25 
entertained the idea that the production of white cocoons (except in those cases 
where the white was permanent and constant in all climates) was a strong sign 
of degeneracy, the white cocoons being more abundant where the temperature 
was high than in more temperate climes; the whiteness of the worms and the 
white cocoons were both indications of failing constitution, evidencing the existence 
of a higher temperature and more artificial treatment than was conducive to the 
health of the insect. The author proceeded to argue that the good quality of the 
silk produced was no proof of the general health of the insect; it was the quantity, 
yather than the quality, of the silk that was affected by the present maladies ; 
too great fineness of the silk was, in fact, au indication of too high a temperature, and 
of the consequent degeneracy of the worm. After considering at some length the 
question “ What species of mulberry-tree is best adapted for the nourishment of the 
silkworm and for the production of good silk?” the author concluded by recommending 
the sericulturist to separate his dark worms from his general stock, to set them apart 
for breeding from, and to annually weed out all the pale-coloured worms; in the 
course of three or four years he would be able to cast aside his present sickly stock, 
and would have a stock far healthier than had ever befure been seen in Europe, 
June 6, 1864. 
H. T. Srainton, Esq., V.P., in the chair. 
Donations to the Library. 
The following donations were announced, and thanks voted to the donors:— 
“The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Vol. xxv. Part 1; 
presented by the Society. ‘ Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-K6niglichen Zvuologisch- 
botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, Band xiii; by the Society. ‘Monographie der 
Oestriden, von Friedrich Brauer; by the Author. ‘The Transactions of the Ento- 
mological Society of New. South Wales, Vol. i. Part 2; by the Society. *‘ Histoire 
Naturelle des Araignées (Aranéides) par Eugéne Simon; by the Author. ‘ Sitzungs- 
berichte der Naturwissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft Isis zu Dresden,’ Jahrgang 1863; 
by Herr L. W. Schaufuss. ‘The Zoologist’ fur June; by the Editor. ‘The Intel- 
lectual Observer,’ Nos. xxviii. and xxix.; by the Publishers. ‘The Journal of the 
Society of Arts’ for May; by the Society. ‘The Atheneum’ for April and May; by 
the Editor. ‘The Reader’ for April; by the Editor. ‘The Entomologist’s Monthly 
Magazine, No, 1; by the Editors. ‘The Entomologist,’ Vol. ii. Nos. 1 and 2; by 
the Editor. 
Election of Member. 
Edward Revett Sheppard, Esq., of Rutland Lodge, Lee Park, Lee, was ballotted 
for and elected a Member of the Society. 
Exhibitions, §c. 
The Secretary exhibited some leaves of the sugar-cane from Mauritius, with 
numerous specimens upon them of an insect (a species of Coccus) which had lately 
committed great ravages among the plantations of that colony: they had been sent to 
E 
