88 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
seemed admirably adapted and probably did, to some extent, serve to 
increase the sound by resonance. In, Serville’s species, according to 
Westwood’s figure, the stridulating apparatus appeared to be more highly 
developed, the “mirror” being more distinct and the tegminal cavities 
much more spacious. The males of the Pterinowyli were unknown. 
Professor Westwood mentioned the formation of a “ Channel Islands’ 
Museum and Institute of Pisciculture Society” in Jersey. 
The President also brought under the notice of the Society a recently- 
published paper by Dr. Anderson (Proc. As. Soc. Beng., Aug. 1877), con- 
taining an account of Gongylus gongylodes, Linn., a remarkable Indian 
Mantis, the pupa of which is stated to resemble a flower, both in colour, 
marking, form, and attitude, this resemblance being, it is suggested, for the 
purpose of attracting insects on which the pupal Mantis feeds. 
Mr. Wood-Mason stated that the remarkable form and coloration of 
Gongylus gongylodes, and of other species of Mantide, had been known 
to him for years, but had remained an inexplicable puzzle till December, 
1875, when his valued and talented correspondent, Mr. 8. E. Peal, of Assam, 
informed him that he had just captured “a little rose-pink Mantis that 
simulates a blossom beautifully ;” and six months later a second ‘beautifully 
white (wax-white) and larger than the previous pink one.” On examination 
these specimens proved to be larve of Hymenopus bicornis of Serville, an 
insect of great rarity, and only up to that time recorded from Java. The 
species had the thighs of the four posterior legs expanded into broad pear- 
shaped plates; so that when scated on a twig with thorax and abdomen 
raised at right angles to one another, with the fore-legs drawn out of sight 
under the thorax, and with the four expanded thighs of the rest of the legs 
spread out two on each side, the “feet” of all these legs being brought to 
one spot, in form as well as in colour it must present a most perfect and 
deceptive resemblance to a flower. Here form conspired with colour in a 
most inimitable manner to produce the deception. The principal reason 
why this observation of Mr. Peal’s was not published long ago was that 
there was no evidence that insects were attracted to the coloured Mantises 
as insects to flowers, for if this were not so the resemblance was meaning- 
less; but the evidence required having been published by Mr. Wallace in 
the September number of ‘ Macmillan’s Magazine,’ he had come prepared 
to make known Mr. Peal’s and his own observations, little expecting that 
reference would be made to the same subject from the chair. According to 
Mr. Wallace, a small Mantis which exactly resembled a pink Orchis-flower 
was shown to Sir Charles Dilke in Java. This species was not only said to 
attvact insects, but even the kind of insects (butterflies) which it allures and 
devours was mentioned. 
Sir Sidney Saunders then read some remarks on the specific identity of 
a spider (dtypus) taken at Hampstead. 
