137 



Lepidoptera. 



COLLECTING IN THE TROSSACHS 

 IN SEPTEMBER, 1890. 



BY A. ADIE DALGLISH. 



To the lover of rich colour and fine scenery, September is perhaps 

 the most appropriate month of the year to witness nature adorned in 

 her fairest garments. The rich browns, and bright yellows of the 

 foliage ; golden harvest fields dotted over the landscape, and the hills 

 and moorlands purple witli the heather in bloom. Two years ago in 

 the month of August, I spent my holidays in the far-famed Trossachs. 

 This year, a month later, I again visited that beautiful district. I was 

 staying with my brother au the Brig-o' Turk, a picturesque little high- 

 land clachan, situated at the foot of Glen Finlas. The weather 

 during my stay was of the finest description, and the insects, thougli 

 not very numerous could not be grumbled at. 



Among the butterflies Chortohius paiiipliilnr, still lingered to grace 

 the heaths with its jerky flight. Vanessa urticce was often observed 

 winding its way over the heather ; and a solitary specimen of Polyovi- 

 matus phlcEas was captured. 



Of the Noctuse, Nonagvia fuiva must take the lead, being most 

 abundant wherever the ground was marshy, there it was gliding 

 silently along at dusk in a phantom like fashion ; a difficult insect to 

 capture however, for if you miss it with your first stroke, it will plunge 

 frantically into the long grass, where search is needless, or circle 

 about with great speed, when chase is useless for you are sure 

 to get tripped up, and perhaps find yourself in a rather uncomfortable 

 situation. Triphana pvonuba and orboiia were also common, but in a 

 wretched condition, Xanthin cerago and X. silago occurred at the 

 sallows, and our good friends Xylopliasia polyodon and Caradriun 

 ciibiciilaris did not fail to make their appearance, Hadena protea could 

 be taken commonly from the trunks of the alder ; and a couple of 

 Agriopis apriliiia were procured in the same manner. An almost un- 

 distinguishable type of Clcautha soiidagiiiis, made its appearance in tiie 

 net one day when we were sweeping for larva', and the same evening 



