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THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



affinitata, K omicronata (?), and two C. pinetellus. Mr. Stewart was also 

 fortunate in taking A. aglaia at rest on a thistle top, which was a good proof 

 of his excellent eyesight, as it was after 10 p.m., and quite dark. Having 

 taken a great variety of moths, we then thought it time to pay a visit to the 

 sugared trees, and on doing so were glad to see that a large number of moths 

 were holding high revel round the " festive board." There were lords and 

 commons all alike eager to share in the plenteous feast ! On the few trees 

 that were sugared we took the following specimens : — T. batis, A. rumicis, L. 

 impura, X. rurea, M. strigilis (common), N. augur, plecta, brunnea (common), 

 f estiva, baja, E. lucipara, A. Zierbida, nebulosa (common.) Prom these we 

 had a sufficient indication that sugar was fairly attractive, and we determined 

 to give it a fair trial on the following evening, should weather permit. 



Tuesday was not a very favourable day for collecting. The wind blew a 

 perfect hurricane all day, so little was done in the way of adding to our 

 captures. In the evening we tried Taynish road, but the only species we 

 added to our list of captures were two geometers unknown to any of us. Mr. 

 Stewart, in the morning took a nice specimen of II. adusta at rest in an 

 outhouse. 



Wednesday was a better day, and we took a great variety of species. Little 

 collecting was done during the day, but in the evening we filled all our boxes. 

 C. pusaria and ezanthemaria were taken in addition to almost all these species 

 already named, and C. margaritellus and tristeUus were added to our list. 

 Sugar was again tried with some success. One visit to the " sugared" trees 

 was productive of over sixty specimens. Nebiolosa, brunnea, and strigilis 

 were very common, but the great feature of the evening's work was the capture 

 of a fine specimen of Plusia bractea. It was attracted by the light of the 

 lantern, and while hovering round was cleverly netted by Mr. Stewart, who, 

 of course was delighted with his success. 



Thursday was a truly miserable day, and we had to stay indoors all day, 

 the rain was pouring so heavily. It was not, however, altogether mis-spent, 

 for it afforded us an opportunity of removing a great number of insects from 

 the boards, and attending to other matters which had been neglected during 

 the former part of the week. This rather lengthy record of our holiday was 

 also partly written on that day. and now that I finish it at home, and read 

 over the altogether dismal picture I draw of the cold and wet weather at the 

 commencement, I must confess that the pouring rain had a most depressing 

 . effect upon the spirits. And no wonder! for had we not decided to accom- 

 pany some friends on a delightful sail down beautiful Loch Sween, to a place 

 called Dana, where w T e expected to have had some good collecting. And in 

 the morning when we rose, the rain was pouring in torrents, and the wind 



