204 THE entomologist's record, 



inclining to a deeper bistre towards the middle of the upper wing. In 

 another case, the usual bright orange spot on each underwing, which 

 stands out so conspicuously in normal helice, is of nearly the same pale 

 shade as the ground colour, and is only rendered conspicuous by a 

 slightly different tone, and by the circumscription. '' Sugaring " has 

 been very unsuccessful, but is now improving again nightly, excepting 

 when south-westerly gales sweep the Downs almost bare of everything 

 except the enthusiastic " bug-hunter," who, in his vain struggles to 

 obtain AgroUs obelisca for his friends, will face the elements in their 

 most blustering moods. A. saiicia has turned up singly again after 

 being absent here for several seasons, but Aporophyla aiistralis at 

 present, is very scarce, the first specimen taken, although much earlier 

 than usual (August 19th) being much worn, whilst those taken since 

 have been in fine condition. Amongst species now occurring at (to 

 me) unusually late dates are Thyaiyra bails, at sugar, August 22nd and 

 25th; Calligejiia miniata, 2X^0 at sugar, about August 25th; Vimhtia 

 rumicis, still at sugar, August 29th; Arctia menthastri, at rest, August 

 29th. In addition to these, several double-brooded species are now out 

 in fine condition. Acidalia emutaria, very fine, but scarce ; also A. 

 protJiutata \ while Noctua rubi and Agfotis puta appear nightly fresh 

 as paint, and Cosmia affitiis, with one C. diffitiis, again graced the sugar 

 last week. Miatia jurunciila is still deferring its "positively last ap- 

 pearance for the season." Amongst Rhopalocera, Pararge meg<zra 

 and cBgeria are still on the wing, plentifully and in good condition, 

 whilst Vanessa atalanta and car did are more plentiful than usual. 

 Among the more frequent visitors at sugar lately are Aviphipyra 

 pyramidea, still in fine condition, Noctua c-nigrum and, of course, 

 xanthographa, with an occasional Hadena suasa. It would be 

 interesting now that Colias edusa is plentiful, if all intermediate 

 varieties between the type and var. helice could be recorded and 

 described, or, better still, figured or exhibited and discussed, with any 

 other interesting forms, among which are, in my case, males with the 

 underwings displaying a most perfect and beautiful pale violet metallic 

 reflection resembling that on mother-of-pearl. This is not at all 

 general in freshly emerged specimens, although, I fancy, not to be 

 seen in any but such. The females also vary widely in the size of the 

 yellow spots in the black border on the upper wings. I have them 

 from almost black borders to a most beautiful form in which the yellow 

 and black is almost equal. After recording " appearances," it is quite 

 refreshing, from the setting-board point of view, to note the absence of 

 any usual visitor, which, in this case, is Sphinx convolvull, and which, 

 up to date, we have sought long, but in vain. — Albert J. Hodges. 

 August 2^th, 1892. 



Box Hill. — I went on Saturday last (August 20th) to Box Hill for a 

 few houis, and it being a glorious day I found common butterflies 

 abundant ; of less common species, Hesperla comma was plentiful and 

 in good condition. In a field chiefly full of thistles, below the Hill, I 

 was lucky enough to take i Colias hyale and a splendid specimen of C. 

 edusa var. helice, C. edusa was fairly numerous. I have seen a few 

 stray specimens of C. edusa in this neighbourhood since the 4th inst., 

 and one at Rainham, Essex, on August 12th. I have tried sugar, off 

 and on, for the last fortnight, but found it almost a blank until Satur- 



