( X ) 



process of fastening together again, though it is more 

 difficult to see in this case, as the sewing is done from the 

 inside. I saw it done myself, but could not make out the 

 process to my satisfaction until I saw the ants fortifying trees, 

 which, being done in the open, made the matter plain. Until 

 then I could not make out what the ' white thing was in the 

 ants' mouth.' " 



Papers, etc., read. 



Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliot read a paper entitled " Notes on 

 Flower-Haunting Diptera." The author pointed out that 

 some of the higher types of Diptera appeared to prefer red 

 and blue flowers, and oftener visited the complicated types of 

 plants than the smaller Hymenoptera. He also alluded to 

 the effect of insect visitors in isolating particular individuals. 

 Prof. Meldola expressed himself much interested in the paper, 

 and stated that although he was aware, from the writings of 

 Hermann Miiller and others, that Diptera played an im- 

 portant part in the fertilization of flowers, he was unaware 

 of the very great importance which these insects possessed 

 for the function of pollination until he heard Mr. Scott- 

 Elliot's paper. He also called attention to the urgent need of 

 a manual of British Diptera. Mr. Roland Trimen mentioned 

 that in South Africa some species of Orchidacere were 

 fertilized by Diptera. Dr. Sharp said Prof. Plateau thought 

 that neither the colour nor form of the flower played 

 any part in attracting insects. Mr. McLachlan remarked 

 that the flowers of Scrophularia possessed a great attraction 

 for wasps. Lord Walsingham enquired whether any obser- 

 vation had been made as to the Diptera which visited 

 differently coloured flowers of the same species, such as 

 Petunias. Mr. Barrett, Mr. Green, and Mr. Scott-Elliot 

 continued the discussion. 



Mr. Tutt read the following paper, by Prof. A. Radcliflfe- 

 Grote, entitled "On the Nomenclature of theGeometridfe": — 



" In the Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 53, 1892, appeared an 

 extended paper by Mr. Edward Meyrick, on the classification 

 of the Geometrida;. The object of the present notice is to 

 offer comment on certain of the generic titles, without dis- 



