22 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



varieties on chalk and limestone soils. But I can only call to mind 

 a few such. By Mr. Dale's reference to instances of animals adopting 

 a white uniform in snowy regions, I gather that he rather dissents 

 from Lord Walsingham's theory. It is worth while mentioning, in 

 relation to the subject, that I have often noticed the rapid absorption 

 of the sun's rays by a dark or strongly-coloured insect, strikingly 

 shown when one settles with expanded wings upon the snow ; for if 

 they rest any time, the snow melts beneath them, and they perish 

 benumbed by the cold. I have watched this result, and have taken 

 some good species thus upon the Swiss alps. — Wm. Fras. de V. Kane ; 

 Drumreaske House, Monaghan, Ireland. 



Distribution in Britain of Vanessa c-album. — I was much inte- 

 rested in reading Mr. Harcourt Bath's remarks on the range of this 

 species in Britain (Entom. xxvi. 338), and note that its occurrence in 

 Scotland appears to be doubtful. 13arron Wood, in Cumberland, is 

 distant from the Scotch border about fifteen miles as the crow flies, 

 and it was there that my father took a hybernated specimen in April, 

 1835, when he was collecting Brephos partlwnias. No other specimens 

 of V. c-album were seen there until 1840, when some numbers occurred. 

 A man, now living at Carlisle, was with me at the time, and we found 

 a great many chysalids on the large scabious (Knautia), and the butter- 

 flies in plenty. A few were found some two or three years later, but, 

 so far as I know, none since. It seems strange that some butterflies, 

 common in adjoining counties, do not appear able to establish them- 

 selves in the district referred to, e.g., Leucophasia sinapis, Gonepteryx 

 rhamni, Aniynnis adijtpe, A. papJiia, Pararge efjeria, &c. — J. B. Hodg- 

 kinson ; Preston, December 4th, 1893. 



Observations on Vanessa c-album. — Since penning the remarks 

 which appeared in the last issue of the ' Entomologist ' (xxvi. 338- 

 342) I have had serious misgivings as to whether the conclusions 

 arrived at therein, concerning the dimorphic tendencies of the insect, 

 in question, are correct. Upon a careful re-examination of the long 

 series of this species in my possession, I am strongly tempted to think 

 that what I considered to be the typical form of the first flight are 

 merely hybernated specimens of the autumnal brood. But if this is so 

 they must retain their colour and fresh appearance remarkably well ; 

 and what is more misleading still, is the fact that they co-exist with 

 the fulvous form. However, I will await the verdict of those who 

 have had greater experience with the butterfly than myself. If my 

 conclusions were incorrect no harm can have been done ; and the same 

 object will have been gained by the publication of the epistle which I 

 had in view when I penned it, if it is the means of directing the 

 attention of other students to the various problems connected with the 

 economy of V. c-album which require a satisfactory solution. — W. 

 Harcourt Bath ; Birmingham, December 23rd, 1893. 



Eelaxing Insects. — 1. If small, lay them between fresh cabbage> 

 leaves for a day or two. 2. Fill three-parts full a wdde-mouthed bottle 

 or jar with laurel- leaves, young, and gathered when free from damp. 

 The cork stopper must be air-tight and well sealed. Pin the insects 

 to the bottom of the cork for two or three days. This method does 



