70 [August, 



The Rev. H. S. Gorham exhibited specimens of Eucnemis capticina (Ahr.), a 

 species new to Britain, discovered in June last in an old beech tree in the New 

 Forest. Ife also exhibited specimens of Cassida chloris. 



Dr. Sharp exhibited larvae of Meloe, and read notes on their habits ; and Mr. 

 Saundei-a exhibited a specimen of Halictus infested with about thirty 3Ieloe larvae. 



Mr. Billups remarked that he had recently found forty-seven larvae of Meloe on 

 a specimen of Eucera. 



Dr. Sharp said that he was of opinion that the operations of these larvre were not 

 the result of instinct, but were more like reflex actions ; the instant the larvae 

 touched a suitable surface they clung to it. The discussion was continued by Prof. 

 Riley, who disagreed with Dr. Sharp, and believed that these larvae were guided by 

 instinct, as they showed a decided preference for particular hosts. 



Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited a male of Lycana hellargus and a female of L. 

 Icarus, which had been captured in copula by Mr. Hillman, and shown to the ex- 

 hibitor at the time of capture. Mr. Weir also exhibited some specimens of Lyccena 

 which he believed to be hybrids between Lyccena hellargus and L. icariis ; and he 

 further exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Jenner, four specimens (all males) of Phos- 

 phcenus hemipterus, taken at Lewes. 



The Rev. W. W. Fowler exhibited two specimens of Chrysomela cerealis, lately 

 taken by Dr. Ellis on Snowdon ; and also two specimens of Actocharis Readingi 

 found at Falmouth by Mr. J. J. Walker. 



Mr. E. B. Poulton called attention to the fact that the larvae of some Lepido- 

 ptera, if fed in captivity on an unusual food-plant, subsequently refused to eat their 

 ordinary food-plant. He stated that he had observed this with the larvae of Pygmra 

 bucephala and Smerinthus ocellatus. Mr. Stainton, Mr. Fowler, and others, made 

 some remarks on the subject. 



Mr. Elisha exhibited a series of bred specimens of Geometra smaragdaria, 

 together with the cocoons, containing the empty pupa-cases, attached to the stems of 

 the food-plant. 



Mons. Alfred Wailly, who was present as a visitor, exhibited a long series of 

 silk-producing moths, including some remarkable hybrids between P. Cecropia and 

 P. ceanothi ; and Professor Riley and Mr. Weir made some observations on these 

 hybrids. 



Dr. Sharp read a paper on " Eucnemis capucina (Ahr.) and its larvae." 



Dr. Dunning read a report on the subject of the importation of humble-bees 

 into New Zealand, from which it appeared that the efforts of Mr. Nottidge, of 

 Ashford, and the Canterbury (N. Z.) Acclimatization Society, had been successful, and 

 that the long- wanted clover-fertilizer had at length been established in New Zealand. 



Mons. Peringuey communicated " Notes on some Coleopterous Insects of the 

 family Paussidce." 



Mr. J. B. Bridgman communicated " Additions to the Rev. T. A. Marshall's 

 Catalogue of British Ichneumonidae." 



Prof. Riley read " Notes on the phytophagic habit, and on alternation of gener- 

 ation, in the genus Isosoma." In this paper Prof. Riley described, from direct 

 observation, the phytophagic habit in two species of the genus. He also established 

 the existence of alternation of generation which was believed to be the first recorded 

 instance in the Chalcididce. — H. Goss, Secretary. 



