Quadrupeds. 2557 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited Hectera Esmeralda, which he had received from Mr. 

 Wallace, now at Para. 



A paper on two new exotic Hymenoptera, with figures of the insects, by Mr. 

 Smith, was read. 



Notes by Captain Hutton, on some of the insects sent by him to the Society, were 

 read. 



Mr. Westwood mentioned that the Rev. F. W. Hope had presented his library 

 and collections to the University of Oxford, in aid of the movement now making by 

 the University to encourage the study of the natural sciences. — J. W. D. 



In the report of the Entomological Society's proceedings (Zool. 2530), it is stated 

 that I exhibited a specimen of Deilephila Galii. The insect has, however, been since 

 pronounced by Mr. Bond and Mr. Shepherd not to be D. Galii, but a strong variety 

 of Euphorbiae, which is also my own opinion. The variety consists in its not having 

 the strong costal markings of Euphorbiae, but having merely a shade along the costa, 

 not much darker than the body-colour of the wing, and gradually softening off into 

 it. — W. A. Michael; 9, Red Lion Square, August 9, 1849. 



Preparing Skeletons. — In reply to Mr. Duff's inquiry (Zool. 2474) respecting the 

 best mode of preparing skeletons, it may perhaps be useful to mention the common 

 house cockroach (Blatta orientalis, popularly known as the black beetle) as a conve- 

 nient dissector of small animals. This insect is abundant enough in many kitchens 

 all over England, and will readily lend its assistance in clearing the bo^es of any 

 small bird, &c, placed in its way. I have the skeleton of a sparrow which was en- 

 tirely cleaned by them in two or three nights. The bird was plucked, and placed in 

 a shallow saucer on the floor of the kitchen, and the first night the inside was con- 

 sumed and the ribs laid bare. When the flesh becomes dry and unpalatable, soaking 

 it in water will induce them to feed again. A number might easily be kept in a box 

 to work at it during the day. I have kept one alive for many weeks on bread crumbs. 

 It is somewhat singular that they refused to touch a swift, while they regaled freely 

 on a martin placed beside it. I am told that cats will generally refuse a swift. I 

 have also had the heads of small birds cleaned by placing them in a tumbler of water, 

 with a Crustacean resembling a small shrimp, common under stones in running 

 streams. — George Guyon; Richmond, Surrey, August 13, 1849. 



Canine Instinct. — At a recent alarming occurrence in Charles Street, Drury Lane, 

 one of the sufferers, a woman named Willy, contrived to get on the top of the chapel, 

 and was making her way across the adjoining roof, when she fell through a skylight 

 into the factory of Mr. Hallmarke, globe-maker, where was kept a furious dog of the 

 bull-terrier variety. Guided by her groans, several men went to her rescue, but, fear- 

 ing the dog, they hesitated : at length fourteen in a body rushed in, when, to their 

 astonishment, they found the usually savage animal licking the woman, as if to con- 

 sole her, and, instead of rushing upon them, evinced the most lively joy that they had 

 come to succour her. — ' Globe? 



A Canine Patron of Railway Travelling. — A terrier dog, belonging to Mr. Hodg- 

 kinson, spirit merchant, of Matlock Bath, having been accustomed to travel with his 

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