1886.] ON RHOPALOCERA FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 343 



4. Note on an Ectoparasite of the Menobranch. 

 By Prof. R. Ramsay Wright, F.Z.S. 



[Received June 24, 1886.] 



The specimens of Menobranchus recently brought by me from 

 Toronto and presented to the Society's Collection were infested 

 by an ectoparasitic Trematode, Sphyranuria osleri, mihi, which I 

 first described in the * Proceedings of the Canadian Institute,' 

 Toronto, 1878. The preserved specimens on which I founded my 

 description enabled me to determine the zoological position of this 

 parasite, which turned out to be an interesting form intermediate 

 between Gyrodactylus and Polystomum ; but I was obliged to postpone 

 any closer investigation into its anatomy till I had access to fresh 

 specimens. I have recently had abundant opportunity of securing 

 these, and I propose shortly to publish elsewhere the results of my 

 studies. 



In view of the interest attaching to a certain parallelism between 

 the phylogeny of the Polystomidse and that of their hosts, I take the 

 present opportunity of referring to the desirability of examining any 

 Urodela which may die in the Reptile House, in case of possible 

 additions to this interesting family of Trematoda. 



5. Descriptions of some nev/ Species of Rhopalocera from 

 the Solomon Islands. By Gervase F. Mathew, Staff- 

 Paymaster Royal Navy, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 

 [Eeceived June 11, 1886.] 

 (Plate XXXIV.) 



During nearly a four years' Commission on the Australian Station, 

 H.M.S. 'Espiegle' was employed for a greater part of her time 

 among the islands of the Western Pacific, and, upon two occasions, 

 paid brief visits to the Solomon Islands. It is to be regretted that 

 she did not prolong her stay at this charming group, for, from the 

 little seen of them, they appeared to be, entomologically speaking, a 

 perfect paradise, being clothed from water's edge to mountain's peak 

 with the most luxuriant and varied tropical vegetation. 



But a serious drawback to collecting was the hostility and 

 treachery of the natives. At many places they were cannibals, and 

 extreme caution had to be exercised when landing — indeed at some 

 places collecting was quite out of the question, as it would have been 

 almost certain death to have ventured into the forest alone. When 

 the natives have had more intercourse with white men it is to be 

 hoped that they will become more civilized, and discontinue their, at 

 present, unpleasant customs. Now they look upon all white men 



