Aphaenogastor (Atta) structor. With reference to the latter Mr. Moggridge 

 writes as follows : — 



" I have lately been exploring a very large and far-spreading nest of Atta 

 structor, and I find in the abundantly-filled granaries great numbers of the 

 small beetle which I enclose. Platyarthrus is also very common in the 

 nests. I have never observed this beetle elsewhere, and I do not think it 

 would have escaped me if it had been at all abundant in the nests of Atta 

 barbara. I have opened but few nests of A. structor, owing to their being 

 usually placed either in terrace-walls or in garden-ground. I spend a great 

 deal of my time now in digging for seeds in ants' nests, as I want these 

 seeds for the experiments I am making in the hope of learning the secret 

 method by which the ants render their seeds dormant at will in damp soil. 

 I am much struck by the frequent occurrence of the nests of trap-door 

 spiders in the very soil of the ants' nests, the spider's tubes often running 

 quite close to, and in the midst of, the galleries of the ants. Ants certainly 

 form a large part of the food of trap-door spiders, and this helps me to 

 understand how it comes that the spiders can get a living without leaving 

 their nests. The spider sits watching at the mouth of her tube, with the 

 door raised very slightly, and then snatches in any insect that may chance 

 to pass within reach." 



The Secretary read some remarks taken from the ' Times ' and ' Gar- 

 dener's Magazine' on the rapid progress of the Colorado potato beetle 

 (Doryphora decemlineata) through the United States and Canada, and the 

 remedy of Paris green, which was stated to have been used with success 

 by the farmers in Canada. The fifteen-spotted ladybird was mentioned as 

 a powerful enemy to the potato-beetle, devouring it in the larva-state. The 

 writer in the 'Times' suggested the encouragement of small birds as the 

 best security against the pest; but, as it had been stated that the insects 

 when crushed produced blisters on the skin, whenever they came in con- 

 tact, and if they touched a wound caused severe inflammation and painful 

 ulcers, Mr. Bates expressed a doubt as to whether the small birds would 

 care to meddle with them. It was, however, a matter deserving of serious 

 consideration, and any practical suggestions for the destruction of the insect 

 would be desirable. 



Snd March, 1874. 



Sir Sidney Smith Saunders, C.M.G., President, in the chair. 



Donations to the Library. 

 The following donations were announced, and thanks voted to the 

 donors : — 'The Journal of the Linnean Society,' no. 57; presented by the 



