( xv ) 



Papers read. 



Lord Walsingham read a paper entitled " A Revision of 

 the Genera Acrolophus (Poey) and Anaphora (Clem.)." 



Mr. Stainton made some remarks on species of these 

 genera, and said he was very glad to find Lord Walsingham 

 was working at Anaphora and allied genera. 



Mr. M'Lachlan said that the neuration of the wings and 

 the genitalia and anal appendages were amongst the most 

 constant and hest characteristics of genera and species. He 

 wished that lepidopterists generally would give more attention 

 to structural characters, and not be guided so much by colour 

 and wing-pattern ; Lord Walsingham had worked at these 

 genera in a very thorough manner, and the attention which 

 he had bestowed on details was apparent from the de- 

 scriptions of the species and the plates which accompanied 

 the paper. 



Dr. Sharp and Mr. Champion also made some remarks on 

 the paper. 



Mr. E. B. Poulton read "Notes in 1886 on Lepidopterous 

 Larvae, &c": — 



" 1. Markings and red spats of Smerinthus larva. — The mark- 

 ings of a young S. pa pull (in the second stage) were described 

 and compared with those of the mature larva, the comparison 

 indicating the greatest uniformity and supporting Weismann's 

 conclusions. A mature S. ocellatus was described, possessing 

 a very complete system of red spots, and in similar varieties 

 of S. papuli it was shown that the spots may be found in the 

 second stage, and that they may diminish or may even dis- 

 appear in the succeeding stage ; although it is well known 

 that in other individuals they may undergo gradual develop- 

 ment. The order of the appearance of the spots upon the 

 segments, viz., first upon the 3rd abdominal and then upon 

 the 2nd thoracic segment, was seen in 8. populi, thus con- 

 firming Mr. White's observations. In S. tilia it was shown 

 that the spots may arise from the shortening and broadening 

 of linear borders to the stripes, so that in this species the 

 spots are probably the remnants of coloured borders, as Mr. 

 Poulton suggested last year. 



