94 THE entomologist's record. 



ments of a very large number of insects. Notice its effect upon Vespa 

 vulqaris, &c. 1893 was a wasp year witli a vengeance. Queens 

 without number swarmed in the winter, and appeared in thousands 

 in due course. I netted twenty, one morning, without moving two 

 yards. Yet for all that, in the summer of 1894 I scarcely saw a wasp. 

 On the other hand is it not possible that the winter which killed off 

 immense numbers of larva3 and pupa? may have helped species rather 

 differently constituted, and enabled them to appear in unusual 

 numbers. I take it that the common sjiecies are those best suited to 

 the seasons usually occurring in the particular locality ; the uncommon 

 species may be delicate or less suited to endure the same usual 

 conditions. Reverse the conditions and the fauna will be affected. 

 Our yearly experience shows, I think, that there is something in my 

 suggestions. What entomologist does not know that no two seasons 

 are alike ? One species comes to the front, another retires. What is 

 usually rare with us, turns up in hundreds, while even Mnmcstra 

 hrassicae is for the time being quite a rarity. So no two winters or 

 summers are exactly alike — in temperature, moisture, &c. — while, of 

 course, following seasons react upon one another and supply all the 

 requisite conditions for our varied experiences. Mr. Moberly 

 suggests, it appears to me, that many insects which might have 

 appeared in 1894 are still in pupa?, and may or ought to appear this 

 year. I wish someone would take up the subject of this retarded 

 appearance seriously. I have a great many notes accumulated in the 

 course of years, and have come to the conclusion that instead of asking 

 what insects do lie over, we should be nearer the mark if we were to 

 inquire — what do not ? I will make only one more remark — 

 What constitutes an unfavourable season ? Damp or cold, east wind 

 or north ? I once almost " boiled " a pupa of Acronyda aim at 80° F. 

 (kept moist) for twelve weeks and then it came out (in March I think). 

 It loas hastened ; it was not killed. A continuous cold is not so easy 

 to secure. Will someone try to learn how many months or years, 

 Lepidoptera can be retarded by say a mean or average winter tempera-- 



tnre ? " Mr. E. A. Bowles (Waltham Cross) writes on January 



17t|i: — " By the way, under what heading should the misdemeanours 

 of the members of the Exchange Club appear ? Captures (of victims 

 for slating) ? Variation (from rules) ? or, following a certain fashion- 

 able journal, are we to have a * pillory ' ? It will undoubtedly be 

 very spicy reading. Will Mr. Tutt gives me a post as slating editor ? 

 I'm rather good at it. — e.g., ' We regret to note that Mr. A. has taken 

 to drink ; the absence of bodies from two insects in his box seems to 

 point to a shaking hand. Drink is the curse, &c., &c. Mr. B. 

 (not dis nigger, of course) has again detained the basket ! We must 

 re(piest him to give up at least half of his old friends, and cease to 

 visit them at periods when a basket is likely to arrive. The love of 

 society is the root, &c., &c.' Can any one tell me about Zeuzera 

 jri/rina ? I fancy this gentleman is busy among a neighbour's aj^ple 

 trees. Does it pupate above the hole in the bark whence 

 the frass is cast out ? Can the spot be in any way detected ? 



How long do the eggs remain before hatching?" Mr. A. 



Robinson (Chiselhurst) writes on Jan. 22nd : — " I have done 

 very little lately with the exception of attending to the wants of a 

 brood of CaUimorpha hera, which so far have done very well. I know 



