THE BRITISH PSYCBIDES. 71 



resemblance of the case to a diminutive specimen of Turbo Uttoralis (a 

 small spiral land snail). This feature is very marked in the cases 

 which I have found, produced by particoloured rings of lichen, laid on 

 by the larva, as growth necessitates enlarged premises, I am told that 

 Stainton's specimens of the case of this species preserved in the British 

 Museum, does not agree with Stephens' description, but I have not 

 myself examined it. 



{h) Rough cases. 



Bacotia sepiiwi., Speyer. — End of June into July. Said to frequent 

 woods. Cases on lichen-covered trunks and branches of trees. Prob- 

 ably could be beaten from such branches into an umbrella and collected 

 from the debris as they come up to the surface. It is spoken of as 

 gregarious, therefore once found there should be no difficulty in 

 securing plenty of specimens. 



Proutia hetnlina, Zeller. — June and into July. Case on lichen- 

 covered trunks and branches, posts, moss covered walls, etc. 



Proutia eppingella, Tutt. — Late June. I have no specimens of this 

 insect. Mr. Prout found a few cases in Epping Forest. The case is 

 described as intermediate between P. hetulina and P'uni&a casta (?). 

 They were found on a lichen-covered willow trunk, 



(e) " Faggot " cases. 



Alasonia crassiorella, Bruand. — June and July. Should be looked 

 for. It was recorded as British b}^ Bond, Knaggs, and Mitford, and is 

 accepted as a native. The case is larger than that of Fumea casta (?) 



yfasonia alfinu, Reutti. — Recorded as a var. of the last species ; 

 smaller. The case is described as more bristly. 



Xlasonia mitfordella, Chapman. — I have no specimen. There are no 

 particulars recorded. Five specimens noted, all collected by R. Mitford. 

 It is smaller than crassiorella. 



Masonia hibernicella, Chapman. — From Fletcher's collection. No 

 details or localities. 



Masonia sHbft.avella, Milliere, and ill. edwardsella, Tutt. — -Are conti- 

 nental species which might possibly be found in Britain. 



Fumea casta, Pallas. — How many species have we under this name? 

 How far nitidella, roboricnlella. interiiiedieUa, etc., are distinct, still 

 remains to be proved. In examining the material in hand I find dis- 

 tinctions in the genitalia, which will have to be worked out. Generally 

 speaking, the cases of the insect, or insects known by these names, are 

 found up to June, the imagines emerging in mid-June and through 

 July. Cases on fences, posts, tree-trunks, and on growing plants, 

 bushes and scrub. The larvae are very active during sunshine, quies- 

 cent at night. Cases from the Highlands of Scotland and from moun- 

 tains specially desirable. 



Whittleia retiella, Newman. — End of May and into June. The case 

 of this very local little species is found on the saltings at the mouth of 

 the Thames, upon a small salt-marsh grass. The finding of it requires 

 much patience, and the expected bag always falls short of one's hopes. 

 One case in a whole day's work may almost be reckoned as a success. 



EpicJmopteri.r pulla, Esp. — May and June. Another insect about 

 Avhose identity there is much doubt. The case, which is covered with 

 grass leaves, not straw nor tiny sticks, is not often found. I have, how- 



