SPHINX PINASTRI AS A BRITISH INSECT. 133 



one specimen was taken by Dr. Leach, and several by Mr. Wilson, of 

 the College." In Kntuvi., vol. vi., we find records of single speci- 

 mens at Crewherne, in Somersetshire, and another in Devonshire, 

 in September, 1861, the latter date a most marvellous one for a June 

 species, and the record is more than probably due to imperfect know- 

 ledge. 



We now come to the Eastern Counties' locality. In 1872, Mr. 

 Higgins records a specimen from Harwich in June, probably the first 

 reliable specimen from the now famous Suffolk locality. Mr. Long 

 (or Tong) captured one at Waldringfield in 1876, and another at 

 Tuddenham in 1877, whilst other specimens were recorded from " near 

 Ipswich," " Wickham Market " and " near Woodbridge." In KnUnn., 

 vol. xiv., "Ipswich" again comes to the fore, whilst Herefordshire 

 also produces a specimen, but, previously to that, Mr. Carrington 

 [Entoiii., X.) had recorded one as "bred" in the Eastern Counties, and 

 another from " Deal." 



In Knto)a., xv., p. 114, Mr. Carrington, speaking generally in 

 connection with the introduction of rare British species, states that 

 some people " have suggested that we should get European pupte and 

 put them down in places where local insects occur, ' to improve the 

 breed.'" 



In Entom., xv., p. 210, two remarkable records appear of 

 which Mr. Carrington writes : "As editor of this magazine I have 

 received the following letters, which will speak for themselves. Is it 

 possible these correspondents have come across an instance of the 

 amateur colonisation referred to {Entom., xv., p. 114) by me recently?" 

 These letters are dated respectively July 20th and 21st, 1882. In one 

 the writer states that himself and a friend have captured "several 

 pairs of S.])inastrihi one of the Eastern counties," and asks for informa- 

 tion as to " how to dispose of them to collectors." The other writer 

 states that two friends and himself have "taken some specimens of 

 S, puiastri in this county during the last fortnight." He further 

 states that they " are desirous of selling some of them," and " would 

 offer the insects at — per pair," and asking Mr. Carrington's advice as 

 to "what should be asked." 



This damned S. pinastri for a time, and all of us who were anxious 

 about the purity of the British fauna, thought that N. pinastri, as a 

 British species, had received its death blow. So impressed was I with 

 the fact that S. pinastri had been " j)lanted," that when that excellent 

 collector, Mr. Coverdale, a close personal friend of mine, obtained 

 specimens I strongly insisted on their worthlessness, and so far con- 

 vinced him that he took no further interest in what would otherwise 

 have been a notable capture. 



But H. pinastri was not done with yet, and after the record of 

 another at Ipswich, by Mr. Ager, on July 23rd, 1882, Mr. Cooper 

 came to the front in its defence. His letter was sufficient to make 

 me review my previous opinion, and since Mr. Cooper wrote his 

 memorable note in Entdiii., vol xix., p. 14, I have been a firm 

 believer in the authenticity of the Suffolk S. jjinastri. 



This is what Mr. Cooper wrote: — "During a recent visit to 

 Aldeburgh, Suffolk, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of 

 a British larva of S. pinastri, which was in the possession of Dr. Hele, 

 who has been successful in the capture and breeding of this rare 



