[884.1 . 159 



from tlie New Forest, the latter are white with distinct markings and very large, 

 3ut ours are generally smaller and always much suffused with grey, approaching in 

 ihis respect to Yorkshire specimens. 



Xylina semibrunnea. — This species is to be found close to the town, even among 

 he allotment gardens. We find it in the neighbourhood every year, at sugar and ivy. 



Epunda lutidenta also occurs annually, at sugar. 



CucuUia lychnitis. — On June 28th, 1873,1 found larvae near here on Verhascum, 

 Tom which the moths were reared. 



Eremohia ochroleuca. — The only specimen of this species which has occurred 

 lei'e, to my knowledge, was in the larva state, feeding on Mullein and was reared on 

 ;hat plant. 



Spilodes palealis. — Taken here once only. 



Pionea stramentalis. — I have taken two specimens in a wet bushy place. 



Argyrolepia dubrisana occurs about chalk pits among the wild carrot, 



Theristis caudella occurs in lanes among spindle, and in the spring is fond of 

 lying across the road in the bright morning sunshine, when it looks very conspicuous* 

 William Holland, 138, Chatham Street, Eeading : November llth, 1884. 



Colias Edusa near Weymouth. — C. Edusa has been common at Osmington 

 luring the past summer. I saw two J there only last Saturday (October 25th) in 

 sheltered field, visiting Scahiosa succisa : Vanessa cardui has not yet retired into 

 vrinter quarters, several were sunning themselves yesterday morning on the cliffs 

 aear Osmington Mill. — A. E. Eaton, Osmington, near Weymouth : Oct. ZOth, 1884. 



P.S. — C. JEdusa and V. cardui are still flying here. — Nov. 3rd, 1884. 



miration of Insects. — In the November number (aiite p. 134) I noticed some 

 remarks on the occasional occurrence of large numbers of certain species of Lepid- 

 tptera in Ireland, usually more or less scarce. In connection with this subject I 

 .bought the following might be of some interest. In June, 1879 (the 6th, as far as 

 [ can remember), I was on board a steamship in the St. Greorge's Channel j the 

 (weather was warm and misty, and there was little if any wind. About the middle 

 f the day a number of insects began to alight on the vessel, and several others were 

 ying round, the species being Vanessa cardui, Plus ia gamma, Stenopteryx hyhridalis^ 

 |jnd others, including some Diptera, such as Musca Ccesar. This would seem to 

 point to a migration of insects to or from Ireland, and, moreover, that the insects 

 were not blown by the wind, but migrated voluntarily. It would be interesting to 

 learn whether the species I observed were specially abundant or the reverse in 

 '[reland in 1879.— T. D. A. Cockeeell, 51, Woodstock Eoad, Bedford Park, Chis- 

 jrick : November, 1884. 



Silk culture in Assam. — We have received from the India Office an important 

 Dfficial Eeport by Mr. E. Stack, Dii-ector of Agriculture in Assam, on the present 

 state of the Culture in that district, and on the prospects of success so far as regards 

 Mportation to England is concerned. 



The Eeport is confessedly by no meaiis encouraging, but still hopeful. The 

 ■ndolence and suspicion of the natives stand much in the way. Silk is "culti- 



