128 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



meeting, by Mr. A. Robinson, and remarked tbat a similar form had been 

 recorded by Mr. Whittich, and an analogous variety of P. pigra, Hufn,, 

 figured by Stephens. An exhibition of microscopical objects was then 

 given by members. 



April 9th. — The President in the chair. Mr. A. Hamm, of Reading, 

 was elected a member. Mr. H. Moore exhibited Caligo nemnon, from 

 South America, and Metapodius sericollis, from Trinidad. Mr. South, 

 three varieties of Miana strigilis, Clerck, which were extraordinary forms 

 of the var. latruncula, and had been sent to him for inspection by Mr, 

 Jefferys, of Clevedon. Mr. R. Adkin, Pcedisca sordidana, from Forres, 

 and stated that these were very unlike the specimens from N. Devon. 

 Mr. Cockerell read a note on variation ; some discussion followed. Mr. S. 

 Edwards contributed a paper on the Papilionidae. — H. W. Barker, 

 Hon. Sec. 



[Want of space compels us to omit the official report of this Society's 

 Annual Exhibition. It will appear in the June number. — Ed.] 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. — April I'Sth, 

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

 J. Collins, of Warrington, and W. R. Scowcroft, of Prestwich, were elected 

 members. Mr. J. E. Robson, F.E.S., of Hartlepool, read a paper entitled, 

 "Are Abraxas pantaria and A. ulmata one species or two?" After 

 remarking on the difficulty of obtaining exotic specimens of the genus, the 

 author said that A. pantaria had been admitted into the British list on the 

 authority of one specimen taken at Okehampton Park, Somerset. He referred 

 to their geographical distribution, stating that A. pantaria only occurred in 

 places where A. ulmata was absent ; he then minutely described the two 

 forms, comparing the markings of each, and pointed out the difference in the 

 genital armature, which he considered was due to local and climatic causes 

 aUering the form of the genitalia. The paper, which was fully illustrated 

 by many cases containing examples of the genus, led to considerable dis- 

 cussion as to what actually constituted a species. Mr. Tutt sent for 

 exhibition the series of Miana, from Armagh, that recently caused so much 

 controversy among London entomologists ; but so palpably distinct were 

 the specimens of fasciuncula and strigilis, and so obvious the ease with 

 which the examples could be separated, that no discussion arose, Mr. 

 Robson exhibited some fine varieties of butterflies, and Mr. Collins a 

 wonderful variety of Leucania lithargyria, which had the hind wings deeply 

 fimbriated with dark scales, the central portion of the wing being light. — 

 F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec. 



Birmingham Entomological Society. — March 16th, 1891. — Mr. 

 W. G. Blatch, President, in the chair. Messrs. P. J. and H. Pope were 

 elected members. Mr. Blatch said he had noticed a large number of spring 

 Lepidoptera at Hopwas Wood a few days previously, and had noticed that 

 among the Hyhernia leucophearia, light specimens seemed to prefer birch 

 trees and dark specimens oaks and other trees with darker barks, their 

 colours thus being assimilated to their surroundings. Mr. Thornevvill 

 said that round Burton he noticed what appeared to be two forms of Phi- 

 galia pedaria : one large and light, found early in open spaces ; and one 

 small and dark, and found later in the woods. Mr. Thornewill exhibited a 

 number of Xanthicz and read notes on them, making several suggestions 

 which provoked considerable discussion. — C. J. Wainwright, Hon. Sec. 



