1888.] 95 



Afterwards, a new tribe is constituted, viz. : Nectarphorini, which, from ite 

 name, ought to include all forms which secrete honey-dew, or bear siphuncles. 

 Reasons are given for eliminating Koch's genus, SiphonopJiora, and the well-known 

 names for the Aphides of the rose, the pea, and the wheat ; but it is doubtful if any 

 substantial gain is got by this change. In a similar manner the labours of Westwood 

 and of Planchon are unrecognised by the change of the usual name, Phylloxera 

 vostatrix, to Phylloxera vitifolice. It is true that, in 1856, Asa Fitch noted certain 

 galls on the leaves of the grape vine, but it is believed that he published no history 

 of this insect, neither did he place it in its true position amongst the Chermesince. 

 The author of the synopsis considers the drum-like tubercles so commonly seen on 

 the antenna of Aphides to be either organs of hearing or of smelling ; and he thinks 

 that they are sufficiently constant in position to afford reliable specific characters. 

 If these knob-like masses are referable to either of these senses they would seem better 

 to represent ear-tympani than any known olfactory structure. 



Mr. Oestlund's memoir adds several new species to the fauna of America. It 

 has also an interest in the statement of the occurrence on that continent of the 

 hitherto unique British insects, Melanoxanthus salicis, and Amphorophora ampullata. 

 The work has been conscientiously done, but its chief value will, of course, be 

 appreciated by western Entomologists. A short bibliographical list, wholly confined 

 to American authors, is appended. For those who would take up the complete study 

 of a somewhat difficult group of insects, an acquaintance with the early works of 

 Ealtenbach, Koch, Passerini, and others is imperative. To those authors we are 

 mainly indebted for what we know of the Aphididce. — Gr. B. Buckton. 



The South London Entomological and Natural History Society : 

 July 2,6th, 1888. — John T. Carrington, Esq., F.L.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Mr. T. S. Hillman, of Lewes, was elected a Member. 



Mr. Frohawk exhibited the white-banded variety of Sesia culiciformis, L., taken 

 by him at West Wickham, June, 1887, shortly afterwards recorded in "The Field." 

 Mr. Tugwell remarked that it was the first white-banded variety of this species he 

 had seen. Mr. West, of Streatham, Dianthcecia capsincola, Hb., bred from larvse 

 found on Sweet Williams. Mr. E. Adkin, short series of Zonaria orhicularia, Hb., 

 inbred from New Forest larvee, the specimens showing a good deal of variation ; 

 living larval of Thera firmata, Hb., remarking on their close resemblance to the 

 Pine needles, and of Tephrosia punctularia, Hb., the larvra when first hatched being 

 of a green colour, since moulting, however, there were some of a mottled brownish 

 colour, while others were green. Mr. E. Joy, Leucania impudens, Hb., from Wicken 

 Fen. Mr. Robson, a variety of Argynnis JSuphrosyne. Mr. Tugwell, two specimens 

 of Eupithecia extensaria, Frr., from King's Lynn ; also specimens of Melanippe 

 fluctuata, L., and var. costovata, which he was of opinion had no claim to a varietal 

 name. Mr. Carrington, a specimen of Sirex gigas. 



August 9th, 1888. — The Yice-President in the Chair. 



Mr. R. Waller, of Clapham, and Mr. J. N. Young, of Rotherham, were elected 

 Members. 



Mr. Cook exhibited a variety of Smerinthus tilice, L., the lower part of the 



