1902.] 19 



fact mistook one for the other. The brown colour is no doubt the original one in 

 the Satyrids, but in this case is more probably a reversion, but as to this I have no 

 data for an opinion." Mr. L. B. Prout exhibited and commented upon a number 

 of Geometrida, also taken by Dr. Chapman and Mr. Champion in Spain. Mr. F. 

 Merrifield, specimens of Pieria rap a and P. erijane from Dalmatia, showing that 

 the two species are extremely difficult to separate, even if they are not identical. 

 Mr. C. P. Pickett, varieties of Argynnis Paphia and A. Aglaia, similarly aberrant, 

 from the New Forest. Mr. C. J. Watkins sent for exhibition micro-photographs of 

 the larva in its case and the perfect insect of an Oxeythira, one of the Hydroptilidce, 

 a family of Micro- Trichoptera ; these had been taken by Mr. Mearns, of Aberdeen ; 

 also a drawing made by himself under the microscope of a larva (in its case) of the 

 same genus. — H. Rowland-Brown, Hon. Secretary. 



LEPTBOPTERA OBSERVED IN THE PARISH OF MORTEHOE, 

 NORTH DEVON* 



BY O. B. LONGSTAFF, M.D., F.TC.C.P. 



The parish of Mortehoe, or, as the natives usually call it, Morte, 

 occupies the uorth-west corner of Devonshire, with about five miles 

 of coast-line washed by the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. 

 Tt extends some 3| miles from north to south, and about 3 miles from 

 east to west, and contains 4246 acres. The north-eastern corner of 

 the parish, extending like a horn, almost severs the western end of 

 the parish of Ilfracombe, and it is probable that a few of the insects 

 mentioned may have been observed there, and not in Mortehoe 

 proper. In like manner it is possible that the same remark may 

 apply, in a less degree, to the adjoining parishes of George Ham and 

 West Down. 



Speaking generally, north of the Woolacombe Valley and the 

 railway station the sub-soil is a shaly slate, to the south of these 

 landmarks a hard sandstone, both being members of the Devonian 

 system. The vegetation of the road-sides and hedge-banks affords 

 abundant indications that much of the land now cultivated was 

 once covered with heather, and many of the higher fields are still 

 called " moors ; " indeed, I believe some parts of Woolacombe Down 

 have been enclosed within the memory of men now living. 



The first thing to strike an entomologist visiting the locality for 

 the first time is its high bleak character. A considerable acreage lies 

 more than 500 ft. above the sea, the highest point being 688 ft. 

 Secondly, the lack of cover : woods are small, and few and far 



* Published also in pamphlet form by Mitchell and Hughes, 140, Wardour St., W. (1001). 



B 2 



