Entomological Society, 4321 



from the store-boxes ; but I have paired a fair number of species of 

 butterflies, some have very strange and unexpected mates, and I have 

 no doubt will astonish Mr. Hewitson and other friends, particularly 

 the Lemonias Pythia and another species, the Diophthalma Croesus 

 (shining blue Mesosemia), which is the male, the female being of the 

 plain Mesosemia pattern, and of course the generic name Diophthalma 

 is of no utility ; of the large series of species of the beautiful genus of 

 Erycinidae (speckled colours) 1 have mated I think the whole. I have 

 examined all my species at present in hand here (222 species, 

 the great majority mated) ; dissected a great quantity of specimens ; 

 found some laws in the variation of their neuration, &c. ; but I 

 am obliged in grouping the genera to be content without the names. 

 "I duly received your kind letters of May 24th and August 27th, 

 and also the two numbers of * Illustrated News,' via Pernambuco 

 (free of postage) ; I am happy to say also that I received the second 

 box of books, and that accompanying your letter of August 27th 

 quite correct, with a box of water-colours, &c. ; the former parcel, 

 sent May 28th, I shall now write for to Para, the Para house cor- 

 responds with me punctually, and I have no doubt the miscarriage of 

 parcels is the fault of the Liverpool house, who do not put them 

 in the manifest. 



" I intend to rest here a little, and then go to Villa Nova until the 

 good season for Ega comes, but 1 intend going some hundreds of 

 miles beyond Ega ; the steamer made a very clear voyage to Nauta 

 and back, but the second and finest steamer has got fast on a rock 

 near Villa Nova ; I doubt if it will not be a complete wreck. As 

 regards a set of showy butterflies, 1 know pretty well now what suits 

 and will soon send you a few. Schiodte's new Staphylini interest me 

 much ; I think I shall be sure to find them, and as soon as I get this 

 collection off, I will go after them. Kind regards to all friends. 



" H. W. Bates." 



Proceedings of Societies. 

 Entomological Society. 

 April 3, 1854. — W. W. Saunders, Esq , Vice-President, in the chair. 



Donations. 



The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to 

 the donors: — The 'Zoologist' for April; by the Editor. The * Athenaeum ' for 



