388 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT, 1879. 
By Ricuarp Sout. 
Tuer months of May, June, July, and August were not more 
genial at Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight, than on the mainland; if 
anything, perhaps a little less so, the island being so much 
exposed to the prevailing south-west wind, which at times was 
icy cold. Again, fogs of a persistent character would cover 
the island for days together, rendering collecting not only poor in 
results, but decidedly unpleasant to the collector. 
Many of the Diurni were late and scarce, notably Anthocharis 
cardamines, Lycena Adonis, and Polyommatus Phleas; of the 
last-named I only observed two specimens, and those not until 
the end of August. 
Melitea Cinzia was late, but fairly common, though difficult to 
obtain owing to wind and rain. All species of the genus Satyrus, 
with the exception of S. Avgeria, were abundant. Arge Galathea 
and Pyrameis cardui were in large numbers. 
Larve of M. Cinzia were plentiful from the 6th to 20th of 
May; a few were picked up both before and after these dates. 
They were observed in many localities between Sandown and 
Chale Bay, and at various elevations, some only a few feet from 
the sea, others on the steep sides of St. Boniface. Dull and even 
rainy weather seemed to be enjoyed by these larve, as on the few 
occasions when the sun was brightly shining they would be hidden 
under leaves, clods, &e. I had a striking example of this; for on 
one dull morning, with a strong wind blowing as usual from the 
south-west, I came upon quite a colony of these little black 
fellows busily engaged devouring various kinds of Plantago, not 
P. maritima only. Whilst I was securing a few a smart shower 
came on, but this did not disturb Cinzia in the least, though I was 
glad to hurry to the lee of an adjacent rock and take what shelter 
it could afford. Presently, the rain clearing off, I ventured from 
my retreat, and found the larvee still exposed, with little beads of 
moisture on their spines, and all anxious to attain the summit of 
some stem or blade of grass, or other vantage point where they 
might dry their jackets. That process being accomplished they 
returned to their interrupted repast. Just then the sun shone 
forth with some power, and there was a general stampede, every 
