84 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
is not so destructive to pupe and hybernated larve as is 
generally supposed. 
The damp has no doubt a fatal effect upon some pupe, as 
many collectors know, yet my experience—although short— 
goes to prove that larve select such dry sites for pupation that 
a little damp more or less makes very little difference. Most 
of the Noctuz which I have enumerated as being well repre- 
sented will prove this—e.g., H. venustula, although never numerous 
in Epping Forest, yet it was as well represented as in former 
years, thus proving that the mild winter had no effect upon the 
snug cocoons at the roots of the Tormentilla reptans. Again, 
that ubiquitous Noctua xanthographa, which, having passed the 
winter in the larval state, came out in such large numbers as 
to prove a perfect pest at sugar during August, thus tending 
to prove that the mild winter had little effect upon such insects 
as hybernate in the larval state. 
Although I feel diffident in venturing to differ from Mr. Kane, 
yet I cannot but disagree with him in regard to the depreda- 
tions made by beetles, centipedes, and other predaceous insects. 
My experience tends rather to prove that they are little 
to blame, as they are not very active or voracious during 
the winter. 
It is a well-known fact that many moths will not emerge 
from the chrysalis state in the absence of certain atmospheric 
conditions, and, looking at the low average temperature and 
want of direct sunshine experienced during the past summer, 
it is only reasonable to hope that many species which should 
have emerged are now awaiting the coming summer in order to 
appear. 
I trust that by the above remarks I have proved that the 
absence during last year of such Geometre as feed upon trees 
or bushes is almost wholly attributable to the winds of 1881 
and the violent wind storm of May, 1882, they having doubt- 
less destroyed most of the young larve then feeding, and that 
the mild winter did not make such a marked difference in those 
species whose habit it is to seek the shelter of the earth or the 
bark of trees either in the larva or pupa state. 
Tnland Revenue Department, Somerset House, London, March, 1883, 
