1877.] l;i9 



having no tendency to distort the leaf. The larrro were not in or under the webs, 

 but perfectly exposed, the webs being probably only used as a shelter at night. In 

 no single instance did I find any leaves united by these larvee, nor any with the 

 edges turned down. 



In my tin, in which I had a number of larvee together, a considerable amount 

 of spinning was made, far in excess of what I had mot with out of doors, and here, 

 consequently, there were appearances as of leaves spun together, but this I take to 

 be an accident, arising from confinement, and not the normal habit of the insect. 



These larvae only occurred on some elm underwood growing amongst a haw- 

 thorn hedge, and were restricted to a space of about half-a-mile. It was elm, with 

 a peculiar form of leaf, more resembling horn-beam ; on the ordinary elm on the 

 opposite side of the lane, I saw none of these larvae, nor did I observe any of their 

 ■webs. Hitherto, I have sought in various directions in the neighbourhood, but 

 without finding a fresh locality for these larvae. The latest date at which I have 

 noticed the larva was October 2nd. — H. T. Stainton, Mountsfield, Lewisham : 

 October 8th, 1877. 



On the halits of Opostega spattdella, Guenee. — On the 11th June, I again met 

 with this insect flying, between 6.30 and 8 p.m., over the tops of long grass, resting 

 at short intervals on the blades, as though ovipositing ; I could not, however, detect 

 it in the act. I did not then observe it flying more than eighteen inches from 

 the ground. 



That evening, the weather was extremely favourable, but they were not plenti- 

 ful. I searched diligently for several subsequent evenings, but without success ; 

 perhaps 1 was rather too late, as in 1876, I took them May 30th. 



On the 6th September, on my way to some woods near here, I observed a little 

 thing on the wing, raising its flight to go over a high hedge on my right, and which, 

 on knocking it down with my stick, proved to be 0. spatulella. I had, fortunately, 

 my net in my pocket, which I soon arranged and prepared myself for action ; but, 

 unfortunately, not expecting to meet with this little moth, and being out more for a 

 walk than for the purpose of collecting, I had taken very few boxes with me, how- 

 ever, all I had were very speedily filled. The insect was flying in tolerable plenty 

 in the lane, but the range of its flight was limited to a space of about twenty yards. 

 The moths ceased to fly shortly before six. That afternoon the weather was very 

 fine — clear sunshine and southerly wind. Then followed two days of northerly 

 wind, and though I went each day to the spot, not a specimen could I see. 



On Monday, September 10th, the weather was more favourable, but I was 

 unable to go after my little friends, so I sent my little boy (10 years old). He 

 reached the spot about 2.30 p.m., but saw nothing of them till 4 p.m., when they 

 began to fly, and he obtained a fair number of them. IIo informed me that he saw 

 but few after 5 o'clock. I sent him again several times, but the weather was 

 generally unfavourable, tlie wind having settled down in the north-east, and lie saw 

 no more of them. 



Whilst collecting Nepticida larva; on Saturday last in the same district, I dis- 

 turbed a small moth from the elm, which, on capturing it, proved to bo O. spaiulella. 

 It was not in so good a condition as those taken on the Gth September, but in much 

 better condition than those taken in June. I beat the elm for some distance, but 

 did not dislodge another. 



