3284 Insects. 



a burning sun. As few moths can be found when it blows, the col- 

 lector may employ his leisure in searching for the larvae of Tortrices 

 and Tineae, of which, it may be an encouragement for him to learn, that 

 the greater part is quite unknown. Or he may vary his employment 

 by squatting under the shelter of a hedge or wood, and try the effect 

 of a counter-blast, as James I. might have called it, of his pipe or ci- 

 gar on the hiding-places of the full-grown objects of his search, who, 

 unaccustomed to such fragrance, will, like a suspicious father in a 

 farce, rush out to see what is the matter. And thus, combining the 

 " utile et dulce," he may, with the glowing embers of the fragrant 

 weed, shed a new light upon Entomology, and show how necessary it 

 is for an entomologist to be a smoker. 



Dartford Heath is a sandy, elevated plain, intermediate between 

 Darenth and Birch Woods, and easily accessible by the North Kent 

 Railway via Dartford. It is covered with heath (Erica cinerea), and 

 not a very promising place for a lepidopterist ; but, like some men, 

 the true character does not lie on the surface, or become apparent at 

 first sight, but the more you see of it the better you like it. The lanes 

 leading to it from Birch Wood, Bexley and Dartford, afford very good 

 collecting, but the great harvest is to be reaped from the paling of 

 Mrs. Menett's park, which bounds the western side, always provided 

 the wind is not from the east. Fortunately, the best side of this fence 

 is outwards — not invariably the case with fences — and there is there- 

 fore no chance of being interrupted by any tenacious preserver of a 

 feudal right, w T ho thinks more of his pheasants than his peasants ; — 

 here, ours is " untaxed and undisputed game." 



Some of the gipsy race, over whom we may chance to tumble when 

 intent upon the paling, may request to tell our fortune ; but whether 

 the question refers to our present occupation or to things in general, 

 it is better to think we know more than these wanderers, and decline 

 their services accordingly. 



The following Lepidoptera have been found here. When not other- 

 wise mentioned, the insect has been taken on the fence. Hosts of 

 other species may be found at different times throughout the summer, 

 but 1 have not deemed it necessary to mention the commoner ones. 



Argynnis Lathonia. In the lane from The Bull, Birch Wood (Ent. 

 Mag. iii. 313). 



Lithosia complana. July. 



Hadcna lutulenta. September. 



Catocala Fraxini. (Ent. Mag. iii. 314). 



Ellopia fasciaria. June. 



