1906. 1 277 



In the present state of our knowledge of the Diptera, the formation of analy- 

 tical tables for our British species with any degree of accuracy would be an ex- 

 ceedingly difficult task, the author of the work under review is, therefore, to be 

 congratulated upon boldly attempt ing such an undertaking, and if the result induces 

 only a few more collectors and students to collect and study this Order of Insects, 

 his work will not have been in vain. 



Societies. 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society: The Opening Meeting, 

 of the session was held in the Society's rooms at the Royal Institution, Colquit 

 Street, Liverpool, on Monday, the 15th October. — Mr. Richard Wilding, Vice- 

 President, in the Chair. 



In the Order Lepidoptera, Mr. F. N. Pierce, F.E.S., showed a case of varieties 

 of the common magpie moth. Abraxas grossulariata, from Wallasey, some of the 

 forms being of exceptional interest. Mr. Prince, the same species together with other 

 insects from Wallasey. Dr. Edwards, two drawers of Lepidoptera from Lancashire 

 and Devon, including, among others, short series of Limenitis sihylla, Caligenia 

 miniata, Epione apiciaria, Geometra papilionaria and Cidaria silaceata. Mr. B. 

 H. Crabtree, F.E.S., a couple of cases containing beautiful bred series of Odontopera 

 bidentata, ab nigra, from Manchester, Heliotlds peltigera from Sidmouth, Boarmia 

 repandata, Agrotis ashworthii, and Epunda lichenea from N. Wales, and many 

 other interesting species. Mr. R. Tait, jun., long series of bred insects showing 

 variation, Agrotis agathina, A. ashworthii, Boarmia repandata, and Cleora lichen- 

 aria from N. Wales ; Thecla quercus T. betulse, and Angerona prunaria from Hants ; 

 Aplecta nebulosa var. robsoni, and a beautiful specimen of Acronycta alni from 

 Delamere, the last taken as a pupa from an alder. Dr. Bell of New Brighton 

 showed cases of life-histories illustrating the early stages of many of our rare as 

 well as common moths, mounted upon their food plants ; also the results of four 

 days' collecting in the Fens. Mr. W. Mansbridge, a series of Aplecta nebulosa 

 and its black variety robsoni bred from ova deposited by a wild black female ; a 

 long scries of Macaria liturata and var. nigrofulvata, both from Delamere ; a series 

 of Cabera pusaria var. rotundaria from Knowsley, and a series of Rumia luteolata 

 from Allerton showing seasonal variation between the spring and autumn broods. 

 The last Member also read a communication to the Society upon the general causes 

 of insect variation. In the Coleoptera Dr. Corbett of Doncaster showed series of 

 various species of beetles from that district, including the very rare Carpophilus 

 sexpustulatus. Messrs. J. F. Button and Geo. Ellison, interesting varieties of Cicin- 

 dela campestris (the common tiger beetle), Agabus nebulosus, Ccelambu.s novemline- 

 atus, Otiorrhynchus blandus, and many others from the Orkney Islands collected 

 during a visit last summer to that locality. Mr. Geo. Ellison further exhibited 

 two specimens of the Orkney vole, Microtus orcadensis, a new British mammal, 

 together with its parasitic fleas Ceratephyllus penicilliger, C. gallinas, and Typhlo- 

 psylla agyrtes, and stated that all these parasites were well known to occur on the 

 domestic fowl. — H. R. Sweeting and Wm. Mansbridge, Hon. Secretaries. 



