Smith. This
insect is given as British by Mr. Stephens, but he had mistaken the S. rugifrons, Payk.,
for the species. :
Abreus (Acritus) nigricornis, Ent. H. Found in the months of May and June in
the corridor of the Crystal Palace.
Calodera riparia, Erichs. A single specimen taken by Dr. Power at Holme
Bush.
Mr. Waterhouse also exhibited a specimen of a Plegaderus, which he supposed to
be the P. dissectus, Erichs., and stated that it was one of two specimens found in
Windsor Forest by Mr. Samuel Stevens: a notice had already appeared relating to
the discovery of the insect by Mr. Stevens, and Mr. J. F. Stephens, who published
this notice in the ‘ Zoologist,’ had regarded the insect as Abreus vulneratus, Aug.
Mr. Waterhouse then proceeded to describe four species of Staphylinide, which he
believed to be new :—
OxyPODA NIGRINA.
O. Nigra, opaca, sericeo-pubescens, pedibus fuscescentibus, corpore fusiformi, supra
confertissime punctulato. Long. 1 lin.
Very close to Oxypoda cuniculina, Erichs., but rather smaller and usually of an
uniform sooty black colour; the antenne rather shorter, the terminal joint compara-
tively short and obtusely pointed; the elytra rather less strongly notched at the pos-
terior outer angle; the tarsi (more especially the posterior pair) shorter. Head about
one-third narrower than the thorax, rounded, convex; the parts of the mouth dusky ;
antenne about as long as the head and thorax, gradually increasing in width to the
apex, the last joint decidedly the shortest; first and second joints moderately elongate,
obconic, and nearly equal; third joint about half the size of the preceding; of the re-
maining joints the first two or three are quadrate or nearly so, and the remainder (with
the exception of the last) distinctly transverse. Thorax gradually contracted from the
base to the fore part, the sides and the posterior margin gently rounded; above con-
vex and even, or with a very indistinct dorsal furrow. Elytra about one-fourth longer
than the thorax and rather broader, the puncturing fine, and, being extremely dense,
produce_a dull appearance. Abdomen attenuated and also very finely and densely
punctured, the last segment and the edge of the preceding one often fuscous. Legs
more or less dusky, with the knees and tarsi fusco-testaceous.
I met with this insect at Charlton in June, 1856, and at Erith in July, 1855, and
some other localities not distant from London; it is also found in Scotland, Mr. Morris
Young having taken it at Paisley.
OxyYPoDA NIGRO-FUSCA.
O. Fusco-nigra, thorace, elytris, abdominisgue apice fuscis ; pebidus testaceis ; corpore
Susiformi, supra confertim subtilissime punctulato. Long. 1 lin.
It was with some little hesitation that I ventured to separate this species from
O. hemorrhoa, Mannerheim, so much does it resemble that insect in size and form, as
well as in the structure of the antenne; the fuscous thorax and elytra I at first thought
might only be indications of immaturity; I found, however, that all the specimens
which presented this colouring had the thorax dull, whereas in O. hemorrhoa the
same part is somewhat glossy, and upon placing the two insects side by side under a
XVI. 2 FE
6074 Entomological Society.
low power in the microscope, I soon perceived that the punctuation of the thorax was
much more dense in the insect I call O. nigro-fusca.
Found in the débris left upon removing a stack of faggots in Bishop’s Wood, near
Hampstead.
HoMALOTA PLUMBEA.
H. Plumbeo-nigra, opaca, griseo-pubescens, creberrime subtilissime punctata ; antennis
fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; thorace subquadrato coleopteris multo angus-
tiore ; abdomine nitidiusculo. Long. 14 lin.
This species should be placed in Kraatz’s second section, near to the Tachyusiform
species, such as Homalota labilis, &c., in which the elytra are ample, distinctly
broader than the thorax. It reminds one of H. incana, Erichs., agreeing pretty
nearly in size, form, and colouring with that insect, but it is much more thickly and
finely punctured, and the antenne are longer, and none of the joints are decidedly
transverse ; the legs, moreover, are paler. Head rather narrower than the thorax,
convex and rounded, but with the eyes slightly prominent, and the parts of the mouth
rather produced, the surface, like that of the thorax and elytra, of a somewhat dull
and silky appearance, owing to the thickness and fineness of the puncturing, combined
with a tolerable dense and fine ash-coloured pubescence; palpi and antenne dusky,
the latter sometimes, with the base, dirty testaceous; they increase very slightly in
thickness towards the apex; the first three joints considerably elongated and very
nearly equal; of the following joints the first are rather longer than broad, and the
penultimate quadrate ; the terminal joint nearly equal in length to the two preceding
taken together. Thorax subquadrate, slightly emarginate in front; the sides pre-
senting a very gentle sigmoid curve, being a little dilated and rounded towards the
fore part and slightly contracted behind; posterior margin rounded, posterior angles
obtusely rounded; anterior angles rather acute; upper surface moderately convex,
and with a somewhat large aud shallow depression behind. Elytra ample, fully one-
fourth longer than the thorax, and nearly twice as broad. Abdomen growing rather
broader towards the hinder part, very thickly and finely punctured throughout. Legs
testaceous; the femora and tibia more or less suffused with brown. I can perceive no
differences indicative of sexes in the specimens before me.
Found by Dr. Power, at Seaford, near Newhaven.
HoMALOTA IMBECILLA.
H. Lineuris, subdepressa, subtiliter pubescens, nigra, nitidiuscula, antennis pedibusque
Suscescentibus, ano elytrisque testaceis, his bast fuscis; thorace transversim
subguadrato ; abdomine supra omnium crebre punctato. Long. 1} lin.
Head very little narrower than the thorax, rounded and moderately convex, very
finely and rather thickly punctured ; antenne, if bent back, reaching about to the apex
of the elytra; slender and with no perceptible increase in thickness towards the apex;
the penultimate joints as long as broad; the middle joints longer than broad; the
terminal joint nearly as long as the two preceding joints taken together; palpi fuscous,
paler at the base. Thorax subquadrate, slightly broader than Jong, straight in front,
very gently rounded at the sides, and more distinctly rounded behind; above gently
convex, very finely and thickly punctured, and with a shallow fovea behind. Elytra
scarcely longer and very little broader than the thorax, and very thickly and rather
~
Entomological Society. 6075
finely punctured. Abdomen with all the segments thickly and finely punctured; the
punctures, however, on the terminal segments are a little less dense than on the basal;
from the apex of the abdomen spring numerous longish hairs. First joint of the
posterior tarsi a trifle longer than the second.
I found several specimens of this insect under rejectamenta at the mouth of the
Orwell, in September, 1855. It is a soft and delicate little insect, and subject to con-
siderable variation in colouring, chiefly in the elytra, these being sometimes entirely
pale and sometimes entirely pitchy, but usually they are dusky at the base, and this
dark colour is more or less extended in different individuals ; the apex of the abdomen
is always pale.
H. imbecilla, together with H. fluviatilis, Araatz, H. cambrica, Wollaston, and H.
thinobioides, Kraatz, may be grouped together as linear species allied to H. elonga-
tula, but distinguished by the abdomen being thickly punctured throughout.
H. fluviatilis—or rather an insect (found on the banks of the Thames, near Hain-
mersmith, by Mr. Squire) which I suppose to be the species so named by Kraatz—
approaches the nearest to H. elongatula, but differs in being rather smaller, in having
the body black throughout, the antenne dusky (or impure black) to the base, the head
rather narrower and less rounded, the sides being nearly parallel, and the thorax
rather longer.
H. imbecilla is about equal in size to the smallest specimens of H. elongatula ;
the antenne are longer and more slender than in that insect, sometimes fusco-testa-
ceous throughout, and sometimes entirely dusky; the legs of a less bright and clear
colour, being more or less suffused with brown or dusky at the base.
H. cambrica is very like H. imbecilla, but its form is more slender, its elytra are
longer, and the punctuation is finer and more dense; that on the thorax and elytra,
indeed, is so delicate as to be scarcely perceptible under a strong Stanhope lens, whilst
in H. imbecilla the puncturing throughout is tolerably distinct.
H. thinobioides is the smallest of the group and the most slender in its make, but
very like H. cambrica: its colouring is darker, and the punctuation of the abdomen
is still more dense.
This note is made upon specimens from Madeira, given me by Mr. Wollaston.
Mr. Westwood remarked the admirable manner in which the Abreus exhibited by
Mr. Waterhouse was set, every tarsus being spread out. Mr. Waterhouse thereupon
informed the Meeting that the plan he adopted to set out small Coleoptera, of this
and some other families, was to gum the insects slightly down on their backs (using
gum Arabic for this purpose): the legs, &c., were then readily spread out witha
camel’s-hair pencil, after which the insect was easily removed by gently inserting the
point of a pen-knife under it, and then placed in its proper position on gummed card:
by this simple process many species could be set out, of which it is otherwise almost
impracticable to display the limbs.
Mr. Waterhouse also detailed another plan, which he had found very useful, in
setting out those tribes of small Coleoptera in which the limbs are rigid, such as the
Curculionide, &c., viz. to gum the insects on card, without attempting to set out the
legs, &c., until the gum has dried, when by slightly moistening the limbs, on one side
of the insect only, they were very readily brought to their required position with the
setting needle, and, on their again becoming dry, the other side could be treated in a
6076 Entomological Society.
similar manner; by gumming out several insects at once no time need be lost, as
whilst one specimen was under process, the others would be drying.
Mr. Tegetmeier exhibited a newly constructed bee-hive, which consisted of two or
more boxes, designed to be placed one above the other, each one furnished with move-
able bars, to which the combs are attached, thus affording great facility for the removal
of the latter, either fur the purpose of scientific research, the partial deprivation of
honey, or the artificial production of swarms. The bars are retained in their places by
long wooden slides passing between them, which obviate the necessity for covers,
enable a single bar of comb to be removed without disturbing those remaining, and
permit the removal of the top boxes to be most readily accomplished. The boxes are
square in form, and so constructed that bars of brood or honey- eomb can be easily
transferred thet one to another.
Some discussion having arisen relating to the construction of the cells of the hive
bee, Mr. Waterhouse stated that he was of opinion that the hexagonal form of cell
was accidental, so far as the constructors of the cell were concerned; and, having been
called upon to explain his views, he proceeded, in the first place, to call attention to
the fact that if a number of cylinders of equal size were packed close together, side by
side, each cylinder would be surrounded by six others; that, assuming the cylin-
drical form (or at least a form of cell approaching more or less to the cylindrical,
and having a circular section) was the type form of isolated cells constructed by different
kinds of bees, and that, in the case of the hive bee, a number of insects worked
together, first depositing a small portion of wax, then excavating a small circular
cavity in the same, for the commencement of a cell ; this then being followed by the de-
position of more wax and the excavation of more cavities, and these being placed close
to the first; then neither of the cells could be constructed of their natural diameter,
provided the first cavity formed had not attained the full diameter of the complete cell.
The diameters of the cells would intersect each other; but, if partitions be left between
them, the cell must be six-sided, if the cells remain equal in size. In order to make
the idea more clear, he (Mr. Waterhouse) would assume for a moment that it were a
Jaw that a number of equal-sized circles, being packed closely together, side by side,
and that each circle was then surrounded by seven others; he believed that the cell of
the hive bee would, in that case, have been seven-sided. Such were the views enter-
tained many years back by Mr. W., and published by him in the ‘ Penny Cyclopedia;
and having subsequently had his attention particularly directed to the subject, whilst
examining the nests of a vast number of Hymenopterous insects, he still believes those
views to be essentially correct. He now, however, has reason to believe that it is not
absolutely necessary for the supposed natural diameters of the cells to intersect before
an angular-formed cell would be produced. The instinct which leads an insect to ex-
cavate, in order to form a cell, may lead it to excavate beyond what would be neces-
sary to form a sufficiently large cell, in the case of an insect, which, under ordinary
circumstances, burrows until it comes in contact with an adjoining cell. Contact with
other cells was the essential condition which influenced the angular form of any par-
ticular cell, It has been brought as an objection to his theory, Mr. W. went on to say,
that, in the case of the wasp or hornet, a single female insect constructs hexagonal
cells. This is true, but the same principle obtains,—no wasp builds a single, isolated,
hexagonal cell; when wasps, or allied Hymenoptera, build hexagonal cells, many
cells are built almost simultaneously, the first cell has made the least possible progress
Northern Entomological Society. 6077
before six other cells are commenced around it, and these again have progressed very
little before others are commenced external to them and in their interstices, so that a
wasp’s cell may be said to be altered into the hexagonal form as it proceeds, excepting
in the case of the outermost series of cells, where only the inner side of each cell is
angular, the outer side being almost always rounded. Mr. Waterhouse said he had
possessed a very small nest of a hornet which consisted of three cells only ; it was built
in a small cavity adjoining a large nest, and where there was not roum for more than
three cells; they were circular externally and angular internally,—that is to say, each
cell had two straight sides where it came in contact with two other cells, and was
rounded elsewhere.
Mr. Tegetmeier remarked that he possessed a small piece of houey-comb which
presented the same peculiarities.
Mr. Tegetmeier added that he had found it a great improvement to have double
glass to observatory hives.
In answer to a question from Mr. Lubbock, Mr. Tegetmeier stated that he had not
made any observations, confirmatory or otherwise, of the theories advanced by Professor
Siebold, relative to the reproduction of these insects.
Mr. Murray observed, with reference tu this subject, that Professor Simpson had
transferred eggs from drone to queen cells, and that a larva produced therefrom grew
so large that at length it reached the glass of the observatory hive in which the experi-
ment took place, and then died: he thought it would be interesting to have this grub
dissected, in order to ascertain whether it was a female or not.
Part 7 of Vol. iv., new series, of the Society’s ‘ Transactions’ was on the table.—
ER, S.
NorrHern ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
March 27, 1858.—B, Cooke, Esy., President, in the Chair.
Election of Members.
T. P. Marrat, of Liverpool, and James Thompson, of Crewe, were elected
Members.
Exhibitions.
Capt. Cox, of Fordwich House, sent for exhibition three volumes, containing
drawings from life of Lepidopterous larve upon their food-plants, by Mrs. Cox: the
accuracy and beauty of the drawings were much admired.
Mr. Greening exhibited a box of Stegoptera, Newman, captured. near Warrington,
and at Llanferras, North Wales, in 1858: amongst them were specimens of Hydropsy-
che tenuicornis and H. angustata, Polycentropus subpunctatus, Leptocerus inter-
ruptus, male and female, L. quadrifasciatus, Melanna nigripalpis, Phryganea varia
and P. grandis, Helisus hieroglyphicus, Limnephilus binotatus, L. notatus, L. preusta,
&c., and called attention to this beautiful and interesting order, observing that “ the
more we saw of Newman’s ‘ roof wings’ the nearer we should place them to his
* scale wings, as described in the ‘ Insect Hunters,’ ”
6078 Northern Entomological Society.
A Member observed, he had seen some foreign Stegoptera, which few men could
separate from Lepidoptera, and which he should have pronounced ‘scale wings’ if
they had been set.
Mr. Greening also exhibited a fine Cicada hematodes, taken in the New Forest
by Mr. Bond, and specimens of Trogosita mauritanica, taken at Warrington.
Mr. Kendrick exhibited a box of Coleoptera and Ichneumonide, captured around
Warrington, containing some rare species, and all particularly interesting as illus-
trative of the Fauna of the district.
A discussion ensued on the advisability of Members exhibiting local captures
irrespective of rarity, and it was generally admitted that though very rare species
might interest naturalists at the top of the tree more than the ordinary run of captures,
yet, as a rule, more information was disseminated by one good box of local captures,
however common some of them might be, than by a single species, however rare.
A Member observed that this seemed to him the great oversight at all the Natural-
History Society Meetinys which he had attended,—the object of the exhibitors seemed
to be to bring something the President and Vice-President alone could appreciate,
forgetting that there were always young naturalists and members from a distance
present to whom their common local species would prove a feast for the eyesight.
The President exhibited specimens of Acheta sylvestris, captured in the New
Forest: also specimens of Ctenophora bimaculata, Sarcophaga lineata, &c., bred this
spring.
The Rey. H. H. Higgins exhibited a large box of local Diptera, captured within
twelve miles of Liverpool Exchange: this interesting exhibition admirably illus-
trated the remarks which had been made by other Members upon this subject.
Mr. Higgins then called attention to some dead hive bees, which had been sent to
him to ascertain the cause of death: he had found the spores of Fungi within them,
but it was observed that the Fungi formed after death, and little doubt was expressed
that the loss of the hives arose not so much from Fungi as from placing the hives in
a bad winter situation, either where the hives had the sun upon them at some part of
the day, or where the air was damp and ventilation bad.
A Member, once an unfortunate bee-keeper and afterwards a successful one, ob-
served that he used to lose many light hives, which, as in this case, might be attributed
to Fungi: hives of from 37 to 40 Ibs. could only just support themselves through the
winter, if left in the summer quarters ; whereas, he found, if placed behind a wall with a
northern aspect, where the wind was free to blow upon them, and where the sun never
could shine upon them for a moment, Fungi never appeared even in the few bees
which inevitably die during winter, and the hives lost a very small per centage of
weight, and came out strong in bees as in honey when placed in summer quarters
again: this fact was now generally kuown to apiarians, but unfortunately farmers were
slow to believe it.
The Secretary, on behalf of Mr. Parfitt, of Exeter, exhibited Latridius filiformis
(n. s.), Anommatus duodecemstriatus and Leptogramma Parisiana (bred) ; also a box
of Coleoptera, from the Rev. A. Matthews, containing Trichopteryx sericans, Heer,
T. pygmea, Brich., and T. curta, Gyll., Ptilium augustatum, Lrich , P. Kunzei, Heer,
and P.excavatum, Ptinidium apicale, Hrich., and P. pusillum, and read a letter from
Mr. Matthews, informing the Meeting that he had recently found two genera new to
the British list, and which he had described in the April number of the ‘ Zovlogist’
(Zool. 6032).
Northern Entomological Society. 6079
The Secretary then exhibited two beautiful varieties of Hadena Atriplicis, recently
presented to him by Mr. Doubleday, and a Continental specimen of Abraxas pantaria,
and read Mr. Doubleday’s remarks upun this species.
Mr. Gregson exhibited a box of Coleoptera, captured during the winter, princi-
pally in the “ North and South Reserves” at Birkenhead, observing that those who
desire to work up the Geodephaga and Brachelytra should lose no time, as the
“ Reserves” (formerly the bed of Wallasey Pool) are no longer reserved, but intended
tv be converted into docks forthwith. He also exhibited Rhyzophagus bipustulatus
alive, taken at Garston, whilst waiting for a train: this little beetle had entirely
destroyed some of the fir trees in the plantations around,
The Secretary then read the following, at the request of Mr. Douglas :—
Metamorphotic Systems of Classifying Insects.
“T am not going to write an essay on this subject, but as the President, at the
Meeting on the 26th of December last, as reported in the ‘ Zoologist’ for February
(Zool. 5951), has proposed a system of classification founded on metamorphosis, I just
venture to say a word thereon. The principle of adopting the differences of meta-
morphosis in insects as a basis for dividing them into orders is not new, having been
employed by Swammerdam, Lamarck, Oken and others, and the particular method
now brought forward differs in no material respect from that proposed by Newman,
in a paper read before the Linnean Society in 1834, published in the third volume of
the ‘ Entomological Magazine, subsequently modified by the author in his ‘ History
of Insects, p. 76, in the ‘Zoologist’ for 1853 (Zool. App. p. clxxxv.), and in the
‘Insect Hunters,’ pp. 1O—13. The only difference that I can see is that Mr. Cooke
mixes the Amorpha and Necromorpha, and gives the name Trichoptera to that por-
tion of the old Neuroptera which Newman has separated under the name of Stegoptera.
I do not propose to discuss the truth of the system propounded, but supposing the
theory adopted by Mr. Cooke to be right in principle, then it is a manifest retrogres-
sion from that proposed on the same principle by Newman, and I think it is only
right that author should have the credit of whatever merit may be due to the original
propounder of the system.”
The President disclaimed all desire to take to himself any credit due to others; he
had perhaps attributed to Mr. Dallas that which was due to Mr. Newman, but he was
the last man to sully the motto of the Northern Entomological Society, “ Honour to
whom honour is due.” He then read the following paper in reply to Mr. Douglas :—
“TI beg to be allowed a word in reply to the remarks which have just been read.
“Of Mr. Newman’s treatise, published in the ‘ Entomological Magazine, I have
seen no more than the short abstract given in Westwood’s ‘ Modern Classification.’
The article “ Proposed Division of Neuroptera into two Classes” (Appendix to
the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1853), I read at the time it was published; but, not paying much
attention to the subject then, I did not look at it again until my attention was called
to it last month: I must own that I had completely forgotten it.
“The ‘Insect Hunters’ I did not see until after my paper was read at our last
Meeting, and knew no more about it than what I was informed by the wrapper of the
‘Zuologist’ for December.
6080 Northern Entomological Society.
“Mr. Newman applies the name Steguptera to the order containing the Tri-
choptera: I think it is a decided improvement, and shall adopt it. I ought also to
have used the termination ina where a tribe or group of families was intended, as
Staphylinina, Phryganeina.
“ For the application of the name Trichoptera Mr. Douglas is ready enough to
find fault with me, but he is apparently blind to a defect of the very same kind in his
friend: in the order Hemiptera Mr. Newman includes the Cicadina, Coccina and
Aphidina, which are no more hemipterous than the Panorpina are trichopterous.
“ Mr. Douglas says that I mix the Amorpha and Necromorpha. I suppose he
means this: that in my plan of arrangement the first and second orders have the pupa
necromorphous, the third and fourth amorphous, and the fifih, the Stegoptera, necro-
morphous. If Mr. Douglas will examine Newman's arrangement of the Diptera,
identical with Walker's, I think he will there see that the word ‘mix’ may be used
with more propriety. In that arrangement the single tribe Stratiomina, of compara-
tively small extent, having the pupa obtected, is placed between tribes of considerable
extent, having the pupa extricated.
“ But, with regard to the order Stegoptera: I place it close to the Lepidoptera ;
Mr. Newman places it close to the Coleoptera (with which I see very litule affinity),
and removes it as far from the Lepidoptera as his system will admit of. Now, let us
see what he says in reference to a great portion of this order. In the Preface to the
* Zoologist’ for 1857 Mr. Newman asks this question, ‘ Why is not the entire tribe of
Phryganeina lepidopterous? The cased larva is no objection; the form of pupa is no
objection.” I need not quote any more; surely there can be no objection to placing
the Stegoptera close to the Lepidoptera. Yet it is on this ground, if I have under-
stood him rightly,—and I do not see how I could have misunderstood him,—that
Mr. Douglas makes the positive and authoritative assertion that my plan of arrange- -
ment is a ‘ manifest retrogression.’
“ But Mr. Douglas is anxious that Mr. Newman should have the credit of what-
ever merit may be due to the original propounder of the system: I am glad to have
the opportunity of saying that in this I most cheerfully and heartily concur.”
An animated discussion followed the reading of the President’s paper.
Attention was called to Mr. Reading’s notes on the modes of capturing Carabus
intricatus, &c., in the ‘ Zoologist,’ so different to the usual announcements of captures,
which were generally mere trumpets sounded by the writers, and gave no practical
information to other naturalists.
The attention of the Meeting was also called to the ‘ Insect Hunters,’ by Newman,
a Member observing that it was the first book from any author who seemed to under-
stand the art of teaching Natural History pleasantly, particular stress being laid upon
the advisability of all young naturalists acting up to the text of the valedictory
chapter.
A vote of thanks being passed to all who had contributed to the pleasure of
the evening, especially to the lady of Captain Cox, the Meeting separated.—C. S. G.
Reason and Instinct. 6081
On Reason and Instinct. By the Rev. J. C. Arkrnson, M.A.
(Continued from page 6054).
WirH regard to the presence and operation of Instinct in man the
positions which, it appears to me, are most consistent with obser-
vation and sound reasoning, may be designated thus :—
I. That man in an uncivilized state* is the most influenced by the
impulses of Instinct; so that in some of his actions, whether more or
fewer, that essence or attribute may even predominate over Reason,
as a practical rule of action ; in an almost isolated action or two, may
even operate to the exclusion of Reason.
II. That, presumably, as he emerges from the uncivilized state,
Instinct, by degrees, ceases to have any predominant power, and,
infancy past, in no case utterly excludes the operation of Reason.
IIf. That in a fully civilized state Instinct survives indeed, but is
so restrained and regulated in its operation by Reason, that it
becomes difficult to allege any but a very few of man’s daily actions
as influenced by it; or even to distinguish between the workings of
Instinct and the rulings of Reason in actions, which, according to
analogy, are originally due to or prompted by Instinct.
1V. That beyond all this, if by any chance man treads in a back-
ward order the steps he has already imprinted in his passage from
the uncivilized to the civilized state, he, at the same time, and as if
* I purposely avoid using the words “in the state of nature,” as indefinite and
indefinable. I do not take the condition of any savage tribe or community to be the
state of nature, because it is impossible to say what processes of change, moral, phy-
sical, psychical, of improvement or deterioration, such tribes may have passed through
and may be still in course of passing through. Probably, the only human creatures
in speaking of whom the expression “in the state of nature” could be correctly
employed, would be our first parents in their earliest experience of life: and just as
probably there are the materials for a fierce discussion in any attempt at realising
what that condition was. One theory I have met with is, that they were idealess
savages, and such as idealess savages anterior to experience must necessarily be: a
theory I should be sorry to assent to, even for argument’s sake. Another, that they
were the noblest specimens of humanity ever seen in the world; noblest, physically
and intellectually ; and that the general tendency of the species since has rather been
to deterioration than in the opposite direction. The truth, as ever, probably lies
between these two extremes of opinion, and it would be an interesting theme for dis-
cussion in the hands of one of sufficient attainment, moderation, and power of vision
at once comprehensive and discriminating.
XVI. 2G
6082 Reason and Instinct.
inevitably, becomes clothed upon again with some of his instinctive
habits, and loses some of the finer functions of Reason: and that it is
difficult to say how far this may hold good; difficult, I mean, from
the exceeding difficulty, or rather, the impossibility of tracing histo-
rically the records of continuous declension, in the case of any
degraded community, from what was, at least presumably, its once
higher condition as to civilization, its once higher moral and intel-
lectual standing.
T hardly know whether the limits of a paper in the ‘ Zoologist’ will
permit me to do much more than simply trace the outline of observa-
tion and argument by which these positions are supported. To con-
vert the sketch into a finished drawing might occupy both too much
time and too much space. Perhaps our simplest course may be to
attempt at the outset to enumerate or classify the several lines of force
or directions of impulse in which Instinct appears to operate in the
inferior animals, and then to inquire what degree of analogy is
traceable between such and such actions or lines of action common
in the several cases of them and of mankind.
I should say that, allowing for a few anomalous instances which, in
our present state and degree of information, seem to admit neither of
explanation or of classification, all, or very near all, the instinctive
actions of the various animals may be brought under one or the other
of the following heads :—
I. Fear or self-preservation: by which, in various ways, almost
equally numerous with the varieties of animals themselves, they are
impelled to the effort to avoid danger.
II. Food-craving: by which they are enabled to discover supplies
of suitable aliment; to discriminate between the suitable and the
unsuitable; to adopt the necessary means of securing it by the
appropriate use of their various faculties and endowments of sense
and body; and so on.
III. Sexual love: by which they are impelled to coition, or coha-
bitation for one season or more; to nidification, whether more or less
elaborate ; to the concealment of their young; to the various modes
of providing for their young; and the like, according to their several
tribes or habits or peculiarities.
IV. Association: by which the various gregarious creatures,
whether habitually or periodically, according to sex or according to
season, under the ties of family or under those of species or
pursuit of some common object—food for instance—live in com-
munities.
Reason and Instinet. 6083
V. Migration: under which vast numbers of creatures of very
various tribes and families and species take journeys, possibly of
enormous extent as contrasted with the powers of the travellers, from
one district or country to another, at whatever season and with what-
ever object apparently kept in view by nature; such as a more abun-
dant supply of food, a more genial temperature, or the continuation
of the species.
VI. Local direction: or the law in virtue of which they retrace
their course to given places from considerable distances; as for
instance, the bee to its hive, alike in the forests of America and
Africa and the cottage gardens of England, the salmon to its birth-
stream, the swallow to the chimney or shed it was hatched in, the dog,
the cat, the ass, the deer, the pigeon, and other animals without end, to
their customary haunts after having been driven or forcibly conveyed
to great distances therefrom, and under every disadvantage in
connexion with finding their way back.
VII. Providence: under which certain species lay up in store,
while the supply is yet abundant, various materials of sustenance for
themselves or their young, against a season when the supply shall
have failed or become inaccessible.
VILL. Hybernation: under which again certain species prepare a
suitable abode for the coming winter, and, in due time, on its
approach, betake themselves thither and become torpid or dormant
for the season prescribed by nature.*
Now, in savage tribes, and in more or less uncivilized or very im-
perfectly civilized communities, I think one is frequently led to notice
evidences of the instinctive impulses of Food-craving, of Fear, of As-
sociation, of Local direction, and, from time to time, of Migration.
* T am aware that in the list given above it will be difficult to find a place for the
adinission of such workings of Instinct as are evidenced in the newly-hatched young
duck or other aquatic bird, when it hastens into the water; in the down-covered
chicken or partridge, when it takes its food by pecking from the ground; in
the equally infantile corn crake pecking from the stalks of the herbage it lives among
and not from the ground; and other instances of the same class. And it is almost
equally difficult not to construct, but to name a class for their reception. I must,
therefore, content myself with this notice of all such instincts in young animals.
Further, I wish to remark that, as will appear by a reference to the instinctive pro-
cesses or powers enumerated, I have not included mere appetites or desires. Indeed,
as Dr, Carpenter shows (Human Phys. p. 784) a Desire, properly speaking, depends
upon a purely intellectual operation tor ils formation, and especially belure it can be
fnily entertained. And the same is true of Appetite if it be taken in its true sense, and
nut, in a lax sort of way, as a mere synonyme to Instinct.
6084 Reason and Instinct.
It appears originally to be as much by Instinct that man is
induced to the pursuit of game,—including under that term every
creature, from the majestic elephant down to the merest insect,
the capture of which is profitable to man, and especially for the pur-
poses of foud,—as it is that the lion and the tiger, the crocodile and
the shark, the eagle and the hawk, that all animals of prey, without
exception, are impelled to the attack and capture of their several
quarries. The savage seems to pursue the wild creatures that
are the main elements of his subsistence as naturally, or — what
is here synonymous—as instinctively as they seek to elude or escape
his pursuit. And, moreover, it is one of the last instinctive impulses
or longings which seems to die out under the effects of long-con-
tinued civilization and its concomitants. English Mr. Briggs is just
as keen, after thirty or forty years of yard-measures and counter-
skipping, for his salmon-fishing, and deer-stalking, and grouse-
shooting, as French M. Bourgeois, when expatiating at a distance
from his accustomed boulevards, for his gibier of sparrows, tomtits,
and *‘ such small deer.”
Moreover, the intuitive perception, the marvellous keenness and
precision, the unfaltering sleight and skill available to the savage or
nearly savage man for the capture of food-animals or the discovery of
food-vegetables are worthy of attentive consideration. 'The Australian
native, the Bushman, the native of Interior Africa will fare sump-
tuously for days or weeks where the European would perish help-
lessly of starvation ; roots, insects, grubs, — affording no appreciable
token of their whereabouts except to the native eye,—serving to sup-
ply them with materials for even luxurious enjoyment rather thau
simply for bare sustenance. The pit-falls too; and hidden traps
adopted by the savage for the capture of his game, are but parallels to
the pit of the ant-lion and the web of the spider; while the un-
faltering wariness and silent footfall which characterise his every
movement, even when not engaged in the chase, are but a repetition
of the stealthy pace and noiseless motion of the beast of prey when
intent upon surprising its intended victim.
Again, what we understand by a coward is a much greater rarity
among a savage or uncivilized race than in the dwellings of culti-
vated life: and yet the shifts and expedients and devices adopted by
savages, alike individually and collectively, for the purpose of eluding
or avoiding danger, on this side from human foes, on the other from
wild beasts, are as various as they are remarkable. Some build their
habitation—each habitation almost a village—on a foundation of tall
Reason and Instinct. §085
posts; others fly from the neighbourhood of everything which might
render a locality eligible as a residence, and in consequence liable to
be visited by a party of possible enemies or marauders; others again
hide singly, so closely that nothing but cunning equal to their own
can detect their hiding-place, and even it is often baffled ; and others
yet adopt the most wonderful devices to mislead or evade pursuit.
Their keen apprehension and almost intuitive perception of lurking
danger too, is absolutely astonishing. A leaf or twig bruised or set
awry, the displacement of a pebble or a few grains of sand, the almost
indiscernible flattening or crushing of a blade of grass or dry lichen
on a hard rock, a thin column of ascending smoke, the merest tatter
of a torn article of raiment, are in an instant observed, scrutinized
and made to give up copious information, where to the unremarking,
unacuminated eye of the civilized man there would be no more sug-
gestive material than in the filthy wares of the rag-merchant or
the torn fragment of a copy-book from some village boy’s kite’s-
tail.
Now, in all this it is impossible not to be struck with the analogy—
much less modified than might have been expected, by the vastly
higher intellectual organization possessed by the savage man as com-
pared with even the highest brute—between the avoidance of danger
by the uncivilized man and by the other animals of creation. An
analogy, indeed, so striking, that we are not so much justified
in calling it instinctive as compelled so to callit. For the purpose
of showing this analogy more conspicuously, I will not repeat again
instances of brute caution and stratagem already often repeated, but
will select one or two observations recorded by Dr. Livingstone,
which forcibly arrested my attention in the perusal of his absorbing
narrative. ‘It is curious,” he says, “‘to observe the intelligence of
the game: in districts where they are much annoyed by firearms,
they keep out on the most open spots of country they can find
in order to have a widely extended range of vision, and a man armed
is carefully shunned. From the frequency with which I have been
allowed to approach nearer without than with a gun, I believe they
know the differeuce between safety and danger in the two cases.
But here, where they are killed by the arrows of the Balonda, they
select for safety the densest forest, where the arrow cannot be easily
shot: * * * * and on several occasions I have observed there
was no sunshine to cause them to seek for shade.”— (‘ Livingstone’s
Missionary Travels,’ p. 280). Again, “ Ants surely are wiser than
some men, for they learn by experience. They have established
6086 Reason and Instinct.
themselves on the plain where water stands so long annually as to
allow the lotus and other aqueous plants to come to maturity.
When all the ant-horizon is submerged a foot deep they manage
to exist by ascending to little houses built of black tenacious loam on
stalks of grass and placed higher than the line of inundation. This
must have been the result of experience, for, if they had waited till
the water actually invaded their terrestrial habitations, they would not
have been able to procure materials for their aérial quarters unless
they dived down to the bottom for every mouthful of clay.”—(Id.
p- 328). Once more, “When the wounded buffalo heard the ap-
proach of his pursuers he always fled, shifting his stand and doubling
on his course in the most cunning manner. In other cases I have
known them turn back to a point a few yards from their own trail
and then lie down in a hollow for the hunter to come up.”—(Id.
p. 266). Space will not allow me to do more than allude to
the habits and stratagems of the fox, the deer, the hare-—not to
mention other animals — when subjected to pursuit,* many of which
are familiar as household words from their surprising nature and con-
tinued publication ; to the devices of the hare when about to resume
her form; of the rabbit for concealing her young, (actions, all
of them emanating originally and principally, if not exclusively, from
Instinct), in the attempt to illustrate the marvellous analogy observable
between the habits and actions of the savage man, under the apprehen-
sion of danger, and those of the wild animal when under the powerful
impulses of instinctive Fear or self-preservation.
As to Local direction, a remarkable instance of continual occurrence
is cited above. The white man, in the American forest without his
compass, loses his way before he has gone out of ear-shot of his tent,
and possibly spends hours in delineating with his weary feet ring over
ring within the space of a mile or half a mile square.t ‘The red man
* See Mr. Couch’s notice on the connexion of Reason and Instinct (Zool. 5667)
for a very remarkable case in point as regards the hare.
+ “ Long practice is requisite to enable the white man to walk straight, even for
half a mile through the bush. At first, he invariably deviates, thinking he is taking a
straight course, and describes a circle, ending at the very spot whence he started.
When there has been no sun, I have gone completely round iv a square half mile.”—
(Hardy, i. p. 33). The native of a moorland district, when trying to traverse
the moor in a fog, if he lose the familiar track, is in the same predicament. An aged
parishioner of mine once told me his experience in a case of this sort. There was no
ereat extent of moor where he went astray, but for six hours he was tramping wearily
on in a never-ending, irregular sort of spiral. The crowing of a cock at last revealed
to him the neighbourhood of a dwelling, — if I remember right, the very one he had
Reason and Insiinet. 6087
guides his steps as unerringly as though his eye were fixed on
his bourne, or an automaton compass, self-explaining, moved on before
him; I give a similar illustration from Dr. Livingstone: “ The grass
at this place was so tall that the oxen became uneasy, and one night
the sight of a hyzena made them rush away into the forest to the east
ofus. * * *. Our Bakwain lad had gone after them, but had lost
them in the rush through the flat, trackless forest. He remained
on their trai] all the next day and all the next night. On Sunday
morning, as I was setting off in search of him, I found him near the
waggon. He had found the oxen late in the afternoon of Saturday,
and had been obliged to stand by them all night. It was wonderful
how he managed without a compass and in such a country to find his
way home at all, bringing about forty oxen with him.” — (Id. p. 168).
Now, this instinctive capacity of self-guidance is a characteristic
of no insignificant portion of the existing human inhabitants of the
globe. Many and numerous tribes in America, Africa and Australia,
are known to possess it in a greater or less degree, and thus present a
very remarkable instance of the existence and energetic operation in
the human species of pure, unquestionable Instinct.
Again, as to Association. The lodges of the American Indians, the
kraals of the Hottentots and Caffres, the villages or towns of Dr.
Livingstone’s route from the East Coast of Africa to the West, the
tribes of Australia possessing no fixed or permanent habitation, but
always living together—all tell the same tale—all deliver the same
doctrine. You never hear of individuals of savage or uncivilized
people living singly, in isolated seclusion from their fellows. Even
the outcasts from other tribes, fallen and degraded as they are as to
all that elevates humanity, as to all indeed that worthily characterises
humanity, though they scarcely know the use of fire, or recognise the
ties and sanctions of domestic life, yet herd together in their dens and
caves, live a life in common wherever and whatever the site of their
squalid common home may be.
And lastly, to pass to the subject of Migration. This has been a
left shortly before he lost himself,—and so put bim again into the track he knew.
T have known the sportsman with his attendant, who almost knew every hollow and
track on the moor, obliged to sit down and wait the lifting of the fog which had come
on them unawares. And I have myself, on a narrow strip of moor which I had tra-
versed scores of times in all directions, and with a companion who knew it as well as
I did, missed my direction in crossing it, at the first attempt getting 45° too much te
the south, and the second as much to the north of my true course.
6088 Reason and Instinct.
law of man’s nature from the earliest period of his history; a law
subject to modification under the various circumstances and exi-
gencies of the race variously modified at various epochs and
localities; but yet in its great root and principle essentially the same
as impels the swallow, the crane, the woodcock, the lemming, the rat,
the salmon, to their annual, or periodical, or occasional journeys of
removal from old, but no longer fitting scenes and episodes of life, to
others newer and replete with the requisites which had sustained, or
were about to sustain, failure in the old. As the family of man in
the elder ages of human life received ever-continued accessions, and
the non-existence of sources of proportionate decrease made each
accession an almost positive gain in population, tribes that were off-
shoots of the parent tribe must have been thrown off in all directions ;
and from these again, as new centres of the globe-peopling process,
others newer went forth into the heretofore untrod, untried wastes of
Creation. True, at the Flood, such comparatively limited portions
of the earth’s surface as had owned the hand of its human lord were
again depopulated ; but only for the repeopling process to go on
with a rapidity before unrealised even in idea. And before long,
numerous families, each family already a tribe in miniature, pushed
their way and their fortunes into every portion of the world, exploring
in every quarter scenes and countries hitherto unvisited and unseen
by mortal foot or eye. Then the Tower of Babel heard the already
recognised law of migration authoritatively promulgated—beheld it
branded into the living tablets of human nature. And the Jaw has
never yet become effete. No portion of it has been annulled. Its
operation—certainly never for long even suspended—has never
ceased to afford evident tokens of its continuance. Look at the
“Great Migration,” as it is called, which Europe saw before the
medieval times, the colonizations of still and much earlier periods, the
irruptions of huge hordes of fierce herdsmen-warriors in many an
age and many a country in Asia and Africa, upon lands and labours
they knew not of, except it were by a dim, dreamy hearsay, myth-like
both in its vague dimness and its fundamental element and substratum
of truth. These illustrations of the Instinct which impels—I use the
word advisedly, which impels—the human species to migration from
the scene of failing capabilities and resources to newer ones of
abundant supplies and exceeding susceptibility of development, are
as numerous as the ages which have looked upon man’s existence, as
striking as the succession of scenes that have been ever newly pre-
sented to his wondering gaze as he has been again and yet again
Reason and Instinct. 6089
driven to seek some newer and fitter abiding place. The illustrations
of our first position, up to this point adduced, cannot be without
weight to one who thoughtfully and dispassionately considers them.
There are, however, others of a somewhat similar, or at least analogous
description, which seem to me both interesting and instructive: I
mean such as may be derived from observation of the habits or powers
of the young savage.
Both the eye and the ear among savage or uncivilized tribes are
apt to be, so to speak, if not in intention, yet in effect, much more
carefully trained and strengthened than the other organs of sense ;
and to such a pitch of delicacy and keenness do the senses of sight
and hearing attain, that a white man is often astonished at the power
evinced by both. It is not that there is any anatomical difference in
the eye or ear of the Savage and the citizen of London or Paris, or
that the natural organ of him who never heard of a telescope is more
highly organised than that of the man who rejoices in his Dollond, but
simply the result of practice or use; but it is the practice or use, not
of individuals, but of generations and for ages; for it must be ob-
served that the young savage is to a great degree born with this keen
vision and sense of hearing. And not only so, without any special
course of teaching and training, any cumbersome ceremonial of
“ precept and example too,” he begins—long before either years or
stature place him in advance of the period or pursuits of childhood
—to exercise the powers by which his father is so mysteriously
enabled to track the, to other eyes save his own, invisible footsteps of
the man or the wild beast, to tell how long since it passed, its stature,
its peculiarities of gesture and gait, may be its very sex and age.
Nor is he at a loss in the forest: like his father, his compass is
nature-given, and he threads his unfaltering way through forest
thickets and tree-canopied shades, that one would think might baffle
any save one well skilled in following the directions of the unerring
needle.
Yet again, the young of any quadruped the first time it finds itself
plunged into water, if it be of age to have the strength for the re-
quisite exertion, instinctively makes the necessary motions for sup-
porting itself on the surface, and directing its course to the margin ;
swims, as we express it. So too, where the uncivilized people dwell
near the coast or on the river bank, the young savage is customarily
found, when scarcely yet more than a mere infant, able to swim, and
even delighting to sport in the water. The following testimony is
noteworthy :—“ One day I had repaired to the stream for the purpose
+ af 9H
6090 Reason and Instinct.
of bathing, when I observed a woman sitting upon a rock in the midst
of the current, and watching with the liveliest interest the gambols of
something, which at first I took to be an uncommonly large species
of frog, which was sporting in the water near her. Attracted by the
novelty of the sight, | waded towards the spot where she sat, and
could hardly credit the evidence of my senses, when I beheld a little
infant, the period of whose birth could not have extended many days
back, paddling about as if it had just risen to the surface, after being
hatched into existence at the bottom. Occasionally the delighted
parent reached out her hands towards it, when the little thing,
uttering a faint cry, and striking out its tiny limbs, would sidle for the
rock, and the next moment be clasped to its mother’s bosom. This
was repeated again and again, the baby remaining in the stream about
a minute at a time. * * * * For several weeks afterwards I
observed this woman bringing her child down to the stream regularly
every day, in the cool of the morning and evening, and treating it to
a bath. No wonder that the South Sea Islanders are so amphibious
a race, when they are thus launched into the water as soon as they
see the light. I am convinced thatit is as natural for a human being
to swim as it is fora duck. And yet in civilized communities how
many able-bodied individuals die, like so many drowning kittens,
from the occurrence of the most trivial accidents.”—(Melville’s
‘ Marquesas Islands,’ p. 252.) No doubt there is involved in this case
the influence of teaching; and, no doubt, that teaching is, in a sense,
more intelligent than the presumed teaching of the bird or the beast
to its young. But, admitting this, and recalling the exceedingly
tender age of the children alluded to, and the failure that would be
found attaching to an attempt to teach them something of a nature
diverse from that bodily act which has been a habit of their pro-
genitors for ages, 1t is impossible to assert that there is not here at
least an approach to what is very like the hereditary instinct of the
brute animal. This, at least, must be conceded, that the observed
powers and peculiarities of the young savage, briefly adverted to
above, must be accounted for either on the ground of pure or simple
Instinct, or else on that of Hereditary Instinct. ‘To me, I must con-
fess, it appears that both are involved.
All that has been so far advanced applies to quite savage or
uncivilized tribes, and much of it almost as strongly to more or less
slightly civilized communities. And there are abundant materials for
carrying out a series of similar observations to a considerable length.
This, however, I forbear to do, alike from necessity and from a con-
sn
F
:
Le,
bY
4
Reason and Instinct. 6091
viction that it would be a work of supererogation. I must not, how-
ever, altogether omit to notice the apprehension which all the
families, and tribes and nations of the human race, in all ages and in
all countries, have been found to entertain in some form or other,
though possibly more or less disguised and obscured, of the existence
of a Supernatural Being and of a future state of existence. This
most remarkable fact is, with scarcely a dissentient voice, attributed
to an inward utterance or impulse of Nature; that is, in other words,
but with scarcely a shade of variation in meaning, the apprehension
so universal, and so remarkable in its essential identity as well as its
universality is an instinctive apprehension. And in so far as it is
justly so called, it would tend to justify the expression, “ An Tnstinct
peculiar to man.”
Such then are some of the observations and reasonings on which
our first position depends for its substantiation; but, before taking
leave of it, I may be permitted to append a few sentences from Sir B.
Brodie’s ‘ Psychol. Researches :-— We cannot but suppose,” we find
him saying at p. 199, “that when man first began to exist, and for
some generations afterwards, the range of his Instincts must have been
much more extensive than it is at the present time. We sce the
infant first deriving nourishment from his mother’s breast, but when
the period of lactation is over, the experience of his parents supplies
him with the fit kind of food derived from other sources. The
absence of such experience must, in the first instance, have been
supplied by a faculty which he does not now possess (but which we
see manifested in the lower animals), directing him to seek that which
is nutritious, and to avoid that which is not so, or which is actually
poisonous. It is easy to conceive that much besides in the habits
and actions of human beings, which seem now to be the results of
experience and imitation, was originally to be traced to Instinct.
And, indeed, there are many things which cannot well be explained
otherwise. * * * * The majority of instincts belonging to man
resemble those of the inferior animals, inasmuch as they relate to the
preservation of the individual and the continuation of the species.
To these the social Instinct is superadded, not indeed peculiar to
man, but in him attaining a greater degree of development than in
other creatures.”
J. C. ATKINSON.
Danby Parsonage, Grosmont, York,
March, 1858. :
6092 Birds.
Reason and Instinct.—An excellent definition of the distinction between Reason
and Instinct is, as at appears to ne, one which I learned long since (when and whence
it is impossible to recollect at this distant period), namely, that Reason varies its ope-
rations illimitably according to circumstances, whereas Instinct does not. This
definition may perhaps be pronounced not strictly philosophical, but its clearness and
simplicity (as well as accuracy) adapt it better for common persons and purposes than
more abstruse propositions. I have added, I believe, the word illimitably to my ori-
ginal authority, because I am aware that instances may occasionally be noticed
of extraordinary contrivance in animals, not merely among the higher orders, in
meeting some change of their usual condition. But such departures from customary
routine must be considered rather the acts of individuals, than as indicating any ad-
vance of their species generally; for I believe it to be an undoubted fact, and
one which every close observer of animal habits must have remarked, that among
irrational, no less than among rational creatures, different degrees of natural intelli-
gence exist. Besides, even when superior animal talent (so to speak) does diverge
somewhat from the ordinary track of its congeners, its powers of invention are speedily
exhausted, and not equal to continued demands upon it, as would be the case with
Reason. The tendency of these suggestions may be illustrated by some familar ex-
amples. The chaffinch, when constructing its nest, covers the outside with lichens so
precisely similar in colour to the branch in which it is placed, that persons will pass
repeatedly without perceiving it. But the bird, however often its nest may have been
taken, will perseveringly build in a low tree or a bush, within reach of even children,
instead of learning the greater security of a high tree. The house sparrow, again,
in some respects very far from a stupid bird, yet appears particularly so in its nidifi-
cation. The loose straws usually projecting from the nest render it one of the easiest
to be discovered, and after it has been pulled completely down, the birds will imme-
diately form another in the same place; which is so constantly their habit, that the alter-
nation of framing and demolishing might be carried on through, perhaps, the whole
breeding-season. When the sparrow builds, as it very commonly does, in a tree, its
slovenly nest is not unfrequently blown down by a strong wind, in which case a new
edition is forthwith produced, in the very same position, of exactly similar materials,
and as utterly devoid, as the first, of any precaution against a misfortune like
that which has recently occurred, nor will repeated accidents teach the expediency of
such precautions.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, May, 1858.
A Plea for Birds.—In the ‘Times’ of this morning there is an account of
the appearance and destruction of a very rare bird, the hoopoe, which was shot by Mr.
P. Matthews, of Ongar, on Wednesday last. Permit mea brief space to protest
against this foolish and cruel act. The hoopoe (Upupa epops) is an unusual visitor to
the British Isles, but has been met with in almost every county in England and in
many parts of Wales. Itisa most amusing bird in its habits, of peculiar and beauti-
ful plumage, and, being entirely insectivorous, is perfectly harmless both in our gar-
dens and orchards. They are numerous in many parts of Europe, particularly in the
marshes near Bordeaux. They have been known to breed in this country, and would
doubtless increase, but the moment they appear they are wantonly destroyed, as in
Birds. 6093
the instance above recorded. Owing to this spirit of persecution many species of birds
which were once numerous in Great Britain have entirely disappeared, and year
by year many of the Sylviade are becoming exceedingly scarce. Last spring
a black redstart (Phenicura tithys), being the first recorded in Hertfordshire, took up
its abode in a friend’s garden in this town, but it was destroyed notwithstanding our
effurts to preserve it. It has been stated, and I fear with some truth, that the greatest
enemies to birds are ornithologists, who should be their warmest friends. No sooner
is a strange bird discovered than war to the death is waged against it, and happy the
pseudo-naturalist who succeeds in depriving the wretched little wanderer of its life.
His fame is duly chronicled in the county newspaper, and a skilful taxidermist
employed to set up “the specimen,” and exhibit it to his admiring friends. I
ain aware that all this is justified as being in the cause of science, but I would ask
how is science advanced by the death of Mr. P. Matthews’s hoopoe? Ifa specimen
were wanted it could have been procured from France at the price of a few shillings.
Last year, in a journal devoted to Natural History, there appeared a notice of
a nightingale in Devonshire. Now, all naturalists are aware that, from some cause
which we cannot explain, these sweet songsters seldom visit that or the adjacent
county of Cornwall. One would have thought that its very unusual appearance there
would have been hailed with delight, and so it was, probably, by most of the residents ;
but in an unlucky hour it was discovered by a naturalist, and—with indignation I
write it—he barbarously and selfishly took its life. ‘I was fortunate,’ writes
this cruel philomelicide, “ to shoot it as it was singing on the topmost sprig of a haw-
thorn bush.” JI protest, as I write, I can hardly restrain my pen within the due bounds
of courtesy, and I shall not trust myself to comment upon it. But I indignantly deny
to those destroyers the honourable name of naturalists. To my mind, the great end
and aim of the study of Natural History is to induce us to note the wonderful instinct
by which each animal and bird procures its food, conceals and rears its young, and the
adaptation to the situation and circumstances in which it has been placed by the
Great Creator, and so to teach us
“To look from nature up to nature’s God.”
Nor do I consider that in any case we are justified in depriving these innocent crea-
tures of their life, even though it were necessary in the cause of science.—James 5S.
Walker ; New England House, Hitchin, Herts, April 19, 1858.
Occurrence of the Hoopoe and Pied Flycatcher in Yorkshire.—I send you a notice
of two scarce birds which during the last week have been killed in this neigh-
bourhood : a male specimen of the hoopoe was shot at Witton Fell, near Middleham,
on the 24th of April, an unusual time of year for this species to be procured in Great
Britain ; and on the 29th of the same month a pied flycatcher, also a male, was shot
near Reeth, the first time the bird has come under my notice in this district—Henry
Smurthwaite ; Richmond, Yorkshire, May 1, 1858.
Plectrophanes nivalis.—In the April number of the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6015)
Mr. Matthews states that a snow bunting was in the habit of perching upon a tall
tree in a hedge-row. Surely this is a mistake. At page 281 of the ‘ British
Ornithology, Mr. Selby, in speaking of the snow bunting, says “ they run with ease
and celerity, like the lark genus, and never perch on trees.” I can confirm Mr. Selby’s
statement from my own observations: 1 have seen numbers of these birds on the
coast of Essex, but in no instance have I ever seen one attempt to perch on a bush or
6094 Birds.
tree, but they will occasionally upon low, broad railings. I may also say that the pure
black and white plumage is their summer livery, in which state they are very rarely
seen in Britain. In winter the black feathers of the back are broadly edged with fer-
ruginous, and the head, neck and all the under parts are strongly tinged with
the same colour, becoming of a deep chestnut on the crown of the head and back of
the neck ; in the breeding plumage these parts are pure white. — Henry Doubleday ;
Epping, April 16, 1858.
[There is certainly a mistake in Mr. Matthews’s statement, which it is important
to correct. Was the pied flycatcher the bird that he saw.—£. N.]
The Ring Ouzel near Banff.— The ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) appears to be
getting much more numerous in this neighbourhood than it used to be. TI have, this
year, met with many pairs in places where I had never seen it before, and I have
in one instance been fortunate enough to find a nest containing four eggs.— Thomas
Edward; Banff, May 11, 1858.
Retention of Scent by the Partridge and other Game.— Reference having been
made in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6014) to an opinion entertained by some persons, that
game birds (should not the hypothesis be extended to all game animals, whose only
defence is flight ?) possess the power of retaining their scent, I will subjoin two anec-
dotes bearing upon the perplexing phenomenon of scent. Holding, myself, no
theory upon the subject, I draw no conclusion, one way or the other, from what I have
to relate, which I mention merely as facts, for the authenticity of which I will vouch.
Though my own adventure occurred very long ago, it was in my native parish, and in
a part thereof with which I was intimately familiar, beside that peculiar circumstances
impressed the incident upon my memory, so that even now I could point out
the locality, though I have not visited the spot for much nearer thirty than twenty
years. With regard to the second story, which I know merely from the report
of another, I may state that my informant was an intelligent, well-conducted person,
whose veracity I have not the smallest ground for doubting. More than forty years
ago I shota cock pheasant, which fell winged in an open field, and ran straight for
the opposite hedge, reaching and passing through it before overtaken by the dogs,
which followed instantly, hunted him a little distance down the hedge, and then lost
the scent, which they were unable to recover, when I joined them immediately after.
Being convinced that the dogs (both very good, and even the youngest of some expe-
rience) would not have failed to regain the trail of the bird, fresh as it was, had he
slipped away in any direction, after vainly trying all round for some time I returned
to the place where the pheasant had come through the hedge, for the purpose of care-
fully examining it in the course the dogs had shown him to have taken, although the
hedge, from having been closely browsed by sheep on both sides, was extremely thin,
without grass or weeds at the bottom to cover even a lark. Before going far I espied
the tip of my friend’s long tail in a small hole, like a rat's, under an old stump of
the underwood composing the hedge, and where, had I trusted sulely to the noses of
the dogs, the game might have remained in perfect concealment. In this occurrence
it is to be remarked that the mere feet of the bird left sufficient taint upon the bare
ground for dogs to pursue unerringly for a distance of (say) about fifteen yards, more
or less ; while no effluvium from the entire body of the pheasant passed out from its
hiding-place to indicate its whereabout, though its enemies were eagerly seeking after
it, with an interval of only a few inches between them. Moreover, and this deserves
to be especially noted, no scent appears to have been left round the entrance of the
Birds. 6095
hole, which was so small that so large a bird must of necessity have pressed against
the whole circumference of the orifice in furcing its body through. Very many years
subsequent to the event related above, the gamekeeper of a friend in the Weald of
Kent told me, that, when attending his master at some time previously, he had marked
down a cock pheasant from the hill where he was standing, in a wood upon an oppo-
site hill, but, upon reaching the spot, no pheasant, nor trace of a pheasant could be
discovered, though the underwood being of only, I think, one year’s growth, there was
nothing to puzzle for a moment a team of, probably, from three to five well-trained
Sussex spaniels. After searching fruitlessly fur some distance around, in utter per-
plexity the man said, either aloud or to himself, “ I am quite certain I saw the bird
settle precisely at this bush,” into which, as he spoke, he thrust a switch he carried,
when the pheasant instantly rose from the very centre, where he had been lying
quietly while his pursuers, men and dogs, were hunting for him, separated only by a
few inches of twigs. In this case, if the dogs had been pointers or setters, very pro-
bably they would have detected the presence of the game, whereas spaniels, working
with their noses close to the earth, were not aware of the vicinity of the bird, because
he had dropped at once into the bush without leaving any trail upon the ground.
When, however, we consider, that several trained dogs with very fine noses (which the
old Sussex spaniels unquestionably possess) were seeking their own peculiar game,
and aware they were expected to find some there (which good, experienced dogs will
understand from the orders given them), it seems strange that they should not discover,
nor even suspect how very near they were to their object, if the odour of the game had
been as widely diffused through the atmosphere, as it certainly would be under ordi-
nary circumstances: the pheasant, while resting upon the underwood-stock, might
have been raised above the soil perhaps from nine to, in the extreme, eighteen inches.
—-Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, May, 1858.
Small Variety of the Partridge.— Two of the correspondents of the ‘ Zovlogist’
have inserted short notices of the suppused variety of partridge, and in connexion
with my paper on that bird, which I trust, they will think, justifies me in addressing
this note to them. It would appear that their observations have been made on birds
found in the same district and not in distant parts of it; asthe one writes from
Godalming, the other from Fowey, near Liphook. Will they permit me to draw their
attention to the remarkable discrepancy in their several notices of the plumage of these
birds? Major Spicer writes, “There is no difference of plumage that I can detect.”
(Zool. 6014). Mr. Waring Kidd, on the other hand, speaks of them as known to him
and others by the name of “little black heath-birds,’ as being “ invariably of a blacker
colour” than the ordinary partridge; and accounts for their “ dark colour” as origi-
nating in their food or part of it. (Zool. 6059). I do not know how far apart Fowey
and Hindhead are,—I think not many miles,—and it certainly is an interesting fact, if
these partridges differ so greatly and so commonly as the communications of the two
gentlemen named lead us to infer. I confess when I saw iu the ‘ Field’ a sort of
challenge thrown out for the production of those smaller birds,— the editor to be the
judge,—and excuses instead of partridges were forwarded to that gentleman, I began
to have great doubts as to their existence anywhere, except in imagination. I think
the concurrent testimony of Major Spicer and Mr. Kidd, both of whom agree in
Stating the inferiority, in point of size, in comparison with the common bird to
be about one-third, important; and that it is at least worth while to call their attention
6096 Birds.
to the discordancy of their statements as to the plumage of the partridges in question.
—J.C. Atkinson; Dandy Parsonage, Grosmont, York, March, 1858.
Occurrence of the Broad-billed Sandpiper (Tringa platyrhynca) for the third time
in Norfolk.—I have just purchased a specimen of this rare sandpiper, which was
killed on the 23rd of April, near Yarmouth, I believe on Braydon Broad. This bird
is a male, gradually assuming its summer plumage: the rufous edgings to the feathers
appearing over the head, back and scapulars. The first British specimen recorded
was also, according to Mr. Yarrell, obtained on the muddy flats of Braydon, on the
25th of May, 1836: the sex in this case was not ascertained. From that time no
others had been noticed until a male, in very similar plumage to the one recently pro-
cured, was shot at the same place, and, singularly enough, on the same day of the
same month, May 25th, 1856. In each case they appear to have been picked out
from amongst dunlins and ring plovers.—H. Stevenson ; Norwich, May 1, 1858.
Occurrence of the Glossy Ibis in South Wales.—I have received, for the purpose
of preservation, a very fine specimen of the glossy ibis, killed on the 19th of this
month, at Langharne Marsh, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire, South Wales. Also,
a male specimen of the gray shrike, killed at Loughton, Essex, on the 12th of
this month.— Thomas Hall; London Wall, April 29, 1858.
