1889.] 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



131 



Uundularia, showing marked variation, including a banded male, all bred from a 

 specimen taken at Tilgate Forest, May, 1888 ; also bred series of T. crepuscularia, 

 spring and summer broods, from the same locality. Mr. Adye, a light form of 

 Catocala promissa, the dark bands in the hind-wings being very indistinct. Mr. 

 Moore, two larvae of a species of Sphinx, from the West Indies. Mr. Adkin, a short 

 series of Nyssia hispidaria, from the New Forest. Mr. Watson also exhibited N. his- 

 pidaria, from West Wickham. Mr. South exhibited a long series of Noctua brunnea, 

 and dahlii, N.festiva, and var. conflna, from various localities. Mr. South remarked 

 that in 1886 and 1887, he obtained large numbers of the larvae of N. brunnea, from 

 North Devon; which were found feeding on bilberry and a species of wood-rush. 

 Although the larvae differed in colour very considerably, yet, they were very constant 

 in the markings : he then at some length pointed out the different forms of variation 

 of brunnea in his exhibit, and that in some cases brunnea so closely approached dahlii 

 that he had a difficulty in saying which was which, and he was of opinion that the 

 relationship between brunnea and dahlii was the same as that between /estiva and con- 

 flua. Mr. Tutt also exhibited two drawers from his collection containing the 

 species referred to, and Mr. Adkin, N. brunnea and N. dahlii, from Sligo, Kent, and 

 other localities. A discussion ensued, Messrs. Tutt, Adkin, Tugwell, Carrington, 

 and others taking part. Mr. Billups exhibited a series of Bembidium testaceum, from 

 Chobham, living specimens of Carabus auratus, captured in the borough market, and 

 a species of Oribatidae, which he stated was causing an immense amount of mischief 

 to corn chandlers by feeding on the crushed oats. Some interesting ornithological 

 notes were contributed by the members. — H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 



Last Year's D. Galli. 



By. C. A. BRIGGS. 



That British captured specimens of D. galii are larger than British 

 bred ones has, I think, been a matter of common notoriety for many 

 years past, but that this is evidence of immigration is a very different 

 thing. Mr. Tugwell in his recent remarks seems to have left con- 

 tinental bred specimens out of his calculations altogether, but before 

 his theory could be even ripe for discussion, it would be necessary to 

 fill in the missing link in his paper, by the production of sufficient 

 data of the result of the comparison of British bred specimens with 

 continental bred specimens, taking care that the continental specimens 

 came from that part of the continent from which he considers the 

 H blown over" specimens came. I mention this as the "blown over " 

 theorists are usually very vague, perhaps wisely and intentionally so, 

 but it would greatly assist us if in referring to " the continent," they 

 would but to some extent indicate the portion of the continent to 



