ARTICLE XXXVII.-A Systematic List of Lepidoptera collected in the vicinity of Montreal. Br W. S. M. D'URBAN. On my arrival in England, in the autumn of 1859, I placed the whole of the Canadian Lepidoptera I brought home with me, in the hands of Mr. Francis Walker, so well known for his attention to this order of Insects, and the author of the British Museum Catalogues of Lepidoptera Heterocera. He has lately returned my specimens to me carefully named, and has generously placed at my disposal his valuable descriptions of the new species for publication in the "Canadian Naturalist and Geologist."

Being persuaded that local lists are indispensable for a right understanding of the geographical distribution of the animals and plants of every country, I have drawn up a catalogue of those Lepidoptera which were taken in the neighbourhood of Montreal. The number of species (162) is, I am aware, but small, and the greater portion of them were taken during the first few months of my residence in Canada. I trust that others may be induced to turn their attention to this interesting order, and to form longer lists than the present, which, however, may be useful as the first step towards the much to be desired result of a complete catalogue of Canadian Lepidoptera. I think it is Agassiz, who says somewhere, that "a hitherto unrecorded locality for a CAN. NAT. VOL. V. No. 4

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species accurately determined, is as great an addition to science as the discovery of a new species."

In June and July thousands of Noctuidae may be taken by treacle spread on tree-trunks at night, and all the families of Heterocera swarm in lighted rooms when the windows are opened. If any one would take the trouble to catch and pin these or any other insects, and send them home to the British Museum, they would be thankfully received and acknowledged, and the new species would be described at length in the Catalogues, a large num. ber of which have been already published. The late lamented Dr. Barnston presented numerous specimens from the Hudson's Bay Territories to that national institution, and it is greatly to be wished that others would follow his example. These specimens were collected by George Barnston, Esq., the father of Dr. Barns

ton.

A very large proportion of the Canadian genera are identical with the European, many of the species being also exactly similar, and to such I have affixed the mark (Eu).

The present Catalogue is carried as far only as the conclusion. of the Pyralideous Pyralidina. I have handed over to Mr. Stainton the few Micro-Lepidoptera I collected, and he informs me that there are some interesting species amongst them, and that others are very similar to English forms. Several fine Sphinges captured near Montreal are in the collection of the Natural History Society, but their names are unknown to me.

Wishing to give an idea of the distribution of the species throughout America, I have added the localities where they have been recorded as occurring, as far as I have been able to ascertain from various sources, but principally from the British Museum Catalogues of Lepid. Het., to the end of the Noctuina, and in a few instances amongst the Geometrina and Pyralidina. Having had access to but few works, and but limited time in which to accomplish my undertaking, being just about to sail for the Cape of Good Hope, it is necessarily very incomplete, and I must claim indulgence for any errors of omission and commission of which I have been guilty.

Exeter, Devonshire, May 1860.

RHOPALOCERA, Boisd.

Family I. PAPILIONIDE, Leach.

Sub-Family I. PAPILIONIDI, Steph.

Genus 1, PAPILIO, Linn.

1. P. Asterias, Fub., (Black Swallow-tail).—Abundant, June to Sep

tember.

Distribution.-West Indies, S. America, Georgia, Virginia, (Boisd.); Massachusetts, (Harris); New York, (Emmons); Ohio, (Kirtland); Newfoundland, (Gosse); does not occur in the Eastern Townships, at Sorel or Quebec (?)

2. P. Turnus, Linn., (Tiger Swallow-tail).-Common, May to end of

July.

Distribution.-Virginia, Georgia, Carolina, (Boisd.); Newfoundland to Mexico, (Gosse); Massachusetts, (Harris); New York and Maine, (Emmons); Ohio, (Kirtland); Eastern Townships, Sorel, Rouge District, Quebec and Southern shores of the Gulf.

Sub-Family II. PIERIDI, Steph.

Genus 2, Colias, Fab.

1. C. edusa, Fab., (Clouded Yellow).—One specimen, September 10th

1856.

Distribution.-New York, (Boisd.); (Eu).

2. C. Philodice, Godt., (Clouded Sulphur).-Very abundant, June to October.

Distribution.-Throughout North America.

Genus 3, Pieris, Schranh; Pontia, Fab.

1. P. oleracea, Harris, (Grey-veined White).-Not very numerous, May and June, August and September.

Distribution.-Lake Superior, (Agassiz); Wisconsin and Ohio,

(Kirtland); Massachusetts, (Harris); Eastern Townships, (Gosse); Upper Canada, Rouge District, Quebec and Southern shores of the Gulf. P. Casta, Kirby, a variety of this species occurs in the Hudson's Bay Territories.

2. P. Protodice, Boisd., (see C. N. and G. vol. II, p. 347, pl. VI, figs. 3, 4, 5).-Lachine, (Dr. Barnston).

Distribution.-New York, (Boisd.); Rochport, Ohio, (Kirtland);
Connecticut.

Family II. HELICONIDÆ, Swainson.

Genus 1, Danais, Boisd.; Euplœa, Fab.

1. D. Archippus, Fab., Plexippus, Cramer, (Storm Fritillary); Common, June to August.