1886.] 243 



belief (from personal observation) that many Acrydiidce and Locustidce voluntarily 

 1 took a bath by leaping on to the surface of streams, &c., swimming to the bank after 

 a short time (if not meanwhile swallowed by fish). 



Mr. W. F. Kirby exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Ealfe, certain specimens of 

 LyccBna Corydon, &c., purchased by the latter at a recent sale, of a very extra- 

 ordinary character, and suggestive of chemical action. Mr. Weir and others made 

 some remarks on the specimens. 



The Rev. W. W. Fowler exhibited the British example of Harpalus calceatus, 

 Sturm, recorded ante pp. 172-174 ; also a series of British species of Helophorus, 

 and made some remarks with regard to the extreme difficulties in synonymy affecting 

 this genus. Furthermore he exhibited a specimen of Apion Lemoroi, Brisout ; 

 it was not uncommon on the French shores ; the larvse feed in the stems of 

 Polygonum aviculare, and he was of opinion that it might be found on our own 

 coast. 



Mr. H. Q-oss read an analysis of Mons. Brongniart's recent work on " Les 

 Insectes Fossiles des Terrains Primaires " (Rouen, 1885), and expounded that 

 author's views on the classification of insects from geological data. 



The Rev. W. W. Fowler read notes " On a small collection of Languriidce from 

 Assam, with descriptions of two new species." 



Mr. Baly read a paper *' On new genera and species of Galerucidce" chiefly from 

 the collections of Mr. A. R. Wallace. 



Mr. J. Edwards communicated the first part of a synopsis of British Cicadina. 



NOTE ON SOME BRITISH COCCID^ (No. 2). 

 BY J. W. DOUGLAS, F.E.S. 



The attention given to the Coccidce in this country, although ex- 

 tending over a long period, has been so desultory, intermittent, and 

 imperfect as regards the number of species noticed, that no systematic 

 English work on the subject exists, and much remains to be done, both 

 in collecting and investigation, before the number of species inhabiting 

 Britain can be known. My previous tentative " Note " (p. 157 ante) 

 has brought to me several kind, instructive and encouraging letters ; 

 with the aid therein promised, and that of other entomologists who 

 may be induced to collect and observe, an authentic list of British 

 Coccidid, accompanied by accounts of their varied economy and times 

 of appearance, may be rendered possible. The last item is of im- 

 portance, for much of success in obtaining the males depends upon 

 the time of year when the scales are collected ; and it would too often 

 happen to the collector, that with such vague terms as " spring " or 

 " summer," which for the most part are the only ones given as the 

 season when the males are disclosed, he would find, if he got the scales, 

 that the imagos had flown. 



One correspondent suggests that I should not say " British 



