3888 Entomological Society. 



they are found. I have forwarded to you four specimens, and now give you extracts 

 from the information I received from Mr. Haldane, who is no naturalist. 



"'The grub is in its glory and is decidedly brought to life in decayed timber. It 

 is never to be found on trees, but underground, and in timber pulverously rotten. It 

 does not attack the potato, and is to be found on lands where fern has been extirpated, 

 but the roots still left behind in a state of decomposition. When found in the hard state 

 it is always dead. Such specimens are scarce, and although I know where to seek, the 

 difficulty is to find. Eight years elapsed after the first specimen was brought to me, 

 ere I could meet with a second ; but in a living state they are known to every clod- 

 breaker. The body of the grub, when found in the hard state, does not become putrid 

 in keeping, like other insects in general. The first specimen brought to me had a green 

 bud protruding from the mouth, resembling a green pea when it first bursts the soil.' " 



Mr. Andrew Wilson, of Edinburgh, sent a communication recommending chloro- 

 form as an agent for disabling the larger Lepidoptera before they are killed or pinned, 

 instead of sulphur or German tinder ; and stating that no danger to the person using 

 it need be apprehended. 



The Rev. Joseph Greene communicated the following corrections of his note read 

 at the March meeting : — 



" Since I wrote to you, I have been informed that the insect taken by Dr. Ball 

 was Deilephila lineata, and not Euphorbia ; and that the locality was Youghal, in the 

 South of Ireland. In point of rarity, I believe there is not much difference between 

 the two ; but I thought it better to rectify the error. There is, likewise, one other 

 slight mistake, which I should wish to correct. Instead of, in my collection are two 

 specimens of Euphorbia? and one of Galii, it should be, one of Euphorbias and two of 

 Galii." 



The following notes by the Rev. Joseph Greene, " On digging for pupa? of Lepido- 

 ptera,'' were also read : — 



*' Having met with considerable success in my search for pupae of Heterocerous 

 Lepidoptera, it has been suggested to me that a few remarks relative to localities, &c, 

 might be useful to other collectors. This method of obtaining insects recommends it- 

 self to the entomologist in three ways. 1 . As an amusement during the winter months. 

 2. As enabling him to procure fine specimens without the trouble of rearing. 3. As 

 occasionally rewarding him with rare species, curious varieties, and others, which, 

 from their habits or forms, are difficult to procure in the perfect state, e. </., apterous 

 or partially apterous females. During the past winter, T have found the pupae of all 

 the apterous females, except Nyssia zonaria and Cheimatobia borearia. 



" Wherever in the following remarks any statement is made as to certain circum- 

 stances being uncommon, usual, or invariable, I wish it to be distinctly understood 

 that they are so, merely so far as my own personal experience goes. 



" The only instrument I use is a common garden trowel. The form is immate- 

 rial : perhaps a rounded blade is best, as passing with greater ease between the roots. 



" The trees which I have found the most productive are the following: — elm, oak, 

 ash, poplar, beech, and willow. I never found anything at birch, maple, or chesnut. 

 Perhaps a short list of a few of the pupae obtained at those trees may prove interesting. 



