ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 97 



force, as to remind the beholder of a hailstorm, and make him glad to seek shelter from 

 their contact, it is in perfect accord with their mode of progress and their eager haste to 

 obtain food ; and this mass, to a beholder who could take it all in at once, would appear 

 like a huge rolling crowd of living particles, descending in front but ascending at the 

 rear, whilst the impelling force that keeps it going is the necessity for something to eat. 

 And when we consider the meagreness of the supply in some localities, compared with 

 the enormousness of the demand that always exists, we get the reason for the differences 

 of time that they take on the way. If food is abundant, they linger ; if it is scarce they 

 pass rapidly on. When we turn our attention again to the army worm, we see that 

 the principle and the motive are the same in both ; but the one proceeds on the wing, 

 through the air, whilst the other has to keep on the ground and go afoot ; yet the front 

 ranks will be constantly changing places with the rear, for as those in front stay to eat, 

 those behind have to pass beyond them to obtain a share ; and as the feeders are so 

 numerous in one place, none of them get all they want, so they are compelled to move 

 on to get some more ; which completely disposes of the "leadership" theory. 



Amongst the captures here of rare forms during the past season, I may mention a 

 specimen of Papilio Marcellus by one person, and one of P. Philenor by another. P. 

 Cresphontes again paid us a visit, after an absence of two years. It appears as if this 

 southern butterfly must be either periodical in its habits, or has not yet succeeded in 

 firmly establishing itself in more northerly localities ; and is depending upon additional 

 migrations to maintain an appearance. In the year 1893 it was more abundant, and 

 reported from a greater number of localities, and some of these further north than ever 

 before. In 1894 I saw a few in the early part of the season, but none later on. In 

 1895 I did not see a single specimen on the wing, nor was there one reported to me as 

 having been seen. In the latter part of August, 1896, I saw a fine fresh specimen, but 

 did not secure it, I also saw one that was taken later in the season in a damaged 

 condition ; which would seem to give promise of its being more plentiful again next year. 



A specimen of Erebus pdora was taken by Mr. Kyle, at Dundas. 



The things new to this locality, recognized in Mr. Bryce's collection, were the true 

 Carolina Sphinx, as distinguished from quinquemaculata. Large in size, dark in colour, 

 and in fine condition. Cisthene unifascia, Grote, bright and fresh. Mr. Bryce has 

 kindly donated a specimen of each to the Society's collection. He has also taken a 

 single e speeimen of Aspila virescens, Hub. Also many choice varieties of less rare things, 

 as well as several species not yet determined. Never did I see the webs of Hyphantria 

 cuuea, the fall web worm, so offensively obtrusive as during the past season. 



In the early part of October the males of Hybemia tiliaria, Fig. 79, the Lime-tree 

 „, ■■■"£T~~\ Winter Moth, were in great profusion around the city. 

 x f, , s ' ' They could be seen even on fro3ty nights, fluttering 



about the lighted shop windows, and in daytime rest- 

 ing in sheltered places, or being driven along the street 

 -~ by the wind; their large sail-like wings affording 



•»„ ,, \i/a ( ) \XNS5|5 ample space for catching every breeze, and being carried 



'•' '//' 'iii ®l!\vK\^w' helplessly away by it. There was a wonderful, and 



%:{ 0' '1i4\w' particularly interesting diversity in the shade and 



'"' pattern of the colour and ornamentation of their wings, 



which their abundance gave one a good opportunity to 

 observe. The females I did not see ; as these are wingless they would require to be 

 sought for upon the trees. 



