1889.] MR. A. Thomson's report on the insect-house. 87 



Deilepkila euphorbice. Saturnia p>jri. 



gain, Ennomos angularia. 



vespertilio. Pygcera bucephala. 



ChcBrocampa elpenor. Clostera anachoreta. 



Macroglossa bombi/liformis. Eacles imperialis. 



Of the Silk-producing Bombyces, one very beautiful species, Atta- 

 cus hesperus, from Brazil, was exhibited for the first time. The 

 cocoons from which these insects were produced were deposited in 

 the Insect-house by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, F.Z.S., on the 

 29th of June last. The first perfect insect emerged next day, 3 

 on the 1st, 2 on the 2nd, 1 on the .5th, 1 ou the 6th, 3 on the 

 7th, 1 on the 13th, 1 on the 20th, and 1 on the 23rd of July, and with 

 one exception were all good specimens. I exhibit the whole series 

 (13) this evening. It will be observed that seven of these insects 

 are lighter-coloured than the other six. These agree with the 

 specimens of ^. hesperus in the British ^luseum. Whether the dark- 

 coloured ones are of another species, or a dark variety, I have not 

 been able to make out, but I could not find any in the British Museum 

 like them. 



During the past season we have had an excellent exhibition of the 

 great Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) and the Tusseh Silk-Moth (An- 

 thercBa mylitta). The last Atlas Moths (2) emerged on the 14th of 

 November last. For the cocoons, of which a large number were sent, 

 the Society are indebted to the kind assistance of Messrs. Wood- 

 Mason and W. L. Sclater, of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. 



I exhibit this evening a series of Anthercea mylitta of both sexes. 

 This species is well known to be an extremely variable one, but, out 

 of the many I have seen, I do not remember to have seen one like 

 the female placed at the top. It has been suggested that it must 

 be of a distinct species : this, however, can hardly be the case, as the 

 cocoons (which came from Assam) were certainly all alike, and it was 

 impossible to pick out the cocoon from which this particular specimen 

 emerged. As will be seen, the markings round the " eyes " are much 

 extended towards the thorax. 



Amongst the Diurnal Lepidoptera I exhibit two remarkable varieties 

 of Vanessa aiitiopa. I have had from time to time a very large 

 number of these insects in the Insect-house, but this is the first time 

 1 have obtained any varieties. The first specimen, it will be noticed, 

 has the marginal blue spots on the fore wings only, and in the second 

 specimen the blue spots are entirely absent on all four wings. 



I am sorry that 1 cannot report the successful rearing of any larvae 

 of interest during the past season ; the weather was so unfavourable 

 that I was unable to rear many of the common and hardy species. 



The following papers were read : — 



7* 



