202 



THE YOUNG NATUEALIST. 



at the time, but we have little doubt, 

 had every one who took the species 

 sent a note of the fact at once for 

 publication, and so caused collectors 

 to look out for the insect, that a very 

 much larger number of captures would 

 have been made, and many a blank 

 in our cabinets filled. There are few 

 collectors, if any, who do not value 

 their own captures more than the 

 specimens they have bought, or obtain- 

 ed by exchange, and what a pleasure it 

 would have been to many to take a hue 

 spe :-ies like this for the first time. We 

 only cite this as one instance of what 

 might have been done. Apleeta occulta 

 is an insect, too, that varies greatly 

 with locality, Scotch specimens being 

 very much darker than those from 

 the South. When such a species 

 occurs in abnormal numbers, and over 

 a wider area than usual, it is interest- 

 ing to know which form prevails ; and 

 we might add to our knowledge of the 

 causes of such appearances if sufficient 

 records were made. 



In mentioning this insect, we do not 

 do so, so much because it is scarce, as 

 from the fact, already stated, that had 

 early records of its appearance been 

 made many more specimens would 

 certainly have been obtained ; and we 

 want to impress upon our readers that 

 A. occulta is not by any means the only 

 species of which their sets are incomplete. 

 We scarcely pretend to know what 

 insects occur everywhere, but there are 

 few indeed that some would not be pleased 

 to take. May we, in conclusion, then, 

 ask again that our readers will send us 



! much more freely their notes of cup 

 \ tures, now that the collecting season is 

 here again. If they will let us be 

 j judges as to the interest of their notes. 

 I it will certainly be better than not 

 sending them lest the}' are not ol 

 interest enough. Some of our corre- 1 

 \ spoiidents speak of the pleasant dayt : 

 of the " dear old Intelligencer.'' but ' 

 | they do little to bring those day s bacls - 

 ! again. It is little use continuing a 

 | weekly publication, with all its disad- 

 ' vantages, unless the advantages of a 

 i weekly issue are obtained. We would. 



in conclusion, point out the opportunity 

 j afforded by our pages of offering ova foi 

 ! exchange. We will endeavour to insert 

 | such offers if they reach us on Wednes- 

 day morning, though matters of lest 

 urgency must be in our hands earliei 

 ' to ensure publication the same week. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



All communications to be sent to J. E. Uobsux, P.e'.lerb 

 Terrace, West Hartlepool ; or to S. L. Moslhv, Real 

 niont Park, Huddersfie'.d. 



J We have received several enquiries abcni 

 part 4 of " Birds and Eggs." It has beei 

 unavoidably delayed in order to clear up i 

 point in the life history of the Peregrine 

 but it will be in the hands of subscriber 

 before another week. 



| C. H. M., London. — Thanks for nest an 

 eggs of Red-backed Shrike. They shall 

 figured, and returned as early as possible 



j E. B., Escandseuvres Non. — We shall begl 



j to have the larvae of V. Antiopa in 1 

 season. Can you not also send us larvae 

 of P. daplidicc. Your pupa,- were dul 

 received, and your box shall be returne 

 shortly with some species that may be us 

 ful to you 



