J^g r September, 



niibner's fig. 86, argentana, CI., and goiiana, L., of Herrich-Sehaffer, vol. iv, p. 177- 

 I have not my copy of Herricli-Schiiffer here, so cannot refer to his description, but 

 our insect may be thus briefly described : — Exp. al. 10"-1'. Front-wings shining 

 satiny-white with a very slight ochreous tinge along the costa and hind margin. 

 Hind-wings very pale greyish-ochreous with some of the veins and hind margin very 

 narrowly fuscous. The vmder-side of the front-wing is almost enth-ely black, except 

 the tip, which is grey. The costa of the under-side of the laind-wing is also blackish. 

 Staudinger places argentana in the genus Sciaphila, Tr., section A, Ablabia, 

 Stph., and gives its distribution as follows : — Germany, Alps, South-East France, 

 Andalusia, and Russia. Like its congener A. pratana, the habits of A. argentana 

 ai'e more those of one of the Crambites than of a Tortrix. — F. Buchanan White, 

 Bannoch : July 26th, 1875. 



Is Lareniia ccEsiata donhle-hrooded ? — Mr. Hellins asks (E. M. il., xii, 7) 

 whether Larentia ruficinctata, Gn., and L. ccesiata, Lang., are double-brooded, and 

 this qiiestion seems to have given rise to some discussion — both public and private — 

 amongst entomologists. In the South of England, and in captivity, very possibly 

 both species may be made to produce two or even three broods in a year ; but in 

 Scotland, and in a state of nature, there does not, as far as I am aware, seem to be 

 the slightest ground for supposing that either species has more than a single brood. 



The earliest date on which I have seen L. ccesiata, appears, from my note-book, 

 to be June 8th, and from then till the beginning of August it continues to appear 

 from the pupa, wliilst worn specimens may be found even as late as the beginning of 

 September. July, however, is the chief month in which it occurs. The larva may 

 be found up to the 3rd or 4th week in June. 



Tlie earliest date on which I have met with L. rujicinctaia is the beginning of 

 July, and from that time till the middle of August it may be found in good con- 

 dition. Considering the high altitude at which it often occm-s, it seems impossible 

 that more tlian one brood in the year can be accompUshed. The lowest locality in 

 which I have seen it is 600 feet above the sea, and in a mountain glen ; and I have 

 met with it in various places at 1300, 1700, 2300, and up to nearly 3000 feet. 



As to the food-plants of these species, Ling (CallunaJ seems to be the chief 

 food-plant of ccesiata ; but it may be also found, not uncommonly, feeding in com- 

 pany with the larva; of ruficinctata, upon Saxifraga aizoides. The great food of 

 ruficinctata is undoubtedly tlic leaves of Saxifraga aizoides, though no doubt other 

 Saxifrages would be readily eaten. 



One word as to the name " ruficinctata." I am at a loss to know why this 

 recent and inappropriate name has been adopted in Britain, when the much more 

 applicable iiame, fiavicinctata, Hb., has not only the priority, but has been much 

 more givatly used in Britain, (liuficinctaria, Gu., it should be remembered, is a 

 variety of salicataj. — Id. 



The food-plant in Britain of the larva of Zelleria saxifragcB. — This larva is 

 figured in the "Natural History of the Tineina" from specimens found in Switzer- 

 land feeding on Saxifraga aizoon. Tliis is not a British plant, so when the Zelleria 

 was found in Britain, it was evident that §ome other Saxifrage must serve as a food- 



