The BrccdiiKj of Mcultvonns. 
59 
laid, which lalics place in two or [hvro days. The males arc 
greatl,> in excess of the females, and die a short time after 
coi'Ulatiou lakes place. 
In a warm temperature (80 deg. F.) I should think 
that development would be more rai)id. 
I opened a female beetle and counted twenty-three 
eggs in her, something of the size and appearance of .small 
ants' cocoons. 
I estimate that 1 lb. of mealworms should produce 
about 4,000 beetles, of which about 1,500 should be females. 
If these lay 25 egg.j each, the produce should equal nearly 
4 lb. of mealworms — thus if a breeder starts off with 
4 lb. of mealworms, he will save three months delay in 
breeding. 
The above estimates are only approximate. There may 
be some member or members who can, and kindly will, give 
exact data concerning the life history of the mealworm, and 
their experience in breeding it. 
In conclusion, I do not discourage anyone from trying 
their hand at breeding mealworms, but if they keep soft-bills 
on a large scale they will be wiser to buy. I have heard of 
mealworms being carried round in a bucket, but T have never 
yet seen the breeding paraphernalia which could produce such 
a supply in one place. 
♦ 
Club Meetings at the British Museum 
The first meeting of this series was not as well at- 
I ended is 'l might have been, considering its interest cer- 
tainly more than a dozen members should have turned up. 
It took place on Saturday, January 17th, in the Bird- 
Room of the Natural History Department of the British; 
Museum, where by the kindness of Ogilive Grant, Esq., the 
skins of the AVeaving Fhiches (Ploccidac) were arranged for 
our inspection, and we are much indebted to him and nis staff 
for their courteous attention, for the getting out of the skins 
must have involved considerable labour. 
It was of great interest to be able to compare closely 
allied species and note the distinguishing features. Also to 
see the skins of such a large number of species quite new 
