NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 271 



8th, a female on the 10th, and another on the 1 2th, which, on 

 being treated with oxalic acid, readily deposited a quantity 

 of eggs, which to ray surprise produced larvae a few days 

 afterwards. I had no males at the time in or near the cage. 

 I am aware that this is not unusual with some species of 

 Lepidoptera, but this is the first time it has come under my 

 own notice. A similar case of parthenogenesis relative to 

 this species is noticed by Mr. C. O. Groom Napier in the 

 volume of ' Science Gossip ' for 1868, p. 71. He says, in 

 writing of this species, " One year I had many virgin females, 

 some of which laid fertile eggs." I should be glad of any 

 information which might lead to more successful rearing. I 

 may remark that all ray larvae were fed indoors separate from 

 other species, always being in reach of a plentiful supply of 

 fresh hawthorn. It would be interesting to know whether 

 this mortality is peculiar to this species in a state of nature. — 

 R. Laddiman ; Norwich. 



Sugar versus Honey-dew, — I have often heard friends 

 complain of their sugaring expeditions being unsuccessful, 

 and attribute failure to the counter-influence of honey-dew; 

 but I cannot quite bring myself to believe that this is the 

 true cause of non-success. During the seasons of 1875 and 

 1876 I had good opportunities of observing the result of 

 honey-dew attraction as against that of sugar. The scene of 

 ray operations was a garden and orchard bordered by large 

 oaks, elms, and aspens : on the trunks of these and a few 

 fruit trees I spread my bait. Four plum trees of low bushy 

 growth stood in about the centre of the garden : these were 

 covered with a fine crop of Aphides, instead of plums ; the 

 leaves twisted and curled, presenting altogether a very 

 dejected appearance in the day-time. The following table 

 will show the relative merits of the artificial and natural 

 attractions : — 



July 9 to Aug. 28, 1875. 



Honey- 

 Sugar, dew. 



Cosmia difl&nis .76 11 



Noctua rubi . . 68 5 



Cosmia pyralina . 60 7 



Caradrina blanda . 54 43 



Cosmia affinis . 42 16 



Mania maura .34 3 



Cerigo Cytherea . 32 



Caradrina Alsiues . 14 6 



Tethea subtusa . 4 



„ retusa . 1 



July 14 to Aug. 15, 1876. 



Honey- 



Sncar. 



Caradrina blanda . 

 Cosmia difiBnis 

 Cerigo Cytherea . 

 Cosmia pyralina 

 Caradrina Alsines . 

 Cosmia affinis 

 Tethea subtusa 



,, retusa 

 Tryphseua interjecta 



