298 THE entomologist's record. 



while S. rhamnata seem more confined to special spots. Round one 

 bush they would abound night after night, and other bushes close by 

 would not produce a specimen. Both are exceedingly difficult to get 

 in good condition — neither come to light, but S. rliainnata sometimes 

 visits treacle. Among these species are many Collix sparsata, which 

 also seems attached to buckthorn, although for no apparent reason. 

 It also occurs all over the fen and comes to light. A large pale form 

 of Cidaria testata is all over the place, and Ejnone opiciaria is as 

 common round the sallows as S. rhamnata is round the buckthorns. 

 Acidalia innnntata of course is everywhere, especially at light, and so 

 in less numbers is Strenia dathrata. Of the latter, more were seen 

 at light than anywhere else, and it is the latest among the Geometrids 

 to arrive — rarely appearing before 11 o'clock. Other light visitors 

 were Elupithecia scabiosata, E. valerianata, Lobophora sexaiisata, and 

 several fine Geometra papUionaria, as well as one at treacle. One of 

 these latter coming to the ladies' sheet at one o'clock in the morning, 

 revived drooping interest in things in general. After midnight, the 

 enthusiasm at this sheet generally had to be kept up a bit, by the aid of 

 Mr. Galpin's Thermos' flask. Mr. Galpin arrived at Mr. Bullman's on 

 July 24th, and produced a Thermos' flask, which was duly filled with 

 hot cocoa. Hot cocoa in the fen after midnight is distinctly alluring, 

 and the contents of the flask were much appreciated by the ladies, who 

 somewhat unceremoniouslj' appropriated them. Mr. Galpin proved 

 his foresight by producing ginger- beer for his own use — a decidedly 

 less inspiring beverage in the small hours. Hijria muricata was in the 

 fen by day, but not common, Tiinamlra awataria and i'idaria 

 Pl/raliata in the drove above, plentifully, and Lomaspilia vHir(/inata 

 still in good condition, and common wherever there were 

 sallows. Acidalia enian/inata was scarce in the drove, Hypsipetes 

 elutata was only just beginning to come out, and Eupithecia 

 rectamiulata, Halia irararia, and a strikingly marked A. scutulata 

 occurred in the village. The latter had the typical markings 

 much exaggerated and almost black in colour. The place where 

 Cidaria sa(iittata larvae were so abundant in 1899 was thoroughly 

 searched, but not a specimen was found. The species is evidently 

 entering iipon another period of "lean" years, but will doubtless 

 recover, as it has often done before. A day's bicycle ride to Bury St. 

 Edmunds and back Avas made for Antidea berberata and the larva? were 

 beaten not uncommonly from the barberry which grows there locally. 

 Scutosia certata was in great abundance at the same spot in all stages 

 of growth. Another trip to the Tuddenham district for Diantlweda 

 irregularis larvae was very successful, the larvfe abounding. No non- 

 botanical person, however, would recognise Silene otite-t as a campion, 

 and I was glad I had read up a description of it beforehand. The 

 larvje turned out very unsuccessfully. I fed them at home on chickweed 

 seeds, which they devoured greedily and the leaves and stalks as Avell. 

 These proved much too succulent for them and the result was 

 disastrous, only just over a dozen pupaj resulting. Crambids proved 

 rather disappomting, although very many were examined. From the 

 usual crowd of Chilo jihrai/iiiitellus a smgle Schoenobius iJU(cro)ulliis 

 was extracted, but among the smaller species nothing better than 

 Cra)iibiiH Klipinoselliis occurred. C selasdlns, as usual, was abundant 

 at Chippenham. A few lihodophaea adrenella occurred at light, and 



