1877.1 253 



not even give an opinion. It is also an albino, but not so pale as those already men- 

 tioned, having oblique, fascia-form, cloudy markings. 



The most striking feature in this phase of variation — or what might be called 

 the nubiferana-form of each species — is, that such markings as aj'e found bear no 

 relation whatever to the normal markings of the species to wliich they belong, and 

 in this it differs frouialbinoism, as observed in other groups of Lepidoptei'a, while 

 the specimens, although differing so greatly in size and form, bear a curious resem- 

 blance to each other, and the variation seems to be confined to the anterior-wings. 



Dr. Wocke quotes nuhifei'ana, Steph., as an aberration of Penthina scriptana, 

 H. {JBrachytcenia Hartmanniana, L.), from which I judge that he has seen a similar 

 variation in that species, but he ignores Haworth's description o? nubiferana entirely, 

 being probably puzzled by a reference in Haworth to SciapJiila Wahlbomiana, to 

 which the insect does not bear the faintest resemblance. There is a chalky-white 

 variety of Sciaphila perterana, Gn., found at Folkestone, among the ordinary forms, 

 but it is devoid of any marking whatever, and can hardly have caused the confusion. 



Now that the tiubiferana-form. of variation has been noticed in five species, 

 belonging apparently to as many genera, it will be interesting to ascertain how much 

 further it extends, and any information on the subject will be acceptable. — Id. : 

 3rd March, 1877. 



Acherontia Atropos in the North of Scotland. — Having observed a notice of 

 the occurrence of A. Atropos at Wick, I beg to inform Mr. Sandison that I have a 

 specimen in my collection which was taken at Keiss, some years ago, resting on the 

 sail of a vessel. It is a good specimen, and measures 4^ inches across the wings. 



There is a northern specimen of A. Atropos in the Banff Museum, possibly the 

 one mentioned in Smiles's " Life of a Scotch Naturalist," as Mr. Edward was Curator 

 of the Museum when I saw the specimen there, and he used, I believe, himself to 

 fill gaps in the Collection. 



A. Atropos has also occurred sevei-al times at Banchory, in Aberdeensliire ; but 

 the specimens in any case I have heard of have been smaller than is usual further 

 south. — L. DuNBAE, Wiek, Caithness : Qth March, 1877. 



The Colorado Beetle. — Doryphora decemlineafa having been discovered in a 

 living state at Bremen upon goods imported from New York, and having also been 

 seen at other places in Germany, the Commissioners of Customs have issued an order 

 to all ports that the precautions already directed to be observed {vide p. 181 ante) 

 are to be exercised in the examination of potatoes brought from Bremen or any 

 other German port : — a further endeavour to insure that no potato-beetle shall be 

 passed without receiving the official stamp. But will Doryphora come with potatoes 

 only ? — J. W. Douglas, Lee : \Uh March, 1877. 



Precocious appearance of Melolontha vulgaris. — At the Meeting of the Belgian 

 Entomological Society, held on 3rd February', 1877, M. Weycrs exhibited a living 

 $ of Melolontha vulyaris, from Paris, which the mild weather had tempted out. 

 M. Delamain (Bull. Soc. Ent. France, 1875, p. xli) has recorded this insect on the 

 wing in the middle of January, at Jarnac, Charente. 



