NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 279 



There was a very full second brood of Nisoniades fages, but some of the 

 species which are reputed to be double brooded in favourable seasons — 

 for example,, the two small species of Argynnis — were not observed. 

 Of Vanessa cardui, generally common at Sandown, only two or three 

 were seen, and V. io was almost entirely absent. 



I sugared pretty regularly, with fairly satisfactorj' results on the 

 whole, though tluctuating. I had the good fortune to take two Leucania 

 albtpuncta, one on July 27th, the other on August 9th ; and a good 

 specimen of Caradrina superstes on August 15th. Another unexpected 

 visitor was a specimen of Catocala sponsa on the chalk downs on July 

 22nd ; where it came from I am at a loss to imagine. Agrotis hmigera 

 was nearly over, owing to the abnormal season, and hardly a dozen 

 specimens worth setting were taken ; but A. ptda and A. riigricans were 

 abundant and in fine condition, with several A. tritici (usually rare at 

 Sandown, and quite absent last year). Other visitors to the sugar 

 during Jul}' were Lencania conigera, L. lithargyria, Miana literosa, 

 M. hicoloria, Caradrina tarnxaci, C. quadripunctata, Agrotis svffusa, 

 A. segetum, Triphcena fimbria, T. comes (abundant), T. ianthina, 

 Ampkipyra tragopoginis, and others, all on the Culvor DoAvns ; Hydroecia 

 paludis, Noctna baia, N. rubi, Thyatyra derasa, Cosmia affinis, Gonoptera 

 libatrix and others, in and near a copse on the marshes. Many of these 

 species continued into August, and were joined by Cerigo matura, 

 Lencania pallens (second brood), Triplioena inter jecta (one only), Agrotis 

 saucia, A. exclamationis (second brood), Hydrcecia nictitans (one only), 

 etc., on the Downs ; and Noctua plecta, Amphipyra pyramidea, Mania 

 maura, Hadena dissimilis (second brood, a nice little series), Zonosoma 

 punctaria (second brood, one only) etc., in the copse. But towards the 

 middle of August there was a temporary falling off, and after this I did 

 not work the marshes, as the coveted Aporophyla aiistralis was daily ex- 

 pected, and Agrotis sancia was on the increase. The first australis was 

 taken on August 24:th, but unfortunately the species was not fully out when 

 I had to return to London on Sejitember 2nd. Bryophila miiralis first 

 appeared on August 15th {ycry late), XantJiia circellaris on August 29th; 

 Anckocelis hinosa, common the two jjrevious autumns, had not appeared 

 when I left. Agrotis segetum was a pest the last few weeks. A few 

 larvfe of Aspdates ochrearia came up to feed on my sugared Centanrea 

 scabiosa flovrers in July. 



With the Sphinges and Bombyces very little was done, though odd 

 specimens of the following were turned up by day : — Macroglossa 

 steUatariim, Sesia ichneumoniformis, Nndaria mundana, Lithosia lurideola, 

 Calligenia miniata, etc. Several Hepialns sylvinvs were taken at rest by 

 night. A good deal of sallow beating for larva? of Smerinthus oceUafus, 

 Dicranura furcula, and Notodonta ziczac (obtained last year), resulted 

 only in three of the last named and none of the others ; probably 

 ocellatus had already gone into pupa before I commenced working ; but 

 this does not seem to be a good season for larvte. I saw no trace of 

 Lobophora sexalisaia, which is usually fairly common. Many of the 

 sallow bushes were, however, eaten almost to shreds (as usual) by the 

 larvse of Phalera bucephala. 



I do not know whether Spilodes verticalts (cinctalis) is generally 

 double-brooded ; I never saw a second brood till this August, when 

 some six or eight were taken, some in lovely condition. 



I think the great drawback to collecting this season has been the 



