103 



Orthosla sparsa. This delicately-coloured insect is just appear- 

 ing : I have only obtained seven, all males. 1 believe it is far from a 

 numerous species in this vicinity. 



Orthosia miuula. One male is the only specimen I have captured: 

 it seems very uncommon. 



Gle^a polita, Vaccinii and Satellitia. These three species have 

 occurred pretty commonly, but of course in faded condition, having 

 lived through the winter. 



Gltea ruhricosa. Of this beautiful insect I have only obtained six 

 specimens ; it seems rare. 



Hadena Litliorhiza. A few specimens have occurred. 



Hybernia stictaria. Plentiful. 



Lampropterijx hadiata. Not uncommon. This insect is certainly 

 not double-brooded. 



Eutlialia miata. Common. This insect appears late in autumn 

 as well as at this time of the year; but from the freshness of the spe- 

 cimens I think they cannot have hibernated : it is probable some re- 

 main in the chrysalis till the spring. 



I have now enumerated the principal species of Lepidoptera which 

 I have observed at the sallows within the last fortnight ; should the 

 weather be favourable, I doubt not I shall capture others on the late- 

 flowering species of Salix. It is difficult to account for the appearance 

 of some of the species in such immense profusion, except by suj^pos- 

 ing that they remain more than one winter in the chrysalis ; as last 

 season I scarcely saw a score of specimens altogether, and but very 

 few of the caterpillars of any of the species, though some of them are 

 very plentiful in most years. Many other early Lepidoptera were 

 abundant in February, as Anisopteryx leucophearia, Cheimatobia ru- 

 picapraria, Phigalia Pilosaria, Nyssia hispidaria, &c. 



In consequence of the success attending my visits to the sallows in 

 the forest, I cut some boughs and brought them home, and having 

 stuck them in the hedge of our garden, found that they attracted 

 abundance of Noctuae. 



Your's very truly, 



Henhy Doubleday. 



