230 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



districts where they were caught. I have long had an idea 

 that this insect might be imported with agricultural seeds ; 

 and I see that Mr W. G. Gibson of Dumfries, in a com- 

 munication to the Entomological Society of London, suggests 

 " that its occurrence might be accounted for by the large im- 

 portation of foreign clover." Here at first sight is a feasible 

 solution of the mystery. The larva feeds, among other plants, 

 on clover. The eggs would naturally be deposited by the 

 butterfly on the flowers and seed heads, and might thus be 

 imported along with the clover seed which, being always 

 sown on the surface of the soil, the young larva would 

 have no difficulty in making its escape from the eggshell, and 

 would find itself surrounded by appropriate food in the young 

 sprouting clover. Unfortunately for this theory, however, 

 the eggs hatch in the autumn, and the young larva hibernates 

 among its food plant, feeding up in the spring. So we have 

 no alternative but to believe that it is a genuine native of 

 this country, but more liable than most species to be influ- 

 enced by the changes of our variable climate. 



III. Note on Extirpation of the Kidney in a Cat, and on 

 Demodex folliculorum in the Dog. By Principal 

 W1LLIA.MS, New Veterinary College. (Specimen 

 exhibited.) 



1. About a fortnight ago I was requested to remove a 

 tumour, which, it was stated, had appeared on the side of a 

 cat within the last few weeks, and had been caused by the 

 bite of a dog. The tumour was loose, and easily movable 

 under the skin, posterior to the last rib on the right side, 

 causing no inconvenience to the animal. 



I made an incision through the skin, when the supposed 

 tumour popped out as it were. It had a narrow pedicle, was 

 removed by torsion, and there was scarcely any li hemorrhage. 

 On examination I found the supposed tumour to be a very 

 fine healthy kidney, and was consequently afraid the opera- 

 tion would prove fatal, but, strange to relate, it has not 

 caused the slightest inconvenience, and the cat is as healthy 



