326 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



acted on, largely conduce to the prosperity of the 'Entomologist.' 

 I can assure them that, although I fully appreciate their good- 

 natured intentions, I think that it would not be to the advantage 

 of the Journal to very materially alter its present character. 

 Since it has been my valued privilege to conduct the Journal, its 

 pages have been open to entomologists of every degree; con- 

 tributions of the field-worker are as welcome as those of the 

 systematist or the specialist. Judging from the large measure 

 of support that I have received during the ten years or more 

 that I have discharged the duties of Editor, I am inclined to 

 believe that the absence of exclusiveness in the policy adopted 



meets with general approval. 



EicHARD South. 



LEPIDOPTERA IN SOUTH DEVONSHIRE. 

 By J. Jager. 



In anticipation of a late emergence of insects in general 

 during the past season, I did not set out for my usual South 

 Devon expedition until August 1st. Arriving at Babbicombe, 

 where I met the Eev. Dobree Fox suffering from a severe 

 accident to his knee, I soon learned that, so far as Leiicania 

 putrescois was concerned, my calculation was wrong, for this 

 insect had been out for some time, and, judging by the large 

 series Mr. Fox showed me, they must have been very plentiful. 

 However, in spite of wind and occasional rain, Mr. J. Clarke, of 

 Eeading, and myself worked for the species at one of its usual 

 haunts with tolerably good results, for among the worn majority 

 many specimens were obtained in good condition. Whilst 

 engaged examining the flowers one night, we had the unique 

 experience of attracting towards us the search lights of several 

 British warships which happened to be in the bay. This afforded 

 us great amusement, especially as the moths, like ourselves, 

 seemed quite to enjoy it. Lithosia caniola, of which species 

 during the previous year many specimens were netted at dusk 

 near the same spot, were scarcely seen ; towards the end of the 

 week, however, they turned up in another part some distance off. 

 Acontia luctuosa likewise was scarce and worn, probably owing 

 to the continued absence of sunshine. This insect hides during 

 dull weather, and has been noticed creeping right down into the 

 cracks in the earth. 



After staying a week at Babbicombe I went back to Starcross, 

 and was informed that Callimorpha hera had appeared as early 

 as July 4th, but after the spell of very hot weather at that 

 time their emergence ceased, and became again general about 



