1896.] 



167 



variation, as in the former (var. Curl'isii) it was the upper-side that was protectively 

 coloured. Mr. Tutt read a paper, entitled, " Is cold the cause of Melanism in 

 Scotch specimens of Tryphcena orbona 1 " in which he showed by magazine references 

 that the area of distribution of var. Curtisii was by no means the coldest portions of 

 the country, and that there the sallows flowered quite as early as in the S. of 

 England. He was of opinion that the variation was wholly brought about by 

 utility, that the species was protectively coloured. In the subsequent discussion 

 several members considered that the dark variation in this species was a return to an 

 ancestral form, and that every evidence showed that the processes of evolution were 

 still in progress. — Hy. J. Turner, Ron. Secretary. 



N.B. — In last report, delete, " The extreme colour .... on this point," and 

 insert, " He considered that the evidence pointed to cold being one of the 

 chief factors in the darkening of the species in its northern localities." 

 Add at the end : " In his reply Mr. Adkin thought that although the 

 extreme colour of var. Curtisn may have been developed for protection, 

 much further observation was necessary before it could be proved. 



Entomological Society of London : June 3?-d, 1896. — Dr. D. Sharp, 

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



Mr. Gervase F. Mathew exhibited the new species of Leucania, L. favicolor, 

 recently described by Mr. Barrett (Ent. Mo. Mag., 2nd series, vol. vii, p. 99), 

 and also the varieties of L. pallens noticed by Mr. Barrett in the same article {I. c, 

 p. 100). He also exhibited a remarkable variety of Mamestra abjecta, which bore a 

 close resemblance to Apamea gemina, var. rewissa, and to Hadena genistas, and a 

 bred specimen of Eupithecia casiigata (?), with nearly the whole surface of the 

 wings (the margins excepted) denuded of scales. Mr. Elwes exhibited a collection 

 of butterflies taken in the neighbourhood of Q-ibraltar during last April, and said 

 that he had found the district very unproductive, owing to the great drought. Mr. 

 J. J. Walker remarked that Mr. Elwes had been very unfortunate, as during three 

 spring seasons his experience had been very different ; at the same time it seemed 

 to be agreed that Spain, as a whole, was not so rich in Lepidoptera as in other 

 Orders of insects. Dr. Sharp exhibited on behalf of Mr. Hampson specimens of the 

 female of Oiketicus Crameri, recently sent by Mr. Dudgeon from Sikkim. The 

 females in this species are so maggot-like that it is difficult to recognise them as 

 perfect moths. There were also two pupa shells, one of which was used as a 

 receptacle for eggs, and in the other eggs had hatched, so that it had the appearance 

 of a pupa filled with young larvae. Mr. R. W. Lloyd exhibited a specimen of Athous 

 hmmnrrlioidalis, from Savernake Forest, Wilts., with a curious malformation of the 

 right antenna. Mr. Waterhouse exhibited several branches of oaks from the New 

 Forest entirely denuded of foliage, and stated that throughout large tracts of the 

 Forest the oaks had been stripped of their leaves in the same fashion by 

 Lepidopterous larvae, especially Choimatobia brumata,, Hybernia dcfoliaria, and 

 Tortrix viridana. Certain trees, however, though situated among the denuded 

 trees, had quite escaped. Dr. Sharp suggested that they belonged to a different 

 species ; but Mr. Waterhouse said that he had carefully examined them, and that 



