222 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



In April a quantity of thick bright-green 

 leaves appear, with the capsule in the bosom of 

 them. The summer sun causer this to burst 

 and the ripe seeds are scattered around. 



Last autumn the absence of bloom on the 

 part of this plant was little re narked upon ; 

 for throughout the year no plant had blos- 

 somed well, but this week great has been our 

 surprise to find the Colchicum in full flower, 

 with petals not of the same rich colour as is 

 usual in the autumn blooms, but of a sickly 

 creamy-purple ! 



For a period of fifty years we have known 

 this plant intimately, but never until now saw 

 a spring blossom. We shall watch it with no 

 small interest to see if there is any seed from 

 these spring flowers, and how nature returns 

 to its wonted course. 



April 15th, 1880. 



LEPIDOPTERA IN MAY. 



[We should be obliged for eggs, larax, or pupce 

 of any of those marked thus * — Eds.) 



The following Clear Wings are given in 

 Merrin, but some of them are scarcely due 

 till June ; they had, however, better be looked 

 for towards the end of this month, in or near 

 trees, S. my 0 p. le for mis* (apple and pear), culici- 

 formis* (birch) , cy nip ij 'or mis* (oak) , sphegiformis* 

 (alder), apifovmis* (poplar). None of them are 

 common, and the collector who would take 

 them in the perfect state must keep both eyes 

 open. 



Hepialus lupulitms. — The Common Swift, 

 emerges at the end of the month, it flies 

 swiftly among grass, &c, just at sunset. 



Pvocris gcvyon. — At the end of the month or 

 in June, on hillsides where the Rock Rose 

 grows. It flies in the hot sun, or may be 

 taken later in the day on flowers, &c. 



Nola confusalis*. — At rest on trees, generally 

 sits with its head down. 



Lithosia aureola. — On lichen-covered larch 

 trees. 



Lithosia rubricottis* . — The Red-necked Foot- 

 man is not very easily seen at rest, from its 



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dark color. It flies in the sun in woods, &c. 



D. pulchella* . — Is said by Merrin to occur 

 in May. Newman says July, Stainton says 

 September. It is so rare that few have taken 

 it, though it appears to have been commoner of 

 late years. We have only heard of it from the 

 South. 



C. plantaginis. — The Wood Tiger frequents 

 hillsides, railway banks, and banks at the 

 edge of woods. It flies freely in the sun, and 

 is not scarce. 



A. fuliginosa. — The Ruby Tiger is double 

 brooded in the South, the first appearing now. 

 Further north only one brood occurs in June. 

 It is common enough in similar places to the 

 last, though less partial to woods. 



H. lubricepeda and menthastvi. — The Buft and 

 White Ermines. Sadly too common in gar- 

 dens. They sit on low plants and come ^ 

 freely to light. 



Ovgvia pudibunda. — The Hop Dog. Com- 

 mon about hop growing districts and in 

 gardens. 



Bombyx rubi. — The Fox Moth. Heaths and 

 waste land. Flies swiftly in the afternoon sun. 

 Not easily taken on the wing. 



Satumia cavpini. — ■ The Emperor. This 

 glorious moth is common on heaths and 

 willowy places. It flies in the sunshine, and 

 is one of the most beautiful of the British 

 species. 



Geometry. — -Considerably over one hun- 

 dred species of Geometvce may be found in 

 May, so that even short notes of each would 

 take up more room than we can spare. Most 

 of the group are wood insects, while many of 

 the commoner species fly in lanes and| 

 gardens. For those in the April list see pagelf 

 181. We condense as much as possible the; 

 list of the new spe2ies, and omit those in 

 Merrin's list which we do not consider duel 

 till June. 



E. advenavia* , among bilberry ; rare. V.\ 

 maculata*, flies by day ; common in woods. 

 E. dolobraria*, June. B. hirtaria, common on 

 trees in the London parks. A. bctularia, treesj 

 and palings. B. cinctavia, a scarce species, 1 1 



