NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 
67 
as abundant as ever; so I think Mr. Reid may hope to see Epunda 
7iigra and E. lutulenta common again at Pitcaple. By the way, whatever 
may be the reason for the disappearance and reappearance of so many 
insects — is there any truth in that old story that Melitcea aiirinia moves 
its quarters systematically ? A colony occurred on a large common here 
for years, and, when I first saw them, they were at the south-west side 
of the common, but each year they got further and further across it, till 
at last they were in the north-east corner only, and now they are gone 
altogether. Should I find them by looking still further to the north- 
east? The country does not look likely, as it is under cultivation. — 
W. Holland, Reading. April 1891. 
Life- History of Gonophora derasa. — After reading the account 
{Record^ vol. i., p. 348), about the larva of Gonophora derasa 
from Mr. Geo. Elson, I thought, perhaps, he might be glad to know 
that for the last three or four years, in the first week in October, I 
have beaten the larvae of derasa from Spiraa iilmaria (meadow- 
sweet). I have never seen this plant mentioned in any book as its 
foodplant. The larvae always hide amongst the leaves in the day 
time. I have noticed the larvae of many Noctu^ feed at night and 
go to the same place day after day to hide.— W. J. Cross, Ely. 
April /^th, 1891. 
Killing Lepidoptkra. — It has occurred to me that boxes made 
with perforated cardboard lids and bottoms would be at least as useful 
as those made with glass tops, and I should think they might be 
made at even a cheaper rate. I think indeed they would be more 
useful, because the insects in them could be killed as described by 
Mr. Turner in your Marc’n number (p. 344), without the trouble of 
tilting the lids. The boxes would of course be better laid on their 
sides in the tin. — R. D. Postans. 
I can quite corroborate Mr. Cutts’ remark (vol. i., p. 345) on the use of 
cyanide for killing lepidoptera. I once tried ammonia myself for a short 
time, but could not be satisfied with its effects on the wings of some 
species. 1 have used cyanide now for some years, and have never 
experienced any difficulty in setting insects killed by this agency, as 
I have invariably left them in the bottle for a couple of days before 
proceeding to pin them. After this interval of time lepidoptera are 
always to be found beautifully relaxed. If the insects are not kept in 
the bottle as long as this, they must be set within an hour of death ; 
otherwise, I admit, the use of cyanide is most disappointing. — J. E. 
Tarbat, Reading. March 241b, 1891. 
I quite agree with Mr. Turner {Record, vol. i., p. 344) that the 
easiest and best agent for killing is ‘880 ammonia, but I think I have 
a more perfect apparatus for using it than he describes. I have a 
cylindrical tin made for me with a lid at both ends, and one end — 
the bottom — has in addition a false bottom of perforated zinc, about 
three-quarters of an inch up. I put the boxes of moths in first, and, 
having shut the lid, take off the bottom lid and pour a little ammonia 
on a piece of sponge and close it again without losing any of the fumes. 
Mr. Cutts is certainly right ; it does take the colour out of some 
species, especially green and some rich purples and blacks, e.g., Plusia 
orichalcea and Penthina fuligana {carbonana). Such species I should 
not think of putting into ammonia — the smaller insects, such as the 
