1806.] 43 
In June, Smerinthus ocellatus made its appearance, and Drepana hamula was 
still out. Ptilodontis palpina dashed round the lamps in a furious and bewildering 
manner, or, when settled, looked precisely like a bit of dry stick : and, on one 
memorable night, Madopa salicalis occurred on a lamp at Dulwich. The attitude 
of this specimen struck me as remarkable. It stood with its wings arched exactly 
in the style of Platypteryx lacertula, but not so much so as Cilise spinula. 
In this month I found, too, the handsome Arctia villica ; and Pyralis fimbrialis 
was rather common, and continued out till October. Eupithecia plumheolata, 
Peinpelia hetulm, and, oddly enough, Pterophorus trigonodactylus, occurred occa- 
sionally, while the host of other common things would be wearisome. Much more 
was tliis the case in July, when the number of species was really remarkable. 
Among them were the following : — Zenzera jEsculi, Gaslyropacha quercifolia, lodis 
vernaria, Acidalia emarginata, Cidaria dotata, Drepana hamula (second brood) 
Apamea ophiogroimma, Agrotis corticea, Cosmia affinis, Tethea suhtusa and retusa, 
Hadena chenopodii, which had been out ever since May, Pyralis glaucinalis, 
Pionea sh-amentalis, Spilodes cinctalis, Phycita formosa, Myelois pinguis, Pempelia 
carhonariella, and even a few common Tortrices and Tinece, Pelurga comitata (at the 
end of the month, and plentiful the next), and Campt. fixtviata, which appeared 
occasionally till October. 
In August, a diminution in the number of species was observable, but the 
quality was in no degree deteriorated, for in this month I met with the best 
capture I ever made at a gas lamp, Sterrha sacraria, at that time the second or 
third British specimen, I believe. In this month the second broods of Ptilodontis 
palpina, Notodonta dictma, and many others, made their appearance ; with Hepialus 
sylvinus, Ennomos fuscantaria, tiliaria, and angularia (all three out also in 
September), Emmelesiaunifasciata, Phibalapteryx vitalbata, Cosmia diffinis (common, 
but most lovely), Cerigo cytherea, Catoeala nupta, a grand looking thing on a 
lamp, Spilodes sticticalis, Myelois advenella, Acrohasis tumidella and consociella, and 
many more. 
In September there was a material decrease in the number of species, but not 
BO of specimens, the lamps being fairly alive with the numbers of Arithocelis 
lunosa and Luperina testacea, dashing wildly about all the early part of the night, 
and afterwards settling down on the lamp frames in plenty. HydrcBci<i micacea 
was less common, and Agrotis saucia and Xanthia citrago occurred. For the 
remainder of the year, besides the species already mentioned, little, except very 
common things, was to be found. 
Occasionally I have been surprised by the appearance of day-flying species, 
such as Orgyia antiqua, Pyransta purpuralis, and others ; and once I found a 
Vanessa Atalanta actually on the lamp door, which had been opened when the lamp 
was Ughted. Probably it had been accidentally disturbed from its roost lor the 
night. 
My plan of collecting was, generally, to climb the lamp-posts. Moths flying 
round may often be netted, but somehow it is not very easy ; and some may be 
touched by the net when settled, and then caught, but very many, especially the 
good ones, settle under the lamp, or on some part of the frame-work where they 
are not easily got at, or even seen, without climbing. 
If I had not climbed, on speculation, the lamp on which it was settled, I should 
