CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 245 



thymiaria (?). Among the geometers were also Melanthia bicolorata = 

 rubiginata, Eubolia limitata = mensuraria, E. plumbaria, Cabera pusaria, 

 C. exanthema ria, Lomaspiiis marginata, Aspilates ochrearia = citraria, 

 Coremia designata = propugnata, C. unidentata, Larentia didymata, and 

 many others still more common. The only cuspid fouud was Cilix glaucata 

 = spinula, which was fairly plentiful, though I fouud the larvae of three 

 others. Lithosia complanida was abuudant and in perfect condition ; 

 Hepialis humuli was represented only by females; H. lupulinus were 

 generally too damaged to be worth taking. Masses of ragwort grew close 

 down by the sea, and on the flowers Agrotis vestigialis = valligera was 

 abundant by day. By night the same flowers attracted A. tritici, but in 

 one field ouly. In others Apamea didyma = oculea abounded in many 

 forms ; these are so perplexing that one is not surprised at the five species 

 and thirteen varieties of the great Haworth. Among other commou ISoctuae 

 that fell to the net were Leucania conigera, L. lithargyria, Caradrina 

 quadripunctata = cubicularis, Miana fasciuncula, M. furuncula, Hadena 

 oleracea, Hydrcecia nictitans, Diantlmcia cajisincola, Xylophasia rurea, 

 Tapinostola fulva, Noctua urnbrosa. Sugaring was difficult, as there are 

 very few trees ; but my wife and I were out most nights, only to be con- 

 firmed in our belief that, however perfect our methods may be, the science 

 of sugaring is all but unknown. The average captures were from two to 

 eight or ten specimens a night, generally of the commonest species. But 

 suddenly, on our last night but one, moths swarmed ; we might have 

 taken huudreds, including two or three species not seen before. As far as 

 one could tell, the climatic conditions and all others were the same as on 

 many other nights. What wrought so strongly among the moths on this 

 one night? Sugaring is pleasant enough, even when "takes" are few; 

 there are the visits of newts and frogs, and bats and owls, and many less 

 known creatures from all orders of living things, and the chance of seeing 

 how they plan and work and fight for their living; but it would be useful 

 someiimes to know with fair accuracy the nights when captures mav and 

 may not be expected. The information at present published is not reliable. 

 I do not know whether anything more reliable is possible, but will not some 

 of the scientific minds among our brotherhood try to give us at least as 

 much help as we have in fixing upon " likely days " for trout ? Our 

 sugaring yielded nothing more worthy of mention than N. dahlii, C. 

 blanda, L. impura, and N. plecta. — E. Grose Hodge ; Holy Trinity 

 Rectory, Maryleboue, Sept. 12th, 1898. 



Collecting in South Devon.— A fortnight's collecting at Sidmouth 

 in July, with Mr. S. P. Douduey, was very successful, as the weather was 

 perfect, and all the butterflies were in splendid condition. On the cliffs 

 Hesperla actaon swarmed at its usual haunts, and Melanargia galatea 

 occurred elsewhere ; but Leucophasia sinapis and Argynnis aglaia were 

 scarcer than usual. In Harpford Woods Argynnis paphia and A. adippe 

 were abundant, and Thecla quercus could be taken in the lanes. The 

 following moths were taken : — Sphinx ligustri, Leucania lithargyria, L. 

 impura, L. pallens, Heliothis marginatum, Geometra papilionaria, Metro- 

 campa margaritaria, Eubolia paluvibaria, E. bipunctaria, and Cidaria 

 fulvata. Sugaring only produced Heliothis marginatus (one), Thyatira 

 derasa (one), Leucania lithargyria (one), Miana furuncula (five), Xylophasia 

 monoglypha (one), Apamea oculea (two), and Eubolia bipunctaria (one). 

 Larvae were scarce, except Macroglossa stellatarum and Melanthia galiata, 



