2712 Entomological Society. 



Proceedings of the Entomological Society. 



January 7, 1850. — G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Mr. Busk, who was present as a visitor, exhibited two kinds of silken web, for- 

 warded to him by Mr. Kincaid, an extract of a letter from whom was read, stating 

 that " they were the production of a species of silkworm found in the mountains near 

 Merida, Maracaybo : the insects spin, or rather weave it from tree to tree, sometimes 

 to the extent of several feet in length and breadth." This production appears to have 

 been hitherto quite unknown in this country. Mr. Busk also presented two specimens 

 of it, mounted on glass sides, for the microscope. 



A portrait of the late Edward Doubleday, by Maguire, was presented by George 

 Eansome, Esq., accompanied by a letter from Mr. Bowerbank, stating that copies at 

 5s. each would be furnished to subscribers. Mr. Douglas then read the following 

 memoir : — 



" The death of my lamented coadjutor, Mr. Edward Doubleday, affords a melan- 

 choly opportunity, which I trust I may be permitted to use, of placing upon our 

 minutes a brief testimony to his worth. Educated in the midst of woodland scenery, 

 the love of Nature — in him strongly innate — grew with his growth and increased 

 with his strength, and led to an intimate acquaintance with the Natural History of 

 his native district. In course of time his enthusiasm led him to North America, and 

 he spent two years in visiting its magnificent scenery and collecting objects of Natural 

 History, chiefly insects, of which he brought home immense quantities. Subsequently 

 he became attached to the British Museum, where, up to the time of his illness, 

 he laboured most assiduously, as the present state of the Lepidoptera in that Institu- 

 tion abundantly testifies. He also contributed largely to the entomological literature 

 of the day, but, most of all, his name will be remembered in connexion with the 

 ' Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera,' a work which for beauty and accuracy has no 

 equal, though, unfortunately for us, he has not lived to see it completed. Above all 

 we have reason to deplore his loss as a man. Doubtless he had his failings, for, as 

 our great poet says, 



' You, Gods, will give us 

 Some faults to make us men ; ' 



but these were cast into the shade by his better nature ; and besides those who had 

 the pleasure of knowing intimately his good qualities and his great and varied at- 

 tainments, many others will ever lament that they have been thus suddenly deprived 

 of his friendship." 



The President stated that he had no doubt but that all present who had known 

 Mr. E. Doubleday would fully concur in the remarks of the Secretary, and proposed 

 that, as a tribute of respect to his memory, all further business should be adjourned. 

 —J. W. D. 



[In consequence of the adjournment the reading of a paper by Mr. Stainton, on the 

 genus Micropteryx of Zeller, was postponed; but as some of the species occur early in 

 the year, I consider it a matter of importance that the following abstract, obligingly 

 furnished by Mr. Stainton, be laid before my entomological readers. — E. N.~] 



This interesting and very distinct group of insects is sadly in want of investiga- 

 tion, and the metamorphoses of none of the species are known. Several of the known 



