164 



THE NATURALIST. 



time in hybernation however doubtless arises from confinement or other cir- 

 cumstances. 



With regard to the hybernation of my specimen, there is a curious 

 instance of adaptation to circumstances or rather of undeveloped instinct. It 

 has never, not even during the first winter after birth, formed a nest of leaves 

 and earth as is usual with snails, although it has been supplied with the 

 necessary materials. It contents itself with merely fastening itself on the 

 side of the glass jar, and although it usually remains torpid for about six or 

 seven months it never forms a pseudo-operculum. The reason of this doubt- 

 less is that being kept in a warm room, it is unnecessary that it should be 

 covered up as a protection against cold, and therefore the instinct which 

 under ordinary circumstances teaches it to do so remains undeveloped. 



EOTOMOLOGICAL NOTES m 1865. 

 By F. Buchanan White, M.D. 



Most Lepidopterists will agree, I think, in considering the season 1865, 

 a great improvement on the three or four preceding years. One butterfly 

 Vanessa cardui, which had not been captured or perhaps even observed in 

 this district (Perth) for a number of years, has appeared this season in no 

 few numbers, it seems to be widely distributed, as I' traced it from the head 

 of Ben Lawers in Breadalbane, down to the sea level on the coast of Fife. 

 Lyccena artaxerxes as usual, has been abundant. Another feature of this 

 season has been the occurrence of numerous specimens, both larvse, pupae, and 

 imagos of Acherontia atropos. 



SpMnx convolvuU has just put in an appearance, and will no doubt 

 again be found, as it occurs here nearly every year. Chcerocampa celeriOf 

 (as already recorded in the Naturalist), has paid a second visit to Perth, 

 being found in the very heart of the " Pair City." 



Its less prized cousin, C. porcellus, and Macroglossa Stellatarum, have 

 been very common, one collector having found upwards of one hundred larvse 

 of the former. 



DeilopMla galii, which condescended to be captured here some years 

 ago, has not this year been found as might have been expected. 



Eudielia Jacohece, so rare in Scotland, has been found in Forfarshire, 

 (vide. p. 116), and again at Largo in Fife. 



