1891.] 279 



series of Notodonta dictcea bred from larviB found on Cannock Chase ; and a single 

 specimen of Plusia bractea from Bewdley. Mr. P. W. Abbott showed series of 

 ZygcBna JilipendnlcB and Z. trifolii from the Isle of Wight, including yellow varieties 

 of the former species. Of the latter species 75 per cent, wore varieties, with the 

 spots more or less coalesced. Mr. R. C. Bradley showed Scatophaga scybalaria from 

 Sutton Park. Mr. C. J. Wainwright showed Phytometra ceiiea from Wyre Forest. — 

 CoLBKAN J. Wainwright, Hon. Sec 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society : Sejitemher \4cth, 1891. 

 — The Opening Meeting for the Winter Session. — The President, Mr. S. J. Capper, 

 F.L.S., F.E.S., in the Chair. 



Mr. Walker read a paper, entitled, "Nerves and Nervous Systems," describing 

 the general structure of the nervous system of a typical insect, and comparing it 

 with that of a spider, and pointing out the close affinity which differs only when 

 the economy of the subject rendered it necessary. The paper was illustrated with 

 carefully executed blackboard drawings. Among the numerous exhibits the Presi- 

 dent showed specimens of the new Tortrix donelana, from Q-alway. Mr. Walker, 

 curious varieties of Vanessa Antiopa, which he had bi-ed from Canada, the black 

 sub-terminal band and the blue spots being quite absent, the yellow border very 

 wide. Mr. Melvill, a specimen of Choerocampa nerii, captured at Prestwich in 

 1846. Mr. Newstead, several cases of life-histories, including the full life-history of 

 Sirex gigas, which he stated had been very common. Mr. Prince, a fine variety of 

 A. Caja, the fore-wings of which were almost quite brown, and the black spots on 

 the hind-wings formed a thick dark marginal band. Mr. Gregson, a series of 

 Lithosia sericea, taken this year. Mr. Harker, Dianthcecia Barretti, from Howth. 

 — F. N. Pierce, Secretary, 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. 



The South London Entomological and Natural History Society : 

 August IZth, 1891. — W. H. Tugwell, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited the cases containing living larvae of Psyche 

 villosella, Och., the produce of the eggs in July of the present year ; of last year, 

 the cases from which the imagines had emerged from the eggs of 1889 ; and the 

 perfect insects, male and female ; and contributed notes thereon. Mr. Weir also 

 exhibited a pair of Pyrameis Dejeayiii, Godt., and remarked that it would be seen 

 the male was scarcely, if at all, distinguishable from Pyrameis cardui ; the female, 

 on the other hand, resembling a faded P. Atalanta. Mr. Weir made some interesting 

 observations relative to his exhibit. Mr. C. Fenn exhibited a female specimen of 

 Odonestis potatoria, L., with male coloration, from Deal. Mr. J. H. Carpenter, a 

 finely marked variety of Epinephele hyperanthus, L., the spots on the under-side 

 being unusually large and elongated, a bred scries of Melitaa Athalia, Rott., from 

 Essex, and Cucidlia asteris, Schiff., from Folkestone. Mr. West, Apamea ophio- 

 gramma, Esp., from his garden at Strcatham. Mr. Watson also showed A. ophio- 

 gramma, and a small bred series of Ocneria dispar, L. Mr. C. A. Briggs, Heliothis 

 peltigera, Schiff., dark forms from Devon, pale forms from Tuddenham, Norfolk, and 

 Folkestone, Kent, and asked whether both forms had been taken together. Mr. 

 Herbert Williams, an hermaphrodite of Pieris rapce, L., taken at Box Hill. Mr. 



