m 



altogether novel, for there was a well-known saying which he 

 might quote once more, that when a man disco rered a new organism 

 he usually described one thing, figured a second, and sent a third 

 to the British Museum as a type specimen. "With regard to small 

 differences it was impossible to rely upon them as determining 

 species unless the life-history of the creature was known, so as to 

 ascertain the extent of the varieties which occurred at different 

 stages ; indeed, it was said that one genus, Tortrix, contained 

 thirty-six species, but that a gentleman who investigated the 

 matter by rearing them got the whole thirty- six from one brood. 

 The question of the disappearance of the eyes was also a point 

 worth noting, as he had often suspected that these organs were not 

 altogether a reliable character upon which to found species. In 

 many cases they could only be seen by consequence of the pigment 

 under the surface, and if that became dissolved or detached it was 

 extremely difficult to detect them, or to say whether they existed. 

 In several species of marine mites where Gosse had figured them 

 with eyes others bad figured them without, and he had himself 

 seen specimens where the eye could be easily perceived on one side 

 but not on the other. 



The thanks of the meeting were, upon the motion of the Chair- 

 man, unanimously voted to Mr. Western for his paper. 



Announcements of meetings and excursions for the month were 

 then made, and the Secretary said he had been requested to 

 intimate that the Selborne Society proposed to hold a soiree in 

 that room on May 30th, and would be glad of help from members 

 of the Q.M.C. 



The following object was exhibited : — 



Delphax (s^.l) S ? Mr. H. E. Freeman. 



June 1st, 1894. — Conversational Meeting. 

 The following objects were exhibited : — 



Seira nigromaculata, scales ... ... Mr. A. W. Dennis. 



Proales parasita (mounted) Mr. C. Rousselet. 



Clavatella prolifera Mr. H. Scherren. 



