THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



round of changes, in utter unconsciousness of the interest with which they 

 are observed by us. Problems of great interest to us remain unsolved, or 

 perhaps light begins to dawn slowly through the dim surroundings. 



Christinas time, from an Entomological point of view, is but a dead 

 season. We are re-arranging our cabinets, disposing of our duplicates, 

 filling our blanks, or otherwise occupying ourselves uutil the collecting season 

 comes round again. Yet there is collecting to do now if we would but do it, 

 and problems to solve that winter collecting might help to elucidate. A 

 casual remark on the effect of a mild winter on cold loving -Species, set us 

 puzzling over a problem, to which we have called the attention of a large 

 circle of correspondents, without the slightest result so far. We will ask the 

 question here, in hope that a solution may be forthcoming, or at least that 

 some light may be thrown on the subject. What we wish to know, is the 

 effect as regards the appearance of the winter moths of a mild season ? Does 

 a mild winter hasten or retard their emergence ? In a season like last, or 

 like the present, up to the time at which we write, are we to expect Hybernia 

 rupicapraria in December, or leucophearia in January ? Are they influenced 

 at all by the weather ? Yerj few collect these winter moths. They are 

 most]y of general distribution, and all common enough for the collector to 

 obtain his series in his first year or two. After that, interest seems to subside, 

 and their collection ceases. Thus notes and observations on these peculiar 

 insects are seldom published, and we can find little or no data to go upon con- 

 cerning them. It is generally understood that warm weather hastens 

 developement, and with certain limitations this is doubtless correct. But 

 what is it that brings out the truly Winter moths, Cheimatobia brumata and 

 boreata or Eybernia rupicapraria ? Heat it certainly cannot be, does the 

 absence of cold influence them ? We have often noticed during severe frost, 

 that these species disappear, to appear again the moment a thaw comes, before 

 the snow has melted enough for them to emerge had they not been out 

 already. Besides, after two or three weeks of frost, they may be found when 

 the thaw comes, to be quite worn and wasted on the first night of their 

 appearance, or we perhaps ought to say re-appearance. An interesting 

 observation was recorded in our first volume of rupicapraria pairing during 

 very severe frost, and others have been made as to the degree of cold they 

 can bear, bat all this, though interesting in itself, has little bearing on the 

 question we are now raising, which is one that could only be solved by a 

 continuance of observations, over a number of years. Do any of our readers 

 think it worth their while to look out for the first appearance of these species 

 and record their observations in our columns. We will gladly welcome any 

 such notes. Will Mr. Carter of Bradford set the example? We know he 



