1881.] THE SECRETARY ON THE INSECTARIUM. 651 



Keess and others, I have received several more from Madras, and am 

 consequently able to distribute them among various European 

 museums. 



The example of A. arafuree still shows the faint vertical bands 

 which are so much better seen in the immature. The dorsal spines 

 are damaged ; and the fish has its mouth distended, in which position 

 it has become permanently fixed, owing probably to having been put 

 into rather strong spirit soon after its capture. 



Apogon eUioti is one of those shore forms which extend through the 

 Indian Ocean from the east coast of Africa to the Malay archipelago 

 and China, likewise to the Arafura Sea on the coast of New Guinea. 

 It is rather remarkable that Dr. Bleeker did not obtain it ; he had 

 one from my collection, and informed me that it was new to him. 



June 7, 1881. 

 Professor Flower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



The Secretary called the attention of the Meeting to the opening 

 of the Insectarium in the Society's Gardens, which had taken place 

 on the 25th of April last ; and remarked, that although of late years 

 many entomologists had been in the habit of rearing insects in cap- 

 tivity for the purpose of watching their transformations and obtaining 

 good specimens in each stage of existence, nothing like a systematic 

 attempt, so far as he knew, had been previously made to form a 

 general collection of living insects for exhibition. As in former 

 days as regards reptiles and the lower marine animals, so in the 

 present instance as regards its Insectarium, the Society seemed to be 

 first in the field, and, so far as could be judged from the progress 

 already made, to be likely, if not altogether successful, to attain 

 many interesting and instructive results. 



The building in the Gardens now used as an Insectarium was con- 

 structed of iron and glass on three sides, with a brick back to it, and 

 formerly formed part of the refreshment buildings. It had been 

 moved to its present site, on the north bank of the canal near the 

 north entrance, last autumn, and had been used during the winter 

 as a nursery for delicate monkeys and tropical birds. The cases con- 

 taining the insects, to which it was now devoted, were arranged on 

 stands all round the building, and also occupied two tables in the 

 centre. The cases used for the principal specimens were formed of 

 zinc plates. The upper part of them was glazed on all four sides, 

 the top being formed of perforated zinc so as to admit the air. 

 The food-plant or object required for the suspension of the chry- 

 salises, when that stage of the insect was exhibited, was inserted 

 into the case through a circular hole in the bottom ; but the glass 

 front also opened, so that ready access could be obtained to the 

 interior. The larger cases in the front row measured about 24 

 inches in breadth by 18 in depth, and were 32 inches in height. 



42* 



