i8 93 .] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 87 



of Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, &c, from a 

 mission station on the Demerara River, British Guiana, and called attention to a 

 fungoid growth attached to a specimen shewn, belonging to the Homoptera. Mr. 

 Billups said it closely resembled, if it was not the actual species known as Torrubia 

 robertsii, which attacks certain larvae in New Zealand. Mr. J. Jenner Weir exhibited 

 specimens of Euplosine butterflies from three distinct groups, viz. : Crastia core, 

 N armada corevides, and Pademma kollari, and read an interesting paper on " Isochro- 

 matous Lepidoptera." Mr. R. Adkin also exhibited a series of Dinrnea fagella, 

 from Lewisham, and mentioned several species, notably Eupithecia rectangnlata and 

 Miana strigilis, which had assumed a marked tendency towards melanism in the 

 London District of late years, agreeing with Mr. Mansbridge that climatic conditions 

 did not appear to account for the change. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs. 

 Barrett, McArthur, Tutt, Mr. Robson, of Hartlepool, a visitor, and others took part. 

 The President then called on Mr. Robson, who exhibited a short series of S. mendica, 

 of which one specimen, a female bred at Hartlepool, was of a distinct cream colour. 

 Mr. Robson stated that this species was common in Northumberland and Durham 

 along the coast, and that the male insect occasionally varied to a colour intermediate 

 between the English and Irish forms. Mr. Robson also exhibited dark specimens 

 of 5. populi L, from Aberdeen, and light forms (female) bred at Hartlepool. A 

 discussion followed, Mr. R. Adkin stating that S. mendica was not a common species 

 in Scotland, and Mr. Tutt and Mr. J. A. Clark each noticing varieties of the species. 



March 9th, 1893.—}. Jenner Weir, Esq., F.Z.S., President, in the chair. The 

 President exhibited specimens of Diurnea fagella, taken 50 years ago near London, 

 and Mr. R. Adkin remarked that they were as light as any now taken in the 

 metropolitan district. Mr. Jenner Weir also noted the capture of Vanessa io, by his 

 brother on 19th February, near Sevenoaks, and that he had seen Gonepteryx rhamni, 

 on the wing on gth March. Mr. Fenn reported G. rhamni as having been common 

 near Leatherhead, at the end of February. A discussion arose as to the occurrence of 

 Polyommatus dispar, at Camber well fifty years ago, and Mr. Fenn and Mr. Tugwell 

 both recorded Kentish specimens previous to 1848. Mr. Tutt confirmed the capture 

 of Melanippe galiata, near Huddersfield, as recorded by Mr. Mansbridge in his paper 

 read before the Society on February 9th. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited for Mr. C. H. 

 Watson a specimen of Pieris brassicce, which approached very nearly Pieris cheiranthi 

 of the Canary Islands. The specimen, a female, was bred from larvae found in a 

 garden at Streatham. Also two specimens, females, of Apatura iris, bred from larvae 

 taken in the New Forest in the autumn of 1891. Mr. G. B. Routledge exhibited a 

 small collection of butterflies from Algiers, Hyeras, and Switzerland, including 

 Pararge cegeria (types), Limenihs Camilla, and Polyommatus virgaurece (females). Mr. 

 R. Adkin exhibited a serie . of Vanessa urticce, bred during 1892, in Sutherlandshire, 

 N.B., which were generally dark in colour and with markings well defined, also a 

 specimen bred from the Essex coast, unusually light in colour. Mr. Sauze a small 

 collection of Ichneumonidse captured in the perfect state. Mr. jenner Weir 

 exhibited specimens of a group of the Nymphalinae from the African region, 

 mimicking others from the groups Danainae and Acraeinae. An interesting discussion 

 ensued, and Mr, Weir referred to the fact that non-scented species of butterflies 

 had been found eaten by birds, but scented species never so found, and Mr. South 

 said that butterflies of the Danaine order generally escaped the attacks of mites in 

 collections. — F. W. Hawes and H. Williams, Hon. Secretaries. 



LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EN TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



March 3rd, 1893.— The President (Mr. S. J. Capper, F.L.S., F.E.S.) in the chair. 

 Mr. W. E. Sharp read a paper entitled "Notes on some Irish and other Coleoptera." 



