SOCIETIES. 108 



which had been appointed to enquire into the numerical and financial position 

 of the Society, from which it appeared that since the year 1885 the number 

 of members had increased yearly, and as a consequence, so also had the 

 finances of the Society. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited Pcedisca solaadriana, L., 

 bred from larvae feeding in shoots of birch from Aberdeen ; and, on behalf of 

 Mr. W. Smith, sundry Tortrices and Crambites from Paisley, including a 

 white and dark-blotched variety of Padisca solandriana, and an unusually 

 white form of C r ambus pratellm, L. Mr. R. South, Vanessa urticcB, L., to 

 show the geographical distribution and local variation. Mr. Adye, varieties of 

 Abraxas grossular lata, L. Mr. Robinson, specimens of a Pygcbra which he 

 stated had been supposed to be P. curtula ; they were bought cheap in 1876. 

 Mr. Tugwell stated it was difficult to say what the species was if it was not 

 curtula; he had seen the form before. Mr. Tutt remarked that he had 

 seen the form in the Doubleday Collection. Mr. Carrington exhibited and 

 made remarks upon some plants collected by him at Toulon. Mr. Billups 

 read a paper on the Hymenopterous and Dipterous parasites bred by members 

 of the Society during the years 1889-90 ; the paper was illustrated by the 

 exhibition of the various species mentioned in the paper, and in many cases 

 by the host from which the parasites had been bred. — H. W. Barkeb, 

 Hon. Sec. 



Birmingham Entomological Society. — February IQth, 1891. — Mr. 

 R. C. Bradley in the chair. Messrs. C. J. Fryer, Warwick ; and A. Madeley, 

 Dudley, were elected members of the Society. Mr. R. C. Bradley showed 

 Sphenella marginata from Bournemouth. Mr. E. C. Tye read a paper 

 (written conjointly with Mr. G. W. Wynn) on the Lepidoptera of Marston 

 Green. It was written with the purpose of showing what might be, rather 

 than what had been, done there ; and to urge the members to work the 

 district, which was the best ground lying within easy reach of Birmingham. 

 The paper described the ground, which includes Packington Park and 

 many fine lanes and woods ; and also included a short list of good things 

 already taken there. 



March )lnd, 1891.— Mr. R. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. J. J. Quirke, 

 jun., Handsworth, was elected a member. Mr. R. C. Bradley showed 

 Trypeta centaurice from Moseley. Mr. G, H. Kenrick, a specimen 

 of Triphcena p)^'onuba, bred January, this year, from egg found on 

 a withered lime leaf in first week of September, 1890. Mr. Kenrick read 

 a paper on " Temperature, its effects on some insects not found in thi-j 

 district," in which he pointed out the great importance of temperature in 

 affecting the distribution of insects. He pointed out the fact that most 

 insects were very susceptible to heat or cold at some period in their life, 

 which period varies in different species, and that a few degrees would often 

 seriously aft'ect them ; and he quoted a number of species of butterflies in 

 illustration, showing how their range in this country was undoubtedly 

 affected by temperature. He suggested that species would often be isolated 

 by their inability to stand slight alterations in heat and cold, and would 

 thus be in a position to diverge from closely-allied forms, thus favouring 

 evolution.— CoLBRAN J. Wainwright, Hon. Sec. 



Lancashire and Chkshire Entomological Society. — March 9th, 

 1891.— The President, S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S., in the chair. Mr. 

 Brocton Tomlin was elected a member. A paper by Mr. Herbert Stott was 

 read, on " A parasitic fungus forming its base in the larva of a New 

 Zealand Lepidopteron," illustrated by specimens and drawings. The Hon. 



