158 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



for granted that winter flying moths are capable of bearing consider- 

 able extremes of cold. In a somewhat similar connection I have more 

 than ouce come across cases in the Alps of what appears to be remark- 

 able recuperative powers iu Ehopalocera. I have rarely crossed a high 

 mountain pass, where the snow lies from year's end to year's end, 

 without coming across various kiuds of insects frozen on the surface. 

 I remember some years since traversing the Neiderjoch Pass between 

 Vent and Unser Frau on the way to Meran. A number of Pieridi 

 were scattered upon the ice, and among them a specimen of Colias 

 phicoiiione, a high flying species. The Pieridi seemed to be dead, 

 though I did not pick any of them up ; the Colias, however, 1 boxed, 

 and on descending below the snow line on the other side, exposed it 

 to the now powerful rays of the sun, with the result that it recovered 

 some semblance of wing action, and when left was fluttering about in 

 the grass. It must have been frozen hard for some hours, as I was 

 on the snow about six o'clock in the morning. But what attracts 

 non-migratory species to these altitudes I cannot determine ; yet it is 

 a common experience to meet such generally lowland species as 

 Gonepteryx rhaumi and even Papilio machaon up to eight thousand 

 feet ; and among other butterflies which I have found frostbound is 

 MelttcEa ctjiithia, an alpine species certainly, and perhaps for that 

 reason the less likely to be surprised on the glaciers. Eunning water 

 exercises a great attraction for some Lepidoptera. Perhaps the glare 

 of the snow may also have a fascination for others which inhabit the 

 higher regions of the Alps. — H. Rowland-Brown ; Oxhey Grove, 

 Harrow Weald, April 9th, 1901. 



Application for British STEAxioMYiDiE, &c. — In this magazine for 

 August, 1897, I made a request that I might be assisted in examining 

 freshly caught specimens of Platypezae. The result was astonishing, 

 as fine series of little-known species were sent me from various sources, 

 and I was consequently enabled to clear up many very complicated 

 cases of synonymy, not only for Britain, but also for Europe. I am 

 now working at a second volume of my ' British Flies,' which would 

 be vol. V. of the ' Scheme.' This volume is entitled ' Stratiomyid® to 

 Cyrtidae ' in my introductory notice. I want to see British specimens oialL 

 species which appeared in italics in my ' List of British Diptera ' for these 

 families. I should also like to see any specimens of Odontomyia (except 

 0. ornata, 0. tiyrina, and 0. viridida), and any specimens of Oxycera 

 (except 0. pulchella and 0. trilineata). Sargus jiavipes is at present a 

 jumble, and I specially want to see the male of a species which occurs 

 in the Forest of Dean. Any Xylophagidse will be welcome. HcBtnato- 

 pota italica should be looked for in the neighbourhood of Leigh and 

 Southend in Essex. I should be glad to examine any of the uncommon 

 species of Tabanus, and I especially want to see good series of any 

 species of Therevidas (except T. annulata and D. anilis), but they must 

 be in most perfect condition as to their pubescence. In a similar way I 

 want to see series of the " Paniscus " group of the genus Anthrax, but 

 the greatest care should be taken that the pubescence is not injured. 

 Specimens of Scenopinas are welcome, and I should be glad to receive 

 authentic localities for all species which will be included in the 

 volume. — G. H. Verrall ; Sussex Lodge, Newmarket, April, 1901. 



