SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



437 



Mr. Porritt exhibited a series of melaaic varieties of Diurnea fagella, 

 from Huddersfield, and stated that the typical pale form of the species 

 had almost disappeared from that neighbourhood. 



Mr. Goss exhibited, for Mr. J. Brown, of Cambridge, a number of 

 puparia of Cecldomijia destructor (Hessian Fly), received by the ktter from 

 various places in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk. Suffolk, and Wiltshire. He also 

 exhibited a living larva of Cephus pygmaus, Lat. (the Corn Sawfly), vvliich 

 had been sent to Mr. Brown from Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire, where, 

 as well as in Burwell Fen, it was stated to have been doing considerable 

 damage to wheat crops. 



Mr. Verrall, in reply to a question by Mr. Enock, said he believed that 

 the Hessian Fly was not a recent introduction in Great Britain, but had 

 been here probably for a great number of years. In reply to a further 

 question, he admitted that he was unable to refer to any but recent records 



of its capture. 



Prof. Riley said he was unable to agree with iMr. Verrall, and was of 

 opinion that the Hessian Fly had been recently introduced into this 

 country. Its presence here had not been recorded by Sir Joseph Banks, 

 by Curtis (who paid great attention to farm insects), by Prof. Westwood, 

 by the late Mr. Kirby, or by any other entomologist in this country who 

 had given especial attention to Economic Entomology. It seemed iiighly 

 improbable, if this insect had been here so many years, that its presence 

 hhould have so long remained undetected both by entomologists and 

 agriculturists. It had been stated that the insect was introduced into 

 America by the Hessian troops in 17 77, but this was impossible, as its 

 existence at that date was unknown in Hesse. 



Mr. M'Lachlan, Mr. Elwes, Mr. Verrall, Mr. Jacoby, and Dr. Sharp 

 continued the discussion. 



Mr. James Edwards communicated the second and concluding part of 

 bis " Synopsis of British H omoptera-Cicadina." 



Prof. Westwood contributed " Notes on the life-history of various species 

 of the Neuropterous genus Ascalaphus." 



Mr. Elwes read a paper " On the Butterflies of the Pyrenees," and 

 exhibited a large number of species which he had recently collected there. 



Mr. M'Lachlan said he spent some weeks in the Pyrenees in 1886, and 

 was able to confirm Mr. Elwes" statements as to the abundance of butter- 

 flies. He remarked on the occurrence of Spanish forms in the district, 

 and on the absence, as a rule, of the peat-bogs so common in the Swiss 

 Alps. The discussion was continued by Mr. Distant, Mr. White, Dr. Sharp, 

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



