THE lOUNG NATURALIST. 



71 



thumb and two first fingers free to hold the box while the right hand mani- 

 pulates the lid. It will be seen that by this means it does not matter where, 

 or in what position a moth is sitting, the lantern can always be held in such 

 a way that its rays are directed full upon the insect, while it is undergoing 

 the process of being boxed. 



Below is the list of insects either seen or captured : — 



The Ehopalocera were represented by one P. rapce and one V. urtica, 

 which had apparently been sleeping off the effect of the day's bebanch. 



The Noctuse were in great abundance, and the following were taken or 

 seen. Leucania lithargyria and L. pallens were both common, but very 

 much worn. Eydrcecia nietitans abundant and variable, var. erythrostigma 

 also common. H. micacea also very abundant ; this species is not so rosy 

 with us as in the South of England. Xylophasia was represented by one 

 very dilapidated looking polyodon. Charaas graminis was common but 

 not nearly so abundant as I have seen it ; the female is most abundant on 

 the flowers at night, and the male during the day time. Mamestra furva, 

 only a very few. Apamea oculea, abundant, and as v usual very variable. 

 Miana literosa, common and in splendid condition. Celcena Hawortkii, 

 fairly common and exceedingly variable ; sometimes a few are attracted dur- 

 ing the afternoon. Caradrina cubicularis, always a nuisance. Agrotis nig- 

 ricans, abundant, all very dark, and very distinctly marked. A. tritici, also 

 abundant, larger, and finer than any of the "Southerners" in my possession. 

 A. pyrophila, fairly common, but some were rather worn, it is a variable 

 species, and one I have only newly turned up here abouts. Triphcena ianthina 

 one, the only one I ever took in Aberdeenshire. T. orbona, very common, 

 these were truly gorgeous, varying from cream colour, through every shade 

 of brown, to purplish black. T. pronuba, rather common, the usual varieties. 

 Noctua glareosa, very abundant ; one I captured was suffused with red — a 

 rather scarce variety I believe — as a general rule they do not differ much 

 from English specimens. N. augur, a few ragged specimens. N.J "estiva, 

 scarce. N. dahlii, in great abundance and excessively variable. N. rubi, 

 only a few. N. umbrosa, common, but very much worn. N. sobrina, one; 

 1 have seen one other taken in Aberdeenshire. N. baja, a few, but worn. 

 N. xanthographa, in extrordinary abundance, and also extremely variable ; 

 some were almost black, without a trace of any markings. Orthosia suspecta, 

 fairly common, and in good condition ; var. congener, not scarce. Ancho- 

 celis rufina, a few. A. litura, a few : these last two were only just coming 

 out. Xanthia cerago, very common; var. flavesceus, not uncommon. X t 

 silago, fairly common. X ferruginea, a few. Folia chi, only a very few. 

 Miselia oxyacantha, one. Stilbia anomala, two fine specimens. 



