margin; the median nervures whitish and branching under the reniform, and with either white or ochreous reniform stigmata,

var. intermedia;-the other more unicolorous, with the transverse markings comparatively obsolete, the reniform either white (= var. albipuncta) or ochreous (= the type). We get nothing in Britain so extreme as Hübner's fibrosa; and Guenée, in the 'Noctuelles,' vol. v., p. 210, makes the same remark about the French specimens. He also adds that "specimens are found intermediate between fibrosa, Hb., and the unicolorous type." Hübner's type may be described as,-"The anterior wings dark purplish brown, with blackish transverse lines; reniform yellowish. Hind wings purplish grey, with a darker margin." Mr. Dobrée writes of the Canadian type:-"Leucostigma, so far as my specimens permit me to judge, is rather of a bistre- than an umber-brown, and mottled rather than unicolorous" (in litt.). Of the type, Dr. Staudinger writes:-"Al. ant. unicolor. nigricant. flavo vel albo-maculatis." Hübner's type certainly is not "albomaculatis," but "flavo-maculatis." Mr. Dobrée writes:-" Both forms occur on the Amur, but apparently fibrosa, Hb., the less commonly (Graeser, 'Berl. Ent. Zeits.,' 1888). My specimen of leucostigma from there agrees with Hübner's type. I have specimens, also from Canada, of both varieties" (in litt.). principal varieties are:

The

a. var. albipuncta, mihi.-Unicolorous purplish brown (like the type), umber-brown or blackish, with faint traces of transverse markings, but with reniform white instead of ochreous. I have taken this form at Greenwich, and have a long series of it, taken by the Rev. G. H. Raynor in Wicken Fen; and Mr. Percy Russ has captured a considerable number of this variety, wth var. intermedia and the type, in the neighbourhood of Sligo. Mr. Collins, of Warrington, takes this form a few miles from that town, together with the type and var. intermedia. Mr. Reid writes:This species is very scarce and local here (Pitcaple, Aberdeen); all those I have taken are referable to var.albipuncta. I have not seen any other forms here" (in litt.).

B. var. intermedia, mihi.—(1) intermedia-albo.—Anterior wings of a deep umber-brown, with two pale (slightly ochreous) transverse basal lines, and a paler orbicular; reniform white (sometimes reticulated), and standing on a white geminated line (part of median nervure); a pale oblique transverse streak from apex to inner margin, and a pale wavy line parallel to hind margin. (2) intermedia-flavo.-The same as intermedia-albo, but reniform ochreous. I have var. intermedia from Wicken and Sligo; Mr. Collins also takes this variety in the neighbourhood of Warrington. The Irish specimens are particularly bright, but not red, like Hübner's fibrosa.

7. var. fibrosa, Hb.-Hübner's figure 385, fibrosa, may be described as, "Anterior wings bright red, with dark greyish outer margin, and darker red around the stigmata; reniform very pale. Hind wings as in leucostigma." This form may occnr in Britain, but I have nevor seen specimens nor heard of any captures at all resembling it. Mr. Dobrée writes:-"The fibrosa from Canada are of a more generally sombre colouring, but otherwise similarly marked to the European ones" (in litt.).

A SUMMER'S MOTHING

ON DARTMOOR.

BY MAJOR JOHN N. STILL.

It seems surprising that so few people know anything of this most lovely and interesting part of the country. Unique in itself Dartmoor possesses very many advantages over other summer resorts the air has been described as the purest and strongest in England. Its Tors, of which the highest is Yes Tor (2050 ft.), and the immense extent of the moor, give the visitor that sense of freedom which is only felt in mountainous districts.

To the antiquary, naturalist, botanist, and entomologist, Dartmoor will always be interesting, and, as a humble collector of Lepidoptera, I give my experience of collecting, and a list of the captures I made during the past summer on the Moor, at from 700 to 2000 feet above the sea.

During the wet weather which prevailed the latter part of April, 1889, I only took Xylocampa areola (lithoriza). On the 1st of May I got some specimens of Lobophora carpinata (lobulata), and, after another spell of wet, Melanippe galiata, Coremia ferrugata, C. unidentata, C. designata, and Rumia luteolata. During the end of the month Tephrosia crepuscularia was numerous in the fir woods, and I took also Venilia macularia, Odontopera bidentata (abundant), Tephrosia punctulata, Bapta temerata, and Hepialus humuli (abundant). Sugar was of little use, and, although I sugared from April to November almost continually, I found it very unproductive till late in September. I took Eupithecia lariciata, E. subfulvata, E. nanata, Macaria liturata, Adela cuprella, and C. viridella.

