THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



51 



At odd times during the year, among other things which 1 hare picked 

 up, and those which have been brought to me by friends, and members of 

 the Haggerston E. S., may be noticed Anisodactylns binotatus, from Worm- 

 wood Scrubs, Toxotus meridianus Saperda carcharias (three nice specimens 

 from Southend), Aphodius subterraneits, Onthophagus vacca, Pyrochroa serra- 

 ticornis{ two taken by Mr. E. Anderson at Croydon), Podagrica fuscicornis, 

 (from Brighton), Phratora vulgatissima (Putney), and Gibbium scotius (which 

 I was fortunate enough to find in our city office.) 



As Esher is the principal neighbourhood worked by Mr. Cripps and myself, 

 it may be as well in conclusion to state that we find this a somewhat variable 

 locality, the different parts have to be worked at different times of the year, 

 but taken altogether, we are quite satisfied with the insects we obtain there. 

 When in former years I used to collect Lepidoptera in this district with my 

 brother, I obtained several good things in this branch of Entomology, but I 

 rather think a deterioration has taken place in the pine plantation, as several 

 fires have occurred in some of the best portions of the wood ; but those who 

 do not mind hard work will still find some things here to repay them for their 

 trouble of working when they know the locality. 

 40, Oxford Street, Islington, N: 



ADDERS AND CATERPILLARS. 



By JOHN MACKAY. 



It is well known that most Highland people, as a general rule, have a 

 great dread of anything in the shape of an adder. So much is this the case that 

 large caterpillars, having scarcely any resemblance to the adder in appearance, 

 are looked upon with distrust, the people believing them to be young adders. 

 As an illustration of this, I give the following amusing little story, which 

 serves to show the firm belief which the Highland people have, that the 

 adder's bite is deadly poison. 



The summer before last I happened to visit that famous insect locality, the 

 Island of Arran, for the purpose of collecting specimens of Plusia interroga- 

 tionis, the Arran variety of C. russata, and other rare species, and while 

 rambling over the hills I filled a large larvae tin with the larvae of Bombyx 

 quercus, which were rather common, feeding on the heather. 



On my return to Glasgow in the evening I called at the house of a friend. 

 Having occasion to open the larvse-box, some of the caterpillars accidentally 

 fell on the floor. I was soon startled hy hearing a scream, and the good 

 lady of the house retreated to the other end of the apartment rather hastily. 

 From this secure position she abused me heartily for taking into her house 



