255 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Why not collect Tortricina ? — In discussing the above question, 

 Mr. South (anU', p. 215), while praising the portion of Staintou's 

 ' Manual ' allotted to this group, desiderates a new work upon it. 

 Please allow me to extend the question to the collection of the 

 Tiucina, as well as the Tortricina, and to suggest that what is 

 imperatively needed at this moment is a new edition of the ' Manual,' 

 so far as it treats of these two most interesting groups, i.e., vol. li., 

 pp. 188-439, brought up to date. A work of this kind ought not to 

 be a difficult one. I could name many of our collectoifs, who are not 

 collectors merely, but are well up in the scientific part of the subject, 

 to whom it should be a "labour of love." It is probably hopeless to 

 expect figures of every species, but a typical one of each genus might 

 be given, or, in genera of considerable extent, several. Plain figures 

 well lithographed would be best, though woodcuts (of the first excel- 

 lence) sufficiently enlarged for the minute species, and intercalated 

 in the text, would be perhaps most convenient. These with short 

 Staintonian diagnoses, and differential tables of species, keeping as 

 close as may be to Mr. Stainton's method, would be a priceless boon 

 to collectors. The systematic arrangement might be that of Mr. South 

 himself. This arrangement is, I believe, now generally followed and 

 accepted by British collectors. For the greater utility of such a work 

 I have little doubt but that almost all collectors would gladly furnish 

 data of localities, abundance or scarcity, or any other facts that may 

 have come within their cognizance. I trust the above suggestion may 

 be taken up and acted upon. — (Rev.) 0. P. Cambridge ; Bloxworth 

 Rectory, August 3rd, 1895. 



PoLYPOKUs FOR Staging Insects. — I Can heartily recommend the 

 white birch fungus {Pohjporus hetulinns), not only for staging insects, 

 but for many other purposes as well. I first discovered this substance 

 and used it for staging purposes nearly twenty years ago, and called 

 attention to it in the ' Canadian Entomologist,' vol. x., page 83. I soon 

 after learned, however, that it had long been known and used for that 

 purpose in Germany, and it may have been in other parts of Europe. 

 It is not for sale in this country, since so few work on the Micro- 

 Lepidoptera here that there is not much demand for it. North America 

 is as yet a glorious country for those suffering with the "mihi itch." — 

 C. H. Fernald ; Amherst, Mass., August 12th, 1895. 



Further Note on Acronycta psi. — With reference to my note {emte, 

 p. 229) concerning the larvae of this species, the second larva spun up 

 (like the previous one) on the surface of the earth, on July 13th, and 

 yesterday (20th inst.) I found that it had turned to a pupa, which 

 seems quite healthy. I might mention that the reason for both 

 spinning their cocoons on earth is due to there being no other con- 

 venient method, as the cage is covered by an inverted tumbler. — A. E. 

 Allworthy; 5, Gladsmuir Road, Whitehall Park, N., July 21st, 1895. 



What Species of Insects are the most Variable ? — Were I asked 

 this question, I should answer, Arctia caia, Abraxas grossulariata, 

 Cidaria russata, C. iminanata, Peronea cristana, P. hastiana, and Ce?-o- 

 stoma radiatella, amongst the Lepidoptera ; Coccinella variabilis, C. bi' 