Occurrence of the Dusky Petrel (Puffinus obscurus) in Norfolk. — A county that
can claim the first British specimen of Steller’s western duck, and more recently the
only specimen of the capped petrel ever obtained in this kingdom, besides many other
rarities, may be fairly considered without further additions a ‘rich ornithological dis-
trict.” I have the pleasure, however, of recording a not less interesting capture than
either of those above-mentioned, in the fact of a dusky petrel, the true Puffinus obscu-
rus, of Gould, having been picked up dead in this county. About the 10th of this
month a strange bird was found dead by the gamekeeper, on the estate of Captain
Meade, at Earsham, near Bungay. It was at once sent to a bird-preserver in this city
to be stuffed, in whose possession I first saw it, but, unfortunately, not until it had
been skinned and set up. Its smaller size at once distinguished this bird from the
manx shearwater (Puffinus anglorum), and its exact resemblance to the figure of the
dusky petrel in Mr. Yarrell’s last ‘ Supplement, added to the length and other mea-
surements, perfectly agreeing with the description there given of this rare species, no
doubt could well exist as to its identity. I might also state that the bird-stuffer
having copied exactly the attitude of the bird as delineated in Yarrell, the resemblance,
even at first sight, was more strongly marked. This specimen proved to be a male,
but in very poor condition. It had evidently not been shot, but a wound on one side
of the head, as though it had been hit, or had flown violently against something, was
probably the cause of its being found dead. Except on the side of the head,
as stated, the feathers were perfectly clean and unruffled, but the inner web of one foot
was partially nibbled away, as though a mouse or some other vermin had been at it,
luckily without doing further injury. It is particularly interesting, through this
second appearance on our coasts, to establish the claim of this petrel to a place in our
British list, especially since the first specimen had no stronger right to be so called,
than the fact of its having flown on board a sloop near the Island of Valentia, off the
south-west coast of Ireland. The following description of the plumage, in this
instance, will be found to differ but little from that given by Mr. Yarrell, except that
this bird is perbaps more ina state of change. ‘Top and sides of the head, neck
Birds—Fishes. 6097
above, upper tail-coverts, upper surface of the tail-feathers and of the wings dull
sooty-black: the feathers of the back, including the scapulars, dark shining greenish
black, each feather bordered by a very minute darker edging: the chin, throat, sides
of the head below the eyes and including a narrowed rim over each eye pure white;
as also the breast, belly and the under wing and tail-feathers: on the sides of the
neck and passing downwards in front of the pinions, light grayish bars shading off into
the white of the breast. Not having seen the bird in the flesh, I cannot speak as to
the true colour of the beak and feet ; the former is now dull black and the latter as
to the webs yellowish brown.—H. Stevenson ; Norwich, April 29, 1858.
Occurrence of the Kentish Plover near Penzance.—A female specimen of this
little plover was killed on our flat sands to-day, and I have had an opportunity of ex-
amining it minutely in the flesh. 1 have a male specimen, killed here, but I never
saw a female before, and I was somewhat perplexed in determining whether it was
a female little plover at first. The following are a few particulars I have uoted:
weight 14 oz.: length from the beak to the end of the tail 63 in.: beak black: legs
lead-blue: feet black: forehead pure white, extending partly over the eye, the purity
then giving way to a reddish white passing over and behind the eye; the whole of the
under parts unsullied white, the sides of the upper breast excepted, which have
a patch of hair-brown, which in the male are black: the whole upper plumage from
the top of the head to the centre of the tail pale ash-colour, the remainder of the tail
nearly black: the shaft of the first quill-feather nearly white, the rest of the quill-
feathers having the distal portion white, the remainder darker.— Edward Hearle
Rodd ; Penzance, April 17, 1858.
Occurrence of Wild Geese in the Isle of Wight.—A fortnight ago last Thursday,
Mr. Murrow shot four Canada geese and two bernicle geese: a flock of eight came
in Freshwater Bay; he went off in a boat, and in six successive shots killed six
out of the eight. I have stuffed three of them: one of the bernicles will be sent to
the British Museum by Captain Cockburn: I tried to buy the others, but he would
not part with them.—/’. Rogers; Royal Hotel, Freshwater Gate, Isle of Wight.
__ Supposed New Ammocetes.—I beg to send you for insertion in the ‘ Zoologist’ the
following description of what I take to be a new species of a Petromyzide, perhaps
an Ammocetes. Should it prove so, that is if no one pvints out that I am wrong, I
will name it and give its locality in a future number of the ‘ Zoologist. In length it
is about 64 inches; in girth, where thickest, ¢ths of an inch. In general form it
is rather compressed than round, being only slightly so for about two inches of
its length, where it then appears flattish, gradually narrowing towards the tail; but on
the top of the head, and immediately above the eye, which is remarkably small, and
almost hid in the centre of a small groove, there is an opening or orifice surrounded with
a sort of lip of a beautiful yellow colour, beyond which and extending backward there is
a small depression. Dorsals two, about half an inch apart; the first commences near
the middle of the back, and is only a little over an inch in length; the other reaches
to the caudal, to which it is united, and extends without intermission to about an
inch on the under side, forming a sort of anal fin: the vent, which is about two inches
from the end of the tail, has, like the orifice on the head, a kind of lip or fringe round
XVI. ‘ Me i
6098 ‘Crustacea.
it. Branchial openings, eight on each side, are placed in a curved groove or canal.
(In this respect it differs from all our Petromyzide, as yet described, so far as I am
aware). ‘The mouth may be said to be squarish, with the under lip depressed.
There is no appearance of teeth, but numerous and very delicate cirrhi seem to supply
their place. When fresh, it was on the top part of a most beautiful oil-green shading,
and a dull yellow on the sides and belly: a bright yellow line runs along the middle
of the back, beginning about an inch from the head, and extends round the caudal to
the belly, dyeing the dorsals of the same colour. From the foregoing it will be at once
apparent, that though it agrees in some respects with Ammocetes branchialis of
British authors, still it differs very much in others. The eight branchial apertures
and the squarish mouth are two most important distinctions, and cannot, I should
think, allow it to be ranked only as a variety of the species just named. But
as I have no wish whatever to augment species but on truthful grounds, I leave it to
the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ to decide, if any of them will be kind enough to give
their opinion.— Thomas Edward ; Banff, April 14, 1858.
[This description has many points of extreme interest, and I sincerely hope that
my ichthyological readers will endeavour to throw some light on the subject. The
family Petromyzontide is made to comprise four genera, Petromyzon, Ammocetes,
Myxine and Amphioxus: the connexion of the last of these with the other three is
not very manifest. Petromyzon and Ammocetes have seven lateral orifices or gill-
openings; in Myxine I believe that two only have been observed. The wonderful
history of Myxine appears to me to require further elucidation. It seems incredible,
and yet remains uncontradicted, that this worm-like fish should live within the bodies
of living cod and haddock, having no other food than the proper substance, the muscle
of these fishes, just as the larva of the ichneumon-fly feeds on the viscera or muscle
of the living larve of moths and butterflies. I shall feel sincerely obliged to any
naturalist who can, from personal observation, confirm, elucidate, or even refute this
apocryphal-looking theory; as also to any reader who can identify Mr. Edward’s
description as applicable to any known species of the family Petromyzontide.—
Edward Newman].
Descriptions of Two Unrecorded British Isopoda.— During a short trip to
Plymouth and Polperro I met with the two following Oniscoids, which have hitherto
escaped notice :—
Puttoscia Coucuil, Kinahan.
Body smooth. Head rounded, transverse, nearly straight across the front.
The third ring produced into a small lobe beneath orbits. Telson (last ring of body)
narrow, triangular. Apex obtusely rounded, fringed with four to six stiff spines; lateral
margin distinctly excavated. Appendages of telson having the accessory appendage
scarcely one-fourth the length of the ischium, which latter is elongate-subulate.
Colour fulvous-gray, with patches of while. Runs with great activity, does
not roll.
Habitat.— Among stones and decaying sea-weed near high tide-mark, at Tallant
Cove, Cornwall, where it was in company with Orchestea littorea, Porcellio scaber,
Insects. 6099
Ligia oceanica, Lithobius forcipatus,&c. I have given it a name after the great
illustrator of the Cornwall Fauna, Jonathan Couch, F.L.S., of Polperro.
PHILONGRIA ,D.s8.?
Ivrea Merneir (Zaddack) ??
Body scabrous and tuberculated. Eyes very small and black, situated very
laterally. Third ring produced into a small lobe on each side of the head, so as to
give the effect of a lateral lobe. Internal antenne long, three-jointed, very
conspicuous. First to third abdominal rings granulated ; fourth to telson smooth. Tel-
son, apex truncate, nol emarginate. Abdominal false feet same as in Philongria celer.
Colour rose-red, with white median stripe, or white. Runs with great agility, does
not roll.
Habitat.—Gardens and cellars, Plymouth, where I had the pleasure of first
recognising this species in the collection of C. Spence Bate, F.L.S., who kindly
pointed out the locality in which he had procured it, and where we found it abundantly.
It so closely approaches Itea Mengii, as described by Zaddack, that I have refrained
from giving it a name, as I can scarcely persuade myself that there must not
be some mistake in his description of the “ antenne interne” and rings of the abdo-
men: should this surmise prove correct the genus Philongria, as established by me
last year, must give place to Itea of Koch, as limited by Zaddack, and Philongria celer
will prove identical with either Itea riparia or Itea levis, or perhaps with both. The
granulations of the cephalo-thorax at once separate this species from that described by
me last year as above.
Philoscia Couchii is easily known from the only other described species by
the form of telson and abdominal appendages. My stay in Cornwall was so short
that I am sure there were other species overlooked by me. Should any naturalist
wish to follow up the subject, Mr. James Langhorn, of Polperro, would, I am sure, if
applied to, willingly point out the locality named, as he was with me when I found
the animal ; his collections of preserved fish, crustacea, &c. would well reward a jour-
ney, even to Polperro.—John Robert Kinahan ; Donnybrook, Dublin, April 30, 188.
Note on the Paper by Messrs. Boyd and More ‘‘ On the Geographical Distribution
of Butterflies in Great Britain.’—I was much surprised at observing in Messrs,
Boyd and More’s paper on the distribution of butterflies that the South Wales area,
No. 6, was entirely unrepresented ; and now that Mr. Scott (Zvol. 6065) asks, has no
one visited this portion of South Wales who can give us information? I venture to
name the species that I have myself seen and taken.
Butterflies taken in Area 6, in 1856—57.
Pontia Brassice, Rape and Napi.
Pieris Crategi. In great abundance; I found the larve feeding a fortnight since
by thousands upon insulated shrubs of Prunus spinosa, eating out the centres of the
unexpanded buds or basking in the sun upon their winter webs.
Anthocharis Cardamines. Common.
Gonepteryx Rhamni. Common.
6100 — Insects.
Thecla Betula. I got six or eight specimens last year, and bred others.
Thecla Pruni. Most abundant.
Thecla Quercus. Plentiful.
Chrysophanus Phleas. Common.
Polyommatus Argiolus. Common.
Polyommatus Alsus. Very abundant, but local.
Polyommatus Alexis. Everywhere.
Polyommatus Agestis. Local.
Argynnis Paphia. Plentiful.
Argynnis Aglaia. Less common than Paphia.
Argynnis Euphrosyne. By thousands.
Argynnis Selene. Very plentiful.
Melitea Artemis. By thousands.
Vanessa Cardui. Not common.
Vanessa Atalanta, Io, Urtice, Polychloros and C-album. Plentiful and widely
spread.
Arge Galathea. By thousands.
Satyrus Semele, Janira, Tithonus, Megera, igeria, Hyperanthus and Pamphilus.
All very abundant on the hills.
Pamphila Linea and Sylvanus.
Syrichthus Alveolus. Sparingly.
Thanaos Tages. Local.
This list refers to a circle round Cardiff, say of ten miles radius, and results
from very limited observations in two years, during which not one quarter of the
ground indicated has been explored. — Robert Drane ; Guestwick, Norfolk, May
1, 1858.
[I shall feel extremely obliged to the Rev. Mr. Drane for specimens of Thecla
Pruni, which he mentions as occurring in an entirely new locality. —E&. Newman].
Capture of Vanessa Antiopa at Stoke Newington.—On or about the 16th of
September, last year, a specimen of Vanessa Antiopa was taken: both the wings on
one side are injured by a piece having been taken out, probably by a bird.—J.
Rogers ; Green Lane, near the Manor House, Stoke Newington, May 12, 1858.
Capture of Vanessa Antiopa in Scotland. — Myr. Turner took a hybernated speci-
men in Scotland, in April: it is one of the largest and finest I have ever seen.
—LEdward Newman.
Is Artaxerxes a Species.—With regard to P. Agestis and Artaxerxes, I believe
them to be merely permanent varieties or races of one species. There is no structural
difference to warrant their separation; though I should never expect to rear a speci-
men of Artaxerxes from an egg deposited by Agestis or vice versd. The description of
the larva of Agestis sent me by Zeller corresponds exactly with that of Artaxerxes
from this neighbourhood, and not at all with the description of the former larva in
Stainton’s ‘Manual’; but Zeller’s larva was certainly found on Erodium Cicutarium,
while those of Artaxerxes feed on Helianthemum vulgare. We, however, so con-
stantly find that the same species will subsist on many different plants, that the mere
fact of difference in food cannot be considered of much importance ; nor can the cir-
cuimstance that Agestis is double-brooded, while Artaxerxes has only one brood in the
year, either, have much weight, as many insects are only single-brooded in Scotland,
Insects. 6101
which are double-brooded on the Continent and in the South of Eugland. There
will still remain, however, a doubt upon the subject, until the transformations of both
insects have been compared by the same individual ; and I have never yet been able to
induce any of our southern collectors to send me the larva of Agestis, which must be
common, and easily found, where it occurs.—R. F. Logan ; Duddingston, Edinburgh,
May 17, 1858.
Occurrence of Thecla Rubi, Anthocharis Cardamines and Pieris Rape in Banff-
shire.-—Whilst rambling last week in search of birds’ nests, I was delighted and not a
little surprised to meet with quite a colony of this pretty little green under-sided
butterfly, but they were so active that I succeeded in taking but one out of eight or
nine that I pursued. On the following day I met with another station for the same
insect. Both the stations are high up on the hills, and a gentleman who resides in the
vicinity told me they were met with there every season. Lower down, Pieris Napi
and Anthocharis Cardamines were met with on lower ground in abundance.— Thomas
Edward ; Banff, May 8, 1858.
Occurrence of Deilephila livornica near Exeter.—The capture of Deilephila livor-
nica is, I believe (particularly at this season of the year), of rare occurrence. It may,
therefore, be worthy of a notice in the pages of the ‘ Zoologist,’ that a male specimen
of this insect was, on the 20th instant, taken at rest on the ground in a garden near
my house, and is now on my setting-board.—H. D’Orville ;_ Alphington, near Exeter,
April 22, 1858.
Notodonta carmelita at Addington.— The park of the Archbishop of Canterbury
has again been successfully searched for Notodonta carmelita, and this beautiful, but
local species, seems likely to become general in collections: its season extends from
the last week in April to the end of the second week in May, thus following the
equally desiderated Aleucis pictariaa—Edward Newman.
Stauropus Fagi.—This insect, now so rare, has turned up in woods to the north of
London this year, at rest on the boles of oak trees.—Id.
Endromis versicolor and Petasia nubeculosa.— Mr. Turner has just returned from
Scotland with an abundant supply of these two beautiful moths. His collection of
versicolor exhibits rather a remarkable feature, the males and females being in nearly
equal numbers. Every insect has been pinned before it had taken wing, hence they
are in the most perfect condition. He offers the versicolor at 5s.a pair, male and
female; the nubeculosa at 30s. a pair, male and female.—Id.
Capture of Heliothis peltigera at Plymouth.— During a walk on the 18th
of April I took a specimen of Heliothis peltigera, at rest on a stone in a steep
bank near Plymouth. — H. S. Bishop; Catherine Street, Plymouth, April 27, 1858.
— Intelligencer.
The Larva of Gnophos: is there more than one British Species ? — The larve of
this genus are now full grown: those which I am acquainted with feed by night on
the rock cistus (Helianthemum vulgare), and may best be taken by searching late in the
evening with a lamp, but a close search will reveal them by day, concealed under the
leaves. Of the brown variety, common in this neighbourhood, I have known the
transformations for some years; the lead-coloured insect, abundant on the upper part
of the mountains in North Wales, has also been reared by our Northern entomolo-
gists,—the larve of this variety and their habits are identical with the Bristol insect.
There are two varieties occurring in the Isle of Wight, on the South Downs and other
places, one ashy-coloured in abundance, the other semitransparent and rarer: there is
6102 Insects.
also a very dark insect, abundant in the New Forest and on various heaths in the
South of England. It would be very interesting to compare the larve of all the
varieties and ascertain if any difference exists between them, or whether the great
and constant difference in the colour of the perfect insects is merely attributable to
soil. TI have not used any specific names for the several varieties, as there seems con-
siderable confusion among them.—P. H. Vaughan ; Redland, Bristol.—Id.
Gnophos obscuraria.—Although it is quite true that all the specimens of Gnophos
obscuraria taken on Parley Heath are of a dark colour, I do not consider that character
sufficient to distinguish them as a species from the lighter-coloured ones. 1 took one
specimen on Parley Heath, which, placed by the side of some of the darker specimens
from Charmouth, would puzzle any entomologist to say to which species it belonged.—
J.C. Dale; Glanville’s Wootton, near Sherbourne, May 8, 1858.
[The following extract from the ‘ Entomological Magazine,’ i. 515, dated October
1833, will show that the excellent entomologist who contributes the foregoing para-
graph entertained and published the same opinion as to the extending the limits of this
variable species twenty-five years ago, which is now gaining ground through the advo-
cacy of that no less accomplished observer, M. Guenée. “I have taken Charissa
serotinaria on a chalk soil, as in the Isle of Wight, for instance, and always whitish ;
C. pullaria, on stony chalk, at Dover, is rather darker; and another variety, on Portland
stone, darker still; besides a variety at Monk’s Wood, which appears intermediate. I
have taken C. dilucidaria at Teignmouth, between grass and heath ; and one, very nearly
allied, on the Mendip Hills, out of furze and on old walls. CC. obscuraria, which I
have taken on Parley Heath, is very dark indeed. Isit not possible that all these are
but one species P—J. C. Dale.’—Edward Newman].
Gnophos pullaria, &c.—I have before me larve of this insect, taken by Mr.
Vaughan at Durdham Down, furnished to me by Mr. Greening, and also larve col-
lected by Mr. Greening, Mr. Almond and myself at Llanferros, Denbighshire, and at
Prenton, in Cheshire, and of some larve which I met with on Bidston Hill last week.
Having paid much close attention to the egg, larve and imago of this insect, I have
no hesitation in pronouncing the whole of these larve to be those of one variable spe-
cies. It may be said, “So says Guenée;” but, however proud we may be of
M. Guenéc’s admirable works, we must not take all for granted that even he says, as,
for instance, Cheimatobia filigrammaria and C. autumuaria, which he gravely tells us
are one species (simply because he was short of information upon this point) do not
even appear in the same localities or within a month or two of each other; but, as it
is more than probable that I shall have the larve of both species this season, I reserve
my remarks for a time, merely observing that I already possess sufficient information
respecting both species to warrant me in saying they are distinct. I may also observe
that I havea full set of another equally distinct species (a birch feeder) in my cabinet,
under the name Cheimatobia approximaria: the female of this species is even more
distinct from either of the above species than the female of autumnaria is from the
female of filigrammaria. — C. S. Gregson ; Stanley, May 9, 1858.—Intelligencer.
Gnophos obscurata and G. pullata. — In Mr. Stainton’s ‘ Manual’ two species of
the genus Gnophos are given as British, viz., obscurata and pullata. Whether we
have or have not more than one species, it is certain that the pullata of Treitschke,
Herrich-Scheffer and Guenée, and which is considered to be the species intended by
this name in the Vienna Catalogue, has not yet been found in Britain, and therefore
the name ought not to be applied to either of the varieties or species found here. The
Insects. 6103
probability is that we have only one, varying, according to the locality, from a
very pale gray to a brownish black; but the discovery of the larve of all the varieties
will settle the question.—Henry Doubleday ; Epping, May 13, 1858.
The Genus Oporobia.—In the ‘ Intelligencer’? Mr. Gregson states that, in his
opinion, we have four British species of this genus. I cannot agree with him, and
think that my friend M. Guenée is right in reducing them to two, dilutata and fili-
grammaria. The Oporobia autumnata of Boisduval and Guenée dves not appear to
have occurred in Britain. O. dilutata is extremely variable in size and colour, and
the Perthshire specimens are nearly double the size of those taken in the South of
England. In this locality the late Mr. Weaver captured a species which has since
been known by the name of autumnaria, and which differs from the Manchester and
Arran specimens of filigrammaria in nothing but size, being much larger and exactly
agreeing in this respect with the specimens of dilutata found in the same locality.
I sent a long series of each sex of this insect to M. Guenée, and, after a careful
examination, he came to the conclusion that it was only a local variety of filigram-
maria. Mr. Edleston has since seen some of the specimens, and considers them the
same as the Manchester species, but much finer. The first specimen I ever saw of
this insect was given tov me, many years since, by Sir William Jardine, and I was
convinced that it was distinct from dilutata, although my late friend J. F. Stephens
thought at that time it was only a variety. When in Paris, some time afterwards, I
saw specimens of autumnata in the collections, and thought them identical with the one
which I possessed. I had not the specimen with me to compare with the French
ones, and it seems that I was mistaken. Mr. Edleston afterwards took the species
near Manchester, and Mr. Weaver in Arran, and, more recently, the larger specimens
near Rannoch.—Id.
Description of a British Eupithecia new to Science.--
EvupitHeEcia vimtnata, Doubleday.
E. Alis omnibus cinerascentibus, anticis puncto minuto ordinario nigro ; striga
obsoletissima postica undulata alba.
All the wings pale ashy brown, with the ordinary black spot in the centre of the
anterior wings, but very minute, and a very indistinct pale waved line at the posterior
margin. Posterior wings pale brown, with very faint undulated strige.
I sent this obscure species to my friend M. Guenée: it does not appear to be a variety
of any named species, and M.Guenée considered the name viminataa very suitable one
if the insect was really distinct, as it appears to frequent the osier. Having examined
several specimens kindly lent to me by Mr. Greening, Mr. Bond and the Key. P. H.
Newnham, [ have little doubt of the validity of the species.—Jd.
Capture of Cucullia Chamomille near London. —I took a fine male specimen of
this insect, in the neighbourhvod of Hornsey, on the 9th instant. I have not heard of
its being taken so near London before, or at such an early date. The specimen is in
the collection of the Entomological Club—Thomas Huckelt; 26, Britannia Row,
Lower Road, Islington; May 17, 1858.
Occurrence of Ephyra orbicularia at Lewes. On Saturday evening last my son
Walter had the good fortune to take a very perfect specimen of Ephyra orbicularia.—
Edward Jenner ; 2, West Street, Lewes, May 17, 1858.
Larva of Tephrosia Laricaria.—In a few remarks (Zool. 6067) upon the larva of
6104 Insects.
T. Laricaria, the editor very sensibly and naturally asks how I “ recognise a larva of
which no figure or description exists, indeed which no one has previously seen, and
which I have not yet bred, to be that of Tephrosia Laricaria?” My reply is that I
came to the conclusion that the said larve were those of T. Laricaria, and could be
no other species,—first, because no other known larva of that size feeds upon the
larch; secondly, because the size and general appearance resembled generically that
of its congener T’. crepuscularia, though still distinguishable; and, lastly, because the
perfect insect is an inhabitant of Lancashire, where T. crepuscularia (at all events our
pale ashy specimens) are rarely taken. I regret to add that every one of seven larve
taken last September have, 1 fear, died in the pupa state, unless indeed they are
ichneumonized.—Henry Burney; Wavendon Rectory, near Woburn, Bedfordshire ;
May 18, 1858.
[I feel much obliged for Mr. Burney’s reply, but I cannot say that I regard his
reasons as satisfactory: the proof that these seven larve were those of T. Laricaria
seems to me as far removed as ever.— Edward Newman. |
Aleucis pictaria.—The pursuit of this insect has been very hot this year, and very
successful; but the limits of the one locality now worked have not been extended.
This is very singular, because the habits of the insect, crawling at the stems, or flitting
about the white blossoms of the slve, have for years been familiar to our best collectors.
I believe Mr. Stevens was the discoverer of this secret, but, so great was his love of
species preservation, that, to his credit be it spoken, I believe he never disclosed it.
We have to thank that accomplished Frenchman M. Guenée, to whom Nature seems
to reveal all her secrets, for making the fact known to the entomological public.
Within the compass of my own limited information one hundred and twenty-eight
specimens have been taken at Dartford Heath this year, the collectors on the ground
being Messrs. Machin, C. B. Newman, Dow, Bouchard, Harding, Baldwin, F. O.
Standish, Phipps (the son of “mine host” where the entomologists renovate the out-
ward man), Tompkins, Wallace, Latchford, Barrett, Mitford and others. Two of
these returned with empty boxes. Aleucis pictaria was first taken (in Britain) at
Berechurch, near Colchester, where it was most abundant, rushing madly into the
flame of candles whenever an open window or broken pane permitted of its performing
this act of self-sacrifice at the shrine of Vesta. It has also been taken on the South
Downs, in Sussex, where the straggling and stunted sloe bushes strive with the sea
breezes.— Edward Newman.
Camptogramma gemmaria.—I had the pleasure to take one specimen of this rare
species at a gas lamp near Dulwich on the 16th of April. It is not in good condition,
and had probably hybernated.—C. G. Barrett ; 37, Park Street, Mile End, May 12,
1858.
A Synonymic List of the British Trichopterygide.
By the Rev. A. MaTtHEws, M.A.
THE following synonymic list is an attempt to reduce the nomen-
clature of the British Trichopterygide into something like uniformity.
I have endeavoured to accomplish this in the hope of rendering the
Insects. 6105
Study of these curious little atoms more intelligible to a beginner,
and of avoiding the confusion which now exists from the indiscrimi-
nate application of the same name to species widely differing from
each other. For this purpose I have, to the utmost of my power,
carefully compared the descriptions given by most of the authors
referred to in the list with specimens of each species, and in many
cases I have received the valuable assistance of my friend Mr. Water-
house, who has with much kindness examined those works to which |
had not the means of access.
I have made some alterations in the disposition of the genera, since
it appears to me that this family is closely allied to the Brachelytra,
not only in the external form and habits of the species, but especially
in the dissections of the mouth, and that, in a general arrangement of
the order, it should follow that extensive class. According to this
idea the transition through Ptinella to the typical genus Trichopteryx
is easy and natural, and, however impracticable as a whole a purely
natural arrangement may be, I do not think it should be entirely lost
sight of; and again, by placing Ptilium, Ptenidium and Nossidium
at the end of the family, you leave this group, by an easy descent,
either to Scaphidium or Choleva, to which in many points they bear
an evident affinity.
With regard to the separation of Ptinella and some others from the
genera with which they have been hitherto associated, I conceive that
I am justified in thus dividing them by their great external dissimi-
larity ; and where external characters are the almost only available
points of distinction, they carry with them a weight which they would
not otherwise possess. 1 much regret that, owing to the extreme
rarity of many of these species, I have been unable to obtain dis-
sections, as I believe that such an examination would fully sanction
their separation. In order to avoid muitiplying terms, I have adopted
for these genera names previously used in the same family by Mots-
choulsky and other writers; but as these names were not in every
case originally applied to the species to which I have assigned them,
I subjoin descriptions of the genera and species now characterized
for the first time.
I have, for the same reason, retained the name of Ptilium for the
genus to which Erichson assigned it, as he appears to have been the
first to publish its characters : all reference to Gyllenhal must how-
ever be expunged, as that author not only did not intend the name
for any of the species to which it is now given, but actually assigns
it to two species of Ptenidium, vz. pusillum and punctatum.
XVI. ak
6106
Insects.
PTINELLA, Mots.
Antenne articulis undecim, duobus basalibus maximis, cylindricis,
sex sequentibus parvis, gracillimis, gradatim incrassatis, apicali-
bus tribus magnis, ovatis, terminali acuminata; caput magnum,
latum, fronte obtusa, pronoto profunditer insertum; pronotum
transversum, anterius dilatatum, posterius valde constrictum,
elytrorum humeris bene compactum; scutellum amplum, trian-
gulare; elytra brevia, truncata, vix dimidium abdominis tegen-
tia; abdomen amplum, elongatum, minime retractile, lateribus
alte marginatis, segmentis quinque apertis, prioribus tribus
zqualibus, penulltimo magno, obtuso, apicali minimo; femora
robusta, elongata; tibize compress, posteriores duo medio di-
latatz ; tarsi exigui.
Forma pronoti, elytris permulto brevioribus, et abdomine
prelongo ac robusto ab omnibus aliis Ptinella differt.
Preryx, Matthews.
Antenne articulis undecim, duobus basalibus maximis cylindricis,
Le
tertio exigua, sex sequentibus ferme paribus, gradatim incras-
satis, duobus apicalibus magnis, rotundatis; caput magnum,
latum, fronte valde rotundata; oculi parvi; pronotum trans-
versum, anterius contractum, posterius dilatatum, elytrorum
humeris permulto latius; scutellum modicum, triangulare;
elytra ovata, truncata, abdominis partes 2? tegentia; abdomen
ovatum, retractile, segmentis quinque ferme zqualibus apertis,
lateribus haud marginatis; coxze magne, posteriores parum
dilatate ; tibiz long, paulo compress, posteriores indistincte
calcaratz, ac medio parum dilatate ; tarsi longiores gracillimi.
Forma corporis, presertim pronoti, hoc genus Trichopterici
assimilat, coxis tamen parum dilatatis, antennisque dissimilibus
facile potest distingui.
Pteryx mutabilis, Matthews.
c. 3—+, lin. Hlongata, ovata, rufo-testacea, aureo pubescens,
crebre ac fortius punctata; capite magno, rotundato; pronoto
transverso, longitudini capitis vix equali, anterius valde con-
tracto, angulis rotundatis, angulis posterioribus rectis, margine
posteriori et anteriori recta; elytris ovatis, ad humeros pronoto
angustioribus, apicibus truncatis, ad suturam sinuatis; pedibus
L.
Lnsects. 6107
atque antennis pallidis, translucidis, antennarum articulis corona
selarum nigrarum ornatis.
Color speciei hujusce post mortem est varius, viventibus
rufo-testaceus aut dilutior, aut intensior, sed post mortem vari-
etatum harum aliam aut aliam adhibeat, videlicet,
Var. a Ut in vita testacea, aut rufo-testacea, colore uno.
Var. 8. Testacea, elytris translucidis, ala utraque plaga nigra,
media, longitudinali, visa.
Var. y. Rufo-testacea, elytris subtranslucidis, capite, pronoto,
apicibusque latis elytrorum, piceis.
Permultum dubito annon heece species T. suturalis D. Erich-
son atque aliorum sit, et ei tributam esse vellem, ni figura in
Monographia D. Gillmeister determisset; cnjus figure aliz
omnes adeo sint perfecta, ut sit vix verisimile hac una falli.
Capta prope Weston in agro Oxoniensi.
Tvichopteryx convexa, Matthews.
c.dlin. Valde convexa, punctata, nigra, nitida, capite magno
prominulo; pronoto valde convexo, posterius dilatato, leviter
sed distincte punctato, ad basim lined punctata, transversali,
profunde impressa, marginibus lateralibus adjuncta; lateribus
ipsis leviter marginatis, et ad modum T. grandicollis rotundatis ;
margine basali subsinuata, angulis posterioribus. ferrugineis,
acutissimis, et valde productis elytrorum humeros amplexis ;
elytris brevioribus, longitudine pronoti vix excedentibus pallide
pubescentibus, magis profunde punctatis, apicibus ferrugineis
subrotundatis; antennis ac pedibus ferrugineis,
Forma convexissima, et pronoti linea transversali ab aliis
cognoscitur.
In agro Oxoniensi seme] capta.
Micrus, Mots.
Antenne pilose, articulis undecim, duobus basalibus elongatis,
robustis, cylindricis ; tertio exiguo, parti trienti sequentis yix
equali, quinque proximis eequalibus, elongato-ovatis, apicalibus
tribus elongatis, gradatim incrassatis ; palpi maxillares magni,
articulis quatuor, basali minuto, secundo elongato, parum re-
curvato, tertio maximo ovato, apicali minutissimo, acuminato ;
caput magnum, latum; oculi prominuli; pronotum subquad-
ratum, paulo anterius dilatatum; scutellum amplum, triangu-
lare; elytra oblonga, truncata, apicibus fere rectis; abdomen
6108 Insects.
obtusum, segmentis quatuor apertis, prioribus tribus fere equali-
bus, postremo maximo obtuso; pedes parum elongati, coxis
anterioribus magnis posterioribus paulo dilatatis ; tibiis posteri-
oribus calcaratis, tarsisque brevioribus, gracillimis.
Forma oblonga et obtusa, pronoto subquadrato, atque coxis
minus dilatatis a Trichopterice hoc genus differt ab aliis autem
coxis evidenter dilatatis elytrisque truncatis.
Titan, Newman.
Antenne articulis undecim, basali maximo cylindrico, secundo
magno orbiculato, sex sequentibus brevibus rotundatis, fere
eequalibus, tribus ultimis majoribus rotundatis, apicali acumi-
nato; caput magnum, fronte rotundata; pronotum transversum,
posterius parum dilatatum, capite vix longius, lateribus rotun-
datis, angulis fere rectis; scutellum magnum triangulare; elytra
abbreviata, quadrata, abrupte truncata, posterius parum dilatata,
ad humeros pronoto parum angustiora; pedes breviores, coxis
omnibus magnis, posterioribus haud laminatis, tibiis anteriori-
bus dilatatis, intus calcaratis posterioribus quatuor robustis,
tarsis mediocribus, articulis basalibus parum dilatatis.
Hoe genus coxis haud laminatis Trichoptericibus propriis
differt, a sequentibus elytra brevissima ad distinguendum
valent.
.
SYNONYMIC LIST.
Fam. TRICHOPTERYGIDH, Haliday, Dub. Nat. Hist. Rev. (Proc. of
Soc. pp. 121—123; Faune Francaise.
Trichopterygia, Gillmeister, Deutls. Ins. von J. Sturm. xvii. Tri-
chopterygia, Hrichson, Nat. der Ins. Deuts. iii. 13. Ptilina, Heer,
Faun. Col. Helvet.
Gen. 1. PTINELLA.
Trichopteryx, p., Gillm. Ptilium, p., Evrichson, l. c. iii. 31—33;
Guérin; Faune Francaise, i. 338; De Jean, Catal, 3rd ed. 138.
Omalium, Walil, in litt. test. Gillm.
1. Britannica, Matthews, Zool. 6032.
Gen. 2. PTERYx.
1. Mutabilis, Matthews.
Insects. 6109
Gen. 3. TRICHOPTERYX.
Trichopteryx, Kirby, Int. to Ent. iii. 40; Stephens, Ill. Br. Ent. ;
Curtis, Guide; Erichson, l. c. 18; Heer, Faun. Col. Helvet. 1. 374;
p-» Gillmeister, l. c. 1; Faune Francaise, 1.; Haliday, l. c. 122.
Acrotrichis, p., Motschoulsky ; Wollaston. Silpha, p., Marsham.
Scaphidium, p., Gyllenhal. Liatridius, p., Herbst. | Dermestes, p.,
De Geer. Ptilium, p., Sturm’s Catal. ; Motschoulsky.
1. Grandicollis, Hrichson, l. c. 20; Haliday; Faune Francaise :
fascicularis, Heer ; Gillm.: minutissima? Marsh.: atomaria, Steph.:
lata, Mots.
2. Convexa, Matthews.
8. Fascicularis, Herbst, Kaf. v. 8, pl. 41, f. 7; Hrichson ; Faune
Franc.; Haliday: intermedia, Gillmeister: grandicollis, Maerkel,
Mann.
4, Atomaria, De Geer, Ins. iv. 218, t. 8, f. 16—20 (test. Gllm.);
Gyllenhal; Erichson; Heer; Gillmeister; Faune Fr.; Redten-
bacher; Motschoulsky; Haliday: minima, Marsham; Stephens:
flavicornis, Walil: marina, Motschoulsky: Var. Chevrieri, Allibert.
5. Thoracica, Gillmeister, l. c. 48; Faune Fr.
6. Mollis, Haliday, l. c. 123, pl 3, f. 7.
7. Suffocata, Haliday, l. ec. 123.
8. Brevipennis, Evichson, l. c. 21; Faune Francaise: clavipes,
Gillmeister : picicornis, Mannerheim.
9. Sericans, Schuppel; Heer, l. c. 374 (test. Gillm.); Evrichson ;
Faune Franc.; Motschoulsky ; Haliday: depressa, Sturm’s Catal. ;
Gillmeister ; Redienbacher: Var. yolans, var. acuminatum, var. bo-
vinum, var. brevis, Motschoulsky. |
10. Pumila, Hrichson, l.c. 22; Faune Francaise; Haliday: seri-
cans, Gillmeisier : Montadoni, rivularis, A/libert : longicorne, quadra-
tum, Motschoulsky.
11. Similis, Gzllmeister, l. c. 53.
12. Pygmea, EHrichson, l.c. 21; Faune Fr.; Haliday: parallel-
ogramma, Gillmeister ; Redtenbacher: Chevrolati, Allibert.
Gen. 4, Micrus.
Micrus, Motschoulsky. Ptilium, Faune Fr. i. 334.
1. Filicornis, Faune Fr. i. 338.
2. Pulchellus, Allibert, in litt. Dom. Aubé (test. Gillm. l. c. 98);
Faune Fr.
6110 Insects.
Gen. 5. TITAN.
Titan, Newman. ‘'Trichopteryx, p., Heer, Erichson; Faune Fr.
Gillmeister ; Allibert; Haliday.
1. Abbreviatellus, Heer, 1. c. 1.375; Evrichson; Faune Francaise:
curta, Allibert ; Gillmeister; Haliday: Titan? Newman, Ent. Mag.
i. 20.
Gen. 6, PTriILiuMm.
Ptilium, Hrichson, l. c. 24; Redtenbacher; Comolli; Faune Fr. ;
Haliday. ‘Trichopteryx, p., Stephens; Motschoulsky; Allibert ;
Mannerheim; Gillmeister. Latridius, p., Herbst. Elophorus, p.,
Gyllenhal; Weber § Mohr. Ptinella, Micrus, Ptenidium, Mots-
choulsky.
1. Kunzei, Heer, 1. c. 375; Erichson; Redtenbacher; Mots-
choulsky ; Gillmeister ; Faune Francaise : nana, p., Stephens: lon-
gicorne, Walil; Maerkel; Mannerheim: spinipenne, Comolli.
2. Angustatum, Spence, in litt.; Erichson, l. c. 29; Faune Fr.;
Haliday: oblongum, Maerkel; Gillmeister; Redtenbacher: rugu-
losum, Allibert.
3. Fuscum, Walil, in litt.; Erichson, l. c. 28; Gillmeister ; Faune
Fy. : Var. fuscipenne, Forster.
4. Canaliculatum, Maerkel, in litt.; Erichson, 1. c. 25; Gill-
meister : minutissima, Heer.
5. Minimum, Herbst, 1. c. tab. 44, f. 8 (test. Gillmeister) : exca-
vatum, Maerkel; Erichson; Gillmeister; Faune Franc.; Redten-
bacher: foveolata, Allibert: limbata, gallicum, Molschoulsky :
clandestinum, Haliday.
6. Coarctatum, Haliday, 1. c. 122.
7. Minutissimum, Weber & Mohr; Gyllenhal, Ins. Suec. i. 136;
Erichson; Gillmeister; Faune Fr.: trisulcatum, Stephens; Aubé:
lesicolle, Waltl.: excavatum, Haliday.
Gen. 7. PTENIDIUM.
Ptenidium, Erichson, 1. c. 34; Redtendacher ; Wollaston; Faune
Fr.; Haliday; p., Motschoulsky. Trichopteryx, p., Kirby; Heer;
Mannerheim ; Motschoulsky; Allibert; Gillmeister. Anisarthria,
p-, Waterhouse ; Stephens. Scaphidium, p., Gyllenhal. Silpha, p.,
Marsham. Ptilium, Schuppel (test, Gyll.)
Entomological Society. 6111
1. Pusillum, Gyllenhal, l. c. i. 189, iv. 293; EHvrichson ; Redten-
bacher ; Gillmeister; Faune Francaise ; Haliday: minutissimum,
Stephens: nitidum, Heer: 4-foveolatum, Allibert: evanescens,
Marsham.
2. Levigatum, E’vichson, l. c. 35; Gillmeister ; Faune France. ;
Haliday: punctatum, Stephens.
3. Punctatum, Gyllenhal, 1. c.-iv. 293; Faune Fr.; Wollaston ;
Haliday: fuscicorne, Evrichson: alutacea, Gillmeister : littorale, ob-
scuricorne, Motschoulsky.
4. Apicale, Hrichson, l. c. 35; Sturm; Redtenbacher; Gill-
meister ; Faune Francaise ; Haliday: perpusillum, melas, Marsham ;
Stephens: nitidum, Stephens: evanescens, Heer; Motschoulsky :
punctatum, elongatum, myrmecophilum, Motschoulsky.
Gen. 8. NOossIDIUM.
Nossidium, Lrichson, l.c. 17; Faune Fr.; Haliday. Anisarthria,
p-, Stephens ; Motschoulsky. Ptilium, p., Redtenbacher. Dermestes,
p:-, Marsham.
1. Pilosellum, Warsham, Col. Brit. 78; Stephens; Erichson ;
Faune Francaise; Haliday: nitidulum? brunneum? Marsham;
Slephens: Ferrarii, Redtenbacher.
A. MATTHEWSs.
Gumley, Market Harborough,
May 15, 1858.
Remarks on the Sale of the Entomological Society's Exotic Collection: a Letter
addressed to the President.
Dear Dr. Gray, Oatlands.
As you have taken no notice whatever of the only part of my letter which
was particularly addressed to you, I suppose I must come to the conclusion that the
Council do not mean, by a small act of grace, to extenuate a great injustice.
Unconvinced by your lecture, I stick to my text that you have done that which is
neither lawful nor right.
The Society may, as you say, “derive great benefit from what it has done.” It
may prosper by the aid of that which I believe to be ill-gotten wealth; but I consider
that its stability and good name went with the tattered fragments of the collection
which was dispersed at the sale-room.
Before then I would not have presumed to compare my private collection with
that of a Society, but since you have done su I accept the comparison. My life, ina
+
6112 Entomological Society.
business point of view, may be worth fifteen or twenty years’ purchase, and I suppose
this is your notion of the duration of the Society since its fall. I see no further
aualogy between a public and a private cullection. One is known to be of short
duration, the other is supposed to belong to the future. My collection is my own, to
dispose of as I please; yours was entailed and left to you in trust: mine, when I am
done with it, will, I hope, be placed in the hands of those who have more regard for
the feelings of others than the Council of the Entomological have shown.
You attempt to connect me, as an M.E.S., with the misdeeds of the Council.
The fourteen days’ notice of the sale, when the collection was already doomed and at
the sale-room, was—or my memory fails me—the only notice which, asa member of the
Society, I have ever had of the intentions of the Council, and this notice was sent me
not by them, but by the auctioneers. Of the years of discussion of which you speak
I have never heard one syllable, except by rumour. Until that fourteen days’ notice
was given my belief was that the better feelings of the Council had prevailed,
and that the rumoured sale had been considered, as it ought to have been, an
impossibility.
I am yours very truly,
W. C. Hewrrson.
Reply to the preceding by Dr. Gray.
British Museum, May 12, 1858.
My dear Mr. Hewitson,
I have this moment received from you a note, without date, respecting
the sale of the Society’s collection, and as you inform me that you have sent it to
Mr. Newman, as you did the former note, before it reached my hands, I reply through
the same channel. I cannot agree with you that the Society has done anything
‘which is neither lawful nor right; but I believe that they have acted in a most
proper, regular and legal manner throughout, and with your implied sanction.
It is true that the Society hold the collection and other property in trust for the
benefit of the members at large; but the trust has nothing to do with the persons who
have presented specimens to the Society without any condition or reservation of any
kind. I think you overlook the fact that the members of the Society who do not
attend the meeting's of the Society when duly invited are bound by the acts of those
that do attend, and that you cannot excuse yourself because you have neglected your
duties as a member.
My dear Sir,
Ever yours truly,
J. E. Gray.
Remarks on Dr. Gray's Note (Zool. 6070).
To the Editor of the ‘ Zoologist.’
Will you allow me to protest against the doctrine laid down in Dr. J. E.
Gray’s letter (Zool. 6070), viz. that public bodies stand on the same footing as indi-
viduals, with respect to the right of converting into money objects of Natural History
that have been presented to them. Surely there must be general concurrence in Mr.
Entomological Society. 6113
Hewitson’s view, that Collections are given to public Societies to prevent the dispersion
of them: gifts to individuals, for the gratification of friendly feeling, stand on a very
different footing ; yet, even in the latter case, the conversion of the gift into money
would be generally deemed a most ungrateful proceeding. I know nothing more of
the matter in dispute than what is to be collected from the two letters, and my sole
object iu troubling you with these few lines is to avert the discouragement of dona-
tions to public Institutions, which Dr. Gray’s avowal that “ their property must be
liable to be distributed like that of a private individual ” must necessarily produce. I
most strongly dissent from the Dr.’s doctrine that the legality of the sale is the only
question for consideration.
I am, Sir, yours obediently,
J. P. Witmor.
Leamington, May 12.
[The discussion on this subject will now cease.— Edward Newman.]
Proceedings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
May 3, 1858.—Dr. Gray, President, in the Chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the
donors :—‘ Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou,’ 1856, Nos.
2—4, and 1857, No. 1; presented by the Society. ‘Catalogue of the Lepidopterous
Insects in the Museum of the East India Company,’ by Thomas Horsfield, M. and
Ph. D., F.R.S., Keeper of the Company’s Museum, and Frederic Moore, Assistant,
Vol. i.; by the Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company. ‘ Proceedings
of the Royal Society, Vol. ix, No. 30; by the Society. ‘ Proceedings of the Zoolo-
gical Society,’ Nos. 339—349, both inclusive; by the Society. ‘The Zoologist’ for
May; by the Editor. ‘ Abhandlungen de Mathemat-Physikalischen Classe der Ko-
niglich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenchaften,’ Vol. viii. Part I.; ‘ Ueber den
Auban und Ertrag des Bodens im Konigreiche Bayun,’ Part I., by Dr. F. B. W.
Hermann; by the Akademie. ‘The Atheneum’ for April; by the Editor. ‘The
Literary Gazette’ for April; by the Editor. ‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’
for April; by the Society. ‘List of the Specimens of Homopterous Insects in the
Collection of the British Museum,’ by Francis Walker, F.L.S., &c.—Supplement ;
by the Author. ‘A Manual of British Butterflies and Moths,’ No, 16; by the
Author, H. T. Stainton, Esq. ‘The Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer, Nos.
79—83 ; by the Editor, H. T. Stainton, Esq.
Elections.
Robert Mc Lachlan, Esq., of Park Road Terrace, Forest Hill, and Alfred Boot,
XVI, 2. L
6114 Entomological Society.
Esq., of Park Row, Greenwich, were elected Members; and J oseph Stevens, Esq., of
Upper Richmond Road, Wandsworth, a Subscriber to the Society.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Majendie sent for exhibition a piece of beech bark covered with a white sub-
stance, which Mr. Westwood pronounced to be a secretion exuded from the body of
the female of a species of Coccus, of which the male is as yet unknown.
Mr. Shepherd exhibited specimens of Stenus solutus, Hrichs., taken in the Lon-
don district, observing that the species had been recorded as British in Mr. Water-
house’s recently published sehen Ae) on the authority of a single specimen in the
collection of Dr. Power.
Mr. W. F. Evans sent for exhibition living examples of the larva and imago of a
species of the Rhynchophorous genus Prypnus, Schoenh., which he had found in
bulbs imported from the Cape of Good Hope.
Mr. Horace Francis exhibited various Coleoptera which he had met with in the
vicinity of Folkestone, in September last, including beautiful examples of Anchome-
nus livens, Gyll., and Ocypus (Goerius) cyaneus, Fab.
Mr. Janson exhibited the following Coleoptera, recently captured by him within a
short distance of the metropolis: —
Oodes Helopioides, Fab., a species which he had not before taken, and which ap-
pears to be this year unusually abundant, having been found in considerable numbers
in Kent, by Mr. Lewis, Mr. Douglas, Dr. Power and others: the series now before
the Meeting were taken in the adjoining county of Surrey.
Badister peltatus, Panzer, a single individual found on the 19th of March last,
under loose bark of willow, in the notorious Hammersmith, or, perhaps more cor-
rectly, Shepherd’s Bush Marshes. The synonymy of and references to this species
should be thus expressed: Carabus peltatus, Panzer, Faun. Ins. Germ. Fas. xxxvii.
tab. 20 (1797), probably figured and described from a very immature specimen, with
the head and thorax ferruginous, the elytra pale brassy, and the antenne and legs
entirely testaceous, a state of things so different from the ordinary aspect of the insect
as to render identification, if not impossible, at least very problematical and unsatis-
factory; Illiger, Verzeichn. d. Kafer Preuss. 197,80 (1798); Duft. Faun. Austr. ii.
147, 193 (1812). Amblychus peltatus, Gyll. Ins. Suec. ii. 76, 2 (1810). Trimorphus
Erro, Newman (olim), Ent. Mag. v. 489 (1838); Steph. Man. Brit. Col. 23, 134
(1839). Badister peltatus, Sturm, Deutschl. Fuun. Ins. iii. 189, 3, tab. Ixxvi. fig. a,
A (1815); Dej. Spec. ii. 408, 4 (1826); Lconogr. ii. 226, 4, tab. 101, fig. 3 (1830) ;
Heer, Faun, Col. Helv. i. 49, 3 (1838); Erich. Kaf. d. Mark Brand. i. 24, 4 (1839) ;
Schaum, Ent. Zeit. Stett. ix. 37 (1848); Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 2nd series, iii. 35
(1849); Newman, Zool. 2276, 2277 (1848); L. Redtb. Faun. Austr. 82 (1849), 2nd
ed. 31 (1857) ; Dawson, Geod. Brit. 61, 3, tab. 1, fig. C (1854); Fairm. § Laboulb.
Faun, Ent. Franc. i. 63, 4 (1854); Soldibia: avant. d. Ins. Deutschl. i. 352, 4
(1857).
Cossonus linearis, Linn., Schoenh., Steph., Walton. A species, judging from the
old cabinets, frequently met with in Britain in days of yore, but which has probably
not occurred fur nearly twenty years, specimens having been taken by Dr. Power, in
Cambridgeshire, about that period, since which apparently no instance is on record of
its capture. The series now exhibited was taken a few days since in an old elm, which
literally teemed with the insect in all its stages, the semi-decayed portions of the tree
Entomological Society. 6115
being riddled in all directions by the larve, and the débris mingled with the remains
of countless members of bygone generations.
Stenus solutus, Eric., captured at the same time and place as the specimens pre-
viously exhibited by Mr. Edwin Shepherd, to whom I am indebted for the opportunity
of taking this scarce and local species.
Lathrobium punctatum, Zetterstedt, Faun. Ins. Lappon. i. 84, 5 (1828), to whom,
and not to Nordmann, this species must be assigned, he having first elaborately
described it under this name.
Mr. Westwood remarked that Cossonus linearis used to be taken in Battersea
Fields.
Mr. Janson rejoined that it was certainly not there that he had met with it: little
anxiety need, however, be felt as to the precise locality which had yielded it, as he had
not only secured but set out an ample supply for all his friends, and specimens (a
dozen if he desired them) were quite at Mr. Westwood’s service.
Mr. Gloyne observed that he had taken a specimen of Ooddes Helopioides on the
banks of the Thames, near Mortlake.
Mr. Staimton exhibited a new species of Cemiostoma, bred by Mr. Wailes, of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, from larvze mining the leaves of Genista tinctoria, for which the
name Wailesella had been proposed: the insect was closely allied to C. spartifoliella -
and laburnella, but smaller, and with a bluer tint than those species.
Mr. Westwood wished to know whether the larve of these closely-allied species fed
on closely-allied plants; if so it was most probable that they were not distiuct species,
but merely modifications produced by the difference in the food plant.
Mr. Stainton observed that, independently of the differences in the larve and
perfect insects, differences which truly were minute, there were differences of habit,
especially between the larve, which would render it difficult to refer them to the same
species; and to assume that because the differences were small, and because the larva
fed on a different plant, the difference of food should so modify the insect in all its
stages, seemed rather like begging the question: it was possible the effect of the food
might be to alter the appearance of the insect, but that was certainly a point which
required to be proved belore it could be admitted.
Mr. Smith exhibited a Stylops which he had bred from a living example of
Andrena fuscata, Kirby: it emerged from the pupa at half-past nine o’clock that
morning, and although he endeavoured, by keeping it in as cool a place as possible, to
preserve it alive to exhibit that evening, it died at about half-past four o'clock: he
believed it to be the same species which he had lately figured in the Society's
‘ Transactions,’ or certainly a very closely-allied species.
Mr. Smith also exhibited a piece of tube formed of vulcanized India-rubber, con-
taining cells of the leaf-cutter bees: the cells were placed transversely in the tube,
which he considered an extraordinary instance of sagacity in the bees.
Mr. Stevens exhibited some butterflies, taken in Amboyna by Mr. Wallace, in-
cluding beautiful males of Papilio Ulysses, and the female of this species, the Papilio
Diomedes, Cram.; also Papilio Codrus, and some fine Pieride.
Mr. Waterhouse exhibited the following Coleoptera, from the Collection of Dr.
Power :—
Tachyusa suleata, Taken at Southend.
Homalota orbata. ‘Taken at Merton.
Agaricochara levicollis. Taken at the Holt, Hampshire.
6116 Entomological Society.
Oligota granaria. Taken at the Holt, Hampshire.
Xantholinus glaber. Taken at Holme Bush.
Quedius fuscipes. Taken at Addington.
Stenus solutus. Taken at Cowley and Lee.
Stenus (sp. 20 of Mr. Waterhouse’s Catalogue). Taken at Shirley. Mr.
Waterhouse observed that this insect, in some respects (especially in the dark colouring
of the palpi), more perfectly agreed with the description of S. providus, Erichs., than
did the species which he had supposed was that insect, and which, from its more cy-
lindrical form, he now thought might prove to be Kraatz’s S. Rogeri. Before, how-
ever, this point could be settled, it would be necessary to ascertain the sexual characters
of Dr. Power's insect, of which one specimen only had been found.
Philonthus signaticornis. Taken at Eastcot and Merton.
Philonthus nigrita. Taken at Eltham.
Philonthus pullus. Taken at Portsea.
Philonthus lepidus. Taken at Deal.
Mr. Waterhouse also exhibited the following species from his own collection :—
Oxypoda aterrima, nov. sp.
Anisotoma obesa, Schmidt, A. ciliaris, Schmidt, A. brunnea, Sturm, A. parvula,
Sahlb.
Cyrtusa minuta, Ahrens.
Agaricophagus cephalotes, Schmidt.
Leiodes orbicularis, Herbst.
Euthia plicata, Gyll., E. truncatella, Evichs. First taken by Mr. Whittingham
at Leytonstone, and subsequently by Mr. Waterhouse at the Crystal Palace.
Mr. Waterhouse read the following description of the new species of Oxypoda
exhibited by him :—
“ Oxypona ? ATERRIMA.
“QO. linearis, aterrima, nitidiuscula, antennis pedibusque piceo-nigris, thorace ely-
trisque crebre punctatis, abdomine parcius punctato; thorace coleopteris longi-
tudine subaquale, bast foveola impresso, Long. corp. 1 lin.
“ This little insect is extremely like Homalota analis, but is usually a trifle larger:
the antenne are distinctly shorter, a little stouter, and with the intermediate joints
strongly transverse; the head rather more globose and less suddenly constricted
behind; the thorax rather less transverse, but in other respects like, with the same
posterior fovea and indistinct dorsal channel; the punctuation, however, of this part,
as well as of the elytra, is rather stronger: the elytra are very nearly equal to the
thorax, both in width and length, and present scarcely a trace of the posterior notch:
the abdomen is rather less finely and less thickly punctured than in H. analis; the
three visible segments nearest the elytra are transversely impressed at the base; the
jaws are testaceous; the palpi dusky.
“Several specimens of this insect have been taken by Mr. Morris Young near
Paisley: its general appearance is so like that of a Homalota (especially H. analis)
that I was much surprised, upon placing it under the microscope, to find five joints to
the fore tarsi, and this character accompanied by a somewhat elongated basal joint to
to the posterior tarsi: this joint, however, though decidedly longer than the following
joints, is less elongated than in most of the Oxypode.”
Entomological Society. 6117
Mr. Westwood exhibited a drawing of a dark variety of Acronycta Ligustri, and
of the larva from which it had been bred by Mr. Henry Boyle.
Captain Cox sent for exhibition a portion of a hop-pole perforated by the larva of
a Coleopterous insect, apparently a Callidium.
Mr. Stevens communicated the following extract from a letter written by Mr. H.
W. Bates, from Sto. Paolo, Upper Amazons: —
“On arriving at this station, one of the first new acquaintances in the butterfly
department which greeted me was the very beautiful Pandora Prola, Botsd.,—at least
I suppose it to be this species, from the nearly spotless scarlet colour of the under
surface of posterior wings; it was flying wildly about the streets of the village, en-
tering houses by the windows and settling on the walls: since then I have always
seen one or two on every very hot sunny day: the species does not penetrate the
forest; it is found only about the houses, and ata spot on the borders of the forest
where the vultures roost: its habits altogether are unlike those of any other species of
Nymphalide ; it settles frequently, sometimes on the ground, attracted by offal, but
frequently on the trunks of trees, bare walls, &c., holding in repose its wings slightly
raised: it is excessively wary, and only during the very hottest weather allows itself
to be approached: I have captured several on my own person, as, when standing about
waiting an opportunity to obtain it, it is apt to sail up boldly and settle on one’s
clothing; its habit of settling on the trunks of trees and its bold rapid style of flight
very much resemble the manner of the Ageroniz, and I am quite satisfied that the
true position of the genus Pandora is in proximity with Ageronia. ‘There are two
grand species of this latter genus new to me also found here, one of which has the
greater part of the under surface of the hind wings red, and the other has the same
part saffron-yellow: they fly in company with Pandora at the place on the borders of
the forest, but do not wander so far in their flight. I wish to mention here
that I think there is quite an erroneous conception established by lepidopterists, of the
nature and affinities of the Ageronie. M. Lacordaire and Mr. Wallace have said
that the chrysalis is secured by a ligature round the body ; I think there is some mis-
take about this: I have bred two species of the genus, and most certainly the chry-
salis is suspended by the tail like all the other Nymphalidae. In our systems
the Ageronie are placed at the head of the Nymphalide, near the true Papilionide,
as though forming the connexion between the families. I think all this is a mis-
conception. ‘There is no proximate affinity at all between the Papilionide and
the Nymphalide; the two families are separated by the whole mass of the Ery-
cinide. I should as little expect to find an Ageronia chrysalis with a ligature round
the body, as a true Papilio chrysalis suspended only by the tail. The larve of
Ageronia are spinose; the lines of thoracic segments densely ramose. In their flight
they make a smacking noise with their wings like the clicking of castanets, but rarely
repeated. The Pandora dves not produce this noise.”
The Secretary read the following paper by Mr. A. R. Wallace :—
A disputed case of Priority in Nomenclature.
“ Allow me to call the attention of the Entomological Society to what seems to me a
novel and most erroneous as well as inconvenient interpretation of the law of priority:
it is, that of transferring a name long borne by one insect (but which it has lost by
being found to be buta sex or variety) to another insect which has been erroneously
6118 Entomological Society.
referred to the same species. This has been done by the late Mr. Doubleday, who has
changed Ornithoptera Remus, a name which for fifty years has been invariably borne
by one well-known species, into O. Panthous, a name which for a still longer period has
been applied to the female of O. Priamus. Such a change would be most inadvisable,
even were the principle on which it was made a good one ; whereas it is one which
gives, at it were, a premium to error. Linneus described the female of Priamus as a
distinct species (Panthous) and Remus as the male of Panthous. Cramer corrected the
latter error and figured the two sexes of Remus correctly, giving the species for the
first lime a distinct name. This name it appears to me cannot be changed for that of
Linneus, who erroneously supposed the species to be the sameas oue he had previously
named, although that name has been reduced tu a synonym. The two errors of Lin-
nezus should not be allowed to take precedence of Cramer, who first correctly named
the species. The question here raised is of importance because an analogous case is
now open for decision. P. Darsius of G. R. Gray was previously figured by
Doubleday as the male of Amphimedon. Now, Amphimedon is certainly the female
of Helena, and, if the rule holds good, the new species Darsius must take the old name
of Amphimedon, just as Remus has been made by Messrs. E. Doubleday and G. R.
