NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 57 



varieties in considerable numbers, and with a considerable range 

 of variation, some of the former having a considerable tinge of 

 the typical ground colour, while some of the sedi being (as also 

 at Ardrahan) of brownish grey tone. Birchall took some form of 

 lutulenta at Kilcornan, and both vars. are at Ardrahan {A. G. M. 

 and Miss N.). Both also near Crossmolina, Co. Mayo (S. R. F.), 



Epunda NIGRA, Haw. — I have never seen Irish examples 

 of this insect. Birchall gives "near Dublin and Galway" (pro- 

 bably Kilcornan) as localities. At Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, 

 Curzon met with it, and sparingly also at Magilligan {Salvage). 

 Mr. Meek got it from Glengarriff, Co. Kerry. Thus it seems 

 extremely localised, but found in the extreme north and south, 

 east and west of Ireland. 



(To be continued.) 



NOTES AND OBSEEVATIONS. 



Some Eecent Auction Sales. — Second portion of Dr. Wheeler's 

 Collection. — Pachnobia alpina, of which fewer seem to be now taken, 

 in lots of 4, 7, and 8, with others, fetched 26/-, 42/-, and 45/-. 

 Bianthcecia barrettii is also advancing in price, 11 specimens realising 

 something like 8/6 each, which does not quite represent their true value, 

 some of them being, as is, alas, so often the case in this species, in 

 very poor condition. Two lots of 4 each of Xylina conformis made 47/6 

 and 35/-. Lots of 3 and 5 of Cucidlia scrophidaria, with others, 27/6 

 and 22/-. A pair and two triplets of C. gnaphalii^ all of Tester's taking 

 from Tilgate Forest, with other " sharks," went for 40/-, 35/-, and 

 80/-. The gem of this portion of the sale, judging from price, appeared 

 to be a specimen of Ophiodes lunaris, taken at light by Dr. Wheeler him- 

 self, at Stratton Strawless, Norwich, in 1879, duly recorded, and which 

 fetched £6 ; and a specimen of Catephia alchymista, 1895, 65/-. Four 

 pairs of Cleora viduaria realised 25/-, 32/6, 18/-, and 16/-, the 

 difference in condition being commensurate with the prices. The 

 Micros were not in first-class condition, and, as is usual in such cases, 

 went for next to nothing, two and three lots having to be bracketed 

 together containing often as many as three hundred insects, going for 

 3/-, 5/-, and 10/- a lot. 



Mr. W. Farren's Sale. — The extensive collection of Mr. W. 

 Farren, of Cambridge, was sold on Nov. 19th and Dec. 2nd. The 

 collection looked as if it had been a little neglected of late, and there 

 was a trace of mould in many places ; but on the whole the insects 

 were in good order, and the collection contained, without doubt, the 

 finest series of Fen forms sold at Stevens's auction-rooms for a long 

 period. A series of vars. of Papilio machaon, including specimens 

 with band of hind wings reaching cell, discoidal spot of hind wings 

 obsolete, red in lunules, &c., made 30/-, and a fine asymmetrical var. 

 21/-. The clearwings were in good order, and, as usual, brought good 

 prices. Lot 29, including a pair of Sesia vespiformis, went to Mr. 



ENTOM, — FEB. 1896. F 



