190 LARGE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY. 
unusually abundant, between London and Dart- 
ford, the first week in August; I observed them 
even hovering about the stalls and green grocers’ 
shops in the outskirts of London, attracted, no 
doubt, by the cabbages and other vegetables ex- 
posed for sale. 
“< Subsequent observation induces me to believe, 
that I have by no means overrated the ravages of 
the Microgaster, but that what is stated above, may 
be considered as no more than an average example 
of its destructive powers. The chalk cliffs at Dover 
abound with the wild cabbage, (Brassica oleracea,) 
which, as might be expected, affords food to an im- 
mense number of the Cabbage Caterpillars ; and, 
accordingly, the butterfly is exceedingly abundant 
in that neighbourhood. The latter end of Septem- 
ber I saw many caterpillars creeping about the cliffs, 
and undergoing their transformations. I remarked, 
that those which were infected by the Microgaster, 
far exceeded in number those which would arrive 
at the chrysalis state. I haye also had occasion to 
make the same remark at Matcham, in Suey. 1 
may add, that on the 25th of September, I observed 
at Dover many specimens of Microgaster in the 
winged state, adhering to the pupa, from which 
they appeared to have just emerged ; and the same 
also at Matcham, on the 8th of October. The flies 
thus produced at this late season of the year, would, 
no doubt, attack the later broods of Cabbage Cater- 
