A MORNING AT BOlTK(i ST. MAlRrOE. 61 



species haunt the edges of the waste ground and clover field, whilst as we 

 skirt the edge of the field by the side of the Imsh-margined stream, a tall 

 thistle head discloses a magnificent specimen of Erebia acthiops fanning 

 its wings. It is ])iit just out of pupa, and exhil)its not one line, one mark 

 of difference from those which may be found inhabiting the Argyleshire 

 hills at the back of (Joulport. Very low we think this, considering 

 the latitude, for what is generally considered a northern species, 

 although it is true that it comes down almost to the sea-level in the 

 Durham denes. At any rate here it is ; and now, as we reach the 

 foot of the mountains before us, we might almost fancy we were on a chalk 

 bank in Kent. Not altogether though, for the surroundings dispel 

 the idea as soon as formed, although some of the insects are remark- 

 ably suggestive. At the corner, where the stream skirts the hills, 

 Lencophasid sinnpis is not uncommon ; the clean white colour and 

 well-defined round apical spot on the males inform us that they belong 

 to a second brood, for there is a very well-defined seasonal dimorphism 

 in this species, not so fre(piently seen in British specimens where the 

 second brood is only partial and comparatively rare. But on this 

 bank there is a perfect wealth of insect life. Blues in profusion, are 

 here — Lycaena corydon, L. beUar(jus, and L. icarus among our British 

 species — whilst the charming Zygaena miiios is altogether out- 

 numbered by the still more beautiful and variable Z. carniolica. A 

 grand insect is this latter species, witli its crimson streak running 

 transversely near to and parallel with the outer margin of the wing, 

 besides having the usual five spots, with which many Burnets are 

 alone ornamented. Acidalia hnmiliata, A. ornata, Enholia bipunctata, Mi- 

 maeseoptilus plagiodactylm, Aciptilia tetradactyla, and numberless other 

 species strongly suggest a limestone or cretaceous fauna, and the 

 flora is decidedly of a similar nature. A few minutes' observation 

 soon makes us return again to the welcome shade, and by the side of 

 the stream Crambns culmellus and C. perlellus are in considerable 

 numbers. As we have already been on the move three hours, we slowly 

 return to Bourg St. Maurice. The insects have increased in numbers 

 since the morning, and are flying wildly about in the hot sun. This 

 walk home in the sun settles our stay at Bourg St. Maurice, and, my 

 companion objecting to being burned in the Tropics, the afternoon sees 

 us en route for the pass of the Little St. Bernard, on our wa}'^ to a more 

 Alpine spot, where the sun's rays are tempered by the })leasant cool- 

 ness which accompanies in these delightful places a rise of two or three 

 thousand feet in altitude. 



JSlotes on a gpecimeri of Orrhodia erythrocephala var. glabra, 

 recently tal^en in Devonsliire. 



By Wm. S. RIDING, M.D., F.E.8. 

 In the earlier part of November, 1894, my son took a fine female of 

 0. erythroccphnla var. glabra, at ivy in our garden. As it varied 

 somewhat from Mr. Tutt's description of Hiibner's figure of var. glabra 

 (British Noctuae, vol. iii., p. 6),. I forwarded it to Mr. Tutt, who wrote, 

 " There is no doubt it is a slight modification of var. glabra." The 

 liead palpi and thorax are reddisli-brown, the palpi are porrected 

 and are not visible beyond the head. The antennte are apparently 



