1872.] 21 



I did not notice when collecting that the Lithosia complana found so commonly 

 were not precisely like those of the south of England, but slightly smaller, with 

 rather straighter costa, and in some specimens a decided increase of the leaden 

 colour on the hind-wings — intermediate specimens, in fact, as I believe between 

 complana and molyhdeola of Guenee. Taking into consideration the fact that Lord 

 Walsingham took, three or four years ago, specimens in the west of Norfolk 

 much more closely resembling the typical molybdeola from Lancashire, I am com- 

 pelled to the belief that it is merely a variety or race of complana. I give my 

 opinion, however, for what it is worth, since my friend Mr. Doubleday holds a 

 different view, and considers my specimens to be true molyhdeola, and not complana ; 

 while the interesting notice of the larvae by the Rev. J. HeUins (E. M. M., vol. viii, 

 p. 174) is also clearly against me.- — Charles Gr. Barrett, Norwich : \^th May, 1872. 



Notes on the Lepidoptera of the Lancashire and Cheshire sand-hills. — On the 

 15th inst. I returned home from a four days' collecting excursion, in company with 

 the Revs. J. W. and T. H. Daltry, of Madeley, to the sand-hills of the Lancashire 

 and Cheshire coast. With the exception of the first evening, the weather was every- 

 thing that coidd be desired, and we found the dwarf sand sallows in full golden 

 bloom, a sight long to be remembered. The pretty sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) were 

 darting about in the sun, whilst aU the pools were alive, day and night, with the not 

 unmusical croaking of hundreds of the peculiar and curious natterjack toad. In 

 Lepidoptera we worked specially for Tceniocampa opim,a, and, in three nights, secured 

 106 specimens. Many of them were taken at the sallow bloom, but still more at 

 rest, and a great many were depositing their eggs, which we found not only on Rosa 

 spinosissima, which is said to be the food-plant, but on sallow, on old withered 

 shoots of ragwort and hounds-tongue, and even on the marram or sand grass. This 

 would give rise to a suspicion that the larva is a general feeder. When first laid, the 

 eggs, being pale yellow, are very conspicuous, 'even at a considerable distance ; but 

 they soon change to purplish-brown, and are then much less distinct. The species 

 seemed very local, and, perhaps, had it not been for the kindness of Mr. WiUiam 

 Greasley, of Wallasey, a local Lepidopterist, we might have missed it. Amongst the 

 other species taken were T. gracilis and rubrico.ia, Gonoptera lihatrix, JEupithecia 

 pumilata, Nyssia zonaria, Anticlea badiata, &c. Of larvae, Orgyia fascelina was 

 plentiful ; of Bombyx quercus and rubi, a few were picked up, the latter spinning up ; 

 a few young Satyrus Semele on the marram grass ; and imder the sand amongst the 

 same plant, those of Leucania littoralis ; of JEpunda lichenea, about 30 were found 

 on the common Seduni ; whilst hibernating Liparis salicis were obtained from the 

 crevices of a row of palings, along which were a lot of willow bushes. — George T. 

 PORRITT, Huddcrsfield : April 15th, 1872. 



Captures during the vwnth nf March.— The following arc somo of my best 

 captures during the month of March, and are, I think, unusually early. Ocnerostoma 

 pinariella, 4th ; Andrena bicolor and cestiva, 5th ; Tcvniocanipa miniosa, 7th ; 

 Hensimene fimhriana, 11th ; Eriogaster lanestris, 15th; Necrophoru.'i humator, 25th ; 

 Cucxdlia verbasci, bred, 28th. — C. W. Dalk, Glanvilles Wootton : lOt/i April, 1872. 



