344 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Dr. Sharp said that he was of opinion that the operations of these larvee 
were not the result of instinct, but were more like reflex actions; the 
instant the larve touched a suitable surface they clung to it. The 
discussion was continued by Prof. Riley, who disagreed with Dr. Sharp, 
and believed these larvee were guided by instinct, as they showed a decided 
preference for particular hosts. 
Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited a male of Lycena bellargus and a female of 
L. icarus, which had been captured in copula by Mr. Hillman, and shown 
to the exhibitor at the time of capture. Mr. Weir also exhibited some 
specimens of Lyeena which he believed to be hybrids between Lycena 
bellargus and L. icarus ; and he further exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Jenner, 
four specimens of Phosphanus hemipterus, taken at Lewes. 
The Rev. W. W. Fowler exhibited two specimens of Chrysomela 
cerealis, lately taken by Dr. Ellis on Snowdon; and also two specimens of 
Actocharis Readingii, found at Falmouth by Mr. J. J. Walker. 
Mr. E. B. Poulton called attention to the fact that the Jarve of some 
Lepidoptera, if fed in captivity on an unusual food-plant, subsequently 
refused to eat their ordinary food-plant. He stated that he had observed 
this with the larve of Pyg@ra bucephala and Smerinthus ocellatus. Mr. 
Stainton, Mr. Fowler, and others made some remarks on the subject. 
Mr. Elisha exhibited a series of bred specimens of Geometra smaragdaria, 
together with the cocoons, containing the empty pupa-cases, attached to the 
stems of the food-plant. 
Mons. Alfred Wailly, who was present as a visitor, exhibited a long 
series of silk-producing moths, including some remarkable hybrids between 
P. cecropia and P. ceanothi ; and Professor Riley and Mr. Weir made some 
observations on these hybrids. 
Dr. Sharp read a paper on “‘ Hucnemis capucina (Ahr.) and its larva.” 
Mr. Dunning read a report on the subject of the importation of 
hnmble-bees into New Zealand, from which it appeared that the efforts of 
Mr. Nottidge, of Ashford, and the Canterbury (N. Z.) Acclimatisation 
Society, had been successful, and that the long-wanted clover-fertiliser had 
at length been established in New Zealand. 
Mons. Peringuey communicated ‘ Notes on some Coleopterous Insects 
of the family Pausside.” 
Mr. J. B. Bridgman communicated ‘ Additions to the Rev. T. A. 
Marshall's Catalogue of British Ichneumonide.” 
Prof. Riley read ‘‘ Notes on the phytophagic habit, and on alternation 
of generation, in the genus Isosoma.” In this paper Prof. Riley described, 
from direct observation, the phytophagic habit in two species of the genus. 
—Hersert Goss, Secretary. 
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