1S80.] 231 



son blossom is not so accessible as sallow bloom to a large, perhaps the larger number 

 of Lepidopterists, but to those who have the opportunity I would suggest that during 

 the season they should try the experiment, feeling assured they will be gratified 

 with results. 



At Mill Hill I worked this " attraction " in preference to sallow, as I found that 

 I could get more specimens of all the species obtainable in the district. 



I used an umbrella, which I held inverted under a branch, giving the latter a 

 jar with a heavy stick, the striking part of which was covered with list, to prevent 

 bruising the bark ; there is no danger of doing harm to the prospective fruit crop, as 

 the blow necessary to dislodge the moths need not be of sufficient force to hazzard 

 the chance of a single plum ; certainly, some petals will fall, but only those which 

 having performed their part in the economy of nature are prepared to do so, and if 

 not scattered by our stick, would speedily drop of their own accord ; indeed, one 

 year when I had been very energetic in the orchard, the stone fruit was unusually 

 abundant ; of course I do not pretend this was in any way due to my thumping the 

 trees, but it is a proof that no harm was done. 



Moths were very plentiful that spring at the blossom, and perhaps they may have 

 contributed somewhat to the propagation of the large harvest. — Richard South, 

 13, Bonchurch Villas, Ealing : January, 1880. 



Lejndoptera at Hill Hill; a reminiscence. — I have had some experience in col- 

 lecting, but never did I meet with so many species at so small an expense of time and 

 energy as during the years 1874 to 1877, inclusive, when I had the privilege of 

 collecting in the private grounds of Goldbeaters' Farm, Mill Hill, Hendon. These 

 said grounds comprised flower garden, shrubbery, kitchen garden, an old orchard, 

 and one of younger trees, in this latter the grass was allowed to grow, and a crop of 

 hay obtained from it each year ; the whole was included in one common area of 

 about three acres, and was bounded on three sides by large elms and oaks, and be- 

 yond these were grass meadows ; there were no woods of any size in the country 

 immediately surrounding, but as nearly all the fields were bordered by trees of oak, 

 elm, and ash, and the hedges of lanes, &c.,had a thick and high growth of hornbeam, 

 maple, dogwood, aud various other small timber, it might be described as " woody.'* 

 In the garden, besides a variety of Conifers, there were small trees of lime, birch, 

 beech, sallow, willow, and some large ones of aspen, also a number of ornamental 

 trees and shrubs, and many herbaceous plants. 



Having thus given some idea of the botanical features of the locality, I will pro- 

 coed to a synopsis of the work done there during the period named, taking each 

 Family separately, with notes on particular species. 



DiURNi, 20 species. — Colias JEdusa was bred from larvaj found June, 1877, on 



Melilottis ■ ?, the perfect insects were common that year. Arge Galathea, 2 



larvae found at night on grass in new orchard, 1876, and 11 perfect insects taken 

 there same year, this species was not uncommon about a quarter of a mile ofE. Thecla 

 riihi, a larva beaten out of oak. 



NocTUKNi, 29 species. — Smerinthus oceUalus, larva) common on apple trees ; also 

 a few larvae of S. poptdi on aspen ; and S. tilice, elm. Ckwrocampa porcMus, 2 

 came under porch in the evening. Sesia myopiformis, on trunks of old apple trees. 