Gray, to take the name of Panthous. Such a practice will certainly not be generally
followed, and I would humbly suggest that it is one of the duties of an Entomological
Society, to check, by an expression of their opinion, all that tends still further to con-
fuse the nomenclature and synonymy.
“ Amboyna, January 1, 1858.”
The Secretary read “Descriptions of six New British Neuroptera sent by
Mr. Dale to the British Museum,” by Dr. Hagen; and the following paper by Mr.
Newman :—
Note on Scolytus destructor.
“ Having heard from Mr. Stainton that the Royal Botanic Society had awarded
a gold medal to our fellow-member, Captain Cox, for certain successful experiments
in recovering elm trees from the attacks of Scolytus destructor, I was delighted to
receive for the press that elaborate paper with which the Society was favoured at its
last meeting. ‘That paper is published in our ‘ Proceedings,’ and will afford to
the world abundant proof that we are now regarding Entomology in a utilitarian as
as well as a scientific spirit. ‘It is,’ as the writer observes, ‘ peculiarly fitting that
Science should step in and prove that over one pest at least we have power, and if not
made use of the fault lies entirely with the public.’ I cannot sufliciently regret my
absence from so interesting a meeting, since, had I been present, I should have en-
deavoured to elicit still further information from a gentleman who has so successfully
studied this important branch of rural economy; more especially, as the Parisians, in
their bungling attempts to employ the draw-shave, have sacrificed the finest elm trees
around the French metropolis. I may perhaps be allowed to state, touching the
bibliography of Scolytus destructor, that I think Captain Cox scarcely goes back far
enough, when he dates the knowledge of its economy from 1840: previously to that
year the late M. Audouin had thoroughly mastered its history; and six years earlier
still, an obscure writer in the ‘ Entomological Magazine’ (i. 425), under the assumed
name of ‘ Rusticus ’:—the habit of assuming names cannot be sufficiently reprobated—
described its economy so minutely as to induce the idea that Captain Cox must have
Entomological Society. 6119
been at the writer's elbow even while he held the pen, and dictated what he wrote:
before Rusticus, Kirby and Spence seem to have been cognizant of its doings; and to
go back still further, the very name carries with it an idea of some knowledge of its
economy. Captain Cox has, however, added one most interesting fact overlooked by
previous writers: that ‘ the female dies at the entrance of her tube, thus performing a
maternal duty by closing the aperture to her young ones with her own dead body.’
The points, however, on which I would solicit for the Society additional information
are these: Captain Cox states his firm conviction that healthy trees are attacked by
Scolytus ; and that this insect is the cause of premature decay and eventual death.
He uarrates with great perspicuity that eighteen dying elm trees were placed at his
disposal, that he experimented on every one of them, by taking off the surface bark
with a draw-shave; and that seventeen out of the eighteen completely recovered: the
the operation is most simple, and I believe every one will admit that its very simplicity
adds to its beauty and its value. Before commencing his experiments, Captain Cox
numbered the trees from 1 to 18, and made a careful memorandum of the state of each ;
the summary of these memoranda may be thus briefly stated. Fifteen were suffering
severely from the ravages of Cossus ligniperda ; and out of these fifteen, nine were
also infested with Scolytus: three, making up the eighteen, were attacked by
Scolytus, but all these three “slightly.” | Now, to a superficial observer, it will occur
that the state of the trees, scarcely bears out the author’s own conclusion as to Scolytus
attacking sound trees, since fifteen out of the eighteen were manifestly attacked by
the most deadly enemy thata timber tree can possibly have: and to a superficial
observer, I purposely repeat this qualifying expression, nothing can present a more
sickly or abnormal appearance than a tree, the solid timber of which is riddled
through and through by the enormous larve of Cossus ligniperda: such trees, with
or without the smaller pest, I should have unhesitatingly pronounced in an unhealthy
state. When Captain Cox favours us, as I doubt not he will, with an explanation of
this apparent inconsistency, arising probably from some accidental oversight or trans-
position of words, may I ask him to reexamine the larve which he denominates those
of Cossus ligniperda, and which had so severely injured the fifteen trees under con-
sideration ; because I never happened to find that insect feeding on elm, and had not
the statement been made by an entomologist who possesses an unusually extensive
knowledge of the larve of our British Lepidoptera, I should have fancied that
the trees were dying from some other and undiscovered cause. One other slight diffi-
culty occurs to me which will, doubtless, be removed without causing any additional
or unnecessary trouble to Captain Cox. Seeing that the larva of Cossus mines
the solid wood, and not the bark, except in its very juvenile state; and seeing that the
fifteen Cossus-mined trees completely recovered after their outer bark had been merely
draw-shaved, how is it to be explained that this simple external process affects
the deadly Cossus deep in the interior? The author has not explained this,
probably concluding that entomologists were more intimately acquainted with the
reciprocal offices of bark and solid wood, than I fear is the case. I trust that
these queries, unimportant in themselves, will not be deemed irrelevant, but will
acquire some importance from the acknowledged importance of the subject; I hupe
they will induce Captain Cox to enrich our ‘ Proceedings’ with a second paper still
more explanatory than the first. As an observation on Scolytus, quite independent of
the paper to which I have been alluding, it is rather interesting that in the two great
London colonies of this insect, Greenwich Park and Camberwell Grove, its advent
6120 Natural-History Collectors.
dated two years subsequently to the introduction of gas, and its ravages have not yet
extended beyond the reach of the gas influence: that gas has an injurious effect on
elms is a self-evident fact, so probably have all gases evolved by combustion in facto-
ries, since we always see elms in manufacturing cities losing their leaves six or seven
weeks earlier than in the country: in this weakened state trees are particularly obnoxious
to the attacks of insects, and about London elm trees are generally infested with
the larve of Scolytus destructor and Zeuzera Asculi. I am well aware of the alleged
fact of the trees in the Hartz forest and elsewhere in France and Germany being
destroyed by Scolytus, still the coexistence of elm failure and gas-lights must remain
an indisputable fact, although at present a fact from which no general conclusions can
be safely drawn.”
Mr. Westwood observed, with reference to the latter part of Mr. Newman’s paper,
that the Scolytus was abundant in Christ Church Meadows, Oxford, far away from
gas-lights.”
Proceedings of Natural-History Collectors in Foreign Countries.
Mr. A. R. WaLiace.*—“ Amboyna, December 20, 1857.—My col-
lecting this year has been so peculiar and so different from anything
I have yet done in the tropics that I must give you some little
account of it; my locality was at the foot of the mountains about
thirty miles north of Macassar, the whole country between this range
and the sea is a dead level of paddy fields, flooded for half the year,
and of course absolutely barren of insects; the mountains are of
limestone or basalt, the former rising from the plain in immense per-
pendicular walls quite inaccessible, except where a few streams break
through them; the basalt hills are more rounded, and at the foot of
one of them is a forest of palms and jack fruit. I had a small bam-
boo house built; when I arrived in August there had not been rain
for two months and it was fearfully hot and parched ; dead leaves
strewed the ground, and a beetle of any kind was sought for in vain.
After some time I found a rocky river-bed issuing from a cleft in the
mountains, and though dry it still contained a few pools and damp
hollows; these were the resort of numerous butterflies,—Papilio Eury-
philus, the new species near Sarpedon, P. Rhesus, P. Peranthus and
the rare P. Encelades, Bois., the beautiful Pieris Zaranda was rather
abundant, and several interesting Nymphalide. Here, therefore, I
made daily excursions and procured good series of many of these
insects; the paths in the forest adjoining this stream were pretty
abundant in Ornithoptera; of two species, O. Remus and the very rare
* Communicated by Mr. 8. Stevens.
Natural-History Collectors. - 6121
O. Haliphron, Bots., both sexes of which I took, and twice in copuld ;
the female something resembles O. Amphimedon, which is the
female of O. Helena. About the mud holes Hymenoptera were
abundant and on the fallen palm stems; in dry gulleys, &c. were
many very curious Diptera; Coleoptera, however, were not to be
found: I searched dead trees, and bark and leaves, with no other re-
ward than a very few species of minute Curculios and obscure Chryso-
melide. After a few weeks of this work the mud holes got baked
hard, the pools of water disappeared one after another, and with them
the butterflies and other insects, and for some days I got almost nothing.
I now set to turning over the stones and dead leaves in the sandy
river-bed, and soon found that there were some minute Coleoptera
under them, namely, Anthici and very small Carabide ; to catch them
I made my boy bring a basin of water and a spoon, and by shovelling
in the sand I could pick off the insects which floated on the surface:
in this way I got many Carabide, the largest not more than 1} line ;
two or three species of Anthicus and some Steni and other Brach-
elytra. I now turned my attention to buffalo-dung, which, though
very barren compared with genuine British cow-dung, would I found
yield something to a persevering search,—I obtained Histers, Ontho-
phagi, and a considerable number of minute Staphylinide. A
few days, however, soon exhausted this collecting-ground, for, except
in the river-bed, the dung was absolutely uninhabited, when chance
showed me a new and very rich beetle station. My lad brought me
one day a fine large Nitidula which he had found in an over-ripe
jack fruit (Avtocarpus sp.); this set me to searching these fruits, of
which there were a number about in various stages of decay, and I
soon found that I had made a discovery, — Staphylinide, large
and small, Nitidule, Histers, Onthophagi, actually swarmed on them:
every morning, for some weeks, I searched these rotten fruits, and
always with more or less success; I placed ripe ones on the fruit
here and there, which I visited once a day, and from some of them got
even Carabide; in all I found not much short of one hundred species
of Coleoptera on the fruit, including most that I had before found in
dung, so that it seems probable that, in tropical countries, the large
fleshy fruits in a state of decay and putrescence are the true stations of
many of the Carpophagous and Necrophagous Coleoptera, a fact of
some importance, as explaining the presence of Onthophagi, &c.
in places where there are no ruminating animals: at length the rains
began to fall almost every evening, and the fruits, soaked with water,
ceased to be productive, but | was compensated by discovering that
XVI. 2M
6122 Natural-History Collectors.
the margins of the streams, which when dry were so rich in
Lepidoptera, were now an excellent collecting-ground for small Co-
leoptera; under the moist dead leaves that lay on the rocks I found
numbers of small and very interesting Carabide, with hosts of Anthici,
and a good many Pselaphide and Hydrophili: with the rains
the butterflies almost disappeared, while the Cicindelidz came out in
great abundance, four species being different from those I took last
year; small Melolonthidz also now became abundant on the foliage,
and I took two or three species new to me, with several pretty Chryso-
melas and Curculios. After a fortnight’s close work at minute
Coleoptera, the weather became so wet and cloudy, as to admonish
my return to Macassar to pack my collections before the commence-
ment of the continuous heavy rains.
To persons impressed with the idea of the prevalence of large
insects in the tropics, my Macassar collections will appear most ex-
traordinary ; the average size is certainly less than that of our British
species, and the colours not at all more brilliant. Of the Carabidz
(more than one hundred species), the greater part are under 4 lines
and a very large number under 2 lines, whilst several under 1 line
are perhaps. the smallest of the family: the Brachelytra (eighty or
ninety species) are, with the exception of about a dozen, very minute
and obscure: the Rhynchophora are all small, and there are about
one hundred species of minute Necrophaga, Xylophaga, &c., and
about eighteen species of the elegant little Anthici, whilst the Longi-
cornes, Buprestidae and Cetoniz, usually so abundant, are very scarce :
if we were to take away some dozen purely tropical forms, the
collection would have all the appearance of one from an extratropical
and even northern locality, owing to the large proportion of Carabide,
Staphylinide and Necrophaga, the small average size of the species
and the obscurity of their colours.
Amboyna, where I am staying a month only, on my way to Ternate,
offers a striking contrast to the country I have just quitted: it is emi-
nently tropical; the number of large and handsome’ species in all
orders of insects is perhaps greater than in any other place I
have visited, and the forms far more closely resemble those of Aru
than of Borneo or Macassar; a number of the common species of the
surrounding island are represented at Amboyna by others very closely
allied or by varieties, but in almost every instance they are of larger
size and more brilliant colours,—Papilio Severus and Ulysses are
larger here than at Aru, whilst Deiphobus is larger than the closely
allied Memnon.of the Sanda Island or Ascalaphus of Macassar. In
Natural-HHistory Collectors. 6123
the Hymenoptera, the species of Vespide and Pompilide are gayer
than the allied species I have found in other countries ; a Laphria
and an Anthrax are larger than any Diptera I have yet found of the
same genera; while the Coleoptera include the gigantic Eucheirus
longimanus and a number of large and handsome Longicornes,
Buprestide and Anthribide: it may be easily imagined, therefore,
that Amboyna is a tempting place, well worth a thorough exploration,
and I shall probably return to it unless I shall be able to visit Ceram»
which I expect will contain almost all the Amboyna species, and pro-
bably many more, as is known to be the case with the birds. Though
everybody says this is the dry and hot season, yet the weather has
been terribly wet and windy, and during the twelve days I have now
resided in a little hut in the jungle I have not had a single hot sunny
day ; here, as everywhere in the Hast, there is no forest left for many
miles round the town, and there was the usual difficulty in finding a
locality and a home, and in conveying my baggage. In the town
I reside with Dr. Mohinke, the chief physician of the Moluccas,
a German, an entomologist, and a very learned and hospitable man ;
he has lived in Japan, made a voyage to Jeddo, ascended volcanoes,
and made collections: my pleasure may be imagined in looking over
his superb collection of Japanese Coleoptera, large and handsome
Longicornes and Lucani, tropical Buprestidae and northern Carabi:
he has also an extensive collection of Coleoptera made during many
years’ residence in Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Moluccas —a col-
lection that makes me despair; such series of huge Prioni, Lamiz and
Lucani, Dynastidw and Eucheirus! It is such collections that give,
and have always given, such an erroneous idea of Tropical Ento-
mology: these collections are made entirely by natives. Dr. Mohinke
has resided here in Amboyna, for example, two years, and every native
in the island knows that large and handsome beetles will be pur-
chased by him; he has, therefore, hundreds of eyes spread over
hundreds of square miles, and thus species which in ten years might
never once occur to a single collector, are inevitably obtained by him
in greater or less abundance, whilst the smaller, more active, and much
more common species are never brought at all. The Eucheirus is evi-
dently rare, yet Dr. Mohinke has a fine series, obtained at intervals
from different localities; he also sends bottles and casks of arrack
to the Dutch officers resident in different islands, and though
he sometimes has them returned crammed full of a single species of
common Calandra or Passalus, yet he occasionally gets some mag-
nificent insects. I believe myself that, as a general rule, beetles are
6124 Scent.
rare exactly in proportion to their size, rare both in species and in
individuals ; in four years’ almost daily search in the Eastern forests I
have never found a large Prionus myself, and 1 have collected
nearly four thousand species of Coleoptera: such collections as those
of Mr. Bates and myself, made in such distant countries (both gene-
rally considered among the richest in large species), are what show
the true nature of tropical insects, and I believe that a careful
examination of these will lead to the conclusion that there is no
superiority whatever in the average size of tropical Coleoptera over
those of temperate climates, and that in many groups the latter have
the decided advantage.
A. R. WALLACE.
Scent: an attempt to explain its Properties and Causes.
By the Rev. J. C. ATkinson, M.A.
Ir is my purpose in the following remarks to record a few obser-
vations on the subject of Scent, with the view of leading, if possible, to
further observation and inquiry into a matter generally thought,
I believe, to be involved in a good deal of obscurity and uncertainty.
By scent is implied what is assumed to be an odour emanating
from any specified member or members of the animal kingdom; and
is, in sporting language, so far restricted in its sense as to be applied
almost exclusively in the case of such animals as are the objects of
pursuit in the chase or by the shooter; and, almost as exclusively,
with reference to the olfactory powers of some one or other of
the varieties of the dog. However, in attempting to institute an
inguiry into the nature or peculiarities of Scent, it will be certainly
most convenient, and possibly quite necessary, to include under that
term the odorous emanations proceeding from any animal whatever,
and perceptible to the sense of smell in any other animal whatever.
It is probably trne that there is no existing animal without its own
peculiar scent. Thus, “in most Mammalia,” says Dr. Carpenter,
“an odoriferous secretion, characteristic of the particular species, is
formed by glandule which pour out their product on some part of the’
surface, their situation however being extremely variable in the
different tribes ; this secretion is usually formed most abundantly at
the period of sexual excitement, and appears to be concerned in the
attraction of the sexes towards each other.” (General and Comp.
Seent. 6125
Phys. 448). And it is almost certain that the same remark may be
extended so as to include at least all terrestrial creatures and not
a few of the aquatic.
In a vast number of cases the peculiar smell, or scent, of an
animal is distinctly recognisable by the human organs of smell. I do
not mean simply in such notorious instances as those of the goat, the
fox, the foulmart, the pig, the sheep, the rat, the mouse, the horse,
and, by no means the least, man himself, but in a great number of
other instances when once our attention is attracted. The rook, the
starling, the dog, the cat, each has an odour distinctly recognisable
by us, while, as regards the creatures specially distinguished by the
appellation of game, I should think no one ever turned out the fresh
contents of a well-filled game-bag without being made aware that
partridges and grouse, hares and rabbits emit effluvia which must
needs appeal strongly to the delicate and highly organized sense of
smell in the sporting-dog. How many insects, too, are not only per-
ceptibly odorous to us, but strongly or even disagreeably so; the
gooseberry caterpillar for instance, the larva of the goat-moth,
the bed-bug, the cockroach, and so on without end.
There is also, probably, a good deal of resemblance between the
scents given off by different animals. How often a very good pointer
who is allowed, or indeed required by his master, to point at other
game besides partridges, is misled, on the cultivated land, by a
common fowl, a lark, a waterhen, or even sometimes one of the
smaller Conirostres; on the moor by a golden plover or a titlark.
Many dogs too will point at snipe. I once saw one of mine make
such a point, and he seemed as much surprised at my shooting it as
if IT had shot at a lark at which he had mistakenly pointed. I never
saw him poiut at another, nor willingly notice one when shot, though
I had killed many couple at different times when he was with me.
Woodcocks he would point, but evidently considered, on ascertaining
what the fallen bird was, that both he and I had made a mistake,
though not such a disgraceful one as in the case of the snipe.*
* It was, most evidently, a source of the keenest delight to this dog to have to
hunt a wounded partridge, grouse, or pheasant: and the consummation of all was when
he had caught the bird and held it in his mouth; his eye, his tail, his whole bearing
displayed extreme gratification: a wounded snipe, however, he would not attempt to
hunt; a woodcock he would look at and smell, and then “turn up his nose ;” a water-
hen, though apparently giving out a strong scent, he seemed to rank with the wood-
cock ; a partridge that had. fallen into the water, would be fetched out without a
pause of hesitation; but by no means could he be induced to wet a foot for a water-
hen or wild duck.
6126 Scent.
What the nature of this emanation or effluvium may be is a ques-
tion of much difficulty; indeed, I doubt if it admits of more than
hypothetical solution. There are at least two very distinct species of
odours or scents,—distinct, I mean, as regards their elements and
nature,—the one depending on, or rather, perhaps, consisting of a
substance, whether vaporous or molecular; the other apparently
without any such dependence. The former may be instanced in any
so-called volatile* odorous substance, such as carbonate of ammonia
or camphor; the latter in musk and two or three other substances of
a somewhat similar nature: this sustains no diminution in weight,
though continuously giving off its peculiar penetrating odour for a
lengthened period; that sustains rapid diminution in weight as long
as it remains subjected to the volatilising agencies. 'To which of
these two classes, or whether exclusively to either, scent belongs, it
seems impossible to say. The probability seems to be—and I shall
give reasons for the opinion as I go on—that it partakes of both
natures; that there is something in it corresponding to the sub-
stantiality of the one, and to the imponderability of the other.
General reference has already been made to the glandular odori-
ferous secretion peculiar to each several animal: and, in illustration
of the point, I shall only adduce two or three particular instances ;
such, for example, as that of the fox, which “ has a subcaudal gland
that secretes an intolerably fetid substance, and whose urine also pos-
sesses the same intolerable odour” (Bell, Br. Quadr. 256); that of the
polecat or foulmart, which derives the latter name from the fact that
a “disgusting odour is produced by the exudation of a fetid secre-
tion from a pouch or follicle under the tail, and which is even more
intolerable than than that of the common weasel or the stoat” (Id.
159); that of the beaver, familiar to almost every one from childhood
in connection with the old fable; that of man himself, from the
“ lands of whose axilla t+ is secreted, or eliminated from the blood,
a peculiar odorous matter” (Kirke’s ‘ Handbook of Physiology,’ 348 ;
Carpenter’s ‘ Human Physiology,’ 231).
* “ The most odorons substances are volatile, and vice versdé, * * * though
there are some volatile fluids, such as water, which are entirely inodorous” (Carp.
Hum. Phys. 905).
+ “In certain situations the sweat-glands are very large; and, as might be
expected, we find their size and number in different districts of the skin to correspond
with the amount of perspiration afforded by each. Thus they are nowhere so remark-
able, or so easily examined, as in the axilla, over a space precisely detined by the
growth of the hairin the adult. They here form a layer, which towards the middle is
often one-eighth of an inch thick.” (Todd and Bowman, Phys. Anatomy, 423).
Scent. 6127
Now I believe it may be asserted with respect to almost if not quite
all the odours of this class, that they are apt to be retained for an
indefinite length of time in any suitably absorbent substance, e.g. a
piece of rough woollen material. A flannel shirt, in which a man has
strongly exerted himself during a long day’s work, and which has
consequently absorbed a large quantity of sweat, will retain a peculiar
smell due to the axillary secretion, even after it has passed through
the washerwoman’s hands; and still more of the odour, and more
powerful will be contracted, if the washing does not happen to keep
pace with the work; so that two or three such garments hanging in
an apartment scent the atmosphere rather too sensibly to be agree-
able, and without sensible diminution of their perfuming power. But
the human “ peculiar odour” is faint to human nostrils—except under
such circumstances of accumulation as those just adverted to—in
comparison with the odours of the same class in multitudes of the
lower animals. A woollen glove or over-shoe which has been wetted
with a few drops of the urime of a fox ora male cat, will not only
retain the offensive smell for months or years, but will give it off most
freely at the expiration of those months or years under the agency of
either warmth or moisture.
Now it must be borne in mind that only with scrupulous care and
attention to cleanliness carried out in repeated ablutions, can most
members of the human family prevent the lodgment of this peculiar
smell about their persons. In other creatures who do not and cannot
wash as mankind does, nor yet change their woollen garments, it is
inevitable that the effluvium in question should leave a permanent
odour. It therefore appears to me that in every case in which scent
is given off by an animal, it wiil in part be due to this source; and,
in so far as it is due to this source, will it be of a nature corresponding
to that of the scent arising from musk, or, in other words, possessing
no substantiality, and so not depending upon either vapourous or
molecular matters.
But it is very necessary to bear also in mind that in all animals,
except the denizens of the waters, a great amount of aqueous fluid is
almost always in course of transpiration from or through the pores of
the skin, and that in this transudation the aqueous matter is always
accompanied or impregnated with certain solid organic matters, to
the average amount possibly, in human beings, of one part in every
hundred; and there is reason to believe that at leat a hundred
grains of azotised matter are excreted from the human skin daily
6]28 Scent.
(Carpenter, Hum. Phys. 632). The greater proportion of this solid
matter appears to be a protein-compound in a state of incipient de-
composition. Urea also has been detected in it. Now both urea
and protein compounds, under the influence of decomposing agencies,
are active as well as important elements in the production of am-
monia, a distinct salt of which substance moreover is found in the
azotised matter under mention. Now, processes strictly analogous—
not to say identical—with this of transudation in man are known to
take place in all the warm-blooded animals,* differing only, it is
probable, in the degree to which, in the different classes of animals,
the process is severally.carried on.
Hence then we are at liberty to infer that an ammoniacal element
is one of the accessories, if not constituents, of scent in the extended
acceptation of the word.
It may be as well, perhaps, while noticing these peculiarities or
phenomena of transudation, to notice also in this place, rather than
further on, the fact that cutaneous excretion is complementary to, or
vicarious with, renal excretion. Thus, Dr. Carpenter says,—*‘ The
cutaneous excretion, as already pointed out, is in great degree
vicarious with the urinary, in regard to the amount of fluid
eliminated; the urine being more watery in proportion as_ the
cutaneous exhalation is diminished in amount, and vice versd. But
we are also to look at these two excretions as vicarious in regard to
the elimination of the products of the ‘ waste’ of the system. The
share which the skin has in this office has probably been generally
under-rated. There is reason to believe that at least 100 grains
of azotised matter are excreted from it daily; and any cause which
checks this excretion must throw additional labour on the kidneys,
and will be likely to produce disorder of their function.” (Hum. Phys.
631). Now in man—and there is no doubt that a perfect analogy
exists in these matters between man and the lower animals—‘ the
quantity of urea secreted at any given period of life seems to depend
mainly on two conditions—namely, the degree of muscular exertion
* “The skin, in most of the Mammalia, is an important excreting organ, being
usually furnished with a multitude of glandule, which discharge their products upon
its surface. The products of these glandule vary considerably in different animals,
and in different parts of the same animal. The ordinary perspiratory glands draw off
watery fluid from the blood, with a small quantity of excretory matter closely
resembling that which is eliminated by the kidneys.” (Princ. Phys. 547. See
also Id. 777).
Scent. 6129
previously put forth, and the amount of azotised matter ingested as
food. Thus Professer Lehman ascertained that, by the substitution
of violent for moderate exercise, the quantity of urea was raised from
323 to 454 parts; and Simon found that, by two hours violent
exercise, the proportion of the urea in the urine passed half an hour
subsequently was double that contained in the morning urine.”
(Id. 619). Now, when an animal is subjected to pursuit in the chase,
and compelled to make great and continued muscular exertion,
transudation is extremely copious, while the determination of fluid to
the bladder is very remarkably lessened; and when we bear in mind
how great the “waste of the system” must be in an animal so
situated, it seems much more than probable that, allowing for the
greater proportion of urea in the small quantity of urine secreted, the
excretory action of the cutaneous glandulz also will be greatly inten-
sified, and that, in consequence, greatly more of the azotised matter
will pass off through their agency. This conclusion certainly
harmonises very closely with the well-known fact, that an animal—a
fox, for instance, or a hare—-which has been closely and continuously
hunted for some little space of time, gives off scent both stronger and
more copious than at earlier periods of the chase, as also with this
other, that “ the huntsman has the greatest fear of losing his fox, not
only at the beginning of the run before the hounds get well settled to
the scent, but also when the game is sinking. The old hounds,
towards the end of the run, make every effort to get to the head of
the pack, for they know the end is athand. Yet even then, perhaps,
all at once all scent seems to be lost ; the fox has got into a ditch, or
even laid down upon the ground, and no dog can touch the scent,
even though within a yard of the animal.” The explanation seems
easy enough,—the animal is exhausted ; in other words, the waste of
the system has continued so actively and so long, that it must of
necessity come to an end, and with its cessation is contemporaneous
the cessation of excretion and its dependent odour.
In the next place I have to remark that perfect stillness or
quiescence in the scent-emitting creature, if of some duration, seems
to bring the emission down to the minimum, if not actually to inter-
rupt or neutralise it. Motion, on the other hand, though not in the
least degree rapid, or sustained, or energetic, appears to cause the
emanation to be given out very perceptibly. A hare or rabbit on its
form is often missed altogether, or run over by the pointer: if found,
the dog is usually within a very few feet or even inches of the
dal Cena 2N
6130 Scent.
motionless creature. Several instances have occurred under my own
observation, or have been related to me by others on whose accuracy,
alike of observation and relation, I could fully depend, which are
curious as illustrating this point. Thus one day last season I got
over a gap in the fence into the corner of a field where the hedges
forming the corner came together at a right angle; immediately on
entering the corner my dog stood at a place in the fence running into
that we had crossed, about ten or twelve feet from the angle; I
crossed this fence also, and eventually got a shot at a single partridge
which had run through from the point at which the dog had taken up
the scent, and after running up the ditch about fifteen or twenty yards,
had stopped and lay very close. ‘Don’ was not satisfied at finding
only one bird; he seemed to be convinced there ought to be more.
He tried back, over the hedge, and up the other side. I followed;
but there were no more partridges to be found in that direction.
Still the dog was not satisfied, and quartered every inch of the ground
from the spot where he had first pointed. I thought he was mistaken,
and turned back towards the gap over which I had entered the field.
Now, however, it appeared that ‘ Don’ was right, for a second bird
rose from a tuft of grass which I had passed so close to three or four
times as almost to brush it with my feet, and my dog as often, without
even the slightest suspicion of scent. After reloading, he came up to
me, and as he passed at once recognised the bird’s hiding-place—
thus showing that scent had been diffused by the bird’s motion, and
although he had neither seen it fly nor fall, went direct to the hedge
into which it had fallen, about twenty-five yards distant, and pointed.
Again, in a communication I have lately received, the writer says,—
‘* | have seen a dog pass a rabbit on its form without scenting it; I
have found the rabbit myself, and seen it crouch itself down closer;
and then the dog coming round again has at once pointed it. In
that case I supposed the animal by its motion diffused the scent more
strongly round it.” Again, “I was walking with a pack of beagles
which were trying the ground all round me on a fallow field; I found
a hare lying; two of the dogs were close to her, and on my giving the
usual ‘ tantara,’ one of them stopped and looked up at me, and, in
doing so, set his foot upon the hare’s back; but, till the hare sprang
from her form, had not the slightest idea of where it was. It was
rather a frosty morning, but they had previously found and run a hare
very well.” [08
,Perhaps the grounds afforded.in these and similar cases for inferring”
the presence of an ammoniacal element in scent are quite sufficiently
Scent. 6131
slight—at all events would be if the ground for such inference which
we have already noticed did not exist; still we cannot help remarking
the appearance of analogy between scent in such cases and the
exhalations from a heap of slowly decomposing manure or heating
weeds. According to the old proverb, as long as it is left undisturbed
little or no smell is emitted; but only stir it, and the olet process is
not long in beginning.
But further, when the animal moves the scent is not only given off
or emitted, but remains, for a variable length of time, upon or about
its track. It must, of course, remain thus, either from being sus-
pended in the atmosphere, or from being, so to speak, affixed
to the material objects closely passed by the animal as it
moved on.
That it is occasionally suspended—and considering the nature of
the medium of suspension, for a lengthened period—in the atmosphere,
is certain; and on this fact are founded such expressions in con-
nection with scent as “breast-high.” The floating molecules—if
molecules there be—of effluvium strike the olfactory membranes of
the dog (or other animal concerned) at a considerable distance from
the animal emitting it, and while he is ranging with his head high
above the surface of the earth. I avail myself once more of the com-
munication from which I have before quoted. “I have viewed a fox
away from cover, and when the hounds have come to my halloo they
have taken up the scent and gone off at full cry more than a hundred
yards before they came to the actual track of the fox.” The same
fact is at the bottom of the extreme caution requisite on the part of
the sportsman in stalking deer in Scotland, or any of the numerous
game animals in other quarters of the globe, not to “ give them his
wind;” in other words, not to place himself even for a moment in
such a position relatively to them and the direction of the wind, that
his scent may be wafted in the currents of the latter within reach of
their olfactory organs.* And exactly similar facts are presented to
the observation of the shooter in every good scenting day during the
season in connection with the usual objects of his pursuit—partridges,
pheasants and grouse.
* I have sometimes purposely concealed myself when my dog was in a distant part
of the field I was walking in. He might not miss me immediately, but as soon as he
did he made for the point at which he last saw me. If before he reached that point
he “crossed my wind” he invariably came directly to my hiding-place; if, on the
other hand, the wind lay from him to me, he took up the scent of my steps and hunted
me to my concealment.
6132 Scent.
But independently of such cases as these in which a dog “ winds”
a covey, or possibly a single bird only, from a distance of two or three
hundred yards, T have seen dogs continually, and my own dog fifty
times during the last season, on coming across the scent of a wounded
bird, which was not the least disabled for running and had got
a great start while I was loading, set off at great speed; oftentimes
never checking for a moment, and never appearing to make the
slightest effort after the scent; and invariably go as direct to
the bird (which he had never even seen in some cases) as if he was
running “at gaze” all the time; while at other times, and not rarely,
he had to work every foot of the track, and it was only with pains
and patience and at a slow pace that he brought his quest to a suc-
cessful issue. In the former case, the scent was not only “strong,”
but it was a “ good scenting day ;” that is, the atmosphere was in the
most favorable condition for holding the scent suspended: in the
latter case, just the reverse.
And how much the state of the atmosphere has to do with it
any one may easily observe for himself by contrasting his per-
ception of the odour from a bean field or clover field in blossom in
the middle of a fine, dry, sunny day, and in the evening of the same
day not long after sunset when the atmosphere is more than compara-
tively moist. The same, too, of a dunghill or “ middenstead” at dif-
ferent times: to-day you may pass it with scarcely any nasal inti-
mation of its presence; to-morrow your olfactory nerves will give
you ample testimony of the abundance of ammonia evolved.* The
hygrometer, would, if appealed to, doubtless give a very distinct and
intelligible ‘“ Because” to your “ Why.”
Besides, what certainly ought not to be, but often is overlooked, in
speaking on the subject of scent, the state of the atmosphere almost
certainly, I believe unquestionably, has an influence of another kind
in addition to that just named, upon if not the perceptibleness yet
the perception of scent; I mean that which it exercises upon
the organs engaged in the detection or recognition of scent. Thus,
in speaking of what may be called the mechanism of smell, we find
* T have frequently observed this very sensible increase of the “ perfume” from
a dung-hill on a frosty evening, though frost is generally held to destroy scent. But the
following morning has usually in such cases explained the matter, by displaying a _
copious deposition of boar frost. In what is called a black frost the most offensive
compost heap does not greatly offend the nostril: no wonder then that there is very
slight testimony, even if any, afforded by scent in very frosty weather, as to the path
of any given animal.
Scent. 6133
an able anatomical writer expressing himself as follows: “ The
matters of odour must in all cases be dissolved (or suspended) in the
mucus of the mucous membrane before they can be immediately
applied to or affect the olfactory nerves. Therefore, a condition
necessary for the perception of odours, is that the mucous membrane
of the nasal cavity be moist. When the Schneiderian membrane is
dry the sense of smell is lost. In the first stage of catarrh, when the
secretion of mucus within the nostrils is lessened, the faculty of per-
ceiving odours is either lost or made very imperfect.” And it is not
the least improbable, but rather the contrary, that that state of
atmosphere which renders the material objects that are the ordinary
recipients of scent less fitted than usual for receiving or retaining it,
may simultaneously affect the usual power of the olfactory organs for
its recognition.
I am led, however, to think there may be reason for the expression
“strong scent,” though less perhaps than they who use it suppose,
except in such cases as those above adverted to of animals hard
pressed in the chase; at least, if somewhat modified in meaning.
The power or pungency of the emanation probably varies with the
physical condition of the creature emitting it, and certainly with the
emotional condition. ‘“ The secreting action of the skin is influenced
by general conditions of the vascular and nervous systems, which are,
as yet, ill-understood. It is quite certain, however, that through the
influence of the latter, the secretion may be excited or suspended ;
this is seen on the one hand in the state of syncope, and in the
effects of depressing emotions, especially fear, and its more aggra-
vated condition, terror.” (Hum. Phys. 632). And again: “ The
odoriferous secretion of the skin, which is much more powerful in
some individuals than in others, is increased under the influence of
certain mental emotions (as fear or bashfulness), and commonly also
by sexual desires.” (Jd. 979).
Any tolerably observant person who exerts himself sufficiently, from
time to time, to become a good deal heated, must be well aware that
he is much more highly scented by nature at one period than
at another; as also, that it is the same with the horse he drives and
the dog he trains to be his daily companion or his ally and assistaut
in his business or sport.
But generally speaking, and omitting instances in which such
influences as terror or sexual desire are known to be in operation
it would seem to be most probable that the greater apparent
variations in the strongness of scent depend not so much upon
6134 Scent.
the creature emitting it, as upon the state of the atmosphere and the
conditions of what may be called its recipients—the objects or sub-
stances with which the creature in its movements comes into more or
less close contact.
Every one must be aware how odours attach themselves, with dif-
fering degrees of permanency, to some objects or matters, and seem
to leave others almost or entirely untainted. Thus, paper kept in a
desk in which a grain or two of musk has been deposited contracts
the strong scent of musk so fixedly that it seems almost ineradicable.
The same may be said of any object on which the urine of a male cat
has been shed; and a woollen article will retain the strong, dis-
agreeable smell for years: a cake or a piece of bread will contract the
scent of the wood of the closet in which it has been kept, or of
a lemon, or tea, or pickles placed in its vicinity in any close
receptacle ; and instances of the same kind may be given to any ex-
tent. But the sugar kept in the same caddy with the tea contracts
no scent; an egg side by side with the lemon contracts, certainly
retains, no perceptible scent; the clean, polished silver spoon con-
tracts no scent or flavour, even from musk, which will not give place
on exposure for a few moments to the free air. As far as one can
venture to generalise with any satisfactory degree of reasonableness,
it would seem that porous substances contract scents most readily
and retain them most strongly and permanently; but that mere
porosity alone is not sufficient ; there must be a degree of moisture
present in the porous substance as well. Very dry bread or cake con-
tracts much less of the closety scent than do the same substances
when fresh and moist; hard biscuits of any sort, so long as they are
quite dry,—and few things contract moisture in small quantities more
speedily, —take up scarcely any such scent or flavour; sugar, which
has no alternative but dryness, none at all; an egg, or ivory, or glass,
none. It may be said a glass scent-bottle will retain scent for years
after it has become empty; that a wine or spirit bottle long retains
the scent and taste of the wine or spirit. No doubt it is so; but it
would be hard to show, in the former case, that it was not a
residuum of the scent substance itself left in the interior of the bottle
by the evaporation of the spirit in which it was originally dissolved
or suspended, and that in the latter case, a very similar allegation
could not be made with truth. I certainly think it will be found that
all substances which easily contract and readily retain foreign odours
are more or less porous, and more or less disposed to attract and
retain a sensible portion of the moisture of the atmosphere; and that
=
Scent. 6135
further, it is only when they are in the requisite condition, with
respect to moisture, that they either attract or retain scents strongly.*
By analogy, therefore, herbaget of various sorts with the earth itself
would catch and retain scent from a passing animal, very forcibly,
under favorable atmospheric and hygrometric conditions ; very feebly
under unfavorable conditions of that kind.
And further, I am not inclined to believe that much scent is
given off by the foot of the animal, though a portion may be, and be
retained by the impressions made by its feet.[ As will be apparent
* It is possible colour may have something to do in the matter. It has
been remarked that dark cloths retain the effluvia emitted during a post-mortem ex-
amination more strongly than light. (Hum. Phys. 908),
+ By the courtesy of the master of a well-known and excellent pack of fox-hounds,
I am enabled to corroborate the results of my own more limited observation by those
of his extensive experience. He says: “I have always found scent better on lands
where there is herbage of any kind than on fallow lands; a marked difference gene-
rally on wheat and on fallow; and that grass land more frequently holds a scent than
arable land,” In other words, the more herbage, ceteris paribus, the better scent. I
may also add, on his authority, that however necessary a suitable degree of moisture
may be to the existence of “‘ good scent,” yet saturation, such as is produced by heavy
rain on the night preceding the chase is quite destructive of scent.
{ It should be borne in mind that the impressions left by a hare on the ground
occupy but a very small space and at very considerable intervals. Probably at every
spring she covers not less than six feet; I mean, as she runs under ordinary alarm,
and not at her topmost speed. It is, therefore, scarcely reasonable to expect au ex-
tensive deposition of scent by the foot in the case of the hare, or indeed of any four-
footed animal of chase; and in respect of the bird, the smooth, somewhat scaly surface
of the foot would seem little likely to leave much scent behind it. Still, it will be seen,
I do not dispute that some scent is distributed by the foot, and it is plainly so in
the case of man himself. Since this paper was commenced, my old pointer having
accompanied my servant part of the way to my church, when the latter turned back,
took up the scent left in my footsteps and hunted me to the church-door, where he sat
and howled till warned to beat a retreat ; and a few days after I saw him hunting the
man above named along one of the hard, dry gravel-walks in my garden; the man
had passed some few minutes before, and the dog had rather to “* puzzle” the scent
out for a few yards, and then he went off at speed with his nose close down
to the ground. But then the foot of man gives out much and powerful scent, which
‘is, as it were, concentrated by means of the shoe. Again, in addition to instances of
the kind just quoted, which are literally innumerable, a dug will hunt his master who
has passed along a road on horseback. But in this case, too, he refers to the ground
for information, and therefore, I believe, he hunts the horse and not the man. Of
course, there is no need to do more than simply state that the dog has no difficulty in
distinguishing the scent of his master, or of any of the members of his master’s.
family ; and it is notorious that the farmer's dog knows his master’s stock by night or
by day. Many remarkable instances are on record, in which the shepherd's dog has
6136 : Seent.
from statements and deductions made above, the scent probably pro-
ceeds from the entire body ; and that it depends in any perceptible.
degree upon the breath of the animal is scarcely probable in any.
point of view, and is, besides, as it seems to me, negatived by
the feeble or scanty, indeed inappreciable, amount of scent which
seems to be given off by the perfectly quiescent animal. One reason
for thinking that some scent, however small in quantity, is given off
by the foot, — while the bulk, under ordinary circumstances, depends
greatly on the surrounding herbage for its fixation, if I may so
express it,—is that I have often seen a good dog hunt a freshly
moved rabbit or hare for a few paces over the snow, evidently taking
up the scent from the very recently imprinted footsteps. But no dog:
can hunt either feathered or four-footed game in the snow, even for
ten yards, by the nose, except in so far as has just been mentioned.
Probably the causes to which scent seems mainly to be due being in
very feeble operation in frosty weather and when the snow lies deep
on the ground, but little scent is emitted, and that little finds
no absorbent surface-to receive it, and may very possibly be destroyed
or neutralised by the low temperature of the stratum of the atmos-
phere which lies in contact with the snowy surface.
I have been told, and it is stated in, I believe, Johnson’s ‘ Shooter’s
Companion, that there are some fields or parts of fields where scent
invariably fails. A field near Pods Wood, at Layer Marney, in
Essex, was mentioned several years since to the gentleman, of whose
communications I have already availed myself more than once in this
paper, by the master of hounds hunting that country, as one over
which the hounds could never carry the scent; and the remark was
corroborated on another occasion by a resident in the district, who
was in the habit of frequently riding to the hounds when the meet
permitted. He said there was no perceptible difference between that
field and others, either as to soil or other characteristics. That scent
may be cold, and only carried with great difficulty in particular
places and on particular occasions, is nothing new or strange.
been known to pick out the sheep of his master’s flock when by any chance they had
become intermingled with those of another. And it would be very difficult to prove
that the power of smell did not at the least aid in this astonishing achievement. And —
on other grounds it is not hard to have to admit that the dog hunts the horse rather
than the man; for the quadruped is, as a companion, nearly as familiar to him as the
biped. Indeed, the mere sight of the saddle or bridle is often the only invitation the
dog requires to take part in the projected excursion.
Scent. 6137
Scarcely a day in the shooting-season, or the record of a single chase
of fox or hare, but affords abundant instances of the kind. “ Differ-
ence in soil,” as Daniel says, in his article on hunting, “ alters the
scent,” and “the enclosure of poor lands in heathy countries some-
limes renders the scent very difficult for hounds.”* But that scent
should always fail over one particular field or a part of it, is very
remarkable, and, apparently, quite inexplicable. The failure alleged,
it should be observed, is totally distinct from failures which often
occur in almost any beat in long-continued dry weather. Thus,
in one part of a turnip-field where the plant has missed, the surface-
soil will be as dry as if baked, to the full depth reached by the horse-
hoe ; and here no scent will lie after 10 or 11 o'clock on a fine, sunny
day. In another part of the same field, however, and close at hand,
the scent will be good or strong; because there the turnips have
brairded well, and their foliage serves to keep the surface-soil very
sensibly damp, even when no rain has fallen for some considerable
time past.
Another fact, which seems almost equally remarkable with that just
now mentioned, is perhaps much more easily accounted for. “It is
a curious fact,” says Mr. St. John, “but one which I have often
observed, that dogs frequently pass close to the nest of grouse,
partridges, or other game, without scenting the hen-bird as she sits
upon her eggs. I knew this year of a partridge’s nest which
was placed close to a narrow foot-path near my house; and although
not only my people but all my dogs were constantly passing within
a foot and a half of the bird, they never found her out, and she
hatched her brood in safety.” (‘Highland Sports, 25). Such
instances are by no means rare: I knew of a partridge’s nest last year
on the bank by the side of a much-frequented lane, and another was
mentioned in the communication more than once referred to already,
in which were seventeen eggs, both of which nests were repeatedly
passed by sporting dogs, but never detected or noticed by them. I
believe the apparent scentlessness of the bird in such cases must
depend on its utter quiescence ; and it is not easy, anterior to expe-
* The authority quoted in a former note says: ‘“‘A marked difference in scent is
always apparent in passing over the various strata; and, universally the better the
land and the better cultivated, the better the scent. Very poor lands never hold a good
scent: a gravelly surface is by no means the quality fur scent, whatever the subsoil :
wet, undrained clay land holds a better scent when thoroughly saturated than in any
other state; when perfectly dry, and, it may be, hard, no hound can hold a scent
over it.”
XVI. 20
6138 Scent.
rience, to realise the perfect immobility with which a partridge will
often retain her seat on her nest. Not to mention the repeated
instances in which she has been known to sit until the scythe cut her
in two, I will only relate an incident of the kind which occurred
under my observation last year. I wanted a couple or two of rabbits,
and had taken my gun to a wood which clothed the lower part of a
somewhat craggy steep: after passing through the wood, I had gone
above the crags and walked along the wall, which served rather to
keep sheep and cattle from the precipice than as a boundary to
the wood. At one point it occurred to me to look over the wall, in
case a rabbit might be seen sitting within; I had stood for at least a
minute looking down over the wood and the country that lay below
in its beauty, when suddenly a partridge rose from under me, striking
my leg with its wings as it flew: on looking down without moving my
foot, I saw her nest with eleven eggs, and perceived that my shoe
must have been in actual contact with the bird. It may be interesting
to add—though not very relevant—that I believe she returned to her
nest and brought out her young ones safely, as I often saw a covey
during the season, corresponding in numbers, in the closest vicinity
to the position of the nest.
Moreover, the utter stillness of the sitting bird may be, no doubt,
often aided in its efficacy towards preventing detection by the
additional circumstance that, from its situation, the nest, and with it
its occupant, is often more or less elevated above the common level
of the ground near it. I have often been struck by the fact that
scent rarely seems to descend. It may and often does rise (sometimes
to the height of four or five feet, and how much higher it is impossible
to say; probably, under favorable circumstances, it continues to
ascend, until by continued dilution with the atmospheric air it ceases
to have any distinct or recognisable existence ; but rise to a certain
height it does), for I have seen my own pointer find and point game
from the summit of a heap of stones laid against a five-feet wall,
forming one side of a narrow lane; and other analogous cases might
be adduced if it were necessary. But if a bird falls into a hedge or
low tree, and rests some four or five feet from the ground, it is
but rarely that the best-nosed dog obtains any intimation of the posi-
tion of the game, although he may pass and repass precisely under it.
I have, once or twice, under such circumstances, seen a pointer stop
as if attracted by a slight taint of scent, and once have seen him rise
up on his hind legs, as if under the impression that the game
was above him; and my correspondent records a similar circum-
Scent. 6139
stance. On the other hand, on “ the first” of last September I shot at
a bird which I had marked after wounding it at a previous discharge :
it fell about fifty or sixty yards from me into a thick hedge, at about
four feet above the ground. My idea was that it had not fallen dead and
would run: my dog, to whose point I had killed it, saw it fall as well
as myself, and on my advancing after I had recharged, hastened
directly to the spot; [had marked it to within a foot, but no scent
could be obtained on either side of the fence, and though I looked
into the part upon which it had fallen I could not see it. At last, on
looking through the hedge from the other side, I saw a dark object
suspended, which proved to be the partridge, quite dead. And
again, much later in the season, I brought down two at one shot; one
fell into a hedge not far distant, dead, and hung suspended by a leg ;
the other which fell to the shot proved to be shot in the head, but not
disabled, and, on the approach of the dog, took wing again and flew
in the wild, bewildered way, mentioned in my article on the partridge
(Zool. 6012), though not to a great distance. After securing the latter
T turned to bag the other; my dog passed close underneath it,
caught, as it seemed, a slight, uncertain whiff of scent —for he
paused for a moment—but being unable to make anything further of
it, went on again. If he had only looked up, the bird hung plainly
visible, and within reach if he had simply raised himself upon
his hind legs.
I have now only to notice the period of duration in scent;
and here again, I am much indebted to the kind courtesy of
the sportsman above referred to: “The duration of scent,” he
says, “appears to depend mainly on the animals pursued; _ for
instance, the scent of the fox may be run hard after a lapse of ten
minutes; whereas, that of the “‘foumart” after fifteen or twenty
hours. But it must be remembered, that the work of the foumart is
during the night, and consequently would come under the head of
*“ drag ;” as of the fox, “on trail;” as of the hare, which can be
owned after the above period: not so when found and pursued during
the day, as, say, half-an-hour would stay proceedings altogether.”
This statement is a very interesting one: any one who has observed
the tracks left by the hare, the rabbit, the fox, the stoat, the foulmart,
in their movements during the night, must have been struck by the
evidences afforded by the tracks of deliberateness of motion on
the part of the animal traced. It is at once apparent, that every few
yards the creature paused: in the case of the rabbit or hare, a single
6140 Scent.
pellet or two of dung and, possibly, a few drops of urine mav be seen
in a great number of places: the fox seems to have moved in
a devious sort of way, but never at a greater pace than a fast walk or
gentle trot, and much the same is true of the stoat or foulmart: the
latter animals, too, as well as the hare and, the rabbit void their ex-
crement and urine at night. Deliberate motion then, the processes
of defecation often interrupted, as often renewed, the favorable hygro-
metric conditions of the nocturnal atmosphere, all of them circum-
stances, as we have seen, tending to produce and to conserve a strong
scent, in accordance with the principles we have endeavoured to set
forth and illustrate in the former portion of our paper, are all conco-
mitants of the deposition of the most permanent “scents” we have
any knowledge of. The principal “waste” of the system takes
place, under ordinary circumstances, during the night in all animals
whose habits are nocturnal. This is one important source of scent,
and in the most favorable form of operation during their night-long
rambles. Another is in a measure dependent on the emission of their
feces, liquid and solid; this, too, is in operation: while the effect of
both, and of what may be called the permanent fetor of their skins or
fur, is raised to its greatest pitch by the deliberate character of their
movements, which at the same time allows the greatest possible
quantity of the scent matters to be attracted, and, in a sense, fixed by
all the suitable substances in the vicinity of which the animal passes.
1 think I have now noticed all the facts and conclusions which
have, at different times, presented themselves to my regard when
thinking about the nature and peculiarities of scent. In conclusion,
I shall only briefly observe, that in whatever degree the statements
above made on the authority of eminent physiological writers are ad-
mitted to be well founded and in accordance with fact, in the same
degree is the weakness of the Retention Theory displayed and itself
shown to be untenable. The animal, whether feathered or four-
footed, which under the influence of its emotions—terror being one of
them—-is irresistibly constrained to give out more than usual of its
peculiar or natural odour, can under no circumstances be supposed
capable of repressing or preventing the emanation of that odour,
and least of all when acted upon by fear or apprehension, if not down-
right terror. And further, if our conclusions as to the compound
nature of scent, so far, that is, as its origin and its elements or
constituents are involved, are admitted to be reasonable and just, the
utter impossibility, on physical grounds, of voluntary retention by any
Birds. 6141
animal of its natural scent is established. All substances partaking of
the nature or properties of either musk or ammonia must be, if present
on any part of an animal’s skin or coat, and exposed to any diffusing
agency, liable to betray themselves, whether the animal wishes it or
not, to the first passer by possessing suitable olfactory powers. The
only control it can have over them depends upon its perfect immo-
bility, as by that course it is saved from putting the air immediately
surrounding it and most impregnated with its scent into motion; and
so from diffusing the odorous particles or vapours through a wider
extent of the suspensory medium. With this remark I close the
present paper.
J. C. ATKINSON.
Danby Parsonage, Grosmont, York,
March, 1858.
White Thrushes, Blackbirds, §c. — In a former number of the ‘ Zoologist’ I sent
you a paper on the transmission of colour by white and pied pheasants, wherein I
stated the great numbers here which had been bred originally from one white cock
pheasant; aud I now venture to trouble you with a further communication as to the
vagaries of Nature at the same place, with reference to the colours of other birds and
animals. First as to thrushes : — Last year two white specimens were found in the
neighbouring parish by a boy, who has brought up one of them, which is now alive,
sings, and is doing well; the other was taken out of a different nest, and I believe is
since dead. This year, within about half-a-mile of where the former birds were taken,
in some very secluded ornamental walks down a rocky dell or dingle, with a series of
pools occupying the bottom of it, a blackbird’s nest was found, and unfortunately
taken; ove at least of its young inhabitants was captured, which proved to be
completely white ; another, which luckily escaped, was quite grey or pied, and nearly
the colour of a young cuckoo. These varieties in blackbirds are not very uncommon
occurrences in different parts of the kingdom, but those of the thrushes are, I believe,
very unusual. My next variety was in a young rouk. When the young rooks are
strong enough to leave their nests, a great onslaught upon them takes place here for
a few days by the butler and groom, to keep them within a reasonable quantity ; and
ata neighbouring rookery, a few hundred yards distance, on another gentleman’s
property, some young friends told me the other day they had that morning killed
between eighty and ninety young rooks; but notwithstanding this havoc some consi-
derable number of the young rooks get away, and amongst others who came here for
safety, I saw one, the whole of which, excepting the wings and head (which were
black), was of a dun colour, and as nearly as possible had the appearance of a hooded
or royston crow (as it is often called) ; but it was unquestionably a young rook, and
in company with several old ones. The fourth example of an unusual colour are
rabbits, which in this dry and heathy soil are sv prolific that a rabbit-catcher is
6142 Birds.
obliged to be kept on purpose to keep them down, or the outcry of the farmers would
be quite unbearable. This man is accustomed to catch in the course of the year
many hundred couples of rabbits on this property and on the adjoining farms, and he
states that he very seldom meets with any but the usual-coloured rabbits ; sometimes
he has met with a black one. Last year I saw an old rabbit near the house com-
pletely yellow or light straw-coloured ; afterwards three young ones made their
appearance ; these were not killed until towards the month of June, when the old one
and two of the others were destroyed, and the remaining young one disappeared from
where it had been before seen, though the other rabbits of the usual colour still
remained at the same spot. This year, in the month of April, at some considerable
distance from where the yellow rabbits before mentioned had their burrow and used
to reside, two or three very small completely yellow rabbits were seen sitting at the
mouth of the same hole, in company with several of the common-coloured gray rabbits,
apparently of the same size and age as the former; but no old one of that colour was
anywhere to be seen, which must have been the case had there been any such about.
Since the month of April these yellow rabbits have increased in numbers from three
to eight or ten at the same spot; they are of different broods and sizes, and cannot be
the offspring of the young yellow ones. In addition to these, four or five yellow ones
have also appeared at other places quite distinct from the former, in a cover preserved
for the game, where there are a great number of the common ones; one or two more
have also occurred elsewhere ; so that altogether there must now be from fifteen to
twenty of these strange-looking rabbits amongst the others, and the latter are not the
least alarmed at their difference of colour. I am at a loss how to account for so many
of these yellow rabbits springing up, as it were, all at once in so many neighbouring
places. Amongst them all in no instance has an old one of that colour been seen.
Although rabbits will at night travel a good way for food or to consort with their
friends, it is very seldom, when food is at hand and their burrows near, that they will
go any considerable distance from home. The spot where the old yellow rabbit and
her three young ones were first noticed is not the place where the present numbers of
that colour are now to be seen, though it is no great distance from it. What is the
cause of this sudden increase in the number of these yellow rabbits? Another some-
what unusual variety very common here is in the squirrel, of which there are numbers
about with tails completely straw-colour, as well as many of the usual colour. Of the
white and pied pheasants before alluded to I have many still about, and every year
several broods of young pheasants may be seen, some consisting of the variegated
specimens and others of the common colours. I may also add that a poor old mole-
catcher who is employed here states that many years ago he canght a nearly white or
very light dun-colour mole, for which he got a guinea.— W. H. Slaney ; Hatton Hall,
June, 1858.
Hooded Crows at Flambro’ Head.— Being engaged in collecting Diatomacee
under the cliffs at Flambro’ Head, on the 6th of June, I noticed a pair of Corvus cor-
nix (here called Norway crows) flying about the face of the cliffs, where no doubt they
had a nest. This surprised me not a little, for, hitherto, I had considered the Scotch
Highlands—where I have noticed them in immense numbers—to be their usual
southerly summer habitat. On referring, however, to Yarrell, I find I have been
labouring under a wrong impression, and that Corvus cornix has been noticed to breed
even so far south as Norfolk, and that this is by no means unusual at Scarbro’: still I
Birds. 6143
deem the fact of their occurrence at Flambro’ worth recording. — G. Norman; Hull,
June 19, 1858.
Occurrence of the Bee-eater at Kingsbridge, Devon.—I have just received from
a friend a male specimen of the bee-eater (Werops apiaster), which he had shot in a
newly ploughed field, apparently searching for insects, the remains of which I find its
stomach to contain.— Henry Nichols, Jun. ; Kingsbridge, Devon, May 22, 1858.
Hawfinch Building at Tonbridge.—A pair of hawfinches have built their nest this
year in an orchard in the vicinity of Tonbridge; but, unfortunately, the nest has
become a prey to a prying school-boy, who took the first egg and substituted in its
place a small blackbird’s egg. The next morning another egg was laid, but the black-
bird’s was gone: the birds were then again robbed of their egg, and have in con-
sequence deserted. Their nest, however, has not been built entirely in vain, for a
pair of house-sparrows, seeing it deserted, are now constructing their clumsy domicile
on the top of it.—7'. W. Greene ; Tonbridge.
The Small Partridge—In answer to the communication from the Rev. J. C.
Atkinson in the June number of the ‘ Zoologist, (Zoo). 6095), in which he asks me to
explain a discrepancy in my account of a small partridge shot on the heaths in this
neighbourhood, and that of Mr. Kidd who had shot them on Hindhead and its neigh-
bourhood, I can only repeat that I certainly have never remarked any difference in
plumage between the heath birds shot by me and the stubble-fed birds; there may
be a slight difference, but in the instances I have seen it is not worth mentioning.
Fowley is not far from Hindhead, and it is the same line of heath from where I have
shot these birds to Hindhead, the latter being the very much higher ground. My
locality is Woolmer Forest, a large tract of waste land of many thousand acres, and
which adjoins the Fowley estate, which is also surrounded by heath land; but I have
also shot these heath birds in the neighbourhood of Ash and Aldershott, which is a
continuation of the same line of wild heath country, but, except in the smallness of
size and the absence of corn in their crops, which contained heather only, I confess I
could never find any appreciable difference between them and the common partridge.
I have before me the letter of a friend, an excellent sportsman and naturalist,
who resides not many miles from Godalming, though on the opposite side from
Hindhead, who, after having read the articles in the ‘ Zoologist, writes to me as fol-
lows, throwing quite a different light upon the “little black heath-birds” of
his country, and those of Mr. Kidd’s description. He says: “I presume these are
the same that I had up to about ten years ago on my heaths: they never went into
enclosures ; were black inside from living on hurts and heath. In one instance,
they were thrown away by a cook, as being unwholesome, from finding when she
drew them that they were quite black, and I used to send a brace of them, as I should
of grouse, they were so high-flavoured : there was no particular difference in their plu-
mage; they were a turn smaller in size and darker in colour, but not sufficiently of
either but that they might have passed muster as ordinary partridges, if attention had
not been drawn to them ; the only remarkable part about them were their legs, which
were always bluer than the common.” I can only say, in reference to this, that I have
always put my birds, when killed, indiscriminately into the bag with others, and have
never remarked the differerice of the colour of the flesh, if there is any in our heath-
birds here; neither have I noticed the blueness of the legs, as mentioned in
my friend’s letter, but in his county the hurtle-berry abounds even more than it does
on Hindhead, and this most probably influences the colour in the flesh of these birds,
6144 Birds.
However, the conclusion I draw is that the heath-birds found in all these different
localities are the same partridge as the common, rather stunted in growth, like our
forest-bred ponies, and their flesh and their plumage, in Mr. Kidd’s birds, altered by
their food, namely, heather and hurtle-berries, of which latter iu all this county, there
are vast quantities; and I once shot a hen-pheasant in the latter end of August,
having mistaken her, when flying from me in the sun, fora grey hen (as we were
black grouse shooting at the time), and her crop was one entire mass of these purple
berries. This proves nothing, but the fondness of game-birds for that particular food.
