Entomological Society. 6469 



the first cell formed was a matter of impossibility. In the case of Osmia aurulenta 

 or O. bicolor, constructing their cells in the whorls of a snail-shell, how could the bee 

 in the first-formed cell, at the end of the tube, make its escape ? I have on numerous 

 occasions obtained straws and reeds containing cells of bees and wasps, so that by 

 removing a strip the whole of the cells became exposed and a larva was seen in each ; 

 in every instance I have found the larvae of males attain their perfect condition some 

 days earlier than those of females. I have at length had an opportunity of examining 

 the burrows of a species of Xylocopa, X. nigrita, an inhabitant of Sierra Leone. 

 Mr. J. Foxcroft, who has for some time past been engaged in forming collections of 

 insects in that locality, has from time to time forwarded nests of Hymenoptera to the 

 British Museum, where a log of wood perforated by Xylocopa nigrita has just been 

 received. There are three distinct tunnels formed by the bee in the branch ; each 

 terminates in the heart of the wood, without any outlet at its apex ; one of these has 

 the first cell formed, leaving at the end a short space, like the end of a thimble, un- 

 occupied ; the burrows are If inch in diameter, and would probably contain about 

 five or six cells each. These excavations have all been worked upwards, so that all 

 dust or raspings would be easily removed. One tunnel has a branch one commenced, 

 which is about two inches in length ; the number of cells intended to occupy a tube is 

 marked by a slight contraction of the diameter at the length of each. This interesting 

 specimen of insect-labour is confirmatory of my opinion, based on the observation of 

 the habits of our native wood-boring bees, and proves, in my opinion, that Reaumur drew 

 upon his imagination when he penned the account of the development of Xylocopa 

 violacea. Let each one, therefore, who would avoid error, study the pages of the book of 

 Nature — the book of truth ; records from these will live in the memories of succeeding 

 generations. Trust not to the imagination, however plausible the reasoning may ap- 

 pear — however certain results may apparently be calculated upon. The means whereby 

 Nature arrives at her perfection of things are infinite in variety, in wisdom unlimited, 

 and offering to every one an inexhaustible amount of enjoyment and instruction. — 

 Frederick Smith ; Richmond Crescent, Islington, N. 



Proceedings of Societies. 

 Entomological Society. 



Anniversary Meeting, January 24, 1859. — Dr. Gray, President, in the chair. 



Messrs. J. Lubbock, E. Sheppard, H. T. Stainton and G. R. Waterhouse were 

 elected Members of the Council, in the room of Messrs. F. Bond, W. W. Saunders, 

 J.T. Syme and J. O. Westwood. Dr. J. E. Gray was re-elected President; S. Stevens, 

 Esq., Treasurer ; and Messrs. E. Shepherd and E. W. Janson, Secretaries. 



The Report of the Library and Cabinet Committee and the Treasurer's accounts 

 were read and received ; the latter showed a balance in favour of the Society of 

 £266 135. 2d. 



The President delivered an Address on the affairs of the Society, and the general 

 progress of Entomology, for which the meeting passed a cordial vote of thanks, and 

 ordered it to be printed. 



