LYMIXGTON AM) ITS iNSECTS. ii87 



ray lamp, and though far from dark, went round furiously until ii.io p.m., 

 wlion the flight was virtually over. I have often tried this time of 

 year going round later on. but I always find the moths sitting about, 

 " chewing the cud," and not upon the sugar. 



I shall be interested to hear what my brother entomologists have 

 to say about their experience of the year 1902. 



Lyniington and its insects. 



By BEKNAED PIFFAED. 



The New Forest hardly requires advertising, its character is fully 

 established, but I tliuik it is high time that collectors should hear what 

 Lymington has to say for itself, or rather for its insect life. From a 

 picturesque point of view the Lymington district runs the New Forest 

 very close, with its beautiful winding river, edged with tall reeds and 

 aquatic plants, and crossed by so many rustic bridges, besides the 

 massive and ancient stone bridge at Boldre, which adds greatly to its 

 beauty, and aftbrds the entomologist an opportunity of readily crossing 

 from one side to the other as he deems it necessary ; both sides are 

 a paradise for their insect inhabitants, but, to make my paper 

 practical, I propose taking my favourite spots in detail, and indicating 

 their capabilities as well as I can, but I must admit I am more 

 accustomed to the use of the pin than the pen. 



In early spring, before the herbage is too rank, there is a convenient 

 spot (especially for diptera) near the town between the two level cross- 

 ings, just outside the railway station, it lies between the riverside 

 and the telegraph posts. It is marshy, but far from impassaljle, as 

 several deep cuttings run off the surface water ; alders and sallows 

 luxuriate, and meadow-pinks and marsh-mallows glow in the) little 

 sheltered nooks between them, and the soothing hum of the bumble- 

 and hive-bee delights the ear ; but avoid easterly winds, then all is 

 silent except the telegraph wires; these may charm the scientific ear, 

 but in no way compensate the naturalist for his favourite melody, but 

 even his time may then be employed usefully in collecting sallow logs, 

 drilled through and through by the larvae of Aru)iia iihisrhata. 



^lilford-on-Sea is a choice spot some four miles off, omnibuses run 

 early from the station, and set you down a short distance from the 

 chffs, here there is a fine sweep of coast, with jutting cliffs at intervals, 

 sheltering warm flowery bays, and all along their bases are hillocks 

 covered with wild Howers — banks of wild thyme, mounds all aglow 

 with Antln/lli>i ndneraria, seathrift, and dense masses of Ononis arrcnsja, 

 also GcnUta tinctoria and an occasional Ojthris, among the tufts of long 

 grass. There is here good beating among scattered bushes and tall 

 I'lnhdliferae. But above everything choose a day when the wind is 

 from the north. When the wind blows over the cliffs the insects rise 

 more freely, but when it blows from the sea, it does blow, and no 

 mistake ; as to beating it is hopeless, and the constant splashing of 

 the waves is depressing, and what can be more repugnant to the Hy- 

 catching mind than the sight of an unlucky ('rainhiis culnuiltis under 

 closely-reefed sails, and clinging for its very life to a grass stalk, with 

 every now and then some quick and unrecognised insect that has broken 

 away from its anchorage drifting by, and adding to his disappointment; 

 mind — do not go when the wind is in the south, i have here taken on 



