224 Sphinx A'tropos. 



of the trees; some on the gravel walks, and many apparently 

 feeding on the blades of grass, to which they adhered by a 

 thin pellicle. Upon extending my walk further, I found 

 they had also migrated to the neighbouring fields and gar- 

 dens of the cottagers. As I had never met with anything of 

 the kind before, I was naturally surprised at the immense 

 quantities that were accumulated there. I am certain there 

 were millions. It seemed as if they had dropped from the 

 clouds. Upon reaching home, I consulted Turton's Manual, 

 one of the latest works upon the subject, and there found 

 some elucidation upon the subject. 



After describing the species and its varieties, he observes 

 (p. 41. and 42.), — "In autumn these shells are often sud- 

 denly collected in such great numbers as to give rise to the 

 popular notion of their having fallen from the clouds ; and, 

 in very hot weather, the young, both of this species and the 

 H. cingenda, may be found in clusters adhering to the stalks 

 of various plants." I have sent with this a few specimens, 

 and will give some of them to any of your conchological 

 friends. — George Hubbard, Surgeon. Bury St. Edmunds, 

 November, 1836. 



Sphinx A'tropos. — That this large and beautiful insect has 

 become more abundant of late years in England, and espe- 

 cially since the increase of the cultivation of the potato, seems 

 certain ; but whether from increased propagation, or emigra- 

 tion, may, perhaps, be questioned. That, at least, it is capable 

 of the will to cross the Channel, the following incident will 

 show ; while its powers of flight leave but little doubt of its 

 capacity to cross in safety : — Sept. 29. The wind strong 

 from the east. The death's-head sphinx flew on board a 

 fishing boat, at about the distance of three leagues from the 

 east coast of Cornwall, and, knocking itself against the mast, 

 it fell to the bottom. After being sufficiently examined, it was 

 left to itself; when it again took flight, and, though not in the 

 direct course of the wind, flew away seaward. — Jonathan 

 Couch. Polperro. 



Award of the Woolaston Medals. — The council of the 

 Geological Society of London has this year awarded the 

 Woolaston Medals to Captain Proby Cautley of the Bengal 

 Artillery, and to Dr. Falconer of the Bengal Medical Ser- 

 vice, for their geological researches, and their discoveries in 

 fossil zoology in the sub-Himalayan Mountains. [Proceedings 

 of the Geological Society, Feb. 1837.) 