The extreme blueness of the legs, as mentioned in the letter I quote, if observable in
all these localities, added to the difference in size, which is acknowledged by all,
would certainly tend to prove a variety, as the colour of the legs would be less likely
to be influenced by the food ; and if I shoot any this year, I shall particularly remark
this, to compare them with others, but at present I hold the supposed ‘“ mountain
partridge” of the ‘ Field,’ to be a myth.—John W. G. Spicer; Fowley, near Lip-
hook, Hants, June 11, 1858.
Note ona Lapwing’s Egg with Two Yolks.—I observed this morning in a dish of
lapwings’ eggs one nearly twice the usual size, and on opening it, I found that it con-
tained two perfect yolks; although this is not au uncommon phenomenon in the eggs
of domestic poultry, I never met with it before in the egg of a wild bird. Possibly,
the circumstance of lapwing’s eggs being so frequently abstracted from the nest in
consequence of the demand for them at the table, may in some measure account for
the occurrence of such an irregularity in an egg of this species.—J. H. Gurney ;
Kensington, May 24, 1858.
Domestic Ducks Nesting ina Church Tower.—Some days ago two ducks were seen
on the weathercock of our church, which seemed strange, but the strangest part of the
story is to be told. On the morning of the Ist instant the son of the clerk had an oc-
casion to go up among the bells, where, to his surprise, he found the ducks had a nest
with eggs in it, and this morning (June 3rd) I examined the nest; in it there are
eight eggs. The elevation of the nest from the surface is some ninety feet. The
ducks are the property of T. M. Boorn, Esq., who is anxious to preserve the eggs so
that the young may be hatched where the eggs are at present.— Sussex Express, June
5, 1858. [Communicated by the Rev. Arthur Hussey, Rottingdean].
Occurrence of the Short Sun-fish at Torquay.—The short sun-fish (Orthagoriseus
mola, Schneider) is a fish of sufficient rarity to make its capture worth noting, while
its form is so bizarre and its size so great as to make it a sort of wonderment among
sailors and fishermen, who invariably drag it about from house to house as a raree-
show when they secure one, in the hope of a few peuce. ‘Thrice in this manner has
the species been brought under my notice; at Ilfracombe, in the summer of 1852; at
Tenby, in 1856; and to-day at Torquay. This last specimen is smaller than the
former ones I had seen; asit is not more than about two feet in length, and a
foot anda half in height; its colour, too, is a lighter tinge,—a silvery gray, becoming
white on the belly, and scarcely deepening to an iron-gray, even on the back. I looked
in vain for the curious disk-shaped parasitic leech,—Tristoma mole; which is often
found on the species, and which, I remember, was infesting in some numbers the
Insects. 6145
Ilfracombe specimen. This individual was captured in a mackerel seine, off Hope’s
Nose, near Torquay, about the middle of the day of the 15th of June instant.— P. H.
Gosse; Sandhurst, Torquay, June 17, 1858.
Colias Edusa, Macroglossa Fuciformis and M. Bombyliformis at Winchester.—
Having the day before yesterday (June 8th) captured a Clouded yellow, I thought that
an event so unusual might be worthy of insertion in the ‘ Zoologist. It was a fine
female, evidently just out from the chrysalis, as the spaces between the nervures were
in that limp condition which is observable in insects before they have become stiff by
flight. The specimen was seen alive by at least ten persons. On the same day I
had the good fortune to capture a specimen of Meliteza cinxia, one of Macroglossa
Fuciformis, three of M. Bombyliformis and other good things. The two Macroglosse
seem very partial to the red campion (Lychnis dioica), for I took them all while
hovering over the flowers of that plant. The neighbourhood of Winchester is, I have
every reason to believe, rich in Lepidoptera. Of the sixty-five Rhopalocera, I have
myself taken forty-six species, and know of others having been taken.—J. S. Wesley ;
The Close, Winchester, June 10, 1858.
[The two British Colias have occurred repeatedly in the neighbourhood of
London during the past May and the present June: I believe them all to have
hybernated.— Ed. | }
Correction of an error.—I regret the readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ should have been
misled by my giving Thecla Pruni asa native of South Wales, it should have been
T. Rubi (see Zool. 6100). I may also remark, I have no claim to the title of
“* Reverend.”—Robert Drane ; Cardiff, June 22, 1858.
Occurrence of Clostera curtula in the Isle of Wight.—A few days ago I was informed
by a friend, who, though an F.G.S., &c., is not versed in insect lore, that a very curious
object—a skin of a moth—was attached to the wallof his house. Not thinking it very
probable that the sudden hot weather had induced a moth to throw off his outer gar-
ment, but expecting to find it was the skin of a caterpillar, I went to the spot and
found it was a good specimen of Clostera curtula. Seeing it indicated in the
‘Manual’ as scarce, and observing it is not mentioned in a local list, published a few
years since, I forward the capture in case it is thought worth recording, not being
myself a Lepidopterist. It is now in the collection of a friend.—G. Guyon ; Ventnor,
Isle of Wight, May 31, 1858.
Bankia Bankiana.—I\ have met with this hitherto rare little Noctua in considerable
numbers. Itis extremely local, confined, so far as I have observed, to one little patch
of bog on the mountain side, It flies heavily towards afternoon, but only for a few
yards at once, settling on the stems of grass, after the fashion of a Crambus, and
is easily captured.—Edwin Birchall ; Killarney, June 19, 1858.—From the ‘ Intel-
ligencer,’ |
The Larva of Xanthia Aurago.—The larva of this pretty Noctua is now feeding
on the beech and the maple; but, as it seems, according to Guenée, to be but little
known, and is inaccurately described by Treitsehke in Mr. Stainton’s ‘ Manual, I have
thought it might interest some of the readers to know what it is like, and how to find
XVI. - 2P
6146 Insects.
it. The egg, which is ribbed and at first pink, but changes after a few days to a slate-
colour, is laid in the autumn, on the buds and small shoots of the beech and maple.
It hatches about the 20th of April, and first attacks the opening bud, in which it buries
itself. The larva is naked, of a reddish brown, with a narrow white dorsal line, aud
two narrow white spiracular lines: head, six front legs, and spiracles black. After
feeding on the opening bud, it then unites two leaves together and feeds and moults
between them. As it attaches the leaves pretty firmly together, it seems of little use
beating for it, but it may be found by raising the branch and holding it against the
light, when it is easily observed between the leaves.—Rev. B. H. Birks; Stonor,
Henley-on-Thames, May 22, 1858.—Id.
Capture of Camptogramma gemmata and fluviata at liyht, near London.—On the
evening of the 5th of June, I took both these species at gas lamps in this neighbour-
hood, two specimens of the former and one of the latter. I have presented one of the
gemmata to the cabinet of the Entomological Club.—John Henry Tilly; 3, Bernard
Street, Regent’s Park, June 15, 1858. :
Ellachista Trapeziella : its Food and Transformations.—Larva deep pink (in some
individuals much darker than others, and this may be a sexual difference), with a
yellowish line down the back and sides. Mandibles pitchy black. Corselet with a
pitchy patch, divided by the dorsal line, in each half of which is a blackish spot. It
feeds on Luzula, and the egg is apparently laid at the base of the leaf, as the larva
enters from thence mining upwards and making a track so fine as to be almost imper-
ceptible without the aid of a magnifying glass. After it has thus worked for a con-
siderable distance it suddenly makes a broader mine and returns downwards parallel
to the first track, when its operations may now be detected. The broad mine is of a
dirty grayish colour, and seldom exceeds a sixteenth of an inch in width. Here I
may add, that probably those who were not fortunate enough to detect it, searched on
the fresh leaves. From what has come under my own notice it is only to be met with
on those leaves which have assumed a purplish tinge. No doubt the egg is deposited
on the young leaf, but before this is hatched, age, and other causes too sometimes,
act upon it as above. Decidedly the most difficult larva to find in the whole
Elachista group. When about to change to a pupa it quits the mine, and, retiring
to a convenient place, it then makes a slight spinning, to which it attaches itself, as
well as by a few threads thrown across its back. The pupa at first, and until near the
perfection of the imago, retains a good deal of the colour of the larva. Itis rather
narrow, and with the dorsal ridge acute and pale. In all my examples the pupa
was suspended head downwards. This is a fine species resembling none of the others
in the position of its markings except E. cinereo-punctella; and from this it is at once
separated hy the deeper colour of the wings and the short silvery white streak running
along the fold at the base of the wing. Mr. Stainton’s description in the ‘ Insecta
Britannica,’ p. 254, is exceedingly good. After emerging from the chrysalis, and
when the wings have been developed, they are suddenly raised to an angle forking
about 90 degrees with the body, and with their superior surfaces turned to each other
so as to be almost touching it, thus stand until they are fit for use. The larve are
neatly all full grown by the end of April, and the perfect insect appears at the end of
May or beginning of June.— John Scott, Southfield Villas, Middlesbro’-on- Tees,
June 14, 1858.
Scolytus supposed to attack only unhealthy Trees: Cossus ligniperda does in-
fest the Elm.—In the last number of the ‘Zoologist,’ I observe a_ paper,
Insects. 6147
from you, which I was very glad to see, in reference to the article by Captain Cox on
Scolytus destructor and Cossus ligniperda. Now, as regards the latter feeding in
elms, I had an instance of this lately brought before me: the Rev. J. Hillens was
pupa digging this spring, and came to an elm that was greatly damaged by the boring
ofa whole brood of larve of the Cossus, eighteen in number, or rather this is the
number that gentleman brought home with him, some of which he gave to me: thus
it will be seen that Captain Cox is right so far as the Cossus will feed in elin timber;
but, as you observe Zeuzera Asculi might have been mistaken for it if the larve were
not seen, and’as the larve of the latter are so common in the parks and even in the
squares of London, it is very probable to have been that species. Now, as regards the
Scolytus destructor, I disagree with Captain Cox in saying the insect attacks healthy
trees ; for my part I do not believe it does so. In the neighbourhood of Exeterand in
Devonshire generally, the elm is the most common tree we have, indeed it is the
principal arborescent vegetation of the county; and you may hunt a hundred, nay a
thousand, healthy trees and you will not find a single instance of the Scolytus; but if
a tree is diseased so as to cause a stagnation in the sap in any part of the trunk or
large limbs, but more particularly the former, it is near to this you will find the larve
of the Scolytus in plenty feeding on the liber and cambium, as also the softer portions
of the wood immediately beneath: it is on the mucilaginous sweet sap that the larve
appear to subsist ; and where disease has taken place either from a wound, or the decay
of a branch so as to admit water and the weather to act directly on the young and
delicate wood forming liber, the cells become ruptured and broken down; the conse-
quence is, the portions of the inner bark become so gorged with sap, that it oozes out
and becomes a weeping wound ; and it is round about such wounds you find the larve
of this insect feeding on this gorged portion of the liber, which is very sweet to the
taste: like most other insects they appear to like saccharine fluids. Now, to prove
that the insects prefer the stagnant sap to that of an healthy tree, I will instance a
great number of elms that are cut down for timber and brought into the basin yard,
near the quay and the steam saw-mills; in the bark of several that were cut down in
the winter and*early spring of 1856—so that they laid in the yard through last
summer—and as I was hunting over the trees in this yard for Coleoptera in March
and April of this year, and in ripping off the bark of the elms I discovered it was full
of larve—they literally swarmed with Scolytus larve; indeed, they were so numerous
that I was doubtful if it was that species. Well, I left them for some time until I
thought they would have arrived at the pupa state, but when I returned to the trees
again I found them all stripped of their bark by the poor people from the city, who
steal it to burn. I was much vexed to think I could not follow up my observations:
T hunted round the trees and found a piece of bark round a smail knot, about the size
of my hand; when taken off I saw several pupe. I took this piece home and placed
it ina breeding-cage, and, abouta fortuight ago, five perfect Scolytus emerged from this
little bit of bark ; this I] was much pleased to see, as it bore out my supposition. Now
I can positively assert that all the trees that I examined in the first instance before
the bark was removed were as full of larve as this small bit I took home with me,
and, if they had remained untouched, would have produced thousands of the Scolytus,
and these insects would have emerged just in time to deposit their eggs in the bark of
the newly brought-in trees which have been cut down this last winter and spring; and
here I may observe is the place to examine if the timber be sound and good, which I
can assure you it is; so that it is the stagnant sap that attracts the insects, not the
6148 Insects.
trees (as may be said are in a semi-decaying state from being cut down), now why
should we find these trees swarming with the Scolytus larve when there are hun-
dreds of fine healthy trees in the adjoining fields? even two sides of the basin yard are
studded with elms, but you cannot find them attacked by the insect: why, I say, do
we not find them? why, because it is not their proper or natural food: it is only in
those portions where disease has begun its work, and the insects are attracted to the
diseased portions, like most other lignivorous species to hasten on decay, which
appears to be their office, and that they carry out to the letter—Hdward Parfitt ;
4, Weirfield Place, St. Leonard’s, Exeter.
Scolytus supposed a secondary cause of injury: Cossus ligniperda does infest the
Eilm.—In your paper read at the Entomological Society upon Scolytus destructor, the
inference you point out is certainly the correct one, viz., that the trees were not suf-
fering from Scolytus so much as from Cossus. But my reason for writing to you is to
inform you of the fact that the larve of Cossus ligniperda does infest the elm, so much
so, that the greater number of valuable trees in Mount Edgecumbe Park are nearly
destroyed through the perforations of this larva: at least I suppose the larve to be the
cause, but I cannot give positive proof, not knowing whether they were diseased pre-
viously, and not having tried to cure them. Cossus larve do not always mine to the
centre or interior of a tree, but are to be seen in the full-grown state lying in their
trenches on the surface of the wood, just under the bark. The last four larve I took
were in the situation I describe. Passing by a tree I saw a patch of the bark loose,
and guessing the cause, I returned, took off the bark, and two great fat fellows were
exposed to view; two more were another skin deeper. I have not met with Scolytus
destructor here ; I took one specimen at Exeter last year: our equivalent is Hylesinus
crenatus.—J. J. Reading ; 11, Ham Street, Plymouth.
[A number of letters have been received, the writers of which take the views indi-
cated by Mr. Parfitt and myself, that Scolytus destructor attacks only the in-
jured or dying trees, but I think Captain Cox is entitled to be heard in reply before
anything further is published on the opposite side of the question. In the present
state of the question I do not wish to enforce any opinion of my own.—£d.]
Beetles in Ants’ Nests.—The attention of English Coleopterists has of late been
more than usually directed to the search for the beetles usually found in ants’ nests,
and the result has been that several species have been added to our native lists. This
year I have devoted some time to the subject, with a view not only of obtaining speci-
mens, but also of trying to discover what it was that induced the beetles to be
dwellers in habitations they had not assisted to build, and where, judging a priort
from the carnivorous habits of the proper inhabitants, they would be likely to lead very
uncomfortable lives. My observations have been exclusively confined to the nests of
the large wood-ant (Formica rufa), and, as far as I have been able to notice, the
beetles live in perfect harmony with the ants, neither attacking them nor being
molested by them. I have proved also by keeping the various species together in a
bottle for several days, that these beetles do not hurt each other. I should also
mention that the nests are full of Onisci of different sizes and colours, and possibly of
different species, but they and the ants do not quarrel in the least. The sight of these
Onisci led me to think that they were there, as in other places, on account of the pre-
sence of moisture or decay which favour their existence, that they were not tenants at
the will of the ants, but lodged in their nests rather in spite of them. This hypothesis
did not seem very easy of demonstration, but luckily I stumbled on that which threw
Insects. 6149
a light on the matter. I found an ants’ nest which for some cause or other had been
deserted since last year at least; it was a large heap, as much as a cart-load, quite
intact, like the other ants’ nests full of Onisci, Iuli, Scolopendre and Acari, but
without a single ant living init. I took a portion from the top, spread it out on a
sheet of white paper in the same manner as I had done from the nests that were full
of ants, and soon had the pleasure of seeing some beetles moving among the débris.
I repeated the process, and eventually found-I had the following species, the relative
numbers of each being about the same as in the other nests, except that Saprinus
piceus was much more numerous:—Dendrophilus pygmeus, Saprinus piceus,
Monotoma angusticollis, M. conicicollis, Trichopteryx sericans, T. atomaria, Cephen-
nium thoracicus, Leptacinus Formicetorum, Thiasophila angulata, Oxypoda hemorrhoa,
O. formicetorum, Quedius brevis. There were also many beetle larve moving about.
It was therefore not only clear that that the Onisci were in no way dependent upon
the ants, but that those beetles I have mentioned, which are usually found in nests of
Formica rufa, have no necessary connection with the ants, but merely take advantage
of the circumstances favourable to their existence, which are incidental to the nests,
such as the decaying wood and vegetable matter, the heat which is considerably
greater than that of the atmosphere, and the Acari and other small creatures which
abound. The xylophagous beetles, I have no doubt, feed on the wood, the car-
nivorous on the Acari, &c., which are fostered by the heat. It is certainly curious
that certain species of ants have for lodgers only certain species of beetles;
it has been surmised that the formic acid of the ants has an attraction for most of the
beetles, and it may be so, but I am inclined to the opinion that investigation will
show that in many cases where a direct connection with the ants is now supposed to
exist, itis merely some contingent circumstance that causes the beetles to frequent
the ants’ nests. While we cannot disbelieve the statement of Muller and others that
Claviger foveolatus secretes a fluid which is eagerly taken by Formica flava, in whose
nests this beetle is found, and that the ants in return feed the beetles from their own
mouths and carry them out of the way of danger, yet it is possible that there has been
some error of observation, for similar statements have been made with regard to the
Pausside found in ants’ nests, and yet the facts have been deemed susceptible of very
different interpretations. Herr Gueinzius, writing about the Pausside of Port Natal,
says (Proceed. Ent. Soc. 1851, p. 106), “I saw a long train of ants busily running
backwards and furwards, and I remarked among them a Pentaplatarthrus gently led
by its antenne by several ants, which accompanied it in the common procession. My
first idea, that it was forcibly held against its will, 1 gave up, when on this and
following days I several times saw the same fact occur on the approach of a thunder-
storm.” But Mr. Plant,also writing from Port Natal,says of the Pausside (Proceed.
Ent. Soc. 1855, p. 121), “ Respecting their habits, I think the notion that they live
with the ants, or are at all desirous of their society, is an error: all that I saw were
close prisoners and jealously guarded. The beetles are in the bottom of the tufts of
grass, and owing to the small size and matted nature of the herbage, are very dif-
ficult to discover in that position, but it is the business of the ants to find them, and
well they perform it. The ants do not kill them on the spot simply because they can
convey them home alive. * * * The sum of my observations amounts to this:—
the Paussi do not seek the ants nor remain with them voluntarily; on the contrary,
they use every possible exertion to escape, though not one that I saw succeeded in
dving so, they are captives to the ants; and for what other purpose should the latter
6150 Entomological Society.
toil in their capture, but in the pursuit of their natural instinct to secure food
wherever it is offered.” I quote these remarks to show how differently the same cir-
cumstance may be estimated, and that although it is possible Miiller is right about
the Claviger, it by no means follows that all beetles found in ants’ nests are in any way
connected with the ant. Itis, no doubt, very singular that such voracious creatures
as the ants allow so many aliens to live among them unmolested, but though ap-
parently ready to eat any living thing, may they not, like other animals, have their
likings and dislikings? In some instances, especially where the resemblance of the
beetles to the ants is very great, it will probably be found that the beetles frequent
the ants’ nest to eat the ants, but it is not likely that any beetles which the aunts will
devour are voluntarily in their company.—J. W. Douglas ; Kingswood Place, Lee,
June, 1858.
Cossonus linearis—Remarking the supposition that this insect had not probably
occurred for twenty years prior to its discovery by Mr. Janson, the place of capture
being one of the arcana of science; I beg to state that I met with it in the course of
last summer sunning itself on the tops of palings, near the railway-station, Upper
Norwood.—Alfred Haward ; Gloucester Road, Croydon, June 22, 1858.
Proceedings of Socveties.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SocieTyY.
June 7, 1858.—J. O. Westwoop, Esq., V.P., in the chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the
donors:—-‘ First and Second Report on the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the
State of New York, made to the State Agricultural Society, pursuant to an appropria-
tion for this purpose from the Legislature of the State,’ by Asa Fitch, M.D.; presented
by the author. ‘Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. ii., No. 8;
by the Society. The Natural History Review’, Vol. v., No.2; by the Dublin Uni-
versity Zoological Association. ‘A Monograph of the Asiatic Species of Neptis and
Athyma, two genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera belonging to the Family Nymphalidae,
by Frederic Moore: ‘Descriptions of some New Species of Lepidopterous Insects
from Northern India,’ by Frederic Moore; by the Author. ‘ Annales de la Société
Entomologique Belge,’ Tome premier; by the Society. ‘Bibliotheca Historico-
Naturalis, Vol. vii., No.1; by the Author, E. A. Zuchold. ‘The Zoologist’ for
June, 1858; by the Editor. ‘List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in
the collection of the British Museum,’ by Francis Walker, F.L.S., &c.; Part xiv.
—Noctuide; by the Author. ‘ Report of the Proceedings of the First Meeting of
the East Kent Natural History Society’; by Captain Cox. ‘The Journal of the
Society of Arts’ for May; by the Society. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for May; by the
Editor. ‘Descriptions de Six Longicornes Exotiques Nouveaux,’ par M. Chey-
rolat (from Archiv Entom.); presented by the Author.
Entomological Society. 6151
Exhibitions.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a number of Coleoptera found in nests of Formica fuliginosa
and F. rufa, amongst which were examples of Myrmedonia cognata and M. lugens,
and a fine series of Dinarda Maerkelii, taken near Guildford, of which he distributed
specimens amongst the members present.
Mr. Smith exhibited a specimen of Myrmica cingulata, found by Mr. S. Stevens
in a nest of Formica fusca, and examples of Myrmica lippula and Ponera contracta,
found by Mr. Janson in company with Formica fuliginosa ; he wished those entomo-
logists who were in the habit of searching for Coleoptera in ants’ nests would bear in
mind that several rare species of Myrmicide are only to be met with in the nests of
the different species of Formica, and that two or three such species of Myrmica well
known to continental entomologists have not yet been discovered in this country.
Mr. Janson exhibited an example of a species of Trichonyx, found by Mr.
E. Shepherd in a colony of Formica flava, under a flint on the “ Hogsback,’ near
Guildford, on the 2I!st ult. Mr. Janson observed that it was the same species which
he had alluded to in his paper on Coleoptera frequenting ants’ nests, in the
‘ Entomologist’s Annual’ for 1857, but he had not yet been able to identify the insect
with either of the two known continental species of this genus.
Mr. Janson also exhibited specimens of an Hemipterous insect which he had taken
on several occasions in nests of Formica rufa at Hampstead and Highgate, and which
he was disposed to refer to the Microphysa myrmecobia, Maerkel, in Germ. Zeitsch.
f. d. Ent. v. 262, 276 (1844), with whose description the individuals before the
Meeting agreed pretty closely, differing, however, somewhat in the sculpture of the
head and thorax. He remarked that he had met with the male only, the female,
according to Germar, has the hemelytra truncate—a structure obtaining in M. Psela-
phiformis, Westwood, Annales de la Soc. Ent. de France, iii. 642, tab. vi. f. 3 (1834).
[Loricula Pselaphiformis, Curtis, Ent. Mag. i. 197 (1833) ; Microphysa pselaphoides,
Burmeister, Handb. d. Entom. ii. 286 (1835) ], and which may pessibly prove to be
the female of the present species, although here the apical joints of the antenne are
decidedly the longest, and the rostrum is broad and scarcely exceeds the head
in length.
Mr. Westwood observed that so long a period had elapsed since his attention was
given to the species in question, that he could not then express an opinion in this
matter; the specimen which Mr. Janson had placed in his hands would enable him
to institute a comparison, the result of which he would communicate at a future
time.
Mr. Stainton exhibited a specimen of a new species of Cemiostoma, bred by Mr.
T. Wilkinson, from Lotus, and for which the name “ Lotella” had been proposed :
the insect is closely allied to C. scitella, from which it differs in the narrower anterior
wings, the different position of the radiating dark lines in the cilia, and in having the
apical spot from which these lines appear to emanate, black, instead of tawny as in
scitella.
Mr. F. Smith exhibited two hermaphrodites in the aculeate Hymenoptera, viz., a
specimen of Nomada baccata, and of Andrena nitida; in both insects the male cha-
racters were on the right side of the body.
Mr. Douglas exhibited pup of a Lepidopterous insect found under bark of syca-
more, and presumed to be those of Stigmonota Regiana; also a living example .
6152 Entomological Society.
of Trinodes hirtus, and a specimen of Acrognathus mandibularis, a Coleopterous insect
new to this country, taken at Darenth Wood, about three years ago.
Mr. Westwood exhibited a fine specimen of the Carpocapsa, which he had
recently bred from the Mexican “jumping seeds,’ for which he proposed the
name of
CaRPOCAPSA SALTITANS,
C. Ale anticis griseo-albis cinereo rivulosis ; costa lineolis circiter 16 obliquis alter-
natim tenuibus, angulo apicali nigricanti plaga parva ovali albida ; margine
postico prope basin macula parva quadrata nigricanti, plagaque postica magna
conica cinerea, nigro lineata et marginata ; margine apicali griseo plumbeo et
albo variegato serie duplict punctorum minutorum nigrorum ; alis posticis fuscis ;
capite et collari brunnescentibus ; palpis extus fuscis, intus albidis. _Expans.
alarum antic. lin. 9.
Hab.—Larva in seminibus plante Peruviane Calliguaja dicta, que motu salta-
torio mire progrediuntur,
Mr. Westwood exhibited a drawing, lately received by Mr. Spence from India, of
the winged male and apterous worker of a species of Dorylus, together with the larva
and pupa of the latter, which had been communicated to Herr Neitner by the Hon.
Walter Elliot. The male is of the ordinary Dorylus form, that sex having only
hitherto been observed, but the worker is a species of Mr. Westwood’s genus
Typhlopone. Herr Neitner’s letter is as follows :--
“ Ramboudde, Ceylon, March 24, 1858.
“ W. Spence, Esq., London.
“* Dear Sir.—When at Madras, a few weeks ago, my friend the Hon. Walter
Elliot showed me an entomological sketch, a copy of which I beg to enclose, asking
me what the insect represented was. There can be no doubt that it is a Dorylus, and
of great interest, as it represents two sexes, and as Mr. Elliot has observed their do-
mestic habits. With regard to the latter, Mr. Elliot states that a couple of years ago
he found a large society of these insects at Collenada, near Coringa, north of Madras,
at about 17° N. L. They lived in the manner of ants, under the stone foundations of
a house built on loose sand, within half-a-mile of the sea-coast: the society was very
numerous. Mr. Elliot brought away a number of the insects, and had a drawing
made of them by a native draughtsman: the enclosed sketch is a copy of it, also made
by a native draughtsman. [The drawing represents the male insect of the natural
size and in different positions, with magnified details of the antenne, legs and geni-
talia ; also the worker of the natural size, and magnified with details, and with the
larva and pupa]. There can be no doubt that these insects are closely allied Jo the
social ants. The difference in size of the male and the worker is very remarkable.
The female remains still to be discovered: still I feel confident that the enclosed
sketch and Mr. Elliot’s observations will interest you as much as they have interested
me, and will be generally considered as an acceptable addition to the natural-history
of the genus Dorylus.”
Mr. Thwaites, by whom Herr Neitner’s letter was transmitted to Mr. Spence, adds
that “it is very interesting to find Shuckard’s conjecture that Typhlopone would prove
to be of the Dorylus family verified. Shuckard’s paper on the subject is in the
Entomological Society. 6153
‘Annals of Natural History’ for 1840: his idea of its being a parasite, is, however,
certainly disproved by this discovery of Mr. Elliot.”
Mr. Westwood added that Mr. Shuckard, in his ‘Monograph on the Dorylides,’
referred to by Mr. Thwaites, had suggested that Typhlopone was composed of females
of Labidus, and had consequently removed the former from the family of the ants,
considering the Dorylides as an osculant family between the Mutillide and Formicidae,
whereas he (Mr. Westwood), in the Arcana Ent. i. 73, had shown Typhlopone to
belong to the family of the ants, and had considered the Dorylides as a section of the
Formicide, doubting, at the same time, the supposed sexual connexion between
Typhlopone and Labidus.
Mr. Smith observed that the communication was certainly very interesting: Dr.
Savage had, however, to his own satisfaction, settled the relationship of Dorylus some
years ago. In the ‘ Proceedings of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’ for 1850, a com-
munication from Dr. Savage states, that he found in Africa a number of specimens
of Dorylus in company with a new species of Anomma, “ A. rubella, Sav.’; the latter
he considers to be the workers of Dorylus, yet, notwithstanding this opinion and
the details given, Mr. Smith expressed his doubts of there being any specific con-
nexion between these insects; they were not even found ina nest, but upon the
ground, the Dorylus being mixed with a procession of Anomma. Although great dis-
parity in the size of the sexes of some species of ants was well known, no instance of
the male so greatly exceeding the worker had come under his notice, and in India
Dorylus was common, whilst Anomma has not yet been found. Mr. Smith was far
more inclined to adopt the opinion of Dorylus being the male of Typhlopone, but he
did not consider the communication decisive upon that point ; the Dorylus it appeared
had been discovered in the same nest, or in company with workers of Typhlopone, but
the female had not been discovered, and Dorylus might yet prove to be a parasite.
Mr. Shuckard had suggested the probability of Labidus, the New World representa-
tive of Dorylus, being the male of Typhlopone; and as the Jatter genus, or one very
closely resembling it, had been received from Brazil from Mr. Bates, the communica-
tion, should the connexion therein stated prove eventually to be correct, certainly con-
firmed Mr. Shuckard’s views.
Mr. Stainton read the following paper :—
On the persistence of Species.
“Some strangely heretical notions were broached at the last Meeting,—at least
they were such notions as must appear heretical to all who have closely studied
species.
“It was suggested that those individuals of a genus which all who have most care-
fully investigated the subject agree in considering species, were not in reality species,
but merely varieties, or rather races caused by some modification of habit. ‘The
statement that different species will, in the larva state, feed on different plants, was
used in an inverted manner to imply that eggs of one species laid on four or five dif-
ferent plants will produce apparently as many different species.
“‘T do not wish in the slightest degree to overstate the new theory, but I cannot
see that it differs in degree from what I have just mentioned. Species somewhat
similar feeding on closely allied plants were suggested as probable variations caused
by the difference of food; but if a slight difference of food causes a slight apparent
XVI. 2Q
6154 Entomological Society.
difference of species, a greater difference of food would of course produce a greater
apparent difference of species, and thus each genus might be assumed to consist of
only a single species, varying according to its food and other circumstances.
“ Hence species are not ; they were merely phantoms of the brain of the naturalist.
“The difference between the two specimens of Cemiostoma I have exhibited is
not a specific difference; Scitella, driven by stress of weather far from its usual food,
laid eggs on Lotus, and thus produced an apparently new species. It is of course an
interesting problem whether, if this insect bred from the Lotus were to deposit eggs
on an apple-leaf the resuit would not be some other aberrant creature, which the
first captor would hold to be a new species till an elaborate investigation into its pedi-
gree should show that it was descended from Scitella, out of Lotus, by Scitella,
out of apple.
“Such theories would never have been started but for the smallness of the
objects under discussion.
“TI have also brought for exhibition two hitherto reputed distinct species of
butterflies, of the genus Vanessa ; but as they are very similar in appearance, and feed
on plants of the same natural order, Urticaceew, perhaps the Meeting will now be dis-
posed to consider Polychloros and Urtice as one species: it will of course be
remarked that the flight of these two insects is very different, that of Polychloros
being far the more powerful; but then it must be borne in mind that elm trees grow
higher than nettles, and consequently a butterfly bred from an elm tree might be
expected to be endowed, on that very account, with stronger organs of flight.
“JT could multiply similar instances ad nauseam; but really I feel that I am un-
necessarily taking up the time of this Meeting, and I should not have recurred
to the subject but for the number of young entomologists who now attend our
Meetings, on some of whom the idea of gradual developments from one species to
another might have most injurious effects, were it not briefly, yet effectually,
exploded.”
Mr. Westwood considered it would require far greater research than had yet been
made, and far more argument than the few lines Mr. Stainton had just read, to dis-
prove the theory he had advanced at the last Meeting, although Mr. Stainton was
pleased to imagine he had “ effectually exploded” the idea of gradual developments,
yet he (Mr. Westwood) still maintained that many of the supposed new species of
Micro-Lepidoptera lately established might be merely modifications of other species
dependent on diversity of food or other circumstances with which we are not
acquainted. That many species of animals, including insects, underwent modifica-
lions and became, so to speak, geographical or structural sub-species was well
established, as might be seen in Mr. Wollaston’s work on “Species,” since the publi-
cation of which a great change had taken place in the minds, especially of German
naturalists, as to the specific rank of many of the supposed species of Carabideous in-
sects, which were now sunk into local sub-species. It was not sufficient to say that
larve which had fed on the oak, would die rather than feed on any other tree, because
the experiment was tried with an individual which had already become quercivorous,
Many of the best botanists had also adopted the theory of local sub-species; it was
quite necessary to register these permanent or even transitory sub-species, but far
more philosophical to endeavour to discover the centre, so to speak, from which they
radiated.
Entomological Society. 6155
Mr. Douglas remarked that in some of the species most closely allied, as, for in-
stance, Cemiostoma Spartifoliella and Laburnella, it was not merely that they fed on
different plants, but the habit of the larve was totally different, and it would
be a preposterous doctrine to maintain that the difference of the habit was the cause
of the modification of the species, and not rather that the habit differed because
the species were different.
Mr. Dunning said he was no advocate for the notion of species gradually
changing from one form to another.
Mr. Stainton observed that Mr. Westwood’s remarks went fully the length of
maintaining the development theory, and in further illustration of the difference of
habits, showing closely allied species to be distinct, he exhibited larve of M. Mil-
liére’s new Coleophora Lugduniella, feeding on Vicia Cracca, and larve of C. Vibi-
cella, on Genista tinctoria; the former larva having an ample silken cloak thrown
over its black case, and the latter being entirely without the cloak; the former larva
eating the leaves through into holes, and the latter blotching the leaves in the usual
Coleophoric fashion.
Mr. Vardon called the attention of the Meeting to the lamentable state of the
fruit trees in Worcestershire: a few weeks ago they promised one of the finest crops
ever seen, which had since been totally destroyed by multitudes of caterpillars, some
of which he laid before the Meeting. His own orchards were planted with currant
and gooseberry bushes under the fruit trees, and the caterpillars after defoliating the
latter, had descended to the former: he would feel much indebted to the members
present for any suggestions calculated to remedy or mitigate this serious evil: the
crop on at least 1000 acres being totally destroyed.
Mr. Westwood observed, with reference to the statement of Mr. Vardon, as to the
wholesale destruction of the apple crop (as well as of that of the currant and goose-
berry trees planted under the apples), that the caterpillars which had now proved so
destructive for several years were those of the winter moth Cheimatobia brumata, and
that as they were now full-grown, the mischief which they had produced had arrived
at its height for the present year. The destruction of such of the caterpillars which
still remained in the trees by beating the branches over large sheets, and which had
already been practised to a large extent, was still highly desirable ; but Mr. West-
wood considered that the peculiarities of the perfect insect offered much greater
facilities for preserving the crop of next year. The habit of the caterpillar to
descend to the ground and undergo its transformations in the earth, together with the
fact that the female being wingless, would only be enabled to lay her eggs upon the
tips of the present year’s shoots (so as to allow the newly hatched larva to find an
immediate supply of food) by creeping up the trunks of the trees, suggested what
appeared to be a satisfactory means of combatting this pest. The German horticultu-
turists had indeed invented a kind of boot or box for the protection of the base of the
trunk of the tree, composed of four upright boards fixed close round the tree, each
having a small oblique ridge at the top, the inner surface which was kept (during the
mouths of October and November when the perfect insects appear) moistened with gas
tar or other sticking matter, which caught the females as they endeavoured to ascend
the trees. It would also be very advisable at the same period of the year, either to
remove and burn the earth beneath the trees to the depth of several inches, in order
to carry away and destroy the chrysalids, or to beat the surface hard so as to prevent
6156 Zoological Society.
the moths making their eseape to the open air. Children might also easily be trained
to watch for and destroy the females when they make their appearance. They, how-
ever, rapidly ascend the trees so that much vigilance is required. It had been asked
whether it would not be advisable to destroy the apple trees in order to save the goose-
berry and currant trees beneath, but this appeared a proceeding very doubtful of sue-
cess, as the insects certainly first attacked the apples, and the destruction of the latter
would only inerease their attacks on the other trees.
Mr. W. W. Saunders read “ Descriptions of some new species of the genus
Erycina.”—£. 8S.
ZOOLOGICAL SociEtyY.
Tuesday, April 27, 1858.—Dr. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the chair.
Mr. Sclater read the second part of a ‘ Synopsis of the American Ant-birds (For-
micariide,” containing the Formicivorine or Ant-wrens, the second sub-family
according to his arrangement of the group. The members of this section enumerated
amounted to sixty-eight in number, divided into ten genera. Among these species
were four considered to be undeseribed, which were characterised under the names
Myrmotherula multostriata, M. cinereigularis, Uromacra nigricans, and Pyriglena
maculicaulis.
The Secretary read descriptions of some new Pinne, and of a new Oniscia, from
the collection of Mr. Cuming, by Mr. Sylvanus Hanley; and descriptions of ten
new species of Bulimus from the same collection, by Dr. L. Pfeiffer.
Dr. Gray made some additional observations on the genus Furcella.
He also read a paper “ On a new Genus and some new Species of Uropeltide in
the Collection of the British Museum.” The new species were characterised under
the following names :—Siloboura Ellioti, S.Ceylonica, Morina Templetonii, M. uni-
maculata, M. melanogaster, and Maudia Jerdonii.
Dr. Gray likewise read a paper “‘ On Carpentaria, a new form of animal, interme-
diate between Rhizopods and Porifera, or a sponge with a foraminated many-celled
shelly case.”
Dr. Gray read a note on the egg of the “mooruk” (Casuarius Bennettii), which
was exhibited to the meeting by Mr. S. Stevens.
Tuesday, May 11, 1858.—Joun Govtp, Esq., V.P., in the chair.
Mr. Gould exhibited to the meeting a specimen of the American species, Regulus
calendulus, which was shot in a wood on Loch Lomondside, by Dr. Dewar, about five
years since.
He also exhibited a specimen of the night heron, which had been shot at Coombe
Abbey, the seat of the Ear] of Craven.
Mr. Gould stated that he had received a letter from Dr. Bennett, of Sydney,
stating that since he had written the account of the new cassowary, which Mr. Gould
at a recent mecting of the Society named Casuarius Bennettii, a young bird of the
Zoological Society. 6157
same species had been brought to Sydney; that he had successfully negociated the
purchase of the original adult bird, which had been placed on board the ship ‘ British
Merchant, in charge of Dr. Plomley, who was returning to England; and that the
ship sailed on the 2nd of March, with the bird alive and in good condition. Mr.
Gould therefore trusted that this rare and valuable bird would, under the care and
attention of Dr. Plomley, arrive alive in the gardens. It is intended as a present to
the Society from Dr. Bennett. A drawing of the young bird was exhibited to the
meeting.
The Secretary read an extract from a letter dated Eastbourne, May 3, 1858,
addressed to Mr. Gould, from his son, Mr. Charles Gould ; it ran as follows: —“ In
the course of my walk yesterday I came close to a sand pit rather suddenly: a num-
ber of rabbits were playing about, which scampered off as soon as they became aware of
the dread proximity of man, leaving behind them, however, six or seven nondescript
companions about their own size, sedately. playful, awkward and grotesque. At the
distance at which I first saw them I was quite at a loss to imagine what they were.
Finding they were curious rather than shy, I approached nearer, and found them to
be young fox-cubs; they allowed me to venture within about fifteen yards of them,
and then retired without any indecorous haste, one by one, into their holes.”
Mr. Gould made some observations on the Indian Phasianide imported last year,
and now laying in the gardens of the Society.
Drawings of the eggs of the Impeyan pheasant, the Cheer, the purple pheasant,
and two species of Kalege2, were exhibited to the meeting.
Mr. Holdsworth made some remarks on the sea-anemones, and particularly on a
specimen of the rare Anthea Couchii, now exhibited for the first time in the aquarium.
Mr. Sclater laid before the meeting the third and concluding portion of his
“* Synopsis of American Ant-birds (Formicariide),” containing the third sub-family,
Formicariine. Among the forty-six species referred to this division were two from
‘the Upper Amazon, which were considered to be new, aud named Myrmelastes
plumbeus and M. nigerrimus.
With reference to the eggs of Indian Phasianide, Mr. Sclater remarked that,
though the eggs of the Gallophasis albo-cristata and G. melanota were easily recog-
nisable, as of distinct species, as indeed were the birds themselves, yet it was well
known in India that, in the region where these two species inosculate, a transitional
variety is found, passing from one to the other. This was not so surprising in a
gallinaceous bird, but the same thing occurred in two instances in birds of the
Passerine groups, and was very remarkable. No one would deny the specific distinct-
ness of Coracias bengalensis of the Indian peninsula from C. affinis of Assam, or of
Colaptes aurata of the eastern United States of America from C. mexicanus of Cali-
fornia and Mexico ; yet, in the country where these species respectively inosculate,
intermediate varieties are found.
Mr. Sclater also read the statement of the person who reared the Magellanic
geese now in the gardens, from which it appeared that they were all three hatched
from eggs taken from one nest in the Falkland Islands ; and all doubts as to the very
dissimilar male and female being of one species were thus removed. —D. W. M.
6158 Nalural-History Collectors.
Proceedings of Natural-History Collectors in Foreign Countries.
Mr. Louis Fraser’s ExpepitTion To Ecuapor AND PERU.
Mr. Fraser’s letters, containing the account of his journey from
Cuenga to Gualaquiza, have miscarried. The following are extracts
from subsequent letters :—
* Gualaquiza, February 13, 1858.
““T have been to Zamora for a fortnight,—you will find it marked in
the map. I got a few additional things, but no novelties. The in-
sects stung my feet to such a fearful extent that they produced twenty-
four sores, and I was compelled to return here, since when I have
been trying to cure them and am still confined to the house. All the
whites here (four in number) are suffering more or less from these ento-
‘mological sores. It has rained more or less every day since I left
Guayaquil, although they call it the dry season, and I have great diffi-
culty in keeping what I have collected. As for drying them, that is
quite out of the question, and after skinning and preserving my small
quadrupeds, I have been obliged to put them into spirits to save
them.
“JT have altogether about 200 skins, some breast-bones and a
skeleton of Daptrius, skulls of tapir and white-lipped peccary, some
six canisters of things in spirits, some Lepidoptera, a very few shells,
two orchids and a bulb, which I will try to dry in some oven in
Cuenga. I hope and trust that my collection, which I left in Cuenga,
has not suffered.
“On the road to this place 1 saw beautiful specimens of the Peru-
vian cock-of-the-rock (Russicola Peruviana): it is called by the Ecua-
dorians ‘ Gallo de montana.’ Why it should be called ‘ cock of the
rock’ I know not, as it frequents the forests of the mountains: its
cry 18 like the creaking of a signboard before a country inn, moved
by the wind, and is compared here to that of a young monkey.
“‘ Crossing the river Rosario, on the 14th of December, was an awful
job: the river rising very rapidly, we had to walk on two very slender
limbs of trees, which sprang considerably, the balustrades consisting
of ropes held by boys on either side, forming anything but a pleasant
or safe mode of transit: although it is only about six feet above the
water, should a person fall in there would be but a very slight chance
of his escaping alive. It is a mountain torrent, and the fragile bridge
is laid over between four falls, of some six feet each: it is about
Natural-History Collectors. 6159
fifteen yards wide. Our beasts were passed by tying a hide-rope
round their necks, and the boys on the opposite side hauling them
across: their attempts to swim were quite useless ; the torrent rolled
them over and over like a cask, and they were dragged ashore almost
exhausted.
“These are the best native houses I have seen anywhere; the
rooms are up a ladder; the walls are composed of bamboo sticks, set
about an inch apart, to let air through ; the flooring is made of the
outsides of bamboo flattened: the roofs are very neat and nicely
rounded at the ends, and thatched with leaves; the principal fault
with these houses being their springing and shaking when any one
moves about.
“The Shu-iberos paint themselves with red or black, or both, in
various ways, apparently according to fancy: sometimes it is done
like stencilling, patterns being made and laid on the cheeks or other
parts, and the colours rubbed through the openings; the chest, back,
arms and legs are sometimes also covered with paint. The women
are very small in size, and by no means smart in their dress, well
built or good looking. A dark cotton cloth, of native manufacture,
round the loins, nearly reaching to the knee, is their only garment:
they dye their hair and teeth with the same black as they paint their
skins with: their hair is long, tied into tails and ornamented with
beetles’ wings and skins of gay-coloured birds at the end, such as
tanagers, blue creepers, aracaris and portions of toucans: sticks about
six or eight inches long are stuck through the lobes of their ears;
lately they have introduced steel penholders for this purpose: beads
and seeds are used in abundance round the neck and over the breast
and shoulders, and a thick hair belt is tied round the waist. Some
few have a kind of scarf attached to the back of the head and hanging
down to the small of the back, made of bones, two inches and a half
long, quite white and said to belong to monkeys.
“The fireflies are above an inch long and very brilliant: they are
called in spanish ‘Cucdllu.’ There is a frog with a very hoarse voice
which seems to say in his gruff tones ‘ Pretty fire fly fly.’
I note the following, for fear it should be forgotten, and it is as well
Mr. Tomes should know it: amongst my Gualaquiza specimens
will be found one bat much larger than the rest: the Indian who
brought it said it attacks the mules and is called in their language
‘ Jibimchama.’
The Indians do not live in villages, but scattered all over the country,
a mile or more apart: their houses or sheds (for there are no second
6160 Natural-History Collectors.
stories) are about 100 feet long, 30 feet broad, and built in every
respect like the one before described, but fitted all round with sloping
bamboo benches or bedsteads; at the foot of each of these is a pole,
_ raised about two feet from the ground, upon which they rest their feet,
underneath which a fire is kept going. Innumerable dogs are kept
tied up, generally upon these bedsteads, but always at the women’s
end of the building.
“ Cuenca, March 21, 1858.
“‘ Here I am once more safe and sound, having returned from Gual-
aquiza without accident. Having bandaged up my sore feet I started,
on the Ist of March, and arrived here after dark on the 5th, well
nigh tired out, but my wounds, strange to say, improved, owing, I
think, to the colder climate. I now propose working towards Quito,
in the first place to see our minister, Mr. Cope, and, secondly, to be in
a good position to drop down on Esmeraldas as soon as the dry season
commences.
“ Louis FRASER.”
Excursion to St. Paulo, Upper Amazons. By H. W. Bates, Esq.
On the 5th of September last I again embarked on our neat little
Upper Amazon steamer, the “ Tabatinga,” for an excursion to
St. Paulo, a village higher up than any I had yet visited, being about
260 miles distant, in a straight line from Ega, but at least 400 miles
following the bends of the river. I have little to relate concerning
the passage thither, for voyages on the Amazons are very monotonous
in their incidents; but as the river in September is at its lowest point,
and therefore large tracts of sandy shore exposed to view, there was
rather more amusement on the road than on my former excursions in
seasons of higher water.
Almost every step of the way we passed monstrous alligators,
which, especially in the little bays along the margins of the great sand
banks, were congregated in great multitudes, lazily floating, and
heedless of the passing steamer. Mr. Hauxwell, the well-known
bird-collector, was one of the passengers, and, in the spirit of a true
sportsman, could not resist having a shot at them with his rifle.
There is only one narrow space in the head of the alligator where it
is vulnerable, but Mr. Hauxwell managed to hit a good many. One
of these, the commandanto resolved to haul on board for the purpose
of extracting a part of the animal, which is in great repute among
Natural-History Collectors. . 6161
Brazilians as a “remedio:” for this purpose he stopped the steamer
and sent a boat; the men in the boat had some difficulty in towing
the beast, and it took eight or ten strong men to get it on deck. It
had still some remains of life, and caused great commotion on board
when it lashed its heavy tail and opened its ponderous red jaws;
a blow with a hatchct on the crown easily composed him at last.
The length was fifteen feet, but this dimension cannot give a correct
idea of the immense bulk of the animal, as the head and trunk are
much larger in proportion than they are in the smaller animals of the
lizard tribes generally.
Besides alligators, we were much amused in watching the turtles ;
these were especially numerous in the broad still bays near the sand-
banks, as it was now near the time of their congregating to deposit
their ova en masse on those places. Numbers of them would be seen
ahead; their droll-looking snouts and the convex part of their
shelis, visible above the surface: they would remain looking at
the steamer until it had nearly passed, and then apparently at last
losing confidence, dived like ducks under the water. Herons, too,
were in vast numbers on some of the sand-banks, especially the large
snowy white species; sometimes a flock of them would keep flying
ahead a short distance before the steamer for several hours together.
We reached St. Paulo on the 10th, and on the 11th I began my
labours in the vicinity ; continuing them, with the intermission only
of a few days caused by an attack of fever, for five months, re-
embarking for Ega on the 2nd of February. The village was origi-
nally formed by the Indigenes of the nation Tuctina; and indeed is
still peopled mainly by them, for there are not more than a dozen
white or rather mestizo traders established here, who, instead of
civilizing the Tucanas, have adopted their mode of life. The Indians
themselves still exist in small numbers, in their original state, in the
forest about two leagues from the village, and there are many more on
the different small rivers within a distance of fifty or sixty miles from
St. Paulo. They are a particularly gentle and peaceable race of
people ; I often met them when alone and unarmed in the forest, and
was always met with smiles and sometimes presents of fruit. They
are a branch, doubtless, of the same race as the Juris, Mundurucus of
the Tapajos and Jurtinas of the Xingu: they tattoo their faces lke
those nations, but generally in a different style ; not in a large black
patch as the Juris, nor in a cross-barred cancellated pattern, like I
have seen generally amongst the Munduructs, but in curves and
scrolls on the cheeks and at the corners of the month. These poor
XVI. QR
6162 Natural-History Collectors.
people have adopted too completely almost the only thing the low
white traders at the village have had to teach them, 7. e., the habit of
drunkenness. Life in St. Paulo is an almost perpetual orgy. I never
saw anything so disgusting in the course of my travels: if it were
not for this, the village would be a very good station for a naturalist.
There are means for making excursions by water beyond the Peruvian
frontier, as well as up some of the neighbouring rivers. | The vicinity
of the village itself also offers many advantages; there are good paths
leading away many miles through the forest: the surface of the
country is much broken up and varied; the village itself is situated
on a hill, considered a remarkable elevation in this flat country; the
summit of which forms a plateau, which extends about a mile into the
interior, where it descends to a beautiful valley in the midst of the.
most luxuriant forest. On one side of the village the platean ends
abruptly, descending a springy and boggy meadow, and _ thence
through the forest deep down into a cool shady dell, at the bottom of
which flows a brook of icy-cold water. Brooks, large and small, tra-
verse the forest in almost every direction, and one is constantly meet-
ing with springs and bubbling sources. Some of the rivulets flow
over a sandy and pebbly bed, whose banks are clothed with the most
exuberant and beautiful vegetation. Indians have built their slight
palm-thatched huts on their borders, without clearing, however, any
extent of the forest, so you have everywhere agreeable shade and
coolness. I think I have never seen such lovely spots as some parts
of the banks of these rivulets; cheered even amid the heats of mid-
day by the songs of many strange birds. There is one bird, especially,
which I have heard only once or twice at Ega — here very common ;
the people call it the “realejo” or the hand organ,—I find its notes
exactly like those of the flageolet; but its music is not so perfect as
that of our European songsters, because the strain is too short, con-
sisting of only a few tender notes like the commencement of an air,
and then stopping suddenly, or interrupted by a clicking noise like
a hand-organ out of wind: I could not get a sight of this bird,
although its voice seems to come from the trees close by.
I applied myself during my stay here chiefly to Entomology:
I was not successful in obtaining hunters to assist me in forming
a collection of the birds of the locality, and there is little or nothing ©
to be found in other departments. I was very glad to discover,
in the course of the first few days, that a great number of the most
conspicuous diurnal Lepidoptera were quite different from anything I
had yet seen. I found a locality just within the borders of the forest,
Natural-History Collectors. 6163
a roosting-place of vultures very attractive to them; here nearly all
the fine Nymphalide of the locality and many of the handsomest
Erycinidz and Hesperide, were accustomed to congregate. Some-
times, on hot sunny mornings, they were in such numbers that
the place seemed alive with them. Of Catagrammas, there were six
species, the rarest and most beautiful of which was a grand new spe-
cies I discovered at Tunantins last year, and which is described and
figured by Mr. Hewitson as C. excelsior: I saw only three of them
during the whole of my stay and captured them all. All the Cata-
gramme are very similar in habits, delighting to hover about muddy
places, but are very wary, sailing away at one’s approach up to in-
accessible heights on the surrounding trees, sometimes settling on the
foliage, sometimes on the tree-trunks. Besides excelsior there is
another large species, scarlet and black, very common, especially
in the streets of the village; next to this, C. Kunomia, Heeettson, was
most abundant; of these two I captured the females within the
shades of the forest where I never saw a single male: the other three
were C. cynosura, var. pyga and Clymena. Of Epicalia, in the
locality named, I observed seven species, viz., the three well-known
orange-banded species, Salacia, Capenas, Hewitson, Ancea, anda pro-
bably new species allied to this last, having a belt of blue across all
the wings: it was much rarer than the Ancea and excessively difficult
to capture. Of the grand genus Pandora I took two species. P.
Prola, a species found, as I have understood, in the hot valleys on the
eastern slopes of the Andes in New Granada, I was glad to find for
the first time ; St. Paulo appears to be its lowest limit on the Amazon
downwards. Its habits struck me as partly those of Ageronia and
partly of Prepona, and I have not much doubt the three genera are
really related nearly to one another. Pandora Rola was quite a com-
mon insect down to the end of October, flying boldly about the
streets, constantly entering the open windows of the houses, settling
on the white-washed walls; but it was more easily to be captured at
the roosting-place of the vultures: there also in January I captured
a specimen of another larger species, somewhat resembling the
P. Procilla of Hewitson. Of Ageronia there were, besides four com-
mon species, two new ones, one quite abundant, the other very rare.
Prepon, allied to our Apatura Iris at home, and like it, attracted by
all kinds of ordure, were daily to be seen in the same locality.
Amongst a number of the common species, I captured two species new
to me, both having much sharper wings and brilliant blue ocelli to the
under surface of the posterior pair. In the same place were about a
6164 Natural-History Collectors.
dozen or fourteen species of Eubagis, six or seven of which are new
to me; one is of a pale silky blue above, another which I took, how-
ever, in the heart of the forest in a sunny opening, is velvety black,
with a patch of metallic-green at the base of the fore wings. These
two species will contribute to vary more the forms im this. most lovely
and numerous genus of Nymphalide butterflies. The Eubages I con-
sider come somewhat near our European Fritillaries and Vanessez,
and their larvae, when discovered, I venture to prophecy, will be mul-
tispinose. Paphia and Siderone, two allied genera, were also well
represented here; of the former, six or seven species were daily in
great abundance, and amongst them four species new to me, one of
them almost as brilliantly coloured as the Catagramme. Of Side-
rone, I obtained one of a most handsome new species, in shape of
wings like the 8. Syntyche, and in colours differing chiefly from that
species in wanting the blue. Another genus of Nymphalide, very
numerous here, was Cybdelis; they were abundant both in spectes
and in individuals in the streets, on the borders of the river and
within the margins of the forest, sometimes in vast multitudes con-
sisting of two or three species; the rarer species, however, generally
found solitary and apart. I think I found all the Ega species ex-
cept Celina; but there occurred four species not found so low down
as ga, two of them extend only as far down as Tunantins and Fonte
Boa, the other two I found for the first time at St. Paulo, neither of
them has any close affinity with the other species of the genus known
to me: one of them is perhaps the handsomest species of the genus,
the colour and marks of the under surface of posterior wing, some-
what approximating Callithea: the other new Cybdelis, also very
handsome, was, for a few days in November, excessively abundant at
the roosting-place above mentioned. I found also a very interesting
new species, closely allied to Cybdelis (?) Pharsalia of Hewitson ; it
is however constantly and clearly distinct; it was almost abundant in
December for several weeks, at least on the gleamy hot mornings I
used to see three or four of them together settling on the moist sandy
margins of the brook in the deep dells of the forest in sunny openings.
I also captured a female which resembles the same sex in the Cyb-
deles generally, being brown, with white spots towards the tip of the
wings. Heterochroz, although abundant as everywhere else, yielded
me no fresh species, and Pyrrhogyra only one. Timetes were more
numerous in species: itis a genus which prefers the moist sandy
margins of water, in this respect differing from other genera of Nym-
phalidz, especially the typical forms which give the preference to
Natural-History Collector's. 6165
mud and ordure. Berania, at Ega so abundant, here was very rarely
seen, whilst Tutelina, which I never saw but once at Ega, is here
quite a common species.
In the shady ravines of the forest many species of Ithomiz were
found in greater or less abundance. After having observed last year
at Fonte Boa so much that was interesting and suggestive in the geo-
graphical distribution aud mutual relations of the species, I was
curious to observe what further was to be learned at this new locality,
I found, as I had expected, an almost total change in the species. I
found here nineteen species of the genus, eight of which I had never
met with before: on the other hand, eight species found abundantly
at Fonte Boa, do not reach this place. I. Hlinissa, lia and the
three allied species, forming a group having nearly the same colours,
would appear then to find their metropolis at Fonte Boa, and are
doubtless dispersed over the tract of level humid forests between the
Jutahi and Teffé, southward of the Amazon and stretching towards
Bolivia. The commonest species at St. Paulo was the I. Cidonia
(Hewts.) and another really near to it, but having a totally different
appearance on account of the partially white-coloured nervures ; this
latter as well as the other six species of St. Paulo Ithomiz are pro-
bably as yet undescribed. Ithomia Cidonia varies very much, but its
varieties all gradually blend together, and are by no means distinct
like the species allied to I. Illinissa. One species, however, of
similar colours to it is quite distinct, having differently coloured
shoulder-coverts and collar as well as peculiar neuration and antenne.
Flying amongst the Ithomiz was now and then to be observed a
Leptalis; I was very careful to secure every specimen, and the
gathered series, now I come to examine them closely, have interested
me as much as any other acquisition made during my excursion.
Abstraction made of a white species and the Vocula, the rest may be
considered either as six species allied to L. Lysinoé (Hewits.), or as
the latter branching out into six rather widely differing varieties. In
either case they are very interesting, because some of the kinds come
to imitate, each a species of Ithomia common only in this locality.
It would seem then almost correct to say, that at Ega and other sta-
tions these new Leptales are not found, because the [thomiz to which
they correspond are also absent. L. Lysinoé imitates [thomia Flora ;
but three at least of the new species imitate three of the commonest
Ithomiz of St. Paulo; on the wing their resemblance is much more
striking than when in the cabinet. In fact I was quite unable to dis-
6166 Natural-History Collectors.
tinguish them on the wing; and always on capturing what I took for
an Ithomia, and found when in the net, to be a Leptalis mimicking it,
I could scarcely restrain an exclamation of surprise. One species
imitates exactly 1. Cidonia, another I. Onega, which is more abundant
at St. Paulo than at any other place, and a third another unnamed
species of Ithomia, also one of the most abundant species. The
resemblance between Leptales and Ithomiz, two groups of Diurnes
much more widely separated than they appear in our classifications,
is repeated in the case of a group of Bombycide moths, of which
there are at least two genera imitating the Ithomiz and the larger
Heliconia. One of them, which I saw first at the British Museum,
exactly imitates [thomia Flora; at Ega there is one imitating in the
same way Ithomia Fluonia of the same locality. At Fonte Boa
appears another standing in the same relation to I. #lia of the same
place, and at St. Paulo there are others occurring simultaneously with
the peculiar Ithomie of the district. These analogies to me appear
one of the most beautiful phenomena in Nature.
I am afraid I am occupying too much space with the details of my
doings in the Diurnes. In the genus Papilio I saw little that was new
to me: there occured a sharp-winged species apparently the same as,
or nearly allied to, a species only found near Para; the female,
however, has spotless fore wings. Crassus was a common species in
all other localities, being one of the very rarest. In Pieris I found
two new species. ‘The curious P. Lorena was rather common, I took
also its female, which is coloured orange and black, almost like a
Heliconia. The Glaucopes and Euchromiz were the only groups of
moths at all numerous: in fact, L saw very few species of the other
families; but of the above two genera there were many most beautiful
species, many, perhaps twelve or fifteen, new to me; and some so
common, that they flew up at almost every step from the low herbage.
Their habit is to fly quietly, but low, settling on leaves, but remaining
on the upper surface only for an instant, hitching over the edge to
conceal themselves underneath.
