110 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



the general entomologist m this volume. We should like, however, to 

 suggest that it is nearly time some of the blocks used to illustrate this 

 issue were burned. 



So much interest, both of a scientific and personal character, 

 attached to the dispersal of a collection like that of the late Mr. C. G. 

 Barrett, that we were not surprised to find a fairly large company at 

 Stevens' rooms on March 13th, when the British Macro-lepidoptera 

 were sold. Both private and trade-buyers appeared to be well repre- 

 sented. There seems to be a gradual, but decided increase in the 

 purchases made at Stevens' by dealers. We apologise for the word, 

 which carries to many people a flavour not at all applicable to some of 

 the persons to whom we refer. There must be a large outlet for the insects 

 so bought. It is also the case that trade- buyers purchase the more 

 expensive lots more freely, not always we imagine on commission. 

 The time is still, however, we hope, measurably distant when insect 

 sales will fall into the hands of a riag as so often occurs with books. 

 The prices were fairly high on Tuesday, March 13th, nearly 22000 

 specimens brought about £245, or nearly 3d. a specimen. The rarities 

 brought full prices, though sometimes looking otherwise, e.jj., Pontia 

 daplidice for 12s. was really dear, when the specimen was merely a rag ; 

 Chrymphanus tlispar, three to five guineas for a more or less imperfect 

 specimen; Laelia coenosa, four specimens for 18s.; two good ones, how- 

 ever, realising 47s. 6d. ; three wretched A,jwtis subrosea, 30s. ; and so 

 on. The collection was remarkable as having some representatives of 

 nearly all our rarer species. We may note a few of the lots : Remark- 

 able aberration of Chrysophanus phlaeas, 65s.; :\omiades acis, 3 for 76s., 

 4 for 40s. ; Lycaena avion, 6 for 20s. ; a black Limenitis sibylla, in 

 shockmg condition, 30s. ; Aglais nrticae, aberration, 120s. ; Euvanessa 

 antiopa, 42s. ; Syrichthns alveus, 2 for 40s. ; Eyles euphorbiae, 46s. ; 

 Nola centonalis, 10 for 42s. ; a black Arctia caja, 55s. ; Gastropacha 

 ilicifolia, 16s., 21s. and 26s. each ; Drepana sicula, S for 50s. ; Notodonta 

 hicolora, 20s. ; Cusjndia alni (10) and Hyboma strigosa (5), for 21s., 

 21s., 22s., 24s., the strigosa being the attraction ; Cnjmodes exults, 3 for 

 70s. ; Aplecta nebidosa, 2 black, 21s. ; Luperina barrettii, poor to bad, 3 

 lots of 3 each, 45s., 55s., 16s. ; Nonagria aparganii, lots of 4, 18s. to 

 32s. 6d. ; Synia muscolosa, 1, 21s.; Leucania favicolor, 20s. to 24s. 

 each ; Xylina conformis, 30s. to 32s. 6d. for 4 ; Cucullia gnaphalii, 14s. ; 

 Heliothis scutosa, 22s. ; 2 Cleora viduaria, 40s. ; hybrid Amphidasyi 

 strataria X betidaria, 22s. ; Abraxas grossulariata ab. varleyata, 1, 31s. 

 6d. ; Sterrha sacraria, 16s.; Phibalapteryx polygrammata, 22s. (for 6). 



It seemed like old times to be at an exhibition of the South London 

 Entomological Society again. From our first visit in 1886, when it 

 was held in the little room at Denman Street, to 1906, in the fine room 

 (for this purpose) at Hibernia Chambers is a far cry, bridged over, 

 however, by the fact, that that genial and popular supporter of the 

 Society, Mr. R. Adkin, was, on both occasions, President ; Mr. Adkin 

 having reached, as it were, this year his Presidential majority. Many 

 old friendships were renewed and many new ones made ; and we trust 

 that the Society will benefit by an increased roll-call. There can be no 

 doubt that the new members will work all the better for being in touch 

 with such a Society. 



The exhibitions were, as usual, of the most varied kind. The 

 Hemiptera of Mr. West gained universal admiration, and the Lepidoptera 



