48 [July, 187'.'. 



Prof. Westwood exhibited a large cotton-like mass enveloppiiig the cocooas of a 

 minute parasitic insect of the genus Microgaster. He had extracted 717 insects, 

 and, as many more remained, there were evidently about 1000 examples, all of which 

 had infested a single larva of some large species of Bomhyridce in Ceylon. 



Mr. P. Moore had noticed a similar occurrence in the larva of a species of Odo- 

 nestis, from Bombay. 



Prof. Westwood also exhibited an apple twig, the biids of which were destroyed 

 by some larva which he thought might be that of one of the Tortrickhr. 



Mr. Stainton exhibited a drawing of a vine-leaf mined by the \ixvyxoi Antispila 

 Rivillei, found at Massa di Carrara by the Hon. Beatrice De Grrey, and a bred speci- 

 men of the perfect insect. He detailed the circumstances that led to the re-discovery 

 of this insect, which had not been observed since Eiville sent an account of it in a 

 letter to Reaumur in 1750, from observations made in the island of Malta. 



Mr. Higgins exhibited a selection of beautiful species of Cetoniidce, principally 

 from Java, recently obtained fi-om Dr. Mohniki. 



Mr. Jeuner Weir stated, that having recently planted a variegated form of 

 Rhamnus alaternus in his garden at Blackheath, it was at once discovered by Gonop- 

 teryx rhamni, which laid its eggs thereon. He had not observed this species in his 

 garden during sixteen years, and considered it remarkable that the plant should so 

 soon have attracted it, although, in outward appearance, it was so utterly different 

 from the two indigenous species of Rhamnus. 



Mr. McLachlan read a note received from Prof. Newton concerning the habits 

 of Merope xyersicus, wliich bird lined its nest with the remains of dragon-tlies, on 

 which insects it apparently fed. 



Mr. MiiUer called attention to a paragi-aph in the ' Times ' concerning a plague 

 of ants on the island of May to such an extent to render the land practically useless 

 to the lighthouse keepers, so far as cultivation was concerned, and which had oc- 

 casioned a visit to the island of the Northern Lighthouse Commissioners for the 

 purpose of investigating the matter. 



The Secretary read au extract from the ' Petites NouvcUes Entomologiques ' of 

 the 1st June, concerning the discovery of large ;|iumbers of Calosoma aycophanta on 

 the dead body of a man who had hung himself in a forest near Eheims. As the 

 corpse was in a state of putrefaction, it was considered that the odour had attracted 

 the beetle ; and it was suggested that bodies of animals should be suspended in woods 

 for the same purpose. 



Prof. Westwood alluded to a notice by M. Gucnee in the same journal concern- 

 ing a female of Spilosoma sordida, which showed no inclination to pair vrith a male 

 which, abnormally, was coloui-ed as in the opposite sex, though she instantly mated 

 with an ordinary male which emerged soon afterwards. M. Gruenee seemed to think 

 this a proof of the^provision made by nature to ensure purity of race ; but Mr. 

 Stainton thought that, more probablj^, the first male was neglected as being unable 

 to continue the species. 



Mr. Briggs alluded to the infertility sometimes existing in insects, and mentioned 

 especially that he had once failed to obtain fertile eggs from three pairs of Clostera 

 curtula. He further remarked on the depraved sexual instincts exhibited in Noctuce 

 when intoxicated on ' sugar.' 



