228 THE entomologist's record. 



this species there is a good deal more variation than I was aware of 

 until quite recently. Tlie differences in size are apparently partly 

 seasonal, the second broods appearing to be generally small. Mr. Tutt 

 (Brit. Noct., i., p. 148), has shown that the type is cinereous, with a 

 central shade visible. 



a. var. plantaginis, Dup. — Weaker marked, without central shade 

 (vide Ent. Rec, vol. iv., pi. C, fig. 5). 



fj. var. ohscnrior, n. var. — I took this name, which explains itself, 

 from a note by Meves (Ent. Tidsk., v., p. 72), in which it "was used 

 apparently entirely as an adjective. Mr. Hodges has taken specimens 

 which are much darker than the type. 



y. var. ochracea, n. var. — Strongly tinged with yellow, I have seen 

 three examples — Mr. Tutt's extreme one from Deal (Ent. Rec, vol. iv., 

 pi. C, fig. 4, which has come out too brown) ; and two less extreme 

 from Guernsey, in Mr. Hodges' collection. 



8. var. dilucida, Stgr. — I have not yet traced this name to its source ; 

 It is the form from Central Asia, of which Alpheraky sa^'s (Rom., 

 Mem. sur Lep., v., p. 84), " a little paler, and more yellowish than 

 European specimens ; hind-wings entirely white." This is so decidedly 

 paler than var. ochracea, and of not quite so decided an ochreous tint, 

 that it seems undesirable to unite it with that var. ; especially as that 

 seems to be a mere aberration, this a well-marked local race. 



On the Qradual Disappearance of Lepidoptera froni ^outli- 

 Eastern London aiid its jNleiglibourhood 



(LEE, LEWISHAM, ELTHAM, BEXLEY, CHISLEHURST, ETC.) 

 By C. FENN, F.E.S. 



My experiences of collecting in this district date back to 1860, 

 and in comparing my records made about that time with those of 

 the present, some very remarkable gaps become manifest in the 

 latter. Concerning the causes which have conduced to this result, 

 it is difficult to speak with absolute certainty. Of course, the 

 extension of building has destroyed many of the old hunting-grounds, 

 but this is not sufficient to explain the disappearance over wide areas of 

 very man}^ insects which were common thirty-five years ago. Butter- 

 flies are most conspicuous by their disappearance ; next to them come 

 the true Bombyces, and so on to the end of the Pykalides ; the remaining 

 "Micros" do not seem to have been much affected. I am well aware 

 that smoke is generally set down as the chief cause, but I fail to see 

 that it is an adequate one, some of the species having habits of life 

 exempting them to a large extent from its effects. 



I will now enumerate the species that have been particularly affected. 

 EucMoii cardamines, used to be very abundant, but, although not extinct, 

 it is decidedly scarce now. Gonepteryx rliaiimi, formerly common, but 

 now only occasionally seen. Colias edusa, common on railway banks 

 and in clover fields ; for many years I have only seen an occasional 

 specimen. Argynnis paphia, formerly abundant at Darenth, &c. ; the 

 last specimen I saw was on the outskirts of Joyden's Wood, about twelve 

 years ago. A. euphromjne, formerly abundant in all the woods in the 

 district (Shooter's Hill, Bexley, and Joyden's Woods, West Wickham, 



