THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



95 



DERBYSHIRE NATURALISTS' SOCIETY. 



The annual meeting of this society was held in St. Andrew's Parish room, 

 on Tuesday evening, February 10th, Mr. Walton in the chair. In his 

 opening remarks he said, he was pleased to see so many had responded to the 

 call, and was most happy to be present and preside at such a meeting, for it 

 was a real pleasure to him, and must be pleasing to many others to meet to 

 compare notes, and discuss their views, and he wished the society every 

 success. The Secretary's report was then read and was considered very 

 satisfactory financially, as there was a respectable balance in hand. With regard 

 to work, the members had reported the capture of upwards of 700 species of 

 insects, and over 50 species of shells, within a radius of six miles of Derby. The 

 Secretary regretted that he had no botanical record to make, nor had he any 

 ornithological notes, but he hoped that the members would attend to these 

 next year. He also pointed out the advisability of making more careful 

 records, that he might complete a list of the fauna of the county. He urged 

 that they should arrange for more field days, and spoke of their effect upon 

 the mind and body, which these recreative excursions most certainly have. 



After a few very able remarks, illustrative of the value of nature as astud} r , 

 the exhibits were then laid on the table. Conspicuous amongst them was a 

 case containing the life history of the Goat Moth [Cossus lignijierda) , shewn 

 by several preserved specimens, and also the full fed living larva, which was 

 greatly admired by the younger members, it being the first time they had 

 seen it alive. This was exhibited by Mr. Hill of Little Eaton, who seems to 

 have a very happy nack of making the acquaintance of this larva. Next was 

 a splendid case of Hymenoptera, exhibited by Mr. Pullen, who also had a fine 

 series of Hawk moths (Smerinthus ocellatus and Sphinx ligustri) bred by 

 himself. The Secretary, Mr. Hey, exhibited a case of British land and fresh- 

 water shells, containing 47 species, collected in the vicinity, also a box 

 containing the life history of the common garden butterfly, the Large White 

 (Pieris brassicce), ova, larva, pupa, and imago, with pupa and imago of the 

 ichneumon attached. Mr. Walton exhibited a box of coleoptera; Mr. 

 Walters a case of Diptera. Exhibits of similar character by other members 

 occupied the rest of the space. After a vote of thanks had been given to the 

 Tetiring officers, and a special vote of thanks to Mr. Harwood (Yice President), 

 jDfncers for the ensuing year were selected as follows : — President, Rev. T. 

 Hutchinson; Yice Presidents, Messrs. J. Harwood, and G. Sutherland, 

 F.R.G.S. ; Hon. Sec. and Treasurer, T. Hey; Committee, Messrs. J. Hill, 

 I P. B. Chadfield, G. Pullen, S. Walters, W. H. Walton, W. Iluinber, G. 

 \ jongdon, T. Prickleton. — T. Hey., Secretary. 



