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THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



frequently found in market gardens, the ova having been imported with 

 shrubs from the continent. — C. H. Watson, 4, Auckland Villas, Gipsy Road, 

 West Norwood, S.E. 



British (?) Species.— Latterly, very large quantities of foreign pupse have 

 been imported to this country. I hear that from a German source Alchemista 

 and others were sent over a year ago, and of course the species was soon 

 found in several localities. Conspicilaris also has been crossing the channel -> 

 we hear that 13 fine specimens were taken last Saturday, in the neighbour- 

 hood of Richmond. Poor things ! they only came out a couple of months 

 too soon, no doubt the genial climate of a greenhouse had something to do 

 with it. — John Henderson, Heme Hill, S.E. 



Captures at Richmond Park. — On the 4th March, I took half-a-dozen 

 Leucophearia and one male Pilosaria on trunks of trees in Richmond Park. 

 The day was intensely cold. — J. Henderson, Heme Hill. 



Htbernia Progemmaria in Scotland. — On 25th February, I took two 

 specimens of Hybernia progemmaria on an oak tree, and another on a wall at 

 Cathcart. Then the weather was fine, and the daisy and coltsfoot were in 

 full bloom ; now the weather has taken a turn for the worse. — A. Adie 

 Daglish, Glasgow, 3rd March. 



Gnats and Flies. — Among the many annoyances that beset the path of 

 the entomologist, the plague of flies that so persistently follow him in woods 

 and shady places in the hotter days of summer, and the gnats and midges 

 that bite so persistently as the shades of evening fall. The flies will alight 

 on his hat and coat, failing to find rest on his face or neck, and annoy more 

 by their perpetual buzzing and flying about his eyes than by any actual biting. 

 Of course, there are some bloodthirsty demons that insert their lancets into 

 the flesh whenever and wherever they have a chance, but these are few in 

 number, and meet with their fate at once, and do not bother the collector as 

 do the swarms of flies constantly swarming about his face. Gnats like the 

 back of the neck or the forehead, and will raise large lumps on some unfortu- 

 nate victims. Entomologists have always desired to adopt the rule obtaining 

 in some establishments — " followers not allowed," and various means have 

 been tried to keep them off. Tobacco smoke is partly effective, but the col- 

 lector cannot bother with his pipe constantly in his mouth, and may not 

 smoke. The late John Sang was in the habit of using oil of cloves, largely 

 diluted with water, and rubbed over the exposed portions. Mr. Gregson 

 recommends albo-carbon finely powdered, and rubbed in freely. If any of 

 our readers have other remedies, we shall be glad to hear of them and give 

 them publicity. 



