44 
PAPERS READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY. 
NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF THE PINNER DISTRICT. 
(Head April 2nd, 1912, by P. H. TAUTZ, F.E.S.) 
The task of putting together my notes on this subject has not 
leen an easy one, from the mere fact that so many species occur. I 
have, therefore, experienced some difficulty in making up my mind 
which to touch upon. To give anything approaching comprehensive 
notes would almost involve writing a book, but for the purpose this 
evening I think it will be sufficient if I confine my remarks to the 
most interesting species. 
I have been resident at Pinner since the spring of 1905, and 
although never having much time at my disposal to pursue my hobby, 
I have each year succeeded in putting in some work. Not having 
much freedom in the daytime, my efforts have been principally 
directed towards the moths, what little I have done in the butterflies 
has really not produced any result sufficiently interesting to make 
mention of. I have no doubt, however, that had I specialized amongst 
the common things that occur I should have turned up some interest¬ 
ing forms. My principal methods of capture have been sugar and 
light, and I think both have been equally successful. 
A singularly fortunate fact for me is the close proximity of some 
extensive (Oxhey) woods to work in which Mr. W. R. Blackwell, the 
owner, has kindly granted me permission, and I think I may at once 
say that the best of my captures emanate from these woods. 
I also consider it a fortunate circumstance that my house is practi¬ 
cally surrounded with orchards, the free run of which I have through 
the kindness of my generous neighbour. The land immediately 
bordering the metropolitan railway from Pinner right away to Chalfont 
has also proved interesting and productive, inasmuch as I have been 
able to provide myself and others with perfect series of such things as 
Ino statices, Heliaca tenebratci, Eiiclidia mi, E, ylyphica, Anaitin plagiata, 
Acontia litctuosa, Strenia clatlirata, Phytometra viridaria, Tanagra 
at i at a, amongst the moths, and Polyommatus phlaeas, Lyeaena icarus, 
Sync/tthus malvae, Nisoniades tages, and Hesperia sylvanus amongst the 
butterflies. My own house and garden have also provided me with a 
field to work in, both at sugar and light. For the latter method, as 
I believe I have already mentioned in this room, I utilize my bath-room, 
where I have had placed an extremely brilliant light, and have had the 
whole of the interior painted pure white. To give the whole list of 
things taken within my own boundaries would be useless, but amongst 
the more interesting are Smerinthus ocellatns, S. populi, Hylophila 
bicolorana, Cossus lignipcrda, Zeuzera pyrina, Cilia} plan cat a, Drepana 
binaria, Lophopteryx camelina, Pterostoma palpina, Notodonta ziczac, 
Thyatira batis, T. derasa, Bryophila perla, Acronycta megacephala, A. 
xxii.-xxiii. 
