214 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



[November 



Acidalia promutata in September. — I took two fresh specimens 

 of Acidalia promutata ( mavginepunctata J this evening, flying over heather 

 on the Howth Cliff. Is not this very late ? Newman says June and 

 July which is the time I usually see it. It is to be found there on 

 stones, spread out flat just as if set.— George V. Hart, Howth, Co. 

 Dublin. 



Abraxas pantaria at Sea.— Among a number of butterflies and 

 moths, my friend Mr. Tritschler has brought me from the Mediter- 

 ranean, I find half a dozen specimens of Abraxas pantaria which 

 came on board their vessel about 10 o'clock one morning, when mid- 

 way between the Gulf of Lyons and the Straits of Bonafacio, and 

 when near 100 miles from land. I always understood Pantaria was a 

 crepuscular species like its near relation in England, and considering 

 the distance from the shore, assume they were blown from land. It is 

 a species I have never had brought me by a sea-faring friend before. 

 Mr. Tritschler tells me there were a quantity of them, but he was un- 

 able to secure more. — John E. Robson, Hartlepool, 



To prevent Beetles becoming greasy. — Probably every collector 

 has been troubled by some of his specimens becoming greasy. The 

 following method appears to entirely obviate this. Set the beetles on 

 thick card with glue, and when they are thoroughly dried, immerse 

 them, card and all, in ordinary benzoline for several hours. This 

 seems to soak out the fat, and in every way inprove the final appear- 

 ance of the insects. It has no effect on the glue, so that they do not 

 become detached or relaxed. After the benzoline has dried off, they 

 are ready for floating off in hot water, and remounting on bristle 

 board, or pinning if preferred. — Robert Gillo, Bath, October, 1890. 



Cicindela sylvatica, L. — On the 5th September I paid a visit to 

 North Camp, Aldershot, and being favoured with warm weather and 

 a bright sun, was successful in securing eleven specimens of this fine 

 beetle, all in perfect condition. They seemed confined to a spot about 

 30 or 40 yards square. Three were caught running on the ground, 

 but the others were taken on the wing with an ordinary butterfly net. 

 Once or twice 1 was baffled after they had settled, as their colour 

 harmonises so exactly with the dark brown sand and heather, and I 

 can fully endorse Mr. Lewcock's remarks in last month's " Young 

 Naturalist " as to the difficulty of following their flight. — R. Beck, 

 Burnside, Northlands Road, Southampton. 



