84 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Barrett showed specimens of the true Platyptilia tesseradactyhi, L. 

 { = P. fischeri, Zell.) new to the United Kingdom, and taken in Co. 

 Galway by Mr. W. F. de V. Kane and the Hon. R. E. Dillon. Mr. 

 McLachlan exhibited cooked locusts [Schistocerca peregrina) received 

 from the Eev. A. E. Eaton, and sold in the market of Biskra, Algeria, 

 under the name of " Jarad." They were cooked whole, but the abdo- 

 men only was eaten. A paper was communicated by Dr. A. G. Butler, 

 F.L.S., on "Seasonal Dimorphism in African Butterflies," which led 

 to a long discussion, chiefly on the so-called " dry-season " and " wet- 

 season" forms. Mr. Merrifield stated that he had been unable experi- 

 mentally to modify the colour and markings of Lepidoptera by varia- 

 tions in humidity. Mr. Tutt believed that Mr. Doherty had obtained 

 "wet-season forms" of Oriental species by keeping the pupae in a moist 

 atmosphere. 



Febniari/ Vlth. — Mr. E. McLachlan, F.R.S., Vice-President and 

 Treasurer, in the chair. Messrs. Champion and Jacoby exhibited the 

 collection of Phytophagous Coleoptera made by Mr. H. H. Smith in 

 Grenada and the Grenadines for the West India Exploration Com- 

 mittee of the Royal Society. Mr. F. C. Adams exhibited rare Diptera 

 taken in the New Forest during the preceding year, and including 

 Callicera (Euea and Ncphrucerus flavicornis. Mr. M. Burr showed an 

 example of an undetermined species of locust taken in the Post Office 

 at Bedford Street, Strand, and six new species of Acrydiidfe of different 

 genera. The Secretary exhibited a Cicada larva from which a fungus, 

 probably Cordi/ceps sohoJifera, was growing, which had been sent to the 

 Society from Venezuela, with an enquiry as to its real nature. The 

 Rev, Dr. Walker showed a series of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and 

 Diptera, collected in the Orkney Islands during the previous season. 

 Mr. Tutt exhibited bred examples of the extreme radiate variety of 

 Spilosoma luhncipeda. This variety occurred naturally in Heligoland, 

 and its existence in Great Britain was probably attributable to acci- 

 dental importation. Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Champion communicated a 

 "List of the Phytophagous Coleoptera obtained by Mr. H. H. Smith 

 in St. Vincent, Grenada, and the Grenadines, with descriptions of 

 new species." — W. F. H. Blandford, Hon. Sec. 



South London Entomological and Natural History Society. — 

 December 10///, 1896.— C. G. Barrett, Esq., F.E.S., Vice-President, in 

 the chair. Mr. Brooks exhibited a very long series of Acherontia 

 atropos, bred from pupfp obtained at Long Sutton this year. One 

 specimen was much lighter on one side than on the other ; it was 

 suggested that a deficiency of fluid in the wings through injury was 

 the cause. He also exhibited a very long series of Triplmna fimbria, 

 bred from larvoo collected near Rotherham. Many specimens were 

 light, and only very few of the dark form ; it was stated that the 

 colour variation was by no means sexual. Mr. Mansbridge, a long and 

 very variable series of Af/rotis au.riliaris from N. America, taken in 

 1893; and read a paper on the exhibit, describing the forms of 

 variation, life-history, and distribution of the species. Mr. Barrett, 

 two specimens of Agrotis suhf/nthica, said to have been captured by 

 Raddou, of Barnstaple; and also forms of A. tritici of the var. 

 snhifothica. A discussion ensued, in which it was conclusively proved, 



