WCP343

[1]

Neath, Glamorganshire

Oct^r. 3rd. 1845.

Dear Sir

You perhaps think that I have quite forgotten any promise of writing to you, but the fact is that I have been for the last 3 months¹ so very busy that I have really not had time, or even when I could get a little leisure the low state of my Entomological finances prevented me — All the finest weather of the latter part of the summer has been spent by me in a manner which you might consider very favorable to Entomolical [Entomological] pursuits — viz. in surveying & levelling among the most romantic parts of this beautiful & highly interesting district — But it is really astonishing the few insects which come unsought upon one's view; and though I keep a constant look out at all times when my attention is not otherwise engaged yet but scanty are my gleanings — [2] One day while traversing a most romantic rocky glen surrounded by the most magnificent precipices I discovered a fine larva of the Elephant Hawk moth (Deilephila Elpenor) which I have[,] now just about to change into a pupa[,] and this is about all worth mentioning —

For the past few weeks after leaving Leicester I had a little leisure & took several nice Coleoptera — a list of such as I have duplicates of I send & trust there may be some which will be acceptable to you — The great abundance of "Phyllopertha horticola" & "Hoplia argentea" is one feature of this neighbourhood, the former I could have taken by thousands everywhere.

"Melasoma populi" I took in great quantities on the dwarf willow on Crymlin burrows — The larva of "Lasiocampa rubi" is now very abundant here feeding both on the bramble but also very plentifully found on mountains feeding on the Common heath (calluna vulgaris) — I am afraid [3] they live through the winter[,] as I see no symptom of those I have giving up eating —

The following is a list of my duplicates —

Coleoptera	Remarks
Prystonychus terricola	common
Hoplia argentea	common
Phyllopertha horticola	very abundant
Cetonia aurata	nr.[?] London. not taken here
Cryptorhynchus lapathi	rather common
Pachyta livida	nr.[?] London
Donacia cincta	abundant
D[onacia] — impressa	Kew Gardens
Auchenia 4 maculata	rather common, in certain localities
Galeruca capreae	rather common, — do —
Haltica ferruginea	common
Melasoma populi	local

The following I have taken & can no doubt get duplicates of next year —

Cionus scrophulariae	abundant
C[ionus]. Thapsi	common
Cleopus pulchellus	not scarce
Sphaerula lythri
Hydronomus Alismatis
Galeruca rustica
Haltica Erucae

[4] I hoped to have had some nice butterflies to send you but I have been out of the way of them on all the fine days —

The Grayling butterfly (Hipparchia semele) is abundant here but I have not yet had an opportunity of getting good specimens — Have you it at Leicester? —

I got Shuckard's Coleoptera² delineated, at Bohn's³ — they have bought the work & sell it for 18s.— at which price it is well worth having as it is a most beautiful & useful work — Remember me to your friend Mr Kirby.

Hoping you will write me a letter full of Entomological news

I rem[ai]ⁿ | Yours sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

To Mr Bates