NOTES, CAPTtJEES, ETC. 271 



last long, and it is a species which soon becomes worn. The larvae are of 

 a pale greenish colour, and are found in August on Lysimachia vulgaris, 

 the handsome yellow flowers of which are very conspicuous in the locality 

 where C. sparsata occurs ; they pupate amongst dead leaves. 



Phihalapteryx lignata. — This insect has been fairly common with us 

 this year, although in nothing like its former numbers of some five to six 

 years ago. The improved drainage of the ground on which it occurs seems 

 to have diminished its numbers considerably. As is doubtless well known, 

 it is a double-brooded species, the first brood appearing here about the 8th 

 or 10th of June, and it may be taken from that date till the end of the 

 month. The best night I had with P. lignata this season was on June QOth 

 last, when I took some fifty specimens, including one very dark example; 

 and, with the exception of two or three Cabera pusaria, it appeared to be 

 the only insect on the wing ; the night was cold and clear, with the wind 

 due east. The second brood, which are smaller and darker than the first, 

 appear about September 6th, and I have taken it from that date till the 

 end of the month ; it does not then occur so numerously as in June. It is 

 one of those species that is seldom met with in any numbers in first-class 

 condition. Take P. lignata when you may, there is sure to be a large 

 percentage of more or less worn specimens. — William Hewett ; 1'2, 

 Howard Street, York. 



A Day among the " Buttons." — Many years ago I promised myself. 

 in the then future, an excursion to the New Forest in search of varieties o^ 

 Peronea cristana, but until the present season I have been unable to spare 

 time when they would be at their best in point of condition. Mr. Bond 

 used to say, the greater part of his long and varied series was the result of 

 one expedition, and visions of what I might also capture almost haunted 

 me when I was "hot " on Tortrices. It was then with much pleasure that 

 I lately received an invitation from Mr. Meek (who has taken up his 

 residence at Brockenhurst) to join him in hunting up the head-qmrters of 

 the species in his locahty. With most perfect weather in our favour, we 

 were able to secure a fine assortment of varied forms. The principal of 

 these were brimneana, ustulana, spadiceana (with and without a vitta), 

 sericana, desfontainana, bentleyana, cristalana, striana, cristana, subvittana, 

 albojiammeana, chantana, fulvovittana, albovittana, and several others new 

 to me, including one with the whole wing and tuft of a uniform blue-black. 

 Master Willy Meek worked like a Trqjau, and secured almost as many 

 specimens as his father. I was not so fortunate, nor was the fourth net of 

 our party. There is a charm about " buttoning " that can only be appre- 

 ciated by the variety collector, and each specimen missed is regretted more 

 than would otherwise be the case, for it is of course impossible to tell what 

 variety the beating-stick may next disturb from the bushes; but it is hard 

 work, as the stiffness of my arms testified next morning. Mr. Meek tells 

 me it has always been a day-dream of his, to retire from business to some 

 good centre for collecting, where he could not only enjoy his favourite 

 pursuit, but have a crust of bread and cheese to give an old friend or 

 passing brother collector. Certainly he treated me very much more hand- 

 somely, and upon my leaving presented me with all the specimens taken 

 during my stay ; these included not only the " buttons," but about a, score 

 of Sarothripa revayana and Leptogramma Uterana, and a variety of smaller 

 things, such as Coriscium brongiiiardellum and C. citrlnella. — Sydnbx 

 Webb ; Dover. 



