SOCIETIES. 243 



Does it coincide with the observation of any other among our 

 readers? — C. F. Thornewill, Bakewell. July, 1893. 



Sphinx convolvuli in the Isle of Wight.— When I last wrote 

 and noted the absence of the above beautiful species, I was only too 

 hasty in announcing the fact, as since then I have been successful in 

 taking seven specimens, 4 $ and 3 ? ; the former appear smaller than 

 usual, and, in fact, only one female is of what I consider ordinary 

 expanse of wing. The males are very fine and richly mottled with dark 

 splashes ; the females appear less clearly marked, or possibly more 

 worn. I saw two or three at once on Septeiiiber yih, but was unable 

 to get a stroke as they never hovered, but on the 9th I captured two, 

 after which I saw no more till the 19th (one), 20th (one), and on my 

 last evening (22nd) I had the good fortune to net three, all in the same 

 garden, but more at geraniums than at petunias. I was rather sorry I 

 could not stay another evening as I hoped to bring up my total to the 

 same as Capr. Robertson for the season, viz., ten specimens, but was 

 unable to do so. This last evening also proved a very successful one 

 at sugar, as NocTU.ii of all the species that usually turn up at the time, 

 were present in good numbers. — Albert J. Hodges, 2, Highbury 

 Place, N. October 6fh, 1892. 



Does Sphinx convolvuli hybernate? — Can anyone account for 

 the capture of this species here in June? {ante, p. 132). I see that the 

 Rev. G. H. Raynor considers that the one taken by him at Panton on 

 August 20th was an immigrant (p. 212). I believe that some entomo- 

 logists consider that cflnvolvuli hybernates in the perfect state. It has 

 certainly been known to breed in England, as there are records in back 

 numbers of the Entomologist of the finding of both larva and pupa. 

 The one I mentioned as being captured here in June was very worn, 

 and had the appearance of having hybernated ; but perhaps I was too 

 hasty in putting it down as such. On September 14th I missed a 

 specimen at tobacco flowers. May not this have been a descendant of 

 the above? — J. H. D. Beales, West Woodhay Rectory, Newbury. 



Larva Preserving. — When reading a paper upon the above subject 

 before the City of London Natural History Society, I mentioned that 

 I always kill my larvae with cyanide. Mr. Southey, on the other hand, 

 recommended the use of benzine for the purpose. I find that the 

 contortions indulged in by larva; killed in benzine will sometimes cause 

 them to assume a bad shape when preserved ; therefore I still recom- 

 mend the cyanide to kill, but before rolling, dip the dead larva m 

 benzine. By this plan, the benefit claimed for benzine, viz., of preventing 

 the loss of hairs, etc, is obtained, and the result is generally a much 

 belter shape when preserved. I have also noticed i\\:\.i Halias prasina/ia 

 imago when killed with cyanide becomes straw-coloured, but when 

 removed from the bottle it reassumes its natural green colour, and I 

 am curious to know whether the use of any other poison would have 

 the same result. — Ambrose Quail, 15, Stamford Hill, N. 



fgoCIETIES. 



Entomological Society of LoxnoN. — October ^th, 1892. — Afr. 

 C. O. VVaterhouse exhibited a specimen of Latridius nodifer feeding 



