1 1 8 The Scottish Naturalist. 



(one), S. convolvuli, Chcerocampa celerio (one), Demas coryli (not rare), A. 

 ligustri, A. myricce, N. lutosa, A. pyrophila, T. subsequa, T. orbona, (var. 

 Curtisii), E. lutulenta, A. herbida, A. occulta, H. rectilinea, P. festuccB, 

 S. lunaria, P. pilosaria, D. obfuscata, E. punctaria, E. pendularia, H. auran.- 

 tiaria, L. hexapterata, A. dcrivaia, P. lignata, C. psittacata, C.suffumata, var. 

 and C. obliquaria ; also Stenopteryx hybridalis. Near Aberdeen I last summer 

 took Spilodes sticticalis, and Scopula ferrugalis, but only one specimen of each. 

 All the above are now in the University Museum, and were all undoubtedly 

 taken in Aberdeenshire.— J. W. H. Traill, University, Old Aberdeen. 



Sphinx convolvuli in Orkney.— I have received information of the cap- 

 ture of Sphinx convolvuli lately at Harray. — Id. 



Insanity in a Dog.— In a former number of the "Scottish Naturalist" 

 there appeared a request that those who have observed cases of insanity, or mad- 

 ness (as distinguished from rabies) in animals, should put them on record. Such 

 a case came under my own observation some four years ago, and I give accordingly 

 a brief account of it : — Billy, the unfortunate patient, was a favourite terrier dog, of 

 a breed between the " Dandie Dinmont " and Skye Terrier ; he was of very active 

 habits and shewed much affection for all about him ; he was reared by hand from 

 the time he was a few weeks old. When Billy was about fifteen months old we 

 noticed a change in his disposition ; he no longer indicated any desire to ac- 

 company us in our walks, or showed those signs of active pleasure and affection 

 he had been used to display. This increased till he became sullen and morose, 

 and would not even come when called by his name ; and then he used to absent 

 himself from home for a whole day sometimes. The house where he lived was 

 situated at the foot of a hill, in this neighbourhood, and it was discovered that 

 Billy during these absences, used to betake himself to a lonely part of the moor, 

 and there occupy himself with howling in a most persistent and dismal manner. 

 I did not see or hear him myself thus engaged, but have no reason to doubt the 

 accuracy of my informants on this point. Again the illness advanced a stage, 

 and Billy became the victim of a new symptom, — viz., a tendency to turn round 

 in one direction, I think towards the left, but am not sure on this point. This 

 rapidly increased till at last directly he stood up he commenced turning round 

 and round till he was exhausted and lay down again. This turning became so 

 constant that he could not even stand up to eat on account of it, and as he was 

 becoming a wretched object from damage done to himself by knocking against 

 things, I gave orders for him to be destroyed, and this was done the day after I 

 left home for a month. There was accordingly no examination made of his 

 brain ; this is much to be regretted, as it would have no doubt revealed amply 

 sufficient causes for his illness. Some time after being buried he was exhumed, 

 and his skull is now in the museum of Dr. Grierson of Thornhill. It is a well 

 developed skull, and exhibits nothing peculiar. I should think the course of his 

 illness extended over about three months. This case was clearly oneof cerebral 

 disease, accompanied by symptoms quite similar to those which, when occurring 

 in man, are called insanity.— D. Sharp, Thornhill, Sept. 6, 1871. 



