ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 59 



boiled potato. The habit of the common cricket, and the 

 cock-roach, infesting ovens and bakehouses, was also quoted. 

 Mr. Bracy Clark contended, at considerable length, against 

 the existence of Oestrus Hominis. He entered into a general 

 history of the G^stri attacking animals, their mode of opera- 

 tion, and their liabiHty when deprived of their usual nidus, to 

 make one of the human subject, if found exposed. Pallas, he 

 said, was the first who introduced an G^strus Hominis, and 

 the continental writers had followed him without sufficient 

 authority ; for that every authenticated instance of an Oestrus 

 found on man, had turned out to be the true CEstrus Bovis. 

 He likewise urged the improbability of an (Estrus being 

 created, whose proper habit it was to deposit its eggs in the 

 human body, which was usually carefully clothed. 



Sitting of the Isr of May, 18.'J7. 

 Mr. Stephens, President, in the Chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 

 Several new members were balloted in. A list of donations 

 presented since the last meeting, was read by the Secretary. 



A gigantic species of the genus Prionus ; a case of insects 

 containing, among others, the specimens described by Mr. 

 Grey, in the Second Part of the Transactions; and a selection of 

 extraordinary and highly interesting forms, from the collection 

 of Sir Patrick Walker, — were severally exhibited. 



Specimens of the same species of Ant, forwarded by Dr. 

 BosTocK, from Liverpool, which had lately been discovered 

 extending itself in various parts of London, supposed to be 

 Myrmica linearis, were exhibited. Mr. Shuckard stated that 

 he had minutely examined these ants, and decidedly pro- 

 nounced them not to be the above-named insect, but a species 

 entirely new. 



A paper, by Mr. Sells, on the Chigoe of the West Indies 

 (Pulex penetrans), was read, accompanied by specimens, with 

 further observations by Mr. Westwood, accompanied by draw- 

 ings, investigating the specific characters of this insect. Mr. 

 Sells described the manner of its attack, insinuating itself more 

 particularly beneath the toe-nails ; the mode resorted to by 

 the negroes for ridding themselves of the little tormentors ; 

 and the consequences of neglect, or of unskilful operation. 



