THE UPPER ENGADINE IN 1914. 159 



In examining Dr. Chapman's casta material, chiefly Continental, I 

 have found one species whose genitalia are very marked. One of these 

 is a dealer's specimen and bears the label nitidella. There are a few 

 others which bear the same name but have not the same genitalia. I 

 had hoped, and still hope, to find this species amongst British 

 material, but it is evident that I shall have to seek it further afield. I 

 hope that friends will remember this, and spare me even single speci- 

 mens of the male from as many localities as possible. 



A few further remarks may be allowable. Most of the insects under 

 consideration are very delicate organisms. I have repeatedly found 

 that cases collected by children, and the inexpert, fail to produce 

 imagines and prove on examination to be dead. This is undoubtedly 

 the result of rough treatment in removing them from their support, 

 squeezing, or pinching. The cases should therefore, on no account 

 be touched with the fingers, but removed from their support with the 

 blade of a knife, or carefully with the edge of the collecting box. 



Most of the species are notable cannibals. It has been no surprise to 

 me to find cases in confinement with quite large holes eaten in the 

 sides and the contents removed. This also occurs when in the wild 

 state. I have seen Fuinea casta deliberately attack and devour the 

 cases of its brethren (not the straws) and the contents down to the 

 last fragment. The sharp withdrawal of the larva when alarmed, the 

 quick jerking of the case, are doubtless protective measures, and I 

 should suppose that only when the individual is enfeebled, or attacked 

 from the side of its abode can the carnivorous passion be practised. 



The difficulty of determining the different cases from descriptions 

 I find to be insuperable. They may be clear enough, but when I have 

 a number before me I confess that I can make nothing of them. Of 

 one thing I am certain, that colour, and even material, are of little 

 value as points of distinction. The cases of lichen feeders naturally 

 have the colour of the material which their inhabitants are using, when 

 fresh, but when dry I presume the colour is all but entirely lost. My 

 casta bred in confinement from the egg, scarcely touched the carefully 

 chopped material provided for them, but chose to use nibbled paper or 

 ■dead leaves. Again, there is considerable variation in shape, especially 

 in Solenohia, when some cases are more evidently trigonal, others cylin- 

 drical. In any case, the preserved cases, dried and shrunk, bear but 

 little resemblance to the original appearance. 



I fear my results are so far poor and inconclusive. They are pub- 

 lished with the earnest desire to interest, and may be enlist, collectors. 



The Upper Engadine in 1914. 



By Hy. J. TUENEK, F.E.S. 

 [Concluded from Vol. xxviii., page 155.) 



Pressure of other matter has again and again prevented the com- 

 pletion of these notes. 



August ll.th. — My note-book says " a grand day " so far as weather 

 was concerned, but "nothing done" and "getting very dry," are 

 further comments I made, together with the record that " insects were 

 scarce." This is a locality where changes are very sudden and where 

 spring and summer and autumn are apparently crowded into about 

 two months. Things rapidly come out, reach their full and- as rapidly 



