NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 65 



changing small larvae that attach themselves by webs, it is better to 

 hold the branch in the left hand horizontally, giving it a smart knock 

 on the top with the scissors, when they will detach themselves, and may 

 then be easily cut off, a score or so at a time and guided into the jam 

 pot. By repeating the process several times the branch is soon cleared. 

 If the brood is a large one, it will be found advantageous towards 

 their last stage to transfer them altogether to a roomy box and finish 

 feeding by hand. If a few branches are cut off and inserted into damp 

 soil in a small pot it will last quite fresh for three or four days. If the 

 brood is a small one, and not requiring soil, with ordinary attention as 

 many as 60 may be successfully pupated in a sleeve, say, 15 inches by 

 7 inches in diameter, taking Selenia illustraria as an example for size. 

 The folds and creases of the muslin seem well adapted for the purpose 

 of pupating, the majority choosing such positions in preference to the 

 twigs and leaves. Even larvae with strong jaws, such as Centra vinula 

 and C. bifida, will readily spin up in a sleeve without evincing a dis- 

 position to escape, at least, that is my experience, with other collectors 

 it may prove different. — H. Alderson, Hilda Vale, Farnboro', Kent. 



fgOCIETIES. 



Entomological Society of London. — Wednesday^ February \oth, 

 1892.— Mr. Thomas W. Cowan, F.L.S., F.G.S., of 31, Belsize Park 

 Gardens, Hampstead, N.W. : Mr. Wm. Farren, of Union Road, Cam- 

 bridge ; Mr. Philip de la Garde, R.N., of H.M.S. Pembroke, Chat- 

 ham; the Rev. J. A. Mackonochie, B.A., of St. Botolph's, Lincoln; 

 and the Rev. A. Thornley, of South Leverton Vicarage, Lincolnshire, 

 were elected Fellows of the Society. Mr. E. Meyrick exhibited a 

 number of specimens of Euproctis fulviceps, Walk,, taken by Mr. Bar- 

 nard, showing the extraordinary variation of this Tasmanian species, all 

 the males of which had been " sembled " by one female. 1'he males 

 were represented by various forms ranging from black to white, which 

 had all been described as distinct species. Dr. Sharp, Mr. Hampson, 

 Mr. McLachlan, Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. Elwes, Mr. Tutt, Mr. Poulton 

 and Mr. Jacoby took part in the discussion which ensued. Dr. Sharp 

 exhibited samples of pins which he had tried for preventing verdigris, 

 and stated that silver wire was the best material to use, as insects on 

 silver pins remained intact, whilst those on gilt pins were destroyed by 

 verdigris. Mr. G. T. Porritt exiiibited a series of species representing 

 Huddersfield forms of Folia chi, including nearly melanic specimens, 

 found there during the last two seasons. He said these forms had not 

 hitherto been observed elsewhere. Mr. Tutt exhibited a series of 

 Hadena pisi, comprising specimens very grey in tint, others of an 

 almost unicolorous red with but faint markings, and others well marked 

 with ochreous transverse lines. Three distinct forms of Hadena dis- 

 similis ; red and grey forms of Fanolis piniperda, and a dark form of 

 Eupithecia fraxinata ; also a specimen of Sciapkila penziana. With 

 the exception of the last-named, which was taken in Anglesey, all the 

 specimens were taken or bred by Mr. Tunstall in the neighbourhood 

 of Warrington. The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited specimens of Arge 