When I first came to the neighbourhood my expectations were raised to the utmost by hearing wonderful accounts of the swarms of moths attracted by rhododendron blooms, and of the good collection made in 1888 over the same ground. This year, although we had masses of rhododendrons in bloom, they produced next to nothing. During June honeydew reigned supreme, and literally covered every tree, plant, and shrub. I worked the rhododendrons at and after dusk, and only took the following:

Xylophasia rurea, Hadena rectilinea, Cucullia umbratica, Charocampa porcellus, and Dianthacia cucubali. By day, Eubolia palumbaria, Ematurga atomaria, and Tanagra atrata were abundant. I also secured Thera firmata, Cidaria corylata, Emmelesia albulata, E. unifasciata, Melanippe fluctuata, Anticlea rubidata, Melanthia albicillata, Cidaria associata, C. dotata, Lomaspilis marginata, Boarmia repandata, Asthena candidata, Botys ruralis, Angerona prunaria, Pseudoterpna pruinata, Iodis lactearia, and the pretty China-mark, Hydrocampa stagnata.

The extremely hot weather in June enabled me to use light with advantage, and up to the end of July I captured the following at light:

Gonoptera libatrix, Noctua triangulum, N. festiva, N. baja, N. xanthographa, N. brunnea, Agrotis exclamationis, A. porphyrea, Axylia putris, Hecatera serena, Mamestra brassica, Hadena oleracea, H. pisi, Leucania conigera, L. lithargyria, L. pallens, L. comma, Apamea basilinea, A. didyma, Mamestra sordida, Rusina tenebrosa, Spilosoma menthastri, S. lubricipeda, Dianthacia capsincola, Caradrina quadripuncta, C. taraxaci, Plusia chrysitis, P. gamma, P. pulchrina, Crocallis elinguaria, Grammesia trigrammica, Phalera bucephala, Habrostola tripartita, Calymnia trapezina, Arctia caia, Smerinthus populi, Sphinx ligustri, Cidaria suffumata, Melanippe unangulata, Cleora lichenaria, Eucosmia undulata, Metrocampa margaritaria, Abraxas grossulariata, and some magnificent specimens of Geometra papilionaria and Ellopia prosapiaria. Sugar and other means yielded the following :-Aplecta nebulosa, Nemeophila plantaginis, Selenia bilunaria, Callimorpha dominula, Acronycta tridens, Halia vauaria, Acidalia straminata, A. aversata, Thyatira batis, Hydræcia nictitans, Mania typica, Miana strigilis, Eubolia limitata, Pericallia syringaria, Uropteryx sambucaria, Melanippe sociata, Hypsipetes sordidata, Emmelesia affinitata, Triphana fimbria, T. ianthina, T. pronuba, T. comes, Acronycta rumicis, and A. ligustri.

The wild unsettled weather from the 1st to the middle of August rendered mothing impossible. I took Gnophos obscurata by day, and Polia chi, which swarmed at sugar. On the 17th I captured one of the best moths I got, viz., Stilbia anomala, and afterwards took fourteen specimens, mostly at dusk, flying over long grass; also Cidaria miata and C. siterata. Light continued to answer until the end of this month, and I secured by its means a fine series of Neuronia popularis, Luperina cespitis, and L. testacea. Also Noctua neglecta, Hydrocia micacea, Cilix glaucata, Sphinx convolvuli, Epione apiciaria, Eugonia alniaria, and the inhabitant of humble-bees' nests, Aphomia sociella. August sugaring gave me Amphipyra tragopogonis, A. pyramidea, Noctua c-nigrum, N. plecta, Xanthia fulvago and X. flavago. I took Pelurga comitata and Anaitis plagiata.

In September I captured Eugonia quercinaria. Sugar now seemed to improve; there were many more moths on it, and from this date to the end of October I took at it Hadena protea, Agrotis suffusa, A. saucia, A. segetum, Epunda nigra, Xylina socia, X. ornithopus, Anchocelis lunosa, A. pistacina, A. rufina, Agriopis aprilina, Miselia oxyacanthe, Oporina croceago, Scopelosoma satellitia, and Calocampa exoleta.

In conclusion, it cannot be expected that 700 feet above sealevel can be so prolific as lower ground, and no doubt want of knowledge caused me to overlook many species; but I would strongly recommend any entomologist wishing for fine air and scenery, combined with collecting, to try a summer on Dartmoor. Langstone, Horrabridge, Nov. 12, 1889.

ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, CAPTURES,

&c.

RHOPALOCERA BRITANNICA.-Messrs. John T. Carrington and F. W Frohawk intimate that they are about to produce, under this title, a new and carefully prepared monograph of the British butterflies, which will be very fully illustrated by coloured and plain plates, giving life-histories of every species drawn from living ova, larvæ, pupa and imagines. The authors state that they have already a large amount of material in hand, but invite the assistance of the readers of the Entomologist,' by requesting loan of specimens for figuring, and local lists of species with notes. Further particulars are to be duly announced. Communications should be addressed, "JOHN T. CARRINGTON, Field' Office, Strand, London, W.C."

COLIAS EDUSA IN 1889.-Additional records of captures are:

Lancashire. A good many specimens have been taken in this district during August and September.-G. PODMORE; Charney Hall, Grangeover-Sands, October 25, 1889.

Staffordshire.-Two specimens were noticed at Bar Hill, in the parish of Madeley, by Mr. F. W. Dutton, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, when out partridge-shooting in September. Mr. Dutton was formerly a collector, and he therefore could not be mistaken. (Rev.) THOS. W. Daltry; Madeley Vicarage, Staffs.

