1888.] HI 



The colour of the plates probably changes with growth, but 

 Zincken's account of the habits of the creature indicates a far more 

 rapid growth, and earlier emergence, in its favourite districts. 



The moth is pretty and quite unlike any other British species. 

 Its fore-wings are blackish, greyer towards the dorsal margin, and 

 having a reddish gloss in certain lights. The first and second lines 

 are white, and between them is a large irregular and ill-defined white 

 blotch which sometimes assumes almost the form of a fascia. In this 

 white blotch are two black dots placed perpendicularly to the costal 

 margin. The hind-margin is dotted with black, with shining dark grey 

 cilia. Hind-wings pale grey, with a double dark line at the base of 

 the cilia. 



Whether this species is ever likely to become common with us is 

 very doubtful. At present it is certainly very rare, yet widely 

 distributed in Norfolk, and I see no reason to suppose that it is 

 recently introduced. Nothing could, from its habits, be more easily 

 overlooked. I find that but one specimen was captured at Merton this 

 year, and only two reared. 



Among my cones brought from Merton, I found in the spring, 

 one in which a larva was feeding in a different manner — extruding 

 plenty of excrement through a round hole in the side of the cone. 

 To this was doubtless due the quite unexpected appearance of a fine 

 specimen of the rare and handsome Dioryctria splendidella, H.-S., in 

 the middle of June. It was not previously recorded in the eastern 

 counties. 



A specimen of Coccyx OcJisenheioneriana also emerged, but nothing 

 had been observed of its larva or mode of feeding. 



King's Lynn, Norfolk : 

 September, 1888. 



Sphinx ligustri in the North Sea. — Mr. J. Eowen, the Mate of the Leman and 

 Ower Light Vessel, moored in the North Sea, about 48 miles E. N. E. of Cromer, 

 reports, under date of July 30th, 9 a.m., wind E. S. E. c. m. (4), " three privet hawk- 

 moths (Sphinx ligustri) came to the lantern ;" one of these was taken, and sub- 

 sequently sent to me for identification, the others (Mr. Bowen says) left the ship 

 and went with the wind. — John Coedeatjx, Gt. Cotes, Ulceby : August 2&th, 1888. 



Note on Deilephila galii. — The larvce of this species were very plentiful this 

 season at Deal. I found fifty one morning in about a couple of hours on a bank not 

 more than a hundred yards long. They do not conceal themselves during the 

 daytime like those of C. porcellus, which were also very common. — E. G. Meek, 56, 

 Brompton Koad, S.W. : September 6th, 1888. 



