1889.] MR. A. THOMSON’S REPORT ON THE INSECT-HOUSE. 87 
Deilephila euphorbie. Saturnia pyri. 
galit. Ennomos angularia. 
vespertilio. Pygera bucephala. 
Cherocampa elpenor. Clostera anachoreta. 
Macroglossa bombyliformis. Eacles imperialis. 
Of the Silk-producing Bombyces, one very beautiful species, Atta- 
cus hesperus, trom Brazil, was exhibited for the first time. The 
cocoons from which these insects were produced were deposited in 
the Insect-house by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, F.Z.S., on the 
29th of June last. The first perfect insect emerged next day, 3 
on the Ist, 2 on the 2nd, 1 on the 5th, 1 on the 6th, 3 on the 
7th, 1 on the 13th, 1 on the 20th, and 1 on the 23rd of July, and with 
one exception were all good specimens. I exhibit the whole series 
(13) this evening. It will be observed that seven of these insects 
are lighter-coloured than the other six. These agree with the 
specimens of A. hesperus in the British Museum. Whether the dark- 
coloured ones are of another species, or a dark variety, I have not 
been able to make out, but I could not find any in the British Museum 
like them. 
During the past season we have had an excellent exhibition of the 
great Atlas Moth (Aétacus atlas) and the Tusseh Silk-Moth (Az- 
therea mylitta). The last Atlas Moths (2) emerged on the 14th of 
November last. For the cocoons, of which a large number were sent, 
the Society are indebted to the kind assistance of Messrs. Wood- 
Mason and W. L. Sclater, of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. 
I exhibit this evening a series of Antherea mylitta of both sexes. 
This species is well known to be an extremely variable one, but, out 
of the many I have seen, I do not remember to have seen one like 
the female placed at the top. It has been suggested that it must 
be of a distinct species: this, however, can hardly be the case, as the 
cocoons (which came from Assam) were certainly all alike, and it was 
impossible to pick out the cocoon from which this particular specimen 
emerged. As will be seen, the markings round the “eyes” are much 
extended towards the thorax. 
Amongst the Diurnal Lepidoptera I exhibit two remarkable varieties 
of Vanessa antiopa. 1 have had from time to time a very large 
number of these insects in the Insect-house, but this is the first time 
1 have obtained any varieties. The first specimen, it will be noticed, 
has the marginal blue spots on the fore wings only, and in the second 
specimen the blue spots are entirely absent on all four wings. 
I am sorry that I cannot report the successful rearing of any larvee 
of interest during the past season; the weather was so unfavourable 
that I was unable to rear many of the common and hardy species. 
The following papers were read :— 
7* 
