24 



"Carnivorous plants, and stated it would be interesting if the actual 

 digestion of these insects could be clearly proved. 



J. Eeid, Esq., M.E.C.S., exhibited an unusually large speci- 

 men, 1 6 inches in diameter, of the not common fung-us Polyporus 

 Betolinus, and also two specimens of Helvella crispa, a species of 

 edible fungus. 



Mr. W. Gardner sent from Bekesboume a specimen of a large 

 ichnumon fly, allied to, if not identical with, Pimpla persuasoria, 

 which often haunts the flowers of umbelliferous plants. The Hon. 

 Secretary made some interesting remarks on the value of these and 

 other enemies to hurtful insect life to farmers and gardeners. 



Mr. Fullagar continued his observations on Actinophrys 

 eichhomii, illustrated by a series of splendid diagrams, all drawn 

 by himseK and admirably fitted for the pui-pose. It is hoped that 

 a full account of this Radiolarian will shortly be given in a 

 separate form. 



November 3. 



Captain McDakin exhibited a fine specimen of the Agaricus 

 laccatus, very much admired for its beautiful colour, found in the 

 woods near Harbledown. 



Mr. Tullagar showed the earth cocoon formed underground by 

 the larva of the Rose beetle, Cetonia aurata, together with a fine 

 specimen of the beetle which had issued from the cocoon. This is 

 a well-known Coleopterous insect. In the laiTal state it frequents 

 rotten timber, and feeds upon the bits of wood composing Ants' 

 nests, whence its name " King of the Ants." 



December 1. 



Mr. Reid, M.R.C.S., exhibited biUets of the wood of the pear 

 tree in which were excavations made by the caterpillars of the 

 large nocturnal moth known as the Goat moth, or Cossus 

 ligniperda. The larva undoubtedly feeds on the substance of the 

 wood, proof of which was found in its stomach on dissection by 

 the Hon. Secretary. The wood was obtained from Mr. Thomas 

 Kingsford, of Barton, near Canterbury, whose letter on the subject 

 was read at the meeting. 



Mr. R. E. Thomson presented a beautiful fawn-coloured 

 Wasps' nest taken from the roof of his coach house at Kenfield, 

 near Petham, which was greatly admired. 



