2898 Insects. 



Captures of rare Lepidoptera near Liverpool : — 



Deilephila Euphorbia. I took a full-fed larva of this raie Sphinx near Formby, 

 in August. 



[This notice should have been accompanied by the name of the plant on which 

 the larva was found. — E.N. 



Leiocampa Dietceoides. A specimen beaten from a birch-tree in Delamere Forest, 

 and another at Biddestone Lighthouse, attracted by the light in July. 



Pcecilocampa Populi. Not uncommon at the Biddeston Lighthouse in November 

 and December. 



Lupernia cespitis. I have taken two from a ditch bank : I think it is not generally 

 known that this insect may be taken by hunting along the sides of ditches where the 

 grass is long : it rarely rises above the tops of the grass, and is to be found in Au- 

 gust. # 



Epunda Lichenea. Three at New Brighton, by examining the furze-bushes un- 

 derneath near the stems, or where auy dead wood occurs, in September. I was too 

 late to obtain it in perfection : let all collectors try early in August. 



Gleechia pernigrella, of Mr. J. W. Douglas's Monograph. I bred a pair of this 

 distinct new insect, early in July. 



Gelechia mundella. I took four of this pretty species in May. — C. S. Gvegson ; 

 107, St. James' Street, Liverpool. 



Of killing Lepidoptera without destroying their colours (Zool. 2882). — This is a thing 

 to which the attention of every naturalist, pursuing this branch, ought to be directed, 

 as it is well known how injurious to the plumage of all, more or less, the use of bruised 

 laurel leaves, sulphur, &c, is, and I would, therefore, press upon each one the necessity 

 of making any system, which he may adopt for this purpose, as public as possible, for 

 no one would like to receive specimens from his brother collectors bearing anything 

 but the impress of nature's fingers. But to the subject. The greater portion of our 

 moths, are, for the most part inactive during the day, and may therefore be pinned 

 without difficulty. After having done so, take a quill, shaped like a pen but without 

 the slit, and dip it into a strong solution of oxalic acid ; turn the insect on one side 

 and pierce it just under the base of the wings : this will cause almost instant death, 

 and the insect may be set at once. Sphinges, Bombyces, Noctuae and Geometras 

 have all been submitted to this treatment by me. To such as the Plusias and other 

 restless ones I administer a dose of chloroform, which renders them completely inac- 

 tive during the operations of pinning and aciding. Besides, I am inclined to think 

 that insects killed thus, are not so liable to be attacked by mites as others killed dif- 

 ferently, as the quantity of acid injected into the wound mixes with the juices of the 

 body, and as they dry up, it is left in a cbrystallized state. With the Micro-Lepidop- 

 tera I take another course. Having raised the lid of the box a little on one side, I 

 blow into it a mouthful of tobacco-smoke, and again close it : if I have a series of 

 boxes, by the time I have done smoking them, the first is ready for setting. By the 

 means I have shown, any one may possess most perfect specimens, as 1 have never 

 found them produce the least change of colour, nor fail in killing the insect at oi.ce. — 

 John Scott; London Works , Renfrew, August 14, 1850. 



Correction of a previous error. — I am requested to state that the capture of Phoro- 

 desma smaragdaria as recorded in the August number (Zool. 2882) was a mistake. — 

 On this subject I venture to suggest that it would be well for entomologists before 



