SOCIETIES. 23 



in illustration of his paper, read at the October meeting, entitled " Further 

 experiments upon the colour-relation between certain lepidopterous larvse 

 and their surroundings." He stated that he beUeved that nineteen out of 

 twenty larvae of Geometridae possessed the power of colour adjustment. 

 Mr. F. Merrifield, the Rev. J. Seymour St. John, and Mr. Jacoby, took 

 part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. F. Merrifield read a paper 

 entitled " The effects of temperature on the colouring of Pieris napi, 

 Vanessa atalanta, Chrysophanus phlceas, and Ephyra punctaria," and exhi- 

 bited many specimens thus aff"ected. In the cases of P. napi, C. phlceas, 

 and E. punctaria, he remarked that they corresponded with natural varia- 

 tions of these species in regions or seasons associated with similar tempera- 

 tures ; and some curious effects produced by severe temperatures on 

 F. atalanta seemed likely to throw light on the evolution of the complex 

 markings of the Vanessas. Mr. Poulton, Dr. F. A. Dixey. Mr. Elwes, 

 Mr. Jenner Weir, Mr. Tutt, and Mr. Frohawk took part in the discussion 

 ■which ensued. Mr. Kenneth J. Morton communicated a paper entitled 

 " Notes on HydroptiUdse belonging to the European Fauna, with descrip- 

 tions of new species." Mr. McLachlan made some remarks on the subject 

 of this paper. Dr. T. A. Chapman read a paper entitled "On some 

 neglected points in the structure of the pupa of Heterocerous Lepidoptera, 

 and their probable value in classification ; with some associated observations 

 on larval prolegs." Mr. Poulton, Mr. Tutt, Mr. Harapson, and Mr. Gahan 

 took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. J. Cosmo Melvill commu- 

 nicated a paper entitled " Description of a new species of Butterfly of the 

 genus Galinaga, from Siam." Mr. W. L. Distant communicated a paper 

 entitled " Descriptions of new genera and species of Neotropical Rhyuchola." 

 — H. Goss and W. W. Fowler, Hon. Secretaries. 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.— December IQth, 

 189-4.— Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. J. 

 Lea, Canning Street, was elected a member of the Society. The President 

 referred to the death of the veteran entomologist, Mr. H. T. Stainton, and 

 remarked that no one had done more to encourage the study of Entomology. 

 Messrs. G. A. Barker and H. B. Jones gave a paper entitled " Notes on a 

 fortnight's collecting in Galway," the principal insects taken being Zygana 

 minos, Miana captiuncula, two specimens of the rare Triphcena subsequa and 

 Ehodaria sanyuinalis, and exhibited specimens of, and pointed out differences 

 between, English and Irish forms. The Miana captiuncula were especially 

 interesting, being much more strongly marked than the English forms, the 

 female having two entire cream-coloured fasciae; Lyccena icarus, very bright 

 females, with large and brilliant red spots. The President exhibited large 

 Irish Vanessa urticcB. Mr. Gregson, a remarkably fine specimen of Pro- 

 delia testaceoides, Gn.,-:^ bred by George Ptose from a larva taken in a market 

 at Baiusley. Mr. Stott (on behalf of Mr. H. S. Clarke), Sphinx convolvuli 

 from the Isle of Man, and some fine varieties of Smerinthus tilice. Mr. 

 Pierce, a specimen of Ceratocampa regalis. Mr. J. Herbert Stott, Sirex 

 gigas irom a North Staffordshire coal mine. — F. N. Pikrce, Hon. Sec. 



■^ ? Prodenia littoralis. 



