20 
EARLY REMINISCENCES 
had taken three superb specimens of Sterrha sacraria in the 
previous summer, but without result; we picked up, however, a 
few of the Rannoch Cetoniid Trichius fasciatus for Mr. (now the 
Rev.) Thomas Blackburn, and I fancy it was here, or in some other 
marshy land near the loch, that we found Schrankia turfdsalis. It 
was certainly not far from this spot that, on and around two splendid 
Aspens ( Populus tremula), we came across swarms of Grapholitha 
cineraria, variable, but without any trace of fuscous or ferruginous; 
I boxed 40 in a quarter of an hour! 
Emmelesia ericetata {minorata) was very common in all directions, 
but for E. blandiata (adaequata ) we had to make a pilgrimage to 
Kinloch Rannoch, but were rewarded, at any rate, with a few 
specimens; there we also found Eupithecia succenturiata; while 
on the way we came across a young Aspen which had many of its 
leaves spun together two and two, with a somewhat disgusting 
looking larva of Gymatophora or between them; we found about a 
hundred on that one small tree. 
But all said and done the great expedition at Rannoch is that to 
Mount Grayvel. 1 2 The ascent begins at the cottage door, and the 
views gain in beauty and variety as one climbs up. As soon as the 
moor is reached Acidalia fumata and Larentia caesiata start from 
one’s feet; both might well be said to swarm, but the number of the 
latter, mostly in perfect condition, was almost incredible; they rose 
in dozens from each rock as one drew near. Among heath Eupoecilia 
angustana was everywhere plentiful, with them we found a solitary 
Eupoecilia of which Mr. McLachlan said afterwards “ it comes nearest 
to my degreyana , but the wings seem too short; I think I saw a 
specimen from Mr. Burney identical with yours.” Among heath 
and fern we found also many small dark specimens of Sericoris 
laeunana, together with Plutella crucifer arum? and very large 
examples of Pleurota bicostella. Now and again Nemeophila russula 
flew wildly past, while Blackburn found Scodiona belgiaria at rest 
among the heather. Larvae of Lasiocampa callunae were in some 
numbers, and those of Saturnia carpini not uncommon. Sweeping 
the heath yielded Acronycta menyanthidis. On such ground the 
lovely Grambus margaritellus was generally common, but C. ericellus 
was only picked up occasionally. Phycis fusca (carbonariella), as 
1 So Blackburn spelled it: the local pronunciation was Garra-vel. No such name 
occurs on the Ordnance Map, but where it should be found there stands Meall-Nan- 
Sac. Query, is one name Scottish, the other Gaelic ? 
2 Mr. J. H. Durrant informs me that this familiar insect was described by Curtis 
as maculipennis , a name that has priority over Zeller’s. 
