88 THE entomologist's record. 



specimens are recorded in the Annual for 1871, and in E. M. M., 

 vol. vii. In addition to these, Dr. Knaggs' Annual, 1871, records two 

 specimens given to him by Mr. Birchall, apparently genuine, but with 

 no titles. One of these specimens, given by him to Mr. Vaughan, 

 was also purchased by me, and is still in my possession. The other 

 one, purchased at Dr. Knaggs' sale, by Mr. Sang, was given by him 

 to Mr. Webb, who has it still. I have, unfortunately, no note as to 

 who purchased the so-called " Weston " specimen at the Burney sale. 

 If it was bought on conunission, perhaps its present owner is still 

 under the delusion that it is genuine, as I noticed that the lying label 

 was cleared with the lot. Mr. Burney 's collection included two other 

 specimens, of which one, stated to have been taken at Sevenoaks in 

 1880, was purchased, I think, by Mr. Bright. Other specimens occa- 

 sionally turn up at Stevens' in big collections, such as Dr. Harper's, 

 Mr. Brest's and others, but in the absence of any record of their 

 capture they must, I am afraid, be regarded as of questionable authen- 

 ticity. — C. A. Briggs, F.E.S., 55, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Maif lit/i, 

 189G. 



A MATTER FOR THE LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL 



Society's consideration. — The following astounding advertisement 

 appears in the Kxchantje and Marl of to-day's date : — " Butterflies — 

 three large English Coppers, alive, splendid specimens ; also two 

 Camberwell Beauties, alive. What oft'ers, cash ? — J. W. Tattersall, 

 17, Cagneau Street, Liverpool." Comment is needless ! I have 

 Avritten to the advertiser asking for information as to where they were 

 captured, etc., and await the reply with interest. — S. J. Bell, 150, 

 Stockwell Park Koad, Brixton, S.W. Xla>i 22n,l, 1896. 



Notes of the Season. 



Reading. — This has been another great Staurointx faj/i year. Up 

 to date (May 14th) soaiething like ninety have been already taken. The 

 only new fact that I have observed as to the habits of the imago is 

 that copulation takes place during the night or very early hours of 

 the morning, a pair having been taken in vop. about 5 a.m. KndwmU 

 rersiculor has also been taken by most of our collectors, the total 

 obtained not having been exceeded since Mr. Holland left Reading. 

 Tephrusia consonaria has entirely failed. T. ciriimvularia has been 

 out in some numbers, but T. hiundularia is. at present, almost entirely 

 absent. Lcucojtha.sia sinapis is out in some numbers, and we hope 

 that the warm weather will bring on a numerous second emergence. — 

 Joseph Clarke, 2G, Zinzan Street, Reading. Xfa// l-it/i, 1890. 



RuGELEY. — Ifadcna (flauca is very scarce this year. ( 'alldphri/s 

 rubi. is plentiful, and the commoner species are unusually abundant. — ■ 

 Richard Fi;eek, M.D., Rugeley. Mai/ iHtJi, 1896. 



Leigh. — On May 12th, at Leigh, I found eight larvie of I'/ioro- 

 desnia sniaraiidaria and one case of J'.'piclmopteri/.r rctinila. — (Rev.) 

 C. R. N. Burrows, Rainham Vicarage, Essex. Xlaij 14</(, 1896. 



First buood of Melanippe fluctuata. — The first appearance for 

 this year was on May 15th. On May 17th I saw some thirty speci- 

 mens on the windows of the house, on fences and at light. 

 Evidently the appearance of the first brood can be put down for the 

 second and third weeks of May. — J. W. Tutt, Westcombe Hill, S.E. 

 June, 1896. 



