NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 495 
graduated series, extending from the pale variety flavescens of Esper, to an 
almost melanic form. 
Mr. Boyd exhibited, and made remarks on, the larva of a species of 
Ornithoptera from New Guinea. 
Mr. H. Goss exhibited a series of Bankia argentula collected by him 
in Cambridgeshire, in June last; and also, for comparison, a series of 
specimens of the same species taken at Killarney in June, 1877. It 
appeared that the Irish form of the species was larger and more brightly 
coloured than the English form. 
Mr. Eland Shaw exhibited a female specimen of Dectictus verrucivorus 
(Linn.), taken in July last, at St. Margaret’s Bay, Kent. 
Mr. Waterhouse recorded the recent capture of Deiopeia pulchella at 
Ramsgate, by Mr. Buckmaster; and the capture of Anosia plexippus at 
Gibraltar was also announced. 
Mr. J. W. Slater read a paper on “ The relations of insects to flowers,” 
in which he stated that many flowers which gave off agreeable odours 
appeared not so attractive to insects as some other less fragrant species ; 
and he stated that Petunias, according to his observations, were comparatively 
neglected by bees, butterflies and Diptera. Mr. Distant, Mr. Stainton, 
Mr. Weir, Mr. Stevens and the President took part in the discussion which 
ensued, and stated that in their experience Petunias were often most attrac- 
tive to insects. Mr. Stainton referred to the capture by himself, of sixteen 
specimens of Sphina convolvuli at the flowers of Petunias, in one evening 
in 1846. 
Jonkeer May, the Dutch Consul-General, asked whether the reported 
occurrence of the Hessian F'ly (Cecidomyia destructor) in England had been 
confirmed. In reply Mr. M‘Lachlan stated he believed that several 
examples of an insect thought to be the Hessian Fly had been bred in this 
country, but that everything depended upon correct specific determination 
in such an obscure and difficult genus as Cecidomyia.—H. Goss, Secretary. 
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 
Avifauna Italica. Elenco delle specie di Uccelli stazionarie o 
di passaggio in Italia, colla loro sinonimia volgare e con 
notizie piu specialmente intorno alle migrazione ed alla 
nidificazione. Compilato dal Dottore Enrico Hiniyer 
Giauiot1. 8yvo. Firenze, 1886. 
It is now some fifteen years since Count Salvadori published 
his work on the birds of Italy, a work which has been of the 
