1866.] 89 
scarcity of the clear-wing, and the entire absence from our lists of the Noctua. 
They are not only rock species, but evidently select certain aspects amidst these 
almost inaccessible masses of clay slate. 
Our time became divided into a search for iS. philanthiformis, in its pupal stage, 
during the day ; and the new Diantluncia pending the twilight half-hour it devotes 
to flower-hovering ; with, of course, the concurrent opportunities attending each 
pursuit. 
And first, concerning S. philanthiformis. The decorative Armeria maritima, — 
the sea-pink, or common thrift of our garden, blossoms out at this period of the 
year in great clusters from any crack or crevice where enough soil has lodged to 
support its not very exacting existence. It is not " the blossom," however, which 
•we seek; to us the " canker" presents the greatest temptations; and if, amongst 
these flowers, an infected stem is apparent — especially a stunted one with a brown 
eye, it becomes our desperate effort to clamber, crawl, and reach it somehow ; and 
often our fate to discover, when found, and carefully and gently examined, a last 
year's empty cocoon, or a this year's empty pupa-shell, beautifully displayed at the 
opening of its silken cell. Occasionally, however, the little bright brown being is 
himself in the — vegetable. This examination is often accomplished while clinging 
to the jagged shelves of these portentous rocks, holding on by a toe or two, one 
elbow or both, and a waistcoat ; while the seething waters explode alarmingly in 
their caverns many hundred feet below ; with, however, this small crumb of comfort 
to any accomplished diver, that the ocean is said to be as many fathoms deep close 
to the rocks as it is in mid-channel. A week of this sort of hunting sufficed to set 
up great blisters on my feet ; melancholy scars on my shins ; an almost pulpy state 
of finger-tips, through climbing and picking ; several important openings in lower 
garments, not contemplated by their fabricator ; and, to descend still further into 
detail and fact, quite wore out three pairs of stockings and one pair of boots. These 
noble rocks have, notwithstanding, much to be said in their favom*. Chiefly of 
tenacious grey slate, each jag, however small, ensures a safe footing — or toe-ing 
would be the better word ; for they would be but poor cragsmen who always expect 
an entire foot to stand between them and annihilation. Other less fortunate 
animals than ourselves may serve to illustrate the danger. For instance, while 
exploring one morning, we discovered first, the dried and bleaching carcass of a 
sheep, and then that of a cow ; both having toppled over from above, victims to 
injudicious browsing : and Mr. Gregson, on some more elevated pinnacle, found the 
remains of a lamb : some large falcon had evidently been enjoying his meal to the 
musical reverberations of the rock-harmoniums played upon by the sea-gods 
below. 
The twilight 'vantage-ground for the capture of the Diantha^ciahaving been care- 
fully selected during the day,— at the approach of the eventful half-hour it elects to 
sip from the fresh-opened flowers of the Silene wMritima, — we set out to occupy our 
hazardous shelf; and, with ready-poised net, control our ardour, and wait, wait, 
wait, until they come within its sweep. An insect so instantaneously scared I never 
knew. It is impossible this singular timidity can be through its experience of man. 
The least movement of a limb, and " ccBsia" is ofl". Possibly it may be thus ever- 
lastingly alert by reason of dodging the numberless bats which skim along the 
perpendicular sides of the rocks out of which hang those festoons it most affects. 
