2-10 [March, 1878 



Dr. Harper contributed a long series of Colias Eclusa, many most extraordinary 

 varieties : tliey represented every shade of colour, from the deepest orange coloured 

 Ediisa to the whitest form of Helice, it being impossible to say where Edusa left off 

 and Helice commenced ; a series of Liparis monacha vai-ying from nearly white to 

 quite black. Black and intermediate vars. of Bombyx qtiercus, some extraordinary 

 Tars, of Liparis dispar, Argynnis Faphia, ISpilosoma menthastri, Acjrotis segetum 

 and corticea, and others. 



Mr. Walter Weston, vars. of C. Edusa ; under wings those of Edusa, while the 

 upper were the ordinary var. Helice ; hermaphrodite Anthocharis cardaynines and 

 beautiful varieties of Lyccena Adonis, Arctia villica, &c. 



Mr. Meek exhibited Hydrilla palustris and Meliana fiammea from the Fens of 

 Cambridgeshire, June, 1877; also the following from the Norfolk marshes; Nonagria 

 brevilinea, " bred " (this being the first specimen ever bred ; the larvse was found 

 by Mr. Pankhurst in Ilorning Marsh, last June, while searching for M.flammea), 

 Nonagria cannce, Senta uIvcb, Schcenobius mucronellus, gigantellus, Calamotropha 

 paludella, Fenthina pahidana, Sericoris Douhledayana, &c., also a fine specimen of 

 Sesia andretiiformis from Swanscombe Wood, Madopa salicalis from Petersfield, and 

 Eupoecilia curvistrigana from the south coast, and a very beautiful collection of 

 Coleoptera, comprising many thousand specimens, formed by the late Mr. T. Wilkin- 

 son, of Scarborough, also a case of Hymenoptera, all named. 



Mr. Smith a curious var. oi Leucania conigera, fore wings ordinary form, while 

 the upper side of the left hind wing has the marking of the upper side of fore wing ; 

 the central spot being exceedingly conspicuous. 



Mr. Godwin a pretty group of larvae, pupa, and imago of A. ceneana, arranged 

 on preserved specimens of their food-plant. 



Mr. T. Eedles and T. Whyatt preserved larvaj of many species, arranged on 

 their natural food-plant. 



Mr. Brigg a large box of varieties, including H. Janira, L. Adonis, Alexis, 

 Corydon, &c. 



Mr. Ililmau a large case of beautifully preserved specimens of Arachnida, 

 all named. 



In conclusion, we beg to state that nearly fifty members and friends exhibited 

 over 200 cabinets, drawers, boxes, cases, «tc. Trusting you will find space in your 

 valuable magazine for the foregoing remarks. 



Wo remain. Gentlemen, your obedient Servants, 



E. G. Meek, II. J. Burtox, W. Smith, E. E. Bull, E. IMapleston, 



Committee of Management of the Exhibition. 



[We have much pleasure in publishing the above letter. But it goes to pi'ove 

 that the writer in the " Echo " (whoever he may have been) gave no unfair report, 

 and was more "scientific" than our correspondents give him credit for. If one 

 thing more than another would prevent us from attending an exhibition of this 

 nature, it would be the knowledge that " pictures " such as those condemned by us, 

 and by the offending journalist, formed part of it. One of our local societies 

 (to its honour be it said) has scrupulousl}' forbidden that such objects should form 

 pai't of its exhibitions. Our correspondents of the " West-London " (and the 

 ofilcials of other societies) would do well to follow this example. We repeat that 

 " such things only excite tlie pity of scientific men and the ridicule of others." Tlie 

 manufacture of " pictures" only represents so much time thrown away, and the needless 

 destruction of myriads of beautiful insects, without (in most cases) even the satis- 

 faction of knowing that any purpose whatever has been served — not even tliat of 

 lessening the numbers of o6;!ya7'ci«5 species.- -Eds.] 



