SOCIETIES. 251 



September 10th. — The President in the chair. Mr. W. F. llobinson, of 

 Netting Hill, was elected a member. Mr. S. G. C. Eussell exhibited a 

 large number of Argynnis selene, Schiff., from North Hants localities. 

 Mr. Carpenter, a fine series of Pericallia syringaria, L., bred from ova 

 received from Essex ; and of Dianthcecia albimacula, Borl?., bred from larvae 

 obtained in Kent. Mr. Frohawk, a series of Polyoinmatiis j^hlceas, L., and 

 pointed out the advantage of rearing this species from ova, as those bred 

 were much larger than captured specimens. Mr. Joy, a melanic specimen 

 of Boarmia repandata, L., taken at Hampsfelt, near Grange. Mr. Tugwell 

 remarked that it was the same form as that which Mr. Porritt got in his 

 district, and, in reply to Mr. Tutt(who stated that Mr. Porritt obtained his 

 black examples of this species from a very dark fir-wood, and inquired 

 ■whether the locality from which the specimen now exhibited came answered 

 this description), Mr. Joy said he took it on the trunk of a larch tree 

 on the edge of a larch plantation, which was not at all dark, the speci- 

 men being very conspicuous on the tree-trunk. Mr. R. Adkin showed a 

 series of Psodos coracina, Esp., bred this spring, from Eannoch, and he 

 pointed out that in some of the examples the band was cut right through. 

 Mr. C. Fenn, about fifty caught specimens of Agrotis corticea, Hb., showing 

 the variation of the species at Deal. Mr. Tugwell and Mr. Jenner Weir 

 remarked that many of the specimens ran extremely close to A. cinerea, Hb. 

 Mr. Barker exhibited a dark variety of Arctla caia, L., and Mr. Weir 

 remarked that he had once seen a series arranged according to whether the 

 antennae were white or blackish, and he thought it would be of interest if 

 members would look at the antennae of their specimens of this insect. Mr. 

 Short exhibited varieties of Arctia caia, L. ; in one example the white 

 markings of half of the superior wings were absent. Mr. Short called 

 attention to the fact that the ordinary cream marking of many of the 

 specimens he exhibited was strongly tinged with a rosy colour. Mr. 

 Tugwell showed examples of MelitcBa aurinia, Eott., from English, Irish, 

 and Scotch localities, and made some observations on the local variation of 

 this species ; a discussion ensued. — H. W. Baekee, Hon. Sec. 



Lancashiee and Cheshiee Entomologtcal Society. — Sept. lAth, 

 1891. — The opening meeting for the winter session. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., 

 F.E.S., in the chair. Mr. C. H. H. Walker read a paper on " Nerves and 

 Nervous Systems," describing the general structure of the nervous system 

 of a typical insect and comparing it with that of a spider, and pointing out 

 the close afl&nity, which differs only when the economy of the subject 

 rendered it necessary. The paper was illustrated with carefully executed 

 black-board drawings. Among the numerous exhibits, the president showed 

 specimens of the new Tortrix donelana from Galway. Mr. Walker, curious 

 varieties of Vanessa antiopa, which he had bred from Canada, tlie black 

 Bubterminal band and the blue spots being quite absent, and the yellow 

 border very wide. Mr. Melville, a fine specimen of Cheer ocampa nerii, 

 captured at Prestwich in 184G. Mr. Newstead, several cases of life- 

 histories, including the full history of Sirex gigas, which he stated had been 

 very common this year. Mr. Prince, a fine variety of Arctia caia, bred by 

 him this year, the fore wings of which were almost quite brown, and the 

 black spots on the hind wings formed a thick dark marginal band. Mr. 

 Gregson, a series of Lithosia sericea, taken this season. Mr. Harker, 

 Dianthcecia barrettii from Howth. — F. N. Piekcb, Hon. Sec. 



