LYCHANA ARGIOLUS IN THE MIDLANDS. 29 
Mr. Coverdale told me also that in looking over Zeller’s 
collection, belonging (I believe) to Lord Walsingham, that 
several specimens were mixed up in that collection with the 
series of C. contaminellus ; so that it seems the insect has been 
considerably overlooked on the Continent as well as at home. 
My friend, Mr. Tugwell, took a few specimens of the insect 
some few years back in the same locality as mine came from, and 
was then convinced that the specimens were not the ordinary 
form of Crambus contaminellus, owing to the peculiar form of the 
anterior wings of the females. 
Should any entomologist have duplicates of C. contaminellus 
(as described in Stainton’s ‘ Manual’) to spare, I should be very 
pleased to make an exchange with him for comparison. 
I think it would be very interesting if entomologists, who 
know well the habits of Crambus contaminellus, would point out 
any points of similarity or difference to those I have mentioned 
as belonging to the Deal insects. 
Mr. Porritt, who has bred C. contaminellus this season, tells 
me that be noticed nothing peculiar about their position at rest ; 
but that he was under the impression that they rested in 
precisely the same manner as the other members of the genus. 
If we can make quite certain of the position of Crambus 
contaminellus at rest, it would of itself make a strong point, 
independently of the difference in markings. 
Although so closely resembling C. contaminellus in external 
appearance, I believe it will be proved to belong to a totally 
different genus, the structure of the antenne and palpi differing 
considerably from the genus Crambus. 
Rayleigh Villa, Westcombe Park, Blackheath, S.E., Dec. 4, 1885. 
LYCAINA ARGIOLUS IN THE MIDLANDS. 
By W. Harcourt Barn. 
My uote in the January number of the ‘ Kntomologist ’ 
respecting the appearance of Lycena argiolus in the Midlands 
has caused a number of your readers to apply to me for further 
information relating to the habits of this butterfly. I have © 
penned the following few remarks for publication concerning it, 
