THE ENTOMOLOGIST. l49 



with black, and a crooked tail, which latter peculiarity 

 induced me to suppose it was the so-called " scorpion fly." I 

 often see the species in my rambles, so it cannot be uncom- 

 mon. What is its history ? It is a species which my friends 

 who work with the microscope are very pleased to get; and 

 this leads me to make enquiries about another insect which 

 they call the "snipe-fly." It is a Dipterous insect, I believe, 

 with a round hairy body, and an exceeding long, slender 

 beak. When and where is it to be found.'' — G. B. Corbin. 



I suppose Mr. Corbin's "scorpion-fly" to be an Empis, 

 and his snipe-fly a Bombylius; but should prefer seeing 

 specimens before 1 give an editorial judgment. 



PacJiycnemia Hippocastanaria. — This is a very peculiar 

 species, in my opinion, with regard to the lime of its appear- 

 ance in the perfect state ; for, like 11. Crataegata, it is stumbled 

 upon at various seasons ; but possibly it resembles that 

 species in being double- or triple-brooded. That Hippocas- 

 tanaria is at least double-brooded I have no doubt, as 1 take 

 it in good condition in early spring, and, again, in equally 

 good order in September. I have taken it as early as 

 February 22nd, and as late as the end of September, but I 

 have also taken a few good specimens in July ; in fact, I am 

 not surprised to take a specimen on the heaths on atiy date 

 between spring and autumn. This season I took a fine and 

 perfect specimen at the beginning of June, It seems to me 

 that individual specimens of the same brood often remain in 

 the pupa state, and are developed long after their relations 

 have passed away ; and this observation is confirmed not 

 only this season, but by experience of former years. — Id. 



Geometra papilionaria. — Although I am not able to render 

 Mr. Mathew the assistance he asked for in regard to search- 

 ing for G. papilionaria in the winter or early spring, I send a 

 note or two which may prove useful to those who look for the 

 insect later in the season. Last year I procured nearly fifty 

 eggs from two females captured in July ; they hatched in 

 August: the larvoe grew very slowly till hybernation, when 

 they were of a reddish brown colour. They rested during 

 the winter, either in a nearly straight position at an angle 

 with the twig, or bent like a bow with their heads by the side 

 of the twig, and always towards its tip. After hybernation I 

 found eighteen alive : of these seventeen died one after the 

 other. In the hope of saving the last I determined to place 



