1892.1 223 



Cambridge Entomological and Natural History Society : April 29th, 

 1892.— The President in the Chair. 



Messrs. R. Freeman, B.A., E. B. Marriott, B.A., W. Bateson, M.A., and Dr. 

 Sharp, F.R.S., were elected Members of the Society. 



Mr. White exhibited Plusia interrogationis from "Radnorshire, and a very dark 

 variety of Smerinthus tilice taken at Cambridge. Mr. Moss, some good varieties of 

 Taniocampa stahilis and instahilis, and specimens of Hyhernia progemmaria var. 

 perftisca, Venusia camhricaria, &c., all from Windermere. Mr. Farren read a paper 

 on Protective Resemblance. Several of the lichen-feeding species of Lepidoptera 

 were mentioned as affording good instances ; and the prevailing colour and style of 

 markings of many species of Fen Lepidoptera as affording them protection by the 

 likeness to dead reeds and sedge on which the moths are used to rest. The paper 

 was illustrated by an exhibition of about 40 species of Fen Lepidoptera ; also speci- 

 mens of Bryophila muralis and perla, Cleora lichenaria, Leptogramma literana, 

 and living larvae of Qeometra vernaria and Cleora lichenaria. Messrs. Moss, Frere, 

 Jones and Farren continued a long discussion on the subject. 



May ISth, 1892.— The President in the Chair. 



Mr. Moss exhibited a very pale ochreous variety of Amphidasis prodromaria, 

 Noctua Dahlii, brunnea and unibrosa, Hadena rectilinea, Pachnohia ruhricosa and 

 leucographa, TcBtiiocampa gracilis, &c. Mr. Farren, his collection of the " Thorns" 

 and other Oeometrce. Mr. Powell, a box of aquatic insects collected in the district. 

 Mr. Bull, a very pale and a very dark variety of Saturnia carpini. Mr. Farren 

 having attended the Soutli London Entomological Society's Annual Exhibion on the 

 5th and 6th inst., described and remarked on some of the exhibits, making especial 

 mention of Mr. Merrifield's cases illustrating the effects of temperature (during the 

 pupal stage) on the colouring of certain species of Lepidoptera ; and Mr. Jenner 

 Weir's Papilio Merope, and the various forms of its female, with the different 

 species of Danaidoe they mimic for protection. The subject of mimicry was dis- 

 cussed at some length, Messrs. Langdon, Bryan, Jones and Moss taking part. 



May 2^th. — The President in the Chair. 



The Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. , was elected an Honorary Member 

 of the Society. 



Mr. Freeman exhibited a very fine Amphydasis hetularia var. Douhledayaria 

 taken at Cambridge, a beech leaf found in Norfolk with a cocoon each of Halias 

 prasinana and Lasychira pudibunda spun on it, and the two specimens bred from 

 them, Hypsipites ruberata from Norfolk, and a large box of Lepidoptera, Hymen- 

 optera, Diptera, &c., to show instances of mimicry. Mr. Bull, Xylina semibrunnea, 

 JEupithecia indigata, and Hypsipites ruberata. Mr. Farren, a series of Argynnis 

 Paphia var. Valezina, and other butterflies. Mi*. Moss read some notes on different 

 speci'^s of Lepidoptera which had come under his notice, cliiefly at Liverpool and 

 Windermere, the notes relating to the habits of C. porcellus and Cossus ligniperda, 

 etc., being especially interesting. — Wm. Farren, Hon. Sec. 



