MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 45 



charmed all who heard them. This concert took place on December 19th.^ 

 ■which was an intense cold day, but the crowded state of the Hall occasioned 

 its being extremely warm, and no doubt induced the Peacock to quit its 

 hybernaculum, under the delusion that summer had again returned with all 

 its sunny memories. — Sidney Style, Brighton. 



Plantago lanceolata. — On the 7th. of June, 1854, whilst entomologizing 

 on Carrington Moss, I found the above-named plant, my attention being 

 first directed to it by its curious appearance. I have since shewn it to 

 a botanist of note in this city, with whom I am acquainted, who informed 

 me of its rarity. — C. Fryer. 



Boletus squamosus. — I found a specimen of this fungus on the Quercus 

 Kobor, 27th. of August, 1854. It weighed five pounds and a half, and 

 measured four feet ten inches in circumference. — Idem. 



Occurrence of Acherontia atropos at Southport. — A fine specimen of this 

 beautiful and highly-prized Moth was taken here on the 29th. of August 

 last. It was found by a gardener amongst some weeds, and was shortly 

 after shewn to me. — Idem. 



Vanessa Atalanta. — Three specimens of this handsome Butterfly have 

 been taken here this season. One of them was captured by myself, August 

 31st., and the two other specimens were taken by friends, residents of 

 the place, and who had not seen it before for several seasons. — Idem. 



Relaxing of Insects. — Being in London lately for a couple of days, on 

 business connected with the drainage of my glebe land, I took the oppor- 

 tunity of visiting the British Museum, and while looking over the splendid 

 collection of foreign insects there, I was struck with the intelligent and 

 animated expression of the countenance of a man who looked like a mechanic, 

 and who was talking very eagerly to one of the curators about some insect- 

 hunting. When he went away I enquired his name, which I found was 

 Turner, and following him out was so fortunate as to overtake him, as 

 he had stopped to speak to some one in the passage. I went with him 

 to his 'temporary lodging up three pair of stairs, at No. 39, Broad Street, 

 not far from the Museum, and there found his wife, who proved to be as 

 zealous a collector as himself He shewed me his captures in the New 

 Forest last summer, and a ^'splendid lot" they were, and set in the most 

 perfect manner. But what I wish to mention more particularly is the 

 mode he shewed me of relaxing insects, which is an improvement on those 

 I have hitherto seen. This being the season of the entomologists' ^'relaxation," 

 I cannot do better than give it, as it may be useful to many. It is as 

 follows: — Get an earthen jar with a lid or cover to it, or if it has not 

 a lid, it will do to cover it over with a doubled or trebled cloth well 



