190 



events such is the most favourable time for its appearance. When 

 alive the abdomen extends more than two lines beyond the apex 

 of the elytra ; the male only varies in colour, being sometimes 

 wholly black, the female is invariably testaceous. 



I trust that what little I have said may prove entertaining to some of your readers; 

 and should any wish to visit this delightful spot, I would recommend them to put up 

 at Ollerton, twenty-two miles from Nottingham, as excellent accommodation can be 

 had there. The remains of this ancient and celebrated forest begin about half a mile 

 on the left from Ollerton and extend nearly four miles, its breadth being between one 

 and two ; it is composed of venerable oaks and stately birches, its appearance is unique, 

 as every one must admit who should pay a visit to Birkland and Bilhaugh, two local 

 names for the old wood. 



Yours, &c. 



Thomas Desvignes. 



To the Editor of ' The Entomologist.' 



Art. XLVII. — Varieties by Various Contributors. 



80. Destruction of the Vine-grub in France. The greatest unanimity prevails 

 amongst the proprietors of vineyards in the Beaujolais and Lyons districts on the sub- 

 ject of the destruction of the grub {la pyrale). The present is the best time for destroy- 

 ing the eggs of the insect, and all classes, including the pviblic functionaries, are ac- 

 tively engaged in effecting this object. It is calculated that if this is done for two 

 years following, the country would be hereafter freed from the devastations of this 

 scourge of the vine. — 'ie Rhone,'' as quoted in the ' ConstitutionneP of August 2, 1841. 



[Probably the larva of Pyralis Danticana* is here indicated, which, in some parts 

 of France is very injurious to the vines by eating the leaf-stalks half through, thereby 

 causing the leaves to wither. This caterpillar is said not to attack the grapes, but to 

 eat the grape-stalk, so that even if it does not dry up, the fruit is small and without 

 flavour.— G. iV.] 



81. Irish species of Mylcechus. l. M.hrunneus,'LB.ir. At Holywood, and near Eyre- 

 court in Galway, June and July, rare. 2. M. appendiculatus, Sahib. At Holywood, 

 once, in July. 3. M. fusculus, Erichson. At Holywood, once, in June. 4. M. spini- 

 pes. Ovatus, fuscus fulvo-pubescens, antennis pedibusque ferrugineis, illis clava fusca; 

 thorace transverso angulis posticis obtusiusculis ; femoribus posticis spina elongata 

 arcuata acuta ; tibiis rectis : mas. Long. 1^ lin. M. appendiculato sesqui^lo major 

 latior, minus convexus : confertissime punctulatus, thorace magno subtransverso, ely- 

 tris stria suturali unica. A M. dentijjede mare differt insuper (secundum Sturmii ico- 

 nem) femorum margine infero arcu continuo integerrimo, nee sinuato nee serrato. 

 Variat thorace elytrisque obscure ferrugineis. At Holywood, twice, in June. — A. H. 

 HaliduT/; July 29, 1841. 



82. Colocasia Coryli. At page 174 of ' The Entomologist ' the 12th of May is gi- 

 ven as the date of the capture of this moth ; on reference to my catalogue I find I took 

 the female on the 24th of August, 1840, and on the 4th of July, 1831, 1 took a larva 



* Walckenaer ' On the Insects injurious to the Vine,' in the ' Entomological Magazine," iv. 317, 



