" Dr. Heifer estimates that there are not less than a hundred and fifty species of 

 moths in India [the larvae of] which form cocoons more or less adapted for use in 

 manufactures. He adds, — 'Many have made the objection that the ^ilk of the Indian 

 species is much inferior. This is yet an undecided question. The mulberry silkworm 

 degenerates if not properly attended to. What has been done to raise the indigenous 

 species from the state of their natural inferiority ? Very much depends upon the cul- 

 tivation of the worms in houses; secondly, on the method of feeding them, selecting 

 not that vegetable substance which best gratifies their taste, but that which contributes 

 to form a fine cocoon ; and, thirdly, from the first chemical operations employed be- 

 fore the working of the rough material. But even if the raw material would not be 

 capable of a higher degree of cultivation, the demand for it would, notwithstanding, 

 never cease in Europe. All the silk produced in Hindostan has hitherto found a ready 

 and profitable market in Calcutta, and the demand is always greater than (he supply."' 



April 3, 1854. 

 W. W. Saundkrs, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair. 



Donations. 



The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to 

 the donors: — The 'Zoologist' for April; by the Editor. The 'Athenseum' for 

 March; by the Editor. The 'Literary Gazette' for March; by the Editor. The 

 ' Journal ef the Society of Arts ' for March ; by the Society. ' Proceedings of the Royal 

 Society,' Vol. vi., No. 100 ; by the Society. ' Revue et Magasin de Zoologie,' 1853, 

 Nos. 11 & 12, 1854, Nos. 1 & 2 ; by the Editor, M. Gueriu-Meneville. ' Bulletin de la 

 Societe Imperialedes Naturalisles de Moscou,' 1852, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 1853, Nos. 1,2 : by 

 the Society. ' Hewitson's Exotic Butterflies,' Part 10 ; by W. W. Saunders, Esq. 

 'The Entomologist's Companion,' Second Edition, by H. T. Stainton: by the 

 Author. A box of Lepidoplera from Bogota; by T. J. Stevens, Esq., Corr. M.E.S. 

 Various Insects of Ceylon ; by G. R. H. Thwaites, Esq., M.E.S. 



Election of Members. 



T. Tapping, Esq., 43, Gloucester Place, Kentish Town, and the Rev. D. F. Jar- 

 man, Manor House, Hadley, Herts, were elected Members of the Society. 



Exhibitions. 



Mr. Douglas exhibited Depressaria Capreolella, taken flying in the sunshine, on 

 Sanderstead Downs, on the 12th of March ; also a larva of Elachista Megerlella min- 

 ing in the grass, Bromus asper. 



The Rev. Joseph Greene sent for exhibition a specimen of Stauropus Fagi, J , bred 

 from a larva taken at Halton, Bucks, and a specimen of the very rare Gliiphisia cre- 

 nata, reared from a larva found on a poplar near Halton, on the 18th of August. 

 " The larva was about an inch in length, dei)ressed, tapering somewhat at each end; 



C 



