SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 15 



Amblyspatha ormerodi, Kieffer. 

 Described from Scotland in 1913, See Marellia, vol, 12, p. 52. 



I'f ^ -^ ^ ^ 



Cecidomyia sp. (Houard, 5,129). 



On Rhinanthus christi-galli. This and the three following are 

 recorded in Houard from the British Isles, but are not included in 

 Swanton's catalogue. 



Cecidomyia sp. (Houard, 2,456). 

 On Thalictrum dunense. 



Cecidomyia sp. (Houard, 3,237). 

 On Rosa spinossissinia. 



Cecidomyia sp. (Houard (supplement), 1,911). 

 On Brassica rapa. 



i'f >f; ;]; * ^ 



Cecidoiiyia sp. 



On Qiiercus robur and Q, cerris. Acorn dwarfed and deformed ; 

 larvfe gregarious ; salmon-coloured, living in cup at base of acorn. 

 Probably common. 



Durham, Gibside, R.S.B. 



Lancashiee, Grange-over- Sands, R.S.B. 



Yorkshire, Middlesbrough, J. W.H.H. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Resting Attitude of the Lycaenidae. — With regard to Mr. 

 Hamm's experience of the resting attitude of Polyovrmatiis icarus 

 before retiring to rest [antea, p. 139), I can only say that niy experi- 

 ence with this species is very similar, as I instanced in my previous 

 note. 



I also agree that Rumicia pldaeas is nothing like so constant as P. 

 icarus in resting head downward, which to my mind is further evidence 

 that my theory of the head-downward position of P. icarus has a rela- 

 tion to the sunning position, because R. -pldaeas suns both head down- 

 ward and head upward. P. icarus I should say very seldom suns head 

 upward, at least I do not remember to have observed it. 



A point that strikes me is that if it is necessary for P. icarus to rest 

 head downward as a protection from birds, surely it would be equally 

 necessary for R. pldaeas to do so also. I have seen P. icarus take up a 

 position head downward, on a sunless afternoon, and repeatedly open 

 their wings for a moment, as though expecting the sun to appear. 



Mr. Hamm goes on to say that his experience does not support my 

 interpretation of the head downward position, but unfortunately he 

 does not give any concrete evidence of birds being deceived by the 

 orange spots of P. icarus, and if there is anything in his suggestion of 

 the black spots near the apex of the underside of the forewing of R. 

 pldaeas being a directive mark to a possible enemy, I should be very 

 sorry for the butterfly if a bird were hunting these insects at the time. 



