delicate operation of folding over and cementing down the leaf edge, forming a secure 

 tube for the eggs, I was not permitted to see. The eggs laid in September remained un- 

 hatclied in the tubes until spring. 



Fig. 3 of the tin-type represents the remarkable frontal "spine" of the moth, by 

 means of which it rips open the pupa cell in the stem of the Typha and escapes. Fig. 4 

 represents the same of JSf. typha}, and fig. 5 that of JS r . sub/lava. That of the last is hardly 

 bilobecl ; under an inch objective, however, the apical notch appears. Only one examined. 



The tin-type showing the structural details was examined by the members. 



Mr. J. B. Smith said that the clypeal modification referred to was not peculiar to 

 this species, but was shared by all others of the same genus. Clypeal modifications were 

 very common throughout the ISToctuidaj ; indeed almost universal in species living in the 

 stems of plants where the insect had obstructions to overcome in emerging from the pupa. 



Mr. Smith exhibited six large photographic plates of Agrotis, illustrating a large 

 number of species, and made some remarks on the great structural variability of the group 

 Agrotis. Fully 26 groups, based mostly on structural characters, were indicated. Spinula- 

 tion of tibia?, structure of front, vestiture, form of wings, antennal structure and general 

 habitus, all are variable, and so gradual are the gradations that generic types can not be 

 well founded on them. The plates were examined by the members, and it was agreed 

 that they were fine specimens of the photographer's art as applied to this branch. 



Dr. Morris asked whether the tendency had not been of late to an unnecessary in- 

 crease of genera in all orders. 



Mr. Smith said that as to the Xoetuid:e undoubtedly genera were based upon ap- 

 parently insufficient characters, but less so than in Coleoptera. 



Dr. Horn said it was a principle long since laid down by Lacordaire that characters 

 scarcely of specific value in one group formed excellent bases of even higher divisions in 

 others; in his view genera are established for convenience merely and have no existence 

 in nature. Nature has only species, and genera were simply useful in dividing the mass 

 of species to facilitate recognition. However, of late, as new material was becoming more 

 scarce, persons seized with the mihi itch were taking to describing genera; for some 

 12,000 species of IS". A. Coleoptera, fully 2,000 genera were described. 



Dr. McCook said that in ants and spiders there is plenty of opportunity for persons 

 aiilicted with that itch, as there was a very large unworked held there, and plenty of now 

 forms. About 200 species (American) are thus far described. Of spiders a somewhat 

 larger number. i 



Mr. Emerton said there were some 400 described species, and that naturalists 

 generally had no idea what a very great variety of spiders really existed. 



Mr. Mann read a letter froi i O. S. of Maywood, 111., suggesting the for- 



mation of a stock company for the purpose of publishing an American entomological 

 journal, and after a lengthy discussion the question was referred to a special committee 

 sonsisting of Messrs. Mann, Osborn, Horn, Aaron, and Smith. 



Prof. Fernald presented an invitation from the Agassiz Association, received by him, 

 inviting the members to be present at a lecture by Dr. McGook, in Franklin Institute 

 this evening. This invitation was accepted by the Club. 



Pi'of. Fernald then asked for the opinions of the members on the following points : — - 



1. Where a name has once been published by an author, shall we change the mode 

 of spelling to one more consistent with the derivation ? e. g., Treitschke, Schmet. viii., 

 established the genus Cochyilis. Shall we adopt his .spelling, or the more correct 

 Conchylis '. 



Dr. Horn said he would not change it : that generic names are mere aggregations of 

 ating a living thing, and that at least one well known entomologist 

 habitually formed generic names by coining words without any meaning whatever, mi 

 with a Grecian sound, and generally euphonious. If such names were accepted, so should 

 misspelled names be. Some purists would make ev< : y name' correspond with its origin, 

 and it had been proposed to change the well-known and universally accepted term. Bem- 

 bidium, into Bembicidium : this was displaying learning without adding to kn 



Mr. Mann agreed with Dr. Horn. Dr. McCook thought a manifest error might be 

 corrected, 'ait would not make the correction if thereby an author's right of priority were 



