244 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 6 require no further comment; S.fulvescens 

 and suhpunctata were described from the Island of St. Vincent 

 (West Indies), which Kirchner seems to have imagined was in 

 England. 



CAUSES OF ABUNDANCE OR OTHERWISE OF 

 LEPIDOPTERA. 



By W. F. be Vismes Kane. 



I HOPE the suggestions of Mr. South in your August number 

 will be responded to in such a manner as will give an opportunity 

 of investigating as fully as possible the causes which lead to the 

 abundance or scarcity of Lepidoptera in different seasons. The 

 present year seems to be one peculiarly suited for undertaking 

 such an inquiry, as the scarcity everywhere complained of is 

 undoubtedly more marked in some localities, and prevails more 

 among certain species than others. 



For the purposes of such investigation the paucity of workers 

 in Ireland is much to be regretted, seeing that not only the 

 climate possesses characteristics of its own, but that our summer 

 and autumn weather of 1881 differed remarkably from that 

 which prevailed in England, and was exceptional, Ireland having 

 enjoyed more sunshine and less rain than usual, and the harvest 

 here having therefore been unusually ample and well-saved, 

 while I understand the contrary was the case in England. Obser- 

 vations in Ireland might, therefore, perhaps contribute in an 

 important degree to our knowledge of the influences which 

 favour or check the multiplication of lepidopterous insects. 



I shall, for my own part, try to collect such information from 

 any entomologist in Ireland with whom I am acquainted, and 

 beg through the medium of your columns to appeal to any 

 collectors in that countr}' to oblige me with lists of their captures 

 this year, noting the comparative scarcity or otherwise of particular 

 species, together with as careful an analysis of the weather in 

 each locality for the past eighteen months as is in their power to 

 furnish. 



I would also venture to suggest a few points which might be 

 kept in mind by those who may undertake the investigation of 

 the subject : — 



