15 



laws evidently effecting their entrance there whilst very young and when the plant 

 was beginning to grow up. When the larvae were full fed they ale their way out of 

 the gall. 



Mr. McLachlan exhibited a series of a rare Triohopterous insect, Limnophilus 

 incisus of Curtis = Colpotaulius excisus of Kolenali. These he took near Merstham, 

 on the 21st ult. 



Mr. McLachlan also exhibited a long series of Acentropus niveus, among which 

 were two female examples, taken recently at the Hampstead Ponds, a new locality for 

 this species ; also bred specimens (with the cases) of Coleophora olivaceella, and the 

 same of C. solitariella for comparison ; and a bred specimen of Nepticula ulmivora, 

 the larvae of which, mining in elm leaves, he recently discovered for the first time in 

 England, near West Wickham. 



Captain Cox exhibited some excellent drawings of the larvae of Lepidoptera, and 

 remarked on the rarity of Lepidoptera during the present season, which was probably 

 to be attributed to the cold and wet of the last summer. 



Mr. Waterhouse observed that he never remembered to have seen so few Coleoplera 

 as in the present summer ; and Mr. Smith stated that Hymenoptera had hitherto been 

 extremely scarce ; other members present remarked that their experience confirmed 

 these statements. 



Professor Westwood observed that although mangold wurzel was usually considered 

 almost free from insect attacks, yet the crops this season in many distant counties 

 (Devon, York, Hereford, Oxon, &:c.) were attacked by the larvae of a Dipterous insect 

 (fam. Muscidse, and probably allied to Tephritis), which mine into the leaves, forming 

 large blotches, which soon shrivel up. It was evident, therefore, that the previous 

 season had exerted no influence in checking the production of this obnoxious species, 

 and in like manner the Aphis of the cherry and plum, and the black Aphis of the bean, 

 as well as the gooseberry sawfly, had been most extensively abundant and injurious 

 this season. 



Mr. McLachlan read the following : — 



Remarks on the Supposed Influence of the Food of the Larvae in causing 

 Variation in Lepidoptera. 



"The Natural History of Coleophora olivaceella appears to have some bearing on 

 the question so often asked at our meetings, 'Are not many of the so-called species of 

 Micro-Lepidoptera merely modifications of one or more previously described species 

 produced by the larvae having fed on different plants?' It appears to me that, as has 

 often been said before, this question would never have arisen but for the almost micro- 

 scopic dimensions of the creatures ; and at the same time I would premise that I am 

 decidedly opposed to the creation of species on imaginary differences, and that it is 

 possible that some few, now considered distinct, may, when their habits become more 

 known, sink to the rank of varieties ; but that food has any more than the very slightest 

 influence in causing such variation is, I think, very doubtful. Coleophora olivaceella 

 is an insect which, in the perfect state, is very similar to C. solitariella, and, moreover, 

 the two larvEe feed for at least the greater portion of their existence as such simultane- 

 ously on the same plant (Stellaria Holostea) ; but the cases of the larvae and their 

 mode of feeding are so very different that all who believe in species at all must con- 

 sider them distinct. These differences are not worth pointing out here ; they have 

 already been elaborately detailed by Mr. Stainton in the 'Entomologist's Annual', 



