SOCIETIES. 21 
(male), with the orange blotch edged with yellow, and yellowish forms of 
tne female of the same species; very blue forms of Polyommatus alsus ; 
males of P. alexis, with the hind margin of the under wings spotted with 
black, and very handsome forms of the female; also varied series of Ayrotis 
cursoria, A. tritici, A. valligera, Hydrecia micacea, H. nictitans, Epunda 
lutulenta, Hadena protea, Odontoptera bidentata, Cidaria immanata, 
C. testata, C. pyraliata, and Boarmia repandata. The Rev. S. St. John 
exhibited two specimens of Lycena argiades, taken in Somersetshire by 
Dr. Marsh in 1884; three specimens of Deilephila euphorbia, bred from 
larvee found feeding on Kuphorbia paralias on the Cornish coast in 
September, 1889; and a series of various forms of Anchocelis pistacina, all 
taken in a garden at Arundel. Lord Walsingham, Mr. Barrett, and Mr. 
McLachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. Jenner Weir 
exhibited two dark specimens of Zygena minos, which had been caught by 
Mr. Blagg in Carnarvonshire. He remarked that the specimens were not 
representatives of complete melanism, and suggested that the word 
 pheism ”—from ass, dusky—would be a correct word to apply to this 
and similar departures from the normal coloration of a species. Mr. C. J. 
Gahan exhibited specimens of the common “ book-louse,” dtropos pulsatoria, 
Fabr., which he heard making a ticking noise similar to that made by the 
“ death-watch ” (Anobium). Mr. B. A. Bower exhibited the following rare 
species of Micro-Lepidoptera:—Spilonota pauperana, Frol.; Gelechia 
osseella, Stn.; Chrysuclysta bimaculella, Haw.; and Elachista cingilella, 
Fisch. Lord Walsingham and Mr. Tutt made some remarks on the 
specimens. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a variety of Anthocharis cardamines, 
and one specimen of Sesia scolieformis bred from a larva found at Rannoch. 
Mr. G. T. Baker read a paper entitled “ Notes on Lycena (recte Thecla), 
rhymnus, tengstreamti, and pretiosa. A discussion followed, in which Lord 
Walsingham, Capt. Elwes, and Mr. Baker took part. Mr. F. Merrifield 
read a paper entitled “ The effects of artificial temperature on the colouring 
of Vanessa urtice and certain other species of Lepidoptera.” ‘The author 
stated that both broods of all three species of Selenia, Platypteryx falcataria, 
Vanessa urtice, Bombyx quercus and var. callune, and Chelonia caia were 
affected by temperature in the pupal stage, the lower temperature generally 
producing the greater intensity and darkness of colour; some of the 
Vanessa urtice made a near approach to the var. polaris of Northern 
Europe. A long discussion ensued, in which Mr. HK. B. Poulton, 
Mr. McLachlan, Prof. Meldola, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Jenner Weir, and 
Lord Walsingham took part. Mr. W. Bateson read a paper entitled 
** On the variation in the colour of the cocoons of Hriogaster lanestris and 
Saturnia carpini,” and exhibited a large number of specimens in illustration 
of the paper. Lord Walsingham congratulated Mr. Bateson on his paper, 
aud on the intelligent care and method shown in his experiments, and said 
that he was glad to see that at Cambridge there was an entomologist ready 
to enter this interesting field of investigation, and perhaps at some future 
day to contest the palm with Mr. Poulton as representing the sister 
University of Oxford. He had noticed that the larve of S. carpini, if left 
in a box with dead food, and probably partially starved, made a light cocoon ; 
but that when the cocoon was made under natural conditions, on living food- 
plants on the moors, it was of a dark colour. Mr. Poulton, Mr. Bateson, 
and others continued the discussion. — H. Goss and W. W. FowuLsr, 
Hon, Secs. 
