228 THE entomologist's record. 



there are the moths come, and feed, and guzzle, as if guzzling and 

 feeding were the only end of their creation. And there arc nights 

 when the wind hoAvls, when the rain falls in torrents and runs out of 

 your boots as fast as it poiirs down your neck, when waterproofs and 

 gaiters get saturated, when you can't hear your companion bellowing 

 into your ear at any distance beyond six inches, and when moths Avitli 

 gleaming eyes fight for treacle and rum in perfect harmony with the 

 warring of the elements. My boy and I had such a night on Deal 

 sand-hills once., and I have had one or two others there alone. I 

 would go again to-night for siich another. 



Now, ye wise ones, who make theories for us collectors who have 

 l)erspiration trickling down our backs and catch lots of moths, and who 

 have the rain trickling down our backs and also catch lots of moths, 

 how do you explain the connection between the " the trickling down 

 our backs" and "lots of moths." There's no lioneydew on the rain- 

 trickling nights, I'll answer for, and, therefore, they are perfectly free 

 to come, l^ut there may be on the p'erspiration trickling nights. 

 However, I am of opinion that, as a rule, the greater the influence of 

 natural attractions, the less the influence of artificial ones. What have 

 our Aviseacres to say on the matter ? — J. W. Tutt. J^dlJ, 1893. 



Plusia moneta at Dorking. — In addition to the specimen captured 

 last month by my friend Mr. Flood, I was fortunate enougb to take 

 one about the same time, attracted to light, but Avhich, through subse- 

 quent carelessness, effected its escape. Mr. Flood informs me that this 

 rare species has been taken here each year since 1890. In this connec- 

 tion it may be interesting to knoAv that I captured two specimens of 

 r. moneta in Kent as far back as 1857, wdiich, iintil I saw Mr. Flood's 

 capture, remained amongst unnamed insects. This fact points to the 

 suggestion that this species has, on former occasions, unsuccessfully 

 endeavoured to establish itself in this country, as it could not have 

 remained unnoticed during so many ^-ears. May it have better success 

 in its present attempt ! — Thos. W. King, Purbrook, Dorking. 



Plusia moneta at Strood. — I cajitured a specimen of Plusia morula 

 here last night. I took great care not to let this specimen escajje, as 

 did the one at Dorking. — T. W. King, The Vicarage, Strood, Kent. 

 Jnh/ nth, 1893. 



NOTES OF THE SEASON. 



Late spring and early summer in North Kent. — To anj'one Avith limited 

 time, and whose collecting is done AA'ith a A'iew of getting fresh air in 

 the country, after being cooped up in close rooms for a week, this 

 season has been remarkable. This is my position, and since my one day 

 out per week (Satiu'day) is fixed by inevitable laws for me, I must OAvn 

 the Avcather has this year, up to date, been remarkably propitious. 

 Not till Saturday last (J^ily 15th) did I spend one indoors, or Avithout 

 my net, and then, had I in\t my trust in the Aveather itself instead 

 of submitting to my own judgment, I should have scored better, for 

 the wretchedly dull day in London Avas fine enough in my usual haunts 

 in Kent. I have done all my collecting this year in North Kent, and 

 in a very restricted space, and, on the Avhole, have not been disappointed 

 in the number of specimens captured, although I haA-e only A'isited two 

 localities — one a wood, the other, the chalk hills in the neighbourhood 

 of Rochester. In most of the expeditions I haA'e been accomi^anied 



