112 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



Strange aberration of Chrysophanus phloeas. — Last Sunday I 

 took a very curious aberration of C. phloeas. The upperside is normal, 

 except that the hind marginal band on the left hind- wing is slightly 

 paler than usual. But on the underside of the same wing there is a 

 large patch coloured like the upper wing, i.e., with black spots upon a 

 tawny ground. Is this abnormal colouring a case of atavism ? — H. H. 

 CoRBETT, M.R.C.S., 19, Hallgate, Doncaster. Seplcmher Qth, 1895. 



H^OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 



Sphinx convolvuli and Acherontia atropos in Somerset. — One 

 S. conrolrull flew into a labourer's cottage, and was brought to 

 me on September 3rd, Mr. T. Parmiter, of Yeovil, also captured two 

 specimens flying over tobacco plants. Mr. F. Milton writes to a local 

 paper that two larvae oiA. atmjHis were taken at Wellington on August 

 13th. — W. Macmillan, Castle Carey, Somerset. October 20tJi, 1895. 



Sphinx convolvuli and Acherontia atropos in Staffordshire. — 

 I have had one S. convolvuli brought to me this year, but in absolutely 

 unsettable condition; also two larvae of A. atropos, one of which died 

 from the severe handling it received from its curious captors. — R. 

 Freer, M.B. 



Elachista akgentella in the City. — -On May 25th I captured a 

 freshly emerged FAaclmta an/cntclla ( J ) on the wing near the Guild- 

 hall Yard corner of Basinghall Street, One sweep of my chimney- 

 pot hat and she was my prisoner. — F. G. Whittle. October 20tli, 1895. 



Lithomia solidaginis and Stilbia anomala at Cannock Chase. ^ — ■ 

 I am afraid L. solid a(/inis has been completely Aviped out of Cannock 

 Chase by a tire, which spread all over its locality — one only was taken 

 this year. S. anomala has also suffered from the same cause ; but as 23 

 were taken this year by myself and a friend (males only, one female turned 

 loose), and the grassy rides where the larvae feed were not burned, I 

 hope it may recover itself. — Richd. Freer, M.B., Rugeley. October, 

 1895. 



Notes of the Season. 



Portland. — My experience of the season at Portland is that it has 

 been a very poor one. Agrotis pyrophila was very scarce — I have 

 only taken three. A. lum'gcra I have hardly seen, and A. Incemea 

 has been less common than usual. Heliophohus hispidus has been 

 scarce this autumn, and I have not seen a specimen of Epunda 

 lichenea. All these are usually to be obtained regularly, except A. 

 pijrophila, which is rarely met with in any numbers. I have certainly 

 been less to Portland this year than usual, but it is unlikely that my 

 want of success was always owing to bad nights, though I still find it 

 impossible to say what are the tastes of moths with regard to the 

 weather. — N.M, Richardson, B. A., F.E.S,, Weymouth, Oct. dth, 1895. 



Scotland and North of England. — I have not taken Ayrotis 

 obscura myself this season, but I understand that it has been taken 

 ill fair numbers in the Hull district. A. pyrophila has been taken 

 again as usual about Pitcaple, whilst ITepialus humtili was abundant 

 at Unst, and in fine variety. Crymodes exuUs was very scarce, and I 

 have not heard of any having been taken at Rannoch or Hoy. Noctua 

 depuncta occurred freely at Forres in the autumn. Common Noctuida 



