234 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
them to grow rather into thick bushes upon tree trunks than 
into the wide-spreading shady trees of other counties. I often 
hear my. entomological friends complain of the practice of 
lopping, but .although it adds nothing to the beauty of the scene, 
I think it very convenient for the collector. He can the more 
easily beat for larve or imagines, for in most instances the highest 
branches are within reach. This kind of growth may also to some 
extent account for the very extensive insect fauna of Loughton. 
These trees consist of beech (Fagus sylvatica), of hornbeam 
(Carpinus betulus), which are in decided majority; still there 
are many other species, such as oak (Quercus robur), birch 
(Betula alba), and alder (Alnus glutinosa). Amongst the under- 
growth are scrubby examples of most of the foregoing, with 
honeysuckle (Lonicera), various willows, and sallows (Salix). 
Plenty of heather (Calluna vulgaris), dwarf whin (Genista 
anglica), &¢e. 
Arrived within the Forest by way of Snakes Lane, :we leave 
the road and bear along a little path to the right, shortly crossing 
a new road now being cleared. From this point we see below us 
a valley with a little stream at the bottom, which is a small 
tributary of the River Roding. Keeping up this stream brings us 
to a piece of nice flat marshy ground. This is Debden Slade, 
and is well known to the older collectors. At sugar on the trees. 
by the side of this little patch Noctua rhomboidea occurs in some 
seasons. quite commonly. Many rare Lepidoptera have been 
taken just in this neighbourhood, which should be tried at all 
times of the year. On the sloping bank to the south may be 
found in their respective seasons larve and imagines of. 
Timacodes asellus, sometimes even abundantly. This bank is 
also the head-quarters, and I believe the only known locality, for 
Stigmonota leguminana, generally to be taken as a unit in a day’s 
collecting, although odd lucky catches have been made by those 
who have carefully studied its habits. Stigmonota Weirana is — 
also here, as well as in other parts of the Forest, amongst beech, 
and S. puncticostana should be sought for; all of them species 
much wanted in collections, and well worth taking. If the 
micro-lepidopterist wishes for a treat he may have one in May 
and early June in capturing the lovely little Stigmonota internana, 
which is to be seen flitting over the furze (Ulex europeus) bushes 
and in the sunshine looking like little snow-flakes. The white 
