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THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



in my breeding house on November 31st, and the next day some pupa which 

 pupated on the same date as the above, but which were kept in a heated 

 room, were hatched, the only difference being that those that were kept at 

 about their natural temperature, were all of the unicolourous form, those to 

 which heat had been applied being without exception the light creamy, with 

 a dark band round. This has led me to think it probable that the tempera- 

 ture in which the pupa is placed may have something to do with the great 

 variety that occurs iu this species. Leucophearia will soon be out with us if 

 the snow goes, and I intend closely observing them for anything that may 

 aid us in this mystery. — William P. Ellis, Enfield Chase. 



A New Geometer. — On October 20th I bred a Geometer, which I did 

 not know, and which I exhibited at our Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo- 

 logical Society, but could not get named. Last week I submitted it to Mr, 

 Gregson, and he informed me it is Oporahia appro ximaria (Greg. N.S.), of 

 which he had a long series. He says it should be included in the new 

 list you are about to publish, between dilutata and filigrammaria. — F. N. 

 Pierce, 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool, January, 1885. 



[I do not find a description of this species in any publication to which I have access, 

 and shall be glad to have the reference if there be such a description. If it has not been 

 described, it ought not to be named, and cannot be included in the forthcoming list.--£^.] 



The Lump Eish in Cambridgeshire. — A very fine specimen of this 

 singular fish was taken at Wisbeach about afornight ago. — Albert Waters. 



Wasps Devouring Elies. — During the last two or three summers I have 

 frequently observed a proceeding of a colony of wasps, which may be interesting 

 to your readers. There is a brick pig sty about two hundred yards from the 

 wasp's nest, and on bright sunny days large numbers of flies sun themselves 

 on the wall, and on the backs of the pigs sleeping in the sun. The wasp 

 hovers about marking out his prey, and swoops down on the back of a fly, a 

 few seconds spent in clawing it over gives the quietus to the fly, then a few 

 more seconds is spent, apparently, in seeking the juices from the body, and 

 lastly it is dismembered, the carcase and legs are dropped, but the wings of 

 the fly are invariably carried home to the nest of the wasp. The operation 

 only occupies about half a minute, and a constant succession is kept up for 

 hours. I am not a naturalist, and probably this observation is generally 

 known to those who are, but generally, the only useful quality credited to the 

 wasp, is that of providing bait for anglers. — Thos. A. Bell, Warbeck Park, 

 Amtree, Near Liverpool. 



ERRATA. 



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