270 THE entomologist's record. 



pamphihis, while C ti/phou swarmed in its boggy haunts. CaUophrys 

 ruhi and C/in/sop/ianus phlaeas were moderately common, and Cupido 

 minima, PobjummatUH icarm, PatnpJiila sijlvanm and Nisoiiiadcs tar/cs 

 were fully up to the average as regards numbers. — F. H. Day, 6, Currock 

 Terrace, Carlisle. 



Notes from North Devon, the New Forest and Bournemouth. 

 Occurrence of Trichoptilus paludum. Strange habit of Macaria 

 alternata pup.e. — My time for collecting has been very limited this year. 

 I was in North Devon for a week in June, but, apart from Toxncampa 

 craecae, I turned up nothing of note. Insects were very early, and 

 Biiannia rrjnindata, which is usually scarcely out, was nearly over, all 

 the specimens being worn. I was interested also this year in noticing 

 the occurrence of Dijsehorista su^pL'cta as far south as the New Forest, 

 and Hepialus rdleda in North Devon. I also captured the black 

 ab. ny/ra of ('raniophnra liniistri in North Devon. Lithosia coin- 

 plana occurred in unusual abundance in this neighbourhood, as 

 also did Fjulcpia crihnon and Dasi/rhira fasrelina . TrichoptiluN paludum 

 occurred very sparingly, and Scoparia pallida in great abundance. I 

 noticed also a very curious thing in regard to Macaria aheniata, this 

 being three years' experience of breeding this insect. When the pupje 

 obtained from the first batch (larvae usually obtained in June) are kept 

 in the warmth and sunshine, they go over until the next year. But 

 if put into the cellar, where it it is dark and cold, they emerge in 

 August. This is a very curious thing, as forcing this species seems to 

 retard, and not hasten its emergence. — Percy M. Bright, F.E.S., 

 Roccabruna, Bournemouth. 



Hybernation of Pyrameis atalanta. — Apropna of the hybernation 

 of /'. atalanta, I may mention that three years ago I found a pupa 

 of /'. atalanta on St. Herbert's Island, in October. It appeared to me 

 that it meant to hybernate in the pupal stage, as the insect usually 

 appears in September, and continues to fly in October, in suitable 

 weather. I took the pupa home, and placed it in a warm room. In 

 two or three days it turned colour, and soon afterwards produced a 

 fine and very perfect specimen. — H. A. Beadle, 6, Station Street, 

 Keswick. 



Sugaring in Northamptonshire. — A flying visit to Northampton- 

 shire showed the sugar patches fairly crowded with moths, for the most 

 part commoners ; but there were also Af/mtis ahscura {rarida), A. c.rcla- 

 mationistih. pla;/a, and Dicijda oo, with its aberration rcnaijo to gladden 

 our eyes. The abominable weather we are now experiencing will, I 

 fear, prevent us having Orrhodia erijthrocepltala, or Eupithecia stcrcn- 

 mta, the latter of which should now (Sept. 26th) be in good condi- 

 tion. — Sydney Webb, Dover. 



P1.USIA BRACTEA and CiRRHCEDIA XERAMPELINA AT MoRPETH. 1 looked 



for Plusia hractca and CirrJioedia .verainpcUna, and found both very 

 scarce. I only got two specimens of P. hractca, and very few C. xerampe- 

 lina. Polia eld ab. olivacea was also rare. I take /*. chi on the trunks of 

 ash trees at rest, and C. .ccrampdina at rest at the base of the same trees 

 from 5 p.m. until about 7 p.m. — J. Finlay, Meldon Park, Morpeth. 



ReKLECTIONS and QUERIES ON THE VALUE OF RARE BRITISH LePIDOPTEUA. 



— With reference to "John Bull's" further remarks on this subject 

 {ante, p. 113-4), his speaking of the year 1858 as being " in the mists 

 of antiquity," probably explains his not knowing anything about those 

 distinguished entomologists, Messrs. T. and W. C. (J. B. incorrectly 



