Insects. IIGI 



that the larva of a Pbrys^anideous insect, which is infested by a parasite, before 

 changing to a pupa, spins a long firm thread by which it attaches its case: we can 

 only consider this gift of spinning as a morbid craving — a species of excitement caused 

 by the parasites within. According to Von Siebold's observations, the cases which 

 contain parasites are always fastened by a thread, whilst all others are without a thread. 

 This circumstance much facilitates the detection of the parasites. If one takes out of 

 the water a stone on which there are cases of Phryganidae, those fastened with long 

 threads readily attract attention. No doubt more than one species of ichneumon occurs 

 in the larvae of Phryganidae. For instance, Von Siebold possesses cases and larvee of 

 Molanna cylindrica with considerably larger threads, and evidently larger parasites, 

 yet the imago is still unknown. It seems highly probable that the same facts will 

 occur in England as in Germany, and therefore it would be interesting to direct atten- 

 tion to the subject, and to try and breed these parasites. lu breeding Phryganidae 

 some care is necessary ; if the cases are brought out of the water and placed in a glass 

 they almost invariably die ; but the following method will be found more successful : — 

 take a bag of some transparent substance, place some switches in it, so as to keep it 

 open, then put the Phryganidae cases in, tie it up at the top, and sink it in the water, 

 so that a portion of the bag lies above the surface ; in this way, with very little trouble 

 and expense, one can succeed in rearing the perfect insects. — Dr. Hagen, in the '■Intel- 

 ligencer. 



Correction of an Error. — At the meetings of the Entomological Society, held 

 June 3rd and August 5th of the present year. Dr. Knaggs and Mr. M'Lachlan exhi- 

 bited, on my behalf, drawings of the larvae of Eupithecia trisignata, E. tripunctata, 

 E. dodoneata, E. pusillata, Caradrina alsines and C, blanda. In the reports of those 

 meetings (Zool. 7615 and 7726) it is stated that these drawings were executed by me. 

 This is quite incorrect. I am entirely unable to produce such excellent and life-like 

 representations. They proceed from the clever pencil of my friend Mr. Buckler, 

 who is perhaps the most painstaking and accurate depicter of the larvae of British 

 Lepidoptera we have the good fortune to possess. I am exceedingly sorry that the 

 mistake has occurred, and that all honour was not paid where it was so justly due. — 

 H. Harpur Cretve ; September 6. 



Proceedings of Societies. 



Entomological Society. 



September 2, 1861.— J. W. Douglas, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Donations. 

 The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be presented to 

 the donors : — 'The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,' vol. xxii. 

 parti; presented by the Society. ' Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung,' 1861, Nos. 

 7 — 9 ; by the Society. ' The ' Zoologist ' for September ; by the Editor. ' Beschrij- 

 vingen en Afberldingen van Nederlandsche Olinders, bijeengebragt door Mr. S. C. 

 Snellen Van Vollenhoven, Conservator aan's Rijks-Museum voor Natiimlijke Historic 

 te Leyden ; ' by the Author. ' The Journal of the Society of Arts ' for August ; by the 

 Society. ' The Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer,' Nos. 253 — 256 ; by the Editor, 

 H. T. Stainton, Esq. 



