n 



OUR LONDON LETTER. 



February 20th, 18S5. 



The entomological season may now be said to have fairly commenced in 

 this district. On February 7th //. Leucophearia was to be met with 

 sparingly in .Richmond Park, and a week later it was in abundance, dark 

 forms being readily obtained by a little diligent working. A solitary 

 specimen of N. Hispia la r m was also recorded, and sundry P. pilosaria an,d 

 T. hjemana. L. Midlist rig aria has been appearing freely in breeding cages 

 kept exposed to the weather, and doubtless will be plentiful at Wanstead, 

 Loughtou, Hampstead and elsewhere when this is published, and a little 

 bright weather sends the usual detachment of " long rods " down to West 

 Wickham Woods after Breplws Parthenias. 



The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have just presented the public with 

 Gravel-pit Wood, Iiighgate. The Highgate Woods have long been favourite 

 working grounds for entomologists in the North oi London, and as it 

 appeared they would be destroyed and built upon, the action of the Com- 

 missioners in leaving what is known as the " Fimbria Wood " will be widely 

 appreciated. Mr. J. A. Cooper has bred a specimen of E. Versicolor and 

 four specimens of P. Nuheculosa which had remained in the pupa state for 

 two years. 



South London Entomological and Natural Histoiiy Society.— This 

 Society has just issued a report for the year 1884 ; it contains the President's 

 opening address, a list of the members, catalogue of the library, etc., 

 etc. We are glad to see that the society is in a nourishing condition, and 

 congratulate them upon their progress. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 

 Hybernia Defoliaria. — On Monday last, February 9th, 18S5, in passing 

 through a wood near here, I was surprised to see a male Befo liar ia sitting on 

 a tree, evidently just emerged, its wings not being properly dry, and then on 

 Wednesday the 11th I had a female def oliaria brought to me from the same 

 place. Is it not rather unusual for this moth to be found in February ? 

 Perhaps some of your correspondents who reside where it occurs abundantly 

 may be able to enlighten us on the matter, as it only occuis very sparingly 

 here. In looking over my notes I find I have met with it in October, 

 November, December (December 25th, 1884, being my latest capture until 

 this year), January and February, this is five months out of the twelve, 

 rather a long time for an insect to be flying.— John Hill, Little Eaton, near 

 Derby. 



