12 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [January 



Carpenter, a series of Plusia festuca. Mr. Tugwell, a box of Lepidoptera received 

 from Mr. Reid, and called attention that there was nothing of any importance among 

 them ; he, however, had heard that Mr. Reid had taken Retina duplana, Hb., and 

 (jne of the Pterophori, which he could not identify. The larvae were found feeding 

 underneath the leaves of Ragwort. Mr. Barrett said that the first specimens taken 

 were referrable to turionana, that duplana occurred earlier in the year, and since this 

 had been pointed out, Mr. Salvedge and Mr. Reid had taken them. Mr. Tugwell 

 also exhibited specimens of a dark Eupithecia from Paisley, with typical forms of 

 Eupithecia satyrata to which species he thought they were referrable ; many members 

 differed from this opinion. The meeting closed with a discussion on the effects of 

 heat and cold producing variation. — H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 



CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 



HISTORY SOCIETY. 



Thursday, Dec. yd, 1889. — Exhibits. — Mr. Boden, a specimen of Rhodophcea 

 terabrella, taken some years ago at Box Hill. He stated that he had repeatedly 

 worked the same ground, but no more were taken. With reference to the species, 

 Mr. Tutt stated that it had been taken at various localities in Norfolk and Suffolk, 

 and that the larvae fed on the terminal shoots of the Scotch fir. Dr. Buckell, a bred 

 series of Oporabia dilutata from Chingford and Hampshire. He pointed out that the 

 distinctly banded form was commoner among the latter, but the Chingford specimens 

 and most of the London forms, were chiefly unicolorous ; Mr. Simes, Amphidasys 

 hetularia from Clapton, with more black markings than the usual form, melanic 

 varieties of NocUia xanthographa and A. citrsoria and A. valligera ; Mr. Clark, a male 

 specimen of Fidonia atomaria from Haywards Heath, entirely dark sooty brown in 

 colour ; also Erebia cassiope with a bleached mark on one wing. 



Coleoptera : — Mr. Heasler, Choleva nigricans, taken under dead leaves at Highgate 

 and Wimbledon ; Mr. Riches, Necrophorus ruspator, Dofcus paralellopipedus, Serica 

 brunnea, &c. ; Mr. Pearsonf living laryae of Dermestes lardarius. 



The gentlemen who were nominated at the last meeting as officers for 1892 were 

 unanimously elected. 



The Secretary read the Report for 1891, in which he said that notwithstanding 

 several difficulties under which the Society had been working, the progress was good, 

 this being especially the case with the exhibits and communications. Mr. Tutt pro- 

 posed that this report be adopted, with a vote of thanks to the Secretaries. Mr. 

 Huckett seconded the resolution and it was carried. 



The President then read his annual address. He said that although diverse in 

 many things, we all met here on a common footing, as students, and that all should 

 be ready to learn. Although some were specialists, so closely were the various 

 branches of Natural History connected, that it was impossible to devote attention to 

 one order without knowing something of the others. He then spoke of the true 

 recreative value of a pursuit such as the study of Natural History. 



Dr. Buckell proposed that a vote of thanks be giyen to the President for his address 

 and also to all the officers for their services during the past year. Mr. Hodges 

 seconded this, and it was carried. 



Mr. Bellamy stated that he had seen a specimen of Smerinthus tilia on 22nd Nov., 

 being evidently one of an autumnal brood. Autumnal emergences were also noted of 

 Staiiropus fagi and Abraxas ul ata. 



