THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



179 



their wings. Mr. Rice, nest and eggs of chaffinch {Fringilla ccelehs) showing 

 variation. The eggs were very like those of the bullfinch. It was suggested 

 by Mr. Erohawk that it was possible the eggs were those of the brambling, 

 but nothing definite was arrived at. 



August §ih. — The new President in the chair. Mr. R. Waller, of Clap- 

 ham, and Mr. J. N. Young, of Rotherham, were elected members. Mr. 

 Cook exhibited a variety of Smerinthis Mice, the lower part of the central 

 band on the superior wings being absent. Mr. Wellman bred examples of 

 Plusia orichalcea and Ennomos auinmnaria, and said he had bred nine females 

 and only two males of the latter. Mr. Toy bred specimens of Geometra 

 vernaria and Pseudolerpna cytisaria. Mr. C. A. Briggs, Zygcena meliloti, 

 taken this year by Mr. Meek in the New Eorest. Mr. Robson; living larvae 

 of Trachea piniperda. Mr. Carrington, specimens of Boarmia repandaia, 

 sent him by Mr. Batty, and called attention to the melanic appearance of the 

 specimens ; this exhibit gave rise to a discussion on melanism, Messrs. Weir, 

 West (Greenwich), Step, Carrington, and others taking part. Mr. West 

 (Streatham), a short series of Homcesoma sinuella, taken near Brighton. 

 Mr. Weir, an example of the imagine of Myrmeleon Europceus, bred by him 

 from larvae taken at Eontainbleau in 1887. Mr. Carrington made some 

 observations on " A fortnight's collecting on the Chiltern hills," as to late 

 appearance of various species of lepidoptera. M. Weir read an extract from 

 a letter he had received from Mr. Cockerell, dated 21st May, 1888, referring 

 to Mr. Cockerell's theory that Gonepteryx rhamni and G. cleopatra originated 

 as seasonal races or as Mr.*Weir said he should term it, horeomorphic races. 

 — H. W. Baeker, Hon. Sec. 



A VISIT TO LIVERPOOL. 



By JOHN E. ROBSON. 



(Continued from page 123.) 



Among the Butterflies, Mr. Gregson possesses some very grand varieties, 

 I also saw some very good ones in Mr. Capper's collection and others. 

 With few exceptions these are rather aberrations than local forms or races. 

 Special interest, however, appears to attach to Butterfly varieties. 



Papilio Machaon. — Varieties of this grand insect are rare. Mr. Pierce 

 has a very pretty one. It is small, without veins on the hind wings, which 

 have the dark marginal band very narrow, and without any of the usual blue 

 markings. 



