WCP2170

[1]

Derby Square

Douglas Isle of Man

Decr 16. 1879

My dear Sir

I am not aware that the transformations of Cirrhoedia xerampelina in the Isle of Man are known but I hope to take the larvae in the spring.

D. Capsophila has only occurred Inland & the I of Man but the specimens of D. Carpophaga which occurs on the Coast of North Wales so closely resemble it as to be scarcely separable & there can be little doubt of their specific identity.

[2] D. Caesia has not yet been observed in England & only once in Ireland — at Waterford.

Here it is very abundant — I have taken as many as 20 specimens on the wing on one Evening without moving from a Single patch of Silene Maritima —

I am sorry to say there then is no Coleopterist in the I of Man, or indeed any one who shares or collects insects of any order Except myself. — I am trying to set up a Naturalists Club & if possible will try to get some one to collect beetles & [illeg.] [3] to bear your suggestion in mind myself also but I am sorry to say my health is not Equal to much out door work at present.

I have noticed Melolontha Hippocastani — I here — which is not as common in Ireland also Cetonia Aenea which is Scotch.

Botanically the island closely resembles Ireland and that a geologically recent Connexion Existed between it & the Mourn Mountains in C. Down & possibly also with the Galloway Mountains in Scotland. all distinctly visible from the west of the island.

Yours faithfully | Edwin Birchall¹ [signature]

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