NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 331 



began to wonder whether it would ever rain again, But these long and 

 continued spells of drought accompanied by heat showed their effect on 

 vegetation, and the hard condition of the ground undoubtedly 

 injuriously affected many insects which pupate under the surface. In 

 the early spring, lepidoptera of almost all kinds were abundant, and the 

 early dates of appearance of many species will undoubtedly be records 

 in this direction. This was especially marked among the butterflies, 

 the large Argynnids appearing in early May instead of July and 

 August, Limenith sihylla and other conspicuous species being noticeable 

 almost two months earlier than visual. The autumn Vanessce all 

 appeared in June and early July, a second brood of most of them 

 occurring about the usual time of the first brood, the later brood hanging 

 on in some species even into November. Perhaps the most remarkable 

 point in connection with this genus was the excessive local abundance of 

 V. pohjcliloros. The partial second brood of Leucophasia sinajns, which 

 occasionally occurs in August, was replaced bj'^ a very complete second 

 brood in June, whilst Papiiio machaon equally early had a very com- 

 plete second brood in June and July and another partial (third) one in 

 early September, Although very early, the members of the genus 

 Thecia were by no means especially abundant, but the ajjpearance of 

 Chrysophanus pldceas in great numbers this autumn, specimens having 

 been found in the crowded streets in various parts of London, has been 

 quite a feature of the season. Among the rarities, a couple of odd 

 specimens of Pieris daplklice are recorded. Mr. Buckler proved con- 

 clusively the inability of this species to stand our climate, and there is 

 no doubt that the few specimens taken in July and August on our 

 south-east coast are simply the progeny of an occasional migrant in the 

 early part of the year. Only one specimen of Vanessa antlopa is recorded. 

 The occurrence of these odd specimens is inexplicable. That Lyccena avion 

 appears to be hunted to extermination point in the only haunts left to it 

 in these Islands is very regrettable. Why don't those people who hunt 

 butterflies to the verge of extinction go to the Alps or some other warmer 

 region where butterflies are in such abundance that there is no chance of 

 their extermination ? Perhaps it would hardly be the thing to overlook 

 the special abundance of the larvte of Apatura iris in the New Forest and 

 the aj)pearance of the images very early in July this year. Scientific- 

 ally the most interesting captures perhaps are certain varieties of 

 Argynnis paphia. In my early days I remember some of our highly- 

 informed lepidopterists jumping on a friend of mine who hinted that 

 forms intermediate between typical pjapMa females and var. valezina 

 were sometimes obtained. However, a most remarkable series of such 

 specimens was this year got together by Mr. J. A. Clark. It is well 

 known that certain specimens oi paphia, chiefly males, have a jiale spot 

 in the centre of each wing, although the cav;se has never been satis- 

 factorily explained. The females more rarely have it. This year Mr. 

 Clark has a number of specimens in which these j^ale spots are very 

 conspicuous, but the most intei'csting point in connection with these is 

 that some of the specimens have a large area round these spots 

 distinctly of the valezina colovir, shading off into the normal coloration 

 round the outer margin of the wing. Still more strange is the fact 

 that this is not entirely confined to the female specimens, valezina being 

 distinctly a female aberration. As is usual in years when this species 

 is so abundant, gynandrous specimens have been captured. The 



