Entomological Society. 9143 
Stevensii, the left antenna of which was trifid from the third joint, having three 
distinct clave, whilst the right antenna was bifid from the extremity of the basal joint ; 
one of the latter limbs appeared to have been fractured, and in consequence the right 
antenna did not exhibit two perfect clave. Major Parry communicated the followin g 
note :-— 
“TI beg to submit to the Meeting a brief account of an extraordinary and interesting 
case of monstrosity produced in the antenne of Odontolabis Stevensii, one of the 
Lucanoid Coleoptera, the right antenna being fureate from the apex of the basal joint, 
whilst the left one exhibits a bifurcate process, issuing from the third joint, that is to 
say, the former being abnormal from the basal and the latter from the third joint; the 
left antenna, moreover, possesses three distinct clave, the right one being in this respect 
in its normal state, exhibiting, however, the partial development of a second one. In 
regard to the malformation of the right antenna as exhibited in the present instance, 
an exactly similar case was remarked by M. Buquet in another Coleopterous insect 
belonging to the Buprestide (Julodis Clovei, from Abyssinia), and notified by that 
gentleman in the Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., accompanied by a figure (Ser. 2, vol. i. pl. iv. 
[iii], fig. 1). It is in vain, I think, to suggest any cause for such an extraordinary 
freak of nature, and I must therefore content myself with merely recording the fact.” 
Mr. Stainton exhibited the pupa of Anchinia verrucella, one of the Tineina, which 
in its angular form, and mode of suspension from its tail and by means of girths round 
the body, resembled the pupa of a Pieris. 
Dr. Alexander Wallace exhibited specimens, sent him by M. Guerin-Meneville, of 
the silk produced by Bombyx Cynthia fed upon the Ailanthus; the specimens included 
silk carded from the cocoon, spun silk, woven silk, and a skein of Ailanthine spun from 
the cocoon in one continuous thread. Dr, Wallace said that he was engaged in a 
series of experiments with a view to the introduction into this country of the cultiva- 
tion of the wild silk-worms, from which it was hoped that the deficiency of the supply 
of the silk of Bombyx Mori might be made up; he had planted a railway-embankment 
near Colchester with the Ailanthus, which was found to be very hardy, and he had 
preserved larve of B. Cynthia through a temperature of 32° Fahr. 
Prof. Westwovod expressed a fear that an out-door colony of silk-worms would not 
succeed in this country so well as M. Guerin-Meneville’s; the existence of small birds, 
which were practically extinct in France, would make a great difference in the result 
of the experiment. 
Mr. Newman remarked, with reference to the alleged deficiency of silk, that there 
was no dearth of that article, that the English and French markets were overstocked, 
and that silk which five or six years ago was worth thirty shillings a pound was now 
not worth more than twenty-two shillings a pound. } 
Prof. Westwood said that, however that might be, the quantity of silk produced in 
France was diminished by one-third; and Dr. Wallace added that in many parts of 
France the mulberry was being destroyed, and the vine planted in its stead. 
Prof. Westwood exhibited some extremely minute Acarideous insects, which he 
had received from Mr. Chapman, of Glasgow, who had observed them in vast numbers 
infesting the unopened buds of black currant trees, which they entirely destroyed by 
withering up the embryo blooms. These creatures, almost invisible to the naked eye, 
were of an elongated oval form, with an oval head and two pairs of short legs porrected 
‘in front of the body, the penultimate joint of each emitting a long bristle; the 
