COLLECTING IN THE FENS, 1899. 197 



hamuli, and H. lupidinus were abundant, together with an occa- 

 sional specimen of Coremia unidentaria {? ferrugata). 



Light was, of course, had, but we took single specimens of 

 Spilosoma urticce, Macrogaster arundinis, male, and Hadena pisi. 

 Spilosoma menthastri, Meliana flammea, and Herminia cribralis 

 also turned up. 



Treacle was, however, a great attraction, and the following 

 were seen : — 'Leucania pollens, L. comma, Meliana flammea, Noctua 

 rubi, N.J estiva, Grammesia trilinea, Apamea gemina, A. basilinea, 

 A. unanimis, Hadena oleracea, H. pisi, H. dentina, Agrotis excla- 

 mationis, A. corticea, and Mhtna strigilis. 



The next day (June 18th) turned out beautifully fine and 

 warm, and we felt very much excited at the idea of seeing Pajnlio 

 machaon on the wing, never having done any fen collecting 

 before. We were not in the fen many minutes before we saw a 

 specimen of the beautiful " swallow-tail," which I succeeded in 

 netting. We soon found that there were lots of them about, but, 

 owing to their strong flight, a stiff breeze, and a baking sun, not 

 to mention the rushes, we contented ourselves with a few good 

 specimens, as there were plenty of ova and young larvae with 

 their white saddles about. A nearly full-grown larva of Lasio- 

 campa quercifolia was taken on buckthorn. Larvae of Arctia caia 

 and Liparis auriflua were very plentiful. By the bye, I never 

 want to see the latter again, as I have a most frightful time of 

 it whenever I touch anything it has been in contact with, whereas 

 it does not affect my father in the least. A specimen of Vanessa 

 atalanta, and, at the entrance to the fen, several Hesperia syl- 

 vamis, were about the only other things noticed. 



In the evening a larva of Odmestis potatoria was taken, and 

 three specimens of Bombyx rubi were seen on the wing about 

 eight p.m. The wind had shifted round to the west and was 

 rather strong. The sky was cloudy, and a few drops of rain fell 

 at first, but later on the drops became a steady shower. It was 

 rather clamp (rain generally is), but this was our best night at 

 light, though that is not saying much. However, I suppose 

 twelve Macrogaster arundinis (males) would be considered pretty 

 good, at any rate Mr. Bailey seemed to think it was, but there 

 was little else — Meliana flammea, Cabera pusaria, Coremia uni- 

 dentaria (? ferrugata), and single specimens of Hadena pisi and 

 Ptilodontis palpina. Spilosoma menthastri and Nascia cilialis 

 were both abundant, and, however bad the night, the latter 

 scarcely ever failed to put in an appearance, running up the 

 sheet and looking so much more brilliant by the strong lamp 

 light than on the setting-board. Treacle was more crowded than 

 on the previous night, the additional species being a splendid 

 specimen of Chrerocampa elpenor and a Phlogophora meticulosa. 



There were always plenty of things at treacle, and the fol- 

 lowing are additions to those already mentioned: — Triphcena 



