Proceedings. Ixix. 



that insects would so adapt themselves to surrounding circum- 

 stances that it was quite possible to lose the original species, and 

 get fresh ones. He also pointed out how moths and their larvae 

 were very similar in colour to the plants and trees on which 

 they were found. 



The Rev. E. M. Geldart touched upon the chemical action 

 of light on colour, a subject which Mr. Lovett had also 

 referred to. He pointed out that the reason why the best 

 specimens of lepidoptera were put out of the way at the 

 British Museum was that the chemical action of light would 

 destroy their beautiful colours, although there were excep- 

 tions. Nearly all those whose colours were metallic were not 

 affected by the light, such as, for instance, the "blue" and 

 the " copper." 



Mr. Flower explained that all the metallic colourings in 

 birds, moths, and butterflies were due to the effect of light, as 

 seen so well in the humming-bird. He pointed out the 

 difficulty of finding some eggs, as showing the protective 

 character of their colours. 



The President exhibited a number of eggs and nests 

 illustrative of the theory of protection by colours, among them 

 being those of the spotted flycatcher, the grasshopper warbler, 

 the sedge warbler, the willow warbler, the white throat, the 

 Dartford warbler, the golden-crested wren, the yellow wagtail, 

 and various other birds. 



Several members placed their microscopes at the service of 

 Mr. Taylor for the purpose of illustrating his paper. 



The following exhibits were also made : — ^E. B. Sturge, 

 wing of butterfly ; J. S. Johnson, spiracle of larvae of hawk- 

 moth ; E. Lovett, ova of Hyas coarctatus, also case of stalk- 

 eyed Crustacea of the genus Pisa ; W. Ingrams, scales of 

 Urania; W. F. Stanley, Hardy's vivarium, or improved pond- 

 life trough ; A. Warner, section of kitten's jaw, showing 

 developing teeth. 



The proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to 

 Mr. Taylor for his paper. 



Ordinary Meeting, 2^rd March 1881. 

 Philip Crowley, Esq., F.Z.S., President, in the chair. 

 The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. 

 The Rev. H. Field Blackett was duly elected a member of 

 the Club. 



The President announced that the following publications 

 had been received since the last meeting : — Laws of the 

 Torquay Natural History Society ; Report of Crab and 



