292 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



weather during most of the month was most unpropitious 

 for collecting, we having such continued rain and wind, 

 which not only prevented work, but soon spoiled the 

 condition of most insects. All the male Apatura Jris I took 

 were more or less damaged, but tlie females were in fine 

 order. This species continued on the wing the month 

 through, that is to say, wiien the weather would permit. 

 I captured a male on the 31st. 1 got eggs from two females, 

 but unfortunately they proved infertile. Catching Apatura 

 Iris is most exciting work, but it involves a great waste 

 of time, as one has to wait the coming of their majesties, 

 and this year they were scarce, — some days not one would 

 be seen, — and a long ash-pole is not a convenient thing to 

 collect with generally. 



The exquisite little Nola albulalis, too, was one of my 

 objects of search, and I succeeded in taking it in splendid 

 order; and when really fine it is extremely pretty. I failed, 

 as did everyone else, to find it in the numbers Mr. Porritt 

 reported last year; this season Mr. Porritt only secured 

 nine or ten specimens in his week's stay. 1 found this species 

 particularly influenced by weather, — the slightest fog or 

 north-east wind and you may as well go home, for not a 

 specimen will rise, although I could take them when the 

 underwood was saturated with heavy rain. 



A striking feature to me was the absence of any of the 

 fritillaries : the only species 1 saw during my stay was 

 Melitsea Athalia, and of that very few indeed; possibly that 

 species was over. Thecla W-album was common, but soon 

 out of condition, owing to the wet and wind. The autumn 

 brood of Lyccena Argiolus was just out as 1 left. The common 

 Vanessidae and tSalyrs comprised the Diurni ; in fact this 

 group was but poorly represented. 



The wet, cold weather seemed propitious for sugar, as I 

 never experienced such a numerous attendance at my 

 ambrosial banquets before ; many species absolutely swarmecl. 

 I have counted over fifty Rodophaea tumidella on one tree, 

 beside hosts of others. Although I got nothing especially 

 rare, I secured a fine series of many good things : Lithosia 

 quadra was a rare visitor; Mamestra abjecta, I got but 

 one ; Agrolis ravida, a fine series ; Triphaena fimbria was 

 most abundant, and in every shade of brown from palest to 



