1896.] 283 



insects which had emerged after their arrival in England. The President read a 

 paper upon "Jumping Cocoons" (published simultaneously in the " Entomologist" 

 for November). He described the structure of the pupa and the mechanism by 

 which it chisles and hammers its way out of the cocoon. He suggested that the 

 "jumping" was produced by the efforts of the insect to free itself when the cocoon 

 had by accident become detached from its moorings. Mr. Lamb remarked that the 

 mechanics of the process were rather obscure. — C. J. Wilkinson, Hon. Sec. 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society : November 9tk, 189G. 

 — S. J. Capper, Esq., F.L.S., F.E.S., President, in the Chair. 



Owing to the Secretary, Mr. H. B. Jones, going abroad, Mr. F. N. Pierce un- 

 dertook the duties until the end of the year. 



Mr. F. N. Pierce read a paper, entitled, " Are Hybrids Hermapliroditic ? Some 

 Recent Investigations in the Grenitalia," which was illustrated by specimens, diagrams 

 and the micro-lantern ; the author stated in the specimens he had examined that 

 whereas the male hybrids, although distinct from the parents, were perfectly formed 

 and apparently capable of pairing, the female was hermaphroditic, the genitalia 

 containing the organs of both sexes. Dr. Ellis stated that in Nature it was easier 

 to produce males than females, and suggested that if the organs of females were 

 more generally examined, it would probably be found that instances of the male 

 organs being also present would not be rare. Mr. C. S. Grregson exhibited five 

 varieties oi Abraxas grossidariata, and a specimen of Aplecta occulta bred by him 

 that morning. — F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec. (pro tern.), 1, The Elms, Dingle, Liverpool. 



Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society. Entomological 

 Section.— Oc)!o6e/- 2Sth, 1896.— Mr. W. A. Vice, M.B., in the Chair. 



Mr. F. Bouskell, F.E.S., read a paper on "The Disappearance of certain species 

 of Insects, with Notes on their Slaughter and Protection." After stating what was 

 being done by the Entomological Society of London, the author mentioned that 

 some good people appeared to doubt that over-collecting had assisted, or was assisting, 

 in the extermination of any of our species, but that it must be put down to bad 

 seasons or other causes, and not to the agency of man. To show the fallacy of this 

 view the author dealt fully with the following species of LepidojAera, giving 

 numerous examples of over-collecting and reviewing the various theories as to their 

 extinction or scarcity, viz. : — Chrysophanus dispar, Aporia cratcegi, Lycmna Arion, 

 Thecla pruni, Leucophasia sinapis, Melitcea Athalia, M. Cinxia, Apatura Iris, 

 Lyccena Acis, Papilio Machaon and others, then dealt with some ten species of 

 Coleoptera which had undoubtedly been over-collected. Mr. Bouskell, in dealing 

 with the question of remedies, stated that they were either compulsory or voluntary. 

 Compulsory, such as by legislation, was impracticable, therefore they must rely on 

 the efforts of entomologists themselves. One point was to educate the mere collector 

 who collects for the sake of killing and accumulation, and to encourage the study of 

 life histories by means of rearing from the egg. On the question of protection the 

 author suggested the approaching the land -owners to grant conditional passes, 

 subject to regulations suggested by the section being a^lhered to, on the fishing 



