264 THE entomologist's eecord. 



of some kind, it seems that a house affords that shelter from various 

 foes which they require. A fire room is certainly the wrong place ; but 

 a place offering the degree of dampness possessed by a cellar or larder, 

 seems most suitable. Then, much question is made as to the dampness 

 of the earth in or on which pupae are laid. In my opinion a distinction 

 should be made, according to the season. In winter when hard frost is 

 to be looked for, the earth should be moderately dry. But when spring 

 arrives, to put your cages out in a warm drizzle occasionally is most 

 desirable. More especially with insects like Stauropus fagi and 

 Notodo7ita droinednrii/s, moisture is required as the period of emergence 

 approaches. Another question arises, about the quality of earth in 

 which pupae should be kept. My practice is to mix light garden mould 

 with silver sand and cocoanut fibre, in equal parts, and to press the 

 compost down rather ^firmly. Moss is objectionable as a covering to 

 pupae, as encouraging insect pests. When it is necessary to bake the 

 compost, in order to destroy these, I have boiling water added first, and 

 then submit to a heat rather above that of boiling water, in a kitchen 

 oven, for 20 minutes. This does not make the earth caustic, but kills 

 all insect life. The cages I use for keeping pupae in, are of zinc, and 

 what are called wash-ups at the ironmongers. These can be stored one 

 upon another, to save room. When pupae have been unearthed it is 

 a rule not to bury them again. But this need not hinder a slight 

 covering of some light material, as cocoanut fibre, to prevent their 

 drying up. Some pupae require more moisture than others, and among 

 these may be named Fetasia niibeculosa and cassinea, Notodonta 

 dromedarius, Bisulcia ligustri, Viminia myrk(B, and Stauropus fagi. 

 — Bernard Smith, Marlnw December, 1890. 



Leioptilus bipunctidactvla. — I have bred some nice specimens of 

 Z. bipunciidactyla ; I found the larvae feeding in the flowers of scabious- 

 They are very sluggish, and eat through the bases of several florets. 

 They are thus completely hidden, and, until the flower head is pulled 

 apart, there is no sign of the larva within. — M. Kimber, Newbury. 

 October \\th, 1890. 



Habits of Tapinostola concolor. — The insect flies like Celmna 

 haworthii, near the ground, and, threading its way through the long 

 grass, is difficult to obtain really fine. The localities to be worked, 

 coupleJ with the present season, will quite excuse its almost complete 

 absence in 1890. — Sydnev Webb, Dover. July 25///, 1890. 



I had the pleasure of seeing a very fine T. concolor from Captain 

 Vipan, exhibited at the South London Entomological Society at the end 

 of August. It seems to me that T. cmicolor is less robust than T. fulva, 

 being more like T. bojidii, and the forewings are whiter than any form 

 of T.fulva. — Arthur Robinson. September, 1890. 



.OCIETIES, 



City of London Entomolooical Society. — November 20th, 1890. 

 — The following gentlemen were nominated as officers for the ensuing 

 year: President and Treasurer, Mr. J. A. Clark, F.E.S. ; Vice-President, 



