1 86 [Proc. B.N.F.C.,, 



The collector who seeks only the day-flying Lepidoptera, in the 

 imago state, soon comes to the end of his captures and finds his 

 occupation gone. He likewise, however enthusiastic, can only 

 follow his pursuit at certain seasons of the year, and in certain 

 states of the weather, and speedily retires from a field of investiga- 

 tion so limited in extent and intermittent in its opportunity of 

 pursuit. The collector who goes a step farther, and endeavours 

 to add the night-fliers, has a wider scope, and for a season or two 

 may have enough to occupy his leisure time during the summer 

 months. But what of the long dreary months of winter ! when 

 but one or two species of moths are found, and they at rare 

 intervals on mild evenings, and so he also soon tires, having 

 exhausted his mine of interest. 



The collection I exhibit this evening will, however, convince 

 most of you that there is in this department of Field Naturalist 

 science sufficient to engage the attention, not only for one or two 

 years, but for many years; and to show that the lepidopterist 

 may have occupation every month in the year, in winter as well 

 as in summer, nay, I would say must occupy himself every month 

 if he is to make a complete, or nearly complete, collection of the 

 insects of his locality. Of this collection every specimen has been 

 captured in Ireland, and with few exceptions every one captured 

 by myself. A few specimens I received from Rev. Joseph Greene, 

 author of " Insect-hunter's Companion," a few from Mrs. Battersby, 

 of Rathowen, Co. Meath, and a few from Mr. Birchall, who has 

 done more for Irish Lepidoptera than any other. All these were 

 most liberal in sending me valuable specimens unsolicited ; but the 

 sum total of the specimens not taken by myself would not amount 

 to 12. Most of the specimens are from 15 to 20 years old, yet 

 they retain their colour and freshness as if taken yesterday. 

 I would add, this is far from a complete collection of the Lepidop- 

 tera of Ireland, or even of this immediate neighbourhood ; fully 

 one-half more kinds have been captured and recorded as Irish,, 

 and species which are unrepresented in my collection, have been 

 captured by Mr. Brunton, Glenarm Castle, and by Mr. John 



