2G-1 [April, 188;;. 



reasons for adopting it are given in the preface, and need not be cited here. There 

 is verj much to be said for this system as being a superior Hnear arrangement, al- 

 though objection will doubtless be taken to the sequence of the great divisions and 

 the position assigned to some forms ; yet it will, we think, eventually be approved as 

 a whole, indeed, it is already coming into favour on the continent, or, more strictly, 

 so much of it as has been published, tlie unpublished part having been specially 

 communicated to the authors of this Catalogue. 



The typography is clear, distinct, and remarkably free from errors. All con- 

 cerned have done their parts well ; it remains for the Coleoptcrists to do theirs. 



Entomological Society of London .- hth Fehruary, 1883. — J. W. Dunning, 

 Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair. 



The President appointed Messrs. Stainton, Godman, and McLanhhin, Vice- 

 Presidents for the year. 



The following were elected, viz., A. C. Horner, Esq., of Tunbridge ; P. Crowley, 

 Esq., of Croydon ; and Capt. G. E. Shelley, of Tenterden Street. 



Mr. Billups exhibited an exotic Orthopterous insect of the family LocustidcB, 

 found living in a hothouse at Lee ; it was strongly carnivorous in its habits. 



Mr. Pascoe called attention to a letter from the Duke of Argyll that had re- 

 cently appeared in " Nature," respecting the mimetic resemblance of a moth (species 

 not given) as observed by him in the Riviera ; some discussion ensued, but no 

 Member appeared able to identify the moth from the vague description given. 



Mr. Peringuey communicated notes on the habits of several South African 

 species of Paussns, and especially in connection with their powers of crepitating, and 

 carnivorous propensities. 



Hh March, 1883.— The President in the Chair. 



The following were elected, viz., F. W. Smith, Esq., of Blackheath ; F. F. 

 Freeman, Esq., of Plymouth ; and F. C. Leraann, Esq., of Plymouth. 



Mr. McLachlan exhibited an example of Polistes helrcEus,n.n Indian and Chinese 

 wasp, found living a few days previously on board a ship in London that had re- 

 cently arrived from Calcutta. It was apparently dead at the time of exhibition, but 

 revived with the heat of the room. He thought it had possibly been bred from a 

 nest inside bamboo. 



Dr. Sharp exhibited a dissection of the prostcrnum of an Elatei-, and called at- 

 tention to the peculiar condition of the prothoracic stigma, which was closed by a 

 perfect trap door. He thought this arrangement might be useful in excluding 

 parasites when the beetle was on its back, after the manner of its kind. 



Mr. Billups stated that the Orthopterous insect exhibited at the previous 

 meeting proved to be a species of Copiophora, and its native country was probably 

 Central America. He also exhibited two species of Ichneumonida taken at Chobham, 

 new to this country, viz., Hemiieles fascicifu.t and Phoeoceriis homochlorits. 



Mr. Gr. S. Saunders sent for exhibition an apparatus he had invented for the 

 better examination of minute insects and dissections under the microscope. It con- 

 sisted of an adaptation of the " universal hinge " let into a slip of wood, and furnished 

 with an adjusting screw. 



Mr. Bridgraan communicated further additions to the List of British Ichneu- 

 monidcE. 



