204 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
NOTES ON THE EARLY PART OF SEASON, 1883. 
By H. T. Dosson, sun. 
THE expression of opinion amongst Macro-lepidopterists 
seems to be general,—that although last year the great majority 
of insects were exceedingly scarce, yet the first six months 
of 1883 must rank as a greater failure. Now, with one or two 
exceptions, I can fully endorse this. 
Having worked almost daily in New Malden, and its neighbour- 
ing localities, I find that the result of my captures to the middle 
of June (not counting the Micro-lepidoptera) is not equal to two 
good days’ work. However, as July drew near matters con- 
siderably improved: ‘sugar’ yielded profusely, and we found 
plenty of occupation with the net at twilight, most of the things 
we usually take being well represented. Amongst the number 
Phorodesma bajularia was unusually common; and some insects, 
such as Melanthia albicillata and Pericallia syringaria, both 
of which species I failed to see last summer, have turned up in 
their usual numbers. I also noticed that flowers were very 
attractive ; one bed of lilies, which I worked for a few nights, 
was swarming with about a dozen species, such as Plusia gamma, 
P. chrysitis, and Cucullia wmbratica. July arrived, and my 
setting-boards were as full as could be expected, even for this 
busy month. 
With every appearance of a continuance of success, I deter- 
mined to try the New Forest; so in company with Mr. A. Mitchell 
we arrived at Brockenhurst on July 20th, but before we reached 
the Forest we had ample proof that ‘‘ bad news travels quickly,” 
for we were speedily informed of the unfortunate experiences of 
collectors already there. Nevertheless we were not discouraged, 
but worked on with energy and patience, both of which we found 
very essential qualities in order to make a solitary capture. We 
sugared many trees for four nights in different parts of the 
Forest, but failed to attract a single moth. In the daytime we 
were out during the best hours of sunshine, and went through 
some of the most favourable rides, where, at the same time last 
summer, we took or counted twenty-one species of Diurni, but 
upon this occasion we could only find thirteen, few of which were 
deemed worthy of a place in our collecting-boxes. We tried 
