IV 



made known =>= the results of his ohservations on the caterpillar of Stauropus 

 Fiuji, which observations now for the first time tend to show the true 

 meaning of this attitude in the species in question. When sitting ou a 

 twig in its natural position the head and first five segments are held erect, 

 and the greatly lengthened legs of the second and third segments held 

 outstretched; thus, when seen from the front, the whole aspect of the 

 insect, both in form and colour, is most spider-like, and when alarmed it 

 immediately raises its four long legs and moves them irregularly, after the 

 manner of a spider attacking its victim. This spider-like appearance is 

 believed to be a special protection against ichneumons wliich may approach 

 it from the front. According to the experience of H. Miiller ichneumons 

 are especially afraid of spiders, and he states, on the authority of Fledder- 

 mann, an e.x;perienced breeder of insects, that the larva of 5. Faji was never 

 found to be attacked by ichneumons, whilst, according to Treitschke, the 

 nearly allied Hybocanqjci M'dhauseri is often attacked by them, although 

 a much rarer species, which rarity may perhaps be attributable to the 

 complete absence of such protection as that possessed by S. Fivji. 



" So much for the front aspect of the caterpillar under consideration. 

 When approached from the rear there is nothing to be seen but the erect, 

 hard, shield-like surface of the last segment surmounted by two black 

 horns, and presenting an appearance totally unlike that of a caterpillar. 

 When a side-view of the larva is presented there is seen on the fourth and 

 fifth segments a small black depression just below the spiracles, and giving 

 the appearance of a caterpillar which has been stuug by an ichneumon, 

 so that one of these foes approaching from the side would be deceived and 

 abandon it without depositing its eggs." 



Mr. S. Stevens stated that, having recently reared several specimens of 

 S. Fagi, he could confirm the opinion of Dr. H. Miiller as to the spider- 

 like appearance of the larva. 



Papers read. 



The Rev. H. S. Gorham communicated a continuation of his " Materials 

 for a Revision of the Lampyrid(P." the present paper treating of the genus 

 Photinus. 



Dr. Sharp communicated a paper entitled " On some Coleoptera from 

 the Hawaiian Islands."' 



New Part of ' Transactions.' 

 Parts III. and IV. of the 'Transactions' for 1879 were on the table, 

 anil iilso copies of the Address given at the last Meeting. 



* ' Kosmos,' Nov. 187!), p. 123. 



