THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



105 



nature, deposits ova upon the mignonette or straggling nasturtium, and thus 

 secures the advent of another generation. The omnivorous larvae of Hadena 

 oleracea and Mamestra Iramcce may be found almost wherever there is a 

 patch of herbage; and everyone must be familiar with those random visitors 

 which come dashing in at our open windows on a warm summer's evening, 

 and after vainly trying to find an exit in the ceiling, fly in a distracted man- 

 ner round the light, and finally terminate their mad career bv a sudden rush 

 through the flame, dropping a shrivelled and frequently unrecognisable mass 

 before us. All this may be observed even in the heart of cities, and when 

 when we get a little way out to where suburban gardens and public parks 

 give a better chance of existence, we shall find that there are ample materials 

 for forming an interesting and instructive collection. It will be some time 

 before the young naturalist will be able to say that he knows all the species 

 inhabiting his district, and longer still before he can trace their life histories 

 for himself, and confirm or refute the particulars given in our works of refer- 

 ence. I myself, after six years close observation in this district (Hackney), 

 am still unacquainted in practice with the life -histories of several of the 

 species found here ; and each year I discover, with surprise, some species 

 which had previously escaped my notice. As an instance I may mention that 

 on the 24th of Feb. this year (18S5), I captured a male P. jjifosaria, at rest 

 upon a lime tree in one of our streets ; this species I had never before seen 

 in the locality in any stage of its existence. I think, therefore, that I am 

 justified in maintaining there is ample work to be found for the Entomologist 

 even in the heart of London or any other large town, and those who love the 

 study, but are debarred from pursuing it amid the green fields and glades of 

 the country, either from want of time, means, or any other cause, can still 

 form a very decent collection from out the streets, which their daily occupa- 

 tion causes them to traverse. In order to show what can be done in this 

 manner, and with a view of helping those who may feel inclined to form such 

 a collection, I propose to enumerate those species which have come under my 

 observation in the east of London, and most of the species will, no doubt, be 

 found in similar localities. 



To commence in the orthodox manner I must first speak of the Diurni or 

 Butterflies. As might be expected there are not many of them, for their 

 diurnal habits render them conspicuous, and consequently they easily fall 

 victims to the London sparrow or street Arab. Two species, however, seem 

 to brave these and other dangers, and yearly enliven by their presence the 

 long rows of dismal houses which constitute such a great portion of London, 

 of course I mean the Large and Small "vVhites, Pi em brassier and Pieris 

 rajoce. They appear first about the beginning of May, or in favourable 



