168 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Variation in Diaphora mendica in Ireland. — Dr. Cockayne is 

 mistaken in supposing that the var. rnstica is the only fofm of the 

 male of D. mendica occurring in Ireland. 



The late Wm. F. de Vismes Kane records dark forms of the male 

 from Counties Clare and Galway [Cataloijue of the Lepidoptera of 

 Ireland). 



In this district the males vary from an almost pure white, var. 

 ritstica, through cream, pale buff, cream streaked with smoke, to a 

 pale smoky grey ; I have also this latter form from Co. Cork. The 

 finest male I possess taken at light has all wings pale smoky grey 

 with the central area of forewiugs white. — Thomas Greer, Stewarfcs- 

 town, Co. Tyrone. 



The term " nymotypical." — As there seemed some uncertainty and 

 misunderstanding of the meaning-and use of the term "nymotypical," 

 I have asked Dr. Verity to give the precise meaning of the word, as he 

 is using it in the interesting and valuable articles he is contributing 

 to our pages. He has sent the following definition : — " The adjective 

 ' nymotypical ' is meant to designate the race of a species or the 

 individual form of a race, which was used by the author of the name 

 of that species or race to describe it. In some cases it has unfortunately 

 turned out to be quite an unusual race or form and not the most highly 

 characteristic or the commonest of the group, to which it has 

 subsequently been proved to belong, and to which the name has had in 

 consequence to be extended. As the word ' typical ' might quite 

 naturally in its simplest and most usual meaning be thought to 

 designate the latter, the word 'nymotypical' has been coined to obviate 

 this confusion, and to refer more precisely to the former." — K.V. 

 [H.J.T.] 



J^OTES ON COLLECTING. Etc. 



Sphinx pinastri in Sussex.^Ou June 15th last we took a female 

 of the above species in bred condition which laid about 100 eggs. 

 These commenced to hatch on July 4th, but the larvaa have been doing 

 very badly, and at present (July 26th) only a few are left, which are 

 changing for the second time. The locality where found is surrounded 

 by pine trees, and by the condition of the insect it in all probability 

 emerged there. This is the first time this insect has been recorded for 

 this country, — E. P. and P. A. Sharp, Eastbourne. 



Records from Mucking. — During my 22 years residence at Mucking 

 I have remarked the absence of Paranje vier/era. That so common 

 a Butterfly should be absent was a bit of a puzzle to me, and I came 

 to the conclusion that for some unknown reason this particular locality 

 had some antipathetic qualities which forbid the settlement of one of 

 the insects, whose perhaps rather delicate constitution appears to be 

 driving more and more towards the west of England. This year, 

 however, my doubts have been removed, for megera has appeared. I 

 saw the first in the summer in the very primitive collection of a little 

 boy, too young to deceive. On the occasion of Mr. Sheldon's visit on 



