CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 91 



question at once pi*esents itself, viz. what is the effect on the colours 

 of specimens ? I have made several experiments to ascertain this, and 

 can return a satisfactory answer in all cases except greens. Several 

 species of Coleoptera have been painted with the solution, and no 

 alteration could be detected in any except Cicimhia ampestris ; this 

 was slightly darkened in colour, but the vapour in a dilute form does 

 not even effect this. The following species of Lepidoptera, among 

 others, were subjected to a strong dose of the vapour: — Gonoptenjx 

 rhamni, Anthochtris cardamines, LyccBua icai-us, Melitma athalia, Arctia 

 caia, O'gyia antiqua, 0. fjonostigma, Hepialus velleda, Kuchelia jacobce(B, 

 Hemithea stri/fatn. There was not the slightest alteration visible in any 

 except the last named, which was distinctly darkened. The precaution 

 must therefore be taken of removing green Lepidoptera before applying 

 the reagent. Formalin has the advantages of being cheap and readily 

 procurable ; it is not a strong poison, and although the vapour has an 

 irritating effect on the eyes and mucous membrane, it is quite harmless 

 and hardly noticeable in the quantity which it is necessary to use ; an 

 occasional sneeze when examining one's collection will alone remind 

 us of its presence. It has no appreciable action on pins, in the form 

 of vapour. — W. S. Gilles; Booking, Braintree, Essex. 



CAPTURES AND FIELD REPORTS. 



CoLTAS HYALE IN 1899. — A frieud of mine has just given me a fine 

 male specimen of C. hyale. which he took uear Ashford on August SIst 

 last. I think it must have been a stray specimen. — S. A. Blenkarn ; 

 Clifton House, East Dulwich Road, Jan. iSth, 1900. 



Sphinx cokvolvuli in 1899. — During last season I captured twenty 

 specimens of S. convolvuli here. These were taken between August 25th 

 and September *-JOth. The weather here was unfavourable for this insect, 

 which probably accounts for none being seen after the latter date. — John 

 P. Hyde; The Grove. Portland, Jan. '.iOih, 1900. 



Karly Occurkence of Anisopteryx ^scularia. — This evening, 

 Jaimary 23rd, a Geometer flew to light at my dining-room window at 

 half-past nine. I went outside, just for the pleasure, as I thought, of once 

 more seeing Hybernia riipicaprana, when, to my surprise, I discovered 

 the moth to be A. cescularia. During the many years I have kept a look- 

 out, T have been able to record no earlier date than February 6th, just a 

 fortnight later than in the present instance. It has been exceptional Iv 

 mild all day (the thermometer standing at 50°). a fact which no doubt 

 accounts for this premature emergence. — (Rev.) Gilbert H. Raynor ; 

 Hazeleigh Rectory, Maldou, Essex, Jan. 23rd, 1900. 



.^schna ctanea. — This dragonfly was apparently very abundatit 

 during the last summer (1899;. Though I observed many specimens 

 flying about, 1 only secured two: one taken on glass in the green- 

 house; and the second flying in through the verandah doors and over 

 the dinner-table was there promptly bottled. These seem unusual visits 

 for sucli insects. There is little water at this somewhat high elevation 

 (clay), save a few small ponds; and I have previously reported the species 



