SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 95 



^OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 



Butterflies of Wimbledon Common. — In addition to the species 

 taken by Mr. Smallman (Ent. Bee, pp. 40-42), I have found Syrichthus 

 malvae very common on certain parts of Wimbledon Common towards 

 the end of May and during the first half of June. The earliest date 

 on which I have seen it is May 14th, 1904. I have found it commonest 

 about the first week in June. A fresh specimen was taken on July 

 4th, 1903. I have also seen a few Euchloe cardamines each year, but 

 have not found it by any means common.— G. D. Millward, Downing 

 College, Cambridge. March 5th, 1907. 



Hybernation of Pyrameis atalanta in Britain.— On February 

 25th last, whilst I was in my garden, a specimen of this species came 

 and sunned itself at my feet, looking as fresh as if just out of the 

 chrysalis. I have often wondered why the early specimens are so 

 exceedingly perfect, and it has been suggested to me that such may 

 hatch out very late, and fly about insufficiently to injure their 

 plumage. — E. C. Buxton, Bettws-y-Coed. March 14th, 1907. 



Resting-place of Papilio machaon at night. — In answer to your 

 query (anted, p. 78), re the resting-place of Papilio machaon, I have 

 frequently seen them at rest on thistle- heads and reeds when working 

 with a hand-lamp in the Norfolk Broads, and have noticed them on 

 the heads of marsh-thistle, Carduus palustris, at sunset, with open 

 wings to catch the last rays of the sun. I have watched them close 

 their wings and remain at rest without moving from the thistles when 

 the sun had gone down. There are plenty of sallow, birch, alder, 

 and guelder-rose trees they could rest on if they chose, in the marshes 

 of the Broads, where P. machaon abounds. The larvae feed on the 

 tall Peucedanum palustre, drawn up in the shelter of these trees. — 

 E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.E.S., Myddleton House, Waltham Cross, 

 Herts. March 15th, 1907. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Rksting and sleeping habits of Ccenonympha pamphilus. — From 

 August 30th until September 10th, 1906, I had several opportunities, 

 on Wimbledon Common and district, of observing the sleeping habits 

 of C. pamphilus, and have also, on one or two occasions, watched it 

 whilst flying and resting in the sunshine. This species is not a very 

 strong flier, and always keeps near the ground. It does not appear to 

 ever settle and sun itself with its wings open, as do the Ruralides, 

 Pieridae, etc., for, in all the cases I noted, it settled at right angles 

 with, and generally slightly leaning away from, the sun. The head 

 was sometimes kept to the left, and sometimes to the right of the sun. 

 When settled the wings are kept close together above the body, and 

 the forewings fairly well raised, so that a good two-thirds of them are 

 visible above the hindwings, whilst the antenna? are kept in a line 

 with the body, and at right angles with each other. This butterfly 

 when settled keeps its body slightly raised and covered by the hind- 

 wings. Grass, thistles, and heather, all seem to be chosen as resting- 

 places. With reference to its sleeping habits, it seems to always sleep 

 with its head upwards, wings closed, antennae in line with body, and 

 at right angles with each other, and the body slightly raised and 



