( xxxiv ) 



different groups, but it did not seem to stand in any obvious 

 relation to the habits of the insects (whether predaceous, 

 pollen-gathering, parasitic, etc.). It was found alike in Bees, 

 Wasps, Fossors, Chrysids, Saw-flies, and other groups ; the 

 common Hive-bee, which has no " calcaria " on the hind-legs, 

 but in their place the well-known " pollen-basket," being a 

 curious exception to the rule. He invited any information 

 from the students of other Orders, as to the development of 

 " calcaria," or analogous structiires, among insects generally; 

 and especially asked if any one present had noticed anything 

 which could throw light on the question as to their functions. 

 Mr. C. 0. Waterhouse said that similar spurs existed in 

 the Trichoptei'a, though they did not assume such beautiful 

 forms as in the Hymenoptera ; but as to their uses, he was not 

 aware that any observations had been published or made on 

 the subject. Mr. G. C. Champion remarked that they were 

 also well developed on the hind-legs of some Coleopteia, 

 such as the Melandri/adx of the genera Orchesia and 

 Anisoxya. Commander J. J. Walker suggested that they 

 are probably connected with the well-known jumping power of 

 these beetles. 



Wednesday, May 2nd, 1906. 



Mr. F. Merrifield, President, in the Chair. 



OhiUmry. 

 The decease was announced of M. Leon Fairmaire, the 

 distinguished Fi-ench entomologist, who died on April 1st, 

 1906, aged eighty-six years. 



Exldhits. 



Commander J. J. Walker showed fourteen examples of 

 both sexes of Hystrichopsylla talpse, Curtis, the largest of the 

 British fleas, taken in the nest of a field-mouse in a tuft of 

 grass at Grange, near Gosport, Hants., on March 28th, last, 



Mr. G. C. Champion exhibited living specimens of Apate 

 capuci7ia, Deilasfuga.c, a Cryptocep/ialus (rugicollis), two species 



