1893. J " 75 



Tceniocampa, which Dr. Chapman had extracted from the pupa cases in some in- 

 stances as early as October 25th. Mr. Frohawk, hibernating larvsB of Carterocephalus 

 Falcemon, Pall. Mr. Elisha, two drawers (one of Coleojphora and the other of 

 Nepticula) with cases, labelled to show the time of appearance, food-plant of the 

 larva, and locality. Mr. Elisha stated that he had adopted this system for the 

 whole of his collection of Tineina. Mr. E. Adkin, on behalf of Mr. Austin, some 

 very fine examples of Colias Edusa, Fb., var. Selice, Hb., taken at Folkestone, and 

 other species from the same locality taken by himself. 



December 22nd, 1892. — The President in the Chair. 



Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher exhibited a long series of Psilura monacha, L., and said 

 he obtained ova from a normal ? in 1887 from Mr. Tate, and by careful selection 

 he had at last obtained a dark race, and had no doubt that in time perfectly black 

 specimens would be produced. Mr. Tugwell said the black form occurred at West 

 Wickham, he having taken it there, showing that the black specimens occur near 

 London. Mr. Adkin pointed out the difference between the genuine British speci- 

 mens and those from the Continent, the latter had a smoky-brown ground colour 

 approaching O. diapar. Mr. South supported Mr. Fletcher's views as to the pro- 

 duction of black specimens at will, and said also that a light form could be obtained 

 by eliminating all the dark ones, and the dark race could be produced by excluding 

 all the light forms. The discussion was continued by Messrs. Frohawk and Fenn. 

 Mr. Adkin exhibited Tceniocampa gothica, L., and var. gotMcina, H.-S., and con- 

 tributed notes. Mr. H. Williams, two males of Colias lELyale, L., bred this season 

 from ova obtained from a female captured at Northfleet last September. — H. W. 

 Baekeb and A. Shoet, Kon. Sees. 



Februajy 2th, 1893. — J. Jenner Weie, Esq., F.L.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Frohawk exhibited hibernating larvae of Epinephele Janira, and stated that 

 they fed intermittently throughout the winter, seldom remaining more than ten or 

 twelve days without food. Mr. Adkin, a bred series of Aplecta prasina (herbida). 

 Mr. Waller a bred series of Smerinthus tilice, one of which exhibited a tendency 

 towards melanism. Mr. McArtliur, Tceniocampa gothica, var. gothicina, Coccyx cos- 

 mophorana, and Retinia duplana, and a discussion ensued. Mr. Adye, a fine and 

 variable series of Boarmia repamdata, taken at sugar in the New Forest, July, 1892. 

 Mr. Weir exhibited a photograph taken from " Insect Life " for January, 1893, of a 

 twig bearing some two dozen specimens of Anosia Plexippus resting at night during 

 migration, and read a paper which illustrated the migi'atory instinct of this, and 

 indirectly of other species. A discussion, in which Messrs. Barrett, Weir, and 

 Hawes took part, then followed, it being noted that whereas some dozen or more 

 captures of A. Plexippus were recorded for this country, only three were known to 

 have been taken on the continent of Europe. Mr. Mansbridge exhibited specimens 

 illustrating his paper, and read, "Notes on Melanism in Yorkshire Lepid.optera," 

 remarking on the tendency to melanism shown by many species within the boundaries 

 of the towns, whilst in damp spots, barely five or six miles away, the same species 

 would appear in quite its normal lighter coloration. Many instances were cited, 

 chiefly among the Noctuas and Geometrce. Mr. Tutt proposed, and Mr. Barrett 

 seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Mansbridge for his paper. — F. W. Hawes and 

 H. Williams, Hon. Sees. 



