NOTES FROM EPPING FOREST. 203 



beating the oaks for Zonosoma punctaria round by the Eoman 

 Camp I was surprised and pleased to net Drepana hinaria 

 (hamula), and it was not long before I had a good series. 

 I observed several cripples of this species on the tree trunks and 

 on the grass, and it struck me as peculiar that it was usually the 

 left hind wing that was either incomplete or totally wanting. 



On the beech trees adjoining I obtained a few Eurymene 

 dolohraria, and Dasychira pucl'ibunda in couples were not wanting, 

 although apparently very late, having observed one as recently as 

 July 3rd. During May I took one Amphydasis strataria {prodro- 

 maria) and several A. betidaria ; also Lophopteryx camelina, and, in 

 goodly numbers, Hylophila prasinana, the former on the trunks 

 and the latter clinging to the leaves of the oaks bordering on the 

 plain at Theydon. I was also surprised to find Erastr'ia 

 venustida in greater numbers than I had expected, having no 

 dif&culty in obtaining a good and well-marked series in two 

 evenings at the latter end of June. This moth, I understood 

 from a local collector, who considered it a good species, was to 

 be had but sparingly, and although I failed to find the spot 

 indicated by him, yet I was not disappointed while working for it 

 about half way between Theydon Bois and Loughton. It, 

 however, is not one of the easiest species to capture, as it 

 requires close watching and a quick hand, as its flight is quick 

 and short. I also succeeded in obtaining some ova, which 

 hatched in eighteen days, and the larva now strongly resembles 

 that of a small sawfly, rolling itself into a flat compact ring when 

 disturbed. I have endeavoured to get them to eat various wild 

 flowers, but find that they will only touch those of blackberry 

 and Tormentilla reptans, which, I am inclined to believe, is the 

 true food-plant. 



At the same time and place I found Numeria pulveraria, 

 although not in any numbers, and while working round the crab 

 trees near Theydon I obtained several Eupithecia rectangidata, 

 among which were two very dark varieties, in fact almost black, 

 and very different from the beautiful dull green of those which I 

 took in the New Forest the year before. 



As June drew on the weather showed signs of improvement, 

 and until the last week, when the east wind returned, I succeeded 

 in taking no less than thirty-seven species, many of course 

 common, but some worthy of mention : — Melanippe procellata, 



