152 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 
series of fine bred specimens anticipated only a few poorly coloured 
dwarfs and cripples will probably appear. In the matter of food they 
are also very particular, for though it is true that they will eat several 
substitute plants rather than starve, they only appear to thrive upon 
their natural food, of which they require an abundant and perfectly 
fresh supply every two or three days. I dig up the plants out of the 
mud and replant them in pots, and, in this way, if well watered, they 
keep fresh for several days. 
On the continent the species is said to be be found in inland 
localities, and I have been asked to suggest a reason for its being 
exclusively a coast insect in this country. Ido not profess to know 
the precise reason, but probably our specimens have sufficient British 
common sense to learn that if they went further they might fare worse, 
but before speaking authoritatively on such a point as this, one wants to 
visit the inland localities, and note the conditions that prevail there. 
The nature of the soil, the chemical constituents of the food-plants and 
other circumstances have to be considered, and of these I know nothing, 
and leave the explanation to those who know. 
It is, however, possible that the British colonies are of continental 
origin, and may have resulted from eggs brought to our shores by the 
tides in comparatively recent times; and in this case the earliest 
settlers would have been reared on sea-side plants, and their successors, 
finding favourable conditions on the coast, would have no occasion to 
go inland in search of them. 
When perfect insects, as in the case of Colias edusa, CU. hyale, 
Pyrameis cardui and others, migrate to Britain, the chances are that, 
after resting awhile on the coast, they mostly disperse inland, and lay 
their eges in all directions, where favourable conditions exist, but 
when the eggs themselves are introduced, the first generation of 
migrants would necessarily be reared on the coast, and in this way a 
littoral habit might be established, and continue indefinitely. It is 
likely enough that the eggs would endure immersion in sea water for 
a considerable time without injury, for they must be regularly covered 
by the high tides while still in their natural position, and apparently 
this must also be the case with the larve to a less extent. All the 
larve that I have seen have been between the sea-wall and the sea, 
and though during exceptionally high tides, the batches of ova must be 
carried much further inland, I cannot say how the young larve fare 
when they find themselves under such conditions. I have never found 
ichneumoned larve, but empty cocoons are far too common, their 
contents having evidently been extracted by sea birds. These cocoons 
must be cleverly hidden in the low herbage, as a rule, as it seems 
useless to look for them in situ. The eggs are sometimes much 
ichneumoned and I send a batch of empty shells, surrounded by a 
number of their former tenants. I do not know the name of the 
parasite, but perhaps some of your readers will be able to help me 
to discover it. 
Phorodesma smaragdaria, Fabricius. 
By Rey. C. R. N. BURROWS. 
(Continued from p. 115.) 
I have already remarked that last year I raised a partial second 
brood. I have not been able to find any record of any such experience 
