202 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
causes enumerated by Mr. F. De V. Kane, or suspect the existence 
of some latent but far more fatal agent, the fact remains patent, 
and indisputable, that many insects are now reduced in numbers, 
individually and specifically, to a point verging perilously on 
extermination ; and I think it highly probable that many years 
must elapse before some species can again multiply and increase 
to their former normal numbers. This is a rather discouraging 
view to take, but when we find all the recognised methods of 
collecting fail we are driven to the unwelcome conclusion that 
large numbers are now non-existent, and therefore cannot 
obviously be lured by sugar, attracted by light, swept into 
the net, or in the larva stage shaken from their food-plant 
into the beating-tray. 
Having heard of the complete failure of our forest species to 
put in an appearance, I determined to pay a visit to the New 
Forest, and test the accuracy of the reports for myself. Accord- 
ingly, on the 10th of July, I started for Brockenhurst, and having 
met my friend Mr. P. Bright, who had preceded me thence by a 
few days, we proceeded to our hunting-ground. He told me that, 
although he had been working diligently all day since his arrival, 
he had scarcely seen or taken anything; and that, with the 
exception of what I might fitly designate as some heroic collecting 
the previous evening in quest of Acidalia emutaria in the Hinch- 
elsea Bog,—which involved the necessity of wading knee-deep in 
the mire, with the possibility of sinking at any step up. to the 
middle,—he had scarcely secured anything worth the trouble of 
setting. Considering the risk and discomforts attending the 
“bog” work, followed by the inevitable walk of four miles home 
in the dark, I think thirteen specimens of A. emutaria, as the 
result of the united efforts of Mr. Bright and his coadjutor Mr. 
Gulliver, by no means an extravagant reward. 
We scoured, on the day of my arrival, seven or eight miles of 
the best localities in the Forest, with the net result of two 
Limenitis sibylla, three Argynnts paphia, one Macaria liturata, 
one Hubolia mensuraria, one Zygena jilipendule, the latter the 
only representative of that genus we saw on the ‘“‘ Meliloti 
sround ;” and, for want of better game, I filled some of my boxes 
with spiders and dragonflies. Gentlemen accustomed to collect- 
ing in the New Forest in the middle of July, on a very fine day, 
will understand the significance of some eight miles (including 
