X¥1V 
soda, and was discharged into the solution, which it visibly coloured, and he 
saw no reason why, if a sufficient number of individuals were experimented 
upon, the colour should not be collected and utilised. Colias Edusa and 
Hyale, Danais Chrysippus and Vanessa urticee were deprived of their natural 
colours in the same manner. Mr. Butler had experimented upon G. rhamni 
(dyed blue), C. Edusa and Hyale, Papilio Demoleus, Lycsna Corydon, 
Danais Chrysippus, Argynnis Adippe and Aglaia, Vanessa urtice, Epi- 
nephele Janira, Arctia caja and villica. The most successful results were 
obtained with Danais Chrysippus, deprived of its natural colours and dyed 
blue, which colour only entered certain scales, whereas magenta, being a 
faster dye, entered all: and V. urtice, dyed blue in one case, and magenta 
in another; the latter resembled a typical South-African Junonia, the former 
a melanitic variety of the same species. The peculiarity in these specimens 
consisted in certain parts of the wings not taking the dye, leading to the 
conclusion that the scales are more perfectly closed in these parts. 
Mr. Meldola (who was present as a visitor) remarked that he had also 
made experiments with alkalines; the yellow of G. rhamni being removed 
by soda, and precipitated by the addition of an acid. He possessed an 
example of Vanessa Io altered to deep mahogany-colour by exposure to the 
fumes of ammonia. 
Mr. Bicknell exhibited a number of examples of Gonepteryx rhamni, 
upon which he had experimented with cyanide of potassium, as suggested 
at the last meeting. The yellow was changed to orange-red in the parts 
exposed to the cyanide. 
Mr. F. Smith stated that he had seen a number of wasps that had been 
killed by cyanide of potassium, and which, in consequence, were changed to 
vermilion. 
The hope was expressed that these interesting experiments would not be 
taken advantage of by unscrupulous persons, in consequence of the prevailing 
disposition to pay high prices for varieties of common Lepidoptera. 
Mr. W. C. Boyd exhibited an example of Rumia crategata, taken at 
Stoke Newington, the apical portion of one anterior wing of which was 
suffused with brown, the insect being in that condition when caught. 
Mr. Miiller exhibited the bell-shaped nest of the spider Aglena brunnea. 
Also fresh specimens of the cabbage-galls formed by an undescribed species 
of four-legged Acari belonging to the genus Phytoptus, upon birch; these 
galls were Saecually common this season. 
Mr. F. Smith exhibited three rare British Hymenopterous insects sent 
to him by Mr. J.C. Dale, of Glanville’s Wootton, in which neighbourhood 
they had been captured. They were Myrmecomorphus rufescens (a 
remarkable species of Proctotrupide), Ichneumon glaucopterus and Osmia 
pilicornis. 
Mr. Holdsworth, of Shanghai, communicated the following notes on the 
