66 MR. A. Thomson's report on the insect-house. [Feb. 3. 



*Ch(Brocampa nerii. Melanippe hastata. 



Zyfjcena fiUpendulcB. Cidaria sagittata. 



Euchelin jacobcece. Cilix qmiula. 



CalUmorpha dominula. Dicranura vinula. 



Chelonia caja. Tliyatira baits. 



Liparis dispar. * Gonomita postica. 



Of the insects mentioned in the pvecedins; list, I have the honour 

 to exhibit specimens of all the silk-producing Bombyces reared 

 during the past vear. Of these I succeeded in rearing a second 

 brood of Attacus cynthia and Samia cecropia ; but I could not 

 succeed in obtaining fertile ova from any of the other species, 

 althouo-h I made every effort to do so. I fear that the little red 

 ants, which infested the Insect House during the past year to an 

 extraordinary degree, had something to do with this failure, as witii 

 every care that was taken to keep them out of the cases, a few 

 managed to get in and worry the insects. 



Amongst these insects are three interesting varieties, two (male 

 and female) of Samia cecropia, and one of Attacus ricini. The 

 female oi Samia cecropia emerged in 1882, and I put it ou one side 

 to see if anv more would emerge, but none appeared at all like it till 

 the past year, when a very fine male emerged. Compared with the 

 ordinary type of S. cecropia the difference is rather strikiug. The 

 specimen of Attacus ricini is remarkable for the absence of the dark- 

 coloured markings on the wings, and for the breadth of the rose- 

 coloured band. 



Of Butterflies, the most interesting species exhibited was Aporia 

 hippia from the Amoor, cocoons of which were received in exchange 

 from the Gardens iu Hamburg. 



I was able to exhibit for the first time during the past year the 

 very beautiful Oleander Hawk-Moth {Chcerocampa nerii), pupae of 

 which were obtained from the continent. 



From South Africa I received some cocoons, sent by Mr. E. T. 

 Wells, of Somerset East. These proved to be the cocoons of 

 Gonotnita postica ; and I exhibit a male and female insect, together 

 with the cocoons from which they emerged. 



Mr. Seebohm exhibited an example of a curious pale-buff variety 

 of the Red Grouse, Tetrao scoticvs, which had been shot on the 16th 

 of October, 1884, by Mr. Gray Grayrigge, on a moor near More- 

 cambe Bay. It had been seen during three seasons on the moor. 



The following papers were read : — 



* Exhibited for the first time. 



