142 June, 



THE TINEINA OF NORTH-WEST KENT AND ADJOINING- PORTION 



OF SURREY. 



BT BENJ. A. BOWER, E.E.S. 



It has been suggested that as there does not appear to have been 

 any account published of the Tineina occurring in the above-named 

 district, it would be interesting to those studying this group of 

 Lepidopfera if the species were put on record that have come under 

 my personal notice during the time, i. e., the past ten years, I have 

 given attention to it. 



The number of species taken is 380, out of a total of 759 in- 

 cluded in the British list, which, bearing in mind the restricted 

 distribution of some, the great rarity of others, and the smallness of 

 the district worked, appears a very fair proportion. The number 

 might have been considerably increased by extending the area 

 under notice, but I have thought it best to confine it to one that I 

 have pretty thoroughly worked, and so have a good idea of its pro- 

 ductiveness. It must not be supposed that some species are as local 

 in the district as might be inferred from this list — many must 

 necessarily have a far wider range — but to the localities given only 

 being such as are found in my note books, or on labels attached to 

 specimens in my collection. 



The localities mentioned are within about twelve miles of Lee, 

 so are easily accessible to London entomologists ; and can be visited 

 even by those having very liinited leisure, all being within an hour's 

 railway journey from town. A considerable portion of the district is 

 given up to hops, fruit, and game, so that it is virtually beyond the 

 reach of the entomologist, unless outside influence can be brought to 

 bear on his behalf. Being so near London, farmers, game-keepers, 

 etc., are verv suspicious of an insect-net, as it is sometimes carried by 

 those whose pursuits are most distinctly not entomological. Some 

 species, I regret to say, are year by year becoming less widely dis- 

 tributed, if not being exterminated ; this is chiefly due to the 

 speculative builder, and so-called improvements. A.nd I cannot help 

 fearing that several which are recorded as having been taken in the 

 district are no longer to be found there, as many most careful 

 searchings in their old haunts, by myself and friends, have ended in 

 utter failure. 



The ground worked is fairly variable and undulating, though no 

 great altitude is reached, the highest point (Sanderstead) being only 

 523 feet above sea-level. It comprises pasture and arable lands, large 



