8 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



[January 



We have now the opportunity to think over what has been done 

 during the past year, to increase our knowledge of the habits and early 

 stages of various species, not only by our own observations, but those 

 of others also, when perhaps a suggestion put forth, or a slender clue, 

 may lead us to work out the life-history of one of the many species 

 we are as yet unacquainted with ; and again it is necessary to arrange 

 our plans for the coming season, at the end of which we shall be 

 fortunate if we have accomplished half we set ourselves to do, for it is 

 really astonishing what a very little, we, individually, are able to add 

 to the present knowledge of life-histories and habits, during any one 

 season, let our exertions be what they may; but to the steady, 

 persevering, enthusiastic worker, a reward is sure to come now and 

 then, to repay him in a measure for the trouble he has taken. 



We occasionally have some bright, mild days during this month, 

 that set us longing to get away to the country, if only for a ramble, 

 at such times it is far better to have an object in view, than to wander 

 aimlessly about, and as there is plenty to do this month in the way of 

 collecting if one is so inclined, it may be well to mention a few of the 

 larva that miay now be taken, so that our journeys may become both 

 interesting and profitable, for as we wander along the quiet lanes, the 

 wild plants, many of which struggle on and keep green during the 

 winter months, remind us of the pleasant days we have passed 

 searching among the leaves, and finding the larvae of many species 

 which at that time were new to us, and very acceptable. 



As we pass along, the withered-looking stems of the hedge stachys 

 [Stachys sylvatica) remind us we must search some of them, for we may 

 perhaps find the larva of Ephippiphora nigrico'stana ; and in the chalk 

 pit yonder we can see some fine Teasles, we must cut a big bagful of 

 these heads, for they contain the larva of Mipoecilia roseana which eat 

 through the seeds, and Penthina gentianana will be found in the centre 

 of the heads feeding on the pith ; and now we will search well the Oak 

 trees m the adjoining wood, and collect all the oak galls and apples 

 we can conveniently reach, for we may breed from them fine 

 specimens of Ephippiphora obsmraua, Meusimene fimhriana, Coceyx 

 splendidulann, CEcophora lunarella, and many others, and at the same 

 time search the ground under spruce fir trees, for those cones that are 

 mis-shapen, for it is these only that contain the larva of Coccyx 

 strobilana, and while wandering about these large old woods it is as 

 well to keep a good look out for that large fungus E. bolitus, generally 

 found growing on Beech trees, for we may be fortunate enough to find 

 it tenanted by the larvae of Scardia boleti, if so, the fungus must not be 

 taken now, but the spot marked down and another journey taken for 

 it about the first week in May, when we shall be pretty sure to breed 



