1H91.] 135 



BlEMINGHAM EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY: March \Gth, 1891. — Mr. W. Gr. 



Blatch, President, in the Chair. 



Messrs. P. T. Pope and H. Pope were elected Members of the Society. 



Mr. Blatch said he had noticed a large number of spring Lepidoptera at Hopwas 

 Wood a few days previously, and had noticed that among the Ribernia leucophaaria 

 light specimens seemed to prefer birch trees, and dark specimens oak and other trees 

 with darker barks, their colours thus being assimilated to their surroundings. Mr. 

 Thornewell said that round Burton-on-Trent he noticed what appeared to be two 

 forms of Phigalia pedaria ; one large and light found early in the open country, 

 and one smaller, darker, and found later in the Woods. Mr. Thornewell exhibited 

 a number of Xanthim, and read notes on them, making several suggestions which 

 provoked considerable discussion, in which Messrs. Blatch, Bradley and Wainwright 

 joined. 



April 6th, 1891.— Mr. R. C. Bbadley in the Chair. 



Mr. C J. Wainwright sliowed long series of Cheilosia oestracea and Vohicella 

 pellucens ; the former from Somersetshire, the latter from Wyre Forest and other 

 localities. Mr. R. C. Bradley showed Echinomyia grossa and fera. Mr. H. J. 

 Sands showed a piece of ebony completely destroyed by some large larvae. — Colbran 

 J. Wainwright, Hon. Sec. 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society : April IWi, 1891. — 

 The President, Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S., in the Chair. 



Messrs. J. Collins, of Warrington, and W. R. Scowcroft, of Prestwich, were 

 elected Members. 



Mr. J. E. Robson, F.E.S., of Hartlepool, read a paper, entitled, "Are Abraxas 

 pantaria and A. ulmata one species or two ? " After remarking on the difBculty of 

 obtaining exotic specimens of the genus, the author said that pantaria had been 

 admitted into the British list on the authority of one specimen, taken at Oakhamp- 

 ton Park, Somerset, he referred to their geographical distribution, stating that 

 pantaria only occurred in places where ulmata was absent, he tlien minutely 

 described the two forms, comparing the markings of each, and pointed out the 

 difference in the genital armature, which he considered was due to local and climatic 

 causes, altering the form of the genitalia. The paper, which was fully illustrated by 

 many cases containing examples of the genus, led to considerable discussion, as to 

 what constituted a species. Mr. Tutt sent for exhibition the series of Miana, from 

 Armagh, that recently caused so much controversy among London entomologists ; 

 but so palpably distinct were the specimens oi fasciuncula and strigilis, and so 

 obvious the ease with which the examples could be separated, that no discussion 

 arose. Mr. Robson exhibited some fine varieties of butterflies, and Mr. Collins a 

 wonderful variety of Leucania lithargyria, which had the hind-wings deeply 

 fimbriated with dark scales, the central portion of the wing being light. — F. N. 

 Pierce, Hon. Sec, 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. 



