SOCIETIES. 99 
Scilly Isles, and, in remarking on the variation, called attention to the 
specimens of Pieris napi, L., Lycena icarus, Rott., and Cidaria truncata, 
Hufn., which he said were species known to be liable to somewhat pro- 
nounced local variation, and yet those he had received from Scilly were 
normal. Mr. Adkin also exhibited light and dark cocoons of Friogaster 
lanestris, L., and contributed notes. Mr. Tugwell exhibited cocoons of 
Nola centonalis, Hb., and N. albulalis, Hb., and referred to some remarks 
recently made by Mr. Tutt, that the coloration of cocoons was caused by 
anal excreta. Mr. Tugwell stated that he did not agree with thisview. A 
discussion followed relative to these two last exhibits, in which Messrs. 
Jenner Weir, C. Fenn, W. West, South, C. G. Barrett, Carrington, 
Tugwell, and Adkin took part. It was pointed out that recent experi- 
ments had shown that the coloration was due to renal excreta. Mr. Billups 
exhibited specimens of minute Mollusca, and read notes thereon. 
March 10th. — The President in the chair.— Mr. Jenner Weir ex- 
hibited xanthous forms of the following British Rhopalocera, viz., Satyrus 
semele (female), E’pinephele ianira (female), E’. hyperanthes (female), Cano- 
nympha typhon (male), C. pamphilus (female, three specimens), and Heodes 
phleas (male). These specimens were all of them much paler in colour 
than usual, and he regretted that he could not suggest a cause for this want 
of colour, except in the case of H. ianira; this insect he had taken in the 
New Forest, during the very wet and cold season of 1879, in adamp wood ; 
the temperature was then so low that when Argynnis paphia was pursued 
it took refuge in the thick brambles, being too weak to fly far, and Brenthis 
euphrosyne had its emergence delayed through July—in some cases even 
till so late as the 9th of August. His view was that the development of 
pigment was due to what might almost be termed surplus energy, and that, 
if the vitality of either of the larva or chrysalis was lowered by unfavorable 
environment, then the result might be that the imago might be defective in 
colour. Applying this argument to the HE. tantra under consideration, he 
was of opinion that in the chrysalis its vitality had been impaired, and the 
energy necessary to produce the normal colour had not been forthcoming. 
Mr. H. C. Richter then delivered a lecture on Insects, illustrated by original 
diagrams and coloured drawings, the majority of the latter being enlarge- 
ments of the objects as seen through the microscope, and Mr. Richter stated 
that many of them had not hitherto been figured. Owing to this paper the 
remaining exhibits were not taken, and the discussion on Mr Weir's paper 
stood over until the next meeting.—H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENtomoLocicaL Socrety.—March 14th, 
1892.— Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S,., President, in the chair. 
Messrs. H. Locke, of Birkenhead, and G. Norel Deville, of Crosby, were 
elected members. The President referred to the loss the Society, and 
naturalists generally, had sustained by the death of Francis Archer. Mr. 
William Webster, of St. Helen’s, read a paper entitled ‘‘ Was Shakspeare 
an Entomologist?” The author stated he had examined the works of the 
poet, and found 207 references to insects, and, as far as could be ascer- 
tained, mention of 30 kinds of insects ; and showed, by numerous quotations, 
that Shakspeare not only possessed a fair knowledge of Kntomology, but 
that he was a philosophical observer of Nature. Mr. Willoughby Gardner, 
F.R.G.S., read a short note on the ‘‘ Popular names of Insects about 
Shakspeare’s time,” some few of which still existed in country places. Mr. 
Webster exhibited Papilio zalmowis; the President, Messrs. Stott and 
