46 f-^^'y- 



We have already exceeded the space usually devoted to bibliographical notices, 

 and, as heretofore, heartily recommend Prof. Eiley's Keports to all who take an 

 interest in economic entomology.f 



Entomological Society of London : 6th June, 1877. — J. W. Dunning, Esq., 

 M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Monsr. Rene Oberthiir, of Rennes, was elected a Foreign Member. 



Mr. Douglas exhibited 16 species of PsyllidcB, taken by him in the latter part of 

 last year, four of which were new to Britain, viz. : — Psylla betiilce, L., on bii'ch-trees , 

 Dunkeld,AugU8t; Ps. peregrina,¥'6rst., on mountain ash, Perth, August; Ps.pyricola, 

 Forst., on pear-trees, Perth and Rosslyn, August ; Ps. Scotti, Low, on fir, Addington, 

 October. He called attention to the wide and little occupied field the Psyllidce 

 offered for the discovery of new species and the observation of economy, some 

 rolling or deforming leaves, some exuding a waxy secretion, and others living free. 

 The natural history of many species is quite unknown, and the rearing of any from 

 the egg or larvae was commended to the special attention of those who have reared 

 Lepidoptera as being quite as easy as in insects of that order, and equally interesting. 



Mr. Grrut exhibited a largo cottony substance formed round the stem of a shrub 

 in Jamaica, which was evidently the mass of cocoons of some species of ProctotrypidcB, 

 perfect examples of which were contained in it. It was suggested that it had 

 originally been formed round the body of some large larva, which had dropped out 

 of the cottony cylinder. 



Mr. Goss exhibited a dark variety of Cleora glahraria. 



Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited a magnificent Dragon-fly of the Family 

 ^schnidce from Borneo. It pertained to the genus Gynacantka, and was 6 J inches 

 in expanse ; being especially remarkable for the wings having the costal margin 

 broadly brown as far as the pterostigma, and with a very broad band of the same 

 colour across the wings just before the apex. He proposed to call the insect 

 Gynacantka play lata. 



A letter was read from Dr. Buchanan White asking entomologists to assist him 

 with specimens of exotic Hemiptera, he being engaged in working at the Order. 



Dr. Sharp communicated remarks on some species of Rhyncophorous Coleoptera 

 from New Zealand. 



Mr. J. W. Slater communicated a paper on the food of gaily coloured caterpillars, 

 in which the author attempted to show that brightly coloured larvte usually fed upon 

 poisonous plants. He was followed by Mr. Meldola wlio expressed an opinion that 

 some species of Lepidoptera preserved their distasteful qualities after they were dead 

 and dry, as evinced by an old collection which had been neglected, and, the only 

 examples not destroyed by mites were all " protected " species, such as Etiplcea, 

 Danais, &c. Considerable discussiou ensued on both questions. With regard to 

 the latter Mr. McLachlan called attention to the fact that dried Cantharide.t were 

 ■well-known to be devoured by beetles. 



The Rev. A. E. Eaton said that, a few days previously, he had seen CoHas 

 Edusa in Dorset. Mr. S. Stevens said it was common near Gravesend on the 4th. 



t From a private letter w« learn, with regret, that this Ninth Report is likely to be the last. 



