SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
19 
opened. It must have gone in there for shelter during the recent wet and 
stormy weather. There were no flowers in the room, but it hovered in front of a 
framed piece of old-fashioned embroidery representing honeysuckle, cocks- 
combs, sweet peas, &c., in natural colours; then off it went with the rapid flight 
peculiar to these moths to a coloured calendar representing pansies ; a bright 
crimson plush frame next attracted it. This, I think, proves that colour quite as 
much as scent guides them in their choice of flowers. It seemed a very tantalising 
deception to a hungry moth, and it is to be hoped it found a breakfast in our 
sunny garden when let out of the window, as a few summer flowers still linger 
there. 
On another occasion I observed a green caterpillar on some artificial leaves in 
a grate, doubtless, like the moth, attracted to them by their natural appearance. 
Teignmouth, Devon. C. E. Farley. 
Dor-beetles. — A doctor near here, when bicycling in the evening, has been 
struck in the face by a dor-beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius). This caused consider- 
able pain at the time ; his face became much swollen, and one of his eyes closed 
up, The inflammation lasted for two or three days. No doubt the beetle, which 
feeds on dung, had been living in some foetid matter which poisoned the doctor’s 
face. 
Market Weston, Thetford. Edmu.xd Thos. Daubeny. 
October, 1899. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Selborne Winter Lectures. — The next lecture will be given by the 
Editor of the Society’s magazine. Professor G. S. Boulger, F.L. S., F'.G.S., at 
the rooms of the Linnean Society, Burlington House, W., on Tuesday, January 
16, at 8.30 p.m. The subject will be “Man’s First Contact with Nature.” 
Admission, is., or on application to the Secretary beforehand, 6d. ; reserved 
seats, 2s. 
Selborne Saturday Afternoons ; — 
Saturday, January 13, 1900. — Natural History Mu.seum : Birds : 2 to 4 
p.m. Meet Mrs. Myles in the Central Hall at 2 p.m. sharp. Guide, Dr. 
Bowdler Sharpe, F. R.S. 
Council Meetings. — The next Council meetings will be held on 
January 2 and 16 at 5.30 p.m. 
Thames Preservation League. — At a meeting of the Thames Preserva- 
tion League on Tuesday, December 5, Professor G. S. Boulger and Mr. Geo. H. 
Edwards were elected to represent the Council of the Selborne Society on the 
Council of the League. 
Selborne Field Club. — The Annual Report of the Field Club was read and 
adopted at a meeting held after the Council meeting on Tuesday, December 19. 
Mr. Ernest A. Nash tendered his resignation of the Honorary Secretaryship, and 
a vote of thanks was pa.ssed for his services. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Birmingham. — The Council has heard with great regret of the resignation 
of Mrs. A. M. Dixon of the Honorary Treasurership of the Birmingham and Mid- 
land Branch, owing to ill health. A vote of thanks for her past services on 
behalf of the Society was given to Mrs. Dixon at the last meeting of the Council, 
held on December 19. Miss D. C. Stuige, the Honorary Secretary of the 
Branch, has kindly undertaken to act as Treasurer as well as Secretary, in the 
future. 
Clapton. — At the same meeting a letter was read from Mr. R. Marshman 
Wattson, announcing his resignation as Honorary Secretary of the Clapton 
