CURRENT NOTES. 195 



either side. The tubercles on 2, 3 and 4 are somewhat 

 different (as usual) from those on the other segments. On 11, 

 the tubercles are very small, and the hairs about half the length 

 of those on the loth and other segments. 



Below the sub-spiracular I only detect one ventral tubercle, 

 but suspect there must be another. 



{To he continued.) 



Current notes. 



Mr. J. E. Robson is working at the distribution of Melanic and 

 Melanochroic forms, and would be obliged if entomologists would send 

 him lists of species occurring in their localities which produce dark 

 varieties. He would also be glad to know when these dark varieties 

 were first noticed, and if any changes in the surroundings have been 

 made during the last half-century. Communications should be ad- 

 dressed to Mr. John E. Robson, Hartlepool. 



We have heard of competitions in various branches of natural his- 

 tory. Messrs. Gregson and Robs(jn exhibited at the meeting of the 

 Lancashire and Cheshire Society of September 12th, 'Challenge 

 Series of Abraxas grossulariata, showing variation produced by food." 

 We think the exhibitors should add "and other incidental circum- 

 stances." Cannot these series be exhibited at one of the City of 

 London Society's meetings for Londoners to see the sight? 



Ditula li'oodiana has been run to earth at last. It has figured as a 

 rarity ever since its discovery, and suggestions have even been made 

 that it was only a small form of D. /lartmanniana. It is a very dis- 

 tinct little species, and it was only natural that its habits should be 

 discovered by Dr. Wood, after whom the species was named. It feeds 

 on mistletoe, mining as a rule into the thickness of the leaf and eating 

 the cellular tissue. It is able, however, if its first mine does not last 

 until the larva is full-fed, to spin two leaves together, and it then clears 

 out the cellular tissue of the second leaf where they are in contact, but 

 this is not a natural habit. We have to thank Dr. Wood for bred 

 specimens. 



To those interested in London entomology, " The Entomology of a 

 Bayswater House," in the E.M.M., p. 230, should be interesting 

 reading. 



The larva of the rare Lamellicorn, Gnorimus variabilis is described 

 by the Rev. Canon Fowler, M.A., from Windsor Forest examples {inde 

 E.M.M., p. 242). 



Mr. C. G. Barrett records the occurrence of Syridhus alveus, Hiib., 

 in England about 20 years ago. The specimens were detected several 

 years ago in the cabinet of the Rev. T. H. Marsh, of Cawston, Norfolk, 

 by Mr. Barrett, and two were given to him. Since that time Mr. 

 Barrett's specimens have remained unnamed, owing to their similarity 

 to both S. alveus and S. serralulce. The specimens were probably 

 taken in May or June, 18 or 20 years ago. Mr. Barrett states that 

 Mr. Marsh tells him that he never saw 6'. alveolus except when he 

 captured the specimens in question and considered them as such. He 



