2328 Arachnida — Insects. 



Homarus vulgaris (p. 242). The lobster, owing to the perseverance with which it 

 is now fished for, is not so often met with as formerly on the Moray firth. 



Norway Lobster (p. 251). Twice was this elegant species found ; or, rather, part 

 of one specimen on the first occasion, in the shape of its two handsome fore-legs ; and, 

 some weeks afterwards, six or seven specimens, some of them entire. 



For the short time that has been spent in the search, the above list of species may 

 be regarded as no mean beginning — particularly when they are all from a part of the 

 coast, of which few or no other species but the hermit and common crabs, the " parten " 

 and the lobster, were formerly known to be denizens. In the study of Botany, the 

 distribution and exchange of specimens have been carried to a great extent and with 

 the happiest result. Why has not the same plan been adopted in Zoology ? Let this 

 be tried with the Crustaceans ; and this little-known but interesting class will by-and- 

 by obtain and hold their due place and portion in the pages of the ' Zoologist.' The 

 Norway lobster would be exchanged for a cray-fish of the South ; the Portumnus of 

 the Pentland firth would take the place in the cabinet of the duplicates gathered in 

 Mount's Bay. New forms and species would be detected ; and thus a more correct 

 and intimate acquaintance with these animals would be gained than what now obtains 

 generally among naturalists. — G. Gordon ; Birnie, by Elgin, N. B., October 10, 1848. 



On the Sense of Touch in Spiders. — Whether the spider is informed of the capture 

 of an insect by the sense of touch or by that of sight has been somewhat disputed. 

 The following circumstances, which I have repeatedly observed during the present 

 month, tend, I think, to prove that it mainly relies upon the former. When a large 

 insect is captured, the spider usually goes directly to the attack ; but when a minute 

 insect falls into the net of an Epeira, she seems to be at first in doubt as to its position, 

 and applies her feet successively to different radii of the net to determine its direction. 

 It is worthy of notice that this examination is made with more care in windy weather, 

 when the spider seems evidently to discriminate by touch whether the vibration she 

 perceives is caused by the wind or by a captured insect. — J. W. Slater ; Fairfield, 

 October, 1848. 



Capture of Lepidoptera near Northfleet, Kent. — The following list contains a few 

 of my best captures this season, in this district, which may some day be of service to 

 entomologists. 



Lithosia aureola. Twenty-four specimens, on the tops of young oaks, May, 

 Swanscombe Wood. 



Agrotis corticea. One, on sugar, July,. Northfleet. 



Agrotis fumosa. Six, on sugar, July and August, Northfleet. 



Agrotis nigricans var. ruris. Two, on sugar, July and August, Northfleet. 



Agrotis tritici. Six, on sugar, July and August, Northfleet. 



Agrotis aquilina. Four, on sugar, July and August, Northfleet. 



