232 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



encourage the author to proceed with the contemplated second 

 volume. 



A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Northumberland, Durham, and 

 Newcastle-upon-Tyne. By John Robson, F.E.S. Pt. I. 

 8vo, pp. i-iv, 1-195. London : Williams and Norgate. 

 May, 1899. 



In the first part of this exceedingly useful Catalogue the 

 Papilionina, Sphingina, Bombycina, and Noctuina are dealt 

 with. It is something more than a mere list of the species of 

 Lepidoptera occurring in the area referred to, as there are notes, 

 sometimes very copious, to each species. Perhaps the more 

 frequent mention of dates might have invested the annotations 

 with additional value. 



The classification and nomenclature is that adopted by 

 Barrett in ' Lepidoptera of the British Islands ' ; but with a view 

 of making the Catalogue practical to those who follow other 

 authorities, references are given to Stainton's ' Manual,' to 

 Newman's ' British Moths,' and to Meyrick's ' Handbook of 

 British Lepidoptera.' So far as the Noctuina are concerned, 

 it would seem that about two-thirds of the whole number of 

 British species are found, or have been recorded as occurring, 

 in the counties named. 



We subjoin a few extracts from the Catalogue because they 

 are generally interesting, and they will also serve as examples 

 of the thorough manner in which Mr. Ptobson has treated his 

 subject : — 



Erebia blandina. — "This interesting species, which had previously 

 only been taken in Scotland, was first recorded as an English insect 

 by Mr. Backhouse, who found it abundantly in Castle Eden Dene. It 

 is still abundant there, and occurs in all open grassy places down 

 almost to the sea level at the mouth of the Dene. Its range extends 

 westward as far as the Dene runs, and I have found it plentiful on the 

 banks of the railway between Thornley and Wellfield stations, and in 

 Edderacres Wood adjoining. The wood extends to the turnpike and 

 beyond, but I never found blandina on the west side of the road. This 

 has often struck me as being singular, and also that the butterfly does 

 not occur in any portion of Hesleden Dene, which approaches in one 

 part to within a mile of Castle Eden Dene. It certainly is not because 

 of some peculiar food-plant, for I reared the larva on almost any grass 

 which was easily obtained." (P. 26). 



Eurois satura [Hadena porphyrea] . — " One of the rarest of the 

 British Nocture, not a dozen authentic specimens being known. Mr. 

 Meyrick suggests that it is only an occasional immigrant. It is named 

 in the Twizell list, but it is more than probable that these were but 

 well-marked forms of the next species. In the ' Entomologist ' (vol. x. 

 p. 99) is the following : — ' A single specimen in my collection was 

 taken by Mr. John Hancock, while it was at rest on the fencing of 



