1802.; 45 



flowers thej priucipully frequented were those of Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corni- 

 culatus, Hippocrepis comosa, and Ononis arvensis. I hare also seen them resting 

 on several species of Ranunculus and Hieraclum,Sind have noticed the female sitting, 

 like male Artemis, with the fore-wings bent back over the hind-wings, but not often. 



In 1882, it had disappeared from these two localities, but was plentiful further 

 inland on a strip of waste ground, and in copses. The first specimens appeared as 

 early as^Maj 8th, and by May 20th the species was abundant. In 1883, it appeared 

 equally early, and the last stragglers were worn by the 7th of June. I mention these 

 dates to show how the species is affected by the climate during the winter and early 

 spring. 



In this more inland locality the favourite flowers were Galium eruciatum and 

 JEuphorhia amy gdal aides. 



This species seems to have entirely disappeared from the locality east of San- 

 down, Isle of Wiglit, where it was taken by Mr. Dawson in May, 1844. 



Thecla pruni. — I found it plentifully in Barnwell Wold, Northamptonshire, 

 and in other woods in that neighbourhood, 22 years ago. The season was an early 

 one, and large numbers of this butterfly were flying round and settling on the 

 flowers of privet (Ligtistrum vuJgare) in the woods. On June 19th, I netted over 

 forty specimens in an hour. By the 22nd they were getting worn. In 1875, I 

 reared several dozen specimens from larvse obtained in Northamptonshire. The first 

 emerged on June the 13th, and the last on June the 27th. In 1876 they were later, 

 appearing from June 26th to July 3rd. It was a great luxury to me to see living 

 specimens of this local butterfly walking about on the table when I was at breakfast. 

 In 1890 not a specimen was to be seen on June 27th and 28th, but a week after- 

 wards I heard that the species was just coming out. It sits upon flowers with its 

 wings closed, and, besides the privet, frequents those of the wayfaring tree {Vibur- 

 num lantana). 



Steropes Paniscus. — It is sometimes common in rides and open places 

 in woods in Northamptonshire, and seems very partial to the flowers of Ajuga 

 reptans, about which it is constantly buzzing. It is swift, and has a bright appear- 

 ance when on the wing. I think that the last week in May is its time of appearance, 

 in an average season. In 1891 I found it in fine condition as late as June 13th, but 

 the majority of the specimens were females. 



Surbiton Hill : December, 1891. 



ON THE REARING OF PACRETRA LEUCOPHMA FROM THE EGG. 

 BY W. K. JEFrEET. 



It can hardly be expected that any notes on my failure to rear the larva of 

 P. leucojihcua through the winter of 1890 — 91 can be of much interest to the readers 

 of the Ent. Mo. Mag., but as I intend giving the experience of others more success- 

 ful than myself, it may be well to put them together before the year closes. 



On the 7th of June, 1876, I found a fine specimen of this moth on the trunk 

 of a birch near Ashford, as recorded in Yol xiii of this Mag., page 64. On the 2nd 

 of June, 1890, I again met with the insect within half a mile of the same spot, this 

 time also a ? , but not in such fine condition as the first — however, the chance of 

 obtaining fertile eggs was greater. Placing her in a glass cylinder in a flower pot 



