LEPIDOPTEKA FKOM THE SCILLY ISLES. 9 



serving larvae, according to Lord Walsingham's plan, can be 

 procured at a very low figure, if we are content with German 

 manufacture. 



Tlwraces, if very bad, present a deplorable appearance ; if the 

 grease has extended to the pin, a green salt is generated, which 

 so distends and distorts the shape of the thorax that the inser- 

 tions of the fore and hind wings part company. This is still 

 more exaggerated and unsightly if the specimen happens to have 

 been pinned towards one side. If such an example be immersed 

 in ether, the green salt and grease surrounding the pin will be 

 quickly dissolved, and the specimen will probably float off the 

 pin. In the case of a common species thus affected, it would be 

 sheer waste of time and talent to attempt a cure, but with a 

 rarity it might be worth while, after cleansing it, to detach the 

 abdomen, with hind wings attached, and try the operation of 

 excising the bulging portions of the thorax, in order to approxi- 

 mate the fore and hind wings into something like their natural 

 position ; and no doubt, with skill and care, such a specimen 

 might be made to look decent. 



A ivord of warning. — "Never mix." If you begin with 

 benzine, keep to it ; if with ether, ditto. Do not start with one 

 and finish with the other, or you will regret it. 



Should any one wish to know more about ether, I shall be 

 happy to enlighten him to the extent of my ability. The present 

 seems a fitting opportunity to again thank those gentlemen who 

 have so kindly furnished me with the material which has enabled 

 me to complete this paper. I dare say there are,— in fact, I feel 

 sure there must be, — many imperfections in the methods here 

 advocated ; but I much doubt if a better fluid than methylated 

 ether can be found for the purpose — at the price. I do know of 

 other fluids which may be able to give even ether odds in a 

 grease-cleansing match, though most of them are too costly for 

 the purpose— but there ! Methylated ether is good enough for 

 the present, and I am morally sure that if any of your readers 

 will only give it a trial, they will be well pleased with the result. 



Camden Eoad, N.W., December, IS'JS. 



ON A COLLECTION OF LEPIDOPTEKA FEOM THE 



SCILLY ISLES. 



By Egbert Adkin, F.E.S. 



Contributions, however small, towards a knowledge of the 

 fauna of an isolated district are always interesting. I was 

 therefore glad to accept the invitation of my brother, Mr. Banaiah 

 W. Adkin, to inspect and make notes upon a collection of Lepi- 

 doptera that he had made in the Scilly Isles, for the most part 



