272 TfiE ISNTOMOLOGtSt. 



Forthcoming Works on British Entomology. — Messrs. L. Reeve 

 & Co. annouuce that they are about to bring out a new work on ' The 

 Lepidoptera of the British Islands,' by Charles G. Barrett. It is proposed 

 to publish two editions, one on large paper, with hand-coloured plates, the 

 other on small paper in volumes. The same publishers have also in hand 

 ' The Heraiptera-Heteroptera of the British Islands,' by Edward Saunders. 

 This will be issued in eight parts, with coloured plates. — Ed. 



Entomological Pins. — We have received the following letter from 

 Messrs. Kirby, Beard & Co. (Limited): — "We notice in the September 

 number of the ' Entomologist' you make a few remarks with regard to the 

 difl&culty of procuring really good, strong, well-pointed, black, entomological 

 pins. We quite agree with all you say, and admit that, owing to the 

 fineness of the wire, it is very difficult to obtain really good points, and for 

 the same cause there is great liability of the pins becoming soft during the 

 process of enamelling. But we wish to state that we have at length suc- 

 ceeded in producing a pin which we think has all the qualities you suggest, 

 and which should answer all requirements ; it is made of steel, so cannot 

 bend, and does not produce verdigris, and, having a needle-point, will 

 penetrate any reasonable substance ; whilst, being enamelled black, it has 

 all the appearance of the ordinary brass one. So, far, we have only made 

 these pins in the larger or continental sizes, as the demand has not been 

 sufficient to enable us to produce the smaller sizes ; we think, however, it 

 is only owing to the fact of their not being sufficiently well known, and so 

 should be glad if you will kindly find space for this letter in your next issue." 



SOCIETIES. 



Entomological Society of London. — October 7th, 1891. — Dr. David 

 Sharp, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. The Chairman referred to 

 the death, on the 14th September last, of Mr. E. W. Janson, who had been 

 a Member of the Society since 1843, and who had formerly filled the offices 

 of Secretary and Librarian respectively. The Piev. Dr. Walker exhibited 

 a long series of several species of Erebia, and of Argynnis pales, which he 

 had recently captured near Roldal, in Norway. Mr. W. L. Distant 

 exhibited specimens of Danais chrysippus, with its two varietal forms, 

 alcippus. Cram., and dorippics, Klug., all which he found together in the 

 Pretoria district of the Transvaal. Mr. Jenuer Weir, Colonel Swiuhoe, 

 and Mr. Distant took part in the discussion which ensued as to these 

 forms and their distribution. The Rev. W. F. Johnson sent for exhibition 

 specimens of Velia currens from stagnant water near Armagh ; also a 

 specimen of Nobis limbatus, killed whilst holding on to its prey, a very hard 

 species of Ichneumon. Mr. Saunders thought that, from the nature of the 

 Ichneumon, the only chance the Nabis had of reaching its internal juices 

 would be through the anal opening, as recorded by Mr. E. A. Butler in a 

 similar case, in the Ent. Mo. Mag. Oct. 1891. Mr. F. P. Pascoe exhibited 

 two British species of Diptera, unnamed. He said they had been submitted 

 to Mr. R. H. Meade, but were unknown to him, and are probably new to 

 the British list. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited two specimens of a supposed new 

 species of Tortrix [Tortrix donelana, Carpenter), bred from larvae found on 

 pine trees at Tuam. Mr. C. G. Barrett said he e;!iamined the specimens 



