196 THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



appearance of a species the very existence of which, 

 in the British Isles, he did not even suspect. The 

 capture of the first specimen of Petasia Nubeculosa 

 ■was, indeed, quite a triumph. The only other 

 British species of this genus is Petasia Cassinia, 

 a much smaller kind, popularly known as " The 

 Sprawlcr;" a name which has heen given also to 

 the new species, which is already spoken of as the 

 " Bannoch Sprawler," from the fact of its having 

 heen first captured at that place. 



The Caterpillar is found in April, and feeds on 

 the Birch; it is therefore inferred that the noble 

 Birch woods of Balmoral, a closely neighbouring 

 region, may be found abounding with this hand- 

 some native insect, which has hitherto been sup- 

 posed to be confined to the Continent. Esper has 

 figured it in his valuable work as a native of 

 Prance and Germany. It was during the same 

 season that Midromis Versicolor was found in 

 such abundance in that part of Scotland, while 

 in the localities hitherto recorded as places of its 

 capture— the woods of Kent and some of the 

 southern counties — it has almost disappeared. It is 

 presumed that both these entomological prizes are 

 to be found in the extensive Birch woods of Bal- 

 moral ; and if so, there is but little doubt that the 



