292 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
weather during most of the month was most unpropitious 
for collecting, we having such continued rain and wind, 
which not only prevented work, but soon spoiled the 
condition of most insects. All the male Apatura Iris I took 
Were more or less damaged, but the females were in fine 
order. This species continued on the wing the month 
through, that is to say, when the weather would permit. 
I captured a male on the 3lst. I got eggs from two females, 
but unfortunately they proved infertile. Catching Apatura 
lris is most exciting work, but it involves a great waste 
of time, as one has to wait the coming of their majesties, 
and this year they were scarce,—some days not one would 
be seen,—and a long ash-pole is not a convenient thing to 
collect with generally. 
The exquisite little Nola albulalis, too, was one of my 
objects of search, and I succeeded in taking it in splendid 
order; and when really fine it is extremely pretty. I failed, 
as did everyone else, to find it in the numbers Mr. Porritt 
reported last year; this season Mr. Porritt only secured 
nine or ten specimens in his week’s stay. I found this species 
particularly influenced by weather,—the slightest fog or 
north-east wind and you may as well go home, for not a 
specimen will rise, although I could take them when the 
underwood was saturated with heavy rain. 
A striking feature to me was the absence of any of the 
fritillaries: the only species 1 saw during my stay was 
Melitea Athalia, and of that very few indeed; possibly that 
. species was over. ‘Thecla W-album was common, but soon 
out of condition, owing to the wet and wind. The autumn 
brood of Lyczena Argiolus was just out as L left. The common 
Vanesside and Satyrs comprised the Diurni; in fact this 
group was but poorly represented. 
The wet, cold weather seemed propitious for sugar, as I 
never experienced such a numerous attendance at my 
ambrosial banquets before ; many species absolutely swarmed. 
I have counted over fifty Rodophza tumidella on one tree, 
beside hosts of others. Although I got nothing especially 
rare, I secured a fine series of many good things: Lithosia 
quadra was a rare visitor; Mamestra abjecta, I got but 
one; Agrotis ravida, a fine series; Triphena fimbria was 
most abundant, and in every shade of brown from palest to 
