NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 113 



lates freely in confinement. Normally, this takes place, as Dr. Buckell 

 records {ante p. g6), the night following emergence, on the first flight of 

 the $ , but I believe that if both sexes emerge simultaneously on the 

 same tree, they pair as soon as the wings are dry ; this is almost 

 certainly the case in captivity, and I have taken very fresh specimens 

 in cop. about 4 or 5 p.m. on trees where I had not noticed them on 

 the morning of the same day. The variation is very great. I notice 

 in my series two $ 's having the ochreous ground colour most mixed 

 with white scales. One has the additional peculiarity of a large 

 elongate black spot (often present, but generally inconspicuous because 

 placed on or adjoining the black costal line) midway between central 

 line and outer dark band. The $ 's are generally thinly scaled, so 

 that even bred specimens look worn ; but occasionally one meets with 

 a specimen nearly as thickly clothed as the (J, and of similar ochreous 

 colouring. The ? is very sluggish, seldom if ever using her wings. 

 I noticed two on one tree trunk almost in the same spot for a fortnight 

 and at last killed and set them, and they are in perfect cabinet con- 

 dition.^ With regard to geographical range I can say nothing, never 

 having seen it out of London. I have been told that it is taken at 

 Shanklin, but on the authority of an informant not well up in 

 Geometrse. — Louis B. Prout, 12, Greenwood Road, Dalston, N.E. 

 Jiine c^th, 1 89 1. 



From the Record, p. 96, it appears that this insect is somewhat 

 common, if not indigenous, to London. I have ever found it plentiful 

 in my suburban garden. After a heavy shower, the larvae congregate upon 

 the trunks, under the projecting branches, upon which they subsequently 

 distribute during the night to feed. 1 shall be happy to send living 

 larvae, if this summer it is as plentiful as of yore with me, to any 

 entomologist who may send their boxes. — H. E. Barren, 23, Bouverie 

 Street, E.G. 



Cannibalism of Cosmia affinis Larv^. — On June 12th, I beat 

 some forty larvae of C. affinis, and about ten C. diffinis from elm trees 

 some three miles from here, and although they all travelled home to- 

 gether, I detected no signs of cannibalism. To-day I visited the same 

 locality and beat thirty-two C. affinis, one C. diffinis, and one very 

 large full-fed Hiniera petinaria. On reaching home I found the latter 

 half-devoured by a C. affinis larva, which was very loth to leave its 

 wretched victim. I also noticed an affinis feeding (in my umbrella) 

 on a larva of Anisopteryx cescularia. Therefore, it seems probable 

 that C. affinis is only a cannibal with regard to larvae of species other 

 than its own. — G. H. Raynor, Victoria House, Brentwood. June 

 20th, 1891. 



Meteorological Influences and Sugaring. — I think my experience 

 is almost identical with that of Mr. Robinson {ante p. 88). In the north, 

 we do not dread the moon so much as frost and mist. Mist sometimes 

 is not so bad when collecting Noctuje, but with the little things one can 

 do nothing. — W. Reid, Pitcaple. May, 1891. 



My experience of moonshine also agrees with Mr. Robinson's. At 

 Portland there are no trees, and thistle-heads, bramble twigs, and 



^ As the ? often fails to develop its wings, and makes so little use of them when 

 developed, may it not be that in course of time it will become apterous as in so 

 many early spring Geometers, including the allied Nyssia hispidaria and Phigalia 

 pilosaiia. I believe nature refuses to develop organs for which there is no use. 



