264 
than that number in a single night towards the end of May. 
When I add, that all the ISTorfolk specimens previously taken 
amount probably to less than a score, it will be seen that some 
unknown cause must have made the past season an exceptionally 
favourable one for this insect. Last year I had the pleasure of 
exhibiting, I believe, the first specimens bred in this country ; but 
in spite of the numbers occurring in the early summer, I regret to 
say I was unable to make any further advance in our knowledge or 
the habits of the larva. 
The hopes raised by such a commencement Avere quickly dis- 
appointed as the season advanced. Nothing could bo more 
dispiriting than the absolutely blank nights later in June and 
throughout July, a time when insects ought to have been 
swarming. Many nights spent at the close of the latter month 
in work at Irstead and Eanworth produced nothing worth record 
save three Senta ulvte. Our county species, Nonagria brevilinea, 
Avas conspicuous by its utter absence. Many species, usually 
common, Avere either exceedingly scarce or did not occur at all. 
I may instance Leueania pudorina, and straminea, not seen ; and 
of Nudaria senex, and LWiosia muscerda, Avhich usually SAvarm, 
I took ten and five specimens respectively. 
This state of things lasted through the summer, nor Avas it till 
September that any improvement took place ; then, indeed, most 
insects were as scarce as ever, but one species, Nonagria cannce, 
appeared in some numbers ; and I secured in ten nights’ Avork j ust 
thirty specimens, as many as I have taken in all my previous 
Avork in Norfolk. I may add, that during July I devoted much 
time to the elucidation of the life history of this species, Avhich has 
long puzzled me, but my success was purely negative. I failed to 
breed a single specimen, and begin to suspect that in Norfolk at 
least the larva must have other food plants than that attributed 
to it. 
The paucity of insects alluded to Avas even more marked in the 
Cambridgeshire Tens. At Wicken, Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher 
reported an unprecedented dearth of sport during the montli 
Avhich he spent there, and in this spot there Avere no brilliant 
exceptions. 
To turn to our coast, I have already mentioned one capture at 
Yarmouth; it may bo Avorth record that Agrotis ripcc Avas 
