44, (July, 
Mr. W. A. Lewis exhibited an earthen jar, like a tobacco jar, in which the in- 
habitants of Pekin were said to confine a large beetle, which they used for sporting 
purposes. One insect was piaced in each jar, and, being fed only upon water, 
became very ferocious, when it was pitted against another. Professor Westwood 
reminded the meeting that the Chinese were already known to employ Mantide for 
fighting. 
Mr. Lewis, Mr. McLachlan, and others, read extracts from the daily papers 
respecting so-called showers of insects or other organisms at Bath, the nature of 
which had baffled the ‘ scientific men’ of that city. Professor Westwood thought 
the creatures might be Branchypus stagnalis, an Entomostracon. 
Mr. Miller read notes on a gall on Pteris aquilina, found by Mr. Rothney, at 
Shirley, and referred it to Diastrophus rubi. 
Mr. W. F. Kirby communicated notes on the synonymy of certain European 
Lepidoptera. 
Professor Westwood read descriptions of some new species of exotic Lucanide, 
Mr. H. W. Bates read a description of a new genus of longicorn beetles, from 
Matabili Land, South Africa, sent by Mr. Baines, remarkable for the enormously 
swollen third antennal joint: and also of a new species of Mallaspis, from Chiriqui. 
5th June, 1871.—J. W. Dunning, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-president, in the 
chair. 
The Secretary read a letter from the Rev. L. Jenyns, of Bath, respecting the 
showers of ‘insects’ said to have occurred there. He had examined some of the 
creatures and found they were Infusoria, probably Vibrio undula, Miller. Some 
were swimming freely in the water, others were congregated in spherical masses, 
enveloped in a gelatinous substance. ‘They fell during heavy rain after a violent 
squall of wind. 
Mr. Butler exhibited a number of Lepidoptera, chiefly butterflies, upon which 
he and Mr. Meldola had experimented with dyes; the results were very striking. 
Having used a solution of soda in order to fix aniline dyes, he found the insects 
immersed in it discharged the colouring matter of the scales, and Mr. Meldola, by 
adding an acid, precipitated the pigment. It was also stated that exposure to the 
fumes of ammonia changed the colours. 
Mr. Bicknell exhibited several examples of Gonopteryx rhamni, which he had 
exposed to cyanide of potassium, as suggested at the last meeting; the yellow was 
changed to orange-red. Mr. Smith said that cyanide changed the colour of wasps 
to vermilion. 
The hope was expressed that these interesting experiments would not be taken 
advantage of by unscrupulous dealers, having regard to the prevailing disposition 
to obtain varieties of British Lepidoptera. 
Mr. W. C. Boyd exhibited Rumia crategata with the apical portion of one wing 
changed to brown; it was caught in that condition. 
Mr. Miller exhibited the bell-shaped nest of a spider (Aglena brunnea); and 
also fresh galls on birch, produced by an undescribed species of Phytoptus. 
Mr. Smith exhibited three rare species of Hymenoptera, sent by Mr. J. C. Dale, 
and captured at Glanville’s Wootton. They were Myrmecomorphus rufescens (Proc- 
totrypide), Ichneumon glaucopterus, and Osmia pilicornis. 
Mr. Holdsworth, of Shanghai, communicated notes on the method employed by 
the Chinese in rearing the silk-producing Bombyx Pernyi. 
Mr. Kirby communicated syuonymic notes on Lepidoptera. 
Mr. Baly communicated ‘‘ Descriptions of a new genus, and of some recently 
discovered species of Australian Phytophaga.” 
Mr. Butler read “ Descriptions of five new species, and a new genus, of diurnal 
Lepidoptera,” sent from Shanghai by Mr. W. B. Pryer. 
