( 361 ) X. Notes on Lepidoptera from the region of the Straits of Gibraltar. By James J. Walker, E.N., F.L.S. [Read March 5th, 1890.] The following remarks on the Lepidoptera observed by me on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar must not be regarded as at all exhaustive of the subject, but rather as indicating merely a fragment of the entomological riches of a region which, though of limited extent, com-prises portions of the continents of Europe and Africa, and moreover presents some interesting features in the relative distribution of the insects and other living things on each side of the narrow channel which sepa-rates these two great masses of land. It is in the hope of adding a little to the knowledge of the Natural History of one of our most interesting and valued British pos-sessions, and of the country in its immediate vicinity, as well as of their affording some little assistance to any entomologist who, like myself, may have the good fortune to be located for a time at Gibraltar, that I offer these field-notes, with a brief description of my principal hunting-grounds in the region. From October, 1886, to April, 1889, I was attached to H.M.S. ' Grappler,' stationed at Gibraltar, and naturally my chief collecting-ground was on "the Eock " itself, and the adjoining Spanish territory within easy walking distance. I was mainly occupied in making as complete a collection as possible of the Coleoptera of the district, and as several other orders of insects, as well as the land-mollusca, claimed a share of my attention, the Lepidoptera cannot be considered as at all thoroughly worked out. The necessary military restrictions of so important a fortress prevent any collecting at night, except almost in the town itself, and as all communi-cation with Spain is cut off half-an-hour after sunset every evening by the closing of the barrier-gates, no entomological work is practicable outside after that time. TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1890. PART II. (jUNE.) 2 B
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