229 



122. Gemmn specimens of British Lepidoptera. Dr. Becker of Wiesbaden has late 

 ly visited London witli an immense collection of German Lepidoptera foi- sale or ex- 

 change ; the specimens are in the finest possible condition, and do infinite credit to his 

 skill and perseverance. This accomplished Lepidopterist has long supplied the Lon- 

 don dealers with those beautiful specimens ot reputed British insects, which have be- 

 come so abundant in all our cabinets. In making this statement it is but fair to add 

 that Dr. Becker never suspected that these rarities would be retailed as British; and 

 in conversation with him he seemed utterly unable to understand the absurd idea of 

 value attached to them. — Edward Newman; 65, Ratdijf Highimy, November 9, 1841. 



123. Eriogaster lanestris. Dr. Becker infonns me that from a single brood of Erio- 

 gaster lanestris he has found individuals remain in the chrysalis state one, two, three, 

 five, six and seven years : some still remain unchanged, and during the fourth year 

 not one made its appearance. — Id. 



124. Continental Specific Names. Dr. Becker also informs me that Hipparchia 

 Blandina of our collections is identical with H. Medea of continental cabinets ; Lycce- 

 na dispar with L. Hippothoe ; Polyommatus Arion with P. Euphemus ; and P. Argus 

 with P. Mgeon. He also asserts that Hipparchia Davus and Polydama are but local 

 varieties of the same species. — Id. 



125. Diurnea Novembris, Haw., Curtis's 'British Entomology,' xvi. pi. 743, where 

 are the following remarks. " It is strange that after so many years the male of this 

 moth should still be unknown. Mr. Haworth considered it might prove to be the fe- 

 male of Tinea gelalella, and at the same time stated that phryganella was supposed 

 by others to be the male, both these suppositions are found to be incorrect, since the 

 females of those species have been ascertained." In an excursion to the Brushes near 

 Staley-bridge, the locality for Lith. Solidaginis, Hub., the end of October, 1840, I 

 met with phryganella ^ and Novembris ? , in some abundance but very local, the 

 males flying about mid-day in quest of the unimpregnated females, that were on the 

 blades of grass at the foot of some oaks, and in this situation I captured them to my 

 great satisfaction in coitu, thus setting at rest the question whether phryganella ^ and 

 Novembris J are the sexes, which I have no hesitation in saying is the case, after 

 what I have seen. I visited the locality again this year, but the weather having been 

 very stormy, I could obtain but few specimens. From the 20th to the end of October 

 is the right time of their appearance ; and the females, after impregnation, ascend the 

 trees to deposit their eggs. — Robt. S.Edlesion; 13, Derby St., Cheetham, Manchester, 

 November 10, 1841. 



126. Aids Roboraria. During an entomological excursion in the New Forest, the 

 beginning of September, I beat from oaks several larvae of Acis Roboraria. They were 

 small, and continued feeding until November; they then attached themselves to the 

 twigs by their anal feet, and remained nearly in an erect position until the March fol- 

 lowing, when they forsook their winter quarters and appeared in quest of food, but as 

 there were no oaks in leaf at that season of the year, I supplied them with the twigs, 

 and to my surprise I found some of them stripped of their bark. I continued the sup- 

 ply until the buds began to swell, when I found these were evidently preferred, and 

 by the beginning of May the larvae were full fed. They remained in chrysalis about 

 three weeks, and appeared in the winged state the beginning of June. I bred three 

 males and one female out of five larvae that survived the winter ; some of the larv® 

 actually died upon the twigs in the position they took up in November. — John Chant; 

 3, Critchell Place, New North Road, November 12, 1841. 



