66 The Irish Naturalist. March, 



Anosia archippus. Specimens of both have been found hundreds of miles 

 from any possible permanent breeding-place for the species. 



We could have wished for Mr. Tutt's views at greater length 

 on the influence of the migration, or, more correctly, immigration, of 

 insects on their present geographical distribution. He believes, 

 however, in a principle well illustrated in Ireland, that " we have, in 

 almost every region, insects representing an exceedingly ancient fauna, 

 intermixed with comparatively recently introduced forms." In his 

 remarks on the geological antiquity of the insect orders, he seems to 

 have strongly over-stated his case. What shred of evidence can be 

 adduced in support of the differentiation of these orders— including even 

 the highly specialised Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera — " before 

 the deposition of the Silurian strata " } Neither the records of the rocks, 

 nor the probable course of irisect phylogeny, support such an extreme 

 view. 



G. H. C 



IRISH SOCIETIES, 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Baboon and a Lemur from Col. Mackintosh, a 

 Chilian Fox from Dr. R. H. Oulton, a Yellow-hammer from Messrs. 

 Williams and Sons, three Kestrels from Mr. J. Clifton, two Barbary 

 Doves from Miss Cordeaux, a Raccoon from Capt. C. V. Kendall, six 

 Chaffinches, four Greenfinches, three Great Tits from Mr. W. W. Despard, 

 and a Sparrow-hawk from Sir Douglas Brooke. 



One of the young lionesses has recently had her eye badly injured 

 while playing with her sister. It was not found possible for the keeper 

 to apply a soothing lotion, but her companion is doing all in her power 

 to alleviate the suffering of her sister by frequently licking the sore eye, 

 and it is hoped that the eye will be saved by this friendly animal doctor. 

 An experienced elephant trainer, engaged by the Council, has arrived 

 and is busily engaged in training the Padmahati to carry the saddle 

 so that the children may take rides round the Gardens on its back. 



January 26. — Annual Meeting in the College of Physicians. Prof 

 D. J. Cunningham, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



The Report presented by the Hon. Secretary, R. F. Scharff, Ph.D., 

 gives an excellent account of the progress of the Society. The atten- 

 dance of visitors during 1903 (195,177), shows a slight falling off as com- 

 pared with 1902 (when the numbers were 197,603), and the receipts were 

 ^^2,671, as against £2,']qo \n the previous year. Nevertheless the state 

 ment of accounts shows that an adverse balance of over ;^5oo at the 

 beginning of 1903 has been practically extinguished, owing to the wise 

 policy of the Council in obtaining new animals by exchange rather than 

 by purchase. The disasters suffered by the Gardens during the terrible 

 storm of February 28th (graphically shown in a photograph published 

 with the Report), were quickly repaired, thanks to the generous gifts of 



