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at some length to instances of protective resemblance in 

 larva? ; he disclaimed the discovery of prothoracic glands in 

 certain larva?, which Mr. Poulton had in his paper attributed 

 to him, and said that attention had been called to the subject 

 in a paper published in the ' Annales de la Societe Entomolo- 

 gique de France.' He remarked that these glands occurred 

 in larva? of some species of the genus Melitaa, and that he 

 had also noticed their existence in the larva? of some of the 

 sawflies. In conclusion, Lord Walsingham said he could not 

 agree with Mr. Poulton's remarks that larva? which had 

 fallen from their food-plants were probably guided in an 

 upward direction by an appreciation of the force of gravita- 

 tion ; he believed that larva? in climbing up were merely 

 instinctively endeavouring to regain their food-plants. 



Mr. Jenner Weir cited further instances of protective 

 resemblance, both amongst larva? and perfect insects. 



Dr. F. A. Dixey asked whether in the extended condition 

 of the flagellum in D. vinula the blood was contained in any 

 special receptacle, or simply found its way among the tissues 

 generally. He remarked on the extraordinary powers of 

 contraction which appeared to be possessed by the retractor 

 muscle of this organ, and enquired whether any corresponding 

 peculiarities of minute structure had been observed in it. 

 The muscular tissue of insects generally was noticeable as 

 exhibiting histological details in a well-marked manner, and 

 it would be interesting to ascertain whether any special 

 structural feature accompanied so remarkable a physiological 

 development as this appeared to be. With regard to the 

 larva? of Saturnia carpini, there was no doubt that when kept 

 in captivity they displayed in their early stages a strong 

 tendency to flock together ; though this might be due rather 

 to their common desire to occupy a particular situation in 

 their abode than to any real gregarious habit. When kept 

 under glass cylinders they invariably sought tbe lightest side, 

 and if the glass was moved they shifted their own position 

 accordingly. Lord Walsinghaufs explanation of the ten- 

 dency of certain larva? to travel upwards, as being merely due 

 to an instinctive desire to regain their food after being dis- 

 lodged, gave no doubt the true meaning of the habit ; but he 



