1865.1 265 



tomed hauuts, and was represented by a single leaden-coloured specimen of the 

 variety bilinea. In both previous and subsequent years, the type was common 

 enough, while of the variety I have only taken three examples altogether. 



Xanihia cerago. — I meet with this insect not rarely in September and October ; 

 but last year did not see one of the typical form. On the 19th and 20th September, 

 however, I took three specimens of a pale Xanthia; these, at first, much puzzled 

 me ; but afterwards, by the aid of my books, I made them out to be a variety of 

 this species. 



Phigalia pilosaria — Common enough in 1863, but in 1864 I did not meet with 

 a single specimen till the 10th March, when, while snow lay thick on the ground, 

 I found a very handsome black variety at rest on an oak trunk. This was thu 

 only P. pilosaria which came under my notice in 1864 ; the usual form is already 

 out this year (1865). 



These instances of varieties appearing when the types were absent seem to 

 me to be curious. 



XyloplMsia rurea. — I have generally found the red form, conibusta, in consider- 

 able numbers : both it and the type are very constant to their respective markings, 

 and I have not noticed any intermediate variation. 



Twniocampa ci-uda. — Amongst a number of this abundant insect, one, of a 

 beautiful lilac tint, is worthy of notice ; its colour, however, has rather faded since 

 the moth was captured six or seven years ago. 



Boarmia repandata. — I have on several occasions taken the banded vaiiety, 

 conversaria, but seldom in very fine condition. A friend tells me that, in a certain 

 wood in this county, it is actually commoner than the typical form. 



I should be much pleased to hear the results of others' experience and obser- 

 vation in this most interesting branch of Entomology. — John T. D. Llewelyn, 

 Ynisygerwn, Neath. 



Vanessa Ichnusa, Bon., Hub., Rbr. This insect is given by Mr. W. F. Kii-by 

 (who follows Dr. Standinger) as a variety of V. urtiae, Linn. ; although its larva, 

 as described in Chenu's Encyclopsedia, is quite unlike that of the latter species. 

 In addition to this, the perfect insects differ more from each other than V. poly- 

 chloros does from V. xanthomelas. — Andrew Wilson, Edinburgh. 



NOTES ON COLLECTING, MANAGEMENT, &c. (LEPIDOPTERA.) 



THE CATERPILLAR STATE (continuedfrom page 242). 



BY H. G. KNAGGS, M.D. 



Beating is the next mode of collecting which comes under consideration ; the 

 apparatus ordinarily used, consists of a clap net* (the larger the better) or an 

 umbrella, a beating stick, such as a heavy hook-handled walking stick, and as 



• An ingenious invention, by Mr. Norcorabe, is caiTied out in the following simple and Inexpensive 

 manner : — Two pieces of cane (or lath < are " hemmed " into opposite sides of a piece of window Mind, 

 and through a hole ma^ie in the middle of one of them a loop of string is passed. Now for use ; — Take 

 an umbrella net (such as used for " sweeping,") open it, slip the loop over the fen-ule end, unfurl the 

 blind over the net, and hold down the other cane by means of the thumb of the left hand. Thus not 

 only is a large surface afforded for receiving the results of his beatings, but the collector may instantane- 

 ously detach the appendix leaving him, net in hand, free to chase any insect which may suddenly start 

 up. 



