38 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
locality” that it was introduced by the late Solomon Bailey.—A. B- 
Farn; Doward Cottage, Ganarew, Monmouth, January Ist, 1916. 
BANKIA ARGENTULA IN WICKEN F'en.—In the article in the: 
January number of this magazine on Wicken Fen the writer states 
that this moth was introduced into a “new” locality—z.e. Wicken 
Fen—by the late Mr. Bailey. 1 think re-introduced would be more 
correct. Bailey brought his specimens from Chippenham Fen, where: 
it was discovered by the late Messrs. Warren and Cross in the summer 
of 1882. Now Mr. Farn records the capture, amongst other desirable: 
species, of two specimens in Wicken Fen in 1877 (‘ Entomologist,’ x, 
p. 211); this would be five years before its discovery at Chippenham. 
I was collecting in the fen at the time Mr. Farn took his two speci- 
mens. In 1879 I took a single specimen there, but unfortunately 
spoiled it in boxing it from the net. I think this insect was really a. 
native of Wicken Fen, but, until Bailey replenished the stock, a very 
scarce insect indeed there—A. THURNALL; Wanstead. 
Curious Hasir or EHupamus reTracta.—tlI have frequently 
noticed this insect (and, I believe, also the commoner allied E.. 
proteus) sucking bird droppings and splashes ; but it was only yester- 
day that I observed one (which I watched closely) repeatedly curve 
round the extremity of the abdomen and eject a large bead of moisture: 
on the dropping and apply its proboscis to the part so moistened. I 
called a young friend to witness the proceeding, which continued for 
some time. WH. retracta has short curved tails, which remind one of 
a Thecla. Though a common insect, the larva is seldom found and 
is difficult to rear owing to the leaves of its food-plants, Desmodium 
incanum tortuosum and triflorum, so quickly withering. This year, 
for the first time, I have succeeded in rearing it from the egg and 
describing it. The food-plants are commonly known as “ sweet- 
hearts,” owing to the flat heart-shaped seeds sticking to the clothes. 
of the passer-by. I should like to learn whether the habit I have 
recorded is well known, and, if so, whether it has been observed in 
other species. The object of the ejection was apparently to render” 
the substance, which probably was somewhat dry, sufficiently liquid 
to be imbibed.—F. J. Briaes; Quintyne’s, St. John’s, Barbados,,. 
November 28rd, 1915.3 
Means or Expansion oF Wines oF LepipoprEerA.—I should be: 
glad to learn what part is played by the proboscis in expanding the 
wings of a newly emerged insect. In watching the development of 
wings of the beautiful Pholus fasciatus five years ago and yesterday of 
two female Hypolimnas misippus I noticed the repeated partial uncoil- 
ing and recoiling of the proboscis. In the case of P. fasciatus I noticed 
what appeared like the heaving of respiration on each side near the: 
base of the abdomen. In the case of one specimen development did 
not commence for some ten minutes, but as soon as that began 
‘respiration’ began also. I observed two or three beads of moisture 
near the base of the proboscis. Some friends witnessed with me the 
case of H. misippus and were much struck by the rapid development 
(about three or four minutes); and one of them remarked on the 
great diminution in the size of the body (abdomen) which, on first. 
