^THE BRITISFI NATURALIST. [February 



bred on July 27th. Mr. Tugwell exhibited two series of Miana strigilis, and M. 

 fasa'uncula, and referred to the statement recently made by Mr. Tutt that the two 

 species were only forms of one, he having received specimens which were intermediate 

 between the two forms, from the Rev.W. F . Johnson of Armagh. Mr. Tugwell said this 

 statement had considerably surprised him and he at some length pointed out what he 

 considered were the differences between the two, he also referred to the published 

 descriptions of the larvae respectively made by Newman and Buckler. Mr. Fenn 

 remarked that he did not think Newman's descriptions of larvae were very reliable as 

 that gentleman never adopted any system in describing them, he thought also that 

 larvae varied so much in their different stages that the descriptions of solitary larvae 

 were of very little value, Mr. South expressed an opinion that the two species were 

 undoubtedly distinct, in which opinion Mr. Barrett concurred, pointing out what he 

 considered good distinctions between the two, adding that the larvae which were in- 

 ternal feeders were very difficult to obtain and rear, and would no doubt vary 

 considerably , although he had never himself bred any of the Miana. Mr. Tutt said 

 chat he considered the points of difference alluded to were only superficial and un- 

 satisfactory, the remarks made by him as to the two species being identical were 

 based not on an isolated specimen of the form recei\ ed from Ireland but on a long 

 series of the form which was certainly intermediate between strigilis and fasciuncnla, 

 he would however at a future meeting exhibit the specimens referred to. Mr. Tutt, 

 on behalf of Mr. Reid of Pitcaple, exhibited long series of Agrotis pyrophila, a fine 

 series of Triphana orbona, varying from pale to very dark, some of the specimens being 

 beautifully banded, very bright forms of Melitcea artemis, also dark examples of 

 Melanippe Hiictuata, and some specimens of Abraxas grossnlariata, this species Mr. Tutt 

 stated had been introduced by Mr. Reid in the vicinity of Pitcaple with some success 

 and had apparently developed sexual dimorphism, the j 's becoming darker and the 

 ? 's paler every year. Mr. Manger shewed a small collection of Coleoptera from 

 Australia. — H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 



The Report of the Meeting for January 22nd has not reached ns. — [Ed. B.N.j 



LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The Annual Meeting was held on Monday, January 12th, when Mr. S. J. Capper, 

 F.L.S., F.E.S., was re-elected President ; the Revd. H. H. Higgins, M.A., Vice- 

 President ; and Mr. F. X. Pierce again undertook the duties of Hon, Secretary. 



The President then gave a lengthy address in which he review'ed the history of 

 their Society, and the work it had done, and had yet to do. He urged that their 

 investigations of the Coleopterous Fauna should be extended to the whole of the 

 counties of Lancashire and Cheshire, as had been done by Dr. Ellis for the 

 Lepidoptera, and that other orders be taken in hand. He also proposed that the 

 Society should undertake the investigation of the life history of each individual, and 

 ascertain whether it is beneficial or injurious, so as to encourage its preservation or 

 extirpation. He advised the formation of a tyhical collection of all orders of insects. 

 He reviewed the work of Miss Ormerod and others on injurious insects, and said such 

 investigations were now being undertaken in many other countries. He then referred 

 to the doings of collectors during the past year, and the general scarcity of insects 



