24:8 THE entomologist's record. 



Mrs. Hutchinson, Cornish specimens of Herbxda cespiialis, Diasemia 

 literaiis, Scoparia dubitalis, Tortrix viburfiia?ia, and a species marked 

 doubtfully as Homaosoma saxicola. Mr. South exhibited a series of 

 GrapholUha nisana and a comparative series of G. cifterana. Mr. 

 Fenn called attention to the face that nisella was common both on 

 poplars and willows, and that there were two distinct races of the 

 species, a larger and smaller, affecting these foodplants. Mr. Barrttt 

 remarked that poplar as a foodplant of nisella was unknown to him. 

 Mr. Fenn referred to the fact that some entomologists wish to merge 

 cinerana into nisella, and pointed out differences in shape, etc., besides 

 difference in habit. — Ed. 



IvANCASHiRE AND CHESHIRE Eniomological SOCIETY. — September 

 12///, 1892.— The President (Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S.) in the 

 chair. Mr. F. N. Pierce, F.E S., read a paper entitled, " Some further 

 researches upon the genital structure of Lepidoptera." The author 

 described the different species in the genera Acronycta, Agrotis, 

 Nodua, etc., and showed that in cases where the identity or otherwise 

 of species was disputed the genitalia might often hz used as a sure 

 means of differentiation. The paper was illustrated by the author's 

 preparations of these parts thrown upon a screjn by the aid of an oxy- 

 hydrogen micro lantern, and by photographs and specimens of each 

 species described. The President exhibited varieties of Angerona 

 prunaria Messrs. Gregson and Robson challenge series of Abraxas 

 grossulariala, showing variation produced by food. Mr. Scowcroft, 

 varieties of Xanthia ccrago. Mr. William Johnson, a fine variety of 

 Vanessa urtiae, which had the ground colour very pale ; Bombyx rubi, 

 with the bands absent; and Orgyiafascelina, with a mass of dark scales 

 near the centre of the costa of the forewings. Mr. Prince, varieties of 

 Abraxas grossulariata and a specimen of Colias edusa, nearly the var. 

 helice, captured at Wallasey. Mr. Harker, C. edusa from Crosby. Mr. 

 Crabtree, who remarked that he had only taken one var. helice among 

 56 types, a long series of C. edusa captured at Si Imouth, South Devon. 

 — F. N. PiKRCE, Hon. Sec, 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. 



Birmingham Entomological Society. — September \2ih, 1892. — 

 G. H. Kenrick, Esq., V.P., in the chair. Mr. Neville Chamberlain 

 showed a box of Lepidoptera which he had recently collected in 

 Inverness-shire. Mr. P. W. Abbott showed a long series of Colias edusa 

 from Freshwater, Isle of Wight, including half a dozen helice, and one 

 specimen intermediate in colour between the type and var. helice. Mr. 

 W. Harrison, two Colias edusa from Trench Woods. Mr. R. C. 

 Bradley, Zygcena trifolii var. confluens, and one Emmelesia tceniata, 

 both from Barmouth. Mr. G. H. Kenrick showed Plusia bractea 

 from Scotland, and Euperia fulvago from Sherwood Forest and 

 Cannock. Mr. W. Harrison, larvae of Sphinx ligustri from Trench 

 Woods. Mr. C. J. Wainwright read a paper upon " Isolation as a 

 factor in the evolution of species," in which he endeavoured to 

 show that not only were the indirect effects of isolation very consider- 

 able, but that it directly performed an important part in the divergence 

 of species, without the assistance of " natural selection." Con- 

 siderable discussion followed, in which Messrs. G. H. Kenrick, 

 Neville Chamberlain and R. C. Bradley joined. — Colbran J. 

 Wainwright, Hon. Sec. 



