SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. Ill 



between the above, taken in the Isle of Portland by Mr. N. M. Richardson. 

 He said that these forms proved the identity of the two supposed species, 

 which he believed were both referable to P. dilutella, Hb. He also exhibited 

 specimens of Hesperia lineola, and a pale variety of it taken in Cambridge- 

 shire by Mr. H. W. Vivian ; specimens of Epischnia bankesiella, a recently- 

 described species, taken by Mr. N. M. Richardson in Portland; and a speci- 

 men of Retinia margarotana, H.-S., a species new to Britain, discovered in 

 Mr. Hodgkinson's collection amongst a number of Retinia pinivorana which 

 had been collected in Scotland. 



Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher showed a series of Gelechia fumatella from sand- 

 hills in Hayling Island and near Littlehampton, and, for comparison, a 

 series of G. distinctella, from the same place. He also showed a few bred 

 specimens of G. terrella, and a series of preserved larvae. He stated that on 

 the downs the larvae live in the middle of the tufts of such grasses as 

 Festuca ovina and allied species, and that on sand-hills where herbage is 

 more sparse, they make silken galleries under stones, and sally forth to eat 

 blades of grass growing near their homes. 



Mr. H. Goss read a communication from Dr. Clemow, of Cronstadt, 

 St. Petersburg, on the subject of the coincidence of vast flights and blights 

 of insects during the years 1757, 1763, 1782, 1783, 1836 and 1847, and the 

 epidemic of influenza. During the year 1889 no unusual activity in the 

 insect world had been recorded. Mr. H. T. Stainton and Mr. M'Lachlan made 

 some remarks on the subject, the purport of which was that there was no 

 connection between epidemics and the occurrence of swarms of insects. 



Mr. G. A. J. Rothney communicated " Notes on Flowers avoided by 

 Bees." It appeared, according to the author's observations, made in India, 

 that dahlias were exceptionally attractive, but that the passion-flower was 

 only resorted to by a few species of Xylocopa; and that, with one exception, 

 he had never seen any insects feeding on the flowers of the oleander. 

 Mr. Slater, Colouel Swinhoe, Mr. Trimen, Lord Walsingham, and Mr. 

 M'Lachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. 



Dr. D. Sharp read a paper entitled " On the structure of the Terminal 

 Segment in some male Hemiptera." 



Colonel Swinhoe read a paper entitled " On the Moths of Burma." This 

 paper contained descriptions of several new genera and 107 new species. 



Dr.F.A.Dixey read a paper entitled " On the Phylogenetic Significance 

 of the wing-markings in certain genera of the Nymphalida" A long 

 discussion ensued, in which Lord Walsingham, Mr. Jenner Weir, Capt. 

 Elwes, Mr. Trimen and others took part. — H. Goss, Hon. Sec, 



