Journal of Proceedings. v 



The Eev. F. A. Walker, B.D., F.L.S., communicated two papers 

 entitled, "Hunstanton and its neighbourhood in 1878" and "Hunstanton 

 and its neighbourhood as visited in 1880." These were voluminous 

 papers, giving details of the Architecture and Archaeology of the village, 

 with notes on the Natural History of the Coast, &c. 



Mr. W. H. Dalton communicated a paper entitled, "The Blackwater 

 Valley, Essex" [Transactions, ii., 15] . The paper was illustrated by 

 the exhibition of a large coloured diagram, of which Plate I. is a reduced 

 copy. 



On the motion of Mr. Meldola a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to 

 the authors. 



The President then gave by word of mouth the exposition of his views 

 with regard to the development of the Noctuce embodied in his paper, 

 " The Developmental Characters of the Larvcs of the Noctuce, as deter- 

 mining the position of that Group" [Transactions, ii., 19] . The speaker 

 demonstrated portions of his subject by means of drawings on the black- 

 board, and Mr. W. White brought up for exhibition a fine collection of 

 "preserved" specimens of caterpillars for the purpose of illustrating 

 Mr. Meldola 's remarks. 



The Kev. W. Linton Wilson, in thanking Mr. Meldola, congratulated 

 him on the method and perspicuity of his remarks, and hoped that the 

 President's example might prove an incentive to others to bring before the 

 Club the results of their studies and observations. 



Mr. W. Cole also hoped that some of their entomological friends would 

 follow the line of investigation so admirably sketched out by Mr. Meldola. 

 He would caution intending observers that the earliest stages in the lives 

 of caterpillars were often extremely transient. In many cases it would 

 even be necessary to dissect out in glycerine the embryonic larva from the 

 hatching egg, and examine with a low power of the microscope. 



Mr. White said that the paper was highly suggestive of good work to 

 be done by the earnest Lepidopterist in tracing out, with scientific methods 

 and motives, the life-history of even the commonest and presumably the 

 best-known species. He was convinced that most interesting facts would 

 result from a series of careful observations, particularly if attention were 

 directed to the very early forms of the caterpillars mentioned by Mr. Cole. 



The President, in returning thanks for the kind reception of his paper, 

 made some announcements of Field Meetings and other matters, and said 

 he could not refrain from congratulating the Club and all who valued the 

 integrity of their fine old Forest on the fact that the Great Eastern 

 Railway Company had, in deference to pubhc opinion very widely and 

 strongly expressed, withdrawn the objectionable clauses relating to the 

 projected line through the Forest from their Bill then before Parliament. 

 (This announcement was greeted with loud and protracted cheering.) 



The Hon. Secretary was very glad to say that most of the principal 

 Natural History Societies in and around London had, at his suggestion, 

 joined the Essex Field Club in protesting aiid petitioning against the 



