662 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



up a fine specimen of S. convolvuli and Mr. Huckett shewed a living larva 

 of A. atrqpos. 



The following meeting was devoted to a friendly comparison of the various 

 styles of setting. This subject is considered a very important one by the 

 members, who desire, if possible, to obtain among themselves a uniform 

 style, so that specimens exchanged may harmonise with those already in the 

 cabinet. At present there appears to be considerable difference of opinion ; 

 some setting insects so as to touch the paper, others high up on the pins, 

 and the wings also are set at various angles, so that specimens from different 

 correspondents are frequently totally unlike. Mr, J. A. Clark's specimens 

 of lepidoptera were pronounced perfect in every respect, and the same was 

 said of Mr. Lewcock's exhibit of coleoptera, which for uniformity and neat- 

 ness could not be excelled. It is hoped that this question of uniformity of 

 setting will be taken up by entomologists in general, as it is certainly an im- 

 portant question. 



The meeting of October 8th was well attended 3 the life history of V. anti- 

 opa being the subject brought forward. The absence of records of the larvae 

 was commented on, and an animated discussion took place regarding the 

 impregnation of the female, some thinking it took place before hybernation, 

 others in the spring time like the other species of the genus. Mr. J. A. 

 Cooper mentioned having taken a female specimen full of ova, early in the 

 spring, off the trunk of a birch tree at Box-hill, the specimen being quite 

 numbed with cold so that he took it with his fingers. 



A field-day—or rather evening — will be held early in November, when a 

 good muster of members will visit Epping Forest, in search of H. defoliaria, 

 aurantiaria, and pennaria ; and on the 12th the annual pocket-box exhibition 

 of specimens captured or bred during the season, will be held at the Society's 

 room. A full account of both will be given in the December number. 



Ernest Anderson, Secretary, 



OUR LONDON LETTER. 



The autumnal beating has proved on the whole rather better than I antici- 

 pated in my last, though the season must be considered one of those eccentric 

 ones in which the usual species seem to disappear and are replaced by others 

 not usually common, this, however, is not objectionable to most collectors. 

 S. convolvuli and C celerio are still being taken, a specimen of the latter 

 coming under my notice this present week. A large number of A, saucia 

 are also about and in fact those who have made good use of sugar during the 



