200 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



islands of H.M.S. 'Espiegle' in 1889 and 1883. Amongst the specimens 

 exhibited were species of Eiiplcea, Mycalesis, Messarus,Iiliinopaljia, Cyrestis, 

 Diadema, Parthenos, Lamjndes, Sithon, Pieris, Papilio, &c. 



Mr. E. B. Poulton exhibited a large and hairy lepidopterous larva — 

 apparently of a Bombyx — brought from Celebes by Dr. Hicksou, and made 

 remarks on the urticating properties of the hairs of the species, which were 

 said by the natives to produce symptoms similar to those of erysipelas if 

 the larva was handled. 



Lord Walsingham, Mr. M'Lachlan, Dr. F. A. Dixey, Mr. Jenner Weir, 

 Dr. Sharp, Rlr. Slater, and Mr. Poulton took part in a discussion as to 

 whether urtication was due to the mechanical action of the hairs in the 

 skin, or to the presence of formic acid, or some other irritant poison, in 

 glands at the base of the hairs. There appeared to be no doubt that in 

 some species the irritation caused by handling them was merely due to the 

 mechanical action of the hairs. 



Mr. P. Crowley exhibited a collection of Lepidoptera recently received 

 from West Africa, including specimens of several new or undescribed 

 species of Mylothris, Diadema, Harma, BJwnialeosonia, &c. 



Mr. H. Goss reported the capture by Mr. G. D. Tait, at Oporto, in 

 September last, of a specimen of Anosia Plexippus, and remarked that, 

 although son e twenty specimens had been caught in the South of England, 

 only two specimens had been previously recorded from the continent of 

 Europe. 



Lord Walsingham read a paper entitled " A Revision of the Genera 

 Acrolophus (Poey) and Anaphora (Clem.)"; and lie exhibited about twenty 

 new species of these and allied genera. Mr. Staiiiton made some remarks 

 on the genus Anaphora, and said he was glad Lord Walsingham was working 

 at it and its allies. The paper was further discussed by Mr. M'Lachlan, 

 Mr. Champion, and Dr. Sharp. 



Mr. Poulton read " Notes in 1886 on Lepidopterous Larvse, &c." In 

 the discussion which ensued, Lord Walsingham referred at some length to 

 instances of protective resemblance in larvfe, and alluded to the existence 

 in certain species, especially of the genus Melitaa, of prothoracic glands. 

 Further instances of protective resemblance were cited by Mr. Jenner 

 Weir. 



Dr. F. A. Dixey remarked on the extraordinary powers of contraction 

 which appeared to be possessed by the retractor muscle of the flagellum in 

 D. vinula, and enquired whether any corresponding peculiarities of minute 

 structure had been observed in it. The discussion was continued by 

 Mr. Gervase Mathew, Mr. W. White, Dr. Sharp, Mr. Ponitt, and others. — 

 H. Goss, Hon. Secretary. 



