Entomological Society. 355 



A specimen was forwarded with this communication of Acrydium 

 (Tetrix, Latr.) Harpago, Serville, with the observation, that the insect 

 is a true swimmer ; the formation of its posterior legs might alone 

 lead one to make a shrewd guess of the fact. It is found abundantly 

 near the waterfalls at Mhow in Malwa, frequenting the sedges on 

 the banks of the stream. He had often seen them swim under water 

 from one bank to the other, a distance of three or four yards ; and 

 they had several times tried his patience by remaining under water 

 attached to a stone. He had constantly observed a small, silver-like 

 bubble of air on each side of the thorax close under the base of the 

 lengthened scutellum, and not unfrequently a third at its apex (a3 

 is seen at the caudal extremity of the Dytisci). They swim with 

 rapid strokes of both posterior legs thrown out together, and at no 

 small pace, turning as freely as a Gyrinus when a capture is at- 

 tempted. Occasionally they will walk steadily down a reed some 

 feet under water, and there appear to feed on the small weed which 

 is attached to it. The steps of the bathing-ghat, from which the 

 water had receded, being covered with the above-mentioned weed, 

 were a fine field for them. Of their mastication of this weed he had 

 repeated opportunities of witnessing ; but they seemed to prefer that 

 which was submerged, as they were more abundant on the steps 

 below water except where basking in the sun. 



Of a species of Ascalaphus remarkable for its short dilated abdo- 

 men, long and very clavate antennae, and yellow maculated body, 

 the writer observes that he had often found the perfect fly on tall 

 grass knee- deep in water, whence he suspects that the larva may 

 be aquatic. The Ascalaphi and Myrmeleones when captured emit a 

 very offensive smell. He had obtained twelve or fourteen species of 

 Lucanus from the vicinity of Almorah in the Himalayan mountains, 

 generally found feeding upon rotten fungus, but had never taken 

 any species in the plains. He had also captured a Megacephala 

 (apparently identical with M. euphratica) at Nusseerabad. 



A species of Embia was also forwarded, with the observation that 

 it was not uncommon ; but that its habits were remarkable, as it 

 elaborates a kind of web from the mouth under which it conceals 

 itself. He had also captured four species of bees whose habits whilst 

 at rest are curious, since at that time they hold on to a twig by the 

 mandibles with the body stretched out at right angles from it, with- 

 out any support from the legs, which are drawn up close to the body. 

 Specimens of these insects were not forwarded, so that the genus 

 cannot at present be determined. 



July 7th.— The Rev. F. W. Hope, President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Edward Doubleday exhibited a case of nocturnal Lepidoptera 

 from Sydney, including three species of Oiketicus, a new species of 

 the genus Doratifera (with drawings of its preparatory states, and 

 of which the larva stings very acutely when touched), and other 

 new and interesting species. 



Mr. Westwood exhibited two monstrosities in the male of the 

 honey-bee, in one of which the two hind- feet were not more than a 



2C2 



