178 



The Natubalist. 



was very scarce compared with the number he took last year ; and we 

 soon found out that if we each intended to get a tolerable series we 

 should have to work pretty closely. 



Almost immediately on entering the wood, a specimen of the some- 

 what rare Eupith(Bcia dudoneata fell to my net, so we were in high 

 hopes we should manage to secure a fair number of ii during our 

 stay ; in this, however, we were disappointed, as we did not meet 

 with a second. Another " Pug," plimheolata, turned up directly 

 after dodoneata, and this proved to be very common, becoming more 

 so every day we were there. As might have been expected, the horn- 

 beam produced the neat little Adliena candldata in abundance ; it 

 proved indeed to be the commonest Geometer on the wing, although 

 in some parts Acidalia remutata was nearly as numerous. Herminm 

 barbalis, too, one of the Deltoids, was so plentiful as to become almost 

 a nuisance, though many of the specimens were so beautifully fine, we 

 could not help taking them. Amongst other species beaten out in 

 more or less abundance were, TepJtrosia cojisonaria, lodis lacteaina^ 

 EpJii/ra porata SLud pendularia, Numfria pulveraria, Cidaria corylata and 

 russatttj Botys pandalis and fuscaHs, &c. 



As evening advanced we put on the sugar, a supply of which each 

 of us had not neglected to bring ; although as the atmosphere had 

 become very cold and clear, with the moon shining brightly, we did 

 not anticipate much success. The result proved our surmises correct, 

 as, although each had taken a different " ride," very few moths indeed 

 were tempted to regale themselves upon the " seductive sweets." 

 Amongst the few that did come, however, were several LitJiosia 

 aureola^ in most perfect , condition, with Acronycta auricoma, a few 

 Xylopliasia rurea^ including the variety combusta, Apamea unanimi^^ 

 Jladena geyiistcs, and very strongly marked Thalassina, Eradria fuscula 

 in fine order, and a few liberated Gonoptera Ubatrix. After two rounds 

 at the trees we were quite contented to leave them to the peaceful 

 possession of any Noctuce that might feel disposed to avail themselves 

 of the privilege. Just at dusk we had taken Nemoralis^ on the 

 wing ; also the delicate Acidalia subsericeata, evidently just out. 

 The last thing, whilst waiting for our companions to come up, we 

 searched the grass and collected from it a few evidently fall-grown 

 larvse of the striking " marbled white " butterfly, Arge Galathea, and 

 thus ended our first evening in Abbott's Wood. 



Ne^t morning turned out all a lepidopterist could desire, the sun 

 shone brightly, the atmosphere was very warm, but not so hot as to be 



