CURRKNT NOTES. 305 



proper development. That this was not the case, I had satisfactorily 

 proved to me in one instance. On May i8th, 1889, a female Platy- 

 pteryx f alalia emerged in a box, where I already had a male of the same 

 species, and the two paired at once, before the female had had time to 

 develop at all. I rather thought that this would prevent the female 

 developing. This, however, was not the case, the pairing had appa- 

 rently no effect whatever upon the development, which took place in 

 quite the normal manner. — J. A. Mackonochie, South Park, Lincoln. 

 January ^isi, 1891. 



^URRENT NOTES. 



The members of the South London Society held their Annual Dinner 

 on Tuesday, January 13th, the Vice-President, Mr. W. H. Tugwell, 

 making a most able Chairman. For a scientific Society the members 

 present did very well. 



Lord Walsingham's Address to the Fellows of the Entomological 

 Society, though short, appeared to be thoroughly appreciated. The 

 chief topic touched upon was "Variation," and I must confess the Fellows 

 looked rather more animated than they have done in previous years, 

 when a list of the titles of every entomological periodical published, 

 given in the language of almost every country under the sun, mixed with 

 a long obit, of the scientific world for 12 months, has had a rather 

 depressing Cnot to say sleepy) effect on many. 



Mr. N. F. Dobree of Beverley, Yorks, who has made the Nocture his 

 especial study, and has paid particular attention to the geographical 

 range and local variation displayed by this group, has determined to give 

 up the study and sell his collection. It would be well if it could be 

 preserved for reference in the Natural History Museum. 



The January and February numbers of the Entomologist contain 

 32 pages of descriptions of species of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera from 

 N.W. India and China. 



Mr. Eustace Bankes records Eupithecia togata from the New Forest ; 

 Butalis laviinella from the Isle of Portland, and Tinagnia betulce from 

 East Dorset. 



Mr. C. G. Barrett, in the j^.J/.i!/., proves that Mr. Gregson's Ephestia 

 roxburghii is only a melanic form of E. elutella. Mons. Ragonot was 

 therefore wrong in keeping it as a distinct species, and Mr. South, 

 following Ragonot, has perpetuated the error. 



Seven new Fellows were elected by the Entomological Society of 

 London at the last meeting. Country entomologists appear to think 

 that some special qualification is needed. This is not so. Mr. Goss, 

 Berrylands, Surbiton, will send applicants a copy of the Rules, etc. 



The thirty subscribers, needed to enable Air. Reid of Pitcaple, to 

 collect by subscription, were obtained almost immediately. Many, 

 unfortunately, sent in their names too late. 



My friendly suggestions {ante, p. 285) re the South London Society 

 have already borne good fruit. During the past week the Sees, have 

 been able to issue a list of papers to be read at each meeting until 

 May 28th. The Council have been so moved by my remarks as to ask 



