NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 253 



altliougli Oil a very extensive scale, is but as a drop in the Liicket 

 compared to the cjuantity of the former. My first successful evening 

 with common Nocture on the lower slopes of the downs was July 5th, 

 • but the experience has been several times repeated, and no blank 

 evenings have, up to date of writing, occurred for some time past. The 

 species taken embrace Agrotis puta (in swarms), A. suffusa, A. nigricans, 

 Miana furuncula, Caradrina blanda and the usual list of what should 

 usually occur here all through August, together with a single fine Mam- 

 estra ahjecta and a few Triphcena interjecta and Gotiopliora derasa (tine). 

 On the grassy slopes of the cliffs facing South, Micros were very early, 

 Boti/s Jiavalis, Stenia punctalis, Tortrix francillana and the usual three 

 common Pi/raustas, all occurring in some numbers with others unknown 

 to me. Two or three very dark Depressarias captured are probabl}^ to 

 be referred (in Mr. Tutt's opinion)* to dark varieties of I), hadiella. 

 The number of different species of Nocture observed at sugar on one 

 evening was at least 27, several other evenings producing more than 

 20 species. The most unusual visitor was a single fine TetJiea suhtusa, 

 at least 500 ft. above the sea on the crest of the downs. Nonagria 

 geminipuncta has been very scarce in its usual headquarters, but I 

 discovered a small corner hitherto un worked which yielded well ; it 

 is also very early, the first emergence being on July 23rd. Among 

 butterflies Colias edusa has been, observed in several spots and on 

 different occasions, but hitherto seems to dela}^ its appearance in tlio 

 hoped for profusion. — Albeut J. Hodges. Julij 26th. 



Since writing the foregoing notes I have been successful in taking 

 at sugar, on July 29th, a very fine specimen of Lencania alblpuncta, the 

 first I have ever seen alive although working the same district for 

 several seasons previously. Insects were very j^lentiful and on the 

 sugar freely, A. puta being especially abundant. Kenewed work 

 failed on my part to produce another specimen, and I had unfortunately 

 to leave Freshwater on July 31st. My brother and friends continued 

 working for me during August, and took the first A. ohelisca at an 

 unusually early date (August otli). I hear of a few captures of Colias 

 edusa during the third week of the month, but they seem very scarce 

 comjDared Avith last year, at least in our district. During the month, 

 sugar has proved very disajDpointing, and the captures in my absence 

 have been consequently few, A. obelisca being almost absent ; but there 

 is plenty of time for a good autumn 3'et, of which, however, up to tlie 

 .25th (the date of writing) the signs are very few. — Albert J. Hodges. 

 August 25th, 1893. 



Wiclcen. — I have made my first acquaintance with the Fen district 

 this year, having visited Wickou on four occasions. The season tliere 

 has, so far, been a very unsatisfactory one, and good insects have been 

 scarce. I made my first visit on the 2nd June for three days. Mr. 

 Albert Houghton sugared for me his ride or' drive, in the fen and the 

 lane leading to it, and allowed me also the benefit of his lamp and 

 sheet. The weather was dry and fairly still, but the wind was in the 

 east and the sky at night, as a rule, clear. Not a single insect 

 ajDpeared at the light. Sugar was better ; it paid best in the lane. We 

 took 33 specimens of Aplecta adceaa (it seems to have been an adoeua 

 year : I took it also in my house here at light, and have heard of it 

 at Winchester), but nothing else of importance, except two Neuria 



* See " Scientific Notes," ants p. 241. — Ed. 



