164 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



imposed, reversed, and otherwise compared, reveal no errors 

 under comparatively high powers. The bands exhibited are ruled 

 upon specially prepared glass, ordinary " cover " glass being un- 

 suited for the attainment of the most perfect results. — H. J. 

 Grayson. St. Kilda, 9th July, 1894. 



A LEPIDOPTERIST AT PHILLIP ISLAND. 



Taking advantage of a few days' holiday at Christmas, I decided 

 to pay a visit to that charming locality for excursionists, Phillip 

 Island, and landing from the steamer at Cowes, Mr. West's 

 house was reached after a short walk, where a welcome luncheon 

 was waiting. This disposed of, a start was made in a south- 

 easterly direction. Signs of insect life were soon observed, but 

 only the commonest species of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera 

 were captured, although the Leptospermum bushes were well 

 shaken and the bark stripped off the Gums, &c. 



A specimen of the moth Euplexia nigerrima was easily 

 captured and transferred to the cyanide bottle, also two specimens 

 of Uednota pleniferella . A web of the larvae of Delias harpalyce 

 was noticed on Loranthus penduhis, and after a little trouble was 

 secured. These were of a brown colour, in place of the usual 

 black, the pupae ultimately being red, with protuberances and 

 wing cases outlined with black, though the perfect insect did not 

 differ from others of the same species from elsewhere. The 

 butterfly Jleteronympha merope was to be seen in great numbers, 

 but acting as beaters they caused the flight and ultimate capture 

 of their scarcer brethren. The scorching heat of the sun at 

 length compelled us to beat a retreat to the sea beach for a dip. 



On the following morning, having a companion, although a 

 drizzling rain was falling, a start was made for the Rhyll-road. 

 While on our way through the bush about six male Xenica 

 klugii were disturbed and captured, also a Couple of fine skippers 

 — viz., Trapezites iacchus — and a single specimen of Euchloris 

 cadmaria. After lunch, the rain having cleared off, the sun 

 became very powerful. Another specimen of T. iacchus was 

 secured, along with one of Hesperilla donnysa, a variety with 

 silver markings under the wings ; also Lyccena labradus. While 

 returning a couple of specimens of Agarista Leivinii and Euchloris 

 submissaria were obtained. After a welcome and well-earned 

 meal the evening was devoted to the setting out of our captures. 



Next day we struck out in an opposite direction to that taken 

 the previous day. The first victim to the net being a female of 

 Chrysophanus aurifer ; shortly afterwards the skipper T. iacchus 

 went whizzing by, but soon returning was promptly captured and 

 deprived of life. Close by a peculiarly marked male specimen 

 of H. ??ierope was also secured, along with A. Lewinii, and a web 

 of the pupae of D. harpalyce completed the day's captures. 



