The YOUNG HATtfBAMST: 



A Monthly Magazine of Natural History. 



Paet 105. SEPTEMBER, 1888. Vol. 9. 



NATURE IN SEPTEMBER. 



By ALBERT H. WATERS, B.A. 



THE aspect of nature in September is one of transition. It is not exactly 

 summer nor yet is it autumn, but there is something of both seasons 

 in it. Butterflies are still abundant : Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, Peacocks, 

 Common Blues, and small. Coppers, may all be seen fluttering about in the 

 sunshine, and at night numerous moths make their appearance, among which 

 are several autumn species ; caterpillars are a conspicuous feature in the 

 aspect of nature in September, and we are constantly meeting with them 

 everywhere. It is in this month more especially that the larvae of the Great 

 White butterfly and the cabbage moth devastate our cabbages. We find 

 caterpillars at this time of the year feeding on almost every plant, tree, and 

 shrub. We cannot stay to give a detailed list of them, but must refer the 

 reader to former volumes of "The Young Naturalist," Vols. V. p. 227, VI. 

 p. 194, VII. p. 174. 



Our ramble this month shall be to the sea coast, where we can study the 

 aspect of marine life in September. 



Here is a dead oyster shell with some living serpulae on it. we will take it 

 home in a jar of sea water, and anon we shall -see the beautifully plumed 

 head of the annelid projected like a tiny flower. Serpulse live a long time in 

 my aquaria and give me very little trouble. A very common annelid, Spio 

 ceticornis, also does extremely well in confinement, and it is interesting to 

 watch with a lens the movements of its long filamentary arms. The serpula 

 which thrives best with me is Serpula triquetra, and it is not uninteresting 

 when examined with a lens, although its small size makes it less attractive 

 than some species. I have often asked myself the question : Do" serpulse 

 secrete their tubes, or do they pick up the tiny atoms of lime in the water 

 and really build them up ? I am as yet unable to give a positive answer to 



