24 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



number of the species were grouped together, but several were de- 

 tached from the general arrangement, aud had to be sought in 

 different parts of the collection. For reasons of this kind the dif- 

 ficulties in the way of making an effective study of the group were 

 very great. 



" At the present time the space devoted to the Pierinae consists of 

 five cabinets of sixty drawers each — three hundred drawers in all. 

 Each specimen has been carefully considered and placed in the position 

 that may best illustrate its natural affinities and relation to conditions 

 of locality and season. The genera and species have been indicated 

 throughout by easily-read labels, and synonyms have been added when 

 they possess special interest or importance. The order of the species 

 within each genus, and of the genera within the subfamily, has been 

 determined with the view of exhibiting the probable relationship of 

 the various forms on a phylogenetic basis. With every genus and 

 every species a map is given, coloured to show the present distribution 

 of the particular assemblage on the earth's surface. Within the limits 

 of each species the individual specimens are arranged geographically, 

 according to a uniform plan ; seasonal modification of forms, where it 

 exists, is duly indicated by special labels." 



iEscHNA mixta in Epping Fokest. — Henry Doubleday is apparently 

 not properly entitled to hold the Epping Forest record for M. mixta. 

 In his list of 1871, Doubleday speaks of this dragonfly as being on the 

 wing as early as June — in fact, his observations are confined to that 

 month. Now, we claim to have a particularly close acquaintance 

 with mixta in the Epping Forest district, and we have never met with 

 the species before September ; indeed, its flight seems to be restricted 

 to that and the succeeding month. We think it is pretty clear that 

 Doubleday wrongly identified some other species as mixta, or, alter- 

 natively, failed to keep a proper note of the dates of capture or observa- 

 tion. — F. W. & H. Campion ; 33, Maude Terrace, Walthamstow, 

 Essex, Oct. 31st, 1904. 



[It certainly seems to be the case that ;E. mixta does not appear 

 before August. — W. J. L.] 



CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 



Sphinx (Agrius) convolvuli in Hampshire. — S. convolvuli has been 

 common here this season wherever the tobacco-plant was grown. A 

 cat belonging to a gentleman residing in Brockenhurst has accounted 

 for three specimens. She might be seen on any mild evening during 

 August and September prowling along by the flower-beds and waiting 

 for the moths which, although never seen in the act, she, no doubt, 

 captured on the wing. The three specimens mentioned were taken 

 from her mouth alive (they were not cabinet specimens) ; how many 

 more she caught and consumed is, of course, unknown. S. convolvuli 

 did not come to the flowers on cold nights, neither did puss attempt 

 to go hunting. In this she showed more wisdom than some of our 

 local entomologists. Mr. L. F. Hill, of Cremona, Brockenhurst, has 



