Entomological Society. 



6943 



the river, when the soil is wet, gliding over the bank into the jun<:^le. A&^yet Siam is 

 almost unknown, but several years ago a Mr. Neale published (in, if I recollect right, 

 the series styled the "National Library") a little work descriptive of a residence there 

 of some duration, and last year produced 'The Kingdom and People of Siam,' in two 

 vols., by Sir J. Bowring, the result of his official mission thither in his way to China. 

 Not only are both these accounts curious from the peculiarities they exhibit, but they 

 agree in giving a most interesting and very hopeful view of the present enlightened 

 rulers of Siam, who certainly are perfect anomalies among the despotic sovereigns of 

 Asia. Neither of the above-named authors is a naturalist, but the latter states that 

 the country on both sides of the great central river, the Meinain, to some distance 

 above the capital, Bangkok, is generally an impenetrable forest, abounding, however, 

 in animals, of which elephants, tigers, deer and monkeys are, I think, especially enu- 

 merated. The upper portion of the kingdom is more open. Foreigners cannot range 

 the country without permission, in obtaining which, however, little difficulty is likely 

 to occur (unless the recent treaty and professions of amity prove mere " moonshine "), 

 and the inhabitants are not hostile to Europeans. Should any fortunate explorer dis- 

 cover a white elephant, or even a white monkey, great would be his luck; but to kill 

 either would be ruin. Sir J. Bowring considers Siam, as a tropical country, very 

 healthy. PS. — Mr. Wallace mentions (Zool.5893 — 4) the annoyance to himself, and 

 the injury to his entomological collection, occasioned by ants and other small insects. 

 Very possibly this inconvenience might be prevented by the means found effectual in 

 protecting furs from moths. During the Great Exhibition a lady, one of my own 

 family, asked the person in charge of the Eussian furs how they preserved their wares 

 from being damaged, when she was informed that their practice was to distribute 

 quills inclosing small quantities of quicksilver among the {wis. — Arthur Hmsey ; Rot- 

 ting dean^ January 18, 1858. 



Proceedings of Societies, 

 Entomological Society. 

 January 4, 1858. — W. Wilson Saunders, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Donations. 



The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the 

 donors: — ' Nota sul genere Opsebius fra i Ditteri Enopidei;' presented by the Author, 

 Achille Costa. 'The Canadian Journal of Industry, Science and Art,' n. s., Nos. 11 

 and 12 ; by the Canadian Institute. ' Descriptions of eight new Species of Entomo- 

 straca found at Weymouth ;* by the Aiuthor, John Lubbock, F.G.S. ' The Zoologist' 

 for January ; by the Editor. 'Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias de Ma- 

 drid,' Vol. iv. ; by the Academy. ' The Athenaeum ' for December ; by the Editor. 

 * The Literary Gazette ' for December; by the Editor. ' The Journal of the Society of 

 Arts ' for December ; by the Society. ' The Insect Hunters ;' by the Author, Edward 

 Newman, F.L.S. * The Entomologist's Annual ' for 1858 ; by H. T. Stainton, Esq. 



