28S [March, 



njaro ; also, for comparison, specimens of Si/nchlo'e mesentina and S. hellica, which the 

 new species closely resembled. 



Mr. W. White exhibited a number of preserved larvce of European Lepidoptera 

 in various stages of growth (including nine examples each of Saturnia carpini and 

 Deilephila euphorhice), illustrating the gradual development of the markings and 

 colours, as explained by Prof. Weismann, in his " Studies in the Theory of Descent." 



Mr. Gervase F. Mathew exhibited a variety of a female of Lyccena Telicamis, 

 from the neighbourhoood of Gallipoli, Turkey ; also some specimens of a Lyccena 

 from Vigo, believed to be varieties of Lyccena Baton, but differing from the type in 

 being much larger and darker. He further exhibited several examples of a 

 Leucophasia from Vigo, which appeared to be identical with L. esstiva, Staud. 



Mr. Pori'itt exhibited, on behalf of Mr. N. F. Dobree, a series of a remarkable 

 red form of Tceniocampa gracilis, bred last season from larvte collected in Hampshire. 



Mr. Eland Shaw exhibited specimens of Pachytylus clnerascens, Fab., 3Iecostethus 

 grossus, Linne, and Qryllus fiavipes, Gmel., and read a " Note on the Identity of 

 Gryllus (Locusta) Jlavipes, Gmel." 



The Secretary read a communication from Prof. Riley, of Washington, on the 

 subject of the "Australian Bug" (Icerya Purchasi). It was stated that the insect 

 had of late years become very destructive to various trees and shrubs in California, 

 into which country, as well as into New Zealand and Cape Colony, it had been 

 introduced from Australia, where it was believed to be indigenous ; but on this point 

 further evidence was asked for. 



The Eev. T. A. Marshall communicated " A Monograph of the British 

 Braconidee," Part 2, being a continuation from Part 1 of the " Transactions " for 1885. 



Mr. Francis P. Pascoe read a paper entitled " Descriptions of some new species 

 of Brachycerus." 



Mr. Francis Galton, F.E.S., read a paper on " Pedigree Moth-breeding as a 

 means of verifying certaiii important Constants in the General Theory of Heredity." 

 In this paper Mr. Galton suggested the institution of a system of experimental 

 breedings, to be continued for several years, with the object of procuring evidence as 

 to the precise measure of the diminution of the rate at which a divergence from the 

 average of the race proceeds in successive generations of continually selected animals. 

 Mr. Frederic Merrifield read a paper (by way of appendix to Mr. Galton's paper) 

 entitled "A proposed method of breeding Selenia illustraria, with the object of 

 obtaining data for Mr. Galton." Mr. McLachlan said he considered the fact that 

 S. illustraria was dimorphic an objection to its selection for the experiments proposed 

 by Mr. Galton, and he suggested that the Common Silkworm Moth, or some other 

 large Bombyees, would be more suitable for Mr. Galton's purposes. Prof. Meldola 

 called attention to some observations on Selenia illustraria by Dr. Knaggs in 

 vol. iii of the Eut. Mo. Mag., which had some bearing on the projected experiments ; 

 and he remarked that although, for some reasons, the species selected was well 

 adapted for testing Mr. Galton's conclusions, he believed that the fact of the moth 

 being seasonally dimorphic was likely to introduce disturbing elements into the 

 experiments which might influence the results. 



The discussion was continued by Messrs. Sharp, Baly, Kirby, White, Klein, 

 Porritt, Dunning, Waterhosue, Bates, Merrifield, Galton, and others. — H. Goss, 

 Hon. Secretary. 



