168 THE entomologist's record. 



Messrs. Deyrolle of Paris. Some of these having been exposed to tlie 

 vapour of butyric acid, were covered with a green coating resembling, 

 and akin to, verdigris ; this Ijeing butyrate of copj^er, indicated that the 

 so-called " nickel " pins contained a considerable amount of copper. 

 Mr. Clark also distributed some of Dr. Knagg's " sulphuretted " pins. 

 These were the ordinary white ones, which, after being dipped, iirst 

 into a nitrate solution, and then into hydrosulphate of ammonia, came 

 out much hardened, and practically i)roof against the action of organic 

 acids. Mr. H. A. Sauze read a paper on " Alligators and Crocodiles." 



March 5th, 1895. — Exhilnts : — Mr. Bell : a female specimen of 

 Argynnis adippe from the New Forest, having a small portion of the 

 right fore-wing slightly bleached, but otherwise perfect. Mr. Clark : 

 a short series of Cncnllia gnaphalii from the collection of the late Mr. 

 Machin, who bred them from larvw obtained at Sevenoaks. Mr. 

 Southejf : a series of Smerinthus populi, among which was a specimen 

 having the right hind-wing of a nearly uniform cream colour. 

 Messrs. May, Hamling and Kiches also exhibited the same genus to 

 help to illustrate a most instructive and comprehensive paper read by 

 Mr. Bacot on " The genus Smerinthns." * The Secretary read a letter 

 from Mr. Heasler to the effect that he had now completed the list of 

 records of Coleoptera for the Society's London Fauna List, and for- 

 warded the same in manuscript, so that it might be of use to members 

 during the coming season. The list comprised records of more than 

 half the total number of species of British beetles, and was really a 

 handbook of those occurring in the London district, inasmuch as it 

 included much information as to methods of cajjture, liesides localities, 

 dates and other statistical matter. Mr. Heasler is to be congratulated 

 on his most masterly j^roduction, for which the Society owes him a 

 deep debt of gratitude. 



THE PROWL. 



The western sky is all aflame : 



The sun's red steeds their stalls are 

 nearing : 

 Or if they aren't, it's all the same : 

 You know the sort of track I'm steer- 

 ing. 



It's time to get the treacle pot, 

 And not to talk that kind of rot. 



Now night unfolds her dusky wings : 



A few faint stars are coyly peeping: 

 I wonder why one hunts the things 

 That haunt the woods, instead of 

 sleeping ! 



We're nearly there, with hope 



elated, 

 Fetch out the spirits (methylated). 



The moon her silvei'y orh aloft 

 Through spaceless depths is slowly 

 raising; 

 I rather fancy I'll be scoffed 



If that's the kind of night I'm praising. 

 Those matches, please, this way, 



young man, turn ; 

 I think it's time to light the 

 lantern. 



Red glows the light on many a gold 



And pink and saffron tinted pinion. 

 I've got as much as I can hold, 



I've tilled my pill-boxes and tin one. 

 It's getting late by my chron- 

 ometer : 

 Just net that little last geometer. 



You see yon glimmer in the East, 

 That's where the day will soon be 

 breaking. 

 I really think the man's a beast 



Who goes to bed when moths are 

 waking. 



Eut I've got other work to do 

 To-morrow morning — haven't 

 you? 



G. M. A. H. 



*Tliis we shall publish hereafter. — Ed. 



