46 



Mr. A. A. W. Buckstone exhibited series of, and contributed the 

 following notes on the genus : — • 



1. Hibernia defoliaria from West Wickham, Bexley, Wimbledon, 

 and Epping Forest. One specimen of those shown is particularly- 

 interesting. It has the bands on forewings of a purplish hue. I 

 have taken this species as early as late September and as late as mid- 

 April. From 1887 to 1913 I paid considerable attention to the perfect 

 insect, and during that period must have captured some thousands, 

 of which the two hundred and fifty specimens here before you are 

 a fair example. Judging from my experience, I should say this 

 species is more variable, both as regards markings and size, than it 

 was a few years ago. The non-banded form ab. obscnrata is 

 greatly on the increase at West Wickham and Wimbledon, and 

 collectors inform me that it appears to be more common than 

 formerly in Epping Forest, where it is becoming darker in colour. 

 This variety appears to be subject to " crippling " of the wings 

 more than any other. The females of this species are not so 

 sensitive to severe weather as are those of the other members of the 

 genus, and will emerge from the pupa even when the grass has 

 frost upon it. 



2. H. aiirantiaiia, from Wimbledon, Epping Forest, and West 

 Wickham, including very pale (almost white) specimens. 



3. H. wan/inaria, from Wimbledon, Richmond Park, and 

 Oxshott ; var. fnscata from Anerley, Surrey, and Leeds, also a series of a 

 form of this species about intermediate between fnscata and the 

 type. These lastrmentioned were bred from a female fnscata taken 

 near Oldham, in a wood where the typical form is supposed not to 

 occur. The ova were forwarded to me at Wimbledon, and the larvae 

 were bred in that district, the food given them being birch. 



4. H. rxpicaptaria, from Wimbledon and Epping Forest. The 

 males from the last-mentioned locality are slightly darker than 

 those taken in the former. On exceptionally mild and moist 

 evenings the females have been seen to jump considerable distances. 

 Possibly the light of the lamp causes this skittishness. 



6. H. leacuphaearia, from Wimbledon and Richmond Park. 



6. H. aurantiaria and H. defoliaria might be considered early 

 spring insects, as there is no considerable emergence of either 

 species until after a touch of winter. 



Messrs. R. Adkin, R. T. Bowman, A. E. Tonge, H. A. Leeds, 

 P. S. Williams, Edwards and Turner exhibited the same species. 



Mr. Bowman's series of tl. defoliaria were taken in Epping 



