( xvi ) 



degree, be diminished by means of common methods of cultivation ; but as 

 these would possibly not be of interest here I have not entered on the 

 subject. 



" I may add, as we have not yet any note on the egg, that in the course 

 of my own experiments, in the hope of making out the life-history of this 

 species of Sitones, a few years ago, that I imprisoned a large number of 

 weevils taken from peas early in the year, and that they laid roundish 

 white eggs in considerable numbers indiscriminately on everything, whether 

 the leaves within their cage or the glass or cork ; but although there was 

 obviously every reason to expect the eggs to hatch satisfactorily, each one 

 perished. Looking at the fact of the eggs being laid (and perishing in an 

 unnatural locality) just before the time when Mr. Hart's observations show 

 that the larvae are to be found feeding on the pea-roots a little below the 

 surface of the ground, it seems to me scarcely open to doubt that the weevils 

 go down into the earth to lay, as well as to conceal themselves or for 

 shelter." 



Miss Ormerod also exhibited a specimen of a Cicindela received in a 

 letter from Mr. Rassam, who had found this and other " flies " very 

 troublesome in the intense heat whilst making his explorations at Babylon. 



Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited many specimens of Xylehorus Saxeseni, 

 Ratz., a species which had proved very destructive to a quantity of beer 

 sent out to Rangoon, presumably by boring through the casks. The beetles 

 were received from Dr. Biddie, of Madras, who stated that they swarmed in 

 the beer itself. 



Papers read. 



Mr. George Lewis communicated some notes entitled " On a visit to 

 Ceylon, and the relation of Ceylonese beetles to the vegetation there," giving 

 a general account of the natural features and flora of the country with 

 reference to its coleopterous fauna. Mr. Lewis's visit extended to five 

 months only, but in that time he collected over 10,000 specimens, referable 

 to about 1200 species. 



Mr. H. Pryer communicated a short memoir " On certain temperature 

 forms of Japanese butterflies." The spring and summer broods of many 

 species which had been bred were particularly referred to, many hitherto 

 having been considered distinct species. Mr. Pryer considered the changes 

 to be due to the temperature experienced during the larval stage of the 

 species. Eleven, and probably a twelfth, species of Terias were considered 

 to be but forms of one species. ► 



An interesting discussion followed the reading of these two papers. 



Mr. F. D. Godman expressed the wish that Mr. Pryer would continue 

 to follow up his researches in this direction, which could but lead to very 

 valuable results. Mr. Jonas had already told us that Papilio xuthus and 

 p. (cuthulus were but forms of the same species ; now Mr. Pryer had proved 



