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but it includes likewise some localities which have been, and are likely to remain, amongst the best hunting grounds in England. Cannock Chase, the grand habitat of G. ilicifolia, is rapidly disappearing from the list of these localities; but Sherwood, Needwood, and Charnwood Forests still remain to delight the heart and furnish the cabinet of the ardent collector; and the Peak of Derbyshire, with its extensive moors, deep dales, and purling streams, has as yet been very little explored by entomologists. It is quite within the range of possibility that many new habitats, as well as species new to the district, may be discovered by midland collectors, if only they will travel a little out of the beaten tracks, and hunt for themselves, instead of following altogether in the steps of others. There is no assignable reason why the grand "catch" named above—(G. ilicfolia)—should not be found on the moors of North Derbyshire, or why C. bicuspis should be regarded as almost confined to the neighbourhood of Burton-on-Trent. The writer of the preset article, during a sojourn of about ten days in the Peak in June, 1877, took forty-five different species of Micro-Lepidoptera, some, of course, common enough, but others quite sufficiently good to be worth having in any collection; and this, too, within a very limited extent of country. Nor should it be forgotten that considerably more than half the larvæ of A. alui, recorded in the "Entomologist" as having been taken during the autumn of last year, were secured by midland entomologists, the Rev. T. W. Daltry, of Madeley, having taken no less than seven, the Rev. H. A. Stowell, of Breadsall, three, and six or seven others (including the present writer) one each. What is principally needed, in order to secure an efficient and systematic working of the district, is something like union and inter-commmunication among workers in the same field, which should convert them from a body of irregular skirmishers into an organized army. There ave plenty of individual collectors, first-rate localities, and ample materials to work upon. Almost every sub-division of the midland district possesses a Natural History Society, numbering its members from tens up to hundreds. But out of these many—to speak mildly—take but little interest in any branch of natural history, while far more devote their attention to other portions of the study, and the students at Lepidoptera are (generally speaking} few and far between. Even such a society as the North Staffordshire, with its 300 members, reports that in the matter of entomology its entire work for a year has been done by a single individual.

It is hoped, then, that the establishment of the Midland Naturalists' Union, with its annual gatherings, its combined excursions, and—last but not least—its monthly organ in the press, may contribute powerfully towards the existence of a more satisfactory state of things in this, as in all other branches of Natural History. Observers will become cognizant of each other's existence and particular line of study; they will have the opportunity of meeting from time to time on the field or in the annual gathering, and exchanging—as naturalists love to do—experiences of the past, and hints for the future; and many observations, which otherwise might have never seen the light, upon the habits and characteristics of different species, will he permanently recorded for the benefit of collectors and students in general. When we consider how many discoveries have been made, with relation to the habits of our moths and butterflies, during the last few years, and when, too, we find (as we may easily do by the perusal of any standard work upon the subject) how much yet remains to be discovered, it becomes pretty clear that there lies before the entomologists of the midland district an extensive field, upon which they have only to enter to reap a ripe harvest of laurels for themselves, and—what is of far more importance—of useful information for all lovers of animated nature.