72 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, 
in the number of imngos that appeared — 
a deficiency which was apparent not only 
at the moment the weather was actually 
unfavourable for their public appearance, 
hut equally visible even at the few 
“ lucid intervals” when we had a glimpse 
of summer. It is equally admitted, as 
far as observations were made, that of 
larva life there was no deficiency. This 
might be expected, for of cold and shade, 
in which the majority of larvae rejoice, 
there was more than enough to be gene- 
rally agreeable. An abundance of larvae 
would of course promise an abundance of 
pupae, if no obstacles intervened. The 
principal obstacles to pupal development 
would appear to be ichneumons and 
other predatory insects, birds, mice, &c. 
The cold and wet doubtless prevented 
the development of many of the first 
class of depredators, while the same in- 
fluences would interfere with the vigi- 
lance of birds and mice. It is therefore 
not improbable that a large proportion 
of the broods of insects underwent their 
pupal change without much mortality, 
though the excess of wet doubtless 
drowned many. A great number of in- 
sects which entered the pupa state last 
autumn and spring, and were due as 
imagos during the summer, it is well 
known have not appeared ; they are, in 
fact, holding over until next year, when 
it is not unlikely the meteorological 
“ average ” will be brought right by a 
warm and dry summer. 
If the foregoing reasoning is correct it 
only seems fair to infer that next year- 
will be a somewhat abundant one for 
insects ; while the present season would 
appear to offer a good promise of repay- 
ment for labour at digging, &c. 
Another important effect which the 
coldness of the summer produced was 
derangement in the ordinary time of the 
appearance of various insects — a derange- 
ment which will doubtless carry its effects 
into next year. So that strange times, 
and a strange abundance of some species 
seem to be likely to be the characteristics 
of next season. 
I am, sir, 
Yours very truly, 
Joseph Mebrin. 
Gloucester, 
November 23, 1860. 
Now read;/, price 1*. Id., post free, 
T he lepidopterist’s 
INDICATOR. An Alphabetically 
arranged Guide to the Species of British 
Lepidoptera, with special reference to 
Doubleday’s last List, Stainton’s ‘ Ma- 
nual,’ Wood’s ‘ Index Entomologicus,’ 
&c. By B. Bradnev Bockett, M.A. 
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London: E. Newman, 9, Devonshire 
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E NTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS fob 
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