13G L^''^^''-'iii''j»j'". 



that Zaddach, in 1854, wrote a memoir that coTitributed greatly to the advancement 

 of embryology in insects, a subject that of late years has become almost a distinct 

 branch of natural science.— R. McLachlan, Lewishara : Octoher Sth, 1879. 



Note on Kematus ribesii. — Having a few currant trees in my garden, I made 

 some attempt this season to " stamp out " the complaint caused by Neiiiattts ribesii. 

 As soon as tlie leaves of the currant tree begin to expand, the female of this saw- 

 fly makes its appearance, and between the hours of 7 and 10 in the forenoon, 

 especially in cool weather, may be observed at rest on the leaves or branches and 

 adjacent wall. I noticed it also to have a partiality for the leaves of some rhubarb 

 growing near. At this time of the day the flies may be easily seized and destroyed 

 before they have laid tlieir eggs. Of course some will escape, and the next thing to 

 do is to examine the under-side of the more advanced leaves for eggs laid. These 

 are very plainly visible, being of a whiter colour than the leaves, and may be 

 destroyed by running the thumb over them without removing or injuring the leaves. 

 Some leaves with eggs on them will also escape detection, so that next one has to 

 look out for the numerous small holes made in the leaves by the infant larva, as 

 detailed in the " Letters of Rusticus." It is best to remove these leaves and 

 destroy the larvae. I found the plan to succeed, but it required unremitting 

 attention, as fresh saw-flies kept coming almost every day for three months at least. 

 Owing to some neglect, many larvse got ahead, but still the result was that a good 

 proportion of leaves remained on the trees through the summer, and I have no doubt 

 the latter would have been entirely stripped if no attention had been paid to them. 

 As Mr. Douglas observes (p. 116, ante), the black currant-trees were not attacked. — 

 Benjamin Cooke, Windsor Road, Southport : &k October, 1879. 



Note on Aphides. — As regards garden insects, the most remarkable thing I have 

 observed of late is the immense destruction of winged Aphides, caused by their 

 being caught in spiders' webs. — Id. : 6th October, 1879. 



Captures of Lefidoptera near York. — On the 25th July, I took a specimen of 

 Apleaia occulta at sugar, and on the 16th September I found a larva of Acronycta 

 alni feeding on mountain-ash in Sandburu Wood, Malton Road, York. — A. H. Hind, 

 Minster Gates, York : September 2ith, 1879. 



Depressarice feeding on carrot. — With respect to Depressaria rotundella, my 

 friend Mr. C. S. G-regson has bred it years ago from carrot, and I have also bred it 

 from that plant, as well as Donglasella, albipunctella, depressella,p>urp'urea, and 

 applana. Wild carrot is also the food-plant of Depressaria capreolella and D. 

 Yeatiana, according to Mr. Hodgkinson, who has bred both. — ^E. L. Ragonot, 

 12, Quai de la Rapee, Paris : October, 1879. 



I 



Abujidance of Chrysocorys festaliella. — The larvae of C. festalieUa were in 

 thousands up at High Force the other day. The raspberry bushes were bleached in 

 every direction ; they were quite a feature in the landscape. — John Sang, 6, Chest- 

 nut Street, Darlington ; Septemher 12th, 1879. 



