234 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



were still moving, although the motion at the other joint had 

 ceased. The butterfly was quite dead at the time it was set, 

 and I am quite unable to account for the facts stated above. 



[I am unable to give any explanation of this fact, but it is 

 by no means an unusual occurrence. — Edward Newman.'\ 



G. Haggar. — Food-plant of Setina irrorella. — I have a 

 good batch of eggs of Setina irrorella. Can you kindly 

 inform me what the larvae feed on ? for on reference to the 

 'British Moths' I find the particulars very scant; indeed, it 

 is there stated that it is taken in situations where the tree- 

 lichens grow. My female was taken in the railway cuttings 

 between Dover and Folkestone, and not a vestige of tree or 

 shrub near; also two males were taken in a similar situation. 

 Perhaps since the account was written something more may 

 be known of its history, and I should like to rear them if 

 possible ; though if lichen-feeders I may find it difficult. 



[I shall be obliged to any entomologist who will give any 

 additional information on this subject. — Edward Neivman.] 



Joseph S. Baly. — Honey Bees (Entom. vii. 293). — The 

 phenomenon which your correspondent describes is not 

 uncommon amongst bees, and is thus spoken of by Langstroth 

 in his work on the ' Honey Bee,' p. 116 : — "Bees sometimes 

 abandon their hives very early in spring, or late in summer or 

 fall. Although exhibiting the appearance of natural swarm- 

 ing, they leave, not because the population is so crowded 

 that they wish to form new colonies, but because it is either 

 so small or the hive so destitute of supplies that they are 

 driven to desperation. Seeming to have a presentiment that 

 they must perish if they stay, instead of awaiting the sure 

 approach of famine, they sally out to see if they cannot 

 belter their condition." Bees, when sallying out under these 

 circumstances, are termed a vagabond swarm : sometimes 

 they try to gain entrance to another belter-supplied hive, or 

 more often fall to the ground from exhaustion, and perish. I 

 fear the occurrence is likely to be frequent this year, as, 

 owing to the unusual amount of wet, very iew stocks have 

 laid up any stores for the winter, and most are weaker than 

 they were in early spring. — H. Jenner Fust, jun. ; Hill 

 Cottage, Faljteld, Gloucestershire, August 6, 1875. 



/. S. Woodhouse. — Flies sticking to Glass. — What is the 

 cause of Jiies adhering hy the legs to window-panes^ and 



