17 
was the year before, and I Avas led to understand that it was not so 
numerous as formerly. Moreover, as far as I saAV, none of the 
smoky leaden-coloured specimens were taken, as they were the year 
before; this form hitherto was considered to be confined to a certain 
district in Yorkshire, where for several years it was taken in some 
abundance, but now I am told that both the var. and type have 
disappeared from this spot. 
Our third excursion, which Avas conducted by Mr. GrosA T enor, to 
the Reigate district, Avas also favoured Avith only very moderate 
weather, and although I was unable to join the party, I belie\'e only a 
very moderate number of species Avere taken. 
Perhaps it would not be out of place for me to emphasize the 
desirability of members joining these outings, as I believe many of us 
often neglect them. I have generally found that, if the day’s outing 
has not added very considerably to the season’s total captures, it is 
usually a most pleasant social gathering, besides frequently opening 
up unfamiliar country, Avhich to a collector is always interesting and 
instructive. 
As might be expected Avith such a remarkably cold summer, some 
insects delayed the time of their appearance to unusually late dates. 
Among those that haA’e come under my notice, or have been taken by 
myself, are Smerinthus tiliae on July 25th, at Forest Gate, another 
being taken as late as September 15th, by Mr. Riches, in the north of 
London. This, in an ordinary season, would have been put down for 
a second brood, but following my record of the end of July it seems 
moie than piobable that there has been only one brood. A ipgrtnis 
paphia was seen by Mr. Willsdon on September 30th, in South Devon; 
some years ago I used to take this insect in some woods near Ipswich’ 
during the first half of July. Spilote grossulariata on September 18th, 
also from South Devon, is another very late date, being a good three 
months after our London garden specimens had made their appearance; 
but, doubtless, most of us have noticed that in normal seasons the 
garden S. grossulariata are usually a month in advance of country-bred 
specimens. H. semele, in South Devon, Avas quite fresh on September 
18th ; this is an insect Avhich runs Avell into the autumn, but it is 
seldom to be found in good condition during the latter part of September. 
Pyramidea Avas also fresh on September 19th, and B. mar ails and C. elingu- 
aria, both on September 18th, all from South Devon. • These two latter 
species are perhaps not quite so remarkable, for although late, they are 
both sometimes given to hold out for a very long time." Agrotis cinerea 
was taken at Freslnvater on July 24th, Avhich is a good six weeks late, 
and Arctia villica on July 23rd, which is also long after the normal 
time; in the Willesden district, where I used to take the latter freely some 
years ago, I always expected to find it fully out by June 8th, and 
frequently it Avas to be seen some time before that date. Eremobia 
ochroleuca, on September 21st, at Hazeleigh, Essex, is another belated 
appearance. This may be considered tAvo months late, and finally 
Ave come to Catocala nupta, which I saw on October 6th, at Leytonstone, 
AA'hile two others were taken in good condition at Woodford on 
October 11th, Avhich is certainly very late. 
Another striking feature of the season has been that a large 
number of insects that have been kept for ova, have proved infertile, 
shoAving clearly that insects will not pair when the temperature is 