Shropshire. On the occasion of an excursion of the North Staffordshire Naturalists' Field Club and Archæological Society to Hawkstone, Lord Hill's seat in Salop,-on Sept. 12th, I saw a male specimen of C. edusa, caught by a young man who was out with the Club, in the park at Hawkstone. (Rev.) THOS. W. DALTRY; Madeley Vicarage, Staffs.

Hants.-Last season Colias edusa was fairly numerous at Gosport, Mr. Larcon meeting with eight one day at Hillhead, and others were reported, also seen by myself, from Stokes Bay and other places on the Solent.W. T. PEARCE; 111, High Street, Gosport.

Devonshire. During the second week in August my father took five males and one female of this species, on a railway-bank at Dawlish, and saw several others.-C. NICHOLSON; 202, Evering Road, Upper Clapton, London, N.E.

EPINEPHELE TITHONUS VAR.-In August I caught eight specimens of E. tithonus, seven females and one male, each having two additional eyespots on the upper wings. They are all more or less injured (vide Entom. xxii. 306). I think they must be sought for earlier in the season. CRASKE; Newacott, Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Devon, December 7, 1889.

- M.

ACHERONTIA ATROPOS IN 1889.-The following records of the occurrence of Acherontia atropos during last year, have been received:

Yorkshire. At the close of the month of August, we met with a batch of the larvae of the death's-head moth at Hornsea. They were feeding on the so-called "tea-tree" (Lycium barbarum), one of the Solanaceæ. We got a dozen that were nearly full-fed. These were placed, with their foodplant, under a garden bell-glass, where they continued to feed for a week on the leaves of the tea-tree, the branches of which they soon stripped of their foliage. Another change, and they gradually began to make their way into the soil, burrowing down several inches, and forming an earthen

case wherein to pupate. The case, I may remark, was made up of minute granules of earth and sand, with a few tiny stones intermixed; but I could find no flossy material, even under a strong lens. Herein they remained, apparently quiescent, till the 7th of November, when the first moth emerged from its pupal garments, and in half an hour, or a little more, the wings were fairly expanded, and assumed their full proportions. Every other afternoon the moths have put in an appearance, till the number has nearly equalled the number we originally got. Among the batch are only three cripples, and one pupa that is lively but has not yet emerged. Of the dozen caterpillars, seven were brownish olive, with the anterior segments, as Stainton remarks, white, the white being well defined and conspicuous. I must leave it to students of colour-varieties to tell us how such discrepancies arise. Food cannot be the cause, since all fed alike. Again, some moths have the skull-like mark on the thorax white, and some dusky. Kaltenbach tells us that the larva on the Continent feeds on the potato, thornapple, jasmine and mock-orange (Philadelphus). Prof. Hessner has noticed several caterpillars feeding on the trumpet-flower (Catalpa).-PETER INCHBALD; Hornsea, Holderness, November 20, 1889.

Cheshire--A full-fed larva was sent in here on the 7th of September last; it was taken in a potato-field near Frodsham, and I have a second record from Manley, a neighbouring village near Delamere Forest.-R. NEWSTEAD; Curator, Grosvenor Museum, Chester.

Norfolk.-In September last larvæ were very common at Ingoldisthorpe and the surrounding district. R. NEWSTEAD; Curator, Grosvenor Museum, Chester, October 17, 1889.

Sussex.

On August 6th I had brought to me two full-fed larvæ of Acherontia atropos. They were found in a potato-field at Pevensey Sluice, about three miles from here. I put them into a box partly filled with earth, and the next day they had both buried themselves. There were several others found in the same locality, but these were destroyed.THOMAS HOWE; 3, Royal Terrace, Devonshire Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, November 10, 1889.

Hants.-The autumn of 1885 was in the Portsmouth district, as in many other parts of the country, remarkable for the number of specimens of Acherontia atropos, which were taken in all stages. Three imagines were found in the grounds of the Free Library; upwards of 170 larvæ and pupa were obtained by Mr. R. Stent, from the Portsmouth potato-diggers; and more than 50 larvæ and pupa were obtained by myself, from the diggers at Gosport. Of the pupe which I obtained I tried to force 14, by keeping them in damp sawdust in a biscuit tin, on a very warm shelf in the shop. By Christmas 10 imagines had emerged, but the sides of the tin being too smooth, they could not crawl up, and falling on their backs, in their struggles to recover they tore their wings with their sharp claws, so that I only obtained three perfect specimens. Mr. Stent was not so successful with those he experimented upon. From October, 1885, until August of the present year, the insect disappeared altogether. At the end of last August, two full-fed larvæ were brought to me at Gosport. These I at once placed in a tin as before, but took the precaution to line the sides with thin rough wood. Early in September a pupa was brought to me by a potato-digger, and placed with the others. I was not able to obtain any A male emerged on October 21st, a fine female on October 22nd, and another female on November 17th; all three in perfect condition, and ENTOM.-JAN. 1890.

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