THE EN'IOMOLOGIST. 209 



not grow where tlie insect usually occurs. — J. B. Hodgkinson ; 

 15, Sprinfj Bank, Preston, Angusl 3, 1876. 



Pachiiobia alpina. — Can any of the readers of the ' Ento- 

 mologist' suggest a food-plant for the larva of this species? 

 The moths have been taken in considerable numbers this 

 season, and timely information as to the food-plant may save 

 the lives of many larvae ; it seems a pity to lose so good an 

 opportunity of working out the life-history of this hitherto 

 extreme rarity : 1876 may well be called the P. alpina year, 

 as 1872 is that of V. Antiopa. One entomologist who knows 

 the district where the captures have been made, perhaps better 

 than any other, always prophesied that some day or other it 

 would turn uj) in numbers. Like many other so-called 

 rarities it only wanted hunting for; but Highland collecting 

 is very different work to that of the woods and downs of 

 Kent or Surrey. — E. Howard Birchall ; London, August 

 26, 1876. 



Entomological Pins. — I am glad to see the subject of pins 

 mooted in the 'Entomologist.' We can hardly expect to 

 reach perfect uniformity in regard to their use, but we may 

 reasonably hope to obtain something more than we at present 

 possess. I quite agree with Mr. Carrington that Messrs. 

 Tayler & Co. might safely cease making several of the sizes 

 they now place upon their list. I agree with Mr. Carrington 

 as nearly as possible in the pins I use, with this exception, 

 that I do not consider No. 6 large enough for all Sphinges, 

 and he appears to recommend it for all, without exception. 

 I use No. 12 for those which require a pin larger than No. 6. 

 For all who do not collect Tortrices and Tinea:, I think the 

 only other sizes required are No. 8, No. 15, and No. 18; 

 No. 8 for almost all Noctua, and many butterflies; No. 15 

 for almost all Geometroe ; No. 18 for small Geometra?, and 

 most Pyrales. Nos. 8 and 15 are so nearly the same in 

 length that their close proximity in the cabinet will only be 

 marked by a keen observer. Mr. Greene, in the ' Insect- 

 Hunter's Companion,' says, "No. 7 I consider indispensable." 

 I imagine he only considers it so for a purpose he immediately 

 proceeds to notice. Whilst on this subject there is another 

 which presents itself, and which is next of kin, i.e. "pinning." 

 At present pins are seen leaning fore or aft, to the right or to 

 the left ; and what a marring effect this has, I will not 



2e 



