Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/19

Rh the legitimate organ for recording such captures, has of course abounded in such records. Our rarest butterfly, Vanessa Antiopa, has also appeared generally, although not abundantly, in most of the English counties. Argynnis Lathonia has been taken in the south- eastern counties. Lithosia pulchella has been captured at Epping, Catocala Fraxini near Manchester, Cynaeda dentalis near Lewes, and other extraordinary captures have been made, but perhaps, the most remarkable, is the occurrence of Orthosia subrosea in con- siderable abundance at Whittlesea Mere (Zool. 1515); this insect has long been considered questionable as British, and an author of high reputation has even been pronouncing it, an exclusively North American form. The Locust has appeared plentifully ; the newspapers say in "vast swarms," but the accounts I have received do not warrant the use of such a term : two or three only having been found together. Mr. Frederick Smith has described several new- British Bees (Zool. 1274, 1445, 1556), and the Rev. G. T. Rudd, a new species of Haltica (Zool. 1517). Notwithstanding the extra- ordinary heat and fineness of the season, the two British species of Colias have not appeared in their accustomed localities in the London district, nor I believe, throughout the kingdom, a fact worthy of record, as showing that their occurrence does not de- pend on warmth, but must be sought in other causes.

On the subject of contributions I wish to say a few words. I find that several contributors have felt themselves aggrieved by the non- publication of lists of the names of Lepidoptera with which they have favored me : now perhaps these are not aware that the printing of all the lists I receive would not only exclude all other information from the pages of the 'Zoologist,' but would increase the monthly numbers to double their present size Such lists also become tedious from the multiplicity of repetitions : there are a vast number of species of British Lepidoptera, of which the absence would be more remarkable than the presence. And I beg con- tributors to bear in mind, that I have, on several occasions, stated very clearly the only conditions on which lists can be published.