118 [October, 



of insects. In my case, the scarcity from tlio point of view gardenesque, (to use a 

 term of the late J. C. Loudon), has been beneficial ; but from the point entomological 

 disadvantageous, as may be gathered from the following notes. These may also 

 serve to show how an entomological biped has been temporarily affected by his 

 environment (which is the latest, and not always appropriate, orthodox term to 

 express conditions of life) ; but as to the conditioned hexapods, the contributory 

 factors to their latest appearance, or non-appearance, must, in many cases, be sought 

 in the fluctuating or conflicting agencies in more than one preceding generation, and 

 then, perhaps, be found only hypothetically, on the assumption of post hoc propter 

 hoc. 



The early broods of Pieris had scarcely one representative ; and in the 

 late broods the numbers were far less than usual ; consequently, the cabbages, which 

 are ordinarily consumed by the larvae, fairly escaped from the slight attacks of these 

 enemies, and have taken heart. Not another butterfly of any kind has paid a flying 

 visit. 



Abraxas grossulariata, that in some years is the currant-pest, leaving not a 

 leaf on the bushes, has not been visible in any form or condition this year. 



Of Orgyia antiqua, that usually dances in and over the garden by dozens at a 

 time, only a solitary one has now and then been seen practising its mazy figures. 



Plusia gamma,, that sometimes will be noticed, has this year had to be looked 

 for, and I can just say that I have seen it. 



Hepialus sylvinus, Crambus prateUus, and C. tristellns, that are usually common, 

 and sacrifice themselves on the house-lights, have scarcely appeai-ed. 



Hgponomeuta padella began the season, as larvae, well, and in some quantity, 

 but I fear that my personal intervention with their way of life contributed, to a 

 great extent, to rendering their course futile, and hindered the survival of the fittest. 



Nematus ribesii, that is the usual rival or assistant of Abraxas in the devasta- 

 tion of the currant and gooseberry bushes, came not in the first instance, but later a 

 few appeared and made their mark. 



The white wool of Schizoneura lanigera profusely decorated the branches and 

 shoots of all the apple-trees, save one that is never visited by this pest, up to the 

 end of July ; wlien, as if by a stroke of harlequin's wand, a transformation scene 

 was effected : all disappeared and the foliage became revived and vigorous. From 

 this recovery, however, one old tree was excepted : for three successive years it has 

 struggled against the Aphidian foe, and has been reduced to a deplorable state of 

 vital condition, and, now, almost leafless, it seems as if it would not survive, although 

 for five or six weeks there have been no Aphides on it ; its stem and branches are 

 covered with the scales of Mgtilaspis pomorum, which are so close together that 

 they jostle each other for place. On this tree, in former years, I used to get 

 Gelechia nanella, but I no longer find any examples nor see the pupa-skins sticking 

 out of the bark. Aphides on other plants or trees have been scarce : the scanty 

 glow of the pseudo-summer's sun on still evenings has not been peopled by floating 

 swarms, nor has there been the agreeable spectacle of hundreds of these malefactors 

 hung in the chains of the spiders, only tiny vagrant JJiptera having been thus 

 executed. The Cocciiiellcs might well have been starved if the Aphides on the hops 

 had not come in thousands to their relief; thereon the lady-birds feasted to 

 repletion. 



