4 
habit which must be indulged in at all hazards. borne insects 
commence hybernating, but re-emerge from their winter quarters at the 
least incentive. Others give an impression that they must hybernate, 
but do not want to. Cultivation may, and does destroy habitats in 
inland localities, while at our sea-coasts the ground often presents steep 
slopes affording special protection. In seeking a cause of lepidoptera 
appearing only on our coasts, species must be treated individually. The 
habit of the larva feeding during the winter may account for this 
restriction of Aporophyla australis, Helinphobus hispid its and Leucania 
albipnncta. A mild winter is essential to putrescens. Sunshine is 
necessary for the day-fiying Melitaea cinxia and Thymelieus actaeon. 
Nature of the soil may account for suitability of locality of Xi/ssia 
zonaria. In the cases of Phorodesma smaragdaria, Aridalia inmutata, 
Eupithccia extensaria, it may be a question of food-plant. The following 
species were also considered —Diantlmecia albiniacula, Heliothis peltigera, 
Agrotis hntigera, Xglophasia suhlustris, Hhagades globular iae, Emgdia 
rribnuu, Callimorplta hera, Prilephila galii, Argynnis latona, Epunda 
lichenea, Malacosoma castmisis and Paehygastria trifolii , and immigrants 
('alias rdusa, Pyrameis cardui and Euvanessa antiopa. Mr. Bacot 
wondered whether there were other causes still, for the greater abundance 
of insects at coast localities, generally attested by the better productive¬ 
ness of •• sugaring.” Could the sea-birds keep off insectivorous birds 
of smaller size, and cause an absence of enemies of lepidoptera ? Is 
it probable that the strong winds often prevalent keep down hymenop- 
terous parasites? He thought there was an absence of honeydew at 
coast localities, and the purity of the air might benefit species such as 
Malacosoma castreusis and Pachygastria trifolii, which he had found 
difficult to rear, they being in his experience liable to a diarrhoea 
disorder. M. castreusis requires sunlight. One cause, however, will 
not account for all. Temperature is a factor, but not so in many cases, 
amongst which he put Phorodesma smaragdaria. He moved a vote of 
thanks to Ur. Chapman. Mr. Clark considered that the scarcity of 
/’. smaragdaria was owing to the hardships of its locality, a bleak coast, 
often under water, while at other times its food-plant, Artemisia maritima, 
was dried and caked with mud. It hybernates on the plant in winter, 
looking like a dried-up piece of the plant. In spring it fixes on its 
body new pieces of fresh plant. Mr. Prout said that in sheltered 
spots (/alias edusa occurred year after year. Dr. Chapman thought it 
a question of frost. If the frost is severe, the brood is killed off in 
these islands, and the country must be replenished with fresh immi¬ 
grants. Peilephila galii is an immigrant—the caterpillar will feed up 
and pupate here, but the imago emerges too late to persist. Mr. Dadd 
seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried. 
•Tan. 17th, 1899.—Mr. J. A. Clark exhibited Peronea umbrana and 
/'. cristana, from the New Forest, in great variety. 
Dtpteron on sloe. —Mr. F. B. Jennings, a fly Pijdza noetiluca, 
taken in Epping Forest, on sloe. 
Agrotis cinerea.— Mr. A. F. Bayne exhibited two specimens of 
tliis species, one being very large, taken at Tring, on the chalk. A 
dark specimen of Thera rariata was also shown. 
Trinidad Lepidoptera. Mr. W. J. Kaye, five boxes of Trinidad 
Khopalocera, taken by himself, showing many llesperids in great 
