NOTES FROM AN ESSEX LEPIDOPTERIST's DIARY. 227 



nine longitudinal keels, which rise on the crown, where they are 

 much elevated, but rapidly decrease in height on traversing the 

 side, and form only a slight ridge over the basal half; they are 

 fluted, and resemble white frosted-glass frills, but are only white 

 on the upper half. The usual number is eight, occasionally 

 only seven, and sometimes nine. The spaces between the keels 

 are delicately ribbed transversely by about forty in number. 



As will be seen by the above, the egg of V. polychloros is not 

 green in any stage either before or after it is laid, and in this 

 respect, and in structure also, it is not similar to that of V. 

 urticce, but agrees closely both in structure and colour with its near 

 ally. V. antiopa. 



NOTES FEOM AN ESSEX LEPIDOPTERIST'S DIARY 

 FOR 1911. 



By Paymaster-in-Chief Gervasb F.Mathew, R.N., F.E.S., &c. 



(Continued from p. 204.) 



July 31st was fine, bright, and very warm. In the evening 

 I went to the woods and tried sugar. There was a clear sky, 

 small moon, slight dew, and the air was calm and close. Moths 

 were abundant, but mostly common species. Apamea oculea 

 swarmed and was in great variety ; others were T. orhona, 

 T. ianthina, N. baja, M. ahjecta (two), C. affinis, C. trapezina, N. 

 ruhi (second brood), G. lihatiix, A. pyramidea, H. nictitans (one, 

 a rare moth here), &c., and one Dichelia grotiana. T. amataria 

 was flying in great numbers over Chenopodlum, &c., in the rides. 

 One H. micacea, six H. paludis, and two C. matiira were captured 

 at light. 



The first day of August was fine, bright and hot until 6 p.m., 

 when it clouded over, and there was a little rain between 

 seven and eight. I bred Zephyrus hetulcs (from Monk's Wood 

 larvae) and Catocala nupta. I went to the reed-beds at dusk and 

 took sixteen N. arundineta and one S. maritima, but they were 

 too worn for the cabinet, so were released in the morning, and I 

 hope were able to find their way back to the reeds. Nonagria 

 geminipuncta was just appearing, and I netted seven very fresh 

 specimens ; also one Oi'thotcelia sparganiella, the first I have taken 

 here. The 2nd was fine, bright, and warm, with fresh south- 

 westerly breeze. The second brood of Pararge megcera was just 

 coming out, and I saw six or seven ; also a fresh and very 

 abundant brood of Lyccsna icarus, and noticed several fresh 

 Chrysophanus phlceas, the first I have seen this year. I obtained 

 the following from the electric lights at Parkeston : — Cerura 

 furcula (one), Porthesia similis, Hepialus hunudi (one, female), 

 Plusia gamma, P. chrysitis, Hydroecia micacea, H. paludis, Miana 

 literosa (one, a scarce moth here), Charceas graminis, &c. 



