336 THE entomologist's recoed. 



ancient specimens. Calamia j^Jtragmitidis also turned up, but in small 

 numbers, with a few Ileliophila iinpura, and, of course, several Triphaena 

 2yronuba were in evidence, with a sprinkling of 2\ mbsequa {comes), but, 

 the fog coming on thickly, we soon beat a retreat to our lodgings and 

 beds. The next day Avas unsettled but commenced fine, and we soon 

 set out for the fen with visions of P. machaon before our eyes. These, 

 however, for some time seemed doomed not to be realised, but in the mean- 

 time my cousin netted several nice Hamadryas io and Colias rhamni with 

 an occasional Aglais urticae and one Vanessa cardui. I saAv a 

 specimen of Eurymns hyale right in the middle of the fen, but was 

 unable to get within striking distance. Then I missed the first P. 

 machaon which appeared, and soon afterwards came across a nearly 

 full-fed larva of the same species. The clouds which had been 

 threatening for some time began to close round the sun and the air 

 became heavy, as though a thunderstorm was coming on, and just in 

 the last few minutes of sunshine I succeeded in netting a splendid 

 female P. machaon, quite fresh from the pupa ; then down came the 

 rain and we had to beat a hasty retreat to the shelter of a neighbouring 

 cottage, and then home again. The afternoon, which was wet, was 

 devoted partly to setting and partly to inspecting Mr. Bailey's captures 

 during the season, which included one Hydrilla jMlnstris, the only one 

 I believe taken this season. After dinner we again sallied forth to try 

 our luck Avith sugar, and light also this time, as the night Avas more 

 promising, and the result amply justified our doing so. Sugar 

 produced many more specimens than the previous night though the 

 species noticed were much the same, and Ave soon got the lamp to work 

 and Avere busy netting and bottling off the sheet or lamp. AVhen at last 

 we determined to turn in I found I had the folloAving species in my box: — 

 Tapinostola Jiellinanni, common, Calamia phraymUidis, Heliopliohus 

 jjopularis, Cidaria testata, Ennomos alniaria (tiliaria), Amathes umbrosa, 

 A. c-niyritm, A. rubi, Acidalia immutata, Strenia clatlirata, Pterostoma 

 p)alpina (one), Ayrotis niyricans, common, Triphaena subsequa (comes), 

 Lithosia yriseola with one of the ab. stramineola, besides Avhich many 

 other common species Avere noticed both at the light and at sugar. 

 The next day Avas fine, but very Avindy, and although we had at first 

 intended to return that morning, aa^c determined to have another try 

 for P. machaon, Avith the result that we Avere able to secure some A^ery 

 line specimens during the morning, one of Avhich, captured by my 

 cousin, measured just upon four inches across the Avings. We netted 

 and saw a great many battered specimens, but Avere able to secure a 

 few very fresh ones. That evening was spent chiefly in setting our 

 previous captures and the next morning saw us again at Soham 

 raihvay station where we parted to join our respective families, my 

 cousin to FelixstoAve, and myself to Hythe, A^ery Avell pleased with our 

 visit to the fen. It Avas five years since I had been there, and the 

 memories of former visits were not among the least enjoyable of my 

 experiences this time. I should add that the enjoyment of our visit 

 Avas very greatly enhanced by the comfortable quarters, excellent food 

 and cooking, and untiring attention, provided for and bestoAA^ed upon 

 us by my old friends Mr., Mrs. and Miss Aspland, at the Post Office. 

 I may also mention that many larvaB of Acherontia atropos have been 

 found in the Wicken neighbourhood this season. I have since heard 

 from my cousin that he afterAvards twice visited Bawstead Ferry and 



