NOTES ON RHOPALOCERA FROM ITALY. 261 
man had nothing to do with the introduction of the original stock 
into England. We know that the species has been abundant in 
the fen-lands, but we do not know whether it was always common 
there. One would suppose that if O. dispar abounded in any 
part of England towards the close of the eighteenth century or 
beginning of the nineteenth, Donovan would hardly have found 
it necessary to figure a continental specimen. Of course, it is 
quite possible that, although specimens were found from time to 
time in various localities about the country, the headquarters of 
the species was not discovered until after Donovan had published 
his book. Probably we should not be far wrong if we adopted 
this view; but, on the other hand, it must be admitted that there 
is nothing in the published facts connected with the English 
history of the species which conclusively disproves the statement 
that the origin of O. dispar in this country was due to the intro- 
duction of foreign ova. 
In conclusion, it may be mentioned that the recent destructive 
hordes of O. dispar in certain portions of the United States are 
believed to be the descendants of imported stock. It appears 
that in 1868 or 1869 a gentleman interested in sericulture received 
some QO. dispar in one or other of its early stages, and that some 
of the moths, subsequently bred, escaped. In 1889 the species 
had attained such alarming numbers in the State of Massa- 
chussetts that the governor despatched a message to the legis- 
lature, and the result of this was that 50,000 dols. were voted in 
1890 for the purpose of exterminating the “gipsy moth.” A 
large force of men were engaged to examine the trees in the 
infested districts, and mark those upon which eggs had been 
deposited. Other men, armed with flaming torches, followed the 
inspectors, and burned the eggs. Later on, when the young 
larve appeared, from eggs which had escaped the keen eyes of 
the advance guard and the heat of the blazing brand, these 
were played on by some fifteen spraying machines charged with a 
solution of Paris-green. A little over 25,000 dols. was expended 
during 1890, and the balance was utilised in a renewal of the 
campaign in 1891; but, although the strength of the enemy seems 
to have been greatly reduced, he still maintains his hold upon 
certain districts in the State referred to above. 
NOTES ON RHOPALOCERA FROM ITALY, &c. 
By Franz B. Norris. 
(Concluded from p. 241.) 
Lycana damon, Schiff.—Abundant, locally, on damp spots in pathways 
under Cima Car, and in Val Sestrera; July and throughout August. I 
could never succeed in finding a female. 
L, ewmedon, E,—Common on flowers in June and July, 
