1808. 



108 



abundantly), Aplecta occulta (four or five) and tincta (very commonly), Hadena 

 adusta (in vast numbers), contigua (commonly), and rectilinea (sparingly). Besides 

 those named, many species less noteworthy occurred, in all about forty, and various 

 "casuals," as Macaria notata, several Eupithecioe, groat numbers of Boarmia, 

 repcmdata (which came as steadily as any Noctv/x), and numerous Tortrices and 

 TinecB. 



The sides of the hills, near rivers, proved the best ground for collecting by 

 day. Some of these wore thickly covered with fine birch woods mingled with 

 sallows and poplars, and here many insects were to bo found, notably the fol- 

 lowing: — Acronyctaleporina (on treo trunks, &c,), ikfacana notata (rather commonly, 

 but always on birch), J.spiiaies strigilla/ria, Ephyra pendularia, Cidaria psitticaria, 

 Platypteryx lacerti7iaria, Drepana falcataria^ Antithesia corticana aud praelongandy 

 Anchylopera ramana, Phlosodes immundana, Mixodia palustrana, Lithocolletis vi- 

 nunetorum, &o. Higher up, where the ground was covered knee-deep with heather, 

 Euthemonia russwJa flew madly about, with occasional specimens of J.rcim plam,taginis. 

 Eudorea atomalis and murcma, Antithesia similana, Anchylopera unguicana, Eupoe- 

 cilia suhroseana, and other species, wore also located in the same parts. 



Not far from Contin, there are some large fields of broom and furze, which 

 produced several interesting results, especially Chesias [ohliqtiaria ; of this, three 

 or four specimens occurred at dusk, flying slowly over the bushes. DepressaHa 

 assimilella was there in profusion, as also Cemiostoma spartifoliella and Dicrorampha 

 plumhagana^ — the latter finding its food, no doubt, in the undergrowth at the foot 

 of the broom. 



In meadows we met with Emmelesia alchemillata and Orthotcenia antiquan<i, 

 and a few specimens of Adela fihulella, with many common Tortrices ; while oak 

 woods produced Halias prasinana and Tischeria complanella, — the latter in pro- 

 fusion. Of the former I took a most remarkable variety, in which the green colour 

 was replaced by pale sulphur, giving the insect so unusual an aspect, that, when seen 

 flitting along in the twilight, it greatly resembled Rumia cratcegata. 



Fir woods contained their usual inhabitants, Ellopia fasciaria and Macaria 

 liturata, with infinite swarms of Melanippe hiriviata and a few tristata. 



Many species frequented flowers at dusk ; the most attractive blossoms being 

 those of Lychnis, nettle and honeysuckle. Among other insects, Plusia pulchrina 

 and Abrostola urticce were common ; but the rest formed a party more numerous 

 than select. 



About fern-covered slopes on hills Hepialus velleda was common at dusk ; 

 Lithosia mesomella occurred near the River Blackwater; Cleora lichenaria in 

 various places ; Fidonia hrunneata near Contin ; Larentia coesiata in various places ; 

 L. salicaria on Ben Wyvis ; Coremia mxmitata near Loch Achilty ; and Coleophora 

 alhicosta in several localities. In my room (Ecophora minutella was not scarce. 

 High up on various hills Antithesia sauciana was to be taken freely ; and on an 

 elevated marshy spot Ewpithoeda pumilata was in extreme abundance, — I think I 

 never before saw a small piece of ground so perfectly " alive " with a single'species. 

 On the same spot PUsia festiicce was to be taken in the pupa state. 



The principal larvae that occurred were Cheimatohia horeata, Thera juniperata, 

 and Chesias spartiata. 



On the whole the country seems very productive of insects, and repays a visit 



