1889.] 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 129 



the specimens was an example of Batocera roylei, which Dr. Sharp had retained in a 

 relaxed condition, so that the Fellows might have an opportunity of hearing its 

 stridulation ; this was produced in a very audible manner by the base of the pro- 

 thorax passing backwards and forwards over a striated space at the base of the 

 scutellum. 



Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited, for Mr. Frohawk, a series of wings of British 

 butterflies, prepared in accordance with a process (described by Mr. Waterhouse in 

 the Proc. Ent. Soc. 1887, p. xxiii), by which they were denuded of their scales so as 

 to expose the neuration. 



Dr. P. B. Mason exhibited cocoons of a species of spider (Theridion pallens, 

 Black.), from Cannock Chase, distinguished by the presence of large blunt processes 

 on their surface. 



Mr. H. Goss exhibited, for Mr. N. F. Dobree, a number of scales of Coccidce, 

 picked off trees of Acacia melanoxylon and Grevillea robusta, growing in the Market 

 Square, Natal. These scales had been referred to Mr. J. W. Douglas, who expressed 

 an opinion that they belonged to the family Brachyscelida, and probably to the genus 

 Brachyscelis, Schrader. He said that most of the species lived on Eucalyptus. 



Capt. H. J. Elwes exhibited a long and varied series of specimens of Terias hecabe. 

 He remarked that all the specimens which had strongly defined chocolate markings 

 were taken in the cold and dry season, and that those which were without, or almost 

 without, markings, were taken in the hot and wet season. Capt. Elwes further ob- 

 served that he believed that many species which had been described as distinct 

 were merely seasonal forms of this variable species. Mr. W. L. Distant, Mr. F. D. 

 Godman, Prof. Meldola, Mr. H. T. Stainton, and Mr. G. Lewis took part in the 

 discussion which ensued. 



Mr. W. Dannatt exhibited specimens of Thaumantis Howqua, West, from Shanghai. 



Mr. H. Burns exhibited, and made remarks on, a number of nests of living ants 

 of the following species, viz., Formica fusca, Lasius alienus, L.flavus, L. niger, Myrmica 

 ruginodis, M. scabrinodis, Sec. One of the nests contained a queen of L.flavus, which 

 had been in the exhibitor's possession since September, 1882. 



Mr. G. C. Bignell communicated a paper entitled " Description of a new species 

 of British Ichneumonidce. 



Mr. A. G. Butler communicated a paper entitled " A few words in reply to Mr. 

 Elwes' statements respecting the incorporation of the Zeller Collection with the 

 with the General Collection of Lepidoptera in the Natural History Museum." 

 Capt. Elwes, Mr. Stainton, Mr. Godman and others took part in the discussion 

 which ensued. — H. Goss and W. W. Fowler, Joint Hon. Sees. 



CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 

 HISTORY SOCIETY. 



April iSth, 1889. — Mr - Huckett, Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Bellamy 

 exhibited a variable series of A . badiata. Mr. Clark, a series of C. sujfumata, bred 

 from ova received from Forres, and stated that he had observed no variation in the 

 specimens from the Southern form of this insect. Mr. Lusby, a large number of 



