2l8
NOTES.
to the same causes that have produced the mud lumps of the Mis-
sissippi), and that they have in many cases been since more or less
modified by the agency of man. It seems highly probable that this
view of the origins of the mounds observed in the fluvio-marine area
of Kent may apply also, though with some limitation, to the similar
mounds occurring in Essex and elsewhere. It would follow accord-
ingly that the precise nature of each group of individual mounds will
have to be determined entirely by the evidence it may furnish by itself,
without regard to what has been proved in connection with other
mounds even in the area adjacent. And as these mounds offer no
good natural section, and may be mainly, or wholly, either natural or
artificial, it is only by means of deep and carefully-cut trenches that
their true nature can be thoroughly ascertained.
Ino statices, Leach, at Chingford, Essex.—I was glad to find this year
that the pretty little moth, Ino statices, was plentiful in one of my fields, and I
was able to obtain a fresh series in the finest condition. I had never before met
with it so near London.—Sidney Cooper, "Hawkwood," Chingford, November
12th, 1887.
Conger (Conger vulgaris) at Maldon.—On October 26th, when James and
Henry Dedman were at Beeleigh, they found a fine conger eel in the Chelmer, on
the mud, against the old milltail, the extreme tidal limit of the estuary. The fish,
which was alive when found, in fact rather too lively, was sold to Mr. O. A.
French, fishmonger here, and distributed in the usual manner to the satisfaction
of all customers, as the fish, which was a male (soft-roed), was in splendid con-
dition ; it was five feet in length, and weighed a little over thirty-five pounds.—
Edward A. Fitch, Maldon.
Abundance of Sphinx convolvuli, L., at Chingford, Essex.—I have
this season captured fifty specimens of this beautiful insect in my garden here, the
greater number while flying over the flowers of Nicotiana affinis, which had been
planted in abundance to attract the moths, and some over petunias and pink
geraniums. The moth first made its appearance on the 16th of August, and it
continued to occur for about a month. Most of the specimens taken were cap-
tured at dusk, which seems to be the most favourable time, but some were caught
by the aid of a lantern when it was quite dark. One damaged specimen, which
I freed, I caught a second time the same evening ; and it has been my experience
that if a moth escapes the first efforts to catch it—an event which very seldom
happens—the insect almost invariably returns to the same spot at a later hour.
Very few of the specimens were worn ; some, as might be expected, were more
or less injured in the net, but others were in very fine condition, indeed, equal
to bred moths. I may add that last year (1886), at my old residence in Waltham-
stow, I captured nine specimens of Sphinx convolvuli; the year before (1885),
seven specimens; and in 1875, seven specimens, but none during the interven-
ing period ; so that after an interval of ten years, during which I failed to
meet with a single specimen, I have taken the "Convolvulus Hawk-moth" for
three consecutive years. It was especially abundant this year, and it was no
uncommon occurrence for a pair to be flying over the flowers at a time.—
Sidney Cooper, "Hawkwood," Chingford, Essex, November 12th, 1887.—
[Sphinx convolvuli appears to have been unusually plentiful in many of the
English counties during the past season; the entomological journals contain
numerous records. In France also it has been common.—Ed.]