51 



Pcedisca oppressana, Tr. — Two years ago I observed this hitherto rare species, 

 of which, at the time, only two specimens had been recorded, in considerable num- 

 bers on the trunks of poplars at Edmonton ; owing, however, to delay in identifying 

 the specimens which I then captured, I failed to obtain a good supply. Last year 

 the insect was scarce, and I was able to secure only a single specimen, but, at the 

 time I write this, the insect has again made its appearance, though more sparingly 

 than when I first had the pleasure of making its acquaintance. The larva, no 

 doubt, feeds in the bark of poplar, and I have found the empty pupa-case sticking 

 out from the bark, much after the style of that of 8. Wceherana on apple and pear 

 trees. When the weather is at all cool, or the wind blowing with any force, the 

 moth is sluggish, hiding itself in the crevices of the bark, which it cannot readily 

 be induced to leave ; but when the day is calm and the sun's rays powerful, it has 

 a peculiar jumping flight, jerking itself from the tree to the collector's coat or to 

 the adjacent herbage, and as suddenly returning after a short interval to the tree- 

 trunk. It bears considerable resemblance, at first sight, to grey specimens of the 

 common Gr. Nisana, for which it has probably often been overlooked ; Entomologists 

 residing near any locality where large poplars occur, will do well to look out for 

 this species in the month of June. I have placed my captures of this species in 

 the hands of my friend, Dr. Knaggs, who has undertaken to set and distribute 

 them ; any Entomologist wishing for a pair will, therefore, please send a hox, with 

 return postage, to 72, Kentish Town Road, N.W. — Bernabd Piffard, June IZth. 



Curious fact about Dicranura Vinula. — Last summer two of my cocoons of this 

 species did not give forth their images ; I did not, however, throw them away. 

 Recently I opened one of them and found the imago dead ; I then, more carelessly, 

 opened the other, and discovered that the pupa case was cracked and contained a 

 live imago, which began to protrude its antennae and legs through the slits in the 

 pupa case ; I rendered assistance with the point of a pin by removing the partially 

 detached pieces of case, and a fine female came out. Although placed under favour- 

 able circumstances her wings did not expand, but remained as two little lappets of 

 about a quarter of an inch in length ; next day she continued in the same state, but 

 on the afternoon of the second day the wings attained their full size, making her one 

 of my finest and best developed specimens — I expect that T brought her to the 

 light of day before all was prepared for the process of wing-forming. — William 

 Horn, 106, High Street, Portsmouth. 



Entomological Society of London, June 6th, 1864. — H. T. Stainton, Esq., 

 F.L.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Morris, who was present as a visitor, 

 some leaves of sugar cane from Mauritius, which were much infested with Coccus : 

 this insect being the cause of considerable injury to the sugar crop in that island. 



Mr. P. Smith exhibited a female Bomhus, which he was unable to refer to any 

 known species ; it had been captured by his son on the sand hills at Deal. 



Mr. McLachlan exhibited a case-bearing larva, which had been found by Mr. 

 Douglas on Box Hill amongst thyme ; it was of so singular an aspect that he felt 

 quite uncertain to what order it should bo referred. Professor Westwood pronounced 

 it to be Coleopterous, of the genus Clythra, one of the Chrysomelidoi. 



