( iii ) 



of the commonest cenea form. The female trojihonms was also 

 exhibited together with the five offspring. 



Capt. C. E. Williams, I. M.S., introduced by Dr. D. Sharp, 

 F.R.S., exhibited a living Gongylus gongyloides $ in the 

 nymph stage, together with coloured drawings, photographs, 

 and lantern slides showing both the adult and immature 

 insect in vai-ious positions. The chief features of interest in 

 the exhibitions lay in the peculiar modifications of shape and 

 colouring by which this Mantis conceals itself and attacks 

 its prey, which consists of Lepidoptera and Diptera. The 

 insect adopts an inverted position, turning its ventral surface 

 to the sunlight. The floral simulation is effected by the shape 

 and colouring of the prothorax. This is greatly elongated 

 so as to form a stalk, which is coloured greenish-brown ; in 

 front of this elongation the prothorax is expanded into a 

 somewhat diamond-shaped plate or disc, around the insertion 

 of the front pair of limbs. This disc is coloured a bright 

 blue or violet on its ventral aspect with a centrally situated 

 spot of deep black pigment, and with the stalk assumes a 

 striking resemblance to a small blue flower, this deception 

 being enhanced by the manner in which the insect swings 

 itself to and fro, as if to imitate a blossom quivering in 

 the breeze. The front or raptorial limbs are armed with 

 formidable spines, and when at rest are held folded in front 

 of the disc, ready to seize any insect which approaches. 

 Both male and female insects have the same general con- 

 formation and colouring. The female, however, in the imago 

 stage has imperfectly developed wings, and cannot use them 

 for flight, while the male has these organs well formed and is 

 capable of powerful flight. The antenna; of the adult male 

 are large and bi-pectinate, while those of the female are 

 filiform and inconspicuous. The Mantis exhibited was the 

 sole survivor of twenty-one brought to England in June 1903 

 from Rangoon. It was hatched during Januaiy, and had 

 passed through eleven ecdyses, but failed to effect the last 

 change to the imago stage in October 1903. 



Notices. 

 The President, at the suggestion of Mi-. A. J. Chitty, 



