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the Australian hawkmoths in this way, dipping various parts 

 of the body in water.] 



2. Panacra splendens, Rothsch. (automedon, Mish.), trapped 

 in a flower. — This Sphingid and Troides cassandra are often so 

 trapped, and once I released Macroglossum hirundo. So far I 

 have noticed only worn examples victimised. Flowers white, 

 leaves large and glossy green, fruit much larger than a cricket 

 ball and are rubber-producing. [Dr. 0. Stapf, F.E.S., who 

 kindly examined the flower, identifies it as belonging to the 

 Apocynaceae and the genus Rejoua (= Tabernaemontana, auct. 

 in part). He has not been able to find the species, which 

 may be new.] 



3. The Buprestid beetle Stigmodera regia, Blackb. — My 

 friend, A. M. Lea, who was here, almost laughed when I 

 stated my determination to publish the note on " A beetle 

 that takes in ballast " (Proc. Roy. Soc. Q'land, vol. xxiv, 

 p. 103). I challenged him to advance a better explanation 

 than mine of the sand-absorbing habit. Though he is a 

 splendid man on descriptions, I require the opinion of a more 

 experienced all-round field-observer to induce me to alter my 

 views, ever so slightly, on the subject. I would be glad to 

 know what your opinion is. 



I am sending two $ Stigmodera regia, and, if I can find it, 

 the fine earth taken from another $, also a Bombylid fly 

 [Hyperalonia funesta, Walk.] which I captured in the act of 

 dragging the abdomen in a dusty path. After eviscerating 

 this insect (to satisfy myself that earth is taken up by these 

 flies) I spread the body contents, as removed, upon paper, 

 which is sent with the fly. 



[The contents of the fly, treated with hydrochloric acid, 

 and examined under the microscope by Dr. Eltringham, 

 showed the presence of abundant crystalline mineral frag- 

 ments, probably siliceous. The abdomen of one female 

 Stigmodera was examined, and, although stuffed with cotton- 

 wool, was found to contain similar fragments at the posterior 

 end. Dr. Eltringham, who made the dissection, prepared a 

 photomicrograph of the fragments, which was exhibited to 

 the meeting. The facts support the conclusions drawn by 

 Mr, Dodd and his sons ; but it is much to be hoped that speci- 



