NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 99 



place to the metropolis that I have ever met with them, and where (alas !) 

 they will, I fear, never be met with again. — C. J. Biggs ; 3, Stanley 

 Terrace, West Ham Park, E. 



Captures at Gas-lamps. — My notes record the final break-up of " the 

 great frost " on January 23rd. On and after the 27th, a few Cheimatohia 

 brumata appeared on the gas-lamps. Whether before or after Christmas, I 

 have never previously seen this moth in such small numbers at the lamps. 

 I worked hard in November for Pcecilocampa populi and Asteroscopus 

 sphinx (cassinea), but failed to come across a single specimen. In fact, to 

 quote another local entomologist, " there have been very few moths at the 

 lamps this season." February 3rd brought out Phigalia peclaria {pilosaria, 

 dark forms) and Hybernia rupicapraria. Additional insects up to date 

 (February lOlh) are as follows: — February 6th, H. marginaria {progem- 

 maria) ; February 7th, dark forms of H. defoliaria. 0. brumata apparently 

 disappeared with the end of January. — J. Arklb ; 2, George Street, Chester. 



Assembling. — I shall be greatly obliged to any reader of the 

 ' Entomologist ' who can give a complete catalogue of all the species in 

 which " assembling " has been observed. I believe that besides the 

 Bombyx group, instances are known also among the Geometrse. Has it 

 ever been observed in any Noctuse or Sphinges also ? — F. H. Perry 

 Coste; Ravenshoe, Burnt Ash, March 4, 1891. 



PiEEis RAP^ IN February, 1891. — I noticed a specimen of this 

 insect flying about some laurels in this neighbourhood on February 25th. 

 Besides the ones recorded in the March number, the only instance I have 

 been able to find of so early a date is quoted by Newman (' British 

 Butterflies '), from * Entomologist,' vol. iv. p. 80 : this was February 24th. 

 — H. A. Evans; Westward Ho, North Devon. 



Hybernia defoliaria in February. — Last month (February) I 

 heard from a friend, who only began to collect in 1890, and whose 

 knowledge is, therefore, chiefly derived from books, that he had just taken 

 an insect which seemed to agree with H. defoliaria, but which could not be 

 that species, as Newman gives October, and Stainton, October and November, 

 for its appearance. I wrote back to say that the moth was, nevertheless, 

 H. defoliaria. The first year I ever remember seeing defoliaria later than 

 November was in January, 1884, and, being much surprised, I mentioned 

 it when writing to Mr. Harwood, of Colchester, who informed me that he 

 came across the species occasionally during the early months of spring. 

 Since that year I have noticed it once or twice sitting on park fences 

 in January and February ; but, whereas last year I found a single specimen 

 only (January 16th), this year I came across as many as ten — one each on 

 January 23rd and 28th, seven on February 4th, and one on March 4th, the 

 latter being the latest date I have recorded. These specimens were all 

 males ; but I find I have in my cabinet a female, labelled " 24th February, 

 1885." None of the males were in fiue condition, so that I presume they 

 were born in October or November, and managed to survive the rigours of 

 an English winter; hence 1 am surprised at taking so many specimens 

 this spring, the winter of 1890-91 being one of the severest on record. If 

 my hypothesis (of hybernation) be correct, H. defoliaria is by far the earliest 

 hybernated species to venture forth after its winter sleep, preceding even 

 Depressaria applana, so far as my experience goes. — (Rev.) GiLBiiKT H. 

 Raynor ; Victoria House, Brentwood, Essex, March 16, 1891. 



