1084 Insects. 



that pretty little butterfly the Duke of Burgundy's fritillary (Nemeobius Lucina), and 

 several specimens of Melitaea Artemis. — John Pemberton Bartlett ; July 21, 1845. 



Occurrence of Colias Edusa near Canterbury. As Colias Edusa seems to be very 

 abundant about this part of the country this season, perhaps some of your correspon- 

 dents would be kind enough to send you short notices of their appearance in other 

 parts. During the last week I have both seen and heard of their frequent appearance, 

 although, till to-day, I have not been fortunate enough to have one in my possession, 

 when my brother captured one in a saintfoin field, a locality of which they appear to 

 be particularly fond. A friend of mine (Mr. Bartlett) however has been more fortu- 

 nate, having captured five specimens. I have not yet heard of the appearance of Co- 

 lias Hyale, though, as it is still early for them, I hope to be fortunate enough to cap- 

 ture some of them. — John B. Harrison ; July 19, 1845. 



Occurrence of Colias Hyale near Leicester. Each successive season seems to prove 

 the occurrence of these favourite butterflies further inland. I was much surprised to 

 see Colias Hyale last week, on the 21st of July, in a lane north of Leicester. I had 

 not my net with me, but I gave it a long chase, and had the mortification to observe 

 it (a fine fresh male) settle repeatedly before me on a hot sandy bank, on the flowers 

 of trefoil. — H. W. Bates ; Leicester, July 16, 1845, 



On the appearance of Vanessa Polychloros. Vanessa Polychloros appeared on the 

 wing the 31st of March ; and for some time after no favourable day occurred without 

 my seeing one or more specimens. One circumstance connected with the natural his- 

 tory of this butterfly somewhat puzzles me : it is far more frequent — at least we see a 

 great deal more ©f it — in the early spring, than at any other period of the year; and 

 yet, all the vernal specimens are such as have been produced in the previous summer 

 or autumn, and have hybernated, or lived through the winter in the winged state, as 

 we may infer from their faded, and sometimes even ragged condition. It is hardly to 

 be supposed that every individual bred late in the summer, should survive the winter 

 and reappear in the spring ; some few at least, it is probable, must be accidentally de- 

 stroyed and come to an untimely end during or before the time of their hybernation ; 

 or if not, at any rate, those which appear in spring ought not to be more in number 

 than those which lie by in winter, if (as is supposed) all the vernal specimens have 

 hybernated. How then are we to account for the fact, that the insect is more frequent 

 in the spring than at any other season of the year ? The very reverse is what one 

 should expect ; as is the case with Vanessa Atalanta, which also hybernates, and is 

 usually very abundant in the autumn, and comparatively rare in the early spring. — 

 W. T. Bree ; Allesley Rectory, near Coventry, July, 1845. 



Name fyc. of Erebia Melampus. Mr. Weaver's insect, figured in a preceding num- 

 ber (Zool. 729), has been submitted to that prince of lepidopterologists, M. Boisdu- 

 val, who considers it distinct from Erebia Melampus of the continent; but since his 

 decision has been made from an inspection of only two specimens, it is considered ad- 

 visable to abstain from giving the species a new name, until he shall have examined a 

 larger number. Mr. Weaver is now at Rannoch, occupied in capturing these butter- 

 flies, which he has succeeded in obtaining in the most perfect state ; and a series of 

 these will be sent to M. Boisduval, so that he will have the best opportunity of arriv- 

 ing at a correct conclusion on the subject. Mr. Weaver has also been fortunate in 

 capturing many other rarities, a detailed list of which, with dates, localities, &c, will 

 probably appear in the October number. — Edward Newman. 



Capture of Ino Globularice, Agrotis cincrea and Crambus pygmaus at Lnccs. On 



