1881.] REPORTS ON THE IN SECT- HOUSE. 819 



The total number of registered additions to the Society's Mena- 

 gerie during the month of October was 114, of which 4 were by birth, 

 71 by presentation, 27 by purchase, and 12 on deposit. The total 

 number of departures during the same period by death and removals 

 was 101. 



The most noticeable additions during the month were : — 



1. An example of the little-known Bornean Carnivore Hetnir/alea 

 hardwicMi\ new to the Society's collection. The specimen mea- 

 sures about 2 feet long in the body, the tail 18 inches. It is very 

 shy and fierce, and nocturnal in its habits. "When handled it ejects a 

 highly acrid and skunk-like secretion from its anal glands. 



2. Two female Beatrix Antelopes {Onjx heatrix), obtained from 

 the great desert behind the mountainous district of Oman, Muscat, 

 by Lieut.-Col. S. B. Miles, British Consul at Muscat, and presented 

 to the Society by Lord Lilford, F.Z.S. 



This rare Antelope has, so far as I know, been only three times 

 previouslv brought alive to this country. {Cf. P. Z.S. 1872, p. 603, 

 and 1878", p. 789.) One of the present examples is in good con- 

 dition ; the other is unfortunately much injured about the head. 



The following Reports on the Insect-house, by Mr. W. Watkius, 

 were also read : — 



Rejiori of the Insect-house for July 1881. 



Cage No. 1. This cage has been tenanted with cocoons of Samia 

 ffloveri ; two cocoons still appear likely to emerge. 



No. 2. Samia cecropia.— The eggs obtained from this species, like 

 the preceding, hatched ; and the larvae fed rapidly, attaining over an inch 

 in length ; but in three days the whole brood died, being attacked with 

 diarrhoea. An entomological friend of mine had a large number of im- 

 ported cocoons from the same source as those belonging to the Society; 

 and the progeny, to the number of some thirteen hundred, all died 

 soon after moulting for the first time, from the same cause, which I 

 attribute to degeneration, the cocoons imported having been obtained 

 in confinement. A further small supply of larvre was obtained from 

 Madame Simon of Brussels ; and these larvae are doing quite well at 

 present, only one having died, and that from some injury received 

 en route. No further imagos have emerged during July ; the case, 

 however, has been kept furnished with cocoons until larvas are of 

 sufficient size to transfer to it from bell-glasses. 



No. 3. Attacus cynthia. — Imagos of this species emerged at inter- 

 vals during the greater part of the month, and eggs for succession were 

 obtained ; these have hatched and are feeding inside a muslin bag 

 attached to a lilac tree near the Insect-house, and growing slowly, as 

 desired, for late exhibition. Another and earlier brood are exhibited 



1 Viven-a hardwickii, Gray, Spicil. Zool. ii. p. 9 (1830); Viverra boiei, 

 Miill. & Schl. Verb. Zool. p. 120, t. 18 ; Hcmigalea hardwickii, Gray, P. Z. S. 

 1864, p. 524. 



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