10 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



[January 



Mr. Lionel de Niceville communicated a paper entitled " Notes on a new genus 



of Lyccznidce." 



Mr. F. Merrifield read a paper entitled " Systematic temperature experiments on 

 Lepidoptera in all their stages," and exhibited a number of specimens in illustration 

 of his paper. The author stated that the darkness of colour and the markings in 

 Ennomos autumnaria resulted from the pupae being subjected to a very low temperature. 

 In the case of Selenia ilhistmria, exposing the pupae to a low temperature had not only 

 affected the colour of the imagines, but had altered the markings in a striking manner. 



Lord Walsingham observed that k appeared that exposure to cold in the pupa- 

 state produced a darker colouring in the imago, and that forcing in that stage had an 

 opposite effect ; that insects subjected to glacial conditions probably derived some 

 advantage from the development of dark or suffused colouring, and that this advan- 

 tage was, in all probability, the more rapid absorption of heat. He said he believed 

 that an hereditary tendency in favour of the darker forms was established under 

 glacial conditions, and that this would account for the prevalence of melanic forms 

 in northern latitudes and at high elevations. Capt. Elwes, Mr. Jenner Weir, Dr 

 Sharp, and others continued the discussion.— H. Goss & W. W. Fowler, Hon. Sees. 



CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 

 HISTORY SOCIETY. 



December 19, 1889. — Mr. J. A. Clark, F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. J. W. 

 Marsden was elected a member. Mr. Boden exhibited a number of Taniocampa 

 gracilis, the specimens ranging from a chocolate colour to a peppery yellow, and were 

 quite different to the ordinary form, some of the insects showing a marked resemb 

 lance to T. instabilis. A discussion took place as to the probable cause of the 

 variation ; some members attributing it to the food plant ; and others to the difference 

 of soil. Mr. Hollis exhibited a variable series of Hybernia dcfoliaria. Mr. Clark, a 

 fine series of Stilbia ar.omola from the North of Ireland. Mr. Milton, specimens of 

 Eupithecia venosata from Shetland, L. nubigena &c, also various preserved larvae. 

 Mr. Whittle, Catoptria candidnlana, and Tortrix viburnana. Mr. Bellany, a quantity of 

 exotic butterflies from various parts of the world. Mr. Battley, varieties of Oporabia 

 dilutata, several very light forms in the ground colour being strongly marked in the 

 bands ; the same gentleman also exhibited a well-preserved specimen of the 11 -rayed 

 Star fish, and a large selection of fossils, from Beachey. In Coleoptera, Mr. Milton 

 exhibited a number of species received from Mr. Wilding of Liverpool, which in- 

 cluded Mgalia rufa, Chrysomela ccrealis, Miscodcra arctica, Aphodii, &c. ; also a 

 specimen of Hydrous caraboides captured on December 18, Mr. Lewcock, the genus 

 Cicindela, and read a paper on the exhibit, giving details of life-history, critical 

 opinions re pecting the claims of C. hybrida and C. maritima to be considered as distinct 

 species ; also the localities of C. germanica. Mr. j. A. Clark read an address to the 

 members on his accession to the office of President. He spoke of the great difficulty 

 experienced in former years by entomologists in the matter of introduction to each 

 other, and that it was in consequence of this difficulty that the present society 

 originated. Seven members constituted the number at its commencement, in March 

 i8;>8 ; and forty more were added during the following twelvemonths. It has often 



