234 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
were still moving, although the motion at the other joint had 
ceased. The butterfly was quite dead at the time it was set, 
and I am quite unable to account for the facts stated above. 
[I am unable to give any explanation of this fact, but it is 
by no means an unusual occurrence.—Edward Newman. ] 
G. Haggar.—Food-plant of Selina irrorella.—l have a 
good batch of eggs of Setina irrorella. Can you kindly 
inform me what the larve feed on? for on reference to the 
‘British Moths’ I find the particulars very scant; indeed, it 
is there stated that it is taken in situations where the tree- 
lichens grow. My female was taken in the railway cuttings 
between Dover and Folkestone, and not a vestige of tree or 
shrub near; also two males were taken in a similar situation. 
Perhaps since the account was written something more may 
be known of its history, and I should like to rear them if 
possible; though if lichen-feeders I may find it difficult. 
[I shall be obliged to any entomologist who will give any 
additional information on this subject.—Edward Newman. ]| 
Joseph S. Baly.—Honey Bees (Entom. vii. 293).—The 
phenomenon which your correspondent describes is not 
uncommon amongst bees, and is thus spoken of by Langstroth 
in his work on the ‘ Honey Bee,’ p. 116 :—“ Bees sometimes 
abandon their hives very early in spring, or late in summer or 
fall. Although exhibiting the appearance of natural swarm- 
ing, they leave, not because the population is so crowded 
that they wish to form new colonies, but because it is either 
so small or the hive so destitute of supplies that they are 
driven to desperation. Seeming to have a presentiment that 
they must perish if they stay, instead of awaiting the sure 
approach of famine, they sally out to see if they cannot 
better their condition.” Bees, when sallying out under these 
circumstances, are termed a vagabond swarm: sometimes 
they try to gain entrance to another better-supplied hive, or 
more often fall to the ground from exhaustion, and perish. I 
fear the occurrence is likely to be frequent this year, as, 
owing to the unusual amount of wet, very few stocks have 
laid up any stores for the winter, and most are weaker than 
they were in early spring —H. Jenner Fust, jun.; Hill 
Cottage, Falfield, Gloucestershire, August 6, 1875. 
J. S. Woodhouse.—Flies sticking to Glass— What is the 
cause of flies adhering by the legs to window-panes, and 
