186 ENTOMOLOGY. 



red, and sharply pointed. Mr. Stainton certainly made a slip of the pen 

 •when he gave September as the month for finding the larva. (C.) 



9. B. pcrla. — This insect is taken, but not commonly, in the neighbourhood 

 of Stowmarket. (B.) 



{To be continued.) 



Rare Lcpidoptera. — The last two or three years have been distinguished by 

 the re-appearance of rare species of British Lepidoptera. Agrotis lunigera 

 and lucernea, Heliophobus hispida, Crimodes templi, Petasia nubeculosa, 

 Phlogophora empyrea, and Noctwa ditrapezium, have all been found, and some 

 of them iu considerable numbers, by the indefatigable perseverance of our 

 collectors. We believe that others are known, though not generally, in con- 

 sequence of the precaution rendered absolutely necessary, of not publishing 

 the localities of rare species, by the wholesale extermination system of those 

 who advertise for insects by the gross. Thus we have very good reason 

 for believing that C. dispar is not extinct. Limacodes asellus was taken 

 last year by hundreds. Mr. Battersby found that beautiful insect Acontia 

 luctuosa both last year and this, in considerable numbers, and we reported in 

 our last, his capture of several specimens of Micro, Ostrina, an insect only known 

 to have occurred once before in England, and that single specimen at 

 Bideford, in 1825. In our last number, Mr. Dorville recorded the capture of 

 I). Livornica. All this proves that entomology is progressing in this country; 

 for the discovery of rare insects (though isolated cases may be accidental) in 

 a multiplicity of species, shows increased diligence and interest in the science 

 on the part of our collectors. It is worthy of note also, that these discoveries, 

 not only among the Lepidoptera, but other families in Entomology have been 

 made by the hard-working collector who studies in the fields and woods. — Ed. 



Double-broodedness of the Notodontidce. — Is it not probable that further light 

 will be thrown on the question of the Double-broodedness of the Notodontidce 

 until additional facts are supplied; and certainly the advocates of the annual 

 development only, have offered little else than opinions. I secured a supply 

 of fertilized eggs of both N. dictcea and P. palpina, amply sufficient to enable 

 me to breed the insects both in the "normal" and "abnormal" state; the 

 young larva; are feeding well, and I hope to be able in some measure to 

 supply the want. I find the casualties in the natural state very great, especially 

 while the larvae are young, Mr. Chapman, of Glasgow, privately remarks that 

 it is not a matter of much moment, whether certain insects are single or 

 double-brooded, and 1 agree with him; but it is most interesting to know, 

 whether being taken from their native haunts and bred in confinement, as it 

 is termed, will produce such a remarkable change in their economy. Had 

 Mr. Greene produced facts in support of his assertion that this change does 

 take place, it would have added to our knowledge; but mounting his hobby 

 "abnormal," he charges all who think otherwise, without offering a fact in 

 return. Will he draw the rein for a moment, and explain to us how it is 

 that, while according to his theory the Notodontidce are so -readily affected, 



