about 4 per cent, of formalin was the usual solution strength, 

 and that the use of this spirit was to sterilise the water. 

 The insects so preserved seemed to lose more or less of the 

 brilliancy of their colours, although it was stated that 

 spiders seemed to keep their tints admirably in this solution. 

 A suggestion was made that i per cent, of formalin would, 

 no doubt, be sufficient in a solution. 



Mr. Harrison exhibited a remarkable variety of the egg of 

 the common blackbird, pale blue for the greater part, but a 

 deep brown at the broad end. For comparison a number of 

 more ordinary eggs were exhibited. These showed some 

 slight variations in size, shape, and markings. All were 

 from the Delamere Forest district. 



Mr. Fremlin read a note he had received from Mr. Chad- 

 wick, in Devonshire, stating that he had observed an imago 

 of Amphipyra pyraniidea swim across a stream at least thirty 

 yards wide. Mr. Tutt said that it was well known that 

 Calamiaphraguiitidis, Leucania straniinea, and L. impttra, when 

 disturbed, ran over the surface of the water from one reed to 

 another. Pyvameis cardui had been observed crossing the 

 Mediterranean in vast swarms, alighting in clouds on the 

 surface of the sea, and again rising in the air, leaving only a 

 small percentage drowned in the water. No doubt the 

 fringes of these victims had become clogged and prevented 

 their escape. Of course the butterflies' wings were much 

 stiffer, and therefore less likely to be sucked down by 

 the motion of the water. Mr. Lucas said that dragon-flies 

 were well known to dip their abdomens in the water, and 

 some species were stated to go completely under the surface. 

 In these cases a certain amount of air would be carried down 

 entangled in the body-hairs of the insect immersed, as in the 

 case of the aquatic spiders. Mr. Tutt remarked upon the 

 larva of Phorodesina smaragdaria and the little there was 

 known of its method of outliving the frequent periodical 

 immersion which it must undergo in the marshy situations 

 in which it is found in this country. Incidentally he referred 

 to the fact that its habitat on the Continent is altogether 

 different, for there it is found several thousand feet up the 

 Alpine slopes. Dr. Chapman said that some time ago he 

 experimented with larvae as to the length of time they would 

 undergo immersion and then recover. Some species would 

 remain immersed for several hours, and get much bloated 

 from absorption of water, and yet, when dried on blotiing- 

 paper, would regain their pristine health and vigour. Mr. 

 Hafl thought that larvae with hairs would no doubt remain 



