222 



[February, 



from a determined search ; S. alpinalis was not rare on the aides and on the base ; 

 C. popidata swarmed among the bilberries half-way up ; C. furcatellus was also 

 common on the summit j and by good luck we secured some six or eight specimens 

 of S. pcuralis. Descending, we visited a hollow on which the sun just then shed 

 warm and friendly rays, and here E. Epvpliron sported to and fro in considerable 

 numbers, its little black form being very conspicuous against the bright green grass. 



Our sugaring continued to be good throughout the whole four weeks of our 

 stay. For some time A. tincta and occulta were of frequent occurrence, and few 

 insects, when in faultless condition, present a more striking appearance than the 

 latter. H. contigua and ackista were not rare ; viminalis came out in some num- 

 bers ; of each of N. neglecta, M. farva, C. Haworthit, C. duplaris, and 0. suspecta^ 

 we secured a few specimens ; and S. anoinala, with the last traces of respectability 

 rubbed out of him, one night surprised us by a visit. R. tenehrosa was common 

 (and, as usual, far from fine), and N. conflua not scarce. 



The " vulgar herd," most of them constant attendants, comprised N. augur, 

 haja, C-nigrum, hrunnea, xanthographa, j^^ecfa, and festiva ; X. polyodon and ru/rea 

 (both species represented by very fine varieties) ; T. orbona, janthina, and pronxiba ; 

 C. cuhicularis ; A. porphyrea ; and H. pisi. 



The following " trespassers " came to sugar: — L. ccBsiata, C. russata, M.fiuc- 

 tuata, B. repandata, M. ma/rgaritata, R. cratcegata, L. pectinitaria, C. populata, L. 

 olivata, and H. elutata. 



Several other interesting captures fell to our lot among the Noctuina. H. 

 reciilinea, and P. interrogationis, were discovered resting on stumps and stones 

 during dull days. Of the latter, which, when fresh from the pupa, is scarcely to 

 be sui-passed for delicate shading, we accumulated a remarkably lovely series. 



S. anomala occurred freely on the moors, and remained for three days in 

 exquisite condition, after which it was almost over. From a small poplar tree wo 

 took about a hundred larvae of C. or, many of which have now disappeared beneath 

 the soil. A. hicernea, attracted, probably, by a great jar of treacle which stood by 

 the front door of our cottage, paid us a visit one night, and led oflf a lively pursuit 

 round the room, which lasted a quarter-of-an-hour, but by which he was in no way 

 harmed. 



E. Blandina and C. Davus were both common ; and of the former, a male 

 occurred with the fulvous patch on one side spotless. 



The full-fed larvae of S. carpini, L. calluna;, and C. reclusa, were in some num- 

 bers here and there ; nor were those of H. adtbsta any rarities. C. psittacata was 

 beaten from mountain ash, and soon entered the pupa state. A. menyanthidis 

 resulted from a sweeping of heath, and N. ziczac was to bo obtained from the sallow 

 bushes, where also C. furcula was rather common. 



Among the Oeometrina our captures were numerous. D. ohfuscata was scarce, 

 but a few fine ones consented to come within range ; and from two females there 

 sprang a fine brood of larvae, at present in winter quarters. Certain larvao beaten 

 from alder would seem to be S. ilhvstraria, but presented a most curious variety of 

 colour. E. hlandiatay together with E. sxiccenturiata, occurred at Kinloch ; and E. 

 cricetaria was very common in all directions. A. fumata, of course, swarmed in 

 places ; as, to an almost incredible extent, did L. ccesiata. C. munitata frequented 



