248 A FEW NOTES OX SOME INSECTS TAKEN IN SWITZERLAND. 



picked up some crumbs. A Squirrel, in a fine oak overhead, attracted my 

 attention, and as soon as I moved, Mr. Mousy was off like a shot. 



Having regaled myself I left, though reluctantly^ this charming spot, and 

 proceeded in search of new discoveries. In doing so I walked along a narrow 

 cart-road, nearly overgrown with grass and moss, running through an irregular 

 part of the wood. Here I took a nest of caterpillars of the Golden-tail Moth, 

 (Porthesia chrysorrhcea.) As I traversed this cart-road I came to a small 

 pool of water, which is well supplied by a little stream issuing from the hills. 

 In and around this pool was a grand display of insect-activity. — The Water 

 Scorpion was feeding away with the greediness of the Wolf on the larvae of 

 other insects. The Dragon-Flies, (Libellulce,) were here in abundancej I 

 captured several good specimens. While I was engaged watching a battle 

 between a large hunting Spider, (Aranea viatica,) and a Grasshopper, I was 

 startled by a heavy clap of thunder. I perceived, to my disappointment, that 

 some dark clouds were gathering round; and being about four miles from 

 home I considered a speedy retreat most suitable to my personal comfort — I 

 therefore acted accordingly. However, I had not proceeded above a mile ere 

 I was compelled to take shelter from a heavy storm of rain, which did not 

 entirely abate until I reached home, which was about four o'clock, p.m.; a 

 much earlier period than I anticipated when I started in the morning for 

 Warminster Down, 



St. Cuthhert's Place, Wells, July ?>Oth., 1852. 



A FEW NOTES ON SOME INSECTS 

 TAKEN DURING A SHORT TOUR IN SWITZERLAND. 



BY S, ARTHUR SEWELL, ESQ. 



To the naturalist only travelling a few degrees south of England, the change 

 in the natural appearance of the productions is scarcely less interesting than 

 the magnificent scenery which he may there meet with. I found this to be 

 the case in a short tour made last August through various parts of Switzer- 

 land, and it has struck me that a few notes on the insects I met with might 

 not prove unacceptable to your readers. 



During ray passage through France I had seen from the windows of the 

 train innumerable insects, (chiefly butterflies,) which it had never been my 

 fortune to meet with on the wing, and I longed for the time when emanci- 

 pated from diligences and railways I might capture some new specimens for 

 my cabinet. 



My first opportunity was one beautiful morning when under an Italian sky 

 I left Charaounix to walk over the pass of the Tete Noire to Martigny. It 

 was about seven o'clock, but even at that comparatively early hour the insect 

 world was all alive, revelling in the blaze of sunshine which was unintereepted 

 by a single cloud. Though utterly unprovided with any entomological apparatus, 



