Entomological Society. 8925 
“Tn breeding larve, some feed only at night, others in the direct sun-light, others 
at any time: care must be taken to favour each peculiar habit; if not, failure will 
ensue. Also, as some bury themselves in the earth, either to hide or to change into 
the pupa state, others spin a cocoon on a branch, others on the surface, collecting the 
loose material around; so in every case the insect ought to have the means of 
following its natural instinct. Thus, peat or broken turf and white sand make a good 
soil for the larve to retire into; this ought to be covered with close clean moss, free 
from insects, and kept moderately damp, and with a few upright pieces of wood for 
the insect to stretch itself upon after feeding, as we observe it is the habit of the 
nocturnal feeders 10 lie at full length for a short time after their evening diet. 
“In seeking nocturnal feeders, generally but few make their appearance until 
about an hour after sunset; on the low herbage and banks the lamp and bent position 
must be the order of search ; on spare and leafless brushwood the light will detect the 
insect, either feeding or at rest; but amongst brushwood, when it can be used, an 
inverted umbrella will save much time, and a quick tap with a stick will cause the 
larve to drop off into it. The lamp should be strapped round the waist. Many 
small larve, after feeding, hang suspended by a silken thread ; all these the umbrella 
will receive. 
“ During the night or day the quick eye must be ever ready to see the nibbled leaf, 
the exuvial deposit, the web or any other sign of insect presence. It was by examining 
the entrance of a wood, by the light of my lamp, that I discovered a piece of exuvie ; 
on further search I came upon a number of larve of Vanessa Cardui, before which 
time I had never seen in this neighbourhood the caterpillars, and the perfect insect 
but once. I found them feeding on the cudweed (Gnaphalium sylvatica): I have not 
seen this given before as its food-plant. 
“Tn collecting by day, a large sheet spread under the trees at the proper season of 
the year, and the trees beaten by a long pole, will generally send down many 
larve. 
“Thus the sheet and umbrella by day, the umbrella and lamp by night, a quick 
eye and a strong frame will be sure to meet with success. 
“There are other larve, some of which mine in the leaves, others in roots or stems 
of plants, or enclose themselves by drawing the ends of a single leaf or many leaves 
together. There are also many larve that. rarely appear above ground: these are to 
be obtained only by digging them out; therefore, whenever you have an opportunity, 
ask the men turning up the soil to save all the ‘bugs’ and ‘slugs’ they find; fur by 
these names only are they known by our unenlightened clodhoppers. 
“ Mrs. Charles Cox has now completed 170 coloured drawings of larve, the names 
of which are correctly authenticated, with about 120 not yet named. We are most 
anxious to continue our work, and we shall be indebted to our entumological friends 
if they will contribute to our wants. I need not say how pleased we shall be at all 
times to exhibit the progress of our work, and to forward lists to any Members of our 
Society who may desire to give a helping hand.” 
Prof. Westwood exhibited a selection, containing several novelties, from a collection 
of Coleoptera sent to this country from the River Shire by the Rev. Henry Rowley 
(attached to the Oxford and Cambridge Mission to the Zambesi); and remarked upon 
the identity of many of the insects from Zambesi with those from Mozambique. One 
of the new species exhibited, belonging to the Cetoniide, was very remarkable for the 
Variation in colour in the different individuals. 
