96 THK ENTOMOLOGIST. 



of Lepidoptera^ if evolntion is a fact: these differences 

 which so puzzle us are changes going on which will in lime 

 cause certain forms, which we now call varieties, to rank as 

 distinct species. Though it is a grand display of creative 

 power to say, "Let there be this species and that species," 

 and they exist, may it not be equally a manifestation of 

 Omnipotence to imagine progressive development producing 

 all the variety of animal life, and so executing the law and 

 design of Almighty wisdom and power. 

 Gorsey Hey, Liscarcl, Feb. 12, 1877. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, CAPTURES, &c. 



Further Notes on Lycena Arion. — With reference to 

 the notes of Mr. J. Brown (Entom. ix. 204) and Mr. G. F. 

 Mathew (Entom. x, 35) I have noticed that many Lepi- 

 dopterists appear to be in doubt as to the exact time of the 

 year during which Lyccena Avion is on the wing in this 

 country. Several authorities give July; but I should say 

 that the time at which it may be met with in the greatest 

 perfection is from the second to the fourth week in June. It 

 was on the 26th of June last, in an unfrequented part of the 

 West of England, that I first had the pleasure of seeing this 

 lovely species alive. In the locality flowers were abundant, 

 especially wild thyme ; and before 1 had been on the ground 

 ten minutes I saw several specimens of Lyceena Arion. In 

 the course of three hours 1 netted about thirty-eight speci- 

 mens, nine of which were so chipped and worn that I set 

 them at liberty. On the following day I again visited the 

 locality in which I had found Arion on the previous day, and 

 in the course of an hour and a half I netted about a couple 

 of dozen specimens, of which 1 only kept fourteen. Possessing 

 that " wholesome dread of exterminating species," I refrained 

 from visiting the sanie locality on ihe 28lh, and went instead 

 to a new neighbourhood, some fifteen miles further west, 

 where it was rumoured that Arion had been taken many 

 years ago. In this locality I did not see a single specimen 

 of LyccBna Arion; but L. Alsus, L. Adonis, and L. Ageslis, 

 were all common, as was also Acidalia ornata. The spring 

 of last year was very cold, and the season, prior to July, was 



