THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



113 



presented by Hy dropsy che Udwardsii (M'Lach.) Among the Planipennia the 

 most remarkable insect was a new species of the singular genus Psychopsis 

 (Newm.), from Mount Kosciusko, where it was common. Of Pseudo-Neuro- 

 ptera, there . was a species of Emliidce from Western Australia, and certain 

 curious Psocidm and Perlidce. The Trichoptera appeared to be exclusively 

 confined to Sericostomatidce, Leptoceridce, and Ily dropsy chidce. Mr. Meyrick 

 made some remarks on the localities in which he had collected the species. 



Mr. M. Jacoby exhibited three new species of Xenarthra, collected by Mr. 

 G, Lewis in Ceylon ; also a species of Loccoprosopus from Brazil. 



Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited a living example of an Ichneumon — 

 Ophion macrurum — bred from a larva of Callosomia promethea, a North 

 American species of Saturnidce. He also exhibited a number of wings of 

 Lepidoptera denuded of the scales, in order to show the neuration for study, 

 and explained the method he had adopted for removing the scales. The wings 

 were first dipped in spirit and then placed in eau dejavelle (potassium hyper- 

 chlorite.) Mr. Waterhouse said he had substituted peroxide of hydrogen for 

 eau dejavelle, but the action was much less rapid, although the results were 

 satisfactory. 



Mr. Poulton observed that, although the pigment had disappeared, he 

 thought the scales were not removed, but were merely rendered transparent ; 

 and he remarked that the discovery of some chemical for softening chitine had 

 long been wanted to prepare specimens for the microscope. The discussion 

 was continued by Mr. M'Lachlan and Dr. Sharp. 



Mr. Slater read a note, extracted from the "Medical Press," on the subject 

 of the poison used by certain tribes of xlfrican Bushmen in the preparation of 

 their arrows. It was stated that a poison was prepared by them from the 

 entrails of a caterpillar which they called " N'gwa." 



The Kev. W. W. Fowler read a note received from Mr. J. Gardner, of 

 Hartlepool, in which it was stated that Dytiscus marginalis possessed the power 

 of making a loud buzzing noise like that of the humble bee. 



Dr. Sharp said he was familiar with the humming of Dytiscus marginalis 

 previous to flight, and thought it might perhaps be connected with an inflation 

 of the body for the purpose of diminishing the specific gravity of the insect ; 

 he had noticed also that it was occasionally accompanied by the discharge of 

 fluid from the body. 



Mr. Wm. White read a paper " On the occurrence of anomalous spots on 

 Lepidopterous larvae." A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Poulton, and 

 others took part. 



Mr. Waterhouse read "Descriptions of new genera and species of Bupre- 

 sides/' — H. Goss, Hon. Sec. . 



