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^ LI MIT IT// r)¥lH) x ( HUT 

 THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



Mr. J. W. Slater read a paper on " The relations of insects to flowers/' in 

 which he stated that many flowers which gave off agreeable odours appeared 

 not so attractive to insects as some other less fragrant species ; and he stated 

 that Petunias, according to his observations, were comparatively neglected by 

 bees, butterflies and Diptera. Mr. Distant, Mr. Stainton, Mr. Weir, Mr. 

 Stevens and the President took part in the discussion which ensued, and 

 stated that in their experience Petunias were often most attractive to insects. 

 Mr. Stainton referred to the capture by himself, of sixteen specimens of 

 Sphinx convolvuli at the flowers of Petunias, in one evening in 1846. 



Jonkeer May, the Dutch Consul-General, asked whether the reported 

 occurrence of the Hessian Fly (Cecidomyia destructor) in England has been 

 confirmed. In reply Mr. M'Lachlan stated he believed that several examples 

 of an insect thought to be the Hessian Ely had been bred in this country, 

 but that everything depended upon correct specific determination in such an 

 obscure and difficult genus as Cecidomyia. — H. Goss, Secretary. 



HAGGERSTON ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The meeting of October 21st, was fairly well attended, though there were 

 not many exhibits. Mr. Cripps brought some Amara convexiuscula and 

 Anchomenus oblongus y . Mr. Eedle shewed E. octomaculalis, A. aglaia, 

 S. cynipiformis and G. cerella. Mr. Pearson had a series of Thecla rubi, 

 upon which species he introduced a discussion. 



The following meeting was devoted to discussing the life history of Zephy- 

 rus quercuSy the economy of this handsome and well distributed little species, 

 affording good scope for a very interesting evening. It was stated that this 

 species, which until recently, was included with all the other " hair streaks," 

 in the genus Thecla, is now, in company with Betidce, transposed to the 

 genus Zephyrus on the authority of Dalman, followed by Kirby, and more 

 recently by Robson, in the list now being issued ; the grounds of their divi- 

 sion being the thicker antennae, and more especially the difference in the 

 neuration of the anterior wings. The ova are laid in the summer, but pro- 

 bably do not hatch until the following spring, though this part of their 

 economy does not appear to be well established among entomologists. The 

 larvae which are full fed in May and beginning of June, are reddish-brown, 

 with oblique stripes on the back, and a brownish black dorsal line, although 

 some authors have mentioned Sallow as well as Oak to be their food plant, it 

 was thought they must be in error, as general experience agreed to its being 

 exclusively an oak feeder. When full fed they are easily beaten, and are 

 familiarly known as "Soles" among many entomologists, from their flat 

 appearance and supposed resemblance to that fish. The pupa, which has 



