SOCIETIES, 347 



niglit in a native hut, bi;t could not because of attacks by the fighting 

 battalions of a very small species of Formica, not more than one-sixteenth 

 of an inch in length. It soon became obvious that the^'^ were under 

 regular discipline, and even attempting to carry out the skilful plans and 

 stratagem of some eminent leader. Our hands and necks were the first 

 objects of attack. Large bodies of these little pests were massed in 

 silence round the point to be assaulted. We could hear the sharp, shrill 

 word of command two or three times repeated, though until then, we 

 had not believed in the vocal power of an ant ; the instant after we felt 

 the storming hosts over head and neck, &c." Prof. Poulton read a 

 paper entitled " On the sexes of larva} emerging from the successively 

 laid eggs of SineriiitJius popuU." Mr. Merrifield, Dr. Sharp, and the 

 President took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. W. L. Distant 

 communicated a paper entitled " On the Homopterous genus Pyrops, 

 with descriptions of two new species." The President read a paper, 

 wi'itten by himself and Mr. J. Edwards, entitled, " A revision of the 

 genus CEneis," which he characterized as the most cold-loving genus of 

 butterflies. He also exhibited his complete collection of species of this 

 genus. A long discussion ensued, in which Prof. Poulton, Mr. McLachlan, 

 kr. Salvin, Mr. Bethune-Baker, the Rev. Dr. Walker, Mr. Kirby, Mr. 

 Merrifield, Mr, Barrett, Mr. Blandford, Dr. Sharp, and Mr. Jacoby took 

 part. — H. Goss, Hon. Secretdri/. 



The South Londois Entomological and Natural History Society. 

 — Thursday, November dth. — Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a bred series of 

 Hypsipetes ruberata, from Sutherland ; also H. sordidata, and Emmelesia 

 minorata, taken in Inverness. The H. ruberata varied from pale grey 

 with numerous transverse darker striae to light chocolate-brown with 

 slightly darker basal patches, whilst some were light greenish-gi-ey 

 with dark brown lines. Some of the H. sordidata, were of a dark 

 mottled brown, while others were greenish. A discussion ensued 

 concerning the food-jolant of H. ruberata ; it was stated that those bred 

 from sallow were almost invariable and of the red form, while those 

 from willow were most variable. Mr. Carpenter, Boarmia rejxtndata 

 bred, from the New Forest, about half the brood being the concersaria 

 form, but not so striking as the N. Devon race; one specimen was 

 intermediate in colour. Mr. West, a light var. of Abraxas (jrossulariata, 

 taken at Streatham. Mr. Oldham, light forms of Agrotis se<jetum from 

 Woodford, and dark ones from Norfolk ; also a piece of ash bark, 

 channelled by either a Tomicns or Scolytns. Mr. Watson reported a 

 second brood * of Apatura iris in the New Forest, he having taken a 

 full-fed larva on October 7th, which he was daily expecting to emerge. 

 Mr. Carrington gave a most interesting account of his recent experiences 

 in Manitoba. He stated that the day after leaving Moville a specimen 

 of Vanessa urtico' appeared on deck and continued to be seen until the 

 day before reaching land, and that on the return voyage several sjjecies 

 of Lepidoptera were observed, having no doubt been sheltered in hay, 

 which formed part of the cargo. West from Quebec ujj to the forest 

 region the vegetation seemed but little different from that of Europe. 

 The most striking flower was the Chicory (Cichorinm intybus), while the 

 Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemuvileucanthemnm) was along the railway banks 



*Is there any reason for supposing that there was more than an odd 



specimen or so ? — Ed. 



