( xi ) 



by their authors, or critically examined by other entomolo- 

 gists, makes the study of Indian moths, especially in the 

 absence of any general catalogue of Heterocera, a most 

 difficult and troublesome task. It is much to be hoped that 

 a general revision of the Indian Heterocera will soon be 

 undertaken by a competent naturalist. He also made some 

 remarks on the Khasia Hills, which he believed to be the true 

 habitat of the greater part of those insects described many 

 years ago by Prof. Westwood and others as from Sylhet. A 

 great part of this district is a flat cultivated plain, under water 

 during the rainy season ; and, though some of the species 

 supposed to come from Sylhet occur no doubt on the elevated 

 hillocks or " teelahs," which are the favourite sites for 

 tea-gardens, yet the majority of them are taken by native- at 

 low elevations, in such places as Terria Ghat and Lacait, on 

 the southern slopes of the Khasia, and brought for sale to 

 the town of Sylhet, which is not far off. Owing to the 

 unhealthy and extremely hot and wet climate of these lower 

 hills no Europeans have done much collecting there. Mr. 

 Elwes further pointed out that almost all the hill-tracts of 

 Assam are an extraordinarily rich and practically virgin field 

 for the entomologist. He believed that any man of energy, 

 good constitution, and temperate habits might spend several 

 seasons most profitably and agreeably in collecting insects in 

 Assam, where the means of communication and facilities for 

 travel are now much greater than formerly, and where good 

 travellers' bungalows are found in many places most con- 

 venient and suitable for collecting. 



A discussion ensued, in which Mr. M'Lachlan, Dr. Sharp, 

 Mr. Champion, Mr. Poulton, Mr. Kirby, and others took part. 



The Rev. W. W. Fowler exhibited a specimen of Cathor- 

 miocerus socius, taken a few } T ears ago at Sandown, Isle of 

 Wight. It was captured near the shore, having evidently 

 been washed down by heavy rains from some plants on the 

 cliff. 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a specimen of Cathormiocerus 

 maritimus, and a specimen of Platytarsus hirtus, taken many 

 years ago in moss. 



Mr. F. Grut said he was requested by Mons. Peringuey, of 



