SCENTS OF INSECTS. 321 



moths dy out, but, having no net, I only marked the spot in my mind 

 for future investigation. Next day, passing the same trees, we beat 

 out and boxed four of the moths, which subsequently turned out to 

 be Avijiiresthia illaminatolla, a species new to Britain. In a marshy 

 spot the imagines of Oli/pliipteri/.v thrasonella were in abundance. 

 Several pairs were noticed on the rush heads. Ova were subsequently 

 obtained, but I failed to keep any larvae alive, as, when hatched, they 

 left the rush heads and would eat nothing. I fancy the larviB must 

 live in the roots of the plant like those of (J. fiiacoviridella, and not in 

 the seed-heads as those of G. fischeriella do. On an open heath, the 

 pretty little Enxanthis aeneana was not rare, it flew out at the slightest 

 tap, and was very conspicuous in the sunshine. The larvfe of Stenop- 

 tilia pterodacti/la and of Alitcita pentadacti/la were the only repre- 

 sentatives of the Alucitids noticed. In an open space in a wood, two 

 or three specimens of Bofi/s fuscalis were disturbed from their sleep 

 among some plants of Bhinajithiis, of which there were several large 

 patches. One of the commonest insects in the woods was Zanclog- 

 nantlia i/risealis, and another was Melanippe montanata, very worn. 

 These Avere, however, surpassed in numbers by Cahera pnsaria and 

 Scoparia dubitalu. Two fine Erastria fasciana were found in the 

 woods. This species soon spoils its appearance. On a heath, among 

 dozens of Einatun/a atomaria, one or two specimens of the local 

 Ariihdia immorata occurred. The Ehopalocera were not very much in 

 evidence, but we noticed a $ Callophnjs rubi courting a ? ; they were 

 flying low over a rough field in a quiet corner. 



Scents of Insects and some Thoughts about their Possible 



Meanings. 



By Dr. T. A. CHAPMAN. 



At the meeting of the Entomological Society on November 1st, 

 Dr. Dixey, in association with Dr. Longstaff, reported their observa- 

 tions on the scents of Pierine butterflies made in S. Africa during 

 their visit with the British Association. In some cases the scent was 

 very strong, as in T. a<iatliina, which could very well be recognised in 

 the net by its scent without seeing it. The scents were likened to 

 sweetbriar, honeysuckle, heliotrope, etc., but, though very various, their 

 variety was probably due to various proportions of not more than, at most, 

 six different odours. The discussion that followed, in which Prof. Poul- 

 ton. Rev. F. D. Morice, Mr. Jacoby, Mr. Bacot and others took part, 

 was very suggestive in many directions. For instance, it was rather 

 admitted than suggested that the human standard of what was 

 pleasant in odour, colour, etc., was largely derived from butterflies, having 

 aftbrded flowers, etc., the materials by which human taste has been 

 developed. The various forms of courtship in lepidoptera and other 

 insects were hinted at rather than discussed. In butterflies, broadly, 

 there is a courtship in which the male tries to please or charm the 

 female, to fascinate or hypnotise her, by a display of beautiful 

 markings and colours, and also by the dissemination of grateful odour. 

 It struck one as more than a coincidence that these odours should be 

 so much the more pronounced in the Pierine butterflies, with simple 

 patterns and few colours, largely white and black (though ( Udias and 

 some others cannot be described as wanting in brilliancy), and less so 

 when colour and pattern make more elaborate displays. Amongst 

 moths, there is one section with very different habits from this, viz., that 



