334 
naturalists’ calendar. 
Butterflies and Moths of most sorts are now on the wing, and abound in 
every quarter. The genus Lycaenae now generally make their appearance, none 
of which, however, except the L. phlceas are very common. The L. dispar fig. 
46. we have seen iu considerable. 46 
numbers, in Nottinghamshire, 
but it appears to be a very local 
species, for we have not yet ob¬ 
served one in Dei'byshire. Some 
of our readers may have noticed 
the devastations of a deep yellow 
caterpillar, with black head and 
tail, which perforates the bark of 
our fruit trees, and enters into 
the wood, making a hole not 
much larger than a small pea. 
In consequence of their not being 
numerous, they are not very destructive, they enter into a purpa or chrysalis 
state in May, and the perfect Moth comes out this month. This is the Wood 
Leopard Moth, (Zeuzera aesculi.) Fig. 47. 
Salubrity indicated by Insects. 47 
—Medically considered, swarms of 
house flies indicate unwholesome air ? 
either from the vicinity of putrescent 
vegetable effluvia, or want of ventil¬ 
ation. They will accordingly be found 
most troublesome in the airless lanes, 
or narrow streets of cities, and no 
less so in the airy localities of cotta¬ 
ges, or farm houses, if these be in 
the vicinity of stable yards, dung-hills, compost heaps, hot-beds, &c. Gnats 
again, and other congeneric insects, indicate the existence, in the neighbourhood, 
of stagnant water, and marsh land,—a miasmatous * locality liable- to low fevers, 
ague and rheumatism. 
The amount of Sunshine during the month of May is as follows: 
May 
Morning. 
144 hours. 
Evening. 
142 hours. 
Total. 
286 hours. 
Average Daily. 
9 h. 13 min. 32^ sec. 
Being seventy-four hours more sun than during May last year. 
* Putrified Air. 
