22 



Dasycampa 'i-ubiginea. — The same collector was also lucky enough to get a 

 male of this species, which was caught by a baker who lived next door ; the man 

 saw it flying round the gas-light, and managed to secure it in his felt hat, and 

 brought it to him, saying, "Here's a miller's thumb for you!" This capture was 

 made just at the end of March. I may remark, that all thick-bodied moths are 

 called miller's thumbs here (not by bakers only), and are all supposed to eat woollen 

 garments, &c. ; of course, the bigger the moth the more damage he is supposed to 

 do. — Eev. J. Hkllins, Exeter. — May 9th. 



Pericallia Syringaria. — During the first two weeks of April, we took, in this 

 neighbourhood, about a score of small lai-vse, as they were hanging at night from 

 their food plant, which, in this case, was the wild honeysuckle (Lonicera Pericly- 

 menum) ; and, I confess, I was surprised to find them feeding upon it. They are 

 perplexing fellows, more than half of those I took have disappeared, how I know 

 not, unless they have squeezed themselves through the threads of the leno, which 

 covers their cage. — Id. 



Capture of Butalis incongruella at West Wickham. — On the 8th of April I cap- 

 tured a very fresh specimen of this northern species in the heath-field at West 

 Wickham. This, I believe, is only the second known instance of its occurrence in 

 the south of England. — R. M'Lachlan. 



A suggestion as to the prohahlefood of the la/rvcB of Micropteryx mansuetella. — 

 Early in May, 1861, I observed a number of this species flying round and settling on 

 some plants of Mercurialis perennis. To test their attachment to this plant I several 

 times drove them away with my hand, but they quickly returned. May not the 

 afiection shewn by the images to the plant point it out as the food of the larvae ? — 

 Chas. Healy, 74, Napier Street, Hoxton, N. 



Hermaphrodite Insects. — It is very desirable that all instances of hermaphro- 

 ditism in insects should be catalogued. This has been partially done by Dr. Hagen 

 in the Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung for 1861 and 1863, but a large number exist 

 in various cabinets in this country that are not noticed in these catalogues, and the 

 gi-eater part of which have, perhaps, never been recorded. T shall feel greatly 

 obliged, therefore, if any gentleman in possession of these abnormities, or who is 

 acquainted with any example in the collections of friends, will kindly send me par- 

 ticulars thereof, specifying name, the sides that are respectively male and female, 

 and any other peculiarities that the specimens may possess ; together with their 

 history as far as practicable ; in whose cabinet they now exist, and by whom cap- 

 tured or bred, and when. When a sufficient number of instances have been 

 collected they will form the subject of a paper, and be published in this magazine. — 

 R. M'Lachlan, 1, Park Road Terrace, Forest Hill, S.E.— 2nd May, 1864. 



Hybrid Insects. — I also wish, if possible, to catalogue all instances of hybridity 

 in insects. This subject has a peculiar bearing on the great question of the day in 

 natural science, the origin of species. It is, perhaps, principally among the Lepi- 

 doptera that hybridism occurs, but there are well authenticated instances in other 

 orders. It is requisite that the name of the male and female be correctly given, and 

 the peculiarities possessed by the hybrid progeny minutely noted. — Id. 



