Northern Entomological Society. 



5949 



Mr, Gregson exhibited Eupithecia helveticata, bred from a pupa presented to bim 

 by Mr. Wilson, of Edinburgh, and the pupa-case of ihe same; the perfect insect 

 appeared on the 23rd of December, having^ been kept in a warm room. After which 

 he exbibited six specimens of Pterophorus Loewii, Zell.^ taken at Southport, 

 principally by Mr. and Mrs. Davis. 



It was observed, whilst on the subject of new species, that it often happened that 

 what were thought new species by one person were well known to others; and the 

 President remarked this was the case wilb Mr. Edleston's Nepticula Myrtilli, he 

 having had it in his cabinet for years, from Pettypool Wood, Delamere Forest. 

 A member observed here was a singular instance of neglect to name and describe an 

 insect, for fear it might possibly have been named in some out-of-the-way place or 

 other, whilst it was well known we had not anything like it in our British lists; and 

 also of anxiety to name, as expressed in Mr. Edleston's note in the ' Zoologist,' — 

 this species having actually been named before it was bred or seen by the namer. 



Mr. N. Cooke brought a box of Zygaena Minos for distribution among the vi>itors 

 and members. 



Reports of the Society s ' Proceedings' 



The Secretary read letters from a number of gentlemen who were desirous of seeing 

 the Proceedings of the Northern Entomological Society published regularly in the 

 'Zoologist;' they were under the impression that the Society met monthly and that 

 the Secretary had neglected to forward the reports. He had replied to them that the 

 Society met only once in the quarter. 



The Secretary also read a letter from the Rev. J. Greene, requesting him to for- 

 ward the reports to the 'Naturalist' as well as to the 'Zoologist.' In submitting this 

 question to the Meeting, he (the Secretary) observed that he did not keep a clerk, and 

 that he had such extensive correspondence amongst naturalists generally that, unless 

 the jNIeeting particularly wished it, he would rather not comply with the request. 

 The subject was then allowed to drop. 



The following paper, by Mr. W. L. Constantine, of Blackburn, was then read by 

 the Secretary : — 



On Specific Distinctions. 



" I now send you my paper upon the differences of the allied species of Coleoptera 

 of which I have sent specimens, and from the want of a knowledge of which I have in 

 several instances found the move rare species placed among the allied common species. 

 As my principal aim is to enable the coleopterist to recognise them wben out 

 collecting, and thus prevent waste of time, I have endeavoured to show the most 

 prominent differences, some of which can generally be observed even whilst the little 

 creatures are struggling to regain their freedom. I have not in all cases drawn the 

 comparisons between the nearest allied species, but between the most closely allied 

 species which I have taken in Lancashire and sent in the box. All the staten)ents 

 with respect to the rarity or otherwise of the species referred to apply only to my own 

 observations in this country. If I have failed to make myself understood, it may 

 arise from want of practice, for though I find no difficulty in separating any of the 

 species sent, I find great difficulty in transferring my observations to paper, so leave 

 the matter in your hands. 



