1903] Entomological Branch. 237 



number at ptesent interested in entomoloo^y was small. He 

 thought that periodical meetings ot the members for discussion 

 would result in benefit to all, and would advance the work of the 

 Club. The papers which might be prepared for the meetings 

 would be available for the Editor of The Naturalist. Those 

 present were unanimous in the opinion that the suggested re- 

 unions would be of great value, and that regular sub-excursions 

 should also be held during the collecting season. Mr. Harrington 

 was elected secretary in order that records might be kept regu- 

 larly, and it was resolved that each member should act as chair- 

 man in turn. By request, Mr. Harrington read a note, which had 

 been prepared for The Naturalist, on Necturus maculatus, a 

 batrachian not rare in the Ottawa and Rideau, and which lives 

 partly on insects. Dr. Fletcher described the operations of a 

 small scarabeid beetle, Canthon simplex, Lee , which he had taken 

 at Fort McLeod, and pointed out that much that had been pub- 

 lished relative to allied ball-rolling beetles was inaccurate or 

 incomplete. Hardly anything had been written of the life- 

 histories of American species. Canthon IcBvis, Drury, occurs in 

 Western Ontario (London) and in the Northwest (Medicine 

 Hat). An enquiry was made by Mr. Halkett as to the antennae 

 of Belostoma amertcana, the Giant Water Bug, or Electric Light 

 Bug, which has these organs so concealed in ear-like pockets 

 under the head ^s to be invisible except on close examination. 

 Among the exhibits may be mentioned the following: Mr. Gib- 

 son : an exhibition tablet of Plusia bimaculata ; with upper and 

 lower glass, so as to show both sides of specimens ; also speci- 

 mens of a fine Pieris from Burmah, white above, but very strik- 

 ingly coloured beneath. Mr. Young : a series of bred noctuids 

 beautifully mounted. Mr. Harrington : several American species 

 of Canthon^ Phanceus and Copris and a few from Europe and 

 Japan. Dr. Fletcher : a pair of Hylecceiiis lu^tibris from Rigaud, 

 Que., and a plate of melanic forms of Argynnis lais painted by 

 Mr. Criddle. Mr. Metcalfe : an interesting series of Arctians, 



The second meeting was held on Thursday, Jan. 29, at Mr. 

 Harrington's, who read a short paper on "Neatness in Collec- 

 tions," giving some hints as to pinning and setting insects of the 



