4481 Society of British Entomologists. 



taken on the banks of Irthing and Devil's Water, mentioning also some additions 

 made to the insect Fauna during the day's ramble. 



Diversified topics whiled away the evening " right pleasantly,'' aud when the part- 

 ing hour came each member took his departure, thinking, perchance, as he went, on 

 similar cheerful gatherings to come. — T. J. B. 



Society of British Entomologists. 



September 6, 1854. — Mr. Harding, President, in the chair. 



Mr. Oxley, who has recently returned from Australia, wished to exhibit some in- 

 sects he had taken during his sojourn in that country, but as this was a Society for the 

 advancement of British Entomology only, he did not know that he should be in order 

 by so doing. 



The President observed that it was quite correct: this was a Society formed for 

 the advancement of British Entomology only, but there was no rule forbidding the 

 exhibition of exotic insects on extraordinary occasions such as the present, and there- 

 fore Mr. Oxley was perfectly at liberty to show the insects he had brought with him. 



Mr. Oxley then exhibited several boxes of butterflies, moths and beetles, with some 

 cocoons and pupa-cases. He likewise made some very interesting remarks on the 

 habits of several species. 



Mr. Dalmon observed that the sight of such beautiful and remarkable forms was 

 enough to stimulate the Members of the Society to extend their energies to the col- 

 lecting of exotic as well as British species. 



Mr. Miller and several other Members made remarks on the extraordinary number 

 of Vespa vulgaris this season, and said that at some of the railway-stations there was 

 quite a battle between the passengers and the insects, which was very amusing to see. 

 It was remarked by some persons that they (the wasps) were always numerous in a 

 plentiful plum-season. 



The President observed that he did not know that the plums had anything to do 

 with it, but he had heard the remark before. 



The President then exhibited the following insects from the coast of Kent: — Leu- 

 cania littoralis and Luperina albicolon (this was the first time, he believed, these insects 

 had been taken on that coast), Xylophasia sublustris, Spaelotis cataleuca, Agrotis cor- 

 ticea and A. cursoria, Neuria Saponariae, Dianthaecia carpophaga, Eremobia ochroleuca, 

 Heliothis marginata and H. dipsacea, Plusia orichalcea, Aspilates citraria, Coremia 

 ligustraria, Acidalia Persecaria, Limandra emutaria, Odontia dentalis (bred), Spilodes 

 sticticalis, Pionea margaritalis, with others from the same place. He also exhibited 

 some insects from Lytham, on the Lancashire coast: among these were Epunda 

 Lichenea, alive, and some specimens of Spaelotis praecox. 



The President said he had seen a fine specimen of Sphinx Galii, taken near 

 Kingsdown, Kent, by Mr. Thorn. 



The President announced the following donation to the Society: — the third volume 

 of ' Insecta Britannica,' from the Author, H. T. Stainton, Esq. A vote of thanks was 

 passed on the donor. — J. T. N. 



