Entomological Society. 4043 



Mr. Bond exhibited some leaves of parsnep from Cambridgeshire, affected with 

 the same disease as the potatoes, which the growers think is caused by insects. He 

 however had only found on them a few minute Aphides, Psoci, &c, which he now 

 handed to Mr. Westwood for examination. 



Mr. Edwin Shepherd exhibited a remarkable variety of Ariticlea rubidata, in which 

 the ordinary broad band on the fore-wings had been converted into a narrow fascia. 



Mr. Stainton exhibited an insect, captured by Mr. Boyd in the New Forest, closely 

 resembling a Lepidopterous Nepticula or Elachista in its size, brilliancy, colour, and 

 marking, but which was in reality Trichopterous, and probably of a new genus. 



Mr. Westwood exhibited a new entomological product from the interior of Tropi- 

 cal Africa, near the Bight of Benin, consisting of a mass of the cocoons of one of the 

 Lepidoptera, probably allied to Galleria, which was found loosely attached to trees. 

 It formed a spongy-looking silky body, which, from the agglomeration of the multi- 

 tude of cocoons, could not be wound off like ordinary silk, but had to be carded, like 

 wool. He also exhibited the material as it appeared in two subsequent stages of ma- 

 nufacture, in which it resembled floss silk ; from this it was spun into threads, and 

 woven into articles of different kinds, which had a strong and cotton-like texture. This 

 substance would probably be turned to account, for several silk-manufacturers had 

 seen it, and thought it might prove a desirable addition to our materials for textile 

 fabrics. He also exhibited some dyed silk from the same country, which he thought 

 was the product of another insect. 



Mr. Westwood read from the ' Gardeners' Chronicle' a recommendation of chloro- 

 form as an agent for stupefying bees, when such a proceeding, for the purpose of 

 taking honey, or from any other cause, was necessary in the apiary, in preference to 

 sulphur or fungus. 



Mr. Westwood then read from the Boston (U. S.) 'New England Farmer' of July 

 2nd, the following account, headed " A new Enemy in the Field ; " stating that Dr. 

 Harris had not noticed this caterpillar in his writings on injurious insects : — 



" Within the past three days, we have noticed on our apple-trees a small worm, 

 which threatens destruction to our most valuable crop. His manner and size are 

 much after the style of the canker-worm, but his personal appearance is different. 

 Like the canker-worm, he devours the leaf all but the tough fibres, and if you suddenly 

 shake the tree, spins down on his thread like a spider, and he leaves the tree looking 

 as if seared by fire." 



" The canker-worm, if I recollect aright, when he visited New Hampshire twenty 

 years ago, was always of a dark colour, and moved soberly by measure, while these 

 creatures are of all colours, black, brown, green and striped, and they slip off your hand 

 with a sort of waltzing step, in a second." 



" I have travelled from Chester, through Raymond and other towns, home today, 

 and have observed them all along. They are abundant, not only on the apple-tree, 

 but on the plum, and on the white and red oak. The peach, which promises a great 

 crop this season, seems to be free from them. Probably Professor Harris can tell us 

 all about the animal in a moment." 



" H. F. French." 



