144 



In lliis respect they may both be separated from the nearly-allied species, M. lou<fi- 

 pennis, Kraalz (M. staphylinoides, Ktz., olim, nee Marsh.), which has the head 

 rounded in front in both sexes.'' 



Mr. Ellerton exhibited some pupa-cases of Cerura vinula, showing the thin mem- 

 branous lining alluded to at the last Meeting of the Society. 



Mr. Westwood remarked thai tliese delicate white pellicles, seen attached to the 

 inner surface of the cast skins of lepidopterous pujiae, were probably identical with the 

 skin said by Mr. Curiis to be cast by the death's-head nioih after assuming the perfect 

 state. A more careful examination of these pellicles was, however, necessary, as the 

 question really was whelhei the Lepid.>plera ou emerging from the pupa cast one or 

 two envelopes, — whether, like the Ephemerae, they were enveloped in two distinct 

 skins, as indeed the statement of Mr. Curtis implied, thus partially reseml)ling the 

 coarctale Diptera, in which, however, the o iter skin of the pupa is only the hardened 

 ultimate skin of the larva ; or whether the limbs of Lepidoptera are not respectively 

 enclosed in a single sheath, the outer surface of which becomes iiardened by a glu- 

 tinous secretion, by which the whole are fastened together into a solid mass. 



Mr. Fereday exhibited a living larva, apparently of Triphaena prouuba, which had 

 been found, a short time previously, lying on the snow with which the ground was 

 then covered, and frozen quite hard, but on being removed to a warm room quickly 

 became active. 



Mr. Waterhouse exhibited a new British species of Scydmaenus, and a series of the 

 British Euplecli, and read some notes ou their differential characters. 



Mr. Scolt exhibited a new species of Coleophora, and read a description of it, pro- 

 posing for it the specific name of Wilkiusoni, the insect having first been discovered 

 by Mr. T. Wilkinson, at Scarborough. 



Mr. M'Lachlan observed that he had found the larva-cases of this species at 

 Dulwich Wood. 



Hoiv to cure Grease in Insects. 



Dr. Wallace read the following paper : — 



" The Rev. Joseph Greene has given us (Zool. 6693) his method of curing grease 

 in insects. Other entomologists extract the interior of greasy bodies, with very fine 

 scissors, at a subsequent period after setting, whenever signs of grease are evident. I 

 propose another method, more economical of time, equally certain in action. 



" Small greasy iusecls — as Tineidae, Tortricidae, Crambidae, small Geomelrae, Py- 

 ralidae and Bombycidae — I soak entire in benzole. Of all large insects which may 

 even be suspected of grease, having disarticulated the bodies from the thorax, and 

 labelled according to the plan suggested by Mr. Greene — either of a year's capture or 

 of many years' collecting — I expose such (bodies) to the heat of the fire, on a cork 

 placed at about six inches distance ; and if the grease has previously run into the 

 thorax and spread over the wings, such parts must be further soaked in the manner 

 above recommended for the smaller insects. By exposure on a cork to the fire, the 

 grease, being liquefied and permeating the body, shows itself on the exterior, causing 

 softening and a dark discoloration ; if no such action takes place there is no amount 

 of grease in the interior of the body, and no need to slit open the body as hereafter 

 described. Simple soaking for a few days in benzole will remove the small portion of 

 grease which may be deposited on the exterior of the insect. 



" When discoloration and softening ensue, I slit open the body on the under sur- 

 face and soak in benzole for twenty-four hours ; then, taking say a hundred or more 



