120 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



exhibited several examples of a Leucophasia from Vigo, which appeared 

 to be identical with L. astiva (Staud.). 



Mr. Porritt exhibited, on behalf of Mr. N. F. Dobree, a series of a 

 remarkable red form of Tceniocampa gracilis, bred last season from larvae 

 collected in Hampshire. 



Mr. Eland Shaw exhibited specimens of Pachytylus cinerascens (Fab.), 

 Mecostethus grossus (Linne) and Gryllus flavipes (Grael.), and read a " Note 

 on the Identity of Gryllus (Locusta) Jiavipes, Gmel." 



The Secretary read a communication from Prof. Riley, of Washington, 

 on the subject of the "Australian Bug" (Icerya purchasi). It was stated 

 that the insect had of late years become very destructive to various trees and 

 shrubs in California, into which country, as well as into Now Zealand and 

 Cape Colony, it had been introduced from Australia, where it was believed 

 to be indigenous ; but on this point further evidence was asked for. 



The Rev. T. A. Marshall communicated " A Monograph of the British 

 Braconidse," Part 2, being a continuation from Part 1 of the 'Transactions' 

 for 1885. 



Mr. Francis P. Pascoe read a paper entitled " Descriptions of some new 

 species of Brachy cents." 



Mr. Francis Galton, F.R.S., read a paper on " Pedigree Moth-breeding 

 as a means of verifying certain important Constants in the General 

 Theory of Heredity." In this paper Mr. Galton suggested the institution 

 of a system of experimental breedings, to be continued for several years, 

 with the object of procuring evidence as to the precise measure of the 

 diminution of the rate at which a divergence from the average of the race 

 proceeds in successive generations of continually selected animals. 



Mr. Fredeiic Merrifield read a paper (by way of an appendix to 

 Mr. Gallon's paper) entitled "A proposed method of breeding Selenia 

 illustraria, with the object of obtaining data for Mr. Galton." 



Mr. M'Lachlan said he considered the fact that S. illustraria was 

 dimorphic an objection to its selection for the experiments proposed, 

 and he suggested that the Common Silkworm Moth, or some other large 

 Bombyces, would be more suitable for Mr. Galton 's purposes. 



Prof. Meldola called attention to some observations on Selenia illustraria 

 by Dr. Knaggs, in vol. iii. of the Ent. Mo. Mag., which had some bearing 

 on the projected experiments; and he remarked that although, for some 

 reasons, the species selected was well adapted for testing Mr. Galton 's 

 conclusions, he believed that the fact of the moth being seasonally 

 dimorphic was likely to introduce disturbing elements into the experiments 

 which might influence the results. 



The discussion was continued by Dr. Sharp, Messrs. Baly, Kirby, 

 White, Klein, Porritt, Dunning, Waterhouse, Bates, Merrifield, Galton, 

 and others. — H. Goss, Hon. Secretary. 



