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from Natal, where the species had proved very destructive to orange, lemon, 

 aud other fruit trees. He also showed specimens of the larvae of an allied 

 species from Natal, originally assigned by Mr. Douglas to the genus 

 Ortonia, but which Mr. Maskell was inclined to regard as a new species of 

 Icerya. Mr. M'Lachlan and the Chairman commented on the interesting 

 nature of the exhibition, and the importance of a knowledge of the parasites 

 of injurious insects, in connection with which special mention was made of 

 the researches and discoveries of Prof. Riley. The Secretary exhibited, on 

 behalf of Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, of Colorado, a large collection of insect- 

 galls, and read a letter from Mr. Cockerell on the subject. Dr. Mason said 

 he should be happy to take charge of these galls, with a view of rearing the 

 insects and reporting the results. Mr. H. W. Bates communicated a paper 

 entitled " On new Species of Cicindelidse." — H. Goss, Hon. Sec. 



The South London Entomological and Natural History Society. 

 —April Zlth, 1890. — J. T. Carrington, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 

 Mr. F. Warne exhibited a melanic variety of Hemerophila abruptaria, 

 Thnb., taken in the London district. Mr. Barrett asked whether this 

 species had been recorded for any other neighbourhood. Mr. Briggs, in 

 reply, said it was generally known that it occurred in the north and east of 

 London only. Mr. Carrington, referring to the variety hadita of Spilosoma 

 lubricipeda, Esp., remarked that between 1860 and 1870 this particular 

 variety only occurred in a timber-yard close to the railway station at York ; 

 he had recently visited the neighbourhood, and was interested to find that, 

 although the timber-yard had been taken by the railway company, the 

 variety now occurred in fair numbers throughout the whole district, showing 

 the gradual establishment of certain forms of variation. Mr. Tugwell 

 exhibited specimens of the common butter-burr (Petasites vulgaris, Desf.), 

 and made some remarks thereon, mentioning that it was the food-plaut of 

 Hydrcecia petasitis, Dbl. Mr. Tutt said that at Sheffield the species was 

 taken in the factory yards on the plants growing among the refuse, but very 

 rarely among the larger plants growing on the river banks. Mr. Rice, on behalf 

 of Mr. H. Syer Cuming, exhibited, among other documents, the original 

 rules and constitution of the Aurelian Society, bearing date June 1st, 1801 : 

 the rules and objects of the Entomological Society of London, founded on 

 the Aurelian Society, and dated May 1st, 1806, — both being signed by the 

 founders of the two Societies; a printed book of bye-laws of the latter 

 Society, date 1807 ; an autograph letter and circular, signed by A. H. 

 Haworth, dissolving the Entomological Society of London, date April 10th, 

 1806; a priced catalogue of Haworth 's collection, sold at Stevens', June 

 23rd, 1834, and ten following days ; and a catalogue of insects belonging 

 to the Entomological Society, sold at Stevens', April 16th, 1858. Mr. R. 

 Adkin read a paper on the " Occasional Abundance of certain Species of 

 Lepidoptera in the British Islands." [See abstract of this paper on first 

 page of the present number.] Messrs. South, Tugwell, Barrett, Carrington, 

 and others took part in the discussion which followed. 



May 8th, 1890. — The President in the chair. Messrs. S. G. C. Russell, 

 of Balham ; G. C Dennis, of York ; and J. H. Rowntree, of Scarborough, 

 were elected members. Mr. Charles Eeun exhibited Hedya pauperana, 

 Dup. Mr. Moore, galls of the so-called whistling tree, Acacia Jistula , from 

 Lower Egypt. Mr. Clarke, two series of plants from Cambridge and 

 Penzance. Mr. Step, Arum maculatum, L., and gave an interesting 

 account of the economy of the species. — H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 