The locality yielded me a good many species of Coleoptera; but
generally L consider the district not to be productive in large and
handsome species: I attribute this chiefly to the cold clayey nature
of the soil. In the Geodephaga I was glad on the first day to ob-
serve that the Odontocheile, the group of Cicindele inhabiting the
forest shades of the whole country, were different in species from
those of Ega and other stations; I found at once five species new to
Natural-History. Collectors. 6167
me, whilst the commonest Ega species were no longer to be met
with. On the sandy margins of the brooks in the forest, there were
three or four very pretty species of Lachnophorus, also new, and two
Aige. Besides these, I found only one Lebia, two or three Ozzne,
two Cymindes, some Selenophori and Scarites new to me. The
Ozenx are very interesting insects on account of their supposed
relation to the Paussidz. Ihave now about a dozen species; the
largest of all, about one inch long, I took at St. Paulo, within my own
house at night, long after the windows and doors were closed. 1 think
it very likely to be the very rare O. dentipes of Olivier. It flew towards
the light, and settled on the wall. On seizing it it crepitated fully as
strongly as the large yellow and black Brachini of the country (B.
complanatus?). Two other species I captured flying in the evening
on the edge of the high banks of the river. One large species I found
at the roots of a tree amongst the earth. I generally find them
beneath loose bark of felled trees. With regard to the crepitating
faculty, I find it is more generally possessed by the Carabides of the
division Truncatipennes than has been hitherto supposed. I have
observed it repeatedly and distinctly in species of Cymindis, Agra,
Calleida, Cryptobatis, Coptodera, and several other genera,
In the Dytiscide I obtained very few things—one Hydaticus, one
Copelatus and one Hydroporus—the pools of water were chiefly
tenanted by three small species of the curious genus Hydrocanthus,
in company with a Laccophilus. The Hydrocanthi merit close atten-
tion on account of the peculiar structure of their metasternum, the
place of which can scarcely be considered as occupied by the
posterior haunches, because it forms an elevated plate of very curious
structure, beneath which move the posterior legs. In Staphylini Ll
took several handsome species new to me, one a Scytalinus more than
an inch long, flying abroad in the evening. In the same way I cap-
tured the largest Pselaphide perhaps as yet known, it is a Metopias.
In Lamellicornes the locality proved still poorer than Ega. This isa
group which requires a long stay in a locality to meet with the larger
species of: I found very few in the scanty flowers which blossomed
now and then along the borders of the forest; several, though small,
were new and interesting, especially a striped Isonychus and two
Macraspes. Within the forest I met with a third species of a small
brilliantly metallic genus allied to Chalcentis, and four specimens of
a strikingly handsome genuine Rutela, of a most brilliant orange-
colour, with two vittz on prothorax and other marks black. I met
6168 Natural-History Collectors.
with no new Coprophagous Lamellicornes, or Cetoniade, and only
three new Cyclocephale. Buprestidae and Elaters were not numerous,
a few new species occurred—one a Colobogaster, found in cleaving
open a piece of fire-wood. Of Chrysobothris I saw scarcely any,
although they are found numerously in almost all localities settling in
the hot sun on branches of felled trees. Of Longicornes I met with
a few only in very fine weather. There were two metallic species of
Pvrodes new to me, two pretty little Compsosome, a lovely Chryso-
prasis with golden coppery femora, and about a dozen of the more
minute species flying abroad in warm evenings. To procure these
latter as well as many other rare Coleoptera flying in the evening, the
edge of the high and steep banks of the river offered great advantages ;
because in coming up from below they came within reach, and the
strong light in the back ground enabled one to discern them. One
of the most interesting captures in this family was the Anisocerus
Onca (White), here changed by a transposition of colours into an
insect of quite a different appearance from the type, which is very
numerous and invariable at Ega. ‘The black spots have blended with
the brown ground-colour, leaving in it several quadrate pale spots
arranged somewhat like the black ones in the typical form. All the
specimens I found were the same. In the great family Cyclica, I
added many new species to my collection. Some groups, such as
Coptocycla, are remarkably constant in form, the species being dis-
tributed over a very large extent of country in south America; thus,
although I met with many curious species new to me, I find they are
known Cayenne, or Columbian species, such as C. cruciata, carnio-
lenta, aciculata, vitreata, rubicunda, Cassida trivittata, &c., one or two
only I think are new species. In Omaspides, on the contrary, I find
the species change from Ega to this place: thus O. basilica is here
replaced by an allied, but distinct species, itself not being met with
at all. There were also two other species tolerably plentiful on
climbing plants in the forest. Another group which multiplies its
species in the most prolific manner over districts not far apart is
Doryphora: of this I met with many species almost all new to me,
but unfortunately only a few specimens of each.
The last family of Coleoptera to which I shall allude is the Eroty-
lide. The broader or inflated forms of which, which comprise more
than half the family, are peculiar to South America, as are the
Ithomie and Heliconiz, and, like the former, offering one or several
peculiar species in every locality fifty or a hundred miles apart: they.
Natural-History Collectors. 6169
are on this account both most interesting groups. In ornithology the
same phenomena are offered very conspicuously in the Trochilide and
Rhamphastide. It appears clear to me the inference, on this account,
that such groups are of recent date, geologically speaking, and are
most characteristic of the present epoch of the earth’s surface. At
Fga the most conspicuous species of Erotylus is E. incomparabilis
Perty 2? accompanying which are four or five others. At Caigara,
twenty miles above Ega, this species exists as a marked variety; at
Tabatinga its place is occupied by a distinct, but similar, form; and
at St. Paulo I found it, as well as all its companion species, represented
by a set of quite different species. In this group, as well as in all
similar groups, the species should be studied with close reference to
the localities in which they are found. Hence we see how excellent
is the system adopted by the British Museum, which tickets every in-
dividual specimen (at least in the Lepidoptera) and comprises
specimens of each species from different points of its area of distri-
bution.
In concluding these rambling notes, I must not forget to record
also, in illustration of the position, the locality of St. Paulo occupies
in the geographical distribution of Amazonian insects; that many
common species found generally from Para upwards, also occur there.
Some, such as Papilio Sesostris, Epicalia Numilius, Acontius, and
many others do not vary in the least, whilst those which have become
very much altered from Para to Ega, are become still further altered
from Ega to St. Paulo: this is particularly the case with Mechanitis
Lycidice, and I think others of the same genus. I think a great
number of species will be found affected in a similar manner; they
can be best studied at the British Museum, where the specimens
from the different localities are doubtless to be seen together, as also
others from New Granada and the slopes of the Andes.
On the whole, [ brought rather more than 5000 specimens of
insects from St. Paulo; amongst which there were 686 species new to
me of all orders ; 79 being new species of Diurnal Lepidoptera.
HENRY WALTER BATES.
x VI. 25s
6170 Insects.
The Tzetze, or formidable African Brize Fly.
By the Editor of the ‘Indian Sporting Review.’
THE aged naturalist and veterinarian Bracy Clark, who for more
than sixty years has made an especial study of the Cistride (¢.e. the
“bot-flies” or ‘ gad-flies,” as distinguished from the “brize” or
“ breeze-flies,’— the former of which pass their maggot state within
the bodies of quadrupeds, while the latter attack them to suck their
blood), has doubtless succeeded in demolishing two alleged new
British species of Gistrus, in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 5542, 5630); but
we must respectfully demur altogether to his identification of the
_terrible African tzetze with the European Cistrus Bovis (Zool. 5720),
which can only be accounted for by an African specimen of the latter
having been erroneously shown to the veteran entomologist as an
example of the destructive tzetze.
That the famous reindeer gad-fly (Gdemagena Tarandt) should
have lately turned up in Britain might not only have been expected
from the recent importations of reindeer into Scotland, to ornament
sundry noblemen’s demesnes, as remarked by Mr. Clark; but, from
an observation of the distinguished entomologist, Westwood, who, in
his elaborate paper on the tzetze and its kindred, published in the
Zoological Society’s ‘ Proceedings’ for November 26th, 1850, remarks
that “at the present time some of the reindeer in the gardens of the
Society, which were imported last autumn from Lapland, are infected
to a remarkable extent with the tumours of this species; there must,
I think,” he adds, “be from fifty to a hundred tumours on one of these
animals.” Introduced thus into Britain, it is not improbable that it
will infest the deer in parks; for, according to Sir J. Richardson, the
reindeer gad-fly attacks the Wapiti stag, but not the moose or bison:
and the Wapiti is akin to the European stag or “reindeer,” while the
fallow deer is at least as nearly affined to the reindeer as are the true
stags or Elaphine group of Cervide. There are, indeed, two distinct
species of “bots” which infest the reindeer, one being the Cide-
magena Tarandi, the maggot or larva of which inhabits beneath the
skin, like that of Hypoderma Bovis, and also at least two species which
infest the Lepus tribe in North America; and the other, or Cephene-
myla trompe, the magyots of which are found within the frontal sinuses
of the animal, as with Cephalemyia Ovis in those of sheep. This, no
Insects. 6171
doubt, will seem a strange locality, and surprise. the many who are
unacquainted with the fact; but Bracy Clark remarks of the sheep bot
that “I have mostly found them in the horns* and frontal sinuses ;
though I have remarked that the membranes lining these cavities were
hardly at all inflamed, while those of the maxillary sinuses were highly
so. From this I am led to suspect that they inhabit the maxillary
sinuses, and crawl, on the death of the animal, into these situations in
the horns and frontal sinuses ;” and he refers to a case recorded in the
first volume of the ‘ Medical Communications,’ in which “ insects were
removed from the antrum maxillare of a woman, and are evidently, as
Dr. Latham has supposed, the larve of the Gstrus Bovis.” How so,
this being a subcutaneous larva, infesting the back and sides of horned
cattle, and not even horses? Which alone is also an exceedingly
strong argument against its being the fearful tzetze of Africa, with
which Mr. Clark now alleges its identity !
The French naturalists divide the Gistride into “ cuticoles,
coles” and “ gastricoles ;” according as the larva inhabits beneath the
skin, the facial cavities, or some part of the alimentary canal of mam-
miferous animals; and it is not likely that the same kind of bot would
be found in two of those situations. But the same species of gadtly
infests different sorts of quadrupeds in some instances, as the Cistrus
nasalis of Linnzus, which, according to Macquart, is found (¢.e. in its
maggot state) in the gullet not only of the equine animals, but of the
stag and goat,—thus both in ruminants and non-ruminants! Again,
the Gi. Pecornm finds its way into the intestines of ruminating cattle ;
and at least four species inhabit different parts of the alimentary canal
of the horse. Other gadflies produce bots which subsist beneath the
thick hide of the camel, and even of the African rhinoceroses and
elephant; and there are “ brize flies” also which pierce the hides of
those huge quadrupeds (according to Bruce and others), as mosquitos
do the human skin; but the Carnivora, so far as known, are exempt
from Céstrideous parasites. Then we have African birds (the genus
Buphaga) which seem specially ordained to rid the beasts of their
subcutaneous maggots, and are otherwise useful to them as sentinels
to warn them of the approach of man or other foes; and it is curious
that the common Cape “‘ ox-picker” (B. africana) has its beak naturally
tipped with crimson, looking as if it had been dipped in blood; that
of Abyssinia, &c. (B. erythrorhyncha) has the beak wholly crimson.
The Qéstrus nasalis before adverted to is designated C4. veterinus by
99 6¢ cavi-
x The interior of the cavity of the bone which supports the horn.
6172 insects.
Clark, no doubt a better appellation, as neither does its bot inhabit the
nostrils of any animal, nor is it the well-known “nose fly” of our
English rustics, which is the G4. heemorrhoidalis. Of this latter,
White of Selborne remarks that, “ About the beginning of July a
species of fly obtains, which proves very tormenting to horses, trying
still to enter their nostrils and ears, and actually laying their eggs in
the latter of these organs, or perhaps in both. When they abound,
horses in woodland districts become very impatient at their work,
continually tossing their heads, and rubbing their noses at each other,
regardless of the driver, so that accidents often ensue. In the heat of
the day men are often obliged to desist from ploughing. Saddle-horses
are also very troublesome at such seasons. Country people call this
insect the ‘nose-fly.’” Why it should ever deposit its eggs in the ear
of the animal seems unaccountable; but Gilbert White was a most
accurate observer, as every one knows, and is therefore entitled to al}
attention: still nothing is more curious than the imstincts of the
CEistridz in depositing their ova. As regards the common (EH. Equi,
“the inside of the knee is the part on which these flies are most fond
of depositing their eggs, and next to this on the side and back part of
the shoulder, and less frequently on the extreme ends of the hairs of
the mane. Butitis a fact worthy of attention,” continues Bracy Clark,
“that the fly does not place them promiscuously about the body, but
constantly on those parts which are most liable to be licked by the
tongue; and the ova therefore are always scrupulously placed within
its reach,” and thus pass on to the stomach: and of G&. hemor-
rhoidalis the same observer remarks, “the part chosen by this insect
for this purpose is the lips of the horse, which is very distressing to the
animal, from the excessive titillation it occasions, for he immediately
after rubs his mouth against the ground, his fore legs, and sometimes
against a tree; or, if two are standing together, they often rub them-
selves against each other. At the sight of this fly the horse appears
much agitated, and moves his head backwards and forwards in the
air, to baulk its touch and prevent its darting on the lips; but the fly,
watching for a favourable opportunity, continues to repeat the opera-
tion from time to time, till at length, finding this mode of defence in-
sufficient, the enraged animal endeavours to avoid it by galloping away
to a distant part of the field. If it still continues to follow and tease
him, his last resource is in the water, where the Cistrus never is ob-
served to follow him. At other times the Cistrus gets between the
fore legs of the horse whilst he is grazing, and thus makes its attack
on the lower lip: the titillation occasions the horse to stamp violently
Insects. 6173
with his fore foot against the ground, and often strike with his foot
as though aiming a blow at the fly. They also sometimes hide them-
selves in the grass; and, as the horse stoops to graze, they dart on the
mouth or lips, and are always observed to poise themselves during a
few seconds in the air, while the egg is preparing on the point of the
abdomen.”
Why this species should cause the horse so much annoyance, and
the other not any, in effecting the very same object, is one of the many
mysteries in the dispensation of things. The common Dhanma snake
(Coluber mucosus) and the Cobra Capella both prey habitually on
rats, and have the same foes to contend with; and why, therefore,
should the one be perfectly innocuous, and the other so frightfully
venomous? ;
But it is time to return to Mr. Clark’s mal-identification of the
tzetze with the European Hypoderma Bovis. In the ‘ Zoologist’
(Zool. 5720), the veteran naturalist remarks, that “‘a considerable de-
gree of uncertainty and even misapprehension appears to prevail about
the fly that Dr. Livingstone so interestingly describes as annoying
the cattle in Africa, and which he designates the tzetze, its African
appellation. Although introduced as a new species, I beg to observe
that itis a very old one under a new name, the fly so feelingly described
by Moses of old as infesting the cattle of Egypt, and by Isaiah as being
very troublesome in his day; and after these the heathen writers and
poets, especially of Rome, do not fail to notice it. The fly itself, the
cause of this trouble, has been exceedingly scarce [in collections].
* * * Now this African tzetze, | am led to believe, is the real
patronymic of the French Hstre, made more prononnceable by intro-
ducing more vowels and fewer consonants, and then from it we get
the Latin Gsirus and the Greek Oistron, and so forth, all meaning
the same cattle-frighting object noticed by all: and so terrific is the
fright that the cattle will run away with their plough even through the
opposing hedge rather than submit to their infliction ; and yet, what
is most curious, they possess no weapon of infliction, but simply a
telescopic sort of tube for thrusting the egg down upon the skin,
which, hatching there, the tiny grub gnaws its way through the skin
and forms its nidus there in a comfortable abscess, leaving its abode
when fully grown, and tumbling to the earth, becomes a chrysalis and
next a fly, which goes forth to perform this strange round of events ;
the object of which appears to be to save the poor cow and ox from
the effects of idleness and repletion, which, in those sunny regions,
they would be so exposed to, if not roused into activity and leeched
6174 Insects.
and blistered in this way. Such are the ways of Providence, meant in
kindness no doubt. It is the ‘susurrus, or whistle they make that
frightens the cattle [?], and not the infliction. And what is too re-
markable to be omitted, we learn, from the very ancient poet Avienus,
that these isles, abounding in forests, wild cattle and these flies, were
known by the name of Qistrimerides before they obtained from the
Romans the name of Britannia.”
The etymology may be sound, but with this very important modifi-
cation, that (as was first distinctly proved by Mr. W. 8. Macleay, in
the 14th volume of the Linnean Society’s ‘ Transactions’) the otazpos
of the Greeks was a “ brize-fly” and not a “ gad-fly” (or Cistrus of
modern nomenclature)! In the infancy of Entomology it was likely
that the two groups should be confounded: for it having probably
been ascertained that the bots infesting cattle were fly-maggots,
eventually becoming flies, nothing could be more natural than to sup-
pose that the flies which were continually seen to torment the beasts
were the producers of those maggots; and thus the prevalent error
which has been continued even to our times, not merely by such an
observer as James Bruce, of Kinnaird, in his well known account of the
zimb, but even by the venerable Bracy Clark, who has actually made
a particular study of the Cistride during a long life.
There is more to say on the subject of etymology. The names
Tzetze and @strus with Tsal/ysalya and Zimb of Bruce, as likewise
our English name Brize or Breeze, have obvious reference to the
“buzz” or “hum” (words of similar origin) of the insect so denomi-
nated. But the Gstride of modern Entomology do not produce a
sound when on the wing! Whereas many of the blood-sucking flies
(Tabanide, &c.), which are the chief tormentors of our cattle, are re-
markable for the loud buzzing which they produce when flying about
their victims ; analogous to the “ hum” of our tiny foes the gnats, alias
mosquitos.
Bracy Clark fails to discriminate the two groups, when, in his essay
of 1797, he remarks, that “ The singular scene attending the attack on
Cistrus on the herd, has often been the subject of poetical description ;
but no one has more naturally and elegantly delineated it than the
bard of Mantua.
“ Est lucos Silari cirea, ilicibusque virentem
Plurimus Alburnum volitans, cuz Asilo nomen
Romanum est, Z'stron Grav vertere vocantes.
Asper, acerba sonans: quo tota exterrita sylvis
Diffugient armenta ; furit mugitibus ether
Concussus, sylveque et sicci ripa Tanagyi.”
Insects. 6175
Again, “in investigations of the following nature,” remarks MacLeay,
“it is not only advantageous, but necessary to begin from some fixed
and indisputable position. Now such I take to be the identity of the
insects termed in French Taon; in Spanish T'avano; in Italian Ta-
bano; and in Latin Tabanus. The Tabani are unfortunately insects
too common for their name to have been ever forgotten; and knowing
what the country people in France call T’aons, we know the insects
which Pliny anciently termed Tubant. By comparing Pliny with
Aristotle, we find that he invariably translates the word “uw (cecutiens)
by the Latin name Tabanus ; and entomologists know well that this
Greek name is extremely appropriate to the modern Tabani or Zuons,
which are so remarkable for their eyes, that a common species of
Chrysops has at the present day the trivial epithet coecutiens” * * *
A quotation from Aristotle proves not only that the owtpos was not
the modern (Hstrus, but moreover that Aristotle could never have seen
a modern (Hstrus attack cattle; for had he seen it, he would most
assuredly have termed it oziaboxevpos. And yet he must have seen his
oiatpos about cattle; for he states positively not only that the oltpo
pierce the hides of quadrupeds, but that they are armed with a strong
tongue, and are blood-suckers. In both of these last respects, it is to
be observed, that they differ totally from the modern Cistrus, but per-
fectly agree (as M. Latreille has well said) with the Linnean Tabani.”
Homer and A‘schylus and lian are further laid under contribution,
in proof of this position: ‘and in short,” continues MacLeay, “ when-
ever the va is distinguished from the oie7pos, I take the former to be
either a Chrysops, or Hematopota,* or some insect near to them, and
the latter to be some species of the modern genus Tabanus, probably
the T bovinus, or ‘dun-fly,’ whose power of agitating cattle I have
myself had occasion to witness. This last msect certainly appears to
be the Asilus and Gistrus of Virgil. That the poet’s insect cannot be
identical with any modern (Estrus is clear from his describing it to be
in great plenty, and to be ‘acerba sonans.’ Now the Céstrus Bovis is
everywhere very rare, and according to Mr. B. Clark, makes no noise,
The CEstrus Equi is also silent in flying, as I have repeatedly myself
observed. So that neither of these insects can be that which is cele-
brated by Virgil, whose description of the ability of the ancient oiorpos
* “One circumstance which is mentioned by Alian respecting the M yops, namely,
that it makes a louder hum than the Gistrus, is perhaps against its identity with the
modern genus H ematopota.”
6176 Ensects.
to make a particular kind of humming noise is corroborated by the
scholiast before mentioned, as well as by Alian.”
That Homer’s insect was not the modern Qéstrus is further ingeni-
ously argued “ from what he says of the season in which it makes its
appearance [I omit the citation]: for there are few cases, I believe,”
continues Macleay, “of the modern CHstri appearing earlier than the
middle of July: and this circumstance, by the way, leads also to the
conclusion, that the English breeze or brize is not the modern Cistrus,
although it is generally understood so to signify in the following
punning lines of Shakespeare :-—
‘ Cleopatra,
The breeze upon her, like a cow in June,
Hoists sail and flies.’
“ Now Monffett, who, both as an entomological observer and as a
contemporary of Shakespeare, was likely to know the insect then named
brize, says expressly that the breeze, clegg, clinger, and taon, are all
the same insect, his description of which proves it to be no other than
Hemotopota pluvialis; for which the clegg remains to this day the
well known and appropriate provincial name, a name totally inappli-
cable to the modern Ciéstrus.
“x #* * Tt is not, indeed, unlikely that some of the ancients*
should, like Valisinieri, have seen the perfect insects of the modern
Qistrus flying about cattle, and that they should have wituessed
the extraordinary agitation which they produce: but, however this
may be, they appear to have always confounded such insects with the
more common Tabani; for it is the modern Tabanus, or some genus
extremely near to it, that they have always described as the otztp05.”
Mr. Westwood is the latest scientific writer on the general subject
now in hand, with whose lucubrations | happen to be acquainted ;
and he not only determines both the tzetze and zimb of Bruce to be
species of the genus Glossina, of the group of “ brize-flies,” but has
treated the entire subject in his usual masterly style; and I cannot do
* Aristotle was certainly not one of these ancients, for he never could have seen a
female of the modern Céstrus, as appears from his stating that no dipterous insect has
a sting behind. It seems, however, to have escaped the notice of naturalists that this
great philosopher was acquainted with, and has described, the larva of one of the
modern family of CEstride; and, it is rather singular, precisely that larva which
Réaumur describes as infesting the fauces of the stag, but of which the perfect insect
remains still unascertained.
Insects. 6177
better than quote him, even at some length, and at the expense of a
little repetition.
“The species of insects,” he remarks, “ which attack the larger of
our domestic quadrupeds [also wild quadrupeds, and even man him-
self,— mosquitos to wit, among the great number and variety of them,]
may be divided into two chief classes ; first, those which do so in order
to obtain a supply of food for their own support; and second, those
which do so with the object of depositing their eggs in such a position,
that the larve, when hatched from them, will be certain of finding a
proper supply of food derived from some part of the animal, either
external or internal.”
In other words, the one class is simply predatory, and the other is
parasitic (being predatory only during the larva or maggot phase of
existence); and it should have been surmised that the tzetze fly, which
occasions the sure death of so many cattle in Africa, could not be a
bot-producer, as it destroys so large a proportion of the beasts that
should furnish a living nidus and support for its progeny. Conse-
quently, again we perceive that Bracy Clark must needs be in error
in identifying it with the Cistrus or Hypoderma Bovis.
In loose parlance, both groups might be termed parasitic; but on
the principle that the first is so designated, all predacious animals
would be parasitic on their victims, the animal kingdom upon the
vegetable kingdom (with seeming exceptions only), and the latter upon
the mineral kingdom. Perhaps the mildest form of parasitic habit,
proprement dit, is that of the cuckoo or “ cow bunting” depositing its
egg in the nest of another bird: and about the mildest form of preda-
tory habit is that of the creature that robs another of its food; as the
whiteheaded sea eagle (Haliaétus leucocephalus) of North America,
or its counterpart in this country (H. fulviventer), making the osprey
yield up its captured fish; or the skua gull (Catarracta) and also the
“ frigate-bird” or “ man-of-war-bird” (Fregata) pursuing ordinary
gulls, &c., and forcing them to eject their swallowed prey, which is
caught up ere it reaches the water. Certain robbers of the hive may
be placed in this category : and the next step is, I believe, peculiar to
the human animal, in draining the milk of kine, &c. Next follow the
multitudinous and varied host of “ blood-suckers,”’— including the
vampyres (Desmodus) of South America—not the large and more or
less frugivorous bats (Phyllostoma, Vampyrus, &c.), which have been
erroneously accused of this propensity, but certain species of rather
small size, which are especially organised for this particular mode of
subsistence, having lancet-like front teeth, no grinders whatever, and
XVI. 2T
6178 Insects.
the shortest alimentary canal in the class of Mammalia; in obvious
reference to aliment so excessively nutritious, being that, indeed, to
which all food has first to be converted! The Megaderma Lyra of this
country also sucks the blood of smaller bats, and either devours them
afterwards (as I have witnessed of one put into a cage along with its
victim), or relinquishes the bloodless carcass: and here we arrive at
the predatory animal that absolutely destroys its victim; as with the
Ichneumon flies, &c., which ultimately do the same, invariably, among
the true parasitic series.
According to this view of the matter, however, which seems clear
enough, certain vile tiny habitants of the surface, “detested baith by
saint and sinner,” should belong rather to the predatory class ; but the
fact is, there is no drawing an absolute line of distinction: the “Scotch-
fiddle” mite (Acarus Scabiez) is sub-cuticular as distinguished from
sub-cutaneous ; and other Acari are found inside of the quills of the
feathers of living birds; and so the gradations run, till we come to so
extraordinary an internal parasite as “‘the worm in the horse’s eye,”
at which many readers have doubtless gazed in the living quadruped.
In other words, thus the Epizoa grade into the Entozoa, untechnically
so denominated; and both fall under the ordinarily recognised
acceptation of the word parasite,—quite recently, an Entozoon has
been discovered in the spinal chord of a sheep! But to return to Mr.
Westwood’s elaborate essay.
“The insects composing the first of these two classes require for the
performance of their dread functions an organization of the parts of the
mouth, especially fitting them to pierce the skins and hides of the
quadruped upon the blood of which they subsist; and we accordingly
find that it is precisely these insects which have the mouth-organs
most fully developed in the different families to which they respectively
belong. The Stomoxys calcitrans, and especially the different spe-
cies of Tabanus, are pre-eminent in this respect; and the formidable
array of lancets in the mouth of one of the latter insects is not to be
met with elsewhere among the whole of the flies composing the order
Diptera, to which they belong. The effects of the attacks of these
insects upon the horse are perceived by the drops of blood which flow
from the orifices caused by their bites, and sometimes these wounds
are so numerous that the beasts ‘are all in a gore of blood.’ A still
smaller species, named by Linneus the Culex equinus, also infests the
horse in infinite numbers, running under the mane and amongst the
hair, and piercing the skin to suck the blood. ‘This insect, though
given by Linneus as a Culex, appears from his description to belong
Insects. 6179
to the genus Simulium; to which genus also belongs an insect of
fearful note, which attacks the horned cattle in Servia and the Bannat,
penetrating the generative organs, nose, ears &c., of these animals,
and by its poisonous bite destroying them in a few hours. A species
of the same genus of minute Tipulide is common in marshy districts
in England; and I have often experienced its attacks, which have
resulted in the raising of a tumour on the part of the flesh which has
_been attacked, attended by a considerable amount of local inflamma-
tion; and hence we may readily believe the well authenticated effects
produced upon the cattle above described. There are various other
insects which attack the horse and ox, such as the Hippobosce,
various species of ticks, Anthomyiz, &c.; and if these do not, from
their smaller size, cause a discharge of blood like the large Tabanide,
it is certain that the irritation which they produce, not only by their
presence upon the skin, but also by the sharpness of their bite, must
be very irritating to the quadrupeds which they infest.
“The insects which do not themselves feed upon our cattle, but
simply infest them for the purpose of depositing their eggs in some
convenient place or other on their bodies, are in no instance that I
recollect provided with an increased development of the mouth-
organs; on the contrary the (stride are either entirely destitute of a
mouth, or have only very small rudiments of some of the ordinary
parts of the mouth, so as to be entirely unfitted for biting and
wounding cattle. The effects, however, which some of the species pro-
duce are as annoying as those caused by the bites of the Tabani. The
female fly of the common horse-bot (@strus Equz), it is true, instils no
dread into the horse around which she is intently engaged in flying,
depositing her eggs here and there in particular spots where the horse
is certain to lick the hairs, by which means the eggs are introduced
into the mouth and passed into the stomach. So little indeed is the
horse affected by the presence of this insect, that I have often stood
close to one round which the Cistrus equi has been flying, until the
latter has come within the reach of my hand, when I have caught it
without trouble. Another species, G&. hemorrhoidalis, however, is
much more troublesome. * * * The same kind of effect is also
produced in reindeer by the (strus Tarandi,* and in oxen by
* Linneus notes, in his ‘ Journal of a Tour in Lapland, July 19th, “ I remarked
With astonishment how greatly the reindeer are incommoded in hot weather,
insomuch that they cannot stand still a minute, no not a moment, without changing
their posture, starting, puffing and blowing continually, and all on account of a little
6180 Insects.
another species, A. Bovis, respecting which, however, much difference
of opinion has arisen. At certain seasons, the whole terrified herd,
with their tails in the air, or turned upon their backs, or stiffly
stretched out in the direction of the spine, gallop about the pastures,
finding no rest till they also get into the water. This Cistrus is
asserted by some writers to make a strong humming noise, and hence
it has been supposed that the herd of cattle are alarmed at the noise ;
‘but this must surely be an incorrect conjecture, as the Cistri, if they
make any hum at all, are far outstripped in this respect by many other
insects which instil no dread into oxen. Neither are they alarmed in
consequence of being subjected to the same kind of attack upon so
sensitive a part as the lips, as is the case with the horses attacked by
the Cstrus heemorrhoidalis. It is, however, asserted by some writers
that the dread is produced by the pain inflicted by the Cistrus in
depositing her eggs, her ovipositor being represented as constructed
like an auger or gimlet, only having several longer points it can wound
with more effect. When it is stated, however, that the Gistrus Bovis
does not occupy more than a few seconds in depositing each egg,
we may fairly doubt whether, with her long, fleshy tubular ovipositor,
she has been able to pierce the hide of an ox; or whether, as Mr.
Bracy Clark suggests, she only makes use of this long instrument to
thrust the egg down to the surface of the skin, which she does not
pierce, but only glues its eggs to it; the young larve when hatched
burrowing into the flesh. If this be the case, the act of oviposition
must be unattended with pain, as in the case of the deposition of the
eggs of the Cistrus Equi; and we must search for the cause of the
alarm of the herd, either in an instinctive knowledge that a certain
insect flying round them is the parent of a grub which at a future time
will be a torment to them, or in the attacks of some other insect; and
I confess that I am inclined to consider that Virgil’s beautiful descrip-
tion of the annoyance caused by
‘ Myriads of insects finttering in the gloom,
(Gstrus in Greece, Asilus named at Rome),
Fierce and of cruel hum’
fly. Even though amongst a herd of perhaps five hundred rein deer there were not
above ten of these flies, every one of the herd trembled and kept pushing its neighbour
about. The fly meanwhile was trying every means to get at them; but it no sooner
touched any part of their bodies than they made an immediate effort to shake it off.
In one respect this season is peculiarly propitious to the insect, as the reindeer’s coat
is now very thin, most of the hair of last year’s growth being fallen off.”
Insects. 6181
has a Tabanus rather than an Cistrus for its origin.” (That, surely,
was abundantly demonstrated by MacLeay).
“The larva of Gistrus Bovis resides beneath the skin of the back of
the ox, causing large tumours, and having the extremity of its body
constantly placed at the orifice of the wound, where it was introduced
as an egg, or introduced itself as a grub, the openings of its respiratory
apparatus being placed at that part of the body.
“These introductory remarks,” continues Mr. Westwood, “on the
different modes in which insects attack our horses and oxen, and the
different effects which they produce, will enable us the better to esti-
mate the effects produced by an insect, or several species of insects,
of tropical Africa, upon the horses of travellers who have lately re-
turned from that part of the world, where their enterprising researches
have been rewarded by the discovery of the great central lake Tchad
[by the northern, and of lake Ngami and its tributaries by the southern
route]. Captain Frank Vardon, a gentleman who has travelled far
in the interior of Africa, has placed in my hands some fragments of
Dipterous insects which attacked his horses, causing the death of one
of them. The following is an extract from his note to me in reply to
my enquiry as to the mode of its attack :—
““YT had always heard that the fly of South Africa was a large
gadfly, the size of a bee or hornet. This is quite erroneous: it is
not very much larger than the common house fly, but a longer and
more rakish-looking insect, and easily distinguished by the transverse
black bars on its body.
“<1 fancy it is not met with southward of the tropic of Capricorn.
It is usually found on hills, plains being free from it. I have ridden
up a hill and found the tzetze increasing at every step, till at last
forty or fifty would be on my horse at once. The specimens you
saw cost me one of the best in my stud. He was stung by some
ten or a dozen of them, and died in twenty days. I myself have been
bitten by the tzetze; you would almost fancy it was a flea biting
you. Some parts of South Africa are, I should say, rendered inac-
cessible by the presence of this pest; I mean of course to a man who
travels in the usual way, with his oxen and horses.
“‘<¢ How far the tzetze extends in the interior is of course as yet
unknown, but I have certain information as to its being 200 miles
north of the “ Great Lake” [Ngami] recently discovered by my friends,
Messrs. Livingstone, Oswell, and Murray.’ ”
This formidable insect is minutely described by Mr. Westwood
under the name Glossina morsitans ; and of a remarkable structural
6182 Tnsects.
peculiarity of the genus, he adds, that—“ moreover the bulbous dilated
base of the proboscis must evidently play an important part in the
economy of the insect, either by giving additional support to the
proboscis when in the act of piercing the skin, or by containing
powerful muscles for the action of the enclosed setz ; or, as suggested
to me by Professor Owen, this dilated base may be analogous to the
dilated base of the sting of the scorpion, and like it contain a reser-
voir of some powerfully poisonous liquid.” The last conjecture sug-
gests, most probably, the true solution of the mystery. As gnats or
mosquitos are believed to instil a “droplet” of fluid which occasions
the irritation from their punctures, and the purport of which may be
to effect some alteration in the blood, adapting it to the minute suc-
torial organ of the insect, so, in like manner, the bite of the tzetze is
probably envenomed, on which principle only it would seem that the
effects produced can be sufficiently accounted for. Mr. Westwood
remarks—* The account of the irritating powers of the Glossina given
by Captain Vardon is, it is true, not so detailed as could have been
desired, but we learn sufficient to arrive at the conclusion that its
effects are, to a certain extent, exactly like those of the Tabanide ;
how far the attacks may be attended with tumours, similar to those
produced by the Simulium, and whether a tropical climate may not
extend the effects of the attack, producing inflammatory action upon
animals perhaps never before in those latitudes, are questions which
have yet to be answered. One thing, however, appears to me evident,
that the tzetze is no other than the zimb of Bruce (an insect respecting
whose real family and even existence so many doubts have been ex-
pressed), or at least that that insect is a larger species of Glossina, to.
whose real habits Bruce has added those of a species of Cistrus.”—
His figure of it was undoubtedly got up from memory ; as his figure
of the Abyssinian rhinoceros is a copy of Buffon’s figure of the Indian
species, with a second horn added! And Mr. Westwood remarks
that—“ It is evident from the note added by the editor of the 8vo.
edition, that the drawing of the insect was not a bond fide one made
on the spot, but was manufactured at home.”
Finally, I shall only further cite from Mr. Westwood’s paper that—
“The accounts given by Mr. R. Gordon Cumming of the destructive
powers of the tzetze fully confirm the opinion here advanced, and
prove that although ‘its bzte is certain death to oxen and horses,’ it
causes no dorsal tumours like an C&strus [modernly so denominated].
‘This hunter’s scourge,’ he says, ‘ is similar to a fly in Scotland called
Insects. 6183
kleg,* but a little smaller; they are very quick and active, and storm
a horse like a swarm of bees, alighting on him in hundreds and
drinking his blood. The animal thus bitten pines away and dies, at
periods varying from a week to three months, according to the extent
to which he has been bitten. * * * The next day one of my
steeds died of the tzetze. The head and body of the poor animal
swelled up in a most distressing manner before he died; his eyes were
so swollen that he could not see, and in darkness he neighed for his
comrades who stood feeding beside him.’ ”
The best notice which I have seen of the ravages of the tzetze-fly, I
proceed to cite from Mr. Anderson’s interesting work entitled ‘ Lake
Ngami’ where a figure is given of the insect, magnified to about
double its natural size.
“ During my hunting excursions along the Teoge,” observes this
traveller, “I encountered, for the first time, that most extraordinary
of insects the tzetze. Among the several scourges to which the
traveller is subjected in the South African wilderness, one of the
greatest is this insect; not, it is true, as to the wayfarer’s own person,
for he himself escapes almost unscathed, but as regards the horses
and cattle.
“The tzetze is found chiefly in the bush, or amongst the reeds, but
rarely in the open country. It is confined to particular spots, and is
never known to shift its haunts. Thus, cattle may be seen grazing
securely on one side of a river, whilst the opposite bank swarms with
the insect. Should the natives, who are well acquainted with localities
frequented by the fly, have occasion to exchange their cattle- posts,
and are obliged to pass through tracts of country where it exists, they
choose, I am told, a moonlight winters night; as during the hours
of rest in the cold season, it does not bite.
“In size the tzetze is somewhat less than the common blue-fly that
settles on meat, but its wings are longer. Yet, though so small and
insignificant in appearance, its bite carries with it a poison equal to
that of the most deadly reptile. Many is the traveller who, from his
dranght-oxen having been destroyed by this pestiferous insect, has not
only had the object of his journey completely marred, but his personal
safety endangered by the loss of his means of conveyance.
“ Very lately, indeed, a party of Griquas, about twenty in number,
who were out elephant hunting to the north-west of the Ngami, and
* More properly “ clegg” ; a name for the Hematopota pluvialis. [The clegg is
probably a very different insect, Chrysops cecutiens—Ep. Zoot.]
6184 Insects.
who were provided with three waggons and a large number of trek, or
draught oxen, lost, prior to their return to the lake, all their cattle by
the bite of the tzetze. Some horses brought with them to further
their sport shared a similar fate.
“The very same year that this disaster happened to the Griquas, a
party of Englishmen, amongst whom was my friend Frederic Green,
attempted to reach Libébé; but they had only proceeded seven or
eight days journey to the north of the Ngami, when both horses and
cattle were bitten by the fly in question, and the party were in con-
sequence compelled to make a hasty retreat. One of the number, I
was told, was thus deprived of as many as thirty-six horses, excellent
hunters, and all sustained heavy losses in cattle.
“There are large tribes which cannot keep either cattle or horses
because the tzetze abounds in their country. But it is only fatal
to domestic animals, as wild animals feed undisturbed in parts in-
fested by the insect. Yet many of them, such as oxen and buffaloes,
horses and zebras, dogs and jackals, &c., possess somewhat of the
same nature.* Moreover it bites man and no danger follows. The
sensation experienced has not inaptly been likened to the sting of a
flea. When allowed to settle on the hand of man, all it is observed to
do is to insert its proboscis a little further than seems necessary to
draw blood. It then partially withdraws the dart, which assumes a
crimson hue. ‘The mandibles now appear to be agitated; the
shrunken body swells; and, in a few seconds, the insect becomes
quite full, and quietly abandons its prey. The problem to be solved
is, what quality exists in domestication which renders domestic
animals obnoxious to this poison. Is man not as much a domestic
animal as a dog? Is it the tzetze at all which kills the animal?
“ Captain Vardon, of the Indian Army, one of the earlier pioneers
of the more interior parts of Southern Africa, was amongst the first to
decide the point; for he rode his horse up a hill infested by tzetze,
and in twenty days his doubts were removed by the death of his
steed.
‘‘ According to the statement of the celebrated explorers, Messrs.
Oswell and Livingstone, who were severe sufferers by the tzetze, the
following symptons are observed in the ox when bitten :—the eye runs,
the glands under the throat swell, the coat loses its gloss, there is a
peculiar flaccidity of the muscles generally, and emaciation com-
* According to Dr. Livingstone, the tzetze “ appears not to attack asses.” —‘ Pro-
ceedings of the Entomological Society’ for May 4th, 1857. |
Entomological Society. 6185
mences, which proceeds unchecked until—perhaps months after the
bite—purging supervenes, and the animal perishes of exhaustion.
Some die soon after the bite is inflicted, especially if they are in gooa
condition, or should rain fall; but, in general, the process of emacia-
tion goes on for many weeks. In some cases, the animals become
blind before they die, as in that of the horse mentioned by Gordon
Cumming.
“¢From what I have seen of the tzetze, writes Mr. Oswell to me,
‘I believe that three or four flies are sufficient to kill a full-grown ox.
We examined about twenty of ours that were bitten and died, and the
appearances were similar in all. On raising the skin, we perceived a
glairy appearance of the muscles and flesh, which were much wasted.
The stomach and intestines were healthy; heart, lungs, and liver,
sometimes all, but invariably one or the other, much diseased. The
heart in particular attracted our attention. It was no longer a firm
and muscular organ, but collapsed readily on compression, and had
the appearance of flesh that had been steeped in water. The blood
of the whole carcass was greatly diminished in quantity. Not more
than twenty pints (a small pailful) were obtained from the largest ox,
and this thick and albuminous; the hands, when plunged into it,
came out free of stain. The poison would seem to grow in the blood,
and, through the blood to affect the vital organs.
“‘ ¢ A curious feature in the case is, that dogs, reared on milk, die if
bitten; while calves, and other young sucking animals, are safe as
long as they suck. But a dog, reared on the meat of game, may be
hunted in tzetze districts in safety ! Man, and all the wild animals,
escape with impunity. Can the poison be alkaline, and neutralised
by the acid ?? »—In what way? The venom of cobras, wasps, &c.
reddens litmus-paper.
-
Proceedings of Societies.
ENToMOLOGICAL Society.
July 5, 1858.—Dr. Gray, President, in the chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to
to the donors : —‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society,’ Vol. ix., No. 31; presented by
=< ¥i, 2U
6186 Entomological Society.
the Society. ‘The Zoologist’ for July; by the Editor. ‘Exotic Butterflies, Part 27;
by W. W. Saunders, Esq. ‘Bulietins de Academie Royale des Sciences, des
Lettres et des Beaux Arts de Belgique, 2me Série, Tomes i., ii. et iii ; ‘ Memoires
Couronnés,, Tome vii.; by the Academy. ‘ The Classed Catalogue of the Educational
Division of the South Kensington Museum’; by the Committee. ‘The Literary
Gazette’ for June; by the Editor. ‘The Athenzum’ for June; by the Editor.
‘The Journal of the Society of Arts’ ; by the Society. ‘A Manual of British Butter-
flies and Moths, No. 18; ‘The Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer, Nos. 89, 90,
91 and 92; by H. T. Stainton, Esq.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Smith exhibited some insects of various orders collected at Sierra Leone by
Mr. Foxcroft, upon which Mr. Adam White communicated the following notes :—
Anthocharis E'vippe, male and female.
Philognoma Varanes. Found in West Africa as well as South Africa.
Romaleosoma Ceres. A genus of many species, of sombre and yet not unhandsome
butterflies, peculiar to West Africa.
The large black Hesperia (Mars. ?) and two or three other interesting species may
be specified.
Pontia Narica. Connecting Pontia with Leucophasia.
Myrina Alcides or an allied species. It would be very valuable to ascertain
the transformations of this fine butterfly and of the allied genus Iolaus.
Acrea Circeis, Westw. There are several species of Acrea in this little col-
lection; Acrea Euryta, var., with its spined chrysalis, and Acrea Quirina, a lovely
species.
~~
The sugar-cane Nonagria, very like the one figured by Landsdown Guilding, from
the West Indies.
Of Sphingide, Daphnis Nerii, so widely distributed, and Acherontia Atropos,
whose fvod-plants are also widely spread, may be specified.
The fig-tree feeder is one of the most interesting moths in the collection; it
belongs to the same group as Cossus and Zeuzera, and may prove a genus allied to
Langsdorfia from Brazil and Cossodes from King George’s Sound.
Massaga Hesparia, Walker, Cat. Lep. Het. in Brit. Mus., pt. 2, p.358. (Phalena
Hesparia, Cram. Pap. Exot. i. p. 87, pl. 56, f. C).
We have an imperfect specimen of this in the British Museum from Sierra Leone,
where it was found by the Rev. D. F. Morgan. Cramer published it as from
Demerara, but Morgan’s, and again Foxcroft’s capture of it as well as its affinities,
show that Sierra Leone is its real habitat.
Thyridopteryx Sierricola, White. Male. Antennis subfuscis pallidulis, alis hya-
linis, argenteo-nitidis, anticis ad basin plaga atra longi-squamulata, thorace lana alba
sericea longa induto. Hab.—Sierra Leone.
An interesting member of a genus which doubtless abounds in species. Mr.
Westwood’s monographs of these “ Arcana” will require shortly a new edition. This
should be figured with its chrysalis, cocoon, &c.
Of Orthoptera, there may be specified a curious Hymenotes with its Membracis-
like aspect, a very interesting Mantidous insect allied to one described by Westwood.
Entomological Society. 6187
Of Coleoptera there are several species, some of which are Myrmecophilous and
Staphylinidous.
Of Geodephaga, an Acanthogenius, and a Cicindela, allied to nitidula.
Of Lamellicorns (and the Cetoniadous family in particular) may be specified
Plesiorhina recurva (Fabr.), Schaum. ; Pachnoda fimbriata (Gory § Perch), Burm.—
perhaps only a variety of P. olivacea; Pachnoda marginella.
Of Longicorns, the Mallodon and Hammaticherus, with their transformations, are
interesting.
Of Neuroptera, the male Termes is worthy of notice.
And lastly, of the Spiders; there is the large Nephila, belonging to the same
group as our garden Epeira Diadema, and which makes very thick silken ropes,
which the late Mr. Whitfield once told Mr. White were so strong, that in the forest
the wanderer must take care of his face, as he might, if careless, be hurt by coming
against them.
Mr. Smith also exhibited some interesting nests of Hymenoptera sent by Mr. Fox-
croft from Sierra Leone, amongst which was that of a species of Vespa, formed of a
perfectly white material; and a leaf from the same locality covered with small purse-
shaped galls, from which a minute black species of Thrips had been bred.
Mr. Westwood observed that although the species of Thrips were certainly
insectivorous, yet that certain species were well known as being amongst the greatest
pests to the horticulturist, puncturing the leaves of melon, cucumber and other
greenhouse plants ; the discovery that any species of this group formed galls was cer-
tainly quite a new fact, although from the great analogy with the Aphides, it was not
improbable that they might be gallicolous, in the same way as certain Aphide forming
the genus Byrsocrypta.
Mr. Walker also suggested that it was not improbable that the small finger-like
galls found so constantly on lime-tree leaves, and of which he had never observed the
inhabitants, were also the production of Thrips.
Mr. Westwood, in reference to the exhibition by Mr. Janson, at the preceding
Meeting, of a minute species of Heteropterous Hemiptera found in ants’- nests, now
exhibited the type specimen of his Microphysa pselaphiformis, together with a speci-
men of Microphysa myrmecobia of Germar, which last was identical with Mr. Jan-
son’s insect, although it was certainly not congenerical with the British type of the
genus, which had abbreviated elytra, whereas they entirely cover the abdomen in M,
myrmecobia, although destitute of an apical membrane.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a small box of insects sent home by Mr. Shield from
Bahia.
Mr. Stainton exhibited some leaves mined by the larve of Nepticule also sent
from Babia by Mr. Shield, and being the first tropical examples ever brought to this
country.
My. Stainton also exhibited specimens of Anthrocera Minos found on the west
coast of Scotland ; and the larve of Cemivostoma lotella, mining the leaves of Lotus
major, in which they had been found in some plenty by Mr. T. Wilkinson.
Mr. Westwood would take this opportunity of correcting the erroneous view which,
Mr. Stainton had taken of the remarks made by him on specific differences, at the last
6188 Entomological Society.
Meeting, asserting in the report of the Meeting published in ‘The Entomologist’s
Weekly Intelligencer, p. 95, that they went fully the length of maintaining the
development theory,—that is, the theory advocated by the Lamarekian and ‘ Vestiges
of Creation’ schools, that an animal in a series of ages is able to develope itself into a
totally different kind of creature; that a mouse, for instance, anxious to fly, is able
after a long series of generations to acquire wings like a bat. Mr. Westwood, on the
contrary, affirmed the identity and permanence of species, but insisted not only on the
possibility of the modification of individuals composing the species, but also on the
permanence of such modifications of specific forms through several or even many
generations, so long, in faet, as the disturbing influences which produced the modifi-
cation remained at work. It was by this kind of radiation from a central speeific type
that geovraphical varieties were produced and perpetuated; and thus, fur instance,
Mr. Westwood was indueed to regard all the species of Ornithoptera allied to O. Pria-
mus, recently proposed by himself and others, as modified sub-species or local varieties
of that insect. So also were produced by the agency of man himself the different
varieties of the silk-worm, so well known in the ‘“‘magnaneries” of the South
of France and Italy. He believed that if many of the Micro-Lepidoptera regarded by
Mr. Stainton as distinct species were really such, they would exhibit tangible struc-
tural modifications in the length and form of the joints of the palpi, the number of
joiuts in the antenna, the structure of the veins of the wings, or of the tarsi. Mr.
Stainton had, however, failed in deseribing any such characteristic modifications.
Mr. Stainton observed that he should consider that such differences as Mr. West-
wood alluded to would be generic, not specific.
Dr. Gray maintained the existence of permanent and geographical varieties in all
classes of animals, from Mammalia downwards.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a few insects collected in Madagascar by Madame Pfeiffer,
amongst which was a fine species of Calandra.
Mr. Mitford exhibited a beautiful Noctua (Brana calopasa) from Ceylon, and gave
the following interesting account of the habits of the species, communicated by E. L.
Mitford, Esq.:—* One morning in March, about seven o'clock, I saw a cloud of these
moths whnling and sporting round the trunk of a large tree. After continuing their
gyrations for half an hour, they gradually settled in a large patch on the shady side of
the tree, forming a sort of thatch, the wings of one row overlapping the bodies of the
next, when they appeared like an excrescence on the bark, which they resembled in
colour: this habit is very peculiar to this moth, as it is very uncommon for moths to
go in swarms.”
Cells of the Honey Bee.
Mr. Tegetmeier stated that he had recently made some experiments with a view of
ascertaining whether the cells of the hive-bee were formed hexagonally, or whether
such form was the result of lateral pressure, or rather the natural result of placing
cells close together without any loss of space; with this object in view he had placed
pieces of wax on the bars of one of “ Wildman’s” hives and watched the bees com-
mence excavating therein; the cells formed, invariably proved cylindrical. They
were, however, not in juxtaposition, as in the normal comb.
Mr. Tegetmeier also expressed his conviction that the cells of bees were also
formed in the first instance with a hemispherical base, having observed the deposition
Entomological Society. 6189
of the foundations of numbers of cells on the under side of one of the bars of his leaf-
hive, which he had removed shortly after the swarm had been hived into it ; and also
that the outer portion of each cell was also cylindrical until a fresh cell was added on
its outer side, when the cell became an inner one, and its outer sides transformed into
an hexagon.
Dr. Gray contended that the hexagonal form was undoubtedly the result of lateral
pressure, if cylinders composed of any yielding substance (vermicelli for example)
were placed side by side and subjected to such pressure, they were invariably forced
into the hexagonal form ; he considered the attempt made by Natural Theologians
to prove that the formation of an hexagonal rather than a cylindrical cell indicated
the possession of a greater degree of Divine wisdom bestowed on the insect, was the
greatest piece of humbug they had ever brought forward.
Mr. Smith had tried the experiment with cylinders formed of paper pasted
together, but failed in producing the result stated by Dr. Gray; he was not prepared
to argue or to express any opinion upon the formation of the cells of the hive-bee, but
he was prepared to show that the common wasp (Vespa vulgaris) constructed her
hexagonal cells upon as predetermined a plan as a mason would build a stack
of hexagonal chimnies. When the wasp commences the construction of her nest,
having found or formed a suitable cavity, she begins by making three circular saucer-
shaped receptacles, in each of which she deposits an egg; she then proceeds to form
other similar shaped receptacles, until the eggs first deposited are hatched and the
young grubs require a share of her attention From the circular bases she now begins
to raise her hexagoual cells — not building them up at once, but from time to time
raising them as the young grubs grow: this is all effected by the mother-wasp, un-
assisted by a single worker; and it must be borne in mind, that she works with no
plastic material like wax, and that the hexagonal cells are built, course by course, like
layers of brickwork. There was fortunately in a box upon the table a specimen of a
small nest of a Brazilian wasp, (Polybia): these wasps construct in the first place
a comb of hexagonal cells, having, like that of the common wasp, circular bases ; over
the first comb they construct a flat covering or roof, and by this time the grubs are all
full-fed and the cells closed in; the wasps now commence a second comb, and the flat
roof serves as the foundation to build upon: they form no cup-shaped bases, but
build up the walls of the hexagons as regularly as a mason would erect hexagonal
chimneys; in some instances, as might be seen in the nest before the Meeting, only
the foundation of the first plane of the hexagon is laid down, in another case two,
in another three, and so on; but that wasps ever build cylinders, which afterwards
become hexagons, in Mr. Smith’s opinion, has no foundation in fact.
Mr. Tegetmeier added that he did not consider his experiments as conclusive evi-
dence on the subject; he intended to repeat them and to ascertain, if possible, what
use was made of the wax taken from the excavations formed in the pieces of wax
which he provided to the bees, and, with that object in view, proposed to colour the
wax with Alkanet root before placing it on the bars of the hive.
Mr. Tegetmeier exhibited to the Meeting a new observatory hive which he had
lately constructed, having the sides each composed of three plates of glass placed
about a quarter of an inch apart, and each made perfectly air-tight at the junction
with the frame ; by this contrivance he considered a nearly uniform temperature would
be maintained in the hive despite external atmospheric changes.
“Ga.
6190 Northern Entomological Society.
Part 8 of the current volume of the Society’s ‘Transactions’ was on the table.
—E.S.
NorRTHERN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
June 26, 1858.—B. Cooxe, Esq., President, in the chair,
Exhibitions.
The Secretary exhibited a box of Lepidoptera kindly furnished by Mr. Machin, of
London; in the box there were bred specimens of Retinia Turionana and a short
series of Eupithecia pusillata, which Mr. Machin has recently discovered near West
Wickham, not at the New Forest, as was represented last year.
Mr. Constantine sent a box of Coleoptera, a present to the Society; in it were
Stomis pumicatus, Bembidium monticolum, &c.—all interesting species.
Mr. Pugh exhibited an hermaphrodite Polyommatus Alexis, taken by himself on
the coast; the male character being on the left side of the body; the female side is
remarkably well-developed, the red spots being very large upon both wings.
Mr. Hodgkinson exhibited a supposed new Cemiostoma from Genista tinctoria.
The President exhibited a box in which were representatives of all orders except
Orthoptera ; the contents were the result of one day at Rivington, and gave abundant
evidence of the richness of the district and the perseverance of the collector: amongst
them were some very rare Diptera and a beautiful unrecognised Stegoptera.
A Member exhibited a box of recent captures, from which the Meeting at once
learned what were on the wing at New Brighton.
Mr. Cooke then exhibited a number of small Cynips and parasites, bred from oak-
galls, and beautifully set on cards; the setting was much admired.
Mr. Gregson exhibited a box of minute Coleoptera collected near Witherslack, in
Westmoreland, and a box of Bembidia, collected near Preston and in North Wales ;
also a box of Eupithecie containing bred specimens of E. assimilata, E. absynthiata?
Doubl., E. ———— ? n.s., bred from larve taken in company with E. castigata
larve on Lychnis dioica, but differing from that larva in having the marks on the
back lozenge-shaped, observing that he has seen this species in cabinets among casti-
gata, but could never reconcile it with that soft woolly-looking species; the specimen
before the Meeting being a well-marked insect, the markings fine, but hard; also
specimens of E. satyrata bred from heath, and several other species of Eupithecia, in-
cluding a fine series of E. constrictata and E. succenturiata; also a box in which were
specimens of a supposed new Eudvrea taken on Engleborough Hill, near Engleton, a
few weeks ago, about five hundred yards from the top (it is a dull-coloured fine spe-
cies), and a fine series of Peronea potentillana bred from strawberry leaves early in
June; also a plume which he cannot reconcile with any species in our present list: he
also exhibited a lot of cases of a Coleophora upon small sallow (Salix fusca); it seems
to prefer the variety which grows among the grass to the variety which forms
clumps, though he had found a few larve on the larger variety ; it belongs to the
Anatipennella: group, but wants the neck which is so conspicuous in all the known
species in this group, in other words it is a pistol-shaped case without the barrel ; it is
Northern Entomological Society. 6191
not scarce: he also exhibited Carabus nitens, taken by baiting; the plan adopted
being to place a piece of ham-sandwich under a bunch of loose heath in the centre of
a wettish swamp patch on the “moss;” these patches are perfectly bare, hence
the beetles cannot get under cover when yon go for them; the first bait placed at
night produced three fine specimens of nitens next morning, — one munching ham,
one eating bread and butter, the other asleep.
The Rev. H. H. Higgins also brought a box of Carabus nitens for distribution, and
informed the Meeting he was now engaged upon a new Flora of the district around
Liverpool, and asked the opinion of the Meeting as to the desirability of attaching
the names of Lepidopterous larve to the plants on which they feed; the Meeting
considered it desirable if a plan could be struck out, and requested the Secretary
to take the responsibility as to the accuracy of the information tendered.
Mr. N. Cooke announced the discovery of the centre of Bankia Bankiana
by one of the members, Mr. Birchall, and observed that thus another of the lost spe-
cies would be made common; a discussion took place as to what species were yet to
be rediscovered, in which strong language was used towards gentlemen who kept
their localities a secret: it was observed, Weaver, as a dealer, had a perfect right
to retain his information, yet entomologists generally had obtained more information
from him than from some who are not called dealers.
The Secretary read an extract from a letter from Dr. Battersby, of Torquay, offering
Acontia luctuosa to those members who wanted it, and informing the Meeting that he
had captured Micra ostrina (!); also a letter from W. Hydes, who is now collecting at
the New Forest for the members of the East Lancashire Entomological Society, from
which it appeared he had been very successful until some London dealer had
got him driven from the New Park, by telling the keepers he was injuring the
young oaks.
Mr. Morrot exhibited some admirably got-up anatomical parts of insects under
the microscope; they reflected great credit upon the manipulator, and gave great
pleasure to the members present.
The President, on behalf of E. Newman, Esq., read the following paper :—
On Diminutive Cocoons of Cossus ligniperda,
“ Trifling deviations from the ordinary mode of pursuing the path of life are much
more interesting in insects than in ourselves: insects follow the leader as a matter of
course; we only do so when it answers our purpose: insects are proud of following
the leader; we do so by stealth, and often with confusion of face, and don’t like to be
caught out: insects are much more consistent in their general conduct than we are.
It is on this very ground that when an insect deviates from its ordinary course we like
to know the why and the wherefore, in fact we want to be told all aboutit. Now,
there are every now and then to be met with small cocoons of Cossus, indeed so small
that entomologists in general won't believe them Cossus at all, and suppose them
to be some undiscovered species of Sesia, a trifle less perhaps than Apiformis
and Bembeciformis, and a trifle bigger than Tipuliformis and the minors: under this
idea the little cocoons are cherished, but perversely refuse to produce moths, being
always infested by an Ichneumon, the familiar red-legged Lampronota setosa. This
fact still adds to their value and to the mystery; for every éne wants to know
_» lll.
6192 Northern Entomological Society.
what undiscovered clearwing always turns to a red-legged Ichneumon? These
cocoons always occur in the usual mines of Cossus, sometimes in oak, commonly
in willow, always very near the outer bark, always compact, tough, plentifully pro-
vided with silk, abundantly intermixed with the carpenter’s chips; the Cossus grub
was never more aptly described than when he was called Xyleutes or the car-~
penter. Only one entomologist to whom I have shown these cocoons was aware of
their true nature, and that entomologist was Mr. Bond, a gentleman second only to
Mr. Doubleday himself in his knowledge of the preparatory states of British
Lepidoptera.
