24 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
larve of this insect, it used to occur in the spring as well as 
in the auntumn,—in larger proportion at the latter season. It 
is not easy to obtain, as it falls from the heath if alarmed, 
even perhaps by the sound of a footstep. The best way is to 
sweep the plants with a circular net; beating them into an 
umbrella is not so effective, as, from the mode in which the 
larvee rest, they slip by the edge of the umbrella. Of the 
larve thus taken in autumn all will not feed-up the same 
season, even in confinement; but few survive until the 
spring. They appear to eat at intervals, which renders it 
more difficult to manage them. ‘The insect occurs also on 
Wimbledon Common, on the side near the park.—J. R. S. 
Clifford. 
South London Entomological Society.—The third annual 
exhibition of this Society was held on Wednesday evening, 
December 9th, in the Girl’s School-room, St. Mary’s, Newing- 
ton, which had been kindly lent by the managers. There 
was that variety of objects which always gives its charm to 
meetings of this kind. All orders of insects, and those of all 
climes, were abundantly represented. One of the most 
interesting cases was exhibited by Mr. Weir, the Comptroller- 
General of H.M. Customs. It was labelled “ Mimicry,” and 
contained specimens of butterflies which possess the marvel- 
lous power of changing colour when pursued by a certain 
bird that has a peculiar liking for their favour, and contem- 
plates them with an ardent affection akin to that with which an 
alderman may be supposed to regard real turtle. No sooner, 
however, is the insect aware of its pursuer, than it transforms 
itself into the similitude of another butterfly, for which the 
bird has no taste at all, but rather holds in abhorrence. So 
the accomplished harlequin of the pantomime escapes, 
unscathed, to practice the same clever deception over and 
over again. Mr. Hoey exhibited a case of larve admirably 
preserved. Mr. Wellman (the President), Mr. Champion, 
Mr. Tugwell, Mr. Williams, Mr. Power, and many others, 
were also contributors; and I must not omit Mr. Barrett, 
the indefatigable Secretary, to whose courtesy, unwearying 
assiduity, and excellent arrangement, the exhibition was 
mainly indebted for its success.—Edward Newman. 
