50 



those of Sphagnum do not germinate for two or three months. 

 Should soil and atmosphere remain dry for some time after 

 the spores have been sown, their germination will be so long 

 postponed. 



The concluding portion of the paper was chiefly con- 

 cerned with the habitats, distribution, culture, and aesthetics 

 of the moss-tribes. 



MARCH 2tfk, 1887. 

 R. ADKIN, Esq., F.E.S., President, in the Chair. 



Messrs. J. Stringer and J. W. Slater, F.E.S., were elected 

 members. 



Mr. Billups exhibited two rare species of Ichneumonidae, 

 the first being a male of Stilpnus deplanatus, Gr., which he 

 bred from a larva case of a species of Psyche, found attached 

 to the fence of his garden. The other species was Apanteles 

 tetricus, Reinh., which he had reared from the bloom of the 

 Common Thrift, or Sea Pink (Armeria maritima, Auct). 

 He stated that this rare species of Braconidae, according to 

 the Rev. T. A. Marshall, had hitherto only been recorded 

 from Devonshire, where Mr. Bignell had reared two broods of 

 six and seven respectively from the larvae of Epinephele 

 ianira, L. The Rev. T. A. Marshall also found a batch of 

 about thirty cocoons attached to grass, near Teignmouth, 

 where the larvae of Zygcena filipendnlce, L., were very plen- 

 tiful, one of which was most probably the host of the little 

 Apanteles. Mr. Billups further stated that he was indebted 

 to the kindness of his friend Mr. South, who presented him 

 with the blossom which was collected in the Warren, 

 Folkestone, for this rare addition to his collection. 



Mr. Cooper exhibited a species of Ichneumonidae : Mac- 

 rocentrus marginator, N. sp., bred from a pupa of Sesia sphegi- 

 formis, Fb. 



At the close of the ordinary business there was an exhi- 

 bition of microscopical objects ; Mr. Tutt showing wings of 

 Lepidoptera, prepared and mounted by Mr. Coverdale and 

 himself; Mr. W. West (Streatham), eyes of spider and other 

 subjects ; Mr. Medland, proboscis of blowfly, etc., also an 



