NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA. 261 



Orthosia macilenta and ruhricosa both occur in woody places; the latter 

 along with 0. gracilis^ was taken in abundance in Argyleshire by Mr. Buxton. 



Triphcena fimbria is rarely met with; we are only aware of its occurring 

 in the Isle of Bute. 



Plastenis suhtusa occurs in the vicinity of Ayr. 



We have but few additions to mention amongst the geomctrine moths— 

 Ilimera pennaria and Zerene ruhiginata, are all that we have lately noticed 

 as new to this district. These species do not appear to be common. 



Such are a few features in the Lepidopterous fauna of the west of 

 Scotland, which however faulty as exhibiting anything like a complete catalogue, 

 may still be worthy of attentive perusal by the student of the geographical 

 distribution of the insect world; and while we now take leave of this interesting 

 branch of Scottish Entomology, it only remains to suggest a few hints as to 

 the utility — the legitimate use of local investigations. Any remarks on this 

 subject, the proper estimation of which we have so much at heart, we feel 

 can only be addressed to the naturalist, for by him alone can they be un- 

 derstood; with mere collectors we have nothing in common, however much 

 we wish their labours were turned to the permanent good of science. 



The first, and indeed the great use of investigating local fauna, consists 

 in giving the student of nature a knowledge of the range of species, and 

 what we may term their positions of locality. At page 208 of the present 

 volume of this magazine, we observe a query by a correspondent, whether 

 the insects of Guernsey, etc., ought to be considered British; such a question 

 we had never noticeS, and far less answered, had a reply not served to illus- 

 trate the subject under our notice. 



A fundamental error with the majority of local faunists consists in their 

 limiting their observations within the capricious boundaries of counties or nations. 

 This would be so far well, if it were intended merely as a step towards 

 the elucidation of the entire natural range; but how seldom is this the case, 

 how rarely do we find their interest in the subject extended to nature's own 

 boundaries. Let the unprejudiced naturalist take a glance at those entomological 

 cabinets devoted exclusively to British species, and he will quickly discover what 

 a precious jumble is there made in geographical distribution. In such col- 

 lections he will find two if not three distinct ranges of distribution, illus- 

 trated by species taken within the British Isles forming an arrangement to 

 the entire exclusion of such as occur in the remaining portions of the same 

 sphere of natural habitats. The only interest to the naturalist in such collections 

 would consist in their elucidation of geographical character; this they do not 

 possoss; whilst as a systematic arrangement, the defects are still more apparent; 

 thus leaving an impression on the mind that such arrangements could only 

 have been dictated by the most capricious absurdity. 



If such entomologists must have an arrangement of local fauna, let them 

 study nature's geography, and act accordingly. Let them, if they will, separate 

 the Alpine fauna of the north from that of England, and study it in its 



