,886.; j^gg 



Bistrihution of Lepidoptera.—An interesting instance of fluctuation in the 

 distriljution of insects occurred to me in July, on the occasion of spending a few days 

 at my old locality, Haslemere. 



When I left there seventeen years ago I had so thoroughly worked the country 

 for many miles round that it was extremely difficult to find any species of Lepidoptera 

 new to the district. But on this year's visit, on my first walk a couple of miles 

 out of the town I took one species, Homceosoma biticevella, not previously known 

 to occur there ; and on the next day at Woolmer Forest another such novelty 

 occurred, Seterogenea aselliis. Considering the thorough manner in which both 

 localities were formerly worked, I think it quite improbable that these two species 

 inhabited the district at that time. Another day I beat out a specimen of Botyg 

 lancealis, from a hedge which I used constantly to work. This species had previously 

 only occurred once or twice at some miles distance. — Chas. G-. Bakeett, 68, 

 Camberwell Grove, S.E. : September l%th, 1885. 



Lepidoptera near Haslemere. — Although insects do not seem yet to have 

 recovered from the influence of the late unfavourable seasons, and are by no means 

 I to be found in their former numbers, it was pleasant at Haslemere this summer 

 to see examples of many interesting species, familiar in that neighbourhood in 

 old times, but hardly ever seen by me since. My stay was limited to one week, but 

 I found the beautiful Cidaria picata, as of old, on the hill sides, hiding in the 

 tall hedges, and requiring an immense amount of labour with the beating stick 

 to bring them out. With them I found Melanippe tinangulata, a few Olindia 

 ulmana of both sexes, and rarely Bichelia Grotiana. One of my most gratifying 

 captures was Tortrix cinnamomeana, which occurred in two or three localities 

 among oak, beech, and larch, and of which I secured some very nice specimens. 

 While watching for this species in the late afternoon, one of the children brought 

 a specimen of CryptoUahes histriga, not quite in as good condition as could 

 be desired. On the heath, Anarta myrtilli was flying much more commonly than I 

 used to see it, and if possible, with more than its normal energy. Little else was 

 to be found on these usually productive heath? except an occasional Agrotis por- 

 phyrea or Pleurota hicostella, and the abundant Eupacilia avgustana ; but one 

 Gnophos obscurata occurred of a very pretty colour, dark grey flecked with white 

 scales. Further search for this species produced nothing but a pair of very handsome 

 egg» of the goatsucker, Caprimtdgus europcBiis. 



My one day at Woolmer forest was delightful, and insects {TahanidcB excepted) 

 most remarkably scarce. It was glorious, after so many years, again to see Limenitis 

 Sibylla soaring and gliding among the oak trees. The lovely creature was not at all 

 common, I suppose I saw altogether but a dozen, yet every one was like a gleam of 

 silver, and it seemed shameful to kill anything so lovely. Such sentiment was, 

 however, tolerably cheap, for they had no intention of being killed, and only three 

 allowed themselves to be deluded within reach. One (the last) fell fairly and evi- 

 dently a victim to curiosity, for as I came to the glade which he frequented, he came 

 down from the oak tree on which he was about to settle down for the night, and 

 sailed close round me, evidently reconnoitring, and doubtless was much surprised 

 and disgusted at the interruption he received, i suppose there was plenty of honey 

 dew on the oak leaves, for bramble flowers seemed to have lost their attraction, 



