218 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



genus Heydenia, in which these species have been previously placed, 

 being retained for devotella, which has the " veins 7 and 8 of the fore 

 wings separate," whilst Catcqjhctica has "veins 7 and 8 of the fore 

 wings stalked," 



IJr. H. Guard Knaggs, discussing the value of various moth-grease 

 solvents, says : — "Methylated chloroform docs its work more quickly, 

 with less waste than ether, and without the slightest danger of causing 

 a conflagration ; either of the ethers (methylated ether, pure ether, 

 petroleum ether) mentioned, on the other hand, turns out a better 

 finish, besides being less powerfully ana?sthetic than chloroform, while 

 the price of the methylated preparation is comparatively insignificant. 

 On the whole, I still consider methylated ether to be the most serviceable 

 for entomological purposes, especially at the price " (E. M. 31.). 



Mr, K, J, Morton records the yellow male of Hepialus huinnli, as 

 captured in South Lanarkshire. 



Mr. J. J. Walker writing of the beetle Bayous anjillaceus, captured 

 in July, at Sheppey, writes : — " So acciirately was the colour of the 

 beetle adapted to its surroundings (the mud in the bed of a nearly 

 dried-up ditch), that it could only be detected when in motion, becoming 

 to all intents and juirposes invisible as soon as it stopped." 



Mr, A. Thurnall, with his usual perseverance, has at last discovered 

 the larva of liactru furfurana. The larvae were discovered on May 12th, 

 in stems of Eleocharis palnstrls (not Scirpus lacnsiris as mentioned in the 

 E.M.M. p. 164), ejecting green frass, and finally pupated in the stem 

 in a light silken cocoon. Six specimens emerged between June 23rd 

 and July 2nd. A description of the larva, with another of the allied 

 B. hinceolaiHi for comparison, is published. 



jNlr. C. Nicholson, 202, Everiug Road, N.E, will read a paj^er on 

 " Ocneria dispar " at the next meeting of the City of London 

 Entomological Society to which all entomologists (members or not) are 

 cordiailj' invited, Mr. Nicholson is desirous of borrowing a few types 

 of the original British race of this species, and Avould be pleased to hear 

 from anyone willing to lend him specimens for exhibition of which, it 

 is needless to say, the utmost care would be taken. 



Scientific notes & observations. 



Erratum. — On p. 195, line 13 from bottom, before "families, 

 genera, etc.," insert the word " allied." 



Blight. — I think that the " very extraordinary superstition " 

 described in detail by Mr. A, J, Johnson under the above heading 

 (aii/c, pp, 14-15), is by no means confined to his neighbourhood, but 

 prevails very generally throughout the country : it is certainly an 

 article of faith among the gardeners and natives of this district, and 

 although when cross-examined about the matter they are unable to 

 give any very lucid explanation, their idea apparently is that the dark 

 clouds are mainly due to the presence in the air of vast multitudes of 

 winged aphides, which pass across the country and settle on the fruit 

 trees, etc., in their lines of flight. The belief doubtless originates in the 

 fact, that such weather is especially favourable to the migration of Avinged 



