- NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 63 
in his notes on silk-producing Bombyces (Entom. xii. 10), and, 
therefore, no doubt offers a fairer chance of success to the 
experimentalist than many other foreign species; so that, under 
favourable circumstances, its cocoons should be formed early in 
September in this climate. Attacus mylitta from China and 
India (tussah-worm or moth), which produces a strong and 
valuable silk largely used for clothing in India, might probably, 
likewise, be reared in the open air in England, and, in the 
interest of science, I think the experiment worth attempting. I 
may mention that I have obtained cocoons of Agha tau, the 
correlative of Hndromis versicolor, from larve bred in the open 
air on oak. This insect, which can also be reared on beech 
(Fagus sylvatica) and other trees, is apparently not of difficult 
culture. From the foregoing remarks it would seem that 
European and Asiatic Lepidoptera are more easily reared in 
this changeable climate than those imported from America; such 
at least is my experience. Perhaps others more versed than I in 
this interesting and instructive study would, with the editor's 
permission, record their experience in the ‘Entomologist.— Gro. 
J. Grapes; 2, Pownall Crescent, Colchester. 
Notre on tHE Eee Strate or Lepmoprera. —In the few 
books on Lepidoptera which I have consulted, although some: 
times long and scientific descriptions are given of the insects 
when in their perfect state, little information is given on the 
larvee, and still less on the state of the insects during the winter. 
They seldom say if the insect, during the winter, is in the egg, 
the larva, the pupa, or even the imago state. In the case of 
some species this is perfectly well known, but of many nothing is 
said on the subject. Again, when eggs of Lepidoptera are 
deposited during the autumn, will the larve always hatch of those 
species which are given and considered as passing the winter in 
the larval state? If these eggs be deposited too late in the 
autumn, or the weather be too cold, will not the hatching of these 
eggs (which in ordinary and mild weather would take place during 
the autumn), be delayed tillthe spring? I cannot answer this 
question in a general way through want of experience, but I can 
state a fact which may help towards the solution of the question. 
A few years ago I received from France, in the mouth of May, a 
quantity of larve of Bombyx trifolii. In due time I obtained the 
cocoons, the moths, the pairings, and a large quantity of fertile 
eggs. These, instead of hatching during the autumn, only 
