Monthly Magazine' for April; by the Editors. 'Instructions for the 
Collection and Preservation of Neuropterous Insects,' by R. M'Lachlan, 
Esq., F.L.S. ; presented by the Author. ' Bulletin de I'Academie Eoyale 
des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux Arts de Belgique,' t. xxxi. — xxxiv. ; 
' Memoires Couronues et autres Memoires,' t. xxii. ; by the Academy. 
Election of Member. 
Mr. Edward Cracroft Lefroy Avas balloted for and elected a Member of 
the Society. 
Exhibitions, dc. 
Mr. Champion exhibited specimens of Tribolium confusum and Ptinus 
testaceus, which he had observed in British collections mistaken for 
Tribolium testaceum and Ptinus fur. 
]\Ir. Yerrall exhibited a specimen of Laphria flava, L., one of the Asilidae, 
taken in Scotland, not having been hitherto discovered in this country. 
Also the following Sjrphidse, viz.: — Syrphus compositarum, Ver., S. flavi- 
frons, Yer., and S. punctulatus, Ver., all new species ; together with S. annu- 
latus, Zett., S. barbifrons, Fall., and S. nigricornis, Ver. (= obscurus, Zett.), 
the last three having been found in this country for the first time. 
Mr. M'Lachlan stated that he had been informed by Lord Walsingham 
that when on his recent visit to California and Texas he had frequently 
noticed dragonflies preyed upon by other large insects whilst flying through 
the air. These latter were, no doubt, some species of Asilus ; but it was 
the first time he had heard of dragonflies being preyed upon by other 
insects, as they had hitherto been supposed to be free from such attacks. 
Mr. F. Smith remarked that when examining the box of insects sent to 
him from Calcutta, by Mr. Piothney, he had come upon a species of Penta- 
toma of a dull brown colour. Mr. Piothney stated that whilst seeking 
shelter under a tree from the sun, he observed the bark of the tree covered 
with hundreds of this species, which were of exactly' the saine colour as the 
bark, and on this account were not readily noticed. Mr. Smith was not 
aware why the insect should require this protection. Mr. Bates suggested 
that they might be subject to the attacks of lizards ; but Mr. Meldola 
thought that it would be useful to them in attacking other insects, which 
they were occasionally known to do, although usually phytophagous in their 
habits. 
Papers read, <£c. 
Major Parry communicated a paper on the " Characters of Seven Non- 
descript Lucanoid Coleoptera, with Remarks on the Genera Lissotes, 
Nigidius and Figulus." 
Mr. Frederick Bates communicated " Descriptions of New Genera and 
Species of Tenebrionidae from Australia, New Caledonia and Norfolk 
Island." 
