162 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



plantaginis, which Mr. McGrouther netted. A search was then made for 

 more of this species, with the result that a few more nice specimens were 

 taken by each. Work on the face of the hill soon became tiresome, owing 

 to the strong wind, so a move was made further up into a sheltered hollow, 

 and here some more Plantaginis turned up. Bombyx quercus was our 

 next capture, three specimens being taken, while others were seen at times 

 flying before the wind at a surprising speed. Anarta myrtilli caused us 

 some amusement, With every blink of hot sunshine, specimens of this little 

 moth would be seen darting over the. heather like so many electric flashes, 

 causing us many a long chase ; and, after exhausting our running powers, 

 they would quietly drop down out of sight, where we knew quite well we 

 could never find them. However, notwithstanding these mean tricks, we 

 each managed to take a good few specimens in fine condition. A pretty 

 little loch, situated in a quiet sheltered hollow caught our sight, and we at 

 once hastened toward it, in the hope of taking some dragon-flies. A number 

 of beautifully tinted specimens were taken, but owing to the strong wind, 

 which was felt even in this sheltered corner, few were on the wing. A visit 

 to this spot on a hot still day should prove most remunerative to anyone in 

 search of dragon-flies. Plantaginis again appeared here, along with a few 

 of Eupithecia satyrata, and some specimens of another geometer which I 

 have not yet been able to identify. Scodiona belgiaria was our next capture, 

 while near some trees both Melanthia ocellata and Larentia pectinitaria 

 were netted. Cr ambus pratellus was very common on the heather, and 

 some specimens of that pretty speckled tortrice, Mixodia schulziana, were 

 also boxed. Having by this time reached a little glen, where two years we 

 had taken Argynnis selene, a careful search was made for it, and we soon 

 aroused a few specimens among the heather. Some distance further on it 

 was again met with in greater numbers, and each of us captured a ^ood num- 

 ber of fine specimens. A rather good Crambite ( Phycis carbonariella ) was 

 taken rather sparingly, and was not nearly so common as on the shore at Lam- 

 lash, where at this season it can be taken in great profusion. 



By this time we had once more reached the road leading over the hills 

 from Brodick, and as our time was now very limited, we packed up our nets, 

 and hastened to catch the steamer at Brodick. We left at 6 p.m., having 

 spent about seven hours ashore collecting. Although we had spent a most 

 enjoyable day, and had filled nearly all our boxes, yet we were disappointed 

 at not having taken one or two species which we had expected to meet. 

 Plusia interragationis is usually met with on the heather, near Lamlash, 

 at this time, while the beautiful and scarce Arran variety of Cidaria rus- 

 sata, which occurs sparingly at the same place, should have been on the 



