208 • [February, 



decimated by the rain and cold, especially Melecta, on account of its 

 thick pubescence, which catches the rain. Now it is hardly probable 

 that Sphecodes, if parasitic, would add insult to injury by forcing its 

 presence on its host during all the autumn, winter and summer 

 months, nor could it live through all these months exposed to the 

 weather. It is much more likely that if it could not find an unoccupied 

 burrow of Halictus, it would construct one as a shelter for itself. 



The other arguments I have given are almost too weak to need a 

 reply ; where I have supposed Sphecodes to breed away from Halictus, 

 close observation has always undeceived me. 



I think we may safely presume, that in certain localities at least, 

 Sphecodes is a parasitic genus. That it is so always is a matter of 

 doubt ; some of our most observant entomologists have never seen 

 any reason to suspect it as such. Possibly it may yet retain the in- 

 stinct of gathering provision for its young, though glad to lay its eggs 

 on the store of Halictus, when opportunity offers. 



Sopworth Rectdry, Chippenham, 



Wilts : September, 1888. 



NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA IN THE SOUTH OE FRANCE. 

 BY ALBERT H. JONES, F.E.S. 



When I left England, on the 28th April, scarcely a vestige of 

 green was to be seen on any of the trees or hedgerows, and it was 

 interesting to watch, as I journeyed southwards, the gradual develop- 

 ment of vegetation. On arrival at Hyeres, the country presented a 

 similar appearance to our own in June, with an almost tropical sun- 

 shine. 



On the 3rd May, I started from L'Hermitage, where I was stopping, 

 for an excursion to Carqueyranne. The road passes for a short 

 distance through fir woods, and then along the sea-shore. In the fir 

 woods there was little to be met with beyond occasional Gonepteryx 

 Cleopatra. On the outskirts near the sea, this species was common, 

 and so were Melitcea Ginooia, Pieris brassicce, rapce, napi, and Daplidice, 

 and Antlwcliaris Bella, Acontia luctuosa, A spilates gilvaria, and Slio- 

 daria sanguiitalis. 



Along the road by the sea I noticed a few Golias Edusa and one 

 var. Helice, and Thestor JBallus, worn. On arrival at Carqueyranne, 

 I turned inland to a locality marked on the map " Le Paradis," a 

 beautiful spot surrounded by woods. The hill sides were profusely 

 covered with wild thyme, full in blossom, which attracted numberless 

 butterflies. All the species already mentioned occurred, and in 

 addition, the lovely Anthocharis euplienoides — not, however, attracted 

 by the thyme, but by the yellow r blossom of a plant closely allied to 

 our common charlock, on which it delighted to rest. A. cardamines 



