254 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



backward, and the species at light were curiously mixed. In the 

 daytime Papilio machaon occurred in every stage, — ova and larvae 

 of all sizes fairly plentiful, one pupa, and at the same time worn 

 imagines on the wing. Hyria muricata was walked up when the 

 sun shone, with Acidalia immutata and a few Herminia cribralis, 

 but day work was not pursued very ardently, as I was over- 

 whelmed with setting. For a collector who conscientiously keeps 

 up with his setting, a visit to Wicken, with good nights at light 

 and treacle, is really hard work. 



At dusk, geometers abounded, especially round the buck- 

 thorns, where Collix sptarsata, Scotosia rhamnata, and S. vetulata 

 literally swarmed, including a few finely marked females of S. 

 rhamnata. The sallows were nearly as crowded with numbers of 

 Epione apiciaria and Cabera exanthemaria ; whilst on the still 

 evenings Nudaria senex occurred at very early dusk in hundreds 

 all over the fens, and again much later at light, but the very 

 slightest wind seems to affect it, so weak and flimsy is its flight, 

 and unless circumstances are quite favourable, you scarcely see a 

 specimen. Neither of the three buckthorn feeders ever appeared 

 at light, although S. rhamnata twice occurred at treacle. Hydrelia 

 unca also flew at dusk, and although it was very late for the 

 species, fully half of the short series obtained were in fine 

 condition. 



Of larger things, Hepialus humuli was swinging about every- 

 where, and Odonestis potatoria females dashed about over the 

 sedge. Other dusk captures were Lithosia griseola and its 

 var. stramineola, Leucania conigera, Coenobia rufa, Herminia 

 cribralis, Piusia chrysitis, Acidalia immutata, A. emarginata, A. 

 scutulata (in any numbers), Timandra amataria (common in 

 the drove), Hypsipetes elutata (some pretty forms), and Cidaria 

 pyraliata. 



By beating the hedgerows in the drove (the only beating I 

 did), I took three lovely Aventia jlexula, Acidalia imitaria, Scotosia 

 rhamnata, S. vetulata (the best females of these last two were 

 beaten here), Hemithea thymiaria (very abundant and fresh), 

 Triphcena inter jecta, and more Cidaria pyraliata. 



Treacle was almost monopolised by common species, mostly 

 Leucanias ; L. pollens, L. impura, and L. pudorina occurred 

 about equally, L. lithargyria not quite so common, and L. conigera 

 distinctly scarce. Of the last-named only a single specimen 

 occurred in the fen, and the remaining dozen or so in the drove. 

 L. lithargyria also largely favoured the drove, and some of the 

 finest specimens were taken on the way home after light, when 

 everything else had gone, bar an occasional dissipated-looking 

 Xylophasia polyodon. I have frequently noticed elsewhere that 

 this species is a very late visitor. Apamea gemina was common, 

 but worn, and two fine Agrotis ravida were boxed (the first 

 specimens of the season), and odd Cosmia diffinis, Acronycta 



