49, THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
since November, 1907 :—Cerwra bifida (4), Zeuzera esculi (1), Sphinx 
convolvult (2), Acherontia atropos (3), Petasia cassinea (3), T'enio- 
campa gracilis (1), Pheosia dicteoides (1), Agrotis suffusa (5), Dasy- 
polia templi (1, fourth recorded example since 1907), Himera pennaria 
(5)—ALFRED NEwsTEAD; Grosvenor Museum, Chester. 
Notes From Merssina.—I reached here on the 9th November 
last; temperature 73° in the shade, which later on fell to 67°, at 
which it now stands. During the last few days rain has fallen 
heavily, but without lessening the heat. The butterflies on the hills 
near the town are nearly all such as are found (sometimes only 
occasionally) in England. The common butterflies here are Preris 
rape@ (this occurs in centre of town) and P. brassice; and I captured 
a fine specimen of P. daplidice (November 19th). Colzas edusa flies 
about rapidly on the hill-sides; I have only taken males. Pararge 
meg@ra is common near the torrent-beds. P. egeria (one), the local 
form. Chrysophanus phleas, on the hill-sides. Pyrameis atalanta, 
this is the commonest of the Vanesside here, and occurs in gardens, 
roads, &c. P. cardwt, a few; but strange to say I have not seen 
either wrtice or 70. This comprises the list of butterflies I have 
noticed in mid-November, just a dozen species in all. Moths are 
scarce; three small species taken. Grasshoppers abound, also a few 
locusts and beetles. I watched a lizard pounce upon a good-sized 
grasshopper ; it tried to get away into a hole in the wall and slipped 
down two or three feet, but stuck fast to its prey and then dis- 
appeared. Caterpillars are not much in evidence. I noticed some 
on heath (a species of) on Monte Ciccio, and left them to grow 
bigger. I think they may belong to a species allied to Lasiocampa 
quercus. During the winter I am not expecting many other species 
of butterfly to turn up, but shall look forward to the spring.— 
J. Puarr-BaRrrett. 
[The writer of the above, who is probably known, at least by 
name, to most of our readers, was residing in Messina at the time of 
the recent earthquake (Dec. 28th). He fortunately escaped, together 
with his son; but the wife and daughter of the latter were among the 
victims of that lamentable occurrence.—ED. | 
SOCIETIES. 
EnromotogicaL Society or Lonpon. — At the Annual Meeting 
of this Society, held at 11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, on 
the evening of Wednesday, January 20th, the following Officers and 
Council were elected for the Session 1909-10 :—President, Dr. F. A. 
Dixey, M.A., M.D.; Treasurer, Mr. A. H. Jones; Librarian, Mr. 
G. C. Champion, F.Z.S.; Secretaries, Mr. H. Rowland-Brown, M.A., 
and Commander J. J. Walker, M.A., R.N.; other members of the 
Council, Dr. T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.Z.S.; Mr. A. Harrison, F.L.S., 
F.C.S.; Mr. Selwyn Image, M.A.; Dr. K. Jordan, Ph.D.; Dr. G. B. 
Longstaff, M.D.; Mr. H. Main, B.Sc.; Mr. G. A. K. Marshall; Pro- 
fessor E, B, Poulton, D.Sc., M.A., F.R.S.; Mr. R. Shelford, M.A.; 
