16 



Mr. Riley, in combatting this idea, showed how in almost every case the silk was 

 spun in figures of 8, which would easily yield to pressure, especially as in most cases of 

 fluid (wrongly termed bombyc acid) was emitted, and the silk thus rendered more pliable. 

 His idea was that the peculiar make-up of the cocoon rendered it more yielding for 

 the exit, and that though the insect usually emerged at the end of the cocoon, there 

 seemed to be no reason why, if it chose, it could not find an egress equally well at the side 

 of the cocoon. 



Several minor^^ matters were discussed, and the Club adjourned at the call of the 

 chairman. 



August, 21st, 1878. 



The Club met in the same place at three o'clock P.M., the President in the chair. 

 There was a much larger attendance than yesterday of members and those interested 

 in Entomology. 



The first order of business was the reading of the Report of the Special Committee 

 appointed yesterday. Mr. Reed presented the report. 



The committee to whom was referred the question of the constitution of a quorum, 

 beg to report as follows : — 



Whereas it is most desirable in the interest of the Club that a definite and permanent 

 character should be given to all its proceedings, and that nothing should be left undone 

 which would tend to establish complete confidence in the manner of transacting the business 

 of the Club; 



Your committee therefore recommend that the constitution be amended by providing 



(1.) That no business of the Club shall be transacted unless there are present a 

 quorum of ten persons, who shall have been enrolled as members of the Club at least one 

 year previous to the then session. 



(2.) That when motions shall have been carried by the Club, the same shall not be 

 rescinded at any subsequent meeting unless there be present as many members as were 

 present at the date of passing such motions. 



Your committee recommend that this report be printed and a copy sent to each 

 member of the Club, and that it be brought up for discussion at the next annual session 

 of the Club. 



C. V. Riley, 

 A. C Wetherby, 



August 21, 1878. E. Baynes Reed. 



The report was unanimously adopted. 



The Club then proceeded to the election of officers. 



On motion, duly carried, the following gentlemen were re-elected officers for the 

 ensuing year : 



Mr. J. A. Lintner, Albany, N.Y., - - - President. 

 Mr. ^Vm. Saunders, London, Ont., - - - Vice-President. 

 JVIr. B. Pickman Mann, Cambridge, Mass., - - Secretary. 



The President returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him. He then ad- 

 dressed the Club, giving a most interesting description of the success that had attended 

 his eff'orts and those of his co-labourers in collecting Noctuidse during the season of 1877, 

 by the means known as "sugaring." By reference to a list given on page 120 of his 

 " Entomological Contributions," No. 4, it would be seen that there had been captured 

 eighty-six species, not one of which had hitherto been taken in the Albany district. 

 Nearly all of these had been found in the famous Center locality. He most graphically 

 described his manner of working by this method, and strongly recommended its trial to 

 all the members. 



Prof. Wetherby made some remarks on this attractive means of capture, which was 

 continually bringing under the notice of Entomologists specimens hitherto unknown or 

 considered as most rare. It was a question if there were any species which are in reality 



