7 o 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



[April 



into the pupae worked their way upwards and pupated just below the surface. Mr. 

 West (Greenwich) a fine collection of Coleoptera from the Columbian Republic. 

 Mr. Billups, a specimen of Ichneumon haglundi, Holmg., a species new to Britain, bred 

 by Mr. R. Adkin from a larva of Arctia fuliginosa, received from Scotland; a series of 

 Apanteles emarginalns, Nees., bred from gracilaria omisella, by Mr. Elisha; a specimen 

 of an Hemipteron of the genus Pentatonia, taken alive in the Borough Market from a 

 package of Bananas from the West Indies, a species of Chrysomelida, found alive in a 

 barrel of grapes from Malaga, and a live female specimen of Bombus latreillus, Kirby., 

 found among lettuce from the South of France. Mr. E. Skinner exhibited specimens 

 of the Colt's foot, Tussilago farfara, L.., and Mr. E. Step, specimens of Butcher's broom, 

 Ruscus aculeatus, L., Mr. Step making some interesting observations on these plants. 

 It has been arranged with this gentleman that he will during the season exhibit 

 botanical specimens and contribute notes thereon. 



H. W. Barker, Hon. Sec. 



LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The monthly meeting of this Society was held on Monday, March ioth, the presi- 

 dent, S. J. Capper, Esq., F.L.S. in the chair. Messrs. R. Beschorner & W. Laidlaw were 

 elected ordinary members, and Messrs. W. Johnson, of Wigan, Rob. Newstead of 

 Chester, and Prof. J. Fletcher of Canada, the State Entomologist for the Dominion, 

 were elected Honorary members of the Society. 



The President contributed some notes on the variation of Lepidoptera, illustrating 

 his remarks by some beautiful varieties of Vanessa urtica from his collection, some of 

 which are figured in Newman's British Butterflies, and some in Mosley's Varieties. 

 An interesting discussion on the melanism of several local species ensued. 



Mr. C. H. H. W'alker gave a brief comparative sketch of the generative systems, 

 as exemplified in the order Insecta, in which his skilful drawings on the blackboard 

 greatly assisted those present in obtaining a clearer conception of the structure and 

 function of these complicated organs. 



Mr. W. Laidlaw exhibited a large specimen of Sphinx convolvuli captured last 

 autumn at Oxton. 



F. N. PIERCE, Hon. Sec. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Ermines in Suffolk. Having read that the Ermine or common 

 Stoat (Muttela erminea) is not often found in the Southern half of 

 Britain, except in its usual grey or brown coat, I herewith inform you 

 that a specimen was killed, a few minutes walk from here, on Saturday 

 last ; description, about the size of a small ferret, a rim of light brown 

 surrounds the eye, the rest of body is a creamy white, without another 



