308 tflE fiNtOMOLOGlST's RECORD. 



of the clasp, and advancing the clasp as a Avhole, by a similar action to 

 that by which a micro pupa emerges from its cocoon. The position 

 and direction of the spines of the clasp are such as would agree with 

 this view. It is, however, probable that since the clasp muscles must 

 be in action during the whole time the grip is held, they will also cause 

 the bending of the clasp, as observed throughout this period. — T. A. 

 Chapjian, M.D., F.Z.S., F.E.S., Betula, Reigate. 



:]^OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 



Lepidoptera at Burnley, 1898. — The spring was unusually cold, 

 and at times very wet, and little could be done until the beginning of 

 June, when there was some improvement. Spring larvje were rather 

 scarce, except Flusia iota, with which were also taken a few P. 2^ul- 

 chrina, Nodua haia and Triphaena comes (orbona). Almost the 

 only imagines taken in May were Anticlea badiata, at dusk, and 

 Saturnia 2}avonia, on the moors. A few things appeared in the 

 breeding-cage, of which the best was a well-marked Sjnlosoma 

 lubricipeda (on April 27th), of which No. 76 in Newman's British 

 Moths gives a good idea. The larvfe was taken at Bungay, Suffolk, at 

 the end of August, 1897. I'tilodontis })alpina emerged on May 1st, the 

 larva; taken at the same time and place. During June the weather was 

 more favourable, and a corresponding increase in insects was observed. 

 Hypsipetes impluviata began to emerge on May 31st, when they were 

 found drying their wings on the alder trunks about five feet from the 

 ground ; they continued to come out all the following week, and by 

 the 11th June were getting worn. The majority were dark, with 

 scarcely a trace of the band (at the base) ; a few were quite typical ; 

 although some were kept a few days, no ova were obtained. A visit to 

 the moors on June 4th, only produced Ematurga atomaria and 

 Cidaria suffumata, while by the 11th, Emmelesia albulata, Coremia 

 ferrngata and Kupithccia pidchcllata had appeared, and in the same 

 district, on the 2oth, Kupithccia nanata and Hadena dentina. 

 Hepialus velleda occurred on the 25th, but was not at all plentiful 

 till July 6th, and continued on the wing till the end of the month ; 

 about one specimen in eight was the aberration gallicus, but all the 

 latter were males, except three ; from one of these ova were obtained 

 very freely. From the 26th to 30th, Melanthia oceUata, Coremia 

 designata and Emmelesia decolorata were taken, also on the 30th, a 

 pair of Dicranura vimda, first time for Burnley district. Sugar 

 during this month, and indeed for the whole season here, was a com- 

 plete failure, not a single good moth turning up. In the breeding-cage, 

 Nactua /estiva emerged on June 10th-16th, Larentia caesiata, 19th, 

 Flusia 2)tdchrina, ldth-2,9ih, and on the 23rd, Miana strigilis var. 

 aethiops. July and August were both fairly good months, but after 

 the middle of July not much was done, owing to business engagements. 

 Early in the month (July) Melanippc montanata were extremely 

 abundant, and in the woods, Melanthia occllata, Emmelesia decolorata 

 and Cabera 2)ns(tria occurred, while Caradrina cubicularis was 

 plentiful in the house and gardens. Venusia cambricaria was 

 first obtained on June 80th ; on July 9th they were plentiful, and 

 were about over on the 18th. One specimen, taken July 15th, was a 

 fine smoky variety, the only one I have seen of this species. Ova 



