20 
whereas, whatever others had done, to his certain knowledge the 
Doctor had at least six years ago worked out the views enunciated to 
them, and, moreover, had pioneered the way to making sections of 
eyes prior to that time. Some years since he explained his method to 
the “ Quekett Microscopical Club,” and a section of insect eye on the 
stage of his own microscope, showing the parts 7 stf, was made by 
Dr. HALLIFAX some five years ago. 
The meeting then became a Conversazione, when the slide above- 
mentioned and sections made by Dr. HALLIFAX, were shown by him, 
and by Messrs. HENNAH, R. GLAISYER, and WONFOR. 
NOVEMBER I4TH. 
ORDINARY MEETING.—MR. T. W. WONFOR ON 
“CERTAIN WINGLESS INSECTS.” 
After briefly sketching the changes through which insects passed, 
from the egg to the commonly called perfect state, and showing that, 
with the exception of two groups, the pediculi and Thysanuridae, all 
insects possessed either four wings or their modifications,—the ha/teres, 
or poisers, of the df/era, in his opinion, being only modified wings, 
while the fleas, in the place of wings, had four scales,—-it was pointed 
out that there were certain exceptional cases in which the wings were 
so little developed, or so perfectly rudimentary, as to be altogether 
useless to their possessors as organs of flight. This was the more 
remarkable from the fact that some members of the family had well- 
developed wings, and especially that occasionally the males alone 
possessed the power of flight, while the females, who would seem to 
want it most, were utterly unable to fly, or, in some cases, to move 
more than a few inches from the places where they had escaped from 
the chrysalis. 
Among the moths was a small group, the Liéparid@, so named after 
one of their number, Zifaris dispar, the Gipsy, characterized by the 
great breadth of their wings and smallness of their bodies, and nearly 
allied to the swift flying moths, the Bombycide. These latter included 
the lappet, oak eggar, Kentish Glory, &c., some of which were not 
. 
