314 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
was more abundant than I have ever seen it before in the Forest. 
We took a few fine A. aglaia. This beautiful species, however, 
was far rarer than its congeners, and was altogether outnumbered 
by A. paphia var. valesina. It was evidently a valesina year ; 
everywhere one was sure to see its dusky form sailing down the 
ridings. Melanargia galatea was still abundant in one spot. On 
our first day in the Forest Colias edusa was sighted, and I had 
the pleasure of taking it for the first time since 1877; a capture 
which brought back many pleasant memories of that marvellous 
season when “clouded yellows” were as common as blackberries, 
even in Nottinghamshire. Limenitis sibylla was abundant, but 
difficult to get in good condition. Of the Vanesside, Vanessa io, 
V. atalanta, and V. urtice were of course common; and both 
V. cardui and V. polychloros were in unusual numbers. Of the 
latter species we got some splendid examples; one tree in parti- 
cular, from which sap was exuding, being a safe draw. 
This same tree was also tenanted by an old male Apatura iris, 
whose downfall I eventually compassed as he sallied forth to do 
battle with a venturesome ZL. sibylla, which had dared to invade 
his quarters. Although we saw scores of “‘ emperors,” this was 
our solitary capture. They were out in force; on our first day 
we saw no fewer than fourteen, all hopelessly out of reach, except 
one, which Mr. Charles unfortunately missed. Frequently in our 
walks abroad we saw three or four at once, battling together high 
in air, but apparently they were quite aware of the presence of 
danger below, and never gave us a chance. 
The oaks in several places were alive with Thecla quercus, and 
we employed one dull morning very profitably in beating them 
out. Lycena egon, L. alexis, and L. agestis were common; and 
among the Hesperide, Hesperia thaumas, H. sylvanus, and 
Nisoniades tages were taken in greater or less abundance. 
My companion had never taken H. act@on, so we went down 
to Swanage on the 26th July, in order to look it up. As the Rev. 
W. Claxton, whose article on the species, in the ‘ Entomologist’ 
for October, I have read with much interest, expresses a fear for 
the future of act@on, I am glad to be able to assure him that we 
found this beautiful “skipper” still abundant at Swanage, in 
company with Melanargia galatea, Colias edusa, Huboha bipune- 
taria, Zygena filipendule, and Macroglossa stellatarum. By way 
of parenthesis, I may remark that revisiting Swanage on August 
5th, I found H. act@on still commoner, and C. edusa in wonderful 
profusion, with a fair sprinkling of var. helice. 
Sugaring was good business in the Forest, the nights being 
uniformly favourable. From the first Catocala promissa came on 
freely, and on July 30th was joined by C. sponsa. Several 
Triphena fimbria were taken, and one T’. interjecta. Gonophora 
derasa, Thyatira batis, and Aplecta nebulosa were common; while, 
of course, Amphipyra pyramidea, Noctua brunnea, Cosmia trape- 
