42 ' THE p:ntomologist. 



since November, 1907 : — Centra bifida (4), Zeuzera cBsculi (1), Sphinx 

 convolvuli (2), Acherontia atropos (3), Petasia cassinea (3), Tcenio- 

 campa gracilis (1), Pheosia dictceoides (1), Agrotis suffusa (5), Dasy- 

 polia templi (1, fourth recorded example since 1907), Himera pennaria 

 (5). — Alfred Newstead ; Grosvenor Museum, Chester. 



Notes from Messina. — I reached here on the 9th November 

 last ; temperature 73° in the shade, which later on fell to 67°, at 

 which it now stands. During the last few days rain has fallen 

 heavily, but without lessening the heat. The butterflies on the hills 

 near the town are nearly all such as are found (sometimes only 

 occasionally) in England. The common butterflies here are Pieris 

 rapxB (this occurs in centre of town) and P. hrassic(B ; and I captured 

 a tine specimen of P. daplidice (November 19th). Colias edusa flies 

 about rapidly on the hill-sides ; I have only taken males. Pararge 

 viegczra is common near the torrent-beds. P. egeria (one), the local 

 form. Chrysophanus phlcBas, on the hill-sides. Pyrameis atalanta, 

 this is the commonest of the Vanessidae here, and occurs in gardens, 

 roads, &c. P. cardui, a few ; but strange to say I have not seen 

 either urticcB or to. This comprises the list of butterflies I have 

 noticed in mid-November, just a dozen species in all. Moths are 

 scarce ; three small species taken. Grasshoppers abound, also a few 

 locusts and beetles. I watched a lizard pounce upon a good-sized 

 grasshopper ; it tried to get away into a hole in the wall and slipped 

 down two or three feet, but stuck fast to its prey and then dis- 

 appeared. Caterpillars are not much in evidence. I noticed some 

 on heath (a species of) on Monte Ciccio, and left them to grow 

 bigger. I think they may belong to a species allied to Lasiocampa 

 quercus. During the winter I am not expecting many other species 

 of butterfly to turn up, but shall look forward to the spring. — 

 J. Platt-Barrett. 



[The writer of the above, who is probably known, at least by 

 name, to most of our readers, was residing in Messina at the time of 

 the recent earthquake (Dec. 28th). He fortunately escaped, togethar 

 with his son ; but the wife and daughter of the latter were among the 

 victims of that lamentable occurrence. — Ed.] 



SOCIETIES. 



Entomological Society of London. — At the Annual Meeting 

 of this Society, held at 11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, on 

 the evening of Wednesday, January 20th, the following Officers and 

 Council were elected for the Session 1909-10 : — President, Dr. F. A. 

 Dixey, M.A., M.D. ; Treasurer, Mr. A. H. Jones ; Librarian, Mr. 

 G. C. Champion, F.Z.S. ; Secretaries, Mr. H. Eowland-Brown, M.A., 

 and Commander J. J. Walker, M.A., E.N. ; other members of the 

 Council, Dr. T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.Z.S. ; Mr. A. Harrison, F.L.S., 

 F.C.S. ; Mr. Selwyn Image, M.A. ; Dr. K. Jordan, Ph.D. ; Dr. G. B. 

 Longstaff, M.D. ; Mr. H. Main, B.Sc. ; Mr. G. A. K. Marshall; Pro- 

 fessor E. B. Poulton, D.Sc, M.A., F.E.S. ; Mr. E. Shelford, M.A. ; 



