152 THE entomologist's recobd. 



series of fine bred specimens anticipated only a few poorly coloured 

 dwarfs and cripples will probably appear. In the matter of food they 

 are also very particular, for though it is true that they will eat several 

 substitute plants rather than starve, they only appear to thrive upon 

 their natural food, of which they require an abundant and perfectly 

 fresh supply every two or three days. I dig up the plants out of the 

 mud and replant them in pots, and, in this way, if well watered, they 

 keep fresh for several days. 



On the continent the species is said to be be found in inland 

 localities, and I have been asked to suggest a reason for its being 

 exclusively a coast insect in this country. I do not profess to know 

 the precise reason, but probably our specimens have sufficient British 

 common sense to learn that if they went further they might fare worse, 

 but before speaking authoritatively on such a point as this, one wants to 

 visit the inland localities, and note the conditions that prevail there. 

 The nature of the soil, the chemical constituents of the food-plants and 

 other circumstances have to be considered, and of these I know nothing, 

 and leave the explanation to those who know. 



It is, however, possible that the British colonies are of continental 

 origin, and may have resulted from eggs brought to our shores by the 

 tides in comparatively recent times ; and in this case the earliest 

 settlers would have been reared on sea-side plants, and their successors, 

 finding favourable conditions on the coast, would have no occasion to 

 go inland in search of them. 



When perfect insects, as in the case of Colias cdiisa, C. Jiijale, 

 Pyrameis canlui and others, migrate to Britain, the chances are that, 

 after resting awhile on the coast, they mostly disperse inland, and lay 

 their eggs in all directions, where favourable conditions exist, but 

 when the eggs themselves are introduced, the first generation of 

 migrants would necessarily be reared on the coast, and in this way a 

 littoral habit might be established, and continue indefinitely. It is 

 likely enough that the eggs would endure immersion in sea water for 

 a considerable time without injury, for they must be regularly covered 

 by the high tides while still in their natural position, and apparently 

 this must also be the case with the larvfe to a less extent. All the 

 larvfE that I have seen have been between the sea-wall and the sea, 

 and though during exceptionally high tides, the batches of ova must be 

 carried much further inland, I cannot say hoAV the young larvae fare 

 when they find themselves under such conditions. I have never found 

 ichneumoned larvae, but empty cocoons are far too common, their 

 contents having evidently been extracted by sea birds. These cocoons 

 must be cleverly hidden in the low herbage, as a rule, as it seems 

 useless to look for them in .nti'i. The eggs are sometimes much 

 ichneumoned and I send a batch of empty shells, surrounded by a 

 number of their former tenants. I do not know the name of the 

 parasite, but perhaps some of your readers will be able to help me 

 to discover it. 



Phorodesma smaragdaria, Fabricius. 



By Rev. C. E. N. BURROWS. 

 (Continued from p- 115.) 

 I have already remarked that last year I raised a partial second 

 brood. I have not been able to find any record of any such experience 



