104 



phlcBas were also noted. Coenonympha pamphilus and Lyccena 

 icarus were somewhat abundant, flying among or resting on 

 the long grass, a luxuriant growth of which covers the 

 downs at this season of the year. Lyccena minima was not 

 uncommon in some few sheltered nooks; L. astrarcJie was 

 found sparingly, and a few L. argiolus were still on the 

 wing. One or two male specimens only of L. bellargus were 

 met with — a strong contrast with the record of the Society's 

 Field Meeting in the same locality on almost the same date 

 in 1894 (June gth), when this species was fully out, and a 

 large number of exceedingly blue forms of the female were 

 secured. Syrichtlnis mnlva: and Nisoniades tages, both of 

 which occurred plentifully, conclude the list of butterflies 

 that were noted. 



"The males oi Bomhyx rubi pursued their wild flight over 

 the Downs in the afternoon sunshine, some few of them 

 falling victims to the more dexterous members of the party. 

 Larvae of ZygcBua filipendulcB were sufficiently abundant on 

 the lower herbage, while an occasional pupa case was to be 

 seen on the grass stems. The down-loving Setina irrorella 

 was found very sparingly during the earlier part of the after- 

 noon, but coming on flight towards seven o'clock proved to 

 be present in far larger numbers than the work of the 

 previous hours had suggested, and provided some fine series. 

 Single examples of Hepialus lupnlinus and Euchelia jacobcBce 

 were taken. 



" A light-coloured Noctua was several times seen hovering 

 in the sunshine among the grass, and darting wildly away 

 before capture was possible, owing to the hilly nature of the 

 ground, thus exciting the imagination of several members. 

 Could it be Pachetra leucophcea ? The species had been taken 

 on this very spot, but then it could hardly be expected to be 

 on the wing in the daytime. Or perchance a Heliothis of 

 some sort ? Much nearer the mark this time, but not quite 

 right, for on one at last being secured it proved to be but 

 that personification of perpetual motion, Plusia gamma, and 

 we wondered how often our hopes have been raised and as 

 suddenly dashed to the ground by this same species. 



" Phytometra viridaria {cenea) was fairly common; but as a 

 rule the individuals examined showed unmistakable signs of 

 wear, and in this respect were in strong contrast with the 

 brilliant specimens of Eiicledia mi and E. gljphica which fell 

 to the lot of many of the members present. Larvae of Cuc- 

 cidlia verbasci were found on the mullein wherever the plant 

 occurred. 



