298 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



again in May ; they are generally full-fed about the end of June ; 

 the insect appears in July or August. 



The larvae are nocturnal feeders, coming up to feed on the 

 grass just about dusk. The method of procuring the larvte is 

 by no means enviable even to the most ardent entomologist, as 

 in the uncertain light it necessitates crawling on one's hands 

 and knees amongst the grass, and there is always the risk of 

 grasping those little brown slugs in mistake, which resemble the 

 larvae very much in shape and colour. No artificial light can be 

 used, as the larvae immediately drop down amongst the grass if 

 this is done. The only alternative therefore is to use one's eyes 

 to the best advantage until the darkness makes that impossible. 



They are not difficult to rear in confinement if the larvae are 

 kept properly supi)lied with fresh food. 



Galashiels. 



ORKNEY LEPIDOPTERA. 



On his return from Orkney, Mr. McArthur was good enough 

 to show me the collection of Lepidoptera which he had made 

 there during the past season. Unfortunately I was unable, from 

 want of time, to make a thorough examination of the species in 

 detail, but the following notes on some of the " macros " may 

 not be uninteresting : — 



Six species of butterflies were seen. Pieris hrassicce, common. 

 P. ra'p(B was seen flying about the streets in Stromness. Vanessa 

 urticce, one specimen was seen on the cliffs at Hoy. Epinephele 

 ianiTa, one specimen taken. Connonympha typhon {davus), rare. 

 Chrysophanus phloeas, one specimen occurred at Hoy. 



Nemeophila plantaginis. — In the males there is a good deal 

 of variation in the size of the yellow markings on the fore wings, 

 and in the females the yellow on hind wings in many specimens 

 gives place to red with a complete absence of marking on the 

 basal half, this being entirely black. 



Hepialus humuli. — The specimens of this species do not vary 

 in the direction of that exhibited by Shetland examples, except 

 that the thorax is rather dark. 



Xylophasia mouoylypha {polyodon). — Only about half a dozen 

 specimens were seen altogether, and of these only one is of the 

 melanic form so frequent in Scotland. 



Agrotis vestigialis (valligera). — Some of the specimens are 

 richly marked, and the ground colour is rather brighter than in 

 English examples. 



A. cursoria. — All the usual forms are exhibited, but the 

 prevailing colour of the fore wings is brownish grey, varying in 

 one direction to whitish grey, and in the other to a reddish 

 brown. In one female example the colour is dark greyish brown 



