(“xxv |) 
very small species of Formica, not more than one-sixteenth of 
an inch in length. It soon became obvious that they were 
under regular discipline, and even attempting to carry out the 
skilful plans and stratagem of some eminent leader. Our 
hands and necks were the first objects of attack. Large 
bodies of these little pests were massed in silence round the 
point to be assaulted. We could hear the sharp, shrill word 
of command two or three times repeated, though, until then, 
we had not believed in the vocal power of an ant; the instant 
after we felt the storming hosts over head and neck, &c.”’ 
Papers, éc., read. 
Prof. Poulton read a paper entitled ‘‘ On the sexes of larvae 
emerging from the successively laid eggs of Smerinthus 
popult.”” 
This paper contained an account of a somewhat laborious 
experiment, in which many of the larve hatched from the 
eggs laid by one moth were reared separately until the pupal 
stage was reached, when the sexes were determined. 
It was found that the relative proportion of the sexes was 
subject to immense fluctuation on the separate dates on 
which eggs were laid. As regards eggs laid on any one day, 
the sexes generally succeeded each other in little groups of 
irregular size. No law of succession of the sexes could be 
established. 
The results were of sufficient interest to suggest the col- 
lection of further evidence of the same kind. 
Prof. Poulton said that the most difficult and most im- 
portant point is to number the eggs as they are laid by the 
female moth. To this end the moth is placed under a 
tumbler on a sheet of paper, and as soon as an egg is laid 
the tumbler is slightly raised, and gently pushed until the 
egg is outside its rim. The ege can then be numbered, 
while the moth is prevented from laying several eggs in a 
heap or crowded group, the numbering of which would pre- 
sent great difficulty, and would be liable to introduce errors. 
Mr. Merrifield, Dr. Sharp, and the President took part in 
the discussion which ensued. 
Mr. W. L. Distant communicated a paper entitled “On 
