238 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



I counted six aud seven. These galls soon became the homes — if I 

 may be allowed the expression — of a number of larv® of 0. antiqua ; 

 these ate out the interiors of the galls, and then ensconced themselves 

 in the space tlms provided. As they increased in size their habitations 

 became too small for them; but this difficulty was overcome by eating 

 a hole opposite that by which they entered the gall, and they then 

 rested with the head projecting from one side of the gall, aud the last 

 segments and anal tuft from the other. They presented a most curious 

 appearance when in this position, reminding me irresistibly of a tortoise. 

 B. Stonell ; 25, Studley Eoad, S.W., July 9th, 1905. 



Abundance of Pieris brassic^ in West Meath. — I should like to 

 call the attention of practical naturalists to tlie swarms of Pieris hraxsicfc 

 which are at present hovering over the cabbage-plots and fields in West 

 Meath, and laying millions of eggs, the caterpillars from which, the 

 moment they are hatched, begin devouring the young plants. In our 

 own case, after paving fifteen shillings for the cabbage-plants, we do 

 not expect to save even a portion of the crop. This is bad enough, 

 but it is far worse for the poor people who have planted their little 

 gardens and lost all their cabbages, Handpicking seems to be the only 

 efl'ectual remedy, and day-labourers cannot spare time for that. Lime, 

 washing soda, &c., and many other remedies have been tried in vain ; 

 and now the caterpillars are swarming up the walls of the houses to 

 form chrysalids, and doubly devastate next season, unless some real 

 remedy can be suggested. Where can the clouds of butterflies have 

 come from, as of late years bnissica; has been rather scarce, and what is 

 to be done'? — Francis J. Battersby; Cromlyn, Rathowen, West Meath. 



We understand that Mr. G. 0. Day, of Kuutsford, who is no doubt 

 known to many of our readers, is going abroad to reside in Vancouver 

 Island, B.C., and has placed his valuable and extensive collection of 

 British Lepidoptera in the hands of Mr. Stevens for sale by auction 

 shortly. Mr. Bay has been an occasional contributor of articles to 

 this magazine, and, although he is leaving England, we trust that his 

 interest in the pursuit of entomology will be continued, and that he 

 may find in the new country something noteworthy for these pages. 



CAPTURES AND FIELD REPOETS. 



Cymatophora ocularis and Agrotis ravida at Hitchin. — Thinking 

 it may be of interest, I am writing to report the capture here at sugar 

 of C. ocularis [octoijesima) on the following dates, viz. June 20th, 21st, 

 and 28th; July 2nd, 11th, and 28th. I have also been taking A. ravida 

 at sugar. — H. E. Grellet; Orford Lodge, Bancroft, Hitchin, Aug. 1st, 

 1905. 



Plusia bractea in Selkirk. — On July 12th, as a friend of mine and 

 I were netting F. chrysitix, which were swarming over some tall plants 

 of Stachys ■palustris, he caught a fine specimen of P. bractea, which I 

 recognized while bottling. P. iota and P. pulchrina were very common 

 at the time, and also in a less degree Abrnstola urticee, — B. Weddell, 



