XXVI. 
REPORT ON INSECTS OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE DURING 
THE YEAR 1884. 
Ey F. W. Silvester, F.E.Met.Soc. 
Head at Hertford, 1 0>th April, 1885. 
The scanty information forwarded to me during the past year, by 
members of the Society and other friends, must be advanced as a 
plea for the brevity of the report it is my duty to submit to you. 
The subject of the recordership I have the honour of holding is 
one of such vital importance to agriculturists, gardeners, and the 
community at large, that it is much to. be regretted that the county 
of Hertford, possessing an energetic Natural History Society doing 
immense practical good in many ways, should not be capable of 
furnishing the result of more observations than those I beg to offer 
for your acceptance this evening. I trust the naturalists present 
will do all in their power to supply more copious notes during this 
season, and induce their friends and neighbours to do the same, for 
in the compilation of a report of this kind “ every little helps,” 
and the smallest contribution will be thankfully received. 
I am indebted to the following ladies and gentlemen for observa¬ 
tions of first appearances—viz., Miss Simpson, of Sawbridgeworth ; 
Mrs. Alfred Copeland, of Watford; Mr. W. Hill, jun., and members 
of the Hitchin Natural History Club ; Mr. A. E. Kingston, of 
Eoyston; the Eev. Newton Price, of Eushey; Capt. E. E. Croft, 
of Ware ; Mr. Chater, of Watford; Mr. E. T. Andrews, of Hert¬ 
ford ; Mr. John J. Willis, of Harpenden; and Mr. John Hopkinson, 
of Watford. The following observations have been made:— 
Melolontha vulgaris (cockchafer), seen at Hitchin, May 22nd; at 
Harpenden, May 23rd. 
Rhizotrogus solstitialis (fernchafer), at Sawbridgeworth, July 1st. 
Timarcha Icevigata (bloody-nosed beetle), at Harpenden, March 
16th. 
Lampyris noctiluca (glow-worm), at Harpenden, June 12th. 
Apis mellifica (honey-bee), at Eoyston, Jan. 1st; at Ware, Jan. 
10th ; at Watford, Feb. 13th; at Sawbridgeworth, April 21st. 
Vespa vulgaris (common wasp), at Watford, March 28th; at 
Hertford, March 28th ; at Harpenden, May 7th. 
Pieris JBrassicce (large white butterfly), at Harpenden, March 
15th (?); at Eoyston, April 26 ; at Watford, April 30th ; at Hert¬ 
ford, April 30th; at Hitchin, May 5th. 
Pieris Rapes (small white butterfly), at Hitchin, March 8th; at 
Watford, March 15th; at Harpenden, April 2nd; at Eoyston, 
April 2nd ; at Hertford, April 3rd. 
Anthocaris cardamines (orange-tip butterfly), at Hitchin, May 
17th ; at Harpenden, May 18th. 
Epinephile Janira (meadow-brown butterfly), at Hitchin, May 
24th; at Harpenden, June 11th. 
Eibio Marci (St. Mark’s fly), at Hitchin, April 29th. 
