LEPIDOPTERA AND HYMENOPTERA. 31 



cell. Within a few days the larvae hatched out of these selected 

 cells, and the bees were feeding them on what is called royal jelly, 

 a stronger solution of honey and pollen than is given to the ordi- 

 nary worker bee. Under this treatment the larvae grew very 

 quickly^ and the cell soon formed the appearance of an acorn, 

 hanging down below the frame. After another week I opened the 

 hive, and found that the bees had been scraping the tops of these 

 Queen-cells preparatory to the young Queens coming out, and 

 within twenty-four hours one of the Queens emerged. And now 

 comes the tragedy, of which my exhibit is an example. As soon 

 as this new Queen had been thoroughly groomed down and fed, 

 she immediately rushed round the hive to see whether she had 

 any rivals. On finding the other Queen-cells she at once set to 

 work to tear them open, stinging to death the pupa inside, and 

 within ten minutes of her doing this the dead white nymphs were 

 cast out of the front of the hive by the bees. 



I have brought you two of these cells, showing the end where 

 the bees had thinned the wax preparatory to the Queen coming 

 forth, and also the large rent on the side of the cell through 

 which the murder was committed. 



This must finish what I have to say to you to-night. Mean- 

 while, I trust you will agree with me that the necessity for the 

 present Society has to a certain extent been vindicated from, at all 

 events, an entomological point of view ; and I can only add that, 

 should my words have been powerful enough to show what may 

 be done by any member, however much engaged during the day, 

 and should they encourage those who have more time than myself 

 to investigate and accumulate facts concerning this and other 

 branches of Natural History, the object I had in view when I 

 undertook to bring the subject forward will have been fully accom- 

 plished. 



List of Lepidophra captured by Mr. Sidney T. Klein during thirty- 

 six hours' experimental hunting in his garde?i at Clarence 

 Lodge, Willesden. 



NOCTURNI. 



Smerijithus ocellatus, larvae ; S. populi, three imagos at light ; 

 »S. tilice, larvse. 



