PORKITT : COLIAS EdUSA IN YORKSHIRE. 



that probably as many occurrences in all have not been noted on our 

 coal n:easure formations for as great a number of years, some idea 

 will be gained of the importance of this extraordinary visitation. 

 We are quite aware, however, that its significance has been somewhat 

 detracted from since we promised (in our last number) to write this 

 paper, by the fact that our county is by no means isolated in this 

 respect. The butterfly has indeed occurred in unusual numbers all 

 over England, and has absolutely swarmed in the southern counties. 

 The following extracts from letters of correspondents will probably 

 be interesting, as bearing on the point : — 



From Mr. C. G. Barrett, Pembroke, dated 28th June, 1877 : "I have 

 seen Colias Edusa nearly every day lately, and the earlier specimens 

 were most splendid, both larger than those of last autumn and 

 perfectly fresh. I am satisfied that they had not hibernated in the 

 perfect state," 



Mr. Joseph Anderson, jun,, of Chichester, date June 25th, 1877 : 

 Colias Edusa absolutely swarms here ; whichever way one may walk, 

 it turns up. Two specimens, males, which I have in my cabinet have 

 the hind wings suffused with a shining rosy purple, much resembling 

 (save that it is rosier) the colour of Apatura Ilia. I should be glad 

 to know if it is of common occurrence ; for myself I find it quite the 

 reverse. I and my brother have taken numbers of this insect, but 

 these are the only two specimens with this most beautiful tint and 

 lustre.'' In another letter of July 4th, Mr. Anderson, writing of the 

 insect, says : — "Amongst the numerous females I secured two varieties, 

 one a remarkably fine specimen, intermediate between the ordinary 

 orange form and Helice!'' 



The two entomological journals {Entomologists Monthly Magazine 

 and Entomologist) of July also contain numerous records of the 

 excessive abundance of the species in all parts of the country. 



Perhaps the most interesting problem arises out of the circumstance 

 that Edusa has always been considered an autumn species, and the 

 odd specimens which have hitherto turned up in spring have been 

 regarded as hibernated examples of the autumn brood. The other 

 question which requires answering is — How is it that the species has 

 appeared in such numbers in our own county, when in scarcely any 

 locality has it been observed for years, and then only single examples ^ 

 whilst in some districts this is the first time of its known occurrence ? 

 I am inclined to think that Mr. Eobt. M'Lachlan, F.R,S., has solved 

 the first probirm. He says {E. M. M.^ July, p. 40) : " This is about 

 the lat'it insect 1 should have expected to find in my garden at thia 



