400 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Wells, Kent; and Mr. R. C. Wroughto-n, of Poona, India, were elected 

 Fellows of the Society. 



Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliot exhibited a series of various species of Diptera 

 collected on UanunculacecB, Papaveracea, and Cruciferm. He said that 

 during the past summer he had studied about' forty species of plants 

 belonging to the orders named, and that they had all been visited by insects 

 which were probably necessary for nectariferous flowers. The majority of 

 the Diptera caught were not confined to one species or even genus, but in 

 view of the unmodified character of the flower in the orders named this was 

 only to be expected. Mr. Verrall observed that certain insects affected 

 certain plants, but that the Geraniacem were seldom visited. The dis- 

 cussion was continued by Mr. M'Lachlau, Mr. Kirby, and others. 



Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited a specimen of the orthopterous insect 

 Hemisaga hastata, de Sauss., which, in the Transvaal, he observed to 

 attack and feed on Danais clirysippus, a butterfly well known from its 

 protective character and distasteful qualities to have a complete immunity 

 from the usual lepidopteral enemies. The Hemisaga lurked amongst the 

 tops of tall flowering grasses, being consequently disguised by its protective 

 resemblance to the same, and seized the Danais as it settled on the bloom. 

 From close watching and observation Mr. Distant could discover no other 

 danger to the life of this well-known and highly protected butterfly. 



Mr. T. R. Billups exhibited four species of Diptera, which he believed 

 to be respectively Oxycera terminata, Meg., Pipizella annulata, Meg., 

 Clidogastra punctipes, Meg., and Oxyphora arnica, L., taken at Oxshott, 

 Surrey, on the 11th July last. He mentioned that all of them were 

 recorded in Mr. Verrall s list only as " reputed British." He also exhibited 

 a specimen of Hypoderma bovis, Deg., taken at Plumstead on the 29th 

 July last. 



Dr. D. Sharp exhibited several species of Forficulida, and called atten- 

 tion to the diverse conditions of the parts representing the wings in the 

 apterous forms. 



Mr. H. Goss exhibited living larvae of Scoria dealbata, reared from ova. 

 They were feeding on Polygonum aviculare, but not very freely ; Brachy- 

 podium sylvaticum had been named as a food-plant for this species, but he 

 did not find that the larvae would eat this or any other grass. 



The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited, and read notes on, a collection of 

 Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, and Diptera, which he 

 had recently made in Norway. Mr. Champion, Mr. Billups, and Mr. 

 M'Lachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. — H. Goss, Hon. Sec. 



