MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 883 



ot which species occur in the Nilgiris. The exact determination of the 

 species is unimportant, as they differ only in a slight modification of the 

 paler markings of the forewing, and either would form an equally good 

 model of the Gaeana. In the moth, the frontwing is deep brown, crosset 

 by sub-basal and medial irregularly maculate bands of a creamy white tint, 

 and with submarginal spots of the same pale colour. The hindwing is 

 crimson, with a broad, blackish outer border containing some crimson spots 

 near the anal angle. In Gaeana atkinsoni, the tegmina are black, with a 

 transverse medial fascia and submarginal spots of a pale ochreous tint : the 

 black ground colour relieved by ochreous venation, so producing a general 

 brownish effect. The hindwings are described by Distant as " bright 

 carmine red, apical and posterior margins and subapical transverse spot 

 black." I think that mental pictures evolved from the descriptions of 

 these two insects would not differ very widely. 



The brightly coloured Arctiids are generally believed to exhibit warning- 

 colours and to be protected from attack by a distasteful odour or flavour. 

 Little is known as to the immunity or otherwise of the Cicadas. I have, 

 however, observed the capture of Terpnrma psecas by an ' Orange Minivet' 

 (Pericrotus Jiammeiis). On that occasion the Cicada was evidently uncom- 

 fortably strong for its captor. I was attracted to the episode by the 

 scream of the Cicada, which was held by one leg only, and appeared to be 

 flying away with the bird. The minivet could make no headway against 

 the vigorous flight of its captive. The combination looked rather like a 

 badly-balanced aeroplane with an erratic propeller in front. 



E. ERNEST GREEN. 

 Peradeniya, Ceylon, 20th August 1910. 



No. XXXIX.— THE OCCURRENCE OF THE GIANT WATER-BUG 

 BELOSTOMA INDICA IN THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS. 



On the 9th June 1910, I obtained a pregnant specimen of the Giant 

 Water-Bug {Belostoma indica), at an altitude of 6,000 feet on the Eastern 

 Himalayas ; as I have never seen it at this altitude before, I thought its 

 occurrence here might be worthy of record. 



E. A. D'ABREU, f.z.s. 



KURSEONC4, DARJEELING DISTRICT, 



6th September 1910. 



No. XL.— A NEW METHOD OF MAKING PERMANENT 

 PREPARATIONS OF MOSQUITOES. 



Entomologists and medical men engaged in the study of Malaria fre- 

 quently have occasion to make collections of mosquitoes. But those who 



