128 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
lecture on Entomology, which Mr. Jan- 
son, the worthy Secretary of the Ento- 
mological Society of London, had kindly 
consented to deliver. Mr. Janson treated 
of the meaning of the words “Insect” 
and “ Entomology,” of the mode of 
breathing in insects, of the senses of 
insects, of their metamorphoses, and, re- 
ferring to the enormous number of spe- 
cies of insects, of which he said probably 
more than 100,000 were now known, 
named and described, he showed how 
important it was to be able to classify 
and arrange such an immense multitude. 
The subject of classification, to which he 
then adverted, however, hardly appeared 
to have sufficient charms for the audi- 
ence, and a few yawns were very visible. 
Mr. Janson next treated of the noises 
produced by insects, and the meeting 
became more awake to this branch of the 
subject, the feelings of some individuals 
being wrought up to a high pitch of ex- 
citement when the lecturer spoke of the 
Death’s Head and the Death Watch, and 
the mysteriously ominous noises they 
produce. Mr. Janson cautioned working 
men from taking to Entomology as a 
source of pecuniary gain ; in the first place, 
a long apprenticeship was necessary ; 
and, secondly, whereas, if followed merely 
as a relaxation, it would be found “a 
healthful and invigorating occupation for 
the intervals of recreation, such pursuits 
would lose their greatest charm if tainted 
with lucre-love or prospective profit.” — 
(Hear, hear). In conclusion, Mr. Jan- 
son called attention to some of the publi- 
cations likely to be useful to those who 
thought of turning their attention to 
Entomology. 
PROBLEMS IN GEOMETRIC. 
In working through M. Guenee’s volume, 
I find that on some points information is 
not as complete as could be wished, and 
probably some of my readers may be 
able to help me on these poiuls. 
For instance, the larva of Nyssia hispi- 
daria is hardly known, no passable de- 
scription of it exists, yet the insect is not 
so rare here that the larva need be un- 
known. 
The larva of Cleora viduaria is in the 
same category. 
The larva of Hemerophila Abruptaria 
has never been described : the insect is 
commoner here than abroad, and we 
ought not to be as unacquainted with 
the larva as our Continental brethren. 
Can any one throw light upon these 
dark subjects ? — H. T, Stainton ; 
Jan. 8, 1858. 
OBITUARY. 
The intelligence of the death of Richard 
Weaver has been confirmed. The Janu- 
ary number of the ‘ Zoologist’ contains 
notices from his pen, which he was des- 
tined never to see in print. We believe 
that Mr. Weaver was formerly a shoe- 
maker, but abandoned that sedentary 
pursuit for a more active life in collecting 
insects. His captures in Scotland, little 
more than ten years ago, mark an era in 
the Entomology of this country, and no 
doubt his success has led, and is still 
leading, others to abandon a settled 
calling for a more roving style of life : 
the market of professional collectors is 
now fast getting overstocked. 
Now ready , in one volume , price 8s. 6d., 
I ^IIE ELEMENTS of ENTOMO- 
. LOGY. By W. S. Dallas, F.L.S. 
London: John Van Voorst, 1, Pater- 
noster Row. 
Printed and published by Eowaud Nkwman, 
Printer, of No. 9, Devonshire Street, Bishops- 
gate Without, London, in the county of Mid- 
dlesex.— Suturday, January 16, 1858. 
