1882.] MR. A. THOMPSON ON A STICK INSECT. '/19 



p. 328'). The ova of this insect were sent to England by Mr. J. 

 Wood-Mason, F.Z.S., to whom the Society is indebted for many 

 interesting additions to the collection of insects. 



The ova were received from Cachar in October last year, and 

 were at once placed in one of the glass cases containing a young 

 growing orange-tree and some grass. The young insects did not 

 emerge till March of the present year ; and I regret to say that most 

 of them died when a few days old. One specimen, however, is still 

 living and doing well. When young it fed upon grass ; but when 

 nearly half-grown it began to devour the leaves of the orange-tree ; 

 and it and one other specimen which died almost denuded the tree 

 of its leaves. 



The specimen now living is a female, it having quite recently laid 

 eggs, and is therefore, I have no doubt, quite adult. It has shed its 

 " skin" several times since it emerged from the egg, the last occasion 

 being the 27th June, but has not shed its skin since that time. 

 The last three shed skins (which are not quite perfect) were shed at 

 intervals of about one month ; these I beg leave to exhibit herewith, 

 together with a sketch of the living insect (Plate LII.). the eggs 

 recently laid, and also the specimen which died when nearly half- 

 grown, and two specimens showing the size of the insect when first 

 hatched. The young are very active, and climb up the surface of the 

 glass easily. 



The operation of shedding the "skin" is very simple : the skin 

 splits down the back ; and the insect gradually draws out its legs and 

 body, and at once crawls away, leaving the shed skin quite moist and 

 limp. 



The specimen at present living did not eat for some time before 

 laying the eggs, but since then has commenced to feed again. 



December 19, 1882. 

 Prof. Flower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



The Secretary read the following report on the additions made to 

 the Society's Menagerie during the month of November 1882 : — 



The total number of registered additions to the Society's Mena- 

 gerie during the month of November was 96, of which 1 was by 

 birth, 58 by presentation, 17 by purchase, 5 were received in 

 exchange, and 15 on deposit. The total number of departures during 

 the same period by death and removals was 109. 



The following additions are of special interest : — 



1. A collection of Reptiles from the Western States of North 

 America, presented by Samuel Garman, Esq., of the Museum of 

 Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A., November 3. 

 Amongst these are examples of several species new to the Society's 



' As determined by Prof. Westwood from a drawing of the adult female 

 living in the Gardens. — P. L. S. 



Prog. Zool. Soc— 1882, No. XLVIII. 48 



