124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Sitting of the 21st December, 183(>. 

 M. DuPONCHEL in the Chair. 



The following donations were announced : — 



Mr. Newman. Nos. XVI. and XVII. of the Entomological 

 Magazine. 



MM. Castelnau and Gory. Histoire Naturelle et Icono- 

 graphie des Insectes Coleopteres, 8""", 9'"% et 10""" livraisons. 



M. Walckenaer. Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Apteres, 

 torn. 1". avec trois livraisons de planches. 



M. Walckenaer presented to the Society a lump of amber, 

 of extraordinary size, and containing many insects of various 

 orders, besides one Arachnidan, already described by M. 

 Walckenaer, under the name of Atta fossilis. The author of 

 this communication requested the Society would appoint two 

 of its members to describe in the Annales such of these insects 

 as might be considered new. MM. Serville and Chevrolat 

 undertook the task ; and, in consequence of M. Audouin's re- 

 marking that it would be important to ascertain whether the 

 specimen in question was really Amber or Gum Copal, M. 

 Brogniart was proposed as likely to assist in the inquiry, 

 and was accordingly added to the committee. 



On the subject of M. Guerin's communication at the 

 previous sitting, on the cochineal insect, M. Audouin, under 

 whose care they were placed, rose, and spoke as follows : — 



" We have accomplished propagating the Coccus Cacti of 

 Linnseus ever since the year 1833. Frequently previously to 

 that date, namely in 1817, 18, 20, 28, and 31, attempts were 

 made, but invariably without success. M. Peloie, our principal 

 gardiner in the conservatories of the Museum, having in 1833 

 learned that M. Lot, a florist in Paris, possessed a plant of 

 the Nopal infested with Cocqi, obtained some from him, and 

 conveyed them to the Jardln-du-roi. From that period they 

 have continued to increase, and now three plants are entirely 

 covered with them. From that period I have studied them 

 incessantly. Before publishing the result of these researches 

 I think it best to place before the Society some specimens, 

 which will illustrate various obscure points in the history of 

 these curious insects. I have been able to trace many suc- 

 cessive generations. Having observed the females at the 

 moment of oviposition, I have recognised in that operation 



