SALE OF THE FARN COLLECTION. 



49 



late A. li. Farn of Ganarew, Monmouth, who was a President of the 

 South London Entomological Society in 1875-6. The writer was well 

 acquainted with this very estimable gentleman, who was a man of 

 great character and charm, and fine presence. He possessed consider- 

 able knowledge of all orders of insects and birds, and w'as a most 

 interesting correspondent, with a beautiful handwriting which 

 remaired perfect until the end. A very long life was devoted to 

 forming his collection and he was happy in keeping it in excellent 

 order. He was at all times willing to go through the cabinets, with 

 anyone interested, and the writer remembers that on the last occasion 

 he was looking at the Rhopalocera, Mr. Farn said that very recently 

 he had spent rather a tiring time going through every drawer with a 

 lady visitor, who when asked what her impression of the collection 

 was, said that the thing that struck her most was the immense 

 number of pins used ! 



The portion of the Collection under notice included the earlier 

 genera of the Rhopalocera down to Hjiinffihele tithoims, and comprised 

 400 lots, there being very numerous remarkable aberrations and 

 gynandromorphous specimens. Generally speaking the lots were in 

 excellent condition and well set, and quite the best collection from this 

 point of view that has been sold in recent years. A large number of 

 buyers congregated and the owners of several famous collections were 

 present and intent on bidding. 



Among the Pa/iilin niachann the best aberration realised 90s., the 

 remaining lots fetching from 7s. to 22s. each. Seven good Pontia 

 dapliilice brought 35s. to 65s. per pair, and a single female, 50s. A 

 remarkable dark var., somewhat diaphanous, of Fieris vai>i, fetched 

 180s. Aporia crataeiji, from 12s. to 16s. for nine. A cream-coloured 

 Leptusia [Lencopliasia) siiwpis brought 80s. and a var. enjsiiiti, with a 

 specimen with body and markings light brown, 65s. A gynandro- 

 morphous Gonepteryx rhaiiini hvonghi 55s. and a female with margins 

 of male tint 32s. 6d. 



An extraordmary female specimen of EticJdn'e canlainiiies, with 

 large patches of orange on upperwings, persuaded a bid of £9, and 

 another with two thin streaks of male colour on underside, 40s. 

 Beautiful series of (Julias eduaa, with ab. helice and Coliaa hyale, were 

 comprised in lots 42 to 79, and those together realised over £62, the 

 best individual prices ranging from 30s. to 80s. 



Some beautiful Dryaa /xipJiia were next disposed of: a male with 

 spots united and forming oblong blotches, fetched £4, and two similar, 

 slightly defective, £4 10s. 



Lot 97. — A fine and perfect gynandromorph, right side male, left 

 female, taken by Mr. Charles, at Brockenhurst, brought £8. 



Lot 98. — A tine female, with spots large and united, fetched £4, and 

 lot 99, a beautiful var. with fore- and hindwings black, except basal 

 portion, and partly rayed hindwings, realised £12. Two exceptionally 

 black females, not in the best of condition, fetched 80s. and 26s. each, and 

 six very interesting and rare intermediate forms between the type and 

 var. valezhia, brought 90s. 



Lot 106. — A fine var. ralezhta, black and spotless, with outer row 

 of streaks in hindwings greenish black, excited keen competition, and 

 cost the fortunate buyer £17. This insect the writer knows last changed 

 hands at the price of £7 7s., thus turning out a good investment, bu 



