Entomological Society. 3565 



Mr. F. Grant exhibited Diphlhera Orion, recently captured by sugar in the New 

 Forest ; also specimens of the rare Coleophora solitariella, Zell., bred from Stellaria 

 holostea, and C. albitarsella, bred from Glechoma hederacea. 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a living larva, in its case, of the rare Coleophora conspi- 

 cuella, taken at Headley Lane, on Centaurea nigra ? It was black, shining, and in 

 shape like the case of C. albitarsella, but double the size. He also exhibited a speci- 

 men of the rare Pachetra leucophaae, taken flying on Miekleham Downs two days pre- 

 viously. 



Mr. C. S. Gregson exhibited a number of Lepidoptera taken in the north of Eng- 

 land ; among them were Ceratopacha fluctuosa, Macaria notata, a new species of 

 Tineidae, and some beautiful specimens of Crymodes Templi, found among heaps of 

 iron-stone, where they sheltered during winter, and where they were found on remov- 

 the lumps, between the months of October and February. 



The President, on the part of Mr. Spence, read the following extract of a letter 

 from G. H. K. Thwaites, Esq., dated Peradenia, Ceylon, May 7, 1852: — 



"Last night, while I was sitting with all my windows and doors open, to enjoy the 

 coolness during a shower of rain, a Paussus flew upon my white coat, and to my sur- 

 prise, when I laid hold of him, he crepitated slightly, and there was an evident sensa- 

 tion of heat felt by me. The odour given off was most pungent and ammoniacal, and 

 made my eyes water when he was brought close to them. I inclose a mutilated spe- 

 cimen of the same species of Paussus, which I found on the floor a short time ago, so 

 that Mr. Westwood will be able to identify the species." 



The species referred to is Cerapterus Westermannii. 

 The Secretary read the following note : — 



" The 'Milan Gazette ' of the 18th of June states that ' a woman named Theresa 

 Ramos has discovered and proved by actual practice, that the plant centinode is quite 

 as good nourishment for silkwor.iis as the mulberry-leaf, and that by its means she had 

 reared them in sixteen days only. It appears, however, that silkworms which have 

 already tasted of the mulberry-leaf will not take to the centinode.' '' 



The Secretary read the following letter from E. L. Layard, Esq., Corresponding 

 M.E.S. 



" Jaffna, North Ceylon, April 2rt, 1852. 



" Dear Sir, 



" In looking over the ' Athenaeum ' of the 21st of February last, I see 

 a notice of a Bostrichus penetrating the bamboo, and Mr. Curtis's remark that that 

 w T ood was considered not to be liable to the attacks of insects. I presume Mr. Curtis 

 meant English insects, as in Ceylon it has many enemies, some, I fancy, peculiar to 

 itself. The outside of this, and many others of its tribe, is however when old so hard 

 and polished that it is seldom touched, except when perforated for the purpose of af- 

 fording escape to the mature fly, whose imago has fed on the soft parts within. I have 

 often been deceived by the appearance of a fine stout bamboo or cane, and on taking 

 it into my hand its lightness, and a little pressure, has quicklyshown me a mass of fine 

 dust encased in a thin coaling of the outside. 



" I am no Coleopterist, but I know enough to recognize the beetles which cause 



