146 THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



LJULT 



be difficult to form a perfectly correct table to prove one more than 

 another, but at any rate Cheshire cannot show a capture of eighteen 

 imagines last year, and that St. Margaret's alone does. 



To conclude, I will name but one more large' Sphinx, Charocampa 

 nerii. This grand species does, very rarely, reach England, but 

 only as an immigrant. All I have ever seen in collections are 

 in a more or less dilapidated condition. Mr. C. A. Briggs exhibited 

 last year a specimen taken in London, but no one for a moment 

 believes that the insect has ever fed up here, save from imported ova 

 or larva, its food-plant is not to be found in England save as a culti- 

 vated green-house flower. 



6, Lewisham Road, Greenwich. 



The Pterophorina of Britain. 



By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



The Pterophorina, or " plumes " as they are popularly called, are 

 one of the most interesting groups of lepidoptera. They are so very 

 dissimilar in the structure of the imago to all other groups, that it is 

 almost impossible not to be able at once to refer them to the par- 

 ticular group to which they belong. Many of the species are so 

 common, that the lepidopterist who has but just commenced to 

 collect, is sure to meet with some of them. Their fragility makes 

 them appear difficult to manipulate, and many collectors, I think, 

 are thus deterred from taking up the study of this group ; but, in 

 reality, the specimens of this group are readily manipulated, and 

 with a little practice, they can be set in a more satisfactory manner 

 than can many species of the larger groups. The proper killing 

 of the specimens is more important to success than any other par- 

 ticular, and I think there can be no doubt that liquid ammonia is 

 by far the best substance with which to kill them. When collecting, 

 if the specimens are placed in small card or chip boxes, and on 

 arrival home, these boxes placed into a large tin, two or three 

 drops of strong liquid ammonia dropped upon the boxes will kill any 

 number (I kill nearly all my insects in this way, large and small), so 

 long as the tin is air-tight. If this be done overnight, the insects will 

 be in splendid order for setting all through the next day. With regard 

 to pinning, black pins are undoubtedly the best, and of sizes I prefer 

 15's to any other. Perhaps a few words as to setting will not be 

 altogether out of place. In the larger groups, the setting of the legs 



