402 Insects. 



the broom : also took three specimens of Strangalia elongata and four 

 larvae, which produced Chilocorus renipustulatus, from the sallow. 



My fifth and last visit was made on the 28th of July, in the hope 

 of seeing Apatura Iris, which has several times been taken there, but 

 was disappointed ; and with the exception of one specimen of Oice- 

 optoma thoracica from under a dead mole, I only met with the com- 

 monest species. 



In this visit 1 was accompanied by a friend, who, contrary to my 

 advice, persisted in taking a favourite little spaniel with him, and just 

 as we had tired ourselves, and were thinking of leaving the thickets, I 

 saw two very large adders curled up near a furze-bush, one of which 

 I killed, and was putting a string round its neck to take it home for 

 preservation, when I heard the dog (which had rambled to the other 

 side of the bush) give a shriek, which was followed by a tremendous 

 hissing. I instantly snatched up my net and ran to the spot, where 

 lay three more adders curled up, and the one which had bitten the 

 dog hissing at the edge of the bush, with its head raised about three 

 inches from the ground, apparently watching for another bite, and not 

 making the least attempt to escape : with four well-directed strokes, 

 the work of a moment, they were all killed, together with another that 

 lay about two yards off; they all proved to be females, with from 

 twelve to sixteen young ones in each, some of which were found to 

 measure six inches long. The dog was obliged to be carried home, 

 where it was dressed by a veterinary surgeon, but died in a few hours. 



Thus ended my excursions to this locality, the best for entomolo- 

 gical productions I have yet visited, as besides my captures, I am in- 

 formed Nemeobius Lucina, Argynnis Lathonia, Thecla Betulae and 

 Lasiocampa Rubi have been taken there : and although we parted on 

 unfriendly terms on account of the adders, I intend, life and health 

 permitting, to visit it again next season. W. Gaze. 



Ballingdon, November 18, 1843. 



Note on the appearance of Tipulidee in winter. " During the severe winter of 1829 



30, in the month of January, when the mean temperature of the twenty-four hours 



was varying from 28° to 33^ Q , and in two instances descended as low as 25° and 16° 

 respectively, a brood of tipulidous insects (Trichocera hiemalis, Meig.) suddenly made 

 their appearance at SwarTham Bulbeck, and were noticed in considerable numbers, 

 settling upon the walls of different outbuildings, as if they had just emerged from the 

 pupa state." — Note to the Rev. L. Jenyns' edition of White's Selborne, p. 372. 



