187S.] 21 



Mr. Mc'Lachlan exhibited a Coleopterous larva, sent by Dr. Kirk from Zanzibar, 

 where it was doing great damage as a coifee-borer. It pertained to either the Bu- 

 prestidce or Longicorns (probably to the former), and its mode of life was remark- 

 able, inasmuch as it appeared to establish a communication with the air by cutting a 

 series of small, nearly equidistant, holes (each, externally, about the size of the hole 

 of an Anohium) along the sides of its gallery, commencing internally rather large, 

 but gradually decreasing in diameter until the bark was reached. Various surmises 

 (such as the presence of parasites, &c.) as to the object of this singular habit were 

 put forward, but Mr. McLachlan inclined to the opinion that the holes were really 

 intended for ventilation. 



Mr. W. C. Boyd exhibited an example of Oxyptilus Icetus taken at Deal, in 

 June, 1869, and remarked on apparent differences between it and the form captured 

 in Norfolk. 



A paper by the Rev. T. A. Marshall, on the entomology of the Windward 

 Islands, was read by the Secretary. 



The Rev. H. S. Q-orham communicated the description of a new species of 

 CleridcB, with corrections of synonymy, &c. 



Dr. Sharp communicated a paper on some NitidididcB from the Hawaiian Islands. 



The Secretary read a paper by Mr. Mansel Weale (accompanied by illustrations) 

 on South African insects, with especial reference to those infesting Acacia horrida, 

 and their protective resemblances, &c. Mr. Wood-Mason exhibited the insects 

 referred to in the paper, and alluded to the resemblance of one of the species of 

 MantidcB noticed in the paper to bird-droppings. The larva of a species of moth of 

 the family PhtfcidcR had the singular habit of forming long cases, like the thorns of the 

 Acacia, and the resemblance was strengthened by the larva attacliing leaflets at the 

 end, so as to cause the cases to bear a still greater resemblance to young thorns. With 

 regard to resemblance between ants and spiders, Mr. Meldola thought the ca?e 

 should be referred to the category of aggressive mimicry, the spiders feeding upon 

 the ants and flies attracted by the sweet secretions of the Acacia. 



Mr. Swlnton communicated a paper on " display and dances by insects." 



Mr. Slater communicated a paper on the " secondary sexual characters of 

 insects," with especial reference to the development of horn-like processes and 

 elongated mandibles in the males of Coleoptera, alluding to the theories advanced in 

 explanation of the causes and purpose of the growths. 



\st 3Iay, 1878.— H. W. Bates, Esq., F.L.S., President, in the Chair. 



H. J. Elwes, Esq., F.L.S., of Preston House, Cirencester, was elected a Member, 

 and P. Cameron Esq., of Glasgow, was elected a Subscriber. 



Mr. Dunning drew attention to the fact that the Meeting mai'ked the 45th 

 Annivei-sary of the foundation of the Society. 



Mr. Distant read a paper on some Hemiptera-Homoptera, with descrif)tions of 

 new species, in which he remarked on the uncertainty of generic nomenclature as a 

 basis upon which to found theories of geographical distribution. He exhibited a 

 specimen of Tetrodes hilineata, Walker, as a remarkable instance of the power some 

 insects appeared to have of resisting damp ; that same specimen having been in a 

 damp relaxing box for over four months without injury. 



