Proceedings. V 



Tliere are, I think, three chief causes which influence the life 

 of Lepidoptera, and produce a scarcity or an abundance of a 

 species, m., a favourable period for fertilization, i.e., a warm 

 sunny time as opposed to a cloudy, chilly and wet period ; for I 

 am inclined to think that this period of fertilization is just after 

 emergence, and not during the whole life of the insect. Then 

 again, there is the health of the larvae, and its food-plant ; cold 

 wet weather being as detrimental to growth as dry chilling winds, 

 whilst warm and slightly moist seasons are the best. Lastly we 

 come to the question of its enemy the Ichneumon Fly, of which 

 there are many affecting many different species of Lepidoptera. 

 If all these causes were favourable to, say, Colias edusa, we 

 can understand the abundance we have this year seen of 

 the insect, whereas if the three causes worked together against 

 it, we can quite see how rare it miglit suddenly become, even to 

 being in some localities exterminated for the time. 



List of Lepidoptera taken at The Close, Chatsworth Road, except as 

 otherwise stated, in the summer of 1892, by ]\Jr. John Berney.— 

 Polynvimatus phlaas, 2. CoUas ednsa, " taken at Kussell Hill," 10. 

 H. Lee took a large number, principally C. edusa, a few C. hyale, 

 and a few C. helice. Noctuae : — Plusia festuca, 20; P. iota, 1. 

 Dipterygia pinastn, 6. Gonophora derusa, 5. Thyatira batis, 6. 

 (Tramueria triiinia, 2. Xanthia citrago, 1. Leucania conigera, 1. 

 Af/rotis limigera, 4:. Triphana subsegaa, 1. Hepalidfe : — Lupuli- 

 nus hectiis, 13 ; L. humidi, 11. Geometrae : — Amphydasis betitla- 

 ria, 2. Also larvs of P. festucm and P. iuta hyberuating. 



Excursions. — The excursions during the past year have been 

 of great interest, and have moreover been remarkably well 

 attended. A new departure was the arrangement of short 

 evening rambles, which were so much appreciated that it is to be 

 hoped they will be continued. The following is an accoimt of 

 the rambles of the year : — 



On May 21st, an excursion to East Griustead and Lingfield 

 was conducted by Mr. E. Straker. The party, twelve in number, 

 proceeded by train direct to East Griustead. A visit was first 

 paid to Sackville College, an ancient foundation for the relief of 

 decayed townsfolk and tenants. The rooms of the warden and 

 the chapel were kindly shown, the former containing some quaint 

 furniture, &c. Several photographs were taken of the College, 

 and the walk was then resumed to Wire Mill Pond and Lingfield. 

 About the pond Cnicus pratensis, Serratula tinctoria, Valeriana 

 dioica, t'arex vesicaria, C. carta, a Nitella, and a species of Utricu- 

 laria (but in too young a state for determination), were observed. 



On June 6th (under the direction of Mr. E. B. Sturge) to 

 Cowdeu. A party of about twenty-four members and friends 

 met about 11. bO at Cowdeu Station and proceeded to the village, 



