2670 Insects. 



the Isle of Wight during the present season. From the 15th of August to about the 

 15th of September, myself and two of my sons captured no less than 150, including 

 four specimens of the white variety, Colias Helice. We captured (as stated by Mr. 

 Bond) only four specimens of Colias Hyale, and saw but one other: these all oc- 

 curred in the middle of September, and were in the most perfect condition. I am 

 the more induced to send this communication in consequence of my not having met 

 with any other entomologist at the time and place I have mentioned, and from the 

 circumstance that the numerous captures made by us were effected on extremely 

 difficult ground. We frequently observed three or four of these insects on the wing 

 at the same time ; and had the ground been favourable, I have no doubt that we 

 might have taken, within the period which I have stated, at least 300 specimens. — 

 N. B. Engleheart ; Blackheath Park, November 7, 1849. 



Occurrence of Clisiocampa Castrensis at Rye. — I found the larva of this insect in 

 great abundance on sallows in the marshes, last May. The cocoons I found attached 

 to a water-plant with very broad leaves, resembling the dock, in June. I bred a 

 great many from the cocoons, but none from the larva state. — /. B. Ellman; Lewes, 

 December 10, 1849. 



Remarkable Instance of the Late Appearance of Smerinlhus Populi and Plusia 

 Gamma. — On the 7th of the present month I bred a specimen of Smerinthus Populi, 

 and another on the 13th, both males and very finely marked ; and on the 15th, a fe- 

 male of the same insect. The cage from which these specimens were hatched is 

 placed in the window of a room where no fire is kept. Also, on the 8th, a very fine 

 specimen of Plusia Gamma was captured in our garden. — A. F. Sheppard; Arundle 

 House, Fulham, December, 1849. 



Habits of Cerigo texta. — When rambling over the sand-hills at Lytham, one even- 

 ing in the month of July, in company with my friend Dr. Nelson, I was surprised to 

 see this insect — which has hitherto been considered rare — flying in great numbers. 

 They appeared to be as abundant as the common Hepiali are in many localities ; but 

 owing to their dark colour, and their habit of travelling close to the ground, were not 

 easily distinguished. Dr. Nelson has taken thirty specimens in one night, and might 

 have captured many more : he states that they appear in the month above mentioned, 

 — fly after the manner of Hepialus Lupulinus when in search of the female, — are 

 seen just at dusk, very near the ground, and flying against the wind. — Robert Gray ; 

 West-end, Govan, December 10, 1849. 



Occurrence of Epunda Lichenea at Lytham. — Early last September, assisted by my 

 friend Mr. Gregson, I captured upwards of one hundred specimens of this hitherto 

 rare Noctua. Having by accident found one at rest, by means of a lamp, on the 

 common furze, I looked more closely and found several. A peculiarity was, that they 

 rested on the dead part of the bush, and were very inactive. My friend and I took 

 upwards of twenty one night by this means ; but only got one rubbed specimen at 

 sugar, although I tried several nights in the same locality. I bred several from larva; 

 I had taken in June, the imago appearing early in September. I have heard of its 

 occurrence in the south a month later, a circumstance difficult to account for. — C. 

 Nelson, M.D.; Lytham, December 17, 1849. 



