( XV ) 



that when ovipositing the female invariably clasps the plant- 

 stem in an inverted position — head downwards, the eggs being 

 extruded and driven into the stem in the same relative position, 

 so that on emerging the young dive down head foremost. 

 Mr. Enock next exhibited a living example of the remarkable 

 aquatic Hymenopteron — Prestwichia aquatica, Lubb., and said 

 it was one of a brood of nine, including 8 ^^ and 1 ^, that 

 issued on May 1st from a single egg of Pelohius found on 

 September 5th, 1898. He was thus enabled to complete the 

 life-history of this strange creature which was parasitic in the 

 eggs of no less than six different kinds of aquatic insects. 



Mr. Merrifibld showed some specimens of Hemaris homhyli- 

 formis, Esp., with the scales still covering the central portions 

 of the wings. He said these scales, Avhich are present imme- 

 diately after the emergence of the insect, but soon become 

 detached, may be rendered adherent by allowing a very 

 Aveak solution of indiarubber in benzoline to run over the 

 wings. 



Ml'. KiRKALbY referred to the account given by Mr. Bland- 

 ford at the previous meeting, of Signor Ribaga's discovery of 

 a supposed stridulating organ in the female of the bed bug. 

 He called attention to two recent papers by Signor Antonio 

 Berlese (" Fenomeni che accompagnano la fecondazione in 

 taluni insetti" mem. I and II, 1898, " Rivista Patologia 

 Vegetale," vi, No. 3, pp. 1 — 16, Tav. xii — xiv; and vii, No. 1, 

 pp. 1 — 18, Tav. i — iii) confirming Signor Ribaga's investiga- 

 tions, and naming the stridulating organ the " organ of 

 Ribaga," Signor Berlese also announced the discovery in 

 the same sex of the bed bug, of a bursa associated with tlie 

 spermatheca, the cells of which apparently ingest and destroy 

 the excess of spermatozoa. The learned Italian entomologist 

 proposed to term this the " spermatophagous organ." 



Paj)ers. 



Mr. C. H. Dolby-Tyler communicated a paper on " The 

 development of Ceroplastes roseatus, Towns, and Cockl." 



