1906.J 165 



the driest localities in which Trichopterous larvae and pupse are to be found. 

 The characteiistic vegetation of one of these includes Betula odorata, Pinus 

 sylcestris, Ledum palustre, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium uUginosum, V. oxycoccos, 

 Empetruin nigrum, ErinjjJiorum raginatum and different species of grass and 

 Sphagnum. The Trichoptera of these bogs are Agrgpniapicta, Limnophilus griseus, 

 L. luridus, L. sparsus and StenophyJax alpestris. In the deeper recent layers of 

 sphagnum-turf were found numerous pupae of L. luridus and L. sparsus. Such 

 species are not dependent on water to the same degree as most other Trichoptera and 

 the bridge between their conditions of life and those of the truly terrestrial Enoicyla 

 does not seem to be very wide ! 



Silfvenius, as a thorough investigator, begins at the beginning, although his 

 paper on the eggs and egg-masses of the Trichoptera is the last published. In the 

 historical part of this paper reference is made to previous descriptions (mostly 

 imperfect ones) relating to 23 species of which 27 are European ; by his observa- 

 tions the numbers are raised to 71. In the special part, the species are dealt with 

 under the seven generally accepted families, on the bases of the literature and the 

 author's own observations, the following points being noticed : the mode of deposit 

 of the spawn, its definitive situation, form and colour, the arrangement, number, 

 form and colour of the eggs, and lastly, the egg-masses more closely examined by 

 the author are described with respect to their form and size and the size of the eggs. 

 In the general part are notices over repeated pairings ; the time between pairing 

 and egg-laying ; how the eggs are extruded from the genital opening ; how the 

 spawn is formed and how transported before it is deposited, how and where it is 

 laid and how long the egg-laying lasts. Then are noticed the changes which take 

 place in the gelatinous envelope during and after embryonic development. After a 

 reference to the dangers which threaten the eggs and the means of averting these, 

 the signification of the gelatinous mass is discussed and some interesting analogies 

 drawn between the egg-masses of Trichoptera and those of other animals, and 

 especially of other insects. The author then states the results of the study of the 

 egg. laying and of the spawn-masses from the point of view of the relationships of 

 the different families. Finally, a short account is given of what has been done 

 in connection with the study of the embryonic development of these insects. It is 

 impossible here to go more fully into the subject, but to all who are interested in 

 the attempt to trace the origin and relationships of insects, the observations of 

 Silfvenius will be of value. He is to be congratulated on his excellent work, further 

 instalments of which will be looked for with interest and confidence.— Z. J. M. 



BiEMiNGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY : Monday, March IWi, 1906. — 

 Mr. G-. T. Bethune-Bakee, President, in the Chair. 



The Meeting was Jield in the Society's new Rooms at Avebury House, 

 55, Newhall Street. 



Mr. J. T. Fountain showed a very fine variety of Phigalia pedaria, F., taken 

 near Highbury, Birmingham ; it was practically a black-veined moth, the whole of 



