72 THE entomologist's record. 



them closely. They may very probably find P. uianni amongst the 

 commoner species. 



jg^OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 



Lepidopterological Notes from West Cornwall. — About three 

 years ago 1 commenced the formation of another collection of lepidop- 

 tera after a good many years cessation from the pursuit. I find, 

 however, that insects are not, on the whole, plentiful here, although 

 some very desirable species are met with. On May 30th, 1906, I saw 

 a specimen of Phryxus livornica flying at a row of broad beans, then in 

 full bloom, in my garden. Hurrying into the house I seized a net and 

 speedily secured it. The next evening I caught another at the flowers, 

 besides missing a third specimen. On the following June 6th, I saw, 

 but failed to take, a fourth specimen. In 1907 and 1908 I did not see 

 a specimen, although I grew extra quantities of broad beans to act as 

 a lure. I believe, however, that a number of immigrants of this species 

 must have landed here on May 30th, 1906, for, on that eventful after- 

 noon a swarm of Pyrameis carditi suddenly appeared, flying from the 

 direction of the sea two or three miles away ; so abundant were thev 

 that every hawthorn bush had at least half-a-dozen feeding on its 

 blossoms. P. canliii was accompanied by Pyrcuneis atalanta, although 

 the latter species was scarce in comparison. The same evening Plnsia 

 ;i(X)iiiiia suddenly appeared in plenty. That P. cardui crosses regularly 

 from the opposite coast of France I am firmly convinced, as P. canlni 

 is found here every year generally in abundance, even in the year 1901 

 I frequently saw it. In 1894 I saw a swarm of P. canlni that had 

 just landed on the shores of Mounts Bay. Stragglers were then flying 

 in, but the immigrants were mostly resting in an exhausted state upon 

 the grass-stems. I picked up scores without the slightest difficulty. 

 On September 15th, 1908, I took a very fine specimen of Leucania 

 vitdlina, at sugar, upon an apple-tree in my garden, I sugared every 

 evening, until the end of October, and also assiduously searched the 

 ivy flowers, but did not catch another. On October 10th, 1908, I took 

 a male specimen of Caiujitoyrannna fiuciata, at sugar in my garden, 

 and, on October 16th, a female of the same species at ivy bloom. 

 Unfortunately, I had forgotten to take some chip boxes with me that 

 evening, so could not retain her for breeding purposes. — A. J. Spiller, 

 Godolphin Cross, Helston. February 8th, 1909. 



CURRENT NOTES. 



We have seen a copy of Mr. G. H. Verrall's latest volume of 

 •' British Flies," which can be obtained from Messrs. Gurney & Jack- 

 sou, 10, Paternoster Row, E.C., the price being 31s. 6d. net. This 

 volume deals with some of the largest and most handsome species of 

 British Diptera, viz., the Stratiomyidae, Leptidae, Tahanidae, Cyrtidae, 

 Boiiibylidae, Tlierevidae, Scenoinnidae and Asilidae, and extends to 780 

 pages with 407 figures in the text by J. E. Collin, F.E.S. A list of 

 the Palifcarctic species is given at the end of the volume, with separate 

 pagination extending to 34 pages, in which an attempt is made to 

 arrange the species in systematic order. This list can be purchased 

 separately, price Is. net. 



i 



