( X ) 



As Prof. Westwood noticed iu 1870, tlie iuseut is a xery hlender 

 one to inhabit so stout a pupa-case, (b) Systropits, sp. 1 A 

 large handsome undescribed species from Bigot's Collection. 



Papers, etc., read. 



Prof, E. B. PouLTOX, F.R.S., gave an account of a paper 

 by Mr. Guy A. Iv. Marshall, entitled "Five years' (1897- 

 1901) Observations and Experiments on the Bionomics of 

 South African insects, dealing especially with Warning Colours 

 :ind Mimicry, with Appendices containing descriptions of new 

 species by Colonel C. T. Bingham and Mr. W. L. Distant." 

 The paper not only contained Mr. Marshall's account of his 

 researches, but the unrecorded notes of many other naturalists 

 I)earing on the same subjects, together with numerous quota- 

 tions from Mr. Marshall's letters to Prof. Poulton and the 

 full description of a large number of specimens illustrating 

 insect bionomics sent by him to the Hope Collection at Oxford. 

 These latter will be permanently retained in the bionomic 

 section of the collection, where they can be studied by any 

 naturalist visiting Oxford. Pei'haps the most important part 

 of the memoir consists of a full description of the long series 

 of observations and experiments, conducted, with great care, 

 upon South African insect-eating animals. The insect enemies 

 made use of were spiders, Mautidiv, lizai'ds, frogs, kestrels, 

 the Ground Horn-bill, the Mongoose, and the Baboon, Exact 

 observations of birds in the wild state capturing butterflies 

 are also added, together with a statement of the insects, etc., 

 found in the digostive canal of birds, and numerous specimens 

 of butterflies which, from the character of the injuries received, 

 appear to have been attacked by enemies. The experiments 

 on the Mantidx are of the highest importance, several genera 

 being made use of, and the researches continued for many 

 weeks or even months in the case of certain species. These 

 predaceous insects freely devoured such forms as 2Iylothris and 

 often even Limnas chri/sipj^s, Avhile the Acreeinx were evi- 

 dently distasteful to them. Some of the series of experiments 

 rendered it probable that Ac7'ieinai are poisonous, or at least 

 unwholesome food to the Mantida'. The experiments on 



