REVIEW. 163 



provisionally uncertain distinction of apparently important differences. 

 In illustration of this he exhibited specimens of Callosune evarne and 

 0. kekkamma, two forms hitherto held distinct, but of which the ova, 

 larv£e, and pupae exhibited no differences, although in two broods in 

 successive years the forms appeared separately. He also remarked 

 on artificially produced changes in the pupae." — P. xiv. 



Mr. Slater's first paper contains some interesting facts 

 upon the food and protection of certain lepidopterous larvse, 

 presumably with a view to prove that there is a connection 

 between " conspicuous coloration and a poisonous or ofTensive 

 food-plant." His notes on Coleoptera refer to the, habits of 

 several well-known species, many interesting facts being spoken 

 to from direct observation : an important one is that the 

 Telephori, from their pugnacity, so well known as "soldiers" 

 and "sailors," are diligent devourers of Aphides; and Mr. 

 Slater goes so far as to say that " In this respect I should 

 think that they are more serviceable to the farmer and 

 gardener than the ladybirds, being more voracious, more 

 active, and, on the average, more numerous." 



Mr. Distant's memoir is a rather elaborate paper on "The 

 means of Dispersal and Conditions which are favourable to 

 the Survival in a Nevv Habitat," of Lepidopteia in general, 

 with especial reference to D. Arcliippua in particular. Three 

 or more specimens having occurred in Britain in the autumn 

 of 1876, it is not unlikely that before long this species may 

 gain a permanent settlement here, as it has done in many 

 other lands, notably in Australia. 



In the Proceedings, which, together with the President's 

 Address, index, &c., extend to ninety-three pages, there is 

 much to interest all. Nun)erous specimens, consisting mostly 

 of varieties and monstrosities of Lepidoptera, and new or 

 interesting species of other classes, were exhibited at the 

 Society's meetings : these are all specially referred to. Some 

 valuable communications on slrididalion and mimicry were 

 brought forward by Prof. Wood-Mason and others. Our 

 notice is already long, but the following three extracts may 

 be new and of interest to many of our readers : — 



Season-dimorphism in Lepidoptera. — " The President read some 

 interesting remarks from a letter he had received from Mr. B. G. 

 Cole respecting some specimens of Epityra punctaria which he had 

 bred from eggs laid by the same female, the greater number of which 

 emerged from the pupa3 in July (as the spotted variety), while the 

 remainder appeared in May, in all respects resembling the mother. 

 He repeated the experiment in 1870 with similar results: all but 

 one pupa from a batch of eggs laid in May appeared in July as the 



