338 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



himself; the process adopted having been inflation of the empty skin 

 of the caterpillar by means of a glass tube and india-rubber spray-blower 

 over a spirit-lamp guarded by wire gauze. This has been found a simpler 

 and quicker process, and one admitting of more satisfactory manipulation, 

 than the alternative system of baking by means of heated metal plates or 

 ovens. The specimens have mostly retained their natural colour, but in 

 the case of the bright green species it has been found necessary to introduce 

 a little artificial dry pigment. The whole collection consists of 2540 

 specimens of larvae, belonging to 776 species, together witli a series of 

 the perfect insects of each species. As continued exposure to light is, 

 unfortunately, most detrimental to the colour of insects, this collection 

 cannot be exhibited permanently ; but, for the advantage of those who would 

 like to see it without any restriction, it has been placed in the eutrauce- 

 hall of the Museum for a period of six weeks, from May 16th to June 25th, 

 so as to include the Whitsuntide holidays and the Jubilee week. 



Bees occupying a Bird's Nest.— When taking a walk through some 

 woods near Taunton I came across a nest of the Loug-tailed Tit, Acredula 

 caudata, which was quite new, but when I came to look for the entrance 

 I could not find one anywhere; so I removed the top of the nest (which 

 was fully lined with feathers and ready for eggs), and found in the middle 

 a piece of comb about the size of a plum, together with several wild bees. 

 I have not unfreqnently found old nests of the Wren occupied by Bees, 

 but I have never before discovered newly-built nests tenanted by them. 

 Has anybody else noticed this unusual habit? — A. H. Buceland (4, East 

 Street, Taunton). 



SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



Zoological Society of London. 



May 3, 1887. — Dr. E. Hamilton, Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to 

 the Society's Menagerie during the month of April, and called attention 

 to two Polar Bears, Ursus maritlmus, presented by Mr. Joseph Monteith ; 

 and to two Crested Ducks, Anas ciistata, from the Falkland Islands, 

 presented by Mr. F. E. Cobb. 



Extracts were read from a letter addressed to the Secretary by 

 Mr. Roland Trimen, respecting the obtaining of a second example of 

 Laniarins atrocroceus in South Africa. 



Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited and made remarks on a skull of a Boar 

 from New Zealand. 



A communication was read from Mr. G. A. Boulenger, containing the 

 description of a new Snake of the genus Lamprophis, based on a specimen 



