266 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Note on Leaf Galls.— During the past summer I found specimens of the 

 round pellucid leaf galls of Spathegaster baccarutn — the well-known "Currant" 

 gall-fly of the oak — placed on the upper-side of the leaf. This appears to be a 

 very rare occurence, the rule with those Cynipida, who make their galls on 

 leaves, being to have them on the under-side, where no doubt they will be better 

 protected from the attacks of their enemies. Cynips lignicola is abundant in 

 all the woods surrounding Glasgow. It also occurs near Hamilton. The birds 

 appear to destroy a good many of the larvae. — Id. 



Popular Entomology.— I really think you ought to give to the enclosed scrap 

 a corner in your journal, as it serves to show how rife ' ' popular '' entomology 

 is in the land. Of course the insect is some Sirex, but the article shows that 

 the Scot. Nat. has not appeared a day too early : — 



Insect Life in a Coal Pit. — "Of late the miners employed at Muiredge coal 

 pit, a little to the north of Buckhaven, and on the Wemyss estate, have felt con- 

 siderable annoyance in consequence of large winged insects fluttering around 

 the flames of their lamps, and often extinguishing them. A miner named 

 William Semple had his attention directed to several gimlet-like holes in the 

 wooden props that support the workings, and on closely examining the same, 

 discovered live moth-like insects in the cavities. They are evidently foreigners. 

 The wood of which the props were made came from abroad, and they have 

 been in the pit between three and four years. The insects are in many cases 

 just emerging from their birthplaces into active life underground, and resemble 

 wasps, but are not altogether like those in this country." — Edinburgh Courant. 

 Albert Muller, F.L.S., Eaton Cottage, South Norwood, S.E., 13th August, 

 1872. 



Note on the Habits of Crymodis exulis.— I took a few specimens of 

 Crymodis exulis during a visit to Iceland, in the month of July, and perhaps a 

 note or two thereon may assist in helping on the discovery of this " rara avis" 

 in Scotland. 



As I was always travelling all day, my only time for looking after insects 

 was in the evening, and all my specimens were taken at rest at that period of 

 the " undying day," for night there was none. I found them in sheltered grassy 

 slopes, and always in those lying to the east or southeast. They were in pairs, 

 resting on the tops of long blades of stiff grass, and so pretty conspicuous. 

 When boxed they tumbled to the bottom, and save one turn to right themselves 

 on their legs, made no movement whatever. My specimens vary somewhat ; 

 one being almost black. — W. Douglas Robinson, Christ Church, Oxford, 

 September, 1872. 



Vanessa Antiopa in Perthshire— The unusual number of specimens of 

 this beautiful, and hitherto in Scotland, very rare butterfly, is astonishing most 

 collectors of Lepidoptera. I am able to report two Perthshire examples, 

 one seen near Dunkeld on August 22nd, by Colonel Drummond Hay and 

 myself, and another on the same day at Moncreiffe, by Sir Thomas Moncreiffe. 

 Neither of them were captured. It will be seen from the reports below, that 

 (for this species) many others have been seen in Scotland. I shall be glad to 

 record any others that may have been seen. — F. BUCHANAN White. 



Vanessa Antiopa in Berwickshire.— I have to report the following recent 

 occurrences of the "Camberwell Beauty" near Eyemouth. One caught by a 



