364 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



portion of Mr. McArthur's collection of Lepidoptera from the Island 

 of Lewis, including strange varieties of Melanippe .'mbtristata, '■'■'• Boarmia 

 repandata, Agrotis cumoria, &c. ; also a very curious diaphanous-winged 

 specimen of the dark variety of Odontopera bidcntatu, bred with others 

 from Manchester larvae. — Mr. J. Collins exhibited and described a fine 

 melanic form of Macaria liturata, from Delamere, for which he proposed 

 the varietal name nigrufulrata ; also a fine collection of species of the 

 genera Xanlhia and Diunthcccia. — Mr. C. F. Johnson exhibited very 

 fine series of Theda w-albuni, Macaria notata, Xola con/iisalis, Agrolis 

 ashworthii, A. cursoiia, &c. — Mr. F. C. Thompson, bred specimens of 

 Tiiphmia fimbria, and said that according to his experience the larvfe 

 were almost always found on bramble, and not on birch, as recorded in 

 the books, — Dr. Cotton, a beautiful series of E. octomaculata. — Messrs. 

 A. and H. Tonkin, captures in South Devon in May and June, 

 including Anticled rubidatu, Bapta taiainatu, Z(jnosoma omicronaria, &c. 

 Specimens of Argi/nnis paphia intermediate between the type and var. 

 caleziiia from Beddgelert, Venusia cambricaria, and Xyiop/iasia scolo- 

 pacina from Barmouth, Bryophila gUmdifera and Anpilates vitraria from 

 the Welsh Land's End (St. David's Head), were shown by Mr. F. Birch. 

 November 11th. — Mr. K. Wilding, Vice-President, in the chair. — 

 Messrs. Mallinson, Wynne, Dunlop and Harrison were elected mem- 

 bers of the Society. The December meeting, which is to be held in 

 Chester, was shortly discussed. — Mr. F. N. Pierce, F.E.S., read a 

 paper entitled, "The Home of the Swallow-tails," which was illus- 

 trated by limelight views. After a short rcsame of the notices of 

 PapiUo machaon scattered through the chief entomological literature of 

 three centuries, he described its " habit, habits, and habitat." From 

 his remarks upon the two latter we derived the cheering inteUigence 

 that in the Norfolk Broads, at all events, this splendid insect will not 

 be exterminated for many a year to come. Its strong flight, for the 

 most over swamps, the wide diffusion of its food-plant, Daiirus cnruta, 

 which carpets the ground everywhere, the consequent impossibiUty of 

 its being all examined, and the possession by the larva of peculiar 

 organs to drive away ichneumons and birds, all point to this con- 

 clusion. The habit of P. machaon is very constant, the essayist having 

 seen but few remarkable varieties. One of these, in which the ground 

 colour is deep yellow, he exhibited along with other fen species. During 

 the discussion Dr. J. W. Ellis gave a short account of his fenland expe- 

 riences. Mr. R. Wilding was confident that new species of all Orders 

 awaited the enthusiastic Avorker in the fens. — Mr. E. J. Burgess-Sopp 

 exhibited the very beautiful Chrgsomela cerealis, along with many other 

 rarities, and stated that he was elucidating the life-history of this gem 

 from Snowdon's coronet, a work which he is the first to attempt, so far 

 as is known. Dr. Ellis referred to the pleasure which the sight of this 

 species, occurring suddenly in abundance on the mountain, had given 

 to him. — Dr. J. Cotton exhibited Lepidoptera from Grange and the 

 New Forest. — Mr. W. A. Tyerman, a beautiful series taken at Carrog, 

 which included I'liisia Interroijatiunis, Larentia casiata, and Xuctua 

 triangulam. — Specimens of Chlanius nigricorriis, from the banks of the 

 river Gowy were shown, and their habits remarked upon by the Joint 

 Secretary. — Fkedk. Birch. 



\j Melanippe sociata var. obscarata. See fig., Entom. xxi. p. 27. — Ed.] 