“ Let us return to the cocoons. I have said they invariably produce Ichneumons
which are always of one species. Does it then follow that when the larva of Cossus is
stung by an Ichneumon, it invariably becomes dwarfed, and, dwindling to the dimen-
sions of a moderate-sized Sesia, terminates its existence in this aborted form? Certainly
not as arule; on the contrary, the largest cocoons frequently produce Ichneumons,
giving no indication of the contained parasite until he vibrates his iridescent wings on the
exterior of his prison-house. The mystery admits of another solution. The larva
of Cossus is of slow growth and of long life ; some say it lives four years, some three,
some two. Mr. Standish tells me he kept some larve after they seemed full-grown
between three and four years; and that they pertinaciously and obstinately refused
to chryssle at all until at last he threw them away, utterly disgusted with their
seemingly unnatural conduct. Now, these insect Methuselahs are infested by a para-
site which never enjoys the pleasure of seeing them face to face, but obtains access to
them by thrusting her long ovipositor into their galleries, having first ascertained, by
antennal investigation, that the gallery is tenanted ; but not being in the least particular
about the age or sex of her victim. Thus aiming at random, the egg may be depo-
sited in the sleek body of a four-year-old, in the slimmer proportions of a three-
year-old, or perhaps in the interior of a mere colt, a juvenile that has not yet kept
his first birth-day. Now, although the longevity of the Cossus larva is well established,
we have no evidence of the longevity of the _Ichneumon larva; on the contrary, all the
ascertained facts of its history go to prove that its period of existence is uniformly
limited to a year; the egg of one year producing a fly the next. Hence, feeding
away with the normal voracity of its tribe, the Ichneumon larva exhausts the Cossus
larva in a few months, whether it be a one-year, or a four-year-old, always, however,
allowing it life enough to form its ordinary cocoon, an operation with which no
ichnemonizing seems to interfere; and hence also we have cocoons of varied sizes
proportioned to the age of the Cossus, but quite independent of that of the
Ichneumon. I think, therefore, that no doubt need now be entertained on the
subject of these familiar little cocoons: and I hope speculative opinions as to their
being ‘something good’ will cease; for of a certainty they are the progeny of
veritable ‘goats, and possess the genuine fragrance of their sires, although their
existence is terminated by the ungrateful guest they have nurtured while they are yet
mere ‘ kids.’ — Epwarp NEWMAN.” .
The Secretary observed, in confirmation of Mr. Newman’s remarks, he had
repeatedly had diminutive cocoons of Cossus ligniperda sent to him for his opinion
as to what new species they would produce, and remarked this paper settled a long-
standing disputed question.
Northern Entomological Society. 6193
Mr. Gregson read the foliowing
Notes on the Genus Oporabia.
“In a late number of the ‘ Zoolugist’ (Zool. 6103) my esteemed friend Mr.
Doubleday differs from me about Oporabia filigrammaria and O. autumnaria (D. L.)
being distinct species, and says he thinks Guenée correct when he unites these two
species under the name of O. filigrammaria. It is with great reluctance that I ven-
ture to say I am at issue with these two profound naturalists, and, under ordinary
circumstances, I should at once give way to the opinion of such men ; but in the pre-
sent case, believing that they have founded their opinion upon superficial observation
of the perfect insects, whilst I form mine upon early stages and well-known economy
of these species, I am compelled, much against my will, to protest against this
desire to cut down species upon insufficient or imaginary grounds. The evidence
which Mr. Doubleday brings to corroborate his opinion gves for nothing, because Mr.
Edleston, the gentleman to whom he refers, does not know the species we take as O.
autumnaria, the specimen in his cabinet under that name being most unquestionably
a large example of O. dilutaria. To coincide with clever men is generally a safe game,
but the best err sometimes, and I think this is an instance. If I am in error I shall
be glad to admit and correct it when I find it out, or when it is shown to me; but I
do not feel warranted in giving way because men who have had less opportunity than
I have had to observe the habits of these two particular species differ from me, even
though they be, as they unquestionably are, infinitely my superiors in entomological
knowledge: there is a certain amount of self-respect which says do not always yield ;
form an opinion of your own, and act upon it; respect for our friends ought not to
degenerate into servitude; and I feel sure both Mr. Doubleday and M. Gueneée will
excuse my differing from them, when I say that I have had the eggs and young larve
of O. filigrammaria from Wharmton, near Oldham, and from the brushes near Staly
Bridge, and have also taken the species on Moel Varna in North Wales, always in
situations where heath and Vaccinium grow on mountains, and have never met with
it on low ground. It is a common species, and may be found by separating the tufts
of heath, and looking closely at the thickest stems, where it is difficult to see; none
but a practised eye would suspect the small protuberance on the stem to be a moth.
It appears in August and early in September, and comes out of pupa from 4 to
6 p.m., and where there are fir trees, as at Wharmton, it may be found in copulé upon
them about 5 p.m. I never found it in copula upon heath. My friend J. B. Hodg-
kinson takes it upon the highest parts of Longridge, near Preston; Mr. Garlick, of
Leeds, who has taken great numbers of this species, says always high up. Mr.
Almond also found it on the mountains. Mr. Hague has taken it in numbers, and
the Bolton collectors take it on the moors, preferring the highest walls they can find,
for though they may find a single specimen on the lower walls, as is sometimes done
going up to the brushes, this seems only just to prove the rule. Weaver took all his
filigrammaria on the mountains. Thus filigrammaria is always a mountain insect.
J have a great objection to attempt to describe larve from memory, and shall there-
fore let this part of the subject stand over. The insect we take at Delamere Forest
and elsewhere as O. autumnaria of Doubleday’s List is a wood insect, and has been
bred by Mr. Greening from larve found upon oak; it is a much larger insect, and
always appears late in September and Octuber, with O. dilutaria, and I have often
taken it during the two first weeks in November. The elongate form of the under
XVI. a
6194 Northern Entomological Society.
wings in O. filigrammaria is a permanent distinctive character in the male, whilst the
female cannot be confounded with the female of the October insect. The size of the
insects, a point on which our friends seem to lay great stress, is of little moment,
because the Petty Pool specimens, more south than so-called Manchester specimens,
are quite as large as the Rannoch specimens, and generally much darker. I have
often been asked, ‘ How do you separate autumnaria from dilutaria, as you take them
together?’ and I think the distinctive characters may well be remarked upon here:
first, the antenne in autumnaria are much finer, the insect is more silvery, and the
marginal band on the under wings is not parallel with the cilia, as it always is in
dilutaria, but cuts across the elongated point of the wing, and is consequently broader
at this part; this character is better defined in some specimens than in others, and
applies with still more force in filigrammaria, in consequence of the greater elonga-
tion of the under wing.
“T do not care to enter into the question of another species in this genus,
further than to ask to be permitted to think we have one, as I shall be quite willing
to let those friends who have never seen it think we have not one; but I may call
your attention to Mr. Weaver’s note (Zool. 3495) on the genus Oporabia, and men-
tion that he made a journey from Birmingham to Liverpool purposely to see my
specimens, and unhesitatingly pronounced them a distinct species. It may be said
Weaver had an object in multiplying species, but it is uncharitable to say so of him;
for my part I would rather take his opinion, founded as it was on practical and close
observations of the insect; where it appears, how it sits, how it flies, when it disap-
pears, &c., go for something, even when we do not know its food-plant; but
we know it to feed upon a tree, whilst the species to which it is allied occurs
frequently where no trees are, and at other times where fir alone will grow, as at
Moel Varna.
**T fear I have extended my remarks over too great a space, but J think I should
not do justice to this question if I did not give the opinions of other practical entomolo-
gists, and shall select extracts from a letter kindly furnished by Mr. Garlick, merely
observing that Wharmton is always a cold, late district; rising as it does on the
moors, it has not the protection from the winds which the adjoining hills of the
‘brushes’ range have, and consequently such hills as Highrige are always two weeks
earlier there. I have found filigrammaria wasted on the 12th of August, rather a
particular day to sportsmen in this district.
“* Mr. Garlick says, on the 16th of August, 1855:—‘ I took two good specimens of
filigrammaria, just out, on a fence wall. This is the earliest date that ever I met
with them. J took 120 specimens, in fine condition, from then to the 4th of Septem-
ber; this I should say is the height of the season for them here, but I did not seea
specimen of any sort after the 14th of September.’
“ August 24, 1856.—‘ Had been on the look out for them two weeks. Took three
specimens, just out, on the walis, and two on the trunks of fir trees. This year their
height was from the Ist to the 6th of Septeinber; on the 15th they had dispersed.’
“ August 19, 1857. — ‘ Found filigrammaria, just out ; it was in fine condition on
the 26th and 27th, but on the 10th of September it had gone to “ Davy,” and I could
not find one afterwards.’
“When we allow for the coolness of this district, as compared with the sheltered
localities I and others have taken it in, we shall find that these dates coincide with
what might naturally be expected. Being desirous of laying the facts before you,
Zoological Society. 6195
and having no other object in view, I leave you to draw your own conclusions as to
whether the small August insect known in the northern cabinets as filigrammaria,
and the large October insect known as autumnaria of Doubleday’s List, are one and
the same species ; I say not.”*
After which a few remarks were made upon the question, the Meeting being of
opinion that O. autumnaria of Doubleday’s Catalogue and O. filigrammaria are two
distinct species ; it was observed that O. autumnaria might bea variety of O. dilutaria,
but could not be admitted asa variety of filigrammaria. On the distinctions between
O. autumnaria and O. dilutaria being pointed out, the Meeting proceeded to render
the thanks due to the various friends and inembers, who, by their kindness, had cou-
tributed to the pleasure and instruction of the members and friends present, particu-
larly to Mr. Battersby, for his liberal offer to give specimens of luctuosa to those who
were still in want of them.—C. S. G.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Tuesday, July 13, 1858.—Dr. Gray, V.P., in the chair.
Mr. Gould read a paper on a new species of ptarmigan, the skin of which he
exhibited to the Meeting. It was a native of Spitzbergen, where he believed it was
plentiful, and was brought to this country by Edward Evans, Esq., of Neath, who shot
it during a visit to that part of the world in the summer of 1856. In size it consi-
siderably exceeded our common ptarmigan. Mr. Gould proposed the name of
Lagopus hemileucurus for this species.
Mr. Gould also read a paper containing descriptions of two new species of the
family Hirundinide ; one, an Atticora, from Guatemala, for the introduction of which
Science was indebted to George Ure Skinner, Esq., he characterized under the name
of Atticora pileata; the other, a Chelidon, from Cashmere, which he proposed to eall
Chelidon Cashmeriensis, was discovered by Dr. A. Leith Adains, of the 22nd regt.
Mr. Sclater exhibited a specimen of an apparently undescribed species of Buteo
from the collection of the Norwich Museum, which he proposed to characterize as
Buteo fuliginosus.
Mr. Sclater also called the attention of the Society to some birds collected by
George Cavendish Taylor, Esq., during his journey across the Republic of Honduras,
* I am always pleased to find a question of this kind investigated on the spot: it
is the only way in which such questiones vewate can be settled. I would nevertheless
suggest to Mr. Gregson certain queries which still remain open. What is the
difference between the larve of the three species? Calling them A, B and C, may I
ask this question, — When the eggs of A are reared to the imago state, do the moths
always prove identical with A? The same of B? The same of C? Has it been
positively ascertained that the food plants of A, B and C are different? Mr. Gregson
hints this, but has not established it. Is it certain that neither A, B norC isa
second brood of either of the others? May not autumnaria be a second brood of
filigrammaria ; filigrammaria is wasted on the 12th August, autuimnaria in pei fection
in October. Mr. Gregson has the opportunity of solving these questions: it would
be a boon to Science if he would do so, and would supersede the necessity for
expressing mere opinions.—Ldward Newman.
6196 Reason and Instinct.
along the line of the proposed Inter-Oceanic Railway, and read a list of the species
procured, thirty-nine in number, accompanied by remarks on their synonymy and
distribution.
Mr. S. P. Woodward read a paper on the genus Synapta, by himself and Mr. L.
Barrett. Two species of Synapta (marine animals remarkabie for the microscopic
anchors in the skin) are found on the British coast. 1. 8. digitata, Mont., ranging
from Scotland to the Mediterranean, occurs in Ruthsay Bay, west coast of Ireland,
Devonshire, Cornwall, also in Vigo Bay (Galicia), and Trieste (Adriatic). 2. 8. in-
herens, Mudll., which ranges from Norway to Brittany, has been found at Aberyst-
with, Criccieth, Falmouth, and Bantry Bay. A new species, called Synapta bidentata,
was described as having bifid anchor-flukes, and oval plates perforated by many cir-
cular holes, decreasing in size from the centre to the circumference. The specimens
were collected in China, by the Rev. G. Vachell, and are three inches long, with
twelve tentacles, each having four lobed digits —D. W. M.
Reason and Instinct. By the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, M.A.
THE second position which we are, if possible, to establish, is—
That, at least presumably, as man emerges from the uncivilized or
savage state, Instinct, by degrees, ceases to have any predominant
power, and, infancy past, in no case utterly excludes the operation of
Reason.
It must be observed at the outset that we shall meet with an inhe-
rent, it may be an almost insuperable, difficulty in the way of suc-
cessfully maintaining this position otherwise than by presumption.
1 mean that, from circumstances I proceed to notice, observed cases
or facts must, it is likely, always be too few and too special to afford
grounds for a thoroughly safe induction in such an inquiry as the
present. It is, I suppose, almost an axiom that self-originating
civilization never had or can have existence ; that if any nation or
people have ever passed through any of the stages or processes
implied in the term civilization, the fact of their having done so is a
sufficient proof that some civilizing agent, independent of and exter-
nal to themselves, has been at work among them, whether for a longer
or shorter period, whether with more or less continued and energetic
action. ‘That agent may have been exclusively human, or partly
human and partly seperhuman ; but in neither case have they left
any distinct record of either the progressive or the completed effect
of their agency, which is at all sufficiently available to us for ¢ eciding
the amount of corresponding psychical change of the kind in which
we are interested.
Reason and Instinet. 6197
What I have called the human agency may have been carried out
by the irruption and indwelling of an at least comparatively civilized
community among the hitherto uncivilized, as was the case with our
own British ancestors from the period of the Roman conquest of this
country to that of the final departure of the conqueror from its shores.
Or it may have been, though considerably more rarely and limitedly,
by the long-continued visits, for the purposes of commerce,* ofa
civilized to an uncivilized community ; or in one or two other but
less potential ways which might be mentioned. In the case of the
other agency specified, though the human agent has often, perhaps
usually, been weak as to his own proper agency or influence, both as
to its kind and degree, as contrasted with the work befere him, yet his
ability for that work, however defective per se or in this sense, has
been more than supplemented by the energy of the superhuman ele-
ment. I refer of course to the case of the Christian missionary of all
ages, when—himself a weaponless, despised, persecuted man—he has
gone out to make converts, not with the aid of fire and sword, but by
using only the arms of the Gospel, and possibly the arts of a higher
human culture, to aid him in his labours. And as an instance of a
process of civilization thus induced | may refer to what is going on
in our own time in New Zealand.
But still, except in the case just cited, and one or two analogous
ones on even a smaller scale, [ am afraid we must say that we have
no records existing which describe the several phases of the mind
and nature of the one-time savage as he passed on along his transi-
tionary course from the savage condition through the progressive
stages which finally conduct to civilization, possibly to high civiliza-
tion; at all events, none which describe those phases with sufficient
minuteness and precision to enable us to trace with satisfactory dis-
tinctness the concurrent relative changes in the subtle influences of
Reason and Instinct. None but the agents employed could, for the
most part, trace or record the effect they produced. In few cases
were they qualified or disposed to note those effects in their psychical
bearing ; and thus as to points of utmost interest to us in our present
discussion it would be altogether vain, should it happen that records
of civilizing influences and effects on any given people in any given
age could be produced, to look in them for any precise or reliable
* It is perhaps possible that some influence of this kind had been at work among
our remote forefathers anterior to the Roman advent, because, though certainly
“uncivilized” by comparison, they cannot with strict truth be said to have been
“savage” at that period.
6198 Reason and Instinct.
information. Thus I believe it may be stated that the sources of
information are both few and bare as to the changes in psychical
development which accompanied the progressive advances towards
and in the early civilization achieved by our own nation, or by the
French or German nations. Perhaps something of what we need
ought to be met with in the history of the Russian Empire, or rather —
of portions of its subjects. Certainly some of those subjects have
emerged from at least comparative barbarism quite within the epoch
dealt with by modern history, and I believe that whenever we can
meet with authentic accounts of such emergence we shall see there is
much to support the view we have enunciated in our present proposi-
tion. Unfortunately those accounts are both rare and scanty.
Doubtless we may permit our eye to rest on many a tribe or nation
in a state of partial and incomplete civilization, certainly more or less
removed from the savage.state. But almost without exception we
lack authentic accounts of the remote antecedents of these tribes or
peoples. They may have been, for ages beyond the memory of his-
tory, in a state such that it would be difficult to decide accurately
whether it were one of progress or of regression as to essential civili-
zation. Such, very probably, is the case with the people so happily
termed by the Times’ special correspondent, a few weeks since,
“ quaint barbarians ;” and very much the same remarks may be made
in reference to the numerous widely-spread Nomade* tribes or hordes
who people so large a portion of “ High Central Asia,” and, omitting
others, to the inhabitants of certain important and populous regions
in Northern and Central Africa. How long their habits have been
Nomadic, from what source they originally sprung, and whether the
assumption of Nomadic habits was a step in a backward or forward
direction, are all questions involved in much obscurity.
But if we are unable to trace backward the advances made to the
comparatively civilized from the savage state in such cases as those
just instanced, it is of course obvious that we can be in no position to
pronounce upon what have been the accompanying changes in the
sway of instinctive impulses and the influence of rational determina-
tion, as illustrated in the experience of any of those peoples which may
become the subject of inquiry in such matters. The most promising
course open to us appears to be to ascertain as nearly as possible
what general rule as to the presence and influence of Instinct in un-
civilized or savage man may be laid down in conformity with the
* The argument derived from the form and dimensions of the skull I postpone
for consideration in a future division of the paper.
Reason and Instinct. 6199
most accurate and widest possible observation, which we have endea-
voured to do when attempting to establish our first position ; next, to
deduce a similar law as to the comparative presence and influence of
Instinct in men living in communities that are, and have been fora
lengthened period, more or less highly civilized; and then, by con-
trasting these two rules, and checking the result by comparing it with
the observed psychical condition and peculiarities of such partially
or imperfectly civilized pecples as are reasonably believed to have
been at some anterior period of their history in a savage or nearly
savage condition, to deduce thence the presumable law as to the pre-
sence and influence of Instinct in communities passing through the
process of emergence from barbarism to at least comparative civiliza-
tion. And if, besides, we are enabled to adduce such instances as
that of the New Zealanders, already adverted to, and, after trying our
presumed law by them, find it enunciates principles in no way incon-
sistent with the observed phenomena, we have so far a confirmation
of its truth and validity.
What, then, is the law of Instinct as applicable to man living in a
condition, almost all the elements of which are in a greater or less
degree referrible to or influenced by civilization ; say, to the inhabi-
tants or frequenters of the very centres of civilization in England,
France or Germany ?
We find the instinct of Fear or Self-preservation so limited and so
modified that there is very little analogy or opportunity for compari-
son between the actions of the savage man or the wild beast under
this influence, and those of civilized man under the influence of what
we usually understand by the word Fear. Exact parallel between
the proceedings or expedients of the savage when seeking to elude
his euemies or escape danger, and any of the actions of an ordinary
member of civilized society, there is none. As to what we have
termed the instinct of Sexual Love, it exists past all doubt, but under
circumstances which, except in some, by comparison, few cases,
either anticipate its actual development or true influence, or else,
from the careful restraint or repression to which they cause it to be
subjected, effectually forbid alike its real operation or any evidence of
its existence. ‘I'he instinctive influence of Association certainly
exists, and perhaps at least to the full as strongly as in any uncivi-
lized community. The eager craving of our childhood, new every
day, for companions of our own age; our gratification when the
craving is supplied; the fervid friendships of our school-days; the
habits of our maturer years, with the continuous interchange of
6200 Reason and Instinct.
mutual services and reciprocal dependency which characterize them ;
all testify to the existence, and the powerful, however little suspected,
underworking of the Social Instinct. And yet all has to give way and
disappear under the expediencies of a highly artificial and arbitrary
state of society, so far, that is, as the inevitable human_inter-
dependency will permit. The next class of instinctive impulses we
come to is that we have designated by the somewhat awkward term
Food-craving. Of this, too, it must be said that it exists and ope-
rates strongly, and yet under such modifications and restraints that
its results are greatly disguised, and its influence for the most part
quite unsuspected. The elementary instinct certainly remains in innu-
merable instances: however little it may be usually recognised, there
are many little circumstances which may and continually do lead to
a manifestation of its continued vitality. It is really a most curious
and significant fact, that, however remote men’s lives have been from
what are called field sports, however little awake to the existence of
such pastimes their understanding has hitherto been, scarcely one in
a thousand can be singled out who is not at once, and possibly even
strongly, vivaciously interested if brought into contact with the active
pursuit of some species of game. Nay, it is no uncommon thing for
a thorough-bred cockney, a true éndigéne of “ The Town,” on visiting
his country cousin, to become a partaker in and quite engrossed by
the mysteries and enthusiasms of a rat-hunt or even a mouse-battue.
The merest child, again, scarcely able to do more than toddle by
himself, “ wants” the rabbit or the bird which arrests his attention by
its flight; as soon as he is a little more master of his limbs gives
eager chase to the insect or reptile; counts it a day to be marked
with white on which he first captures the bird that has flown in at the
window, or unwarily entered his awkwardly-construacted trap; or, with
his stick and string and crooked pin, magnifies in imagination the
minnows Which, unharmed by hook, rob him of his bait, into most
unminnowlike dimensions, and glories for a week over the scaly
infant which in some inscrutable way contrives to become his
“first fish.”
Still Mr. Briggs or even Gordon Cumming “ takes the field” ina
somewhat different way from the otter or the lion, and with an equip-
ment somewhat varied from that of the red man of North America or
the Balonda of South Africa. And, allowing all that may be urged
here,—that Gordon Cumming in stalking an antelope, a buffalo or an
elephant, or Mr. Briggs in trying to get near enough to a capercailzie
Reason and Instinct. 6201
to shoot it,* is doing no more, or acting no otherwise, than a lion or a
bear in instinct-directed pursuit of their several kinds of prey, or than
the savages of America, Africa or Australia in their almost equally
instinctive prosecution of the chase,—still it is unquestionable that in
the great mass of a civilized community, as to the processes of its
every-day life, those impulses of Instinct which we class under the
head of Food-craving are much as though they had no real existence
or influence. If directed by them at all, civilized folk are directed by
them, we must say, to the butcher, the baker and the brewer.
We have now only those impulses which are classed under Migra-
tion and Local Direction left for notice. Of the latter we must at
once say that it is lost or entirely removed; of the former, that it
exists still, but is greatly modified both in intensity and mode of ap-
plication. It is individual now, rather than collective ; the result of
deliberate counsel and volition, rather than of spontaneous, restless
impulse.
The result of our inquiry, therefore, would seem to be that Instinct
* I take the circumstance stated below from Mr. Couch’s ‘ Illustrations of
Instinct,’ p. 185. The cock of the woods is said to be so extremely shy that he can
rarely be met with except in the pairing season; but then, ‘‘ every morning he renews
his song.” While engaged in this occupation, and its attendant ceremonies of run-
ning with drooped wings and clucking, it seems he may—as is the case with several
other birds at such times, e.g. the corn-ctake and the ruffed grouse—be approached
very closely ; indeed, near enough sometimes to be caught by the hand. A man in
Sweden goes out one morning tu shvot these birds, and hearing one, makes his
approaches in due form. ‘‘ He could not see many yards before him in the forest, and
only followed the direction of the sound. While standing motionless, in expectation
of the renewal of the bird’s call, he thought he perceived a dark object on one side of
him, but it did not engage much of his attention ; and at the usual note he moved on
towards the game, but was surprised to see the black object had advanced in an equal
degree, and now stood in a line with him. Still he thought more of the bird than
anything else, and approached close to it before he perceived that a large bear stood
within a few feet of him; and in fact just as they were both about to spring on the
bird they caught sight of each other, and each retired.’ However, after a few
moments both man and beast resumed their “ stalk,” which ended in the death of the
bear by a shot from the man’s gun, who was, however, so much startled that he did
not even wait to see the result of the discharge. Again, “ when a lion is very hungry
and lying in wait, the sight of an animal may make him commence stalking it. In
one case a man, while stealthily crawling towards a rhinoceros, happened to glance
behind him, and found, to his horror, a lion stalking him; he only escaped by
springing up a tree like a cat.” (Livingstone, Miss. Travels, p. 138). A similar
instance is recorded in Andersson’s ‘ Travels in Africa,’ in which the author himself
was stalked by a lion, step by step, as he carried on the stalking process towards some
game animal.
KV. oY
6202 Reason and Instinct.
doubtless continues to exist and even to operate in civilized man, but
so modified, and under such circumstances of limitation and re-
pression, that some of its impulses which are equally remarkable aud
energetic in the savage man cease to be perceived or exerted ; others
are so checked or domineered over by design or expediency that
their power of origination is often obscured or doubtful; while the
remainder, which appear to be the inalienable inheritance alike of the
entire human family under all circumstances, physical and psychical,
and of the whole or not a few of the lower tribes of animals, are so
thoroughly subject to the power of Reason or its results, that we feel
ourselves, as it were, naturally led to the conclusion which stands as
our third position, viz., That in a fully civilized state Instinct still
survives, but is so restrained and regulated in its operations by
Reason that it becomes comparatively difficult to allege any but a
very few of man’s ordinary actions as greatly influenced by it, or to
distinguish between the workings of Instinct and the rulings of
Reason in actions which are, according to analogy, originally due to
or prompted by Instinct.
Now, bearing this conclusion in mind, and recalling that which we
came to after passing in review the evidences of instinctive workings
afforded in savage life, it seems to be a safe inference, that as any
given race of men outgrow the pursuits and habits and influences of
wild life, and acquire in lieu of them others more appropriate to a
more advanced position in the scale of human progress, there should
be a corresponding and contemporaneous inverse change in the ope-
rative power and influence of Instinct and Reason; that, in other
words, in the progress of man from a savage to a cultivated condition
Instinct holds a kind of middle standing in energy and active
influence.
Now, it is perhaps hardly necessary to observe that there are but
few Nomadic tribes whose habits are simply and exclusively Nomadic.
Very generally, throughout the various subdivisions of the nations
usually distinguished by that epithet, the men are found to be keen
and persevering hunters. In not a few instances they not only em-
ploy the dog in the prosecution of the chase, but they enlist in the
same service the instincts of others of the lower animals; the falcon
for instance, and a species of hunting eagle. And, in whatever degree
they are keen and successful hunters, their faculties show a degree of
approximation to those displayed and exercised in so remarkable a
manner by the savage in the pursuit of any of the different varieties
of his game,—a display so remarkable, indeed, that, as we have
Reason and [nstinet. 6203
already had occasion to notice, it naturally suggests both a compari-
son with the instincts of a predaceous animal similarly engaged, and
the conclusion that in both cases the phenomena observed are due to
the same operative cause.
Beyond this, those of the pursuits of the peoples designated, which
may be described as the Nomadic proper, call for the exercise of
some of their instinctive faculties in preponderance over their intel-
lectual; and in their quest of pasturage or water for their manifold
flocks and herds one is reminded again of the instinctof wild creatures,
in that operation of it, namely, by which the undomesticated conge-
ners of the animals these Nomades tend are guided when under the
pressure of the wants in question; and not less so in the foresight
and precaution against the attacks of predatory animals, so strongly
suggestive of the similar foresight and precaution practised alike by
the wild animal and the wild man.
I think, too, we may observe an approximation to the peculiar
instinct of Local Direction or Self-guidance seen in the Red Man, in
the apparent readiness with which they direct or guide a stranger to
a distant place, only the general direction or bearings of which they are
acquainted with. In Mr. Atkinson’s interesting ‘ Travels in Siberia
and Mongolia’ the reader finds perpetual, and occasionally very
striking, illustrations of the several points we have thus successively
brought forward.*
Now it must be observed that, with respect to some of the Noma-
dic peoples, it is certainly a matter of probable conjecture, if not
more, that their present condition is one of advance, or, at the least,
one to which they have advanced, from a condition of barbarism.
Several of the off-shoots or subfamilies of the great Nomadic nations
are known to have been, strictly speaking, barbarous when first named
by history, and to have passed on since from that condition to one of
comparative civilization, in a few cases to really a high degree of
culture. Others are known as yet remaining almost barbarous, per-
haps we might say, rather, savage. And possibly it might be a not
unfair inference, that, generally speaking, the possession and tendance
* I do not here, as I have usually done, append quotations as the authority for
the statements in the text, or as the ground on which our arguments or inferences are
founded, because the doing so in a satisfactory or sufficient way would require the
extract of lengthened passages, which would demand increased space for a paper that
already, I fear, bids fair to be too long. ButI think the conclusions stated in the
text are fully warranted by numerous statements and narratives met with in all parts
of the book in question, as well as in others.
6204 Reason and Instinet.
of large flocks and herds is de facto a presumption that their owners,
wanderers though they be of necessity, are on the upward march—
however much the final accomplishment of that march may have been
or may yet be delayed by repeated and lengthened halts—from barba-
rism or savage life to the more cultivated life of agriculture and the
useful arts. And if so, bearing in mind the above-noticed peculiari-
ties in respect of instinctive influence as displayed in the doings of
several of the Nomadic peoples, we have so far a corroboration of the
views embodied in the conclusion we arrived at a few pages back.
Turning next to the illustration afforded in the case of the New
Zealander—and there are other and similar experiences of the same
kind—we find our conclusion further borne out and confirmed. With
all the instincts of the savage in full power and operation, and with
almost more than the full complement of savage ferocity, antecedently
to the time at which the missionary began to exercise upon him the
humanising and elevating tendencies of Christianity, and of associa-
tion with some of the better specimens of European humanity ; yet in
the course of a comparatively brief epoch he has been brought volun-
tarily, even eagerly, to adopt not simply many of the customs, but
even some of the arts of civilization, with ail which that implies of
the stronger as well as more evident working of his intellectual
faculties; while, what is perhaps even more to our purpose, he
manifestly retains, though he has now little use for or desire to exer-
cise them, his old instinctive powers and qualities, and candidly avows
that he could easily, if need were or inclination disposed him, return
to what was once his wonted exercise of them. But the question, how
long, after how many generations, he could thus achieve a resumption
of his forsaken instinctive habits, is one which it needs no elaborate
system of discussion to reply to. A few years would so far dull the
senses left unpractised in comparison with what was his wont in his
savage days, and deaden his sensibility to impulses long disregarded, if
not discontinued,—which on physical grounds, impulses such as those
under discussion are, most easily come to be,—that it would be no easy
matter to him to be again the man he once was in the endowments and
attributes of savage life ; while, as to what would be the condition of
those of the second generation, born and brought up among many of
the usages of civilized life, and utterly untrained in those of their
fathers’ guondam life, there can be no question that Instinct can
never be in them what it was in their fathers, except under circum-
stances which will be brought under review in the next division of
the paper.
Reason and Instinct. 6205
In speaking of the civilization of the New Zealanders I am desirous
to be understood as not intending to imply more than the facts will
warrant. It is yet a question, I believe, whether the civilization of
New Zealand and Polynesia (not to name other sites of the species of
civilization under mention) is likely to be permanent, — whether, in
other words, it has in it the capacity of self-sustentation. At present
the impression seems to be that, except under circumstances pro-
viding a continued supply, and for some time to come, of external
teaching, example and influence, the degree of cultivation attained is
not likely to be maintained. It appears that up to a certain point
instruction is with the utmost ease received, retained and assimilated
by the learner, but that there is a point at which development of this
sort stops. “The masters say,” speaking of some of these islanders
(Walpole’s ‘Four Years in the Pacific’) “that in all the early parts of
their education they are exceedingly quick, but not in the higher
branches ; that they have excellent memories, and learn by rote with
wonderful rapidity, but will not exercise their thinking faculties.”
Some of these scholars were full-grown men, others little children.
This fact appears to me to be exceedingly interesting ; and it seems
to be, so far, observable in all or nearly all newly-civilized savages.
It is as though there were a barrier, which they could not pass, at this
point of their intellectual improvement. And there is another cir-
cumstance of not less interest in connection with these people and the
question of the probable permanence of their newly-induced culture ;
I mean that there is an only too-obvious infirmity or instability of will
among them. Singularly impressionable, equally ready and able to
forsake their own customs or usages, and rapidly to acquire new ideas
and new habits, they yet require to be kept as it were “in leading-
strings and must remain so until a generation of more solidity of will
arises.” (‘ Quarterly Review,’ December, 1853). I termed the two facts
just noticed interesting, and indeed I think they are. I hardly know
how to state the inference they seem to me not so much to justify as
to require, in such a manner as not to be offensive to the sticklers for
the prerogatives and supremacy of the human race in contrast with
the brute races. But it does seem as though the savage,—the uncul-
tivated, uncivilized human being, —by his incapacity to exercise fully,
if at all, his higher intellectual faculties, and by the comparative
-feebleness or instability of his will, not only justifies our position as
to the comparative predominance, in certain particulars, of his
instinctive powers and propensities— for the latter, itis at once appa-
rent, can only be developed in inverse proportion to the intelligence
/
j
)
6206 Scent.
and will—but affords us one more justification likewise for considering
the human species as a part of the animal creation at large, and there-
fore not only in drawing analogies between his instinctive endowments
and those of the lower creatures, but in asserting that they are essen-
tially of the same nature in each of the two cases, because in the
whole of the animal creation beneath man, which can be properly
said to be possessed of any intellectual endowment, we see displayed
in its highest degree the same volitional impotency conjoined with
complete disability to employ the higher intellectual powers,—a dis-
ability which amounts to, if it be not rather the consequence of, com-
plete deprivation of all the higher powers of mind.
J. C. ATKINSON.
Scent.—In his interesting paper on scent Mr. Atkinson says (Zool. 6136), “ No dog
can hunt either feathered or four-footed game in the snow, even for ten yards, by the
nose, except in so far as has just been mentioned,” namely, “a freshly moved rabbit
or hare for a few paces, evidently taking up the scent from the very recently impressed
footsteps.” My own experience, which has been considerable, has led me to form a
different opinion, the grounds whereof I will proceed to give. I well remember once,
when crossing sume fields in a deep snow, coming upon the track of a hare in the precise
course I was about to take. Merely for amusement, and with no view of finding the
hare, indeed without thinking whether it was practicable or not, I pointed out the
marks to my spaniel, whereupon he poked his nose into the impression in the soft snow,
pausing a little to try for scent, after which, to my surprise, he, entirely of his own
accord, deliberately traced the footprints for perhaps 150 yards or less, till, in a small
patch of cover, he started the hare from her seat. The dog was a remarkably good one,
especially safe and persevering upon a cold scent, but, as he was likewise a very sen-
sible old fellow, he may very possibly have been assisted, at least, by sight in following
up the hare, though I feel confident he was too knowing in his business to have under-
taken the chase, had not his nose assured him it was not hopeless. The time of day
must have been not earlier than 10 a. M., nor later than 11, so that we may reckon the
footmarks to have been made probably not less than two or three hours previously. I
possess however far stronger evidence than the above in support of my opinion.
Though a heavy fall of snow necessarily put a stop to direct pursuit of partridges and
pheasants, I have so repeatedly fallen in with them casually at such a time, beside
woodcocks, snipes (the latter however in unfrozen springs and ditches), water rails, and
moorhens, that I can state confidently the dogs never seemed to find any unusual
difficulty in hunting them, this too in places where it was hardly possible for them to
be aided by the eye. For shooting rabbits to beagles* a general carpet of thick snow
* With good dogs, in woods or other cover of some kind, rabbits will afford abun-
dant sport, though hardly satisfactory to those who cannot work for their game. For-
merly I knew a pack of four or five couples of small beagles, kept exclusively for
Birds. 6207
used to be deemed a favourable opportunity. I have often been out successfully when
the snow was quite fresh and soft, though it was vastly more agreeable, as well as
easier for the dogs, when some continuance of frost had compressed the snow, and ren-
dered the surface harder. In such a chase as that by beagles, or indeed by many dogs
of what description soever, whether in cover or not, the pace will be too fast to admit
of any assistance from sight, su that the pursuit must be maintained by scent alone,
and in my own experience I never was sensible of any material difference in the style
of the dog’s hunting when there was snow upon the ground and when there was not.
But though snow is no obstruction to hunting rabbits in woods or on open ground, it
is a very decided difficulty in furze-covers or patches, because, when the snow first
falls, it lodges on the thick top of the furze, whence it is shaken down by the working
of the dogs beneath, and buries, partially or entirely, the trail of the rabbits which
may be on foot. Frost without snow was never considered any impediment, but rather
the contrary, to cover-shooting of any kind.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, Hants,
July 13, 1858.
A Nest of Montagu’s Harrier.— About the first week of July a nest, containing
three young harriers, was discovered on a rushy marsh near the Ranworth decoy.
The old birds had been watched by the broodman flying backwards and forwards with
food for their young ones, and on making a search the nest was soon found. Of the
three young birds one only was feathered, the next partly feathered with down, and the
smallest covered with down only, showing that the hen bird had begun sitting after
laying the first egg. In the aviary of J. H. Gurney, Esq., M.P., at Catton Park, these
nestlings have thrived wonderfully. At this time the youngest is full fledged, and all
of them exhibit the rich chocolate tint of plumage forming the immature state of this
species, and the facial disk is in all fully developed. About the same time that these
were taken, another nest of young harriers was also found in the neighbourhood, by
some men whilst mowing the marshes. In this case the old bird was snared on the
nest, but I regret to say neither old nor young preserved.—H. Stevenson; Norwich,
August 7, 1858.
Eimberiza nivalis—I write to record an interesting fact concerning the snow
bunting (Emberiza nivalis) which has recently fallen under my notice, as well as to reply
to the remarks from Mr. Doubleday with reference to a communication I made
respecting the same species (Zool. 6015). My friend Horace Waddington, Esq., of
University College, Oxford, spent a few days on J.undy Island, towards the end of
this last May, and while there, among some other interesting ornithological specimens,
obtained a fine Emberiza nivalis, a female bird in good condition. When the bird-
stuffer in Barnstaple came to skin and dissect this bird, he found eggs inside her
almost advanced to maturity. This shows that this species, although one of such high
and cold latitudes, may occasionally linger behind, and nest in the warm south. I
would also mention that among some eggs from Oxford, brought me in the month of
rabbits, and so well trained, that I have seen a hare jump up under the nose of one of
the dogs, which tuok no notice whatever. Of course, shooting at a hare before those
beagles was most strictly prohibited
6208 Birds.
June, 1857, by a boy I employed to collect there, was one which bore a strangely
close resemblance to the eggs of the snow bunting. But beyond the bare possession
and presence of the egg, I had no other data on which to ground my conclusion, for
the boy could neither tell me what the nest was like from which he took the egg, nor
where it was he obtained it. I at the time (with sundry doubts of reservation) adopted
the opinion that Mr. Bond was kind enough to give me on the matter, which was
that the egg in question was probably one of the numerous varieties of the egg of the
common E. citrinella. Mr. Doubleday brings down upon me the great authority of
Selby, united to his own experience and observation. Although feeling that a humble
tyro like myself ought unhesitatingly to bow submission before such powers, yet I must
either bold that if it be a general rule for E. nivalis to avoid pitching upon trees, my
snow bunting was the exception to prove that rule; or else must deem myself to have
been for some three weeks the victim of an optical delusion, and that my bird was not
even the shadow of a shade, having no existence whatever beyond the intangible limits
of my mental vision. But for the following reasons I must remain firm to my belief
that the bird I saw was a bird, genus Emberiza, species nivalis. The field I saw it in
was a large one bordering on a salt marsh, part of the field lying in fallow, part green
with turnips. The field has a high hedge round it, in which on one side stand two or
three elm trees. In this field I must have started this bunting more than a dozen times
during the space of three weeks. The bird used when started to settle again among
the turnips a little farther on, never allowing me to get within shot, and if I persisted
in following it up, would at last fly off and alight on the hedge, or else on one of the
trees. One wet and windy day, when looking after snipe, I as usual started the bird
out of the turnips, and although it got up at a considerable distance, fired at it, and I
fancy struck it slightly, as it fluttered down into a hole in the hedge, and here I got
so close to it that I was just about to take it up, deeming it badly burt, when it flew
out, was carried off by the squall, and I unfortunately saw it no more. Still I had
been quite close enough to be in my own mind quite certain as to the bird’s identity.
With regard to its being of a white colour, I do not think this fact has any weight
towards proving that my bird was not nivalis. ‘ A few years ago” (I quote an extract
from a letter of Colonel Montagu which is to be found in Yarrell, vol. i. p. 426) “I
shot more than 40 (snow buntings) from the same flock, during severe weather in the
month of January, hardly any two of which exhibited precisely the same plumage, but
varied from the perfect tawny to the snow bunting in its whitest state.” In conclusion,
Mr. Newman’s suggestion that I might have seen the pretty little Muscicapa atricapilla,
and have mistaken it for E. nivalis, will not hold; first, because in the winter months
a summer visitant like this little flycatcher would find it difficult to obtain sufficient
food to sustain life; secondly, because M. atricapilla is a rare bird with us in Devon-
shire, and I have only seen it twice, and that at very distant intervals; and thirdly,
because though I candidly confess myself a tyro, yet I do give myself credit so far as
to think it hardly possible to so palpably blunder in the very rudiments of Ornithology
as to confound birds which differ so widely in their habits asa flycatcher and a bunting.
—Murray A. Matthews ; Raleigh House, near Barnstaple.
Note on the Blackbird sucking Eggs.—A few days ago one of my brothers observed
a blackbird discussing what he evidently regarded as a great dainty. On my brother
approaching the bird reluctantly quitted his meal, which was nothing less than an egg
of the common song thrush. Has any ornithologist noted egg-sucking to be a failing
of other blackbirds? or is this feat of gormandising a unique instance ?—Id.
Birds. 6209
Ts the Red Grouse of Britain really distinct from the Norwegian Willow Grouse?
— The red grouse (Tetrao scoticus) has hitherto been considered peculiar to the
British Isles. I must confess, for my own part, I could never comprehend why it
should be absent from neighbouring countries possessing all the necessary features
required by the bird. | Now comes the question,—Is the red grouse really distinct
from the willow grouse of Norway (Lagopus subalpinus, Niellsen, Tetrao Saliceti,
Temminck)? My own opinion is that they are one and the same species, the differ-
ence in plumage depending upon the climate and food, the one species feeding prin-
cipally on heather and ling, while the food of the other consists mainly of small apical
willows, juniper, &c.* This may at first appear a bold assertion ; nevertheless, I feel
convinced that when the subject is looked into by competent parties it will be found
correct. Perhaps I ought now to state why I have come to this conclusion. About
ten days ago I was staying at Hjerkin, in the Dovrefjeld Mountains, close to
Suechettan. Making from this station an excursion to some snow fields (at an ele-
vation of perhaps 6000 feet) for the purpose of collecting Diatomacee from the snow
water, I had to traverse some dead thickets of juniper and dwarf willows: here
I caught a young fully-fledged fieldfare, and flushed a willow grouse with a brood of
young. The old bird by its flight, &c., reminded me instantly of the red grouse (which
I have so often shot on our moors), the only apparent difference being in the colour,
which was lighter, especially in the wings. Here I may remark that the plumage in
the red grouse is always lighter in the early part of the season, and that the dark
chesnut-brown tint is not assumed until later in the autumn or towards winter. I
managed to catch one of the young birds, and the exact similarity of colour between
this and the young of the red grouse was at once apparent. After leaving the fields,
and arriving at Christiana, I went to the Museum, in order to examine more closely
the numerous and admirably-preserved adult specimens of the willow grouse belonging
to this institution. On seeing these I was more fully convinced of the identity of the
two species; and on mentioning my views to the learned Curator, Professor Essmark,
he informed me that Mr. Gould (who saw these specimens sume time ago) also in-
clined to think they were identical with the red grouse. Surely this is a matier of
interest to those fond of Natural History, and one which I trust will be fully investi-
gated. Should undoubted eggs of the willow grouse be in the possession of any
gentleman in this country, who would closely compare them with eggs of the common
grouse, this would, I think, throw some light on the subject, and perhaps clear up a
matter of much interest. Having mentioned the Museum at Christiana, I cannot let
this opportunity pass without recommending to the attention of those connected with
similar institutions, the admirable contrivance adopted here for economising space in
the arrangement of specimens, particularly those which are kept in jars and bottles iu
spirits. The contrivance consists of a number of vertical revolving pillars, with
shelves around them at various distances, according to the height of the bottles.
These pillars are arranged in rows in large glass cases. Professor Essmark, in a very
kind manner, explaived the construction, which I am sure is worthy of being adopted
* If I mistake not, the red grouse to a slight extent follows the example of the
willow grouse in assuming a winter garb of white ; for who has not noticed the beau-
tiful margin of white to the feathers of birds shot late in the season? ‘This is more
marked in very old male birds.
XVI. 2%
6210 Reptiles, &c.
in all museums where economy of space is a desideratum. The plan is entirely the in-
vention of the worthy Professor—G. Norman ; Hull, August 9, 1858.
[There are three points of importance (two of them not noticed by Mr Norman),
which require serious investigation before any conclusion on this interesting subject
can be attained. First, the willow grouse turns white in winter in the same manner as
the ptarmigan, whereas the red grouse, although inhabiting the same districts, exhibits
no such tendency, Secondly, the wings of the willow grouse are always white, those
of the red grouse never. Thirdly, the beak of the willow grouse is much stronger than
that of the red grouse. These three are regarded as specific characters, whereas the
different hue of plumage which Mr. Norman very rationally accounts for is not re-
garded as of specific importance—Hdward Newman. |
Occurrence of Baillon’s Crake (Gallinula Baillonii) near the Land’s End.—A mature
specimen of this pretty little bird, in very perfect plumage, has, for the second time, |
turned up in this neighbourhood. It proved to be a male bird, and was captured in a
narrow ravine running down to the sea. The blue about the head is almost uninter-
rupted, the olivaceous-brown, commencing in a narrow line on the top of the head, and
dilating as it goes back to the occiput. Mr. Vingoe has preserved the specimen, and
he told me that the irides, instead of being reddish brown, were bright scarlet. The
beak of this bird is shorter than that of the little crake, and in fact, a far as I can
observe, the bird is shorter altogether.—Hdward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, July 9,
1858.
Biautiful Variety of the Garganey Teal.—On the 30th of July a pair of young
Garganey ducks were killed at one shot on a marsh at Strumpshaw. Of these one
exhibits the usual immature plumage of this species, whilst the other is a most deli-
cate cream-colour all over, without spot or streak of any kind, the beak pink, and the
legs very light in colour—. Stevenson ; Norwich.
Newt changing tis Skin.—I happened to go to my aquarium yesterday just as one
of the smooth newts was changing its skin. The operation was nearly completed, the
skin being pushed down the body in a ring, by which the hinder legs were, to use an
Trishism, handcuffed to the tail. The snout was principally used in shoving it down,
and the tail was scarcely free when the animal seized the skin with its mouth, and in
half-a-dozen gulps swallowed it. It is well known that the toad adopts this conve-
nient method of disposing of its worn-out garment, but I do not remember to have
seen the same practice recorded of the newt. The act of swallowing occupied nearly
a minute, during which three filmy gloves (the integument of the paws) were projecting
from the mouth. Although a tremendous yawn testified to the fatigue of the perfurm-
ance, the newt made no objection to concluding the meal with a small proportion of
roast mutton.— George Guyon; Richmond, Surrey, August 12, 1858.
Occurrence of the Short Sun-fish on the Sussex Coast.—The ‘Sussex Express’ of
July 24, states that on the Monday before, July 19, a short sun-fish was taken with a
boat-hook while floating in Seaford Bay, off East Blatchington, by three brothers named
Insects. 6211
Green. The specimen measured 2 feet 10 inches long, and 3 feet 9} inches broad
from points of fins ; it weighed 77 tbs.— Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, Hants, July 26,
1858.
Polyommatus Artaxerxes and P. Agestis.—In the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6101) is a note
from Mr. Logan, who, with some others of our northern entomologists, has come to the
conclusion that P. Artaxerxes and P. Agestis are varieties of one and the same species,
but upon what grounds 1 must say 1 am quite in the dark. Dr. Lowe read, some
time back, a paper before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, to prove that P. Artaxerxes,
P. Salmacis and P. Agestis, were one and the same. Mr. G. Wailes, of Newcastle,
and Mr. Logan, are of the same opinion. It is strange that neither of these gentlemen
has ever seen the larva of P. Agestis. From this I think they have decided too pre-
maturely. Mr. Logan says, “I have never been able to induce any of our southern
collectors to send me the larva of P. Agestis, which must be common and easily found ;”
this proves that he does not know its habits. Although the imago is common, the larva
is not easily found. I discovered the larva of P. Agestis about eight years ago, and
have taken it every year when on the Deal coast; why most easily found there, L will
soon explain. Iam surprised Mr. Logan has never sent to me for it. I have no hesi-
tation in saying that it is quite different from the drawing of P. Artaxerxes he so kindly
showed me when at Duddingstone last season. P. Agestis appears at a different time,
is double brooded, and is different as to locality, food-plant and larva; its manner of
changing to the pupa state is different. What can make it a variety of an insect that
is not found in this country? The Helianthemum is common in many parts, but
there is no P. Artaxerxes, and P. Agestis will not feed on it; so it cannot be from its
rarity of the usual food-plant that P. Agestis takes to the Erodium. P. Agestis was a
species, I think, before P. Artaxerxes was known. Why it is now to be a permanent
variety 1, for one, am ata lossto know. I have seen varieties of P. Agestis ; these must
now be called varieties of the permanent variety of P. Agestis: this will sound strange.
The following is the history of P. Agestis, which I should like to see side by side with
P. Artaxerxes, and it would then be seen that there are no two facts alike in their his-
tory :—The first brood comes out at the end of May ; it is not soabundant as the August
brood, and is much smaller. ‘The larva is found in July, feeding on or under Ero-
dium cicutarium, which grows here in large patches or beds, in many places apart from
other herbage; and it is from this cause that the larve are so easily fuund. Having no
ley's, like many other larve they cannot feed on the tops of the plant. The common
blue (P. Alewis) swarms in many places, but the larve are very seldom found, from a
similar cause. On pulling aside the branches of the Erodium, the larve and pupe
are found on the sand beneath them; while the larve of P. Artaxerxes spin up on
grass, dead stalks or the surface of stones; this, I think, is a reason quite sufficient to
separate it from Agestis, and to establish each as a species.—H, J. Harding; 1, York
Street, Church Street, Shoreditch.
[When my contributors differ from me on any point whereon I bave expressed a
decided opinion, it is, 1 think, not otherwise than courteous to support my own pre-
viously expressed views by any legitimate appeal to facts within my absolute knowledge.
Now the identity of Agestis and Artaxerxes is my subject; I most unequivocally ex-
pressed my vpinion as to this identity more than twenty-five years ago, in the
6212 Insects.
‘ Entomological Magazine,’ and this opinion has many times been repeated ; moreover,
have never separated the two insects in the cabinet under my care. So that when an
entomologist of Mr. Harding’s experience and habits of constant observation comes
into the field to break a lance with me on this subject, I experience
“ That stern joy which warriors feel
In foemen worthy of their steel.”
Now [am able to tell Mr. Harding that the apod larve feeding on Erodium cicutarium
at Deal, which he has above described, and which have been sent also to Mr. Logan,
who succeeded in rearing them, are those of a coleopterous insect, the beautiful Hypera
fasciculata. PS.—Will Mr. Harding pardon me if I also inform him that it was
Vanessa Atalanta, not Cynthia Cardui, that he found feeding on the pellitory?
See ‘ Entomologist’s Intelligencer’ fur July 17, No.94, p. 125.— Edward Newman.]
Sound produced by the Larva of Acherontia Atropos.—Some few days since I be
came possessed of two specimens of the caterpillar of the death’s-head moth (A. Atro-
pos). Upon removing them one evening, for the purpose of supplying them with fresh
food, they emitted a singular noise, continuous and rapid, which I can only liken to
the sound produced by the sparks of an electrical machine. Every entomologist is
aware of the peculiar noise emitted by the perfect insect (though as yet, I believe, the
question has not been satisfactorily solved), and of the statement made by Mr. Raddon
that the insect is able to produce the sound prior to its emerging from the pupa. I
do not, however, remember ever having read an account of the instance I mention,
and which can be confirmed bya gentleman present at the time. I should wish,
therefore, to ascertain whether the fact has ever been recorded, and, if so, I should
esteem it a favour if you would kindly furnish me with the authority. Does M.
Goureau, in his ‘Memoir on the Sounds of Insects’ notice the fact?—John Edmund
Weatherhead ; Curator, Town Museum, Leicester, July 21, 1858.
Capture of P. Daplidice near Rottingdean.—On the Sth instant I had brought me
a specimen of P. Daplidice. It had been taken on the same day near Rottingdean, a
village near here, and was still alive when I had it. Itis a female, and in very fair
condition.—John N. Winter ; 28, Montpellier Road, Brighton, August 9, 1858.
Pieris Daplidice.—I beg to record the capture, near here, of this insect, yesterday.
There was a strong wind blowing at the time; and as I was walking along, it rose from
the ground close to my feet to several feet above my head, when I distinctly saw
the green under side; and shortly after its return to terra firma, it was pinned in my
collecting-box. It may be well to add that there is no doubt respecting its identity,
as experienced entomologists have seen it alive-—J. Pratt; 35, Duke Street, Brighton,
August 6, 1858.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.’
Anthrocera Minos in the West of Scotland.—I have not observed that Anthrocera
Minos has hitherto been taken in Scotland. I enclose one or two specimens captured
on the 26th of last month on the side of the road between Oban and Dunstaffnage
Castle, at the mouth of Loch Etive. I had no net, but managed to knock down eight
or ten with my handkerchief and to spit them for the sake of the locality, with fine
Highland pins.—Professor Wyville Thomson ; 6, University Terrace, Belfast, July 3,
1858.—Id.
Cossus ligniperda at Sugar.—Within the last ten days I have taken no less than
five specimens of C. ligniperda at sugar. They sit on the sugar very much in the same
manner as a Noctua, but perhaps rather closer than the majority of Noctue. I think
it is a fact beyond doubt that the Bombyces do occasionally come to sugar, and
Insects. 6213
although people look incredulous when you mention having taken one under those
circumstances, and although they at once point out structural reasons why they should
not be so taken, still there is no disputing the fact. May it not be just possible that
although they cannot imbibe the sweets, the smell may prove as attractive to them as
the taste is to the Noctuez. I may mention also that many of the genus Lithosia come
regularly to sweets; two or three instances have come under my own notice, and
several others have been recorded. I should be glad to hear if any entomologist
has met with other Bombyces under similar circumstances, and if so, trust that they
will record it in the ‘ Intelligencer.— Robert McLachlan; Forest Hill, July 1, 1858.
—tTd.
Two Pupe in one Cocoon of the Silkworm. — One of my juvenile brothers, who
keeps silkworms, was surprised yesterday by finding two pupe in one cocoon. ‘The
cocoon is about twice the ordinary size, but of the same shape exactly as if made by
one insect, and the two pupe are quite loose inside without any separation. What
seems rather remarkable is, that nearly the whole of the two threads of silk wound off
as easily as if there had been but one. As I never heard of any similar case, this
struck me as rather remarkable. Perhaps you may have met with something Jike it.
I have the cocoon now, reduced to transparency by the removal of the silk, and should
you think it sufficiently cutraé I shall be happy to show it to you.— 7. Wildman ;
Solicitors’ Office, Customs, E..C., July 29, 1858.
Agrotis lucernea.—A single specimen of this insect was captured by myself, at
Folkestone, about six weeks ago.— Sidney Cooper ; Stone Bridge, Tottenham, August 2,
1858.
New Mode of capturing Nonagria geminipuncta.— Being occupied in collecting
the larve and pupe of N. Typhe, the attention of myself and brother was drawn to
the traces of larve on the stems of Arundo Phragmites. The larve, of which the
figure in Humphrey and Westwood (N. geminipuncta) is pretty accurate, were in
colour yellowish white, the head brownish black, a plate on the prothoracie and caudal
segments without spots, but the meso- and metathorax had a ring of minute dark
brown dots in pairs, the other segments with two dorsal and two lateral dots, and the
spiracles black; from these dots arise small sete. ‘These larve did not confine them-
selves to one reed only, having in many cases attacked some half-dozen of the smalier
plants before depositing themselves, full-fed, in the lower internodal spaces of the
largest. Again, the window, which was never absent, was almost but not quite inva-
riably above the entrance-hole, and beyond these two apertures was a wall of piih
cemented together with silk,—a very necessary precaution, as the remainder of the reeds
was frequently filled with water. We found as many as four pupe in one internode,
and sometimes six in au entire reed. The imago, which proved to be N. gemini-
puncta, emerges from the chrysalis between the hours of 6 and 9 p.M., being appa-
rently influenced by the darkness, as an artificial twilight had the effect of bringing
them out at mid-day. As the reeds frequently collapsed in drying, we were obliged in
most cases to cut out the pupe, which came out equally well. We havea few to
spare.— W. D. Crotch; Uphill House, Weston-super-Mare, August 12, 1858.
Epione Advenaria.—A single male of this local insect was taken at night, at
Warren Gore, Lewes, this summer, by Mr. John Porter.—Ldward Newman.
Botys lancealis—This has been an extraordinarily good season with us for Botys
lancealis. Last year my brother, after exerting great diligence, thought himself very
lucky in securing a dozen specimens. This year, however, in a path running through
6214 Insects.
a wood about two miles from Barnstaple, we observed B. lancealis in profusion. The
path in question has a bank on either side, covered with wood, flowers and vegetation,
and among the tall grass and flowers skirting the bottoms of these banks, B. lancealis
kept house in goodly numbers. Like other pearls, B. lancealis is easily disturbed, and
when on wing flies so slow as to be most easily netted. From the first week in June
until the end of that month, this species continues out, and directly it is over it is suc-
ceeded by another little pearl (Hypenodes albistrigalis), which haunts the same path,
and is to be disturbed from the same long grass which formed the lurking-place of B.
lancealis. This little species is also abundant. Had we been inclined we might have
pinned some hundreds of B. lancealis, but we contented ourselves with netting about
fifty, to supply our correspondents, and to leave us a few duplicates for exchange. In
this same path Erastria furcula was very abundant this season.— Murray A. Mathews ;
Raleigh House, near Barnstaple.
Larva of Chilo gigantellus.—This larva feeds in the stems of the reed. In order
to move from one reed-stem to another, which when the plants are growing in water
would seem a difficult proceeding, it bites off a piece of stem about its own length,
spins it together at each end, and becomes for the time a case-bearer, till floating on
the water it comes to another reed-stem, up which it crawls, fastens its canoe to it by
one end, often perpendicularly, and bores into the interior. ‘This account of its habits
is given by Herr Moritz in Treitschke’s work: the same observer also mentions that
Chilo forficellus, which feeds in the stems of Poa aquatica, likewise makes a tubular
case with a view to locomotion. I believe these case-bearing larve of the genus Chilo
are occasionally mistaken for larve of the genus Coleophora.x—H. T. Stainton ;
July 10, 1858.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.
Coleophora Leucapennella,—Herr Muhlig has been so kind as to forward me some
larve of this insect. They feed inside the capsules of Silene nutans (do any entomo-
logists ever come across that plant in this country?) and when the capsule has been
emptied of the seeds, the larva wishing to walk to another capsule, and not caring to
be at the trouble of making a case, carries off the capsule bodily cochlearum
instar, and bores into another capsule, till it has obtained as much food as it requires.
Stranger still, the body of the larva having the capsule to occupy, swells out to most
grotesque dimensions.—Jd.
Xysmatodoma argentimaculella (Tinea argentimaculella, Stainton’s Insec. Brit. p.36).
—From the middle tu the end of July IT met with this brilliant species, and also bred
it from cases on lichen growing on an old wall, nearly covered with herbage, at Bol-
lington, near here: the habit aud general appearance of the moths so resemble Mela-
nella, which I have often bred, that they gave me the clew as to their whereabouts,
or I might have been puzzled for years where they came from; the cases are exceed-
ingly difficult to see, being precisely the same colour as the lichen they feed upon.—
R.S. Edleston; Bowdon, Cheshire, August 2, 1858.
Captures near Bowdon.—During the present month I have captured the following
species :—Nemeophila Plantaginis, Anaitis imbutaria, Cenonympha Davus, Acidalia
inornaria, A. nitidaria, A. obsoletaria, Hyria auroraria, Pyralis glaucinalis, Nephop-
teryx abietella, Cryptoblabes bistriga, Amphysa Gerningiana, Tortrix viburnana,
Sericoris decrepitana, Retinia Buoliana, R. pinicolana, R. pinivorana, Stigmonota
coniferana, Crambus falsellus, Macaria lituraria.—Id.; July 12, 1858.
Larve of Cemiostoma lotella.— Mr. Wilkinson, of Scarborough, has sent me a
magnificent supply of the larve of this hte gem. The mine is at first a round gray
|
Insects. 6215
blotch on the upper side of the leaf, the egg-shell being a very conspicuous object on
the centre of the blotch ; the mine afterwards is extended much beyond the gray cen-
tral portion, the outer area being pale green. Itis not a little singularthat Nepticula
Septembrella and Cemivstoma lustratella feed on Hypericum, and the mines are often
mistaken by the uninitiated; and that two species, so to speak, perfectly parallel,
Nepticula cryptella and Cemiostoma lotella, feed on the Lotus; and their mines
might readily be confounded by one not personally acquainted with them. The leaves
sent appear to be Lotus major, not corniculatus, but probably it will feed on both spe-
cies.—H. T. Stainton ; July 5, 1858.—From the ‘ Intelligencer.
