262 [November, 



France," Harris's " The Aurelian," ed. i, and Sepp's " Nederlandsche Insecten." 

 There were also numerous modern works dealing with the Lepidopterous fauna of 

 Europe. Mr. J. J. Walker exhibited a black form of Clytus mysticus, L. (var, 

 hieroglyphicus) ^ taken by Mr. Newstead at Chester, where about one per cent, of 

 the specimens were of that variety ; also a black variety of Leiopus nehulosus, L., 

 from the New Forest. Mr. Tutt, an example of Euchloe cardamines, irregularly 

 suffused with black markings, and a series of local varieties of Lepidoptera from 

 Wigtonshire. Mr. S. Image, a specimen of Acidalia heriariata, taken in South- 

 ampton Row. Prof. Poulton showed and made remarks on specimens of Precis 

 octavia-natalensis and Precis sesamus. These strikingly dissimilar insects had been 

 shown by Mr. Or. A. K. Marshall to be seasonal forms of the same species ; from 

 two eggs laid by a female of the first mentioned (summer) form he had bred one 

 imago resembling the parent, and one which was of the blue sesamus form. On 

 behalf of Dr. Knaggs, Mr. South, a series of Dicrorhampha, the synonymy of which 

 was discussed by him and Mr. Barrett, D.flavidorsana, Knaggs, being shown to be 

 a good species. Mr. Barrett exhibited and made remarks on specimens of Lozopera 

 Beatricella, Wals., from Folkestone, and the allied species. Mr. Porritt, examples 

 of Arctia luhricipeda, obtained by continued selection of the parents, and probably 

 the darkest ever bred in this country. Mr. Adkin, a long series of TcBniocampa 

 gotJiica, to show the results of breeding by continued selection, and some remarkable 

 forms of Abraxas grossulariata from Pitcaple. Mr. F. Merrifield read a paper, 

 illustrated by a large number of specimens, on "The Colouring of Pupae of P. 

 Machaon and P. napi, caused by exposing the pupjB to coloured surroundings." The 

 pupae of both species were found to be modified by the surroundings of the larva, 

 the effect being extremely marked in the case of P. napi. When the larvae of the 

 latter species were kept in a cage half orange-coloured and half black, all but four 

 of the pupae on the roof of the orange-coloured side were green, with very little dark 

 spotting, and all the pupae on the roof of the black side were bone-coloured, with 

 numerous dark brown spots. He regarded the phenomenon as protective. The 

 exhibit was discussed by Prof. Poulton, who showed a similar series of specimens, 

 and observed that he found the rays near the D line of the spectrum had the greatest 

 influence upon the incipient pupae, the effect diminishing towards either the red or 

 the violet ends. The effect therefore appeared to be one of luminosity. Mr. Bateson 

 stated that his own experience fully confirmed Mr. Merrifield's results, but he was 

 unable to see how the green coloration of the pupae could be protective, at least in 

 the winter brood. Mr. Gr. H. Verrall read a paper on " Syrphidce collected by 

 Colonel Yerbury at Aden," the specimens, together with some rare British Dipiera, 

 being exhibited by Colonel Yerbury. Papers were communicated by Mr. Gr. C. 

 Champion on " The Clavicorn Coleoptera of St. Vincent, Grrenada, and the Grena- 

 dines," based on the determinations of M. G-rouvelle ; and by the Eev. T. A, 

 Marshall, on " The British Braconidce, Part VIII." — W. F. H. Blandfoed and 

 F. Mekeifield, Hon. Sees. 



