THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 103 



which is situated two miles from here, on the cliffs that over- 

 hang the sea-coast. It has also been met with at Castle-Eden 

 Dene, by Mr. George Wailes, of Newcastle, and Mr. Morri- 

 son, at Chester-le-Slreet; it is also said to be common at 

 Urpeth. I am of opinion that if the habits of the insect were 

 better known it would be found to occur in other localities as 

 well as those enumerated. It is a local species, and when on 

 the wing reminds one much of the Crambi. The only receipt 

 I can give to find it is as follows : — Let the entomologist 

 select a meadow, field, or a piece of waste ground, with a 

 well-mixed short herbage that is late in being mown, or 

 better if not mown at all ; then take his net in hand about 

 the middle of July (it does not occur here before August, and 

 is a day-flying species, only to be obtained between the hours 

 of 2 to 5 P.M.) ; then let him examine every insect he sees 

 that is flying in a quick zigzag direction, pitching on the 

 grass every twenty yards, and it is not improbable that some 

 of those rather common-looking insects may be the object of 

 his search ; but should he not succeed in finding one 

 between the hours mentioned above, his chance is a bad 

 one for that day. — Chrisioplier Eales ; 21, Grace Street^ 

 South Shields, March 25, 1872. 



Lycccna Argiolus. — In Mr. Newman's 'British Butterflies' 

 (p. 156), the 7th of May is recorded as an early date for the 

 appearance of the azure blue, and the 8th of April appears 

 to be considered as the earliest date on record for its 

 appearance. I beg to state that I took a fine specimen of 

 this insect at rest on the 5th of April last year, and saw a 

 second specimen on the 9lh of the same month. This year 

 I saw a specimen on the 12lh and another on the 15th of 

 April. In 1870, I believe I first saw the azure blue on the 

 16th of April ; but in this instance I am trusting to memory, 

 having failed to notice the date in my diary. — M. Macmillan ; 

 Castle Cary, Somerset, April 20, 1872. 



Vanessa Antiopa near Ipswich. — On March the 10th of 

 this year a specimen of Vanessa Antiopa was captured here, 

 flying across a field, by a little bo}'. It is now in the 

 possession of an intimate friend of mine. It is a fair speci- 

 men, but evidently hybernated. — C. F. Long, Medical 

 Superintendent ; Ipsicich Borough Asylum, March 20, 1872. 



Sphinx Pinastri at Cretvkerne. — Perhaps it may interest 