A new Mine on Centaurea.—The day before yesterday I made a curious discovery :
I found, at the edge of a wood, the leaves of Centaurea jacea tenanted by a mining
larva: the larva is very slender, of a yellowish green, spotted with black, with head
and second segment pale brownish: the mine radiates in different directions, like those
of Druriella and Heydeniella. The larva abides over the midrib, beneath the loosened
skin, and only sallies forth into the mine for the purpose of eating. I have only
found a few, and am very curious to know what they will produce.—Professor Frey,
Zurich; June 23, 1858.—ld.
The Centaurea jacea Miner.—! have no doubt that by this time Professor Frey is
as much astonished as myself at the change which has come over the appearance of
the caterpillar. The yellowish green look which they had is now gone, and they may
fairly rank amongst the prettiest of the micro larve. They are now of a pale yellow
colour with a dorsal line, and two others on each side of it, bright pink. The lines are
slightly interrupted at the junction of the segments. As they approach the ante-
penultimate segment these lines become united, so that the terminal segments are of a
uniform pink colour. The head and corselet still retain their pale brown appearance,
and the posterior edge of the corselet is now bordered by a darker line. The two rows
of dark spots also remain on each segment, four of which posteriorly and two
anteriorly are the most conspicuous, and from each of these starts a single hair. I
am half inclined, despite their very gay appearance, to believe them to be the larve
of one of the Depressarie.—John Scott ; Southfield Villas, July 17, 1858. [On the
contrary, we believe they will produce a new species of Cosmopteryx.— HZ. 7. Stainton. ]
—Id.
[Botanists in this country have invariably assigned the name of Centaurea jacea
to the very common Centaurea nigra. Are the two species thus named on the Con-
tinent really distinct? If not, search the common knob-weed (C. nigra) for this
miner.—£. UN. |
Abundance of Psyche nitidella.—I had been sugaring all night at Wickham, and
in the morning searched the fence with my usual success,—which is none,—and, feel-
ing sleepy, lay down on the bank by the fence and dozed a little: presently I was
disturbed by something fluttering in my face, and opening my eyes recognised Psyche
nitidella: turning for my net to catch him I saw that there was a little swarm of
them flying about me, and as fast as I could take them they continued to come round
me as long as [ continued lying on the ground; when I got up, thinking to take them
better, their interest in me seemed to cease, and I could take but few, and by six
v’clock there was not a specimen to be seen; but I had secured about forty: it was
about five o’clock when I first discovered them. 1 cannot understand what attracted
them; there did not seem to be any females about, at least I could see none, nor any
cases, and the specimens I have bred do not seem to care much about the females.
6216 Fusects.
After I got up they did not swarm any longer about the spot where I had been
lying: they flew so close about me that I could hardly net them without hitting my
face and head, and when I had boxed some of them in tin boxes, and laid them on the
ground, other specimens flew about them, and seemed to be trying to get into the
boxes.—C. G. Barrett, 37, Park Street, Mile End ; June 26, 1858.—Id.
Phibalapteryx fluviata and P. gemmaria: are they distinct P—I took, on the 9th
inst., a male specimen of this insect: it therefore appears to be double-brooded as well
as gemmaria. It seems very peculiar that all the specimens of fluviata that have
been taken in England, as far as I am aware, are males, aud all the specimens of
gemmaria females. I should be glad to hear if any one has met with female speci-
mens of fluviata or male specimens of gemmaria. Or are the two species only one,
and the difference in the markings only sexual? —G. Harding, jun., Stapleton, near
Bristol ; June 28, 1858.—ld.
[The occurrence of these two rare insects in company near London, and the exam-
ination of many recent London specimens, the males being invariably fluviata and
the females gemmaria, led me to suspect the identity of the two some weeks since.
—E. N.|
Retrospective Criticism on Dr. Gray's view of the Cause of the Cells of the Honey
Bee being of an hexagonal form. — In the Proceedings of the Entomological Society
(Zool. 6189) there is a report of a discussion on the shape of the cells of the bee, in
which the following sentence occurs :—‘* Dr. Gray contended that the hexagonal form
was undoubtedly the result of lateral pressure: if cylinders composed of any yielding
substance (vermicelli for instance) were placed side by side and subjected to such
pressure, they were invariably forced into the hexagonal form. He considered the
attempt made by natural theologians, to prove that the formation of a hexagonal
rather than a cylindrical cell indicated the possession of a greater degree of Divine
wisdom hestowed upon the insect, was the yreatest piece of humbug they had ever
brought forward.” I leave the matter of fact to those who have studied the subject,
merely remarking that the position seems to me perfectly untenable; but the closing —
sentence broaches a much wider and more important subject. I have always under-
stood and believed that all natural theologians agreed in describing instinct to be that
power imparted to all animals by their Creator, by which they do, without thought or
reasoning, everything which in the ordinary course of nature they have to do, in the
best possible manner; and that all naturalists are equally agreed that this power is
evident in the actions of every wild animal and insect. If, then, the hexagonal is the
best form for the cells of the bee, that they should make them of that form is just
what we might have expected from the analogy of all animated nature. Dr. Gray
does not say where the lateral pressure comes from ; but if it is given by the bees them-
selves, or arises from some cause which might have been calculated upon, the question
of instinct remains untouched ; but if the pressure is accidental, it seems to me that
the supposition that bees make cells of one form, and then leave them to be changed
into another and a better one, by something which may or may not happen, is quite
inadmissible.-— Thomas Boyd ; 17, Clapton Square, August 6, 1858.
Beetles at Home.—In the front of this house, so graphically described in Newman’s
‘Insect Hunters,’ there is a small bricked area, and the aspect being north it is
usually somewhat damp, and the resort of sundry Onisci. Here they might lead
quiet and sequestered lives as becomes such retiring animals, but it is no happy
valley for them, for by accident or design certain filibustering Carabide drop down
Insects. 6217
into it, and, relinquishing their usual nocturnal habits, employ themselves by making
murderous daylight attacks upon the peaceful Onisci. In vain they roll themselves
into balls; their assailants find a salient point, and, working away with their
powerful mandibles, soon leave nothing but a shell. These beetles, however, do not
devote exclusive attention to the Onisci, for if a caterpillar unluckily falls from the
birch tree above, they devour it entirely; any poor powerless beetle that comes in
their way is speedily added to the list of victims; even those hardest of all Coleop-
tera—the Curculionide—I find deprived of legs and antenne, and eventually I
believe the marauders attack each other, for their mutilated skeletons are scattered in
all directions, showing the truth of the old adage, that ‘‘ two of a trade never agree.”
The species I find are Carabus violaceus, Pterostichus madidus and P. melanarius,
and sometimes a member of another amiable family, Ocypus olens, drops in to assist
at the revels.—J. W. Douglas; 6, Kingswood Place, Lee, July 29, 1858.—From the
* Intelligencer,
Notes and Observations on the Genus Necrophorus.
By FrepErick SmitH, Esq.
WHEN I was a very young entomologist, I read with indescribable
satisfaction the graphic account of the habits of the “ burying-beetle ”
by Rusticus, in the ‘ Entomological Magazine :’ these insects have
been favourites with me ever since. There are certain genera and
species of insects for which one has a particular regard, arising entirely
from the simple circumstance of our having become intimate with their
habits through the medium of some master mind, who has correctly
pourtrayed them. The history above referred to is of course only the
habit of the insect under such circumstances as described, or as_ they
would be when dealing with similar “‘ small decr,” as a frog, a mole, a
mouse, or any small bird. I will state my own experience of col-
lecting these insects under a dead sea-gull: I found the bird dead on
the shore, and placed it on a sand-bank which had a south-west aspect ;
this was towards evening on a hot day in the month of August. The
following morning I captured, beneath the bird, five beetles (four
males and one female) of Necrophorus Ruspator, and one male and
one female of N. Vestigator; the next morning I took two of N. Ha-
mator and five of N. Vestigator; on a third visit the gull yielded two
males of N .Vespillo, four of N. Ruspator, and three of N. Vestigator,
the number of the sexes being very unequally divided, the specimens
of Ruspator being all males. By the time I had secured the above
number of specimens,—which, together with hosts of flies, Silphide
XVI. oA
6218 Insects.
and Staphylinide, had deposited eggs, which had hatched and their
maggots were feeding on the carcass,—it had become too putrid any
longer to attract the Necrophori. I had thus obtained twenty-three
individuals of different species of Necrophorus, under a single bird.
A bird of the size of a sea gull is never buried, as would be the case
with a bullfinch or any small bird: the larvee of Necrophorus, when
full fed, leave the dead carcass and bury themselves in the earth.
Following up the same system, with other baits of a similar kind,
enabled me to obtain fifty-seven burying-beetles, of species as
follows :—
Necrophorns. Vestigator ne.) cs: wil cea de
3 Ruspator..\ 0 sees hy ae
as Pligmator yee, ee yee
a Vespillo G40 teats uae
It will be seen from this enumeration that of the rarest of our red and
black species I obtained the greatest number. The following is the
nomenclature adopted; it may probably not prove eventually to be
correct, but it is in accordance with named specimens from Germany,
in the collection of the British Museum :—
1. Necrophorus Vestigator, Herbst., Illig. Mag.
Sepultor, Gyll., Sleph
2. Necrophorus Ruspator, H’richs.
Vestigator, Sleph.
3. Necrophorus Humator, Oliv., Sleph., &c.
4. Necrophorus Vespillo, Zinn., Steph., &c.
T will now make a few observations on the species of the genus, and
point out such localities as have produced them of my own knowledge.
It is quite evident to me that the species, at least some of them, are
local, for although I have never lost an opportunity of laying traps or
baits when visiting any new locality, | have, during the present
season, for the first time, captured N. Vestigator.
Necrophorus germanicus. In Stephens’ ‘ Manual’ three localities
are given for this insect; the only one where it has been captured, of —
my own knowledge, is Hastings, where my friend, the late Mr. Heales, —
himself took a specimen about twelve years ago. ;
Insects. 6219
always found it attracted by any large animal or bird, sometimes in
great numbers.
Necrophorus Vestigator. Stephens gives the London district, but
although I have searched under birds, moles, &c., in many parts of
the suburbs of the metropolis, I never met with it, nor do I remember
any collector of my acquaintance who has been more fortunate; the
only locality with which I am acquainted is the neighbourhood of
Lowestoft, in Suffolk.
Necrophorus Fossor, Krichs. Of this species I obtained six ex-
amples under dead adders, at Southend, in the month of August; I
never found it elsewhere, but Stephens gives the London district and
other localities, showing it to be very widely distributed ; it must be
much less abundant than most of the species, or I think 1 must have
either met with it or seen it in other collections more frequently.
This is the N. interruptus of Stephens.
Necrophorus Ruspator. Stephens says, “ Generally distributed :”
as far as my experience has enabled me to judge, it is far more nu-
merous in some situations than in others: I have only once or twice
taken it near London, whereas about Southend, Deal and Lowestoft,
it is plentiful.
Necrophorus Mortuorum. This is certainly widely distributed,
although I did not find it in Suffolk.
Necrophorus Vespillo. Generally distributed.
Necrophorus Obrutor, Erichs. Given in Stephens’ ‘Manual’ as
British ; I have not seen any British example: said to be taken at
Hertford.
FREDERICK SMITH.
Megachile centuncularis.—At the back of this house two rose trees grow up the
wall, one of which is selected by this bee for her operations, the leaves being larger
and thinner than those of the other tree, which are never touched by her. She comes
in a direct line over the tall trees at the bottom of the garden, and soon selects a leaf.
On this she settles, generally, but not always, with her head to the footstalk, and taking
the leaf between her legs, rapidly cuts out a piece in the manner often described,
sometimes circular, but often oval, her operations being no doubt guided by the
requirements of her nest, the oval pieces being for the outside walls, and the cireular
ones for the partitions. It has been said that she poises herself on her wings in
order to avoid tearing the leaf or to hinder her and the piece from falling to the ground
when the latter is cut off, but I narrowly watched this one, and in every instance her
wings were motionless. As the cutting proceeded, she curled the piece under ber,
and when the piece was separated both she and it fell downwards for a short
6220 Insects.
distance; then, and not till then, did she open her wings to arrest the downward
tendency, and soon recovering herself, mounted upwards with her burden. Some-
times, but not always, she rested on the palings close by, and then, rising upwards,
proceeded in a direct line to her nest—J. W. Douglas; 6, Kingswood Place, Lee,
July 30, 1858.—From the ‘ Intelligencer?
Bembidium laterale in the Isle of Wight.—A lepidopterological friend at Bem-
bridge has met with Bembidium (Cillenum) laterale in some abundance running
about on the wet sand there, in which it makes little burrows. The Isle of Wight is,
I believe, a new locality for the species, although it is well known to occur at Portland.
— George Guyon; Richmond, Surrey, August 13, 1858.
Capture of Chlenius Schrankii in the Isle of Wight.——On the 31st of July, while
looking for insects at Luccombe, I had the good fortune to fiud wine specimens of
Chlenius Schrankii, apparently not long hatched: they were running over the damp
green sand half way down the cliff. The day was particularly five, and heavy rains
had recently fallen. Ona subsequent visit I could obtain only one; the ground on
which I had previously found it had become perfectly dry. It will be remembered
that Mr. Bates took one at Luccombe last year.—Georye Lewis ; 14, Woodlands
Terrace, Blackheath, August 21, 1858.
The Silkworm.—The following facts, just laid before the Academy of Sciences by
MM. Decaisne, Peligot and de Quatrefages, members of the committee appointed to
investigate the cause of the diseases of the silkworm and seek a remedy for it, are not
without interest. ‘These gentlemen, having visited various parts of France, found the
mulberry leaves everywhere in excellent condition, so that there is no foundation in
the opinion which attributes the disease to bad fuod. Of all the diseases to which the
silkworm is subject, that most frequently met with is known by the name of pattes
notres or poivré in France; M. de Quatrefages proposes to call it the maladie de la
tuche, from the spots which appear ou the worm when attacked with it. These spots
are often invisible to the naked eye, and can only be perceived with the aid of a
magnifying glass; and this circumstance explains why the malady, especially during
the present year, escaped the observation of silk-growers in the majority of cases until
five or six days after the worm had cast its fourth skin. The spots exist in all the
lissues and organs of the worm, and in its subsequent stages of a chrysalis and moth.
In the latter the spots destroy the antenne, the legs, or a portion of the wings. In
the beginning the spots appear under the form of a yellowish matter pervading the
whole system; this matter gradually becomes darker, and is then concentrated into a
number of tubercles, which are the spots in question. That such a diseased state
should exercise an influence on the quality of the eggs is not surprising, but to what
extent can only be determined by future experience. An infected silkworm may spin
its cocoon when the disease is not too far gone, but the insect generally dies, and the
body, instead of putrefying, becomes dry and brittle. M.de Quatrefages has tied
several methods of cure; first, the hygienic process, which consists in rearing the
worms in open sheds instead of close rooms. ‘The leaves of the wild mulberry, not
stripped from the branches, he has found very efficacious. He strongly recommends
silk-growers to rear small lots of worms apart from the others, solely for the purpose
Entomological Society. 6221
of propagating the species. But, besides these precautionary measures partly recom-
mended by others, he has had recourse to new remedies not hitherto recommended,
and has endeavoured to administer various medicines to the worms. From his ex-
periments it appears that the silkworm does not refuse to eat the leaves of the mulberry
sprinkled with Peruvian bark, gentian, valerian, mustard, &c., and the two latter pow-
ders especially would seem to produce good effects. But scraped sugar appears for
the present to be preferable to all other remedies. ‘The worms eat the leaves sprinkled
with sugar with extraordinary relish, and the experiments with this substance were
accordingly repeated on a larger scale in the estalishment of M. Augliviel, in the
department of the Gard, where one of the silk sheds, fitted up for twenty-seven trays,
was reduced by disease to four. The worms of these were transferred to another shed,
and divided into four lots; the first was fed in the common way, the second with
moistened leaves, the third with sugared leaves, and the fourth was subject to a rigorous
abstention from food for seventy-five hours, and then fed chiefly with sugared leaves.
At the end of twenty-four hours several worms of the latter lot began to spin, and
‘made several small and imperfect cocoons on the tray; the other worms began to
shrivel up and diminish in size, but on receiving the sugared leaves they speedily ral-
lied, and many of them spun their cocoons. The worms fed with moistened leaves
fared very badly, and very few of them spun cocoons. Those fed in the common way
presented nothing remarkable, and yielded a certain quantity of cocoons; but those fed
with sugared leaves thrived well and spun their cocoons sooner than the others. The
quantities of silk yielded by these four lots were respectively :—Ist lot, 210 grammes ;
2nd lot, nought; 3rd lot, 392 grammes, and of a superior quality; 4th lot, 152
grammes. Now, when it is considered that such a result was obtained from the use
of sugar on worms, the state of which was hopeless, it may reasonably be concluded
that its effect will be much more satisfactory in less desperate cases. At all events,
one great fact has been put beyond a doubt—viz., that medicine may be administered
to silkworms in the same way as it is administered to cattle and poultry.
Proceedings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society.
August 2, 1858.—J. O. Wrestwoop, Esq., V.P., in the chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the
donors:—‘ The Natural History Review’ Vol. v. No, 3; presented by the Dublin
University Zoological Association. ‘The Zoologist’ for August; by the Editor.
*A Manual of British Butterflies and Moths,’ No. 19; ‘The Entomologist’s Weekly
Intelligencer,’ Nos. 93—96; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. ‘The Literary Gazette’ for
July; by the Editor. ‘ The Journal of the Society of Arts’ for July; by the Editor.
Four specimens of Laverva phragmitella; by A, F. Sealy, Esq.
6222 Fauna of Amoy.
Election of a Member.
George Fenning, Esq., of Lloyd’s, London, was balloted for and elected a Member
of the Society.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Knaggs exhibited a box of beautiful Lepidoptera and other orders of insects
from Demerara.
Mr.Waring exhibited a fine male specimen of Notodonta bicolora, a species hitherto
unrecorded as British, taken by Mr. Bouchard, in July last, near Killarney.
Mr. Hunter exhibited five specimens of Trochilium Chrysidiformis and Spilodes
palealis, taken near Folkestone.
Dr. Wallace exhibited the following insects, taken in the Isle of Wight this season,
viz., Micra ostrina (two specimens), a species hitherto recorded as British on the
authority ofa single example, taken many years since, by the late Captain Blomer, near
Bideford; fine specimens of Spilodes silacealis; a Nola, apparently distinet from the
known British species; and a fine series (including both sexes) of Phibalapteryx gem-
maria, amongst which, he observed, were specimens similar to those recently recorded
in this country as P. fluviata.
Mr. Westwood read a letter from Herr Nietner, received by Mr. Spence, recording
the discovery, in Ceylon, of a Strepsipterous insect, parasitic on an ant. Mr. West-
wood exhibited drawings, and read a description of the species, drawn up from the
mutilated examples which accompanied Herr Nietner’s letter, proposing for it the name
of Myrmecolax Nietneri.
Mr. Walker read a paper on ‘ Undescribed Neuroptera in the Collection of W. W.
Saunders, Esq.’—£’. S.
A few Remarks on the Fauna of Amoy.
By RosBerr SwinHor, Esq., of H.B.M. Consulate, Amoy.*
I woutpD beg to offer for your consideration a few remarks on the
Fauna of the island on which our lot is at present cast; for though
Zoology is not much studied as a science, yet we are often willing to
learn of the peculiarities and economy of creatures that breathe the
same air as ourselves, and are dependent on the same natural
resources for existence.
Who has not wondered at the bare hills of Amoy, at the first
glimpse he obtains on entering the harbour, and, seeing the great
boulders of rock rise one above the other in endless confusion,
thought to himself with a shudder, Can animal life be there? But
* Read before the Literary and Scientific Society of Amoy, November 17, 1857,
and communicated by H. Stevenson, Esq.
Fauna of Amoy. 6223
though animal life is there to a small extent, it is to the plains, which
are inhabited and cultivated with such care by the natives, that we
must look for most that will interest us in our science. -
The wily fox is the first animal which we have to consider, for,
low as he stands in the natural series of Mammals, he is here promi-
nent as the largest of the Carnivora we possess ; that is to say, if we
lay aside the claims of the half-starved Chinese cur, to which the
term ‘“ wild” might almost in some instances be appropriately
applied, and the vague rumours of the migration of tigers from the
mainland. The fox, the Hoo-lee of the Court dialect, and the Hill-
dog of the Amoy, is found, but not very abundantly, in the vicinity of
most of the temples, and I have myself watched it more more than
once stealing along noiselessly, with its conspicuous bushy tail hung
down, just as the setting sun was withdrawing its last rosy tints from
the floating clouds overhead. The low cunning of this animal is too
well known amongst us; but I have never heard of any of its signal
feats in this part of the world, with the exception of the occasional
abduction of a fow! from the villagers, in defiance of the vigilance of
the noisy watch-cur. Ihave had the good fortune to obtain a cub
and a full-grown female of this species, and I think I can safely pro-
nounce it to be the same as the European Vulpes vulgaris.
The greatest devastator among the poultry of the poor is an animal
belonging to the weasel family (Mustelide), and, though generally
distributed, is very rarely seen. It measures about a foot and a half
in length, has a buff-coloured fur, with a black muzzle, and is the
Hwang-shoo-lang of the Pun-ts‘aou, and the Chiah-ch‘oo (tawny rat)
of Amoy men. The havoc it commits amongst domestic fowls is well
compensated for by its predilection for rats, which vermin it is said
to destroy in large numbers. In the occasional high tides that wash
over the bund into the merchants’ godowns here, among the numbers
of rats that are seen struggling near the surface of the water, driven
out of house and home, it is not unusual to see a few of these weasels
wriggling their long bodies like snakes to some place of shelter.
Before leaving the Carnaria it would be as well to mention a
curious animal that was brought alive to me by a native, and which I
kept some months in confinement. It evidently belonged to the civet
family (Viverride), measured in length one foot and a balf, having
rather long fur of a dingy brown colour, and a black head with a
white line down the snout; the tail was tipped with white. At first I
was doubtful whether this might not be some animal brought up by a
Singapore junk, and not indigenous to China; but all doubt was
6224 Fauna of Amoy.
removed on that score by my subsequently receiving a skin from
Tungan, as a present, from a Chinese friend. 1t was described in his
letter as the Yuh-meen-maou, or gem-faced cat, and he regretted not
having been able to send the body in the skin, as this animal is con-
sidered quite an epicure’s dish. It is described in the Pun-ts‘aou
under the name Hwan.
We have also heard certain stories about the sea-otter that is occa-
sionally seen prowling about ou the Six Islands, seeking his finny
prey at the dead hour of night, and avoiding the light of day; for
soon as morning breaks—
“ Consueta petens e fluctibus antra,
Ibat.”
I have at low tide often traced footprints on the sand of some animal
into several caves in Koo-lang-soo, and by following up the track
have eventually come on small heaps of fish-bones, but the animal
that deposits them I have never had a glimpse of.
In the Rodentia we are confined to that horrid group of vermin,
rats, there not being sufficient shelter for hares, nor wood enongh for
squirrels to play their gambols in. The brown rat (Mus decumanus)
is of course found here, as indeed it is in all parts of the world where-
soever commerce has carried her deeply-laden vessels. M. Cuvier
says that “this rat originally came from Persia, where it lives in bur-
rows; and it was not until 1727 that, after an earthquake, it arrived
at Astracan, by swimming across the Volga. It did not pass into
Europe until the eighteenth century, and 1s now common in all large
cities throughout the world.” The musk rat (Sorex Myosurus), with
a leaden black skin as soft as velvet, Chi-ch‘o0 (money rat), a pointed
snout and diminutive eyes, is also a common species, but it contents
itself with the kitchen and lower parts of a house, and never ventures
as high as the upper story. It occurs plentifully in sewers and damp
places, and in Chinese dwellings, whence you often hear its sharp
shrill cry, which, the Chinese say, sounds not unlike the jingling of
money. Itis remarkable for its strong musky odour, with which it
impregnates almost everything it touches or runs over. True mice I
have never seen here, and indeed where their larger brethren are so
plentiful I should almost doubt their existence. A water vole (Arvi-
cola) is found in the vicinity of ponds.
The next quadruped, the only representative we possess of the
order Edentata, is far the most interesting, on account of the nume-
reous peculiarities both its form and habits present. It is the scaly
Fauna of Amoy. 6225
ant-eater or pangolin (Manis of Linnens), “ having no teeth, an exten-
sile tongue, and subsisting on ants and termites ; its body, limbs and
tail are covered with large, trenchant, imbricated scales, which it
elevates in rolling itself into a ball, when wishing to defend itself
against an enemy ; all its feet have five toes.” Such is Cuvier’s
description of the genus. Ours is a small species (probably Manis
brachyurus), measuring in tofo only two feet and three inches, of
which the tail takes one foot. Its gait is most peculiar, — with the
body bent in a bow, and the head and tail downwards, as it runs
along on the sides of its fore feet. The moment it is touched or
molested the head and tail are dragged under the belly, and the
animal assumes the appearance of a ball. A live individual was
brought to me by a Chinaman with a string tied round one of its
hind legs; and to show me the immense muscular strength of the
auimal, he stood upon its back, and the creature actually raised itself
and advanced a few steps. I kept it for some weeks, though when
the string was removed from its leg I was at a loss what to do with it,
for no box was strong enough to stand its burrowing propensity. At
last I inserted it into an overland tin case, and outstood the grating
noise produced by the scratching of his long claws on the tin. Butit did
not hold him long, for though the box was much too high, I thought,
for it ever to attempt its escape by forcing the lid, yet this wonderful
creature, by supporting itself on the end of its tail, and making use
of its claws, managed to get out of the box. I captured him again,
tying a piece of whip-cord round his hind leg, it being useless to
attempt to bind his retractile neck, secured him under a ladder, with
hard tiles to frolic on, and a snug corner to retire into at pleasure.
Next morning, however, on paying him a visit, I found he had not
contented himself with the snug corner, but had raised one of the
tiles, and dragged himself into the earth to the full extent of his
string. Without a spade it was impossible to dislodge him, so I let
him be; and there he remained for several days without a single
morsel of food. At last he left his hiding-place, a good deal thinner,
but not much reduced in bodily strength ; for that same day with an
effort he released his body, and left his bleeding leg behind dangling
to the string. The bone of the femur remained on the animal whole,
but the flesh had been torn away. He lived for a day or two after
this catastrophe, not appearing to pay much attention to his wound,
which was fast festering. Strength at last failed him, and he died.
The Chinese call this animal, in the Mandarin, the Chuen-shan-kia,
or hill burrower, and in the Amoy the La-leé, whence I suppose is
AVI, 3B
6226 Fauna of Amoy.
derived the expression La-lee-t‘adu, applied to a scabby head, in
allusion to the bare hairless state of the pangolin’s back. Many
strange stories are told about this creature by the natives ; among the
strangest of which is the cunning mode employed in procuring a
meal. The artful pangolin, when suffering from the pangs of
hunger, rolls himself up, and, erecting his scales, lays bare the naked
flesh beneath ; in this position he lies for some time, until, attracted
by the savory smell of flesh, thousands of mosquitoes swarm on his
back to devour; the scales are then simultaneously compressed, and a
plentiful meal is shaken out from the fold of his coat of mail, to be
relished at leisure by his long tongue. Large prices are given by the
native doctors for this animal, as its flesh and bones are employed for
various medicinal purposes; and one of its scales, fastened to the
end of a stick, is sold as a safe instrument to be used in scratching,
without fear of producing ulcers on the skin. So much, then, for the
La-lee, on which [have dwelt longer than I should; but, considering
its numerous peculiarities, I thought I was justified in saying what
little I knew.
Dismissing, then, the Cheiroptera of the Carnaria, with a notice
that several species of the genus Vespertilio exist under the venetians
and eaves of most of our houses, and may be seen of an evening per-
forming “on giddy wing their gambols round the brook, the tree ;”
and also the Cetacea, the Phoczene or porpoises of which order are
well known to us even in the harbour, where at times they may be
seen showing their round white backs in a line, and then disap-
pearing, to be seen again at a further distance ; —let us now turn to
the Aves, at which class we must take a much more general glance,
as their numbers are much greater than the Mammals; for there are
certain spots on the earth’s surface where the latter are seldom, if
ever, seen; but, possessed of such various locomotive powers, the
former are found in all parts of the globe. We commence, then,
with the Raptores. Of the true Falconide, the species indigenous to
Amoy is the Falco tinnunculoides, also found in Europe. The pere-
grine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a straggling visitor, but a pair built
their eyrie last year on the high hill of Nan-tai-woo (on the summit of
which stands the pagoda), and some Chinese, who had robbed the
nest, exposed the young birds (little balls of white down, with long
yellow claws and noble black eyes) in the market for sale as young
kites. I readily purchased them, and kept them in confinement for —
some time, and had the pleasure of watching the gradual casting off —
of the white down, and development of feathers. Their erect posture, —
Fauna of Amoy. 6227
piercing glance, and superior size,— who that has once seen can ever
mistake the peregrine ?
A species of sparrowhawk (Accipiter), differing principally from
that bird in England in having white instead of red axillary coverts,
makes an occasional tour in the vicinity. There is also a buzzard
(Buteo), and the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) of Britain is seen not
unfrequently in the early winter.
The kite, or Bah-hed, pronounced Nai-heo in the Chang-chow
district (Mélvus Govinda), the scavenger of the harbour, comes next.
At all hours of the day he may be seen floating in numbers over the
tall masts of the ships, uttering his well-known scream. Some offal
on the surface of the water catches his eye; he descends and bears it
away, perhaps pursued by several others, to some favourite rock,
where, having driven off his pursuers, he quietly tears and swallows
his morsel. An arrant coward, too, is this self-same kite. A crow
or a magpie is often seen to attack him when he approaches the
vicinity of their nests, and the ignoble bird of prey retreats at once,
with piteous cries, at every attack of his assailant offering his hooked
claws, but making no further resistance. Among themselves in the
breeding-season they fight a good deal, but never come to an earnest
set-to; it is always pounce, offer claws, scream, and fly away. Once,
by some mismanagement in this mode of fighting, I saw a pair hook
claws, and at claws’ length spin round and round, not being able to
extricate themselves till they reached the ground. They build in
great numbers on the precipitate sides of the Pagoda Island, and one
pair had the temerity to nestle on the top of the ruins of the half-
fallen pagoda, but at the same time had the good sense to place their
nest on the side least exposed. I discovered no less than six nests
in an evening’s stroll on the island; they were built of twigs, roots,
pieces of, rag or paper, or in fact any available rubbish, sometimes
lined with a few feathers. Their eggs are nearly round, as big as a
good-sized hen’s egg, and blotched with olive-brown. In an evening
at sunset I have counted as many as sixty kites, soaring at different
heights over that island.
An osprey (Pandion) is sometimes seen even in the harbour, but
little is known of him. I have seen him strike a fish close under the
bows of a vessel, and bear it away in triumph.
The great owl (Bubo maximus), Am-kong-cheaou, I have seen twice,
but have been assured by the priest of the Nam-p‘o-t‘o temple, that in
rainy seasons he has shot (he sports a foreign gun) several specimens.
1 reared a young one, and kept him for more than two years; by
*
e
6228 Fauna of Amoy.
some accident in the beginning of his career he had one of his eyes
knocked out, when the other orb seemed to increase in size and
lustre, and make up somewhat for the lost eye. The iris was of
a dark golden yellow ; but his great cat-like head, with long feathery
horns, which he always erected when irritated,—his loud snap of the
bill and hiss of alarm, and flap of his expansive wings, used to be the
admiration of all who saw him. In very hot-weather he used to shake
the skin of his throat with mouth open, in the same manner as
turkeys do.
A sparrow owl (Nyelipetes, Swain.), and a small tawny Scops owl
(probably Scops rufescens of Horsfield), are seen occasionally in
winter.
We will pass more rapidly now through the next and most exten-
sive order, that of the perchers (Insessores), and I will only make
slight mention of a few of the species that are strictly indigenous to
Amoy. At their head stands the large butcher bird, or shrike
(Lantus, Schach), nearly always to be met with in the valleys,
uttering his discordant cries. It is the Pe-l6 of the natives.
Among the Merulide, or thrushes, the blackbird and rock thrush
(Petrocincla violacea) are always with us, the former enlivening our
gardens by his rich full notes, and the latter enchanting the lonely
wanderer among the bleak hills with his wild minstrelsy, as he sings
from the summit of a monstrous boulder, or springs lightly into the
air, trolling forth his merry roundelay. Itmay be mentioned that the
blackbird here, though very similar, is yet not the same as our black-
bird at home ; he differs not only in being of greater size, and in the
colouring of the female, but also in his call-note. The rock thrush
and blackbird are taken by the Chinese for one and the same, and
are called Ok‘ee, though one is blue and red, and the other black.
The most familiar and perhaps best known is the magpie robin
(Gryllivora), a small bird of the pied plumage of a magpie, with the
habits and peculiarities of a robin. Its song, poured out at early
mor or sunset from the roof-tops of our houses, is occasionally
pretty, but abounding in harsh and jarring notes. Like the redbreast
at home, it is very quarrelsome, and sings in defiance when engaged
in duels with others of its tribe ; but few engagements prove mortal,
except in the pairing season, when it is not uncommon to find the
defeated gallants skulking about, and seeking for holes that may
suffice them at once for deathbed and coffin. Its native name is
» Sze-he, which means “ resembling the magpie,” and it is here vulgarly
called Chiy-k‘am-ch‘e.
Fauna of Amoy. 6229
The most diminutive of all stands next, the little tailor bird (Ortho-
tomus), remarkable for its long pointed bill, which serves as a needle
in sewing leaves together round its nest; the under side of a long
leaf of the Alpinia nutans is often chosen, the edges of which are
drawn together by thread made of spider’s web and fibres. The
prettiest construction of the kind I have seen was a nest flanked in
by three orange-leaves, and placed at the extremity of the bough of
an orange tree. This bird is called Mang-tang-4 in the vernacular.
A genus of long-tailed birds, closely allied to the last, is found
wherever bushes abound, the longtails (or Prinie). Their song is
sweet, but never varied.
The Zosterops, white or mealy eye, Fun-yen and Chi" -si-a, little
green and yellow birds, with a peculiar ring of white feathers round
the eye; and a species of tomtit (Parus) may be met with all the year
through.
Time would not suffice were I to give separate remarks on each
indigenous species. I must not, however, pass over a very singular
bird of the tribe Tenuirostres, by no means uncommon in Amoy, and
which cannot help attracting notice by its gay colours and peculiar
form; 1 mean the hoopoe (Upupa Epops of Linneus), also found in
Europe, and a rare straggler in Great Britain. It is a bird of a buff-
fawn colour, striped transversely with black, and adorned with a
beautiful crest of long lax feathers, banded alternately with red and
black, which he is capable of raising or depressing at pleasure. The
awkward gait of the bird; its occasional tapping on the ground with
its long bill, as if with a walking-stick; and its singular habit of
bowing when disturbed, would of themselves make the creature an
object of interest ; but what is most peculiar is its cry of hoo-poo-poo
(whence its name), produced by drawing the air into the trachea,
which puffs out on each side of his neck, and forcing it out again by
striking the point of his bill against the ground, each stroke pro-
ducing a separate and distinct note. It is looked upon with some
aversion by the Chinese, on account of its often selecting dilapidated
coffins to nestle in, and is nicknamed by them the coftin-bird. I
have found the nest in an exposed coffin, as also in the city wall.
The young are very timid, and make a strange hissing noise when
crying for food.
The Ardeadx, or herons, as might be expected from the large
tracts of paddy fields, abound in their species, prominent among
which stands the heron of Great Britain (Ardea cinerea), also found
here. Flocks of the beautiful white egret, or paddy bird, as they are
6230 Fauna of Amoy.
familiarly known to us (Herodias Garzetta), often attract our attention
as they wing their way slowly through the obscure blue of a summer
twilight, from the fields where they have been feeding, to their
selected nest-trees, on which they settle like masses of snow among
the dark green leaves.
The yellow-headed egret, while with us in summer, is commoner,
and roams about in larger flocks than the latter. A third and solitary
species, Herodias flavirostris, is also found, and may be distinguished
by its yellow bill, and the tuft of snowy feathers which surmounts the
occiput. We have, besides, five or six other species of heron, nearly
all remarkable for their elegance and beauty. The egret is much
admired by the sentimental Chinese, and is often alluded to in
poetical compositions by the style Loo-sze; and the Island of
Amoy is often poetically called Loo-mun, Loo-keang, and Loo-
taon, from the number of these snow-like birds that annually
frequent it.
Of the ninety-two species of Insessores found here, nine are British
birds. Seven species of the Grallatores, and nearly all the Natatores,
with the exception of the pelicans, albatrosses, and a few gulls and
terns, are identical with those found in Great Britain; and again,
many forms that exist in Europe, though not discoverable here, are
represented by very similar and closely-allied forms.
I think here, for the present, I may close my remarks on the Fauna
of Amoy, without proceeding to discuss the Reptilia, Pisces and
Insecta, as it would require a person much more thoroughly versed
in Natural History than myself to undertake it.
It is unnecessary to dilate on the beauties and delights of the study
of Nature: the heart of every man naturally throbs in the contempla-
tion of the Creator’s handiwork, and thrills with joy at the discovery
of some new manceuvre in the wondrous economy which so beauti-
fully modulates and arranges all animal and vegetable life upon the
globe. Solomon said, ‘‘ There is nothing new under the sun;” so,
probably, there is not; but a great deal of what passes around man
is new to him, and astonishes him when brought to his notice, simply
because he has not made use of those powers of observation that he
has been endowed with.
In conclusion, I cannot do better than quote the words that Milton
puts in the mouth of the Divine Author of Nature in his address to
our first parent :—
Marine Aquarium. 6231
“ Ts not the earth
With various living creatures, and the air,
Replenish’d ; and all these at thy command,
To come and play before thee ? Know’st thou not
Their language and their ways ? They also know,
And reason not contemptibly. With these
Find pastime.”
ROBERT SWINHOE.
Amoy.
On Marine Mollusca in Aquaria.
By CHARLES BRETHERTON, Esq.
THE Mollusca are, generally speaking, ill adapted for the purposes
of ordinary aquarians. Though many are equal in beauty to the
handsomest zoophytes, the difficulty of preserving them has
effectually prevented their becoming popular. Many require parti-
cular attention or accommodation different from that of an ordinary
tank ; and as a group their habits are but little interesting, and their
actions monotonous. ‘l’o those who devote themselves to the study
of the Mollusca, the use of the aquarium is almost indispensable : it
is impossible to observe accurately their forms, except in their native
-element, and in the small species this is a work requiring continued
study. To learn their habits and follow their metamorphoses the
aquarium is still more necessary.
Observations on animals in aquaria usually consist of notes on their
peculiarities of habits, but shell-fish afford very little matter of this
kind, on account of the great uniformity and similarity that prevails
among them in this respect. Like all marine animals, they require a
twofold sort of attention: in the first place, they require that the con-
ditions under which they naturally exist should be in some measure
reproduced in confinement; and secondly, proper food. Most shell-
fish can be kept either in a vessel with sea-weed, and a bottom of
shingle or stone, or in one with a deep bottom of pure sand. It is
not advisable to combine the two, though often recommended. An
ordinary aquarium with a layer of sand at the bottom is more difficult
to keep clean, and never looks so well as one with shingle or gravel.
As a general rule, univalves should be kept on rock, bivalves in sand.
As to food, the bivalves and tunicaries are infusorial feeders, and
require no attention whatever; the plant-eating univalves find food
6232 Marine Aquarium.
for themselves in any ordinary aquarium, though some have particular
tastes ; and the carnivorous univalves have to be supplied with appro-
priate food, consisting very frequently of their bivalve relatives. The
latter are evidently the most troublesome to keep.
Purpura Lapillus, our commonest muricidal animal, is as easily
preserved as procured. It is a hardy mollusk, and will live without
food for more than a month. It should be fed with mussels, a small-
sized one, an inch or an inch and a half long, being given every week.
They seem to form its habitual food. I have kept it with oysters,
Modiolas and periwinkles, but it has never molested them. It perfo-
rates and devours its victim in two or three days. The perforation is
more or less rounded, about ~,th of an inch in diameter, and, as the
outer layer of the shell is more rasped away than the inner, somewhat
funnel-shaped. The proboscis is inserted through the hole, and
attenuated for that purpose; it varies in thickness accordingly as it
is more or less elongated. I have seen it inserted. ‘This shell-fish is
shy, and not very active in its habits, and becomes more than usually
sluggish when kept without food. It will oviposit in confinement,
but some capsules deposited in March were not developed in July,
when they were unintentionally destroyed.
I have never fed any of the other Muricidea. Some can be more
easily kept than others; thus, Fusus antiquus is much more active
and hardier than Buccinum undatum.
Natica monilifera belongs to quite a different group of Gasteropoda,
the sand-inhabiting mentiferous tribes. It lives well if kept in sand
and supplied with food, but cannot endure privation of food. It lives
buried, and seldom shows itself. It can crawl quickly over the sand,
and pursues in it the bivalves, killing and devouring those it can
detain in the grasp of its large and flexible foot, which it uses as an
organ of prehension. It can kill those the size of a cockle or a little
larger, but a full-sized M. solida is too strong for it, and can Jive with
it with impunity. Cockles do very well to feed it with, as they are
easily procured, but other bivalves seem to be more to its taste. It
always devours its prey buried in the sand. Ifit captures it on the
surface, it buries itself with it. A cockle once a week is sufficient.
It will also devour, in aquaria, small M. solida and Mactra stul-
torum, Tellina solidula and Donax anatinus. I have tried to feed it
with mussels, and observed it exsert its proboscis and touch them ;
but it always left them afterwards, without boring. The holes it
makes are rather larger than those of the Purpura, but of the same
shape and appearance; they are usually through the umbone.
‘ Marine Aquarium. 6233
In a cockle there is one on the umbone carried through but not com-
pleted, and another, completed, towards the middle of the valve; in
a Donax it is of irregular shape, and on the hinge-line between
the valves. The Natica maintains communication with the surface,
when buried in the sand, by a good-sized hole, that probably com-
municates with the branchial chamber on the left side. When
creeping above the sand, the left posterior angle of the mentum
is raised so as to admit the water to the gills. The tentacles are but
little developed, and laid back against the shell when the animal is
first exserted, but when it becomes more familiarised with its situa-
tion they stand erect, of considerable length, arcuate, with their con-
vexity forwards. The drawing in the ‘ British Mollusca, by Mr.
Spence Bate, is mostly incorrect ; Arthur Adams has drawn it better,
but, as in other figures of his, the animal seems somewhat contorted.
The mouth is provided with two horny jaws, of the same character as
that of Triton, figured in the ‘Manual of the Mollusca’ they are
irregularly triangular, striate, with one side strongly serrated. The
lingual ribbon is less than a third of an inch in length. ‘The jaws
are horny brown, the buccal mass red, the proboscis white; the
latter, when exserted, seems rather thick, but must be capable of
attenuation to pass through the small holes it makes. ‘Though it
devours its victims pretty completely, there is always some animal
matter left, which blackens all the sand round it when it decays.
Unless the shells are removed as soon as the Natica leaves them, the
sand in which it is kept becomes after a while unfit for use. The
former expedient is difficult to adopt, as the only indications of an
animal’s death are the disappearance of its siphons, and the presence
of the Natica in its neighbourhood. Natica can creep up the glass,
but does not adhere firmly ; it leaves a slimy trail.
Turbonilla, Loven. These minute animals afford strong proof of
the utility of the aquarium to the working student. Speaking of the
difficulties of, and perseverance required in, the observation of these
little creatures, Mr. Clark says they must be studied “ with a regular
supply of fresh specimens, as torpidity always ensues in less than
twenty-four hours.” As far as my own limited experience extends,
they will remain lively in the aquarium for at least a month or so.
I can confirm his statement that T. (Chemnitzia) pusilla has the foot
produced behind and pointed, while T. (Chemnitzia) elegantissima is
said to have it rounded behind and shorter. It creeps quickly over
the sand and glass, but very frequently falls off the latter. The shell
is dragged rather than borne; the mentum is carried in the same
XVI. oC
6234 Marine Aquarium.
position as the head of Rissoa,—it is narrower than, and carried iti
advance of, the foot. Clark, and Gray after him, call the mentum
the head; but, as the former himself says the proboscis issues under
the tentacles and above the mentum, it does not seem likely that it
really is so. I have never seen the proboscis exserted.
Capulus hungaricus, contrary to what might be expected from its
sedentary habits, could move for “a few inches even on the smooth
erect sides of a glass jar. The proboscis or rostrum (like that of
Cyprza, it seems to be of an intermediate character) is capable of
extension, and can be produced beyond the shell. I have not
succeeded in preserving it for any length of time. Like most of its
relatives, its habits and food are very imperfectly understood.
Hydrobia Ulve. It is difficult to place much confidence in
drawings of animals of the Mollusca, when we find this common and
easily-observed mollusk most incorrectly represented, both in the
‘ British Mollusca’ and in the ‘ Genera of Shells.’ Besides incorrect-
ness of proportion, which it is not easy to specify with accuracy,
both Forbes and A. Adams have made the foot triangular and
pointed behind, instead of oblong and obtusely rounded; they also
make the opercular lobe narrower than the foot, instead of extending
over the sides as in Bithinia. Adams has also given the rostrum a
curious twist upwards. The emargination of the rostrum is caused
by the retraction of the buccal mass, and disappears when it is
applied to any surface; it then has a slightly globular or inflated
appearance. In the text of the ‘ British Mollusca’ the foot is cor-
rectly described. There is a distinct marginal groove across the
front edge of the foot, which does not extend quite to the tips of the
auricles. The foot is thus bilabiate, or provided with a linear dupli-
cation as in Littorina. There is a curious and easily observable
process or fillet issuing from the anal angle of the aperture, the use
of which is unknown. The male organ is in the usual place, falcate,
compressed, lead-blue sprinkled with yellow. The fcecal pellets are
oval, brown, often clustered; they have not bred in confinement,
though they grow to a very large size, some being as much as one-
third of an inch in length. Clean specimens have the shells
chestnut-brown, lighter near the sutures. When taken on the shore ~
they are of a dark brownish green, and hardly half of the size they —
attain in confinement. The young have the shell more or less trans-
lucent, and the animal colourless; the black bars on the tentacles
appear first as a sprinkling of black dots. The buccal mass is,
Marine Aquarium. 6235
I believe, always coloured red. They are abundant on the, grassy
weed on the stones in sandy places in spring.
Gosse says that Risso (including this species) are precarious, but
I have not found them so. They eat Conferve and weed, like per'-
winkles in confinement, but they are often found in abundance on
sand-banks where there is no weed at all. They creep with ease
over sand, rock and glass: most shell-fish that inhabit sand adhere
very imperfectly to stone and glass, but this is not the case with this
species. ;
Littorina. The common periwinkle is often recommended as a
scavenger in the same mode as the fresh-water snails. ‘The very
insufficient cleaning they bestow on the sides is generally far more
than compensated by the amount of weed they destroy. Though so
often kept, this periwinkle does not seem to breed in confinement,
and its spawn is little known. The viviparous species breed freely :
L. saxatilis, one of the varieties of L. rudis, began to breed in
January. The young have chestnut-brown shells and white animals :
the signs of immaturity are the uniform thickness of the tentacles and
their bluntness, the large size of the head in proportion to the foot,
and the distinctness of the eyes. These little periwinkles do very
well in the aquarium, as they are prettily marked and hardy. ‘They
require to be closely covered, as they often creep out of the water,
and attach themselves by a sticky exudation. {They are here found
in the highest part of the littoral zone, or rather high up on a light-
house in the lower part of the littoral zone.
Nudibranchs are noted for what is called their delicacy of consti-
tution. The real difficulty in keeping them is to supply them with
appropriate food. A Doris will dwindle away to half its original
size before it will give up the ghost: they die from starvation. Doris
pilosa is hardier than D. bilamellata, and some of the small species
seem to live still better. I never kept one more than two months,
but I never paid them proper attention. They feed on Bryozoa
and small zoophytes, and spawn in spring and autumn. The spawn
of D. pilosa is developed ina few days. The free-swimming larve
all die away before casting their shells; they cluster about the sur-
face of the water in considerable numbers. They are often compared
to Pteropoda, but their lobes or wings are not moveable, and their
easy gliding motion is caused by ciliary and not muscular action.
Though so very minute, their peculiar motion enables them to be
distinguished by the naked eye. ‘The free-swimming larve of
barnacles can be distinguished in the same manner.
6236 Marine Aquarium.
Kolis papillosa creeps very quickly, and is lively in its habits. It
is fond of squeezing its flaccid body into crevices and narrow places.
I have fed it with anemones. One, two and a half inches, ate
every week an Actinoloba Dianthus about an inch in diameter.
Lhe tube on the right side of the body can be exserted to some
length.
Cylichna obtusa. These animals live in sand, moving about slowly,
with the head, disk and fore part of the shell buried, and leaving a
very distinct trail, They feed on Hydrobiew, which abound on the
sand-banks where the Cylichne are found. They can crawl on glass
and stone as well as through the sand, but the least obstacle causes
them to lose their hold and fall. They progress by pushing forward
the foot, and then drawing the shell afier it. Unlike the larger
species of the same genus, the tongue seems to be unarmed. I have
not found them do well in aquaria.
Chitons live well in confinement. It is not known exactly what
they feed upon, but I have noticed the common Chiton scrape the
glass like a periwinkle. The appearance of the tongue when in
action is very peculiar, resembling the opening and closing of a fan.
They creep about freely, but their motion is slow. A small specimen
of Chiton cinereus, nearly white, has not grown during a year’s con-
finement. Mollusca very frequently become stunted in aquaria, from
want of sufficient nourishment. It is very frequently the case with
fresh-water snails, which sometimes also become distorted.
Bivalves are less interesting than univalves in aquaria; an accu-
rate examination of a bivalve, moreover, cannot be made without
destroying, to observe, the branchiz and palpi. They generally live
very well, and as they require no feeding they are very little trouble
to keep. Some require a deep bottom of fine sand, and others do
well in an ordinary tank.
The oyster is one of the latter class, and, as it is probably the
hardiest of bivalves, it is very suitable for keeping an ordinary tank
free from the spores of the weeds, —a service for which the presence
of some Acephale is indispensable. Mussels may be used for the
same purpose, and if handsome specimens are selected they are more
ornamental than oysters, though not so hardy. Young mussels are
often abundant on whelk. The siphonal apertures are at first plain- |
margined, and, in the very young, ciliate; the branchial one after-
wards becomes laciniate, and as they advance in age the laciniations
become more and more complicated. The mantle is more protruded
than in the adult, and the terminal character of the umbone less
Marine Aquarium. 6237
marked. They are more active than the mature ones. Like all
byssiferous bivalves, they can detach their byssus and move about.
When the water is insufficiently aérated they usually move to the
surface. Their track is marked by the detached threads they spin to
assist them in climbing.
Modiola Modiolus I have found hardier than the mussel and more
sedentary. ‘They seldom, if ever, move from where they are placed.
The mantle is of a dirty brown with white spots, and its margins are
plain; the anal siphon is distinct from the branchial, and has some-
times a laterally-compressed conical appearance.
Crenella marmorata can be easily kept, and its siphonal develop-
ments are rather peculiar: the anal siphon is tubular, and can be
protruded nearly as long as the shell; the branchial gape extends
from half-way up the anal siphon to the middle of the ventral range,
opening wide enough to show the branchiz; the two margins of the
mantle that form it are plain and often much protruded. The foot
can be drawn out to twice or thrice the length of the shell. The
siphons are white tinged with purplish red. They are active and
lively animals, and often conceal themselves in crevices or tufts of
weed. They do not seem to suffer from being cut out of the tests of
Ascidiz : my specimens were obtained in this manner.
The habits of the sand bivalves, Mactra, Tellina, &c., are all
similar, and they require to be kept in the same way, viz., in a
bottom of pure sand. They seldom move when once buried. I
have preserved several species without difficulty, but, as they show
nothing but the tips of their siphons, they are not very interesting.
The siphons of bivalves vary much in length, but they are often
figured and described as shorter than they usually are. Cockles do
not bury so readily as the others, and their short siphons oblige them
to keep near the surface. Tellina solidula has a peculiar habit of
writhing the inhalent siphon, and touching the surface of the sand
with its tip, sucking in small particles, which can be seen through the
translucent tube. T. tenuis seems to be destitute of this peculiarity.
Young tapes will suspend themselves to the glass sides like young
mussels.
Saxicava lives well, but is liable to be stifled by the thick, matted
and slimy Conferve often common in long-established aquaria.
They either live uncovered, or bury themselves in the shingle. The
siphons of §. rugosa are generally nearly as long as the shell.
When the Conferve gathers round them they are entirely retracted,
6238 Radiata— Birds.
and the animal soon dies. Saxicava possesses limited powers of
locomotion.
Pholades are best preserved unburied, and will live very well,
though never found so naturally ; but if kept in the same vessel with
crabs or other voracious animals, the latter soon destroy them. They
cannot move. The siphons vary in shape; their adventitious
covering falls off in confinement, and they become white. Most
bivalves live naturally in a vertical position, and when Saxicava and
Pholas are kept unburied and horizontal they curve their siphons
with the orifices upwards. The foot can be a little exserted and
moved. It seems that none of the bivalves that bore in rock or other
hard substances can form a new dwelling if removed.
Ascidiz and Cynthiz can be preserved in ordinary aquaria, but the
former require to be kept clean and free from Conferve, and they
soon die if they get foul. Cynthize are not injured by dirt.
CHARLES BRETHERTON.
47, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead,
August 23, 1858.
Occurrence of Actinia gemmacea at Weymouth.—It may be interesting to the
readers of the ‘ Zoologist’ to know that I obtain Actinia gemmacea (Haliaetis gemmacea,
mihi., in ‘Zoological Proceedings’), on this coast ; they are not in very large numbers,
and are of a lovely colour, far brighter than the Devonshire specimens. My man
brought me eighteen on Saturday last. I do not particularize the spot further than by
saying it is within four miles of Weymouth, inasmuch as I am sorry to say that in this
part there is a system of extermination carried on by visitors, and to which Asplenium
marinum and Actinia clavata have already fallen victims, and even Anthea cereus and
Actinia Mesembryanthemum are becoming rare; hence I intend for the future to keep
exact localities to myself, not from selfishness, but simply from a well-grounded fear of
extirpation.— William Thompson ; Weymouth, August 30, 1858.
Note on the Pertinacity of the Spotted Flycatcher in its choice of a pluce for
Nidification.—About the end of June last, a spotted flycatcher began to build a nest
over the door of the lodge at the entrance of my grounds. The woman who lives in
the lodge, not wishing the bird to build there, destroyed the commencement of the
nest: every day for a week the bird placed new materials on the same ledge over the
door, and every day the woman removed them, and, at the end of the week, placed a
stone on the ledge, which effectually baffled the flycatcher’s efforts at that spot; but
the bird then began building at the latter end of the ledge, from whence it was also
driven away, and, three stones being then placed on the ledge, the bird relinquished
|
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of
i
Birds. 6239
the attempt to build at either end of it, and commenced building a nest on a beech-
tree opposite, which it completed, and laid two eggs in it. When the bird was thus
apparently established in the beech-tree, the stones over the door were taken away,
when the flycatcher immediately forsook its nest and eggs in the beech, and again
commenced building over the door, on the part of the projecting ledge which it had
first chosen, ‘The nest was again destroyed, and two slates placed over the spot; the
bird contrived to throw down one of the slates from a slanting to a horizontal position,
and then began to build upon it. The nest was again destroyed, and the three stones
replaced and kept there a fortnight, after which they were again removed, and directly
they were taken away the bird again began building. The nest was subsequently
destroyed several times in succession; the bird was twice driven away by a towel being
thrown at it; a stone wrapped in white paper was placed on the ledge to intimidate
it, but the flycatcher still persevered, completed a nest and laid an egg. On hearing
the circumstance I directed that the persecution of the poor bird should cease, after
which it laid two more eggs, hatched all three, and successfully brought off its brood.
—J. H. Gurney ; Catton Hall, Norwich, September 10, 1858.
Motacilla campestris and M. boarula.—I write in order to notice a somewhat
singular circumstance respecting the Ornithology of this district. Until the year 1855
a common species in this neighbourhood was Ray’s wagtail (Motacilla campestris),
being found extensively both on the verge of the moor-land near Richmond, and also
in the corn and ploughed fields. The gray wagtail (Motacilla boarula), on the other
hand, was by no means abundant, notwithstanding that the rocky banks of the river
Swale were well adapted for the nidification of this species. For the last three years,
however, the case has been exactly reversed; Ray’s wagtail has visited us each year
in gradually decreasing numbers, until this season (1858) I have only observed two
pairs, whilst dozens of M. boarula are to be found within a short distance of the town.
It has been suggested that the enclosure and cultivation of some waste land, which
they formerly greatly frequented, may have partly caused their retreat ; this reason can,
J think, however, hardly hold good, since, in some other districts, the birds appear to
select cultivated land in preference to that which lies waste, and, although deprived of
it here in one instance, there is of course plenty of moor-land to which they could still
betake themselves.— Henry Smurthwaite ; Richmond, Yorkshire, September 4, 1858.
Emberiza nivalis.— Having lately returned from North America, where I had
frequent opportunities, during the winter, of observing the habits of the snow bunting,
I am glad to have it in my power to corroborate Mr. Mathews’s assertion as to its
perching on trees, and his remark (Zool. 6208), “‘and if I persisted in following it up,
would at last fly off and alight on the hedge, or else on one of the trees,” is exactly
similar to what I have noticed; for, when either much disturbed or fired at, they would
occasionally leave the stubble in large flocks and fly into the neighbouring trees, which
then appeared as if clothed with white foliage. ‘They were more than once shot, both
by myself and sons when thus settled among the branches: moreover, they cannot
only perch on “ low broad railings” as stated by Mr. Doubleday (Zool. 6094), but on
the small twigs of the topmost branches. The same writer further observes, “ that the
pure black and white plumage is their summer livery.” Not having been in the Arctic
Regions, where this species is said to breed and pass the summer (North America being
its winter quarters only), I cannot undertake to say what the plumage may be at that
season, but I think Mr. Doubleday’s description of it, “ pure black and white,” is far
more like that of the snow bird (Fringilla nivalis), than that of Emberiza nivalis. He
6240 Birds.
quotes Mr. Selby, who says the snow buntings “ never perch on trees,” to prove his own
assertion, “in no instance have I ever seen one attempt to perch on a bush or tree.”
Probably Mr. Selby may have seen but occasional stragglers, and those in an open
country where no trees were at hand, for, had he visited North America, he could not
have failed to have observed what I have above described. Jt only shows how cautious
we ought to be before pronouncing a decided opinion on the habits of birds that only
occasionally fall under our notice. Mr. Abraham, of Kingston, Canada West, a very
intelligent bird-stuffer (to whom I was more than once indebted for information), had
a caged snow bunting which constantly made use of the perch. As to the editorial
query (Zool. 6094), “ Was the pied flycatcher the bird that he saw?” I should say
decidedly not, for the following reasons:—In the first place, I must notice their great
dissimilarity in size; for the pied flycatcher, according to Macgillivray, measures but
54% inches in length, and 8 inches in extent of wings; whereas the snow bunting,
according to the same author, is 674 inches in length, and 13 inches in extent of wings.*
Secondly, the two birds are of a totally different shape, if not colour. Thirdly, a turnip-
field is not a likely place, I should say, for the pied flycatcher to resort. Fourthly, the
habits of the latter bird, differing so widely from those of the skylark, it is very
improbable that they should associate. Fifthly, Montagu says, ‘“‘ This bird (the pied
flycatcher), rarely if ever makes its appearance in the southern parts of the island.”
Sixthly, Macgillivray states, that “ the pied flycatcher, which like the gray, is a summer
bird in Britain, arrives from the middle to the end of April.” But enough, I think,
has been said to prove that it could not have been the pied flycatcher that was observed
by Mr. Mathews, in January last. Had I reason to doubt its being the snow bunting
I should be more inclined to set it down as either a female, or immature male, of the
Lapland bunting (Hmberiza calcarata), which is about the same size, and not very dis-
similar in colour, for Temminck, tells us (vol. i. p. 323), “ La fémelle a le sommet de
la téte, le cou, le manteau et le dos d’un cendré roux avec des taches noires; une bande
dun blanc roussatre suit la méme direction comme chez le male; elle se réunit avec
un trait blane qui part de langle du bec; gorge blanche, bordée latéralement par une
bande brune; la poitrine marquée de nombreuses taches grises et noires; les autres
parties inférieures blanches; des taches longitudinales sur les flancs.” According to
the Prince of Musignano and Dr. Richardson, the Lapland bunting “ frequently
intermingles with larks.’"—Henry W. Hadfield; Elgin, N. B., September 8, 1858.
