Entomological Botany. 4553 



dried so carefully that I am sure they will be valued as specimens, if 

 the moisture does not collect on them. I find the Diptera and Or- 

 thoptera most difficult to keep, and am afraid I shall be obliged to 

 send them all to be kept in London, and therefore lose the pleasure 

 and advantage of having them at hand to study. What I now send 

 of the private collection I have made memoranda of, so as to know 

 pretty well when I meet with a fresh species in future. I cannot yet 

 send you a collection of showy Diurnes, as you request ; there are 

 none at Santarem except the very common, as C. Dido, the common 

 Agraules, Callidryas, &c. I have never seen an Epicalia Ancea here, 

 nor any of the handsome Para Papilios, except now and then a Sesos- 

 tris. At Ega I could get you up a glorious collection of 1000 to 2000, 

 and I am hourly expecting the Nanta steamer down, when I shall 

 bargain with the captain to take me up here on his return (I suppose 

 it will be considered a favour, besides costing £15 or £20 passage 

 money)* 



H. W. Bates. 



Entomological Botany (with more especial reference to the Plants 

 frequented by the Tineina). By H. T. Stainton, Esq. 



(Continued from page 4472). 



Stellaria Holostea. Greater Stitchwort. 



Common in hedges, frequently growing in considerable masses, and 

 when in flower " its brilliant white starry blossoms render it very con- 

 spicuous." The association of ideas with this plant is pleasant ; we 

 think of it in connection with the lengthening evenings at the end of 

 April, when everything is bursting into leaf, and the cuckoo's song is 

 first heard. I remember, when a child, I was told the plant was 

 " Cuckoo's Bread and Cheese," but 1 have not observed this given as 

 a synonym in any botanical work. As early as January we may find 

 the larva of Gelechia tricolorella mining the leaves of this plant, and 

 at a later period (March and April) screwing up the terminal shoots 

 and feeding therein. (See ' Transactions of the Entomological Society,' 

 vol. ii. New Series, plate x. fig. 1). In April the leaves are mined by 

 the larva of Gelechia maculea, which at the end of May may be found 

 in the capsules feeding on the seeds. (See ' Transactions of the 



