204 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Bupalus piniaria, Cidaria associata, Phytometra viridaria (cBuea), lodis 

 lactearia, Ematurga atomaria, and Strenla clathrata, recorded ; Anaitis 

 plagiata and Botys liyalinalis were just emerging; specimens were also 

 talieu of Spilodes verticalis (cinctalis), Xaiitliosetia hamana, Cidaria cory- 

 lata, and Melanippe rivata. Our Micro-lepidopterists, among other things, 

 noted the cases of Fumea intermediella (nitidella) ; and imagines of Carpo- 

 capsa grossana, Eupcecilia ciliella, Glyphipteryxfuscoviridella, and Elachista 

 argentella [cygnipennella). Our return, over a portion of the same ground, 

 was most productive in specimens, but only Phalera bucephala and Zono- 

 soma linearia [trilinearia) were new. The walk to the station through the 

 quaint village produced a specimen of Melanthia ocellata; and two of our 

 number who had gone to the rhododendrons reported that, to their chagrin, 

 all the shrubs were burnt, together with much of the surrounding forest. 

 Our journey home was most pleasantly spent in relating experiences, &c. ; 

 and I believe all returned thoroughly pleased with the meeting, and 

 heartily wishing that the field outing to Oxshott on June 10th, under the 

 guidance of Mr. R. South, may be both as enjoyable and successful as this 

 one had been. — Hy. J. Turner (on behalf of the Committee). 



Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. — May 8th. — 

 Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. Robert 

 Newstead, F.E.S., communicated a paper entitled " On a successful method 

 of rearing Deilephila galii," in which he gave his experience of rearing this 

 species in 1888, and stated that cold was fatal to the larvae, and that forcing 

 was absolutely necessary for the pupae. The author also added some notes 

 on " Lepidoptera attracted by Honey-dew." The President exhibited some 

 fine varieties of Boarmia rhomhoidaria. Mr. Collins, Hadena suasa, and a 

 Lancashire specimen of Boarmia ahietaria. Mr. Deville, African Pierida. 

 Mr. Sharp, Coleoptera from Wales. Dr. Ellis, Coleoptera from Grahams- 

 town, South Africa. Mr. Watson, Papilio macleayana and P. sarpedon. — 



F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec. 



Birmingham Entomological Society. — April 11th, 1893. — Mr. W. 



G. Blatch, President, in the chair. Messrs. R. C. Bradley, W. Harrison, 

 and C. J. Wainwright, each exhibited long series of Bombylius major, 

 from Trench Woods, where they were quite common at Easter. Mr. 

 Wainwright also exhibited a long series of Melanostoma ambigua and other 

 Diptera, taken at the same time and place. Mr. A. H. Martineau, 

 Prionus coriareus and other insects, from Solihull. Mr. R. Freer read a 

 paper upon " Variation, with special reference to Melanism," and exhibited 

 insects in illustration. He said that melanism was due to scales, in which 

 he believed granules of pigment were deposited in rows ; this conclusion 

 he had arrived at from microscopical observations. He believed that both 

 a deficiency and a superabundance of pigment were pathological conditions, 

 and this he illustrated by reference to the human race. He showed that 

 in those localities where melanic forms mostly occurred, the conditions of life 

 were not very favourable ; such were sea-shores, where food-plants had low 

 nutritive power ; isolated spots where there was much inbreeding ; the 

 neighbourhood of large towns, &c. ; and he believed that these conditions 

 of life were the cause of pathological conditions in the organism, with 

 melanic results. He believed pigment to be an expression of energy. — 

 Cor-BRAN J. Wainwright, Hon. Sec. 