Another talking Canary.—Mry. Sotheby relates, in the ‘ Zoological Proceedings,’
some particulars of a canary whose conversational powers made an approach to those
of the little bird which, a few years ago, proved so attractive an exhibition in Regent
Street. This bird was the only one hatched out of a nest of four eggs, and was
forsaken immediately on escaping from the egg-shell; it was found nearly dead in the
nest, placed by the fire in flannel, eventually restored to life and health, and brought
up by hand. Separated completely from all other birds it became familiar with those
who fed it. Its singing notes were totally different from those of a canary: at three
months old it repeated the words “ Kissie, kissie,” and imitated the sound of kissing ;
and afterwards for hours together repeated “* Dear, sweet Titchie; Kiss Minnie; Kiss
me then dear Minnie; Sweet, pretty little Titchie,’ &c.: it also whistles the first bar
* One shot by me on the 29th of October, 1857, measured 63 inches in length,
and 12 inches in extent of wings.
Birds. 6241
of “ God save the Queen,” and imitates the sound of a dog-whistle occasionally used
about the house. The object of my quoting these particulars is to throw an additional
ray of light on that highly interesting subject, the natural source of instruction in song-
birds: the facts recorded by Mr. Sotheby seem to show that song in birds, as in human
beings, is entirely educational. Edward Newman.
Nidification of Swallows.—Since my return from Canada, I have perused with
“some interest (Zool. 5755) Mr. Slaney’s novel plan for ridding himself and others of
the “ nuisance so often complained of,’—7.e. the “ procreant cradles,” or nests of the
martins, placed in the window-sills, and driving them from the dwelling-houses to the
stables, and other out-buildings. Were these latter buildings generally like those of
Hatton Hall this plan might possibly succeed, but we know the reverse of this to be
the case, and that such buildings, for the most part, are of no considerable elevation,
and with few or no windows, consequently totally unsuited to receive the nest of the
martin, as designed by Mr. Slaney. Moreover, it is to be hoped there are still some
few among us who would be inclined to pause before proceeding to carry out this
sweeping or radical reform, which, if successful, would have the effect of driving this
“ contiding social bird,’ “the poor swallow,” “this most harmless and interesting
visitor, whose confidence in man’s protection but too often leads to its own destruction,”
from the dwelling-house to the stable. This appears a somewhat cool and inhospit-
able way of treating “ our generally welcomed guests,”’—besides many persons might,
I think, miss “the constant twittering and noise made during the breeding-season.”
However, it might be fairly asked, What better plan have you to suggest? I must
confess that I know of none, unless our “ zealous, officious and remorseless house-
maids” could be taught to respect the nest of the martin, as they do that of the more
fortunately favoured robin ; but how that change is to be brought about I am rather
puzzled to conjecture, unless the originator of this well-meant scheme would either
indite some pathetic tale or parody the ‘ Babes in the Wood, which possibly might
touch the hearts of some of the young “remorseless housemaids,” but as to the old
maids, whose hearts and feelings may be blunted, and not likely to be worked on or
affected by either poetry or prose, I would suggest for them that they be duly ad-
monished by their lords and masters, and moreover made thoroughly to understand
that for the future no inversion of the broom-handle will be allowed or even tolerated,
but that the staff of this most necessary household implement must be strictly confined
tu its destined use. I also observe in the ‘Zoologist’ (Zvuel. 5790) an article on the
same subject by Mr. R. Smith, in which the following passage occurs:—“ But yet I
think it should be recorded, that in one instance, to my certain knowledge, a swallow did
construct its nest in such a position,’—7.e. under the eaves. ‘The nest seemed very
rickety, and loosely attached to the sill, and, unlike the martin’s nest, the top was not
attached to any part of the projecting eaves, there being a space of about three inches
between the two, by which the old bird made its entrance.” In confirmation of Mr.
Smith’s assertion, and in reply to the editorial query at the foot of the page (Zool. 5756),
* Does not the writer Mr. W. Slaney refer exclusively to martins?” I beg to transcribe
(having nothing to offer of my own) a few lines in elucidation of the subject from the
work of the late Professor Macgillivray, vol. iii. p. 567, Hirundo rustica :—‘ The
materials of which the nest is composed, as well as its form, vary according to circum-
stances. Thus, in August, 1834, I observed several nests of this species stuck beneath
the eaves at the end of an outhouse on the farm-steading of Granton, in Dumfriesshire,
XVI, 3D
6242 Birds.
They varied considerably in form and size. Those in corners were of an irregular,
rounded shape, rectangular above, where they were fitted to the angle, convex in front,
and having on the side at the top a semicircular aperture. In general, the nest is open
at the top, when not fastened under a beam or in a corner, &c.”—Henry W. Hadfield ;
Elgin, N. B., August 26, 1858.
Extraordinary Variety of the Common Nightjar.— Under the above heading
(Zool. 5278) I recorded the occurrence, in July, 1856, of two most singular varieties of
the nightjar, a bird that rarely varies in plumage: these specimens, which were young
birds of that season, were killed near Holt, in this county; and singularly enough, a
few days since, an adult bird exactly resembling the above, except in age, was shot in
the same neighbourhood. I am not aware that any pied specimens of this species were
observed in that district in the summer of 1857, but it would almost appear from this
circumstance that one of the original pied brood had escaped destruction, and returned
in an adult state to its old quarters. This specimen had the throat, breast, belly and
vent with the wings and three middle tail-feathers pure white—H. Stevenson ;
Norwich, September 7, 1858.
' Note on the late Nesting of the Wood Pigeon.—Both the wood pigeon and the stock
dove often nest very late in the year, as an instance of which, in the case of the wood
pigeon, I may mention that my son found one of these birds this morning, sitting on
two eggs in a nest built in a thorn tree in my park.—J. H. Gurney; Catton Hall,
Norwich, September 10, 1858.
The Red Grouse and the Willow Grouse.—With reference to my late communication,
touching the identity of our red grouse with the Norwegian willow grouse (Zool. 6209),
I think two out of the three difficulties raised by Mr. Newman can be explained in a
satisfactory manner. Mr. Newman’s first objection, viz. that “ the willow grouse turns
white in winter, in the same manner as the ptarmigan, whereas the red grouse, although
inhabiting the same districts, exhibits no such tendency,” is, I think, easily explained
by the fact of the red grouse in this country never having to experience the same
severity of climate that the willow grouse has to endure in Norway. That the ptarmigan
in Scotland turns white in the winter-time is perhaps accounted for by the supposition
that it inhabits mountain regions higher than those frequented by the red grouse. I
am not sure, however, that I am correct in this supposition, but it is a matter easily
ascertained. Secondly, Mr. Newman says the wings of the willow grouse are always
white, those of the red grouse never. However reluctant I am to offer an opinion at
variance with so great an authority, I trust he will pardon me for thinking he is
incorrect here. The wings of the willow grouse which I flushed in the Dovrefjelds
were certainly not white, but of a light tawny-brown colour (so far as I can recollect
about the same colour as the back of the land rail). I am sorry I did not examine the
wings of the specimens in the Christiana Museum more closely, but my present im-
pression is that those in the summer plumage had not the wings white, but more or less
mixed with brown, like the rest of the body. Had the wings been entirely white (as
Mr. Newman suggests) I should surely have noticed the peculiarity. On this point,
however, I will not be certain, for the wings might possibly have been concealed more
or less by the bringing forward of the shoulder feathers. The third objection (that
the beak of the willow grouse is much stronger than that of the red grouse), is a serious
one, no doubt, and if correct entirely upsets my speculations on the subject, as it may
fairly be regarded as a specific character. When comparing specimens of the willow
grouse with the ptarmigan in the Christiana Museum, the smallness of the beak of
Birds. 6243
the latter was very conspicuous in comparison with the stout beak of the former. I
did not, however, remark that the beak of the willow grouse was any stuuter than the
beak of our red grouse; had it been otherwise I think I should have noticed it. This
latter point appears to me to be the most important question to solve, and I trust that
some reader of the ‘ Zoologist’ having specimens of both species will carefully compare
the two, and communicate the result in an early number.—P.S. Three slight inac-
curacies occur in my communication above referred to. In the 9th line apical should
be species of ; in line 16 dead should be dense ; and in line 24 field should be Fjeld.—
G. Norman ; September 3, 1858.
[f have an almost unconquerable aversion to that propensity, so dear to British
naturalists, whether zoologists or botanists, to raise those infinitesimal varieties which
occur in Great Britain to the rank of species. Lepus hibernicus, Bell; Pontia
Chariclea, P. Metra and P. Sabellice, Stephens; Satyrus Polydama, Stephens;
Lycena dispar, Haworth; Pvolyommatus Artaxerxes, Lewin; Thymele Lavatere,
Haworth; Trichomanes brevisetum, Brown; Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, Hooker ;
Equisetum Drummondii, Hooker, are British species that have obtained rather volu-
minous notice at my hands, with the view of proving that they were identical with
species previously well established. When, therefore, Mr. Norman’s note came to my
hands, it touched a chord that instantly vibrated in unison: I have always maintained
that it was highly improbable we should possess in abundance a bird that was unknown
elsewhere in the world. Great however as this improbability may be, we must not
hastily link our British grouse to another species, provided it possess a single constant
diagnostic character. What Mr. Norman has to say on this subject, my own objection
to his views, and Mr. Norman’s rejoinder, are now before the readers of the ‘ Zoologist.’
I will not invite Mr. Gould, who appears somewhat pledged to an opinion, but I do
earnestly invite the four ornithologists, who are par excellence the British ornithologists,
to express candidly and fully their opinions on this interesting question. I allude of
course to Mr. Doubleday, Mr. Bond, Mr. Salmon and Mr. Wolley: I know that all
these gentlemen are constant readers of the ‘ Zoologist,’ and I am sure all will be able
to throw light on a subject of such importance. I shall be extremely gratified to
publish their views in the November ‘ Zoologist.—E. N.]
Varieties of Black Grouse and Hybrid between Blackcock and Capercally.—I have
recently examined a very interesting collection of grouse, brought from Russia by Lord
Wodehouse, of Kimberley, collected during his recent Embassy at St. Petersburgh:
amongst these are some pied varieties of the black grouse, which are the more striking
from this species so rarely exhibiting the slightest variation in plumage. Hybrids
between the black grouse and capercally, in countries where both species are plentiful
(as in Russia), are, I believe, not unfrequently met with. The following are the most
worthy of note :—
No. 1. An adult male blackcock with the wings, scapular, flanks and upper tail-
coverts white, the centre only of each feather having a dark streak along the line of the
quill, in some scarcely broader than the quill itself. The breast and back are mottled
with white, like some varieties of the common blackbird, and the feathers on the legs
are also very light.
No. 2. A gray hen mottled all over with white feathers, the remaining portion
being of the usual tint. This specimen much resembles occasional varieties of the
common partridge.
No. 3. A gray hen gradually assuming the cock’s plumage. In this specimen the
6244 Birds.
feathers on the throat and breast are becoming grayish black, with slight purplish re-
flections ; the feathers on the back are likewise edged, more or less broadly, with cir-
cular bands of dark purple, shining with a metallic lustre; the tail feathers are slightly
curved outwards, after the manner of the male birds.
No. 4. A very light buff-coloured variety of the gray hen, bearing all the usual
markings in its plumage, but fainter in tint than is usually the case.
No. 5. A specimen of the Tetrao medius, or Urogallus hybridus of authors. This
cross between the capercally and black grouse so exactly corresponds with the descrip-
tion of a specimen exhibited by Mr. Gould at the Zoological Society in the spring of
1831, that an extract from the ‘ Proceedings’ of the Society at that date may suffice for
the present instance :— The beak is black, the shining feathers on the front of the
neck are rich Orleans plum-colour, and of the eighteen feathers of the tail the outer
ones are the longest. In the cock-of-the-woods the beak is white, the feathers on the
front of the breast are a dark glossy-green, and the centre feathers of the tail the
longest.” i
According to Mr. Yarrell, “‘ The size and colour of these hybrids greatly depend upon
whether they have been produced between the capercally cock and gray hen or vice
versa.” Females of these hybrids appear much more rare than males.—H. Stevenson ;
Norwich.
Occurrence of the Pigmy Curlew at Weymouth.—On the 28th of this month I
bought an adult pigmy curlew, for which I gave twopence; it was shot with a number
of purres, all young, and was offered me tied up in a bunch with them.— William
Thompson; Weymouth, August 29, 1858.
Snipes Neighing or Humming.—On the origin of the neighing sound which accom-
panies the snipe’s play,—that is, its flight during pairing time,—opinions are various.
Bechstein thought it was produced by means of the beak; Naumann and others that
it originated in powerful strokes of the wing: but since Pralle, in Hanover, observed
that it uttered its well-known song or cry, which he expresses by the words “ gick jack,
gick jack,” at the same time with the neighing sound, it seemed tu be certain that the
latter was not produced through the throat. In the meantime I have remarked with
surprise that the humming sound could never be observed while the bird was flying
upwards, at which time the tail is closed, but only when it was descending in a
slanting direction, with the tail strongly spread out. The peculiar form of the tail-
feathers in some foreign species nearly allied to the common snipe, for instance, in
Scolopax javensis, encouraged the notion that the tail, if not the only cause, is in a
considerable degree concerned in the production of the sound. Ona closer examination
of the tail-feathers of our common species, I found the first outer feather especially very
peculiarly constructed; the shaft uncommonly stiff and sabre-shaped ; the rays of the
web strongly bound together and very long,—the longest reaching very nearly three-
fourths of the whole length of the web, their rays lying along or spanning from end to
end of the curve of the shaft, like the strings of a musical instrument. If we blow from
the outer side upon the broad web it immediately vibrates, anda sound is heard, which,
although not so loud, resembles very exactly the well-known neighing. In order to
convince myself fully that it was the first feather that produced the peculiar sound, it
was only necessary for me carefully to pluck out such a feather, to fasten its shaft with
fine thread to a piece of steel wire a tenth of an inch in diameter and a foot long, and
then to fix this at the end of a four-foot stick. If now I drew the feather, with its
outer side forwards, sharply through the air, at the same time making some short —
Dirds. 6245
movements or shakings of the arm, so as to represent the shivering motion of the wings
during flight, the neighing sound was produced with the most astonishing exactness.
If I wished to hear the humming of both feathers at once, as must be the case in the
flying bird, I found this also could be managed by a simple contrivance. I take a
small stick, and fasten to the side of the smaller end a piece of burnt steel wire in the
form of a fork; then I bind to each point a side tail-feather; then bend the wire so
that the feathers receive the same direction which they do in the spreading of the tail
as the bird descends in flight ; and then, with this apparatus, I draw the feathers
through the air, as before. Such a sound, but in another tone, is produced when we
experiment with the tail-feathers of other kinds of snipe. But in Scolopax major,
S. capensis and S. frenata are found four humming feathers on each side, which are
considerably shorter than in the species I have been speaking of. Scolopax javensis
has eight feathers on each side, which are extremely narrow and very stiff. Since in
both sexes these feathers have the same form, it is clear that both can produce the
humming noise ; and by means of experiment I have convinced myself that it is so.—
W. Meves ; Conservator of the Zoological Museum at Stockholm.
[Mr. Wolley, who saw the experiment repeatedly performed, was perfectly satisfied
that this mode of explaining the neighing is the correct one.—Hdward Newman].
Duck breeding in a Church Tower.—The ‘Sussex Express, of July 24, gives, in
answer to inquiries, further information respecting the duck nesting in the church
tower of Bosham (not Rottingdean, as appears from the omission of the former name),
which is noticed in the ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6144). Two ducks were originally observed
on the weathercock of the church, probably a pair, though that fact was not ascertained,
one only having been seen within the tower, which bird was of the breed usually termed
Muscovy. Many persons witnessed her flying to and frorm her elevated nest, where she
had several visitors, and where she sat upon twelve eggs, of which eight proved pro-
ductive, but unfortunately solicitude for the safety of the young ones caused them to be
carried down by hand, so that the problem how the old duck would have conveyed her
progeny to the ground was not solved. The above-named newspaper states that another
duck of the same kind, elsewhere in the parish of Bosham, hatched twelve young ones
in a pigeon-loft, bringing them all down herself, but how she accomplished it is
unknown.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, August 17, 1858.
Occurrence of the Little Gull near Barnstable.—On the 30th of last month I met
a gentleman on the sands near Braunton Burrows, who had just had the rare piece of
luck to shoot a brace of the beautiful and rare little gull (Larus minutus). I had
these specimens in my hands ere they were cold, and noted that they were birds in an
intermediate state of plumage, but looking so near the adult stage that I should think
it probable that, had they lived, next spring would have seen them in the rare mature
plumage. I believe it to be a fact that the gulls (like the falcons and some other of
our birds) go through several moults before they arrive at that peculiar plumage
which marks an old bird. A gentleman has told me that he watched, this spring, a
large breeding-station of the herring gull (Larus canus), and was struck by the fact
that the brown birds (7. e. birds of the year before) kept aloof from those then actually
breeding, and seemed to be waiting their time until they had reached their perfect breeding
plumage. The two specimens of the little gull I allude to had the crown of the head
and back pale French blue; on the nape of the neck was a black patch, almost forming
a ring round it; the wing-feathers were broadly marked with transverse bars of a rich
black; the tail appeared short and broad even for a gull, and the beak and legs were
6246 Fishes—Insects.
greenish black. I had nothing with me to measure the length of the birds, but their
bodies appeared no larger than a pigeon’s.— Murray A. Mathews; Raleigh, near
Barnstable, September 6, 1858.
Shark on the Coast of Sussex.—The ‘Sussex Express, of August 14, states that a
specimen of the porbeagle shark, 6 feet 8} inches long and 3 feet 8$ inches in circum-
ference, was captured in Seaford Bay by the crew of an Eastbourne mackarel boat
during the night of August 8.—Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, August, 1858.
Occurrence of the Sunfish at Berry Head. — A specimen of the sunfish (Orthoga-
riscus mola) was shot this day, August 14th, by a yachtsman, about a mile off Berry
Head, the southern extremity of Torbay, and brought into Torquay, where it was
exhibited by two fishermen. It measured 2 feet 44 inches in lenyth, 3 feet 2 inches
between the extremities of the fins, and 14} inches in greatest breadth, exclusive of
the fins. This is the second specimen of this remarkable fish captured here this sum-
mer.— William Pengelly.
Additions to the Butterfly Fauna of South Wales.—I have certainly three, and I
believe four, more species of butterflies to add to the Fauna of South Wales, as “ Area
6: ”—Colias Edusa, Leucophasia Sinapis, Polyommatus Agestis, and I believe P. Acis
too; of this latter I will not say for certain, because it is so rare and local a species,
but I herewith send you a very careful description, which 1 write with the insect before
me, and from which perhaps you will be ableto decide. ‘The three first species I have
seen on the wing and taken this month, while on a short tour in search of health, in
company with a young brother of the pin and net, and it was he who took P. Acis
about three weeks back, and shewed it me to have my opinion upon it: I have no
doubt he would allow me to send it you for inspection, if you are not satisfied of its
identity,—I am myself, but dare not record it on my own conviction only, when the
female Cardamines has been mistaken for Daplidice. You will now think with me
that the area lately given without a representative is one of the richest, for we may
hardly expect P. Artaxerxes, C. Davus, P. Actewon or E. Blandina; and C. Hyale, P.
Arion, C. dispar, P. Daplidice, A. Lathonia and V. Antiopa are almost as unlikely to
visit us, so that we have but little that is probable to hunt for now.—Robert Drane ;
Cardiff, August 21, 1858.
[The description certainly applies to P. Acis.—£. N.]
Polyommatus Artaxerxes and Agestis.— Mr. Newman, in his observations in last
month’s ‘ Zoologist’ (Zool. 6211), makes it appear that I do not know the larva of
P. Agestis. Now, I admit that I made a mistake by sending in a hurry the wrong
larve to Mr. Logan: in my haste in collecting the larve, finding some small green
larve with a purple marking, and without any examination, I sent them to Mr. Logan
for the young of Agestis; but is this to go against eight years’ practice and ten cor-
respondents who have bred the insect this season from larve I have sent them? I
will most fully atone for this error when I am on the ground again next June. I have
never seen Mr. Newman’s observations on this subject in the ‘ Entomological
Magazine’: if that gentleman wishes to break a lance with me he must take care it
Insects. 6247
does not get broken ; I think I have bent it for him already in the very first thrust.
Mr. Newman has also made a great mistake in stating that the larve I found
feeding upon pellitory were those of Vanessa Atalanta. I still positively state that
they were Cynthia Cardui. (See ‘ Entomologist’s Weekly Intelligencer’ for July, No.
94, p. 125). After the Cardui were full fed, then came the Atalanta ; this I found out
myself after I had bred some of them. — H. J. Harding ; 1, York Street, Church
Street, Shoreditch, September 2, 1858.
{f am well aware that if I append a single word to this communication I give
Mr. Harding the right of a second reply: to this he is most welcome; indeed, I think
he is rather called on to give a little further explanation: if I clearly comprehend
this communication, Mr. Harding admits that he did send to Mr. Logan, “ without
examination, certain larve as those of Agestis in “‘error;” but at the same time he
states that this season he has sent the right larve “to ten correspondents.” Now, in
his first communication, Mr. Harding only refers to what he did years ago and leaves
untouched the fresh evidence of the present year. Of course I could only deal with
the first statement while I was ignorant of the second, but Mr. Harding’s reply above
seems to corroborate my assertion, that the footless green larve mistaken by him for those
of a butterfly were actually those of a beetle: is not this the very error for which Mr.
Harding proposes to atone next spring ? Then again, as regards Atalanta, did not Mr.
Harding mistake the larve of Atalanta for those of Cardui? and did he not “ find
this out himself after he had bred some of them?” It seems to me absolutely im-
possible that Mr. Harding should not know the larva of Atalanta; but how
else shall we read his own explanation? I now can only say, in conclusion, that my
friend Harding shall enjoy the unmolested privilege of a final reply, and that no edi-
torial commentary shall be appended thereto.— Hdward Newman].
The Artaxerxes Question.—I know nothing of the larva of P. Agestis, and therefore
can give no opinion as to whether it is or is not a variety of P. Artaxerxes. It appears,
however, to me, that till both species have been reared from the same larve, no one has
a right to say that they are identical. I must confess that I am an utter unbeliever
in what are called permanent varieties or races. Ifa so-called variety lays a brood of
eggs which all produce a moth precisely similar to the parent, I maintain that this is
the strongest possible evidence that this so-called variety is a species. Mr. Logan
remarks (Zool. 6100) that he should never expect to rear Artaxerxes from an egg laid
by Agestis, and vice versd: he could not, to my mind, in the absence of other evidence,
have used a more convincing proof that the species are distinct. I have never yet
heard or read anything which has induced me to believe in the existence of permanent
Varieties or races in Lepidoptera. I do not think that the experiment has been tried
upon a sufficiently large scale to warrant the adoption of any such theory. Mr.
Harding remarks (Zoo). 6211) that the larva of P. Alexis is very seldom found: I can
only say that it is very plentiful here ; I have taken it by dozens when brushing Ononis
campestris for the larva of H. marginata. I do not know whether the larva of
P. Agestis is apodal, but that of P. Alexis certainly is not, at least not more so than
the larva of the Thecla, which it closely resembles ; indeed a tyro would find it hard to
distinguish between the larva of T. Rubi and P. Alexis. The latter can walk about
perfectly well and crawl about its food-plant ; it drops at the slightest touch: the pupa,
like that of T. Quercus, is enclosed in a slight web at the roots of the grass. I see no
reason why the larva of P. Agestis should suffer from apodal affliction when its brother
Argiolus is free to revel on the top of a holly tree, and I am at a loss to conceive why
6248 Insects.
Mr. Harding should have condemned it to so hard a fate. The coleopterous conclusion
of the matter, however, may hold out a hope that better times are coming.—H. Harpur
Crewe ; Stowmarket, September 3, 1858.
Connexion of Polyommatus Agestis with Helianthemum vulgare. — In the Agestis-
Artaxerxes controversy which is now being carried on in the ‘ Zoologist,’ great stress
appears to be laid on the fact that the larva of Agestis feeds on Erodium, while that
of Artaxerxes feeds on Helianthemum. That the larva of Agestis does feed on Ero-
dium is asserted principally on Zeller’s evidence, as it seems Mr. Harding has made a
mistake in his larve. It is certainly presumptuous in me to differ from Zeller, but
had any one asked me, before I ever heard of this controversy, on which of the two
plants I thought Agestis fed, I should not have hesitated to say Helianthemum. The
facts on which I found my belief are as follow: I have taken Agestis in two places in
Flintshire ; the first is on a rocky limestone hill overhanging the Talargoch Mine ;
here Helianthemum vulgare grows in great abundance, and I am almost certain that
Erodium does not occur. At Rhyl, however, which is barely four miles distant, and
probably at Prestatyn also, which is only two miles and a half off, Erodium cicuta-
rium is abundant on the sand-hills, but no Agestis is to be found. The second place
is also on rocky ground, about three miles from Holywell ; here again Helianthemum
is abundant, but Erodium is not to be found anywhere in the neighbourhood. So
closely does this insect stick to the spot where Helianthemum grows, that in an open
place (about two hundred yards from the small space where it is found) which swarms
with H. Hyperanthus, A. Aglaia and P. Alexis, I have never seen a single specimen :
the two spots are separated by trees. In conclusion, T may add, that I am not
arguing that Artaxerxes and Agestis are varieties of the same species, but merely that
evidence is in favour of the larva of the latter feeding on Helianthemum vulgare.—
Alfred O. Walker ; Chesier, September 12, 1858.
Double-broodedness of the Notodontide.—I beg to lay before those readers of the
‘ Zoologist ’ who may feel interested, the result of my experiments during the present
summer and autumn with Pterostoma palpina, Notodonta dictea and N. ziczac. It
was made known through the pages of the ‘ Zoologist’ and ‘ Naturalist’ that I gathered
sufficient larva of P. palpina and N. dictea to lead me to hope I might obtain fertilized
eggs of both species the following spring, and thus be able to supply that information
as to their double-broodedness which was wanted; for I may be allowed here to remark
that although this double-brooded question has been so long discussed, no one seemed
to set about producing proof. The following are the results of my endeavours to sup-
ply the want of facts. On May 28 the imago of P. palpina began to emerge, and
within the week every pupa produced a moth. I obtained two sets of fertilized eggs;
the first batch was laid May 30 and 31, and hatched June 8 and 9; the Jarva buried
June 27 to July 4, and the imago again emerged between July 27 and August 5.
Another batch laid June 6 and 7, hatched June 14 and 15, larva buried July 10 to 17,
moths emerged August 5 to 12. A small portion of the first batch was placed out of
doors, and remained so throughout; the hatching and moulting scarcely varied from
those in confinement ; birds, spiders and storms, however, so reduced their numbers
that I only got three into pupa, two of which emerged August 5; the third is still in
pupa: this and subsequent experience with this and other insects, has satisfied me that
mere confinement produces no effect on it whatever. The imago of N. dictea emerged
June 1, eggs were laid June 3 and 4, hatched June 12, larva buried July 13 to 19,
moths emerged August 12 to 17. The larve of both these species were fed on growing
Insects. 6249
plants, the eggs being placed among the foliage, and not removed until after the last
month preparatory to their going down. I did not this season rear N. ziczac from
the egg, considering the facts produced last year to be conclusive, but Mr. Greene, in
the ‘ Naturalist, raises the objection that my experiments were with insects in an
“abnormal” state. What has he to object to in the following? On July 17 I took
twenty-two full-fed larve of N. ziczac, twenty of which went down immediately (two
dying). One imago emerged August 12th, eleven on the 13th, three on the 14th and
five on the 15th ; the pupe were out of doors most of the time: they were of course the
produce of the May moth, and will be admitted to have been reared in a “normal”
state. These results require no comment, they sufficiently speak for themselves. I
hope the opponents of double-broodedness have also been pursuing similar researches,
and are prepared to lay the results before the public, or to accept these as conclusive.
I wish to draw particular attention to the following by Mr. Greene, in the ‘ Naturalist’
of May last: alluding to Mr. Crewe’s remarks, he says, ‘“‘ His (Mr. Crewe’s) answer to
my main, I may say my only, objection is not satisfactory. My objection was and is,
that of the pupe dug up even as early as the beginning of August, there is no instance
on record of the perfect insect appearing from them the same year.” I now produce
the “instance” Mr. Greene requires, for undoubtedly those of N. ziczac might have
been dug up “early in August,” if I had not taken the larva just before going down;
they produced the moth the “same year,” without forcing, after being in the pupa
state about three weeks (the duration exactly corresponding with my experiments of
last year). Mr. Greene goes on to say, “I dig at poplars, oaks, elms, &c., all the year
round, but I never found a pupa of either (dicteea or camelina) between the first week
in June and the last in July.” The reason is evident; these insects being double-
brooded are in the larva state during the time mentioned, and therefore, as Mr. Greene
says, not to be found in the pupa. I have taken the larva of N. dictea in July, which
produced the moth in August; I have again taken larve in September, which produced
the perfect insect in May or June. I breed from these, again producing the moths in
August, and at the time I am writing I have young larve of both N. dictea and P.
palpina feeding, the produce of the above, which will doubtless produce the perfect
insect next spring.—George Gascoyne ; Newark, September, 1858.
Cerura bicuspis and Acronycta Alni.—I took, on Thursday last, the 12th instant,
a fine larva of C. bicuspis, and on Saturday, the 14th, the larva of A. Alni, nearly
full grown ; both of them appear to relish in confinement the alder, upon the leaves of
which I found them. I also found, on the 12th, two Coleophora larve, feeding in the
seed-pods of the gorse or furze. My friend, Mr. Wilkinson, says they will be C. albi-
costa.—R. Cook ; 10, Castle Crescent, Scarborough, August 16, 1858.—‘ Intelligencer.
Occurrence of Timandra prataria near Folkestone.—I took a good specimen of this
Geometra near Folkestone the latter part of July last, but though I searched well for a
week, I was unable to meet with another.— H. Tompkins; 44, Guildford Street,
Russell Square, London, September 16, 1858. '
Sterrha sacraria a British Insect. — There is a record of the capture of a second
specimen of Sterrha sacraria on the wrapper of the September‘ Zoologist ;’ I call it a
fourth British specimen of sacraria. I possess the first, taken by Mr. Howse, near
Bristol; Mr. Reading records a second, taken near Plymouth; Dr. Battersby, a third,
taken near Torquay; Mr. Barrett’s is, therefore, the fourth; unless some further
information be given, perhaps his specimen may also be doubted.—J. C. Dale ;
Glanville’s Wootton, near Sherbourne, September 13, 1858.
XVI. SE
6250 Insects.
[I willingly supply the further information desired. Mr. Barrett is one of our
most persevering and most successful searchers of the gas-lamps: one night he took
a Geometra with which he was totally unacquainted; he came the next morning and
described the new capture, which, as he is remarkably accurate and precise, I con-
cluded at once to be sacraria, and told him so: the news seemed almost too good to be
true; but as soon as the insect could be moved from the setting-board it was
obligingly brought to this office, and I will vouch for its being a genuine sacraria. I
would willingly communicate to Mr, Dale, through the ‘ Zoologist,’ the very lamp-
post that produced this treasure, but Mr. Barrett has not permitted me to do so. —
Edward Newman).
Larva of Camptogramma gemmaria.—A lovely female of this species laid me
some eggs on the 24th of July; they were oblong, flattish and yellow, but changed
to a dusky brown colour on the Ist of August: the following day the larve hatched ;
at first they were very dingy, but on the 8th of August became dusky sap-green, and
on the 16th assumed their characteristic markings. There were evidently two distinct
varieties, one of which had the ground-colour of a greenish gray, tinged with
red between the segments; the spiracular line blackish and irregularly interrupted ;
the back (except the last two segments) dusky, having on the intermediate segments a
row of five elongated diamonds of the ground-colour, with a dusky dot in each ; on
the front segments these markings ran into three parallel dusky lines, while on the end
segments there were four slender dusky lines arranged in a diamond pattern; the
prolegs had a dusky stripe running down them. The other variety had the ground-
colour of a light yellowish green, quite yellow between the segments ; the spiracular
line and the pattern on the back faintly indicated by dusky black lines and dots.
These larve fed readily on groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), at last eating through stems
bigger than themselves ; but, as their frass seemed very watery, I doubt whether this
is their proper food. They were quiet in their habits, resting on the under side of the
leaves, hiding themselves skilfully, and could not be easily dislodged; when dis-
turbed they curled up the front segments, but not into such a twisted knot as I have
sometimes seen in more slender loopers. From the 21st to the 23rd of August the
larve, being full fed, spun up in moss. After having been in pupa about a fortnight,
the perfect insects emerged. There went down two of the green and four of the
darker larve ; there have come up again one C. fluviata (3) and five C. gemmaria (? )
—such a narrow risk did I run of missing the solution of this problem! Solved,
however, it is, and C. fluviata and C. gemmaria are hereby declared to be man and wife.
I expected to find the difference of colour in the larve would turn out to be a
sexual one; this, however, has been contradicted by the result. The pupa is brown,
smooth, spiked at the tail, enclosed in a thin silken cocoon in moss. I have now
seen in all about fifteen specimens of C. fluviata and six of C. gemmaria, and find that
the absence in each of what were considered the distinctive markings of the other is
not constant: the subapical blotch of C. fluviata may be traced more or less dis-
tinctly (sometimes quite distinctly) in C. gemmaria; while some specimens of C. fluviata
have the central spot placed in the light ring, only the dark ground of C. gemmaria
makes this ring shine forth much more brightly, just as a nigger’s sable skin
enhances the whiteness of his eyes. One of my bred specimens, having given me the
slip over the edge of the table, was detected in a dark corner of the room by the
white spots on the fore wings. As to the other markings, they are, line for line,
precisely similar; so that the ground-colour alone remains to make the sexes look
Insects. 6251
unlike, and perhaps further breeding may sometimes upset this.—Anon, in ‘ The
Lntelligencer” (‘The name known to me.—E. Newman].
Habits of Camptogramma gemmaria.—I quite agree with Mr. Gregson that C. gem-
maria is a swamp insect: I have taken a fine series this season (the female is the
C. gemmaria and the male the C. fluviata of Guenée’s arrangement) : it occurs at the
Boiling Well, near Ashley Hill, aud also in some meadows near here; in both instances
in low swampy ground. Each of the females I took kindly supplied me with eggs, but
unfortunately none of them have proved fertile, so that my expectation of being able
to rear it from the egg has come to an end, at least for the present.—G. Harding, jun. ;
Stapleton, Bristol, August 27, 1858.—‘ Intelligencer.’
Camptogramma gemmaria and C. fluviata.—I have lately taken a fine series, the
female being C. gemmaria, the male C. fluviata of Guenée’s arrangement. Ihave no
doubt that these insects constitute but one species, having taken two male specimens
of the latter hovering over a female of the former: all the specimens I possess have
occurred in low marshy places; one I took from off a willow.x—Henry Bolt ; 15, Beau-
mont Place, Stapleton Road, Bristol, September 14, 1858.
[I may add to these interesting communications that in the ‘ Synonymic List of
British Lepidoptera, by Messrs. Guenée and Doubleday, these insects stand as a
single species: the list will be advertised for publication in a few days.—E£dward
Newman).
Occurrence of a Peronea new to Science at Liverpool.—I am now taking the second
brood of a pretty, variable, yet distinct, little Peronea, the P. potentillana of Cooke ; they
feed exclusively upon the leaves of the strawberry, preferring the white-fruited varieties.
On the 8th of September they were in profusion flying over the strawberry-beds ; I ran
for my net, leaving Mr. Almond trying to box a few; on my return the pic-nic was
over, and I only secured a few ‘‘ choice spirits” who did not intend to go home till
“ daylight did appear.” On the 9th instant, which was cold and windy, I saw two;
I took one and left the other to breed; on the 10th five were seen, three of them in bad
condition; 11th a close evening, I was closely engaged in looking after my little
favourites, everybody else spying for the comet, which everybody said was about 10
degrees high in the north-west corner of the sky, but which I did not see, for just then
up got my “ flee,” and I secured about a dozen good ones, when the revels were over,
and not another could be seen, where one minute before hundreds were on the wing !—
C. S. Gregson; Fletcher Grove, Stanley Liverpool, September 12, 1858.—From the
‘ Intelligencer. ,
Carabide in the Isle of Sheppey.—The result of recent excursions in this district
prompts me to recommend it as a productive field to coleopterists generally and the
student of the Geodephaga in particular. The main object of my first visit was the
rare Stenolophus elegans, whose head quarters in the neighbourhood of Sheerness are
known to an elect few. On reaching the well-known spot, which has hitherto supplied
all collections, “ Hope sighing fled,’—the place was completely submerged, and not
a specimen could be won from the adjacent soil. Much of the neighbouring marsh
land had been newly broken up by the plough, and the clods, with the surface-grass
attached, had lain sufficient time to afford convenient shelter for Coleoptera, the pro-
fusion of which both surprised and interested me. In such situations I took pretty
freely, together with others of lesser note, the large Hister 4-maculatus and Zabrus
piger. Early in the present month I made a second visit, and after considerable effort
was rewarded by the capture of eight specimens of 8. elegans, which I took by the road-
6252 Entomological Society.
side leading to Queenborough, and about half-a-mile from the spot where it was
originally discovered. On turning the clods I found in company with Amara con-
vexiuscula and a host of Harpalide, Anisodactylus peeciloides, of which I secured an
ample supply, in all its beautiful varieties of green, purple and copper: as there is
reason to suppose that no other station yields this insect so plentifully, I have deemed
the record not unworthy a corner in the ‘ Zoologist. —A. Haward ; Gloucester Road,
Croydon, August 23, 1858.
Calosoma Sycophanta near Bristol. — On the 30th of June last Miss Powell, of
Henbury, had the good fortune to secure a perfect specimen of this magnificent beetle,
conspicuous alike for its rarity and beauty; it is probable that a living specimen has
never before been seen in this part of England. With the greatest liberality Miss
Powell has presented me with her specimen.—P. V. Vaughan ; Redlands, Bristol.
Proceedings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SocIETY.
September 6, 1858.—Dr. Gray, President, in the Chair.
Donations.
The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the
donors :—‘ Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung,’ Nos.4—-9; presented by the Entomo-
logical Society of Stettin. The ‘ Zoologist’? for September; by the Editor. The
‘Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,’ Vol. xix. Part 1; by the
Society. ‘Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,’ Vol. iii. No. 9; by the
Society. ‘ Catalogue of the Birds in the Museum of the Hon. East India Company,’
by Thomas Horsfield, M. and Ph. D., F. R. S., Keeper of the Company’s Museum, and
Frederic Moore, Assistant; by the Court of Directors. The ‘ Journal of the Society of
Arts’ for August ; by the Society. The‘ Literary Gazette’ for August ; by the Editor.
The ‘ Atheneum’ for August; by the Editor.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Janson exhibited, on the part of Mr. H. Squire, a box of Coleoptera, collected
by him during a visit which he had just made to the Shetland Isles, and remarked, that
considering the period of the year at which this trip was undertaken, his short stay of
a week only, and the limited district which he had investigated (for the unpropitious
State of the weather had precluded him from extending his excursions beyond three
miles from Lerwick) the series now before the Meeting must be looked upon as highly
satisfactory. The number of species amounts to one hundred and twenty-five, and,
although the major portion of them are forms familiar to every London entomologist,
still there are among them several to which he would direct the attention of the
Meeting.
The first of these is apparently a species altogether new to the British list, the
veritable Nebria (Carabus) nivalis of Paykull, which Drs. Kraatz and Schaum have
recently shown is not identical with N. Gyllenhalli, Schomh., as had been generally
supposed. The specimens now under consideration differ from N.Gyllenhalli (the
Entomological Society. 6253
ci-devant nivalis of British collections) in having a smaller thorax, which is more
narrowed posteriorly; the striz on the elytra are much shallowed, and the impressed
points or punctures much more evident; and, moreover, the femora are black, the tibie
and tarsi alone being red.
The second is a Patrobus which does not entirely correspond with the P. excavatus,
Payk., Dawson, differing in having the thorax shorter and more rounded at the sides
and its sculpture coarser; it appears to agree with an insect taken by Mr. Marray in
the Clova Mountains, by the Rev. Hamlet Clark in North Wales, and by Dr. Power
in Lancashire. Mr. Squire, who has compared it with continental specimens of
P. lapponicus, Chand., in the national collection, refers it to that species.
The third is a species of Hydroporus manifestly differing from any at present in our
list, and which the Rev. Hamlet Clark considers will, in all probability, prove to be
the H. Lapponum of Gyllenhal.
Fourthly, Hydroporus halensis.
Fifthly, Otiorhynchus maurus.
And lastly, an Omalium, which is scarcely referrible to any of the recorded species.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a specimen of Pieris Daplidice, taken by Mr. Spencer, near
the South Foreland lighthouse, on the 6th of August last.
The Rev. Hamlet Clark exhibited a box of Coleoptera, recently taken by Dr. Power
in Lancashire, containing an extensive series of Bembidia, and numerous rare
Staphylinide, &c.; also a singular monstrosity of Bembidium concinnum, having 23
tarsi on one of the fore legs; a specimen of Euryporus picipes, taken at Preston Marsh
by Mr. Graham; and Hydroporus ferrugineus, also from Lancashire, being a new
locality for that rare species. He also exhibited a specimen of Opilus univittatus,
Rossi, a species hitherto considered peculiar to Italy, which had been sent alive in a
pill-box to Mr. Baly, by a lady residing at Malvern.
Mr. Stevens exhibited a small box of insects, sent by Mr. Shield from Monte
Video, containing, amongst other minute Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, a singular
species allied to Claviger, found in ants’ nests, and a Lithocolletis closely allied to
L. lautella of Europe.
Mr. Douglas exhibited an apparently new species of Coleophora, found amongst
Atriplex, at Seaford, in Sussex ; also a small Heterocerus, and a Bryaxis, of which he
had been unable to determine the species, found in the mud under stones in the same
locality.
Mr. McLachlan exhibited an Acrobasis, new to Britain, taken at Forest Hill, which
Mr. Stainton had pronounced to be A. rubrotibiella of Mann., a species hitherto
only found near Vienna: it is closely allied to A. tumidella, though sufficiently distinct,
as pointed out by Fischer-von-Réslerstamm in his illustrated work.
Mr. Bond exhibited four fine bred specimens of Carpocapsa saltatans, Westw.,
with the pupa cases and seeds from which they had emerged.
Mr. Waring exhibited a singular pale variety of Pacilocampa Populi.
Mr. Adam White exhibited the flat pupa-case of a Cebrionideous genus from North
China, and remarked on the vast field of research still open to entomologists in the
transformations of Coleoptera. He also communicated the following :—
“Mr F, G. Nicolay, a promising young naturalist, who lately went to St. Salvador,
Brazil, sent over, within a week or two of his landing, a box containing the following
6254 Entomological Society.
insects. The list may be not unworthy the notice of the Members, and its publication
may encourage youthful entomologists to persevere, and ascend from collecting to
observing transformations :—
Papilio Thoas Vanessa Lavinia
» Polydamas Anarta Jatrophe
Heliconia Halia » Amalthea
Evides Dianasa Heterochroa Cytherea
Mechanitis Lysimnia Argynnis Hegesia?
Agraulis Vanille Didonis Biblis
sy Judvulia Polyommatus and three or four
Danais Gilippus Hesperie.
» Archippus
Terias tenella Beetles.
» Mana Phaneas Jasius (very common)
Callidryas Eubule of principalis
Ageronia Ferentina Cyclocephala melanocephala ? ”
Mr. Tegetmeier observed it was generally believed that pollen was only used as
food for the larve of bees, and not by the perfect insects; he had, however, frequently
observed bees on the alighting-board of a hive, especially in dull weather, eating the
pollen from the legs of their companions as they arrived. He had continued the
experiments detailed by him at the July Meeting of the Society, with a view of
ascertaining the cause of the hexagonal form of the cells of the hive bee, and found
that when excavating in a solid mass of wax they always formed cylinders, but on the
sides of the cells approximating they invariably became hexagonal; he considered
therefore that the hexagonal form resulted simply from the cells being constructed with
a view to the greatest economy of space, and not from any predetermined plan on the
part of the bees.
Mr. Lubbock remarked that Mr. Darwin had made similar experiments to those
described by Mr. Tegetmeier, with precisely the same results.
Mr. Smith maintained the assertions made by him at the July Meeting that in
wasps nests the cells are constructed of an hexagonal form, and do not acquire it from
compression or any other cause. He exhibited the nest formed by the female of Vespa
vulgaris in the spring, as sufficient proof that the hexagonal form was not caused by
two insects working at the same time at the formation of adjoining cells, as had been
suggested to be the cause with bees; he also exhibited nests of a South American spe-
cies of Polybia, and of Icaria guttatipennis, in which he observed the outside cells
were as angular as those in the centre of the layers of comb, thus proving that the
hexagonal form could not, in these instances, result from lateral pressure.
Dr. Gray observed that the theory of lateral pressure certainly was not applicable
to the cells of wasps, as they are constructed of a material, which when once hardened
never alters its form.
Mr. Downie exhibited a small observatory hive of his own invention, fixed on the
top of the stock hive, and a hive, constructed by him, with an improved mode of
ventilation. —E. S.
Notices of New Books. 6255
NATURAL-HiIstTory BooOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.
The Aquarian Naturalist: a Manual for the Sea-side. By Tuomas
RyMeEr Jonrs, F.R.S., Professor of Natural History and Com-
parative Anatomy in King’s College, London, &c. London:
John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row. 1858.
The work is most agreeably and popularly written. It contains
524 pp. feap. 8vo., and 8 plates, printed in colours by the process
called chromolithography. It treats only of salt-water objects, and a
second volume by the same author is advertised as shortly to be pub-
lished, similarly illustrated, intituled ‘The Freshwater Series of the
Aquarian Naturalist; being the Natural History of the Animal In-
habitants of our Streams and Ponds, adapted to the purposes of the
Aquarium.’ The price of the published work is 18s.
The Natural History of the Tineina. Vol. ILI., containing Ela-
chista Part I., Tischeria Part I. By H. T. Starnron, assisted
by Professor ZELLER, J. W. DovuGtas and Professor Frey.
London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row. Paris: Deyrolle,
Rue de la Monnaie, 19. Berlin: E. S. Mittler und Sohn,
Zimmerstrasse 84,85. 1858.
This volume is the third ofa series, and written in four languages
arranged in parallel columns,—English, French, German and Latin.
It contains 270 pp., demy 8vo., and 8 plates, mostly drawn and entirely
engraved by Mr. E. W. Robinson, and beautifully coloured. These
plates leave nothing to be desired, and do great credit to the artists
who have executed them. The price of the volume is 12s 6d.
A Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects in the Museum of the
Hon. East India Company. By Tuomas HorsFiEtp, M. and
Ph.D., F.R.S., Keeper of the Company’s Museum, and Freprric
Moore, Assistant. Vol. I. Printed by order of the Directors,
London: W.H. Allen & Co., 7, Leadenhall Street. 1858.
The work is the first of a proposed series. It contains 280 pp.
demy 8vo, and 18 plates, plain or coloured; these illustrate details of
6256 Notices of New Books.
metamorphosis in a manner most acceptable to the entomologist.
The price is 10s. plain, 20s. coloured.
eel
The Life of Linneus. By Miss BriGHTWELL, of Norwich. London:
John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row. 1858.
A brief and unassuming compilation. It contains 191 pp. feap.
12mo, and an etched frontispiece. The price is 3s. 6d.
The Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. With illus-
trations. 1858. Part I., January—March; Part II., March—
April. London: Longman & Co., Paternoster Row. 1858.
Part I. contains 112 pp. demy 8vo, 9 coloured plates and 1 plain.
Part II. contains 134 pp. demy 8vo, 7 coloured plates and 3 plain.
The plates are beautifully executed from drawings by Wolf. The
price of each part is 9s. 6d.
A Cyclopedia of the Natural Sciences. By Witu1AM Bairp, M.D.,
F.L.S., British Museum, with Map and numerous I]lustrations.
London and Glasgow: Richard Griffin & Co., Publishers to the
University of Glasgow. 1858.
This volume contains 613 pp. demy 8vo, a profusion of well-drawn
and well-engraved wood-cuts, and a zoological chart, showing the
distribution and range of animal life,in which the names of the car-
nivorous animals are printed in red and those of the herbivorous ani-
mals in blue,—a plan which catches the eye and conveys information
to the mind rapidly and effectively. Between this map and the letter- —
press some slight discrepancies occur; thus the kangaroos or pouched
rodents are coloured blue in the chart, as being herbivorous, while in
the tabular view they appear as the fourth family of the order Fera. ©
The price of this very useful volume is 12s. 6d: it is marvellously
cheap.
Quadrupeds— Birds. 6257
Bats flying in the Sunshine-—Whilst walking on Box Hill, last Sunday afternoon,
the 12th inst., I was surprised to see more than a dozen very large bats on the wing,
circling around with a lofty and rapid flight, like that of the great Noctule. The day
was clear and warm, and, althongh it was nearly six o’clock, the sun was shining
brightly, and the whole face of the hill was strongly illuminated, yet the bats were
apparently as much at home in the sunshine as the swallows, which were sporting
about in their neighbourhood, but at a respectful distance. As I believe it is unusual
for the Noctule to appear so late in the season as September, or indeed for any of our
bats to come out in such bright weather, I shall be glad to inquire if some one among
your correspondents can tell me to which species these animals are likely to belong.
I did not hear them utter any cry.—&. W. H. Holdsworth ; 26, Osnaburgh Street,
September 16, 1858.
Contributions towards a Biography of the Red Grouse.
By the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, M.A.
For several years past I have had continued opportunity of fre-
quenting one of the best and most abundantly stocked moors in
Yorkshire; and, partly from love of the wild freedom of the moor,
and partly because the moor affords me short cuts to several dif-
ferent parts of a very wide and straggling parish, I have availed
myself of the opportunity aforesaid at all times of the year, and,
perhaps it is hardly necessary to add, much more frequently without
a gun than with. It may be that some of the observations I have
made on occasion of these moor rambles may not be uninteresting to
some of the readers of the ‘ Zoologist;’ and I have therefore given an
hour or two to the compilation of the present paper, hoping that,
though in the eyes of the savagely scientific it may take no higher
rank than that of a “ dish of gossip,” it may yet be as acceptable to
the lover of living birds as that sort of light food usually is to its
customary consumers.
The red grouse, or, as they are almost universally named here,
moor-bird, pairs very early. I have seen them coupled—not univer-
sally of course, but still so commonly as to be much more than
simply noticeable—by the 20th or 21st of December. Last winter
they had paired before the old year was out, and by the middle of
January they had, almost universally, formed their annual union.
But the match so early made is very often broken off, at least
in appearance, under the pressure of cold and hunger. The last day,
a Sunday, in January this year was a very cold day, with snow on the
ground and still falling. As I went over the moor to a district of the
XVI. 3 F
6258 Birds.
parish two miles distant from my residence, I saw the grouse in packs
of thirty or forty each. Up to two or three days before they had
been seen in pairs, and that too, as I have just said, from before the
commencement of the year. I remarked to an acquaintance I met
with as I descended from the moor, —‘“ We shall get some hard
weather now: I saw the grouse packed as I came across the moor.”
And surely the frost and snow did come, and in earnest. It was
some time after this before the final pairing, that which was destined
not to be again interrupted, took place; perhaps, fully three weeks.
During the whole of this interval the partridges continued paired.
I think it was on the 5th of February, a bitter cold day, with several
inches of snow on the ground, I went down the beck, thinking it not
improbable I might fall in with a duck or two. In the course of my
walk I saw or came upon the traces of fourteen several pairs of
partridges ; and neither on that day nor on any other during the con-
tinuance of the cold weather did I see more or less than two together.
Once, about a week later, while the snow was still lying thick on the
ground, I saw the footmarks of three together; but I did not see the
birds themselves, and should have little doubt that they were three
“old bachelors.”
During the pairing-time fierce fights between the male birds are of
continual occurrence, and one can scarcely set foot on the moor with-
out seeing signs of conflict. One of the most common is one cock
pursuing another with eager pertinacity ; and so absorbed are both in
the passions of the moment that not unfrequently they cross once and
again in close proximity to the spectator, in the course of their rapid
wheeling flight, without appearing to heed his presence. When the
spring is somewhat more advanced the grouse may be seen close to
the road-side, and they are then seldom much disturbed by the
passage of the traveller. Sometimes they do not take wing at all,
and their flight, if they take one, is seldom to any distance. They
are in full plumage at such times, and the beautiful crimson crest of
the male is very conspicuous, and very fully displayed as he stands
with his head up and his eye on the passer-by. The short flights of
the male are also usually terminated by an upward movement of a few
feet, and the utterance of his peculiar note or “ crow” as he alights
on some little hillock or other eminence on the surface of the water.
The number of eggs laid by the grouse is much less than in the
case of the partridge. It may also be remarked that it is consider-
ably more difficult to ascertain the number of a brood of grouse than
in the case of a covey of partridges. The latter commonly all rise
Birds. 6259
together; grouse do not while still less than full-grown, and, when
full-grown, seldom live or move much together as partridges in covey
do. My own impression is that seven or eight young birds is more
than a full average brood. Last season’s hatch was an unfavourable
one.* One day, about a week before the season came in, J gave an
old dog of mine a run over part of the moor, and in the course of my
walk I saw two broods of seven or eight, several of five or six, anda
great many more of two or three. A deserted nest I walked over
contained seven eggs, and I should say that a nest containing four-
teen or fifteen eggs (see Yarrell, ii. 317) is very rare indeed.
The young birds, while still quite small, like the young partridge
and peewit, show great readiness in concealing themselves. You may
disturb a brood of little grouse, and see them “squandering,” as folks
say here, in all directions. The one or two you happen to have fixed
your eye on, or otherwise “ marked,” may be picked up easily enough.
The search for the others, however, except on very unfavourable ground
—unfavourable, I mean, to the bird from want of roughness or cover
—will most likely be baffled. They hide themselves in a marvellous
way, squeeze between objects that seem to forbid all passage, worm
their way amid the cover,—unless, indeed, the cause of alarm is very
close to them, in which case they lie like stones, and without a dog it
is in vain to think of finding them after the first mimute or two of
alarm and dispersion.
I have already noticed that, unlike the covey of partridges, the
brood of grouse seldom rises en masse. Very constantly—at least
after the young birds can in a degree shift for themselves by flight,
but still are far short of full growth—the old cock is the first to rise.
On the first sign of an intruder, whether man or dog, he appears to
take the hint, and begins to beat a retreat. He runs perhaps twenty
or thirty yards or more, and then takes wing, often at a very safe dis-
tance from the gun, if there be one. The hen, on the other hand,
remains with her brood. She may rise the first, when flight becomes
necessary, but just as often it is a young bird which leads the way :
it seems to depend on the chance which causes either the pointer or
the man to stumble on this or that particular bird. ‘The others con-
tinue quiescent until “ found” in their several turns, and unless two
or three happen to be laid close together it is seldom that more than
one, or possibly two, rise together. The young birds, when about
* This was written very early in July. The same remarks, however, will apply,
word for word, to the present season, and to the numbers of the broods I saw in the
course of one or two similar walks taken this year.
6260 Birds.
three-quarters grown, will often run a long way through the ling, and
at other times, and very frequently early in the season, lie so close
that it is very difficult to induce them to fly. Indeed, they are often
taken up by hand to save them from the dog, who, if young, is apt to
be misled by their pertinacious quiescence into giving them a nip
with his jaws. When lying in this way it is no easy thing to detect
them in their concealment. But all this becomes utterly changed in
the course of a very few weeks. On the 27th of August, last year, |
killed 153 brace in three or four hours’ shooting, in spite of indispo-
sition so severe that [ was obliged to lie down several times after dis-
charging my gun. I might have doubled the number killed, easily.
Scarcely one month later the gamekeeper, having orders to send
away thirty brace within a week, was out almost daily himself for
eight days, and was assisted on two days by an under-keeper and
myself. On one of these two days, Sept. 22, I was out for four
hours, and, having no cartridges with me, was only able to get three
or four grouse. From this time to the end of the season a dog is of
very little use on these moors, except for the purpose of finding a
wounded bird. An old dog who will keep at heel, and not be very
eager to range, is therefore all the sportsman takes ; and it is but sel-
dom he can walk within thirty yards of a grouse on the open moor.
Now and then, to be sure, he may walk upon one; but if he wants to
make a bag he must get birds as he can, by the use of the cartridge
and by means of a species of stalking, or by “ driving” the moor.
I do not think this wildness of the grouse is to be accounted for
simply on the ground that the birds have been often disturbed
or harassed. (See Yarr. ii. 318). This moor has been very little shot
since I have known it, and some years a great proportion of the birds
might scarcely hear a gun fired very near them; and yet all became
equally wild every year. Indeed, this year they became very wild in
August, and I believe up to the present date, Sept. 13, have never
been very easily accessible. A slight and early snow sometimes has
the effect of rendering it more easy to approach them, at least for a
few hours ; but, ordinarily, the most extreme cold, and a covering of
snow a foot thick, does not appear to tame them at all. Under such
circumstances they collect in enormous packs, and betake themselves
to some particular part of the moor, it may be to a hill-edge, or where,
from the conformation of the surface, the snow may have been driven
off to a greater or less extent.
I have seen a wounded grouse dive beneath the snow, and conceal
itself among the ling below. One I knew thus concealed was dis-
Birds. 6261
covered by the shooter dropping the cartridge he was proceeding to
load with, and on stooping to pick it up finding it had fallen almost
or quite upon the bird.
An old bird will often run a long way before taking flight, and
when wounded, if not followed immediately, will run quickly and
silently away to a great distance. If pursued at once, he runs
awkwardly, and with a great deal of noise and disturbance, and is
easily caught; unlike the partridge, whose speed is great enough to
baffle even a fleet human pusurer.
Grouse frequently fly some considerable distance over the en-
closures, from one part of the moor to another. I was one day
walking by the beck-side, a full mile at least from the moor on either
hand, when [| heard the note of the grouse. Looking up, I saw two
flying at a great height above me, I should think 500 or 600 feet at
least. The total length of their aérial trip could not have been less
than two miles. Last winter, again, I saw from fifteen to twenty fly
over my premises, scarcely out of gun shot. Their flight, probably,
was little less in length than in the other case.
They may constantly be seen alighting on a wall, and cackling or
crowing there. I have seen this at all times of the year, but it is
more frequently observable when the influence of the breeding ctopyn
is upon them. Then the cock bird, if an intruder comes near, often
flies to some little eminence or a wall, if there be one near, and crows,
and raises his head in watchful observation of the stranger.
It is very remarkable, about the time the general hatch draws on,
how all grouse-life seems to have ceased on the moor. A few days
before the observer would have seen a great number of birds, princi-
pally cocks, as he crossed the moor; now he may walk for an hour
without seeing more than a bird or two. I have this year traversed
certain parts of this moor for miles, and not seen half-a-dozen grouse
in the course of my whole walk; while at a somewhat earlier period
the same walks would have probably showed me thirty or forty pairs.
The objects of such close concealment of themselves are sufficiently
obvious.
Grouse do not here often descend far from the moor on to the cul-
tivated land. They may sometimes be seen, early in the morning, in
such corn-stubbles as are close upon the verge of the moor. If, how-
ever, the stubbles are on the same level as the moor, and merely sepa-
rated from it by the enclosure-fence and not by any portion of inter-
vening “ bank,” it is no unusual thing to see them at feed. There
were one or two such stubbles in my beat last year, and I more than
6262 Birds.
once saw grouse, ringdoves and pheasants at feed in such close proxi-
mity to one another that they were quite intermingled. Itisa familiar
fact, which the gamekeeper often avails himself of when desired to
furnish a supply of grouse late in the season, that just about daybreak
they are found in some numbers, and less wild than an hour or two
later in the day, close on the edge of the moor bordering on the
enclosures. These officials will tell you that the moor birds are then
on their return from the enclosures where they have been feeding.*
If a grouse be found on the cultivated land in the day-time, it is
usually a sick or wounded bird, or a greatly terrified one. I have
known a grouse dash into a thick hedge fully a mile distant from the
moor, and lie there to be picked up without making an attempt to
escape. No signs of injury were discernible upon it, and on being
liberated some hours afterwards—the next day, in point of fact—it
flew away at once, and with nothing unusual in any way perceptible
in its conduct. Probably it had been pursued by a hawk, and in the
excess of its terror had sought the first possible means of concealment
and safety that offered itself. No hawk was visible, but that might
possibly be accounted for by the circumstance that the observer's
attention was engrossed by the dash of the grouse and its capture
quite long enough to permit the hawk to withdraw himself from
inspection.
On the subject of the “ grouse disease,” or the “ tapeworm” as it is
diversely called, I have no remarks to offer. JI have scarcely ever
seen a bird suffering from this destructive malady on these moors,
and I think I only shot one or two last year which showed signs of
any disorder.
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