THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



239 



lane we made for the moor where we worked amongst the heather. At every 

 stroke of the sweeping net we found the larvae of Eupithecia nanata in 

 adundance, and occasionally Anarta myrtilli and Agrotis porpfoyrea, and hosts 

 of other insects, amongst which was a splendid specimen of Eperia quadrata, 

 which we did not leave behind. Will some readers of the Young Naturalist 

 give their opinion on the best means of preserving these ? They do not look 

 well in spirits and I know of no other way of preserving them. Atropos has 

 been fairly abundant, I have had two larvae brought me to the Museum, 

 found in gardens near the town, and have heard of several more being taken 

 in the neighbourhood. Sphinx convolvuli has put in an appearance, I gen- 

 erally get one or two specimens most seasons brought me, but they are often 

 in poor condition the captors generally not being entomologists. Cirrhcedea 

 Xerampelina has been captured several times on lamps outside the town and 

 I know one collector who has been so fortunate to take five pupae of this 

 splendid insect. I think Mr. T. Hey has been the most successful collector 

 this season at Derby in taking three larvae of Acronycta alni in one afternoon's 

 collecting, two off willow and one off alder; the larvae of this rare insect seems 

 to feed on any tree or shrub, I have taken it on sloe, it has also been taken here 

 feeding on hawthorn, apple, and several other trees and on bracken. I think 

 by the great abundance of larvae there seems every prospect of a good season 

 for entomologists next year. — G. Pullen, The Museum, Derby. 



Rare Hawk Moths at Hartlepool. — We have had quite an extra- 

 ordinary number of rare Sphinges here this season. Mr. Gardner's capture 

 of Nerii was recorded in the August number. Last month I recorded Con- 

 volvuli. Since then several more Convolvuli have been taken and more seen. 

 One was brought to Mr. Gardner so soon after emergence, that the red fluid 

 they emit after leaving the pupa case, came from it after it reached him. 

 This specimen must have fed on Convolvulus sepium in one of the gardens 

 where it was taken. A specimen of A. atropus was picked up on the beach 

 among seaweed and other rejectamenta, by a boy, and given to Mr. Dixon. 

 Another specimen, very large and in good condition, was brought to me on 

 the 14th September. A day or two later 1 heard of a " curious butterfly " 

 having been taken in a shop in Northgate, and on calling to see it found a 

 very nice C. celerio pinned against the shop shelving. It had flown into the 

 shop on September 12th, attracted no doubt by the lights, was captured and 

 pinned alive against the shelving, where it lived four days. Except that it is 

 rubbed on the thorax it is in good condition, and is a welcome addition to my 

 series. Galii and Livornica have both been taken here in former years, 

 should this meet the eye of either of them, they will receive a welcome recep- 



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