8728 Insects. 



the under side of hind wings are very faintly indicated, in some spe- 

 cimens they are entirely absent. Mr. Doubleday has kindly examined 

 specimens of the Irish insect, and agrees with me in considering them 

 identical with Kirby's C. Typhon, which he informs me is the typical 

 C. Davus of the Continent, the specimens taken on the Lancashire 

 Mosses being the C. Rothliebii of some of the German authors. They 

 are abundant all round the lakes of Killarney, but do not seem to 

 ascend much above their level. In the woods which clothe the 

 base of the surrounding hills Satyrus ^Egeria and S. Hyperanthus flit 

 about in great numbers. On the mountain slopes above I saw only 

 C. Pamphilus and an occasional Lycaena Alexis. I shall be glad to 

 send specimens of C. Typhon to any entomologist who wishes for 

 them. 



*Zygaena Minos. This insect did not make its appearance until the 

 1st of July, ten days later than usual. The spring and early summer 

 were cold in the West of Ireland. The insect was as abundant as in 

 former years. 



*Hepialus Hectus. At Tore Waterfall, near Killarney. When their 

 flight is over they conceal themselves on the under side of the fronds 

 of the brake fern (Pteris aquilina). The posterior tibia in the males 

 of H. Hectus is dilated into a regular club foot, the tarsus being 

 entirely wanting. None of the other British Hepialidae appear to . 

 possess this singular structure, and I am quite ignorant what end it 

 serves. Possibly a too exclusive search for what we deem a use in 

 the works of Nature sometimes diverts our attention from the true 

 explanation of abnormal forms, and there may be wisdom as well as 

 wit in Sydney Smith's remark on the toucan, " What is the use of 

 a bird with a beak a foot and a half long, looking for insects all over 

 South America, and barking like a puppy dog ?" 



*Dianthoecia capsophila. Flying over flowers in the middle of June. 

 I also obtained a number of the larvae, of which I hope Mr. Newman 

 will supply a detailed description. The insect is either double-brooded 

 or appears throughout the summer, as I have taken it on the wing in 

 June, and again in August, quite fresh. 



D. conysta, Fab. A pair of this species exist in the collection of 

 Trinity College, Dublin. They were originally in the collection of 

 the late Mr. Tardy, and there appears no reason to doubt were cap- 

 tured by him in Ireland. 



*Aspilates strigillaria. Very abundant among Myrica Gale. They 

 are larger and more suffused in colour than the English type. I have 

 duplicates for all who care for them. 



