Insects. 3431 



generation of naturalists, shall look upon British specimens of many 

 now common insects, with some such feelings as those with which we 

 view the remains of the mammoth or Megatherium. I do not think 

 this is any exaggeration, for in many localities, Whittlesea Mere for 

 instance, in consequence of the altered conditions induced by cultiva- 

 tion, many species of insects are altogether lost or become very rare. 

 A considerable expanse of open country, however, still remains here, 

 and will well repay an entomological search. 



I have mentioned the beech trees on Sanderstead Down — glorious 

 old trees, under whose shade I have often, when wearied with the 

 chase, sat down to smoke the calumet of peace with all the world, and 

 resign myself to the fancy of the hour. Here it once occurred to me, 

 as it has possibly occurred to others, how like the history of a butter- 

 fly is that of an entomologist! In the summer he is in the larva state, 

 and polyphagously takes all that comes in his way, or perhaps restricts 

 his appetite to a particular class ; when winter arrives he becomes a 

 pupa, and retires to elaborate the matters he has collected; until 

 spring calls him to return to life and sunshine, more active and capa- 

 ble than ever. 



Just through Croydon the embankment of the old tram-way runs 

 parallel and close to the turnpike road ; it is a capital place for many 

 insects. One of my earliest expeditions to this locality was in 1842, 

 with Mr. Lambert, who was one of my instructors in collecting ; and 

 I shall never forget his excitement when, as we were going leisurely 

 along near the Purley oaks, on a broiling afternoon in August, a Colias 

 Hyale came dashing along, settled for an instant on a flower, and, as 

 if sunshine were too precious for it to waste, rushed on again. " By 



Jove ! " said he, "it's ." He could say no more, nor did he 



stay to remember the name, but with hat off, coat flying, and net ex- 

 tended, I saw him coursing like mad up the hill. After a while he 

 returned, flushed with victory and heat, and told me what a prize he 

 had ; in a short time we had captured several of this rare butterfly, 

 and added a chapter to the ' Diversions of Purley,' not to be found in 

 Home Tooke's book. 



The following are some of the more uncommon Lepidoptera found 

 in this district. 



Polyommatus Alsus. In a hollow on Sanderstead Down. 



Demas Coryli. Larvae on hazel ; October. 



Semaphora tridens. Larva on wild rose; October. 



Spaelotis ravida. Thatch at Stoat's Nest ; August. 



Hemithea vernaria. Hedges; July. 



