THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



207 



When freshly emerged these insects are frequently suffused with a rosy tinge* 

 which has a very charming effect. 



We can boast yet another Acronycta, namely A, aceris (Sycamore.) This 

 species is rather scarce ; it is found at the same time of the year as the other 

 two, but should be searched for on sycamore trunks. The larva? are even 

 more vividly coloured than the last species, being adorned with brilliant 

 yellow and red tufts of hair. When handled, these larva? evince considerable 

 annoyance, and will frequently bite the hand. They are found upon sycamore 

 and horse chestnuts, being almost the only species of lepidoptera feeding upon 

 the latter tree, which is singularly free from insect foes. Most of our other 

 trees give food to several species, but a grove of horse chestnuts is but a poor 

 spot for the entomologist. The larva? construct their cocoons under loose 

 bark, and amongst rotten wood, they have considerable power in their jaws, 

 and construct a very firm and compact cocoon. This species is somewhat 

 difficult to rear in confinement, and must be supplied with shavings and old 

 bungs into which the larva? will penetrate. They must not be disturbed 

 from this retreat, the pupa? being very delicate, and the slightest damp is 

 fatal to it, a remark which applies to most of the genus. 



In reply to Mr. Anderson's remark in his last paper, I have taken two specimens of 

 P. pilosaria from shop windows, and should without hesitation bring in a " true bill" 

 in favour of its being a veritable London resident. — J. Henderson, Romola Road, 

 Heme Hill. 



OBITUARY. 



On May 30th, 1885, Joseph Sidebotham, of Earlsden, Bowden, near 

 Manchester, passed away. He, with his cousin Ashworth, were nearly the 

 last to join the group of northern Entomologists who came to the front be- 

 tween 1835 and 1845 or '50, and who remained true to their first love to 

 the end, and who did so much to clear our collections and catalogues of 

 foreign species, introduced mainly in the interests of dealers, and so making 

 the cabinets of the North of England collections of British insects only. Mr. 

 Sidebotham, though he remained an Entomologist to the last, did not con- 

 fine himself to it, but might well be called an " all round man." As an 

 amateur practical astronomer, his private observatory, replete with every 

 appliance necessary for accurate observation, gave him facilities for accurate 

 observation that few private gentlemen possess. As a photographer he had 

 no superior, and had mastered the art when it was generally little known. 



