236 [Maicli, 



hinder part of the head ; the basal jomts of the middle and posterior tarsi are less 

 elongate ; and the suture of the elytra is reddish, and not elevated as in 0. ater. 

 It is impossible to define the limits to be accorded to a species, without knowing 

 the Hberal or conservative (qua Darwin) opinions of an author ; but it seems to us 

 that larger camels than this have been swallowed before now in the land of the 

 Gaul. The Homalium, in like manner, is accorded by M. Fauvel to H. Allardii -. 

 but, as Mr. Wollaston's species resembles an exaggerated form of H. fossulatum, 

 it was patent that there must have been some error on this point ; and we are now 

 informed by Mr. Wollastyon that M. Fauvel intended to refer H. ocellatum, Woll., to 

 H. Allardii. H. ocellatum is, indeed, somewhat close to the latter insect (as will be 

 seen by the note at p. 522 of Col. Atl.) ; but the type of it in the Mad. Col., Brit. 

 Mus., being compared with H. Allardii, appears to be lighter, shorter, and broader 

 than that insect, with bright yellow ocelli and clear testaceous legs, a more trans- 

 verse thorax, of which the sides are more rounded and more contracted behind, and 

 the hinder angles more prominent (the fovea there being deeper) , rather shorter 

 and less parallel elytra, which are less strongly and scarcely rugosely punctured, 

 and the abdomen not so dull, but with evident scattered punctuation. If Mr. 

 Wollaston's insect is, in spite of these discrepancies, to be considered identical with 

 H. Allardii, it will not disturb auy references ; as H. ocellatum was described in 

 Ins. Mad., 1854, and Fairmaire's species in the French " Annales " for 1859. 



6en^ral lufonnation. 



Italian Entomological Society. — A movement, from which we anticipate great 

 results for entomological science, is now on foot in Italy for the establishment there 

 of a Society to be called the " Societa Entomologica Italiana." A committee has 

 been formed of all the prominent entomologists in the principal towns and cities — 

 Turin, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples, Vicenza, Genoa, Ascoli, Parma, Imola 

 and Lucca. The local secretary at the latter place — who is also secretary of the 

 committee — is our well-known countryman, A. H. Haliday, Esq. The committee 

 has issued a circular, stating the objects of the Society, and fixing the Annual Sub- 

 scription at 10 lire (francs) ; it is intended to publish a Journal of the memoirs read. 



Death of Professor 0. O. Costa. — This Neapolitan entomologist died very recently, 

 but we know not, at the present moment, at what age ; he must have been advanced 

 in years. In conjunction with his son, Achille Costa, and separately, he has pub- 

 lished many entomological memoirs, one of the latest of which was on the Ailanthus 

 silk -worm (Bomhyx Cynthia) which has latterly attracted so much attention. The 

 two Costas were perhaps the only entomologists of note in Southern Italy. T he 

 change of dynasties does not at present appear to have exercised any very beneficial 

 influence upon natural science in that portion of the peninsula. 



Entomological Society of London ; 27Wi January, 1868 (Anniversary 

 Meeting) ; Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F.E.S., President, in the Chair. The following 

 gentlemen — Messrs. Grut, 0. Salvin, W. W. Saunders, and Trimen, were elected 

 Members of Council for the pi-esent year in the place of those removed. H. W. 

 Bates, Esq., F.Z.S., was elected President; S. Stevens, Esq., Treasurer; and 

 Messrs. Dunning and McLachlan, Secretaries. 



