SOCIETIES. 
299 
Entomological Society of London. — December 2nd^ 1891. — The 
Rt. Hon. Lord Walsingham, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.. in the chair. Dr. 
D. Sharp exhibited and commented on a number of photographs of 
various species of LucanidcB belonging to Mons. Ren^ Oberthiir. Mr. 
C. G. Barrett exhibited a number of specimens of local forms and 
varieties of Lepidoptera, taken by Mr. Percy Russ near Sligo, including 
Pieris napi var. near bryo 7 iice ; Anthocharis cardcujiines (male)j with the 
orange blotch edged with yellow, and yellowish forms of the female of 
the same species ; very blue forms of Polyommatus alsus ; males of P. 
alexis, with the hind margin of the under wings spotted with black, and 
very handsome forms of the female ; also varied series of AgroHs 
cursoria, A. tritici, A. vallioera, Hydroecia 7 nicacea^ H. nictitans, Epunda 
lutulenta^ Hadena protea^ Odontoptera bidentata^ Cidaria immanata^ C. 
testata^ C. pyraliata and Boantiia repandata. The Rev. S. St. John 
exhibited two specimens of Lyccena argiades, taken in Somersetshire by 
Dr. Marsh in 1884; three specimens of Deilephila euphorbice., bred from 
larvae found feeding on Euphorbia paralias on the Cornish coast in 
September, 1889; and a series of varied forms of Anchocelis pistacina^ 
all taken in a garden at Arundel. Lord Walsingham, Mr. Barrett, and 
Mr. McLachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. Mr. Jenner 
Weir exhibited and made remarks on two dark specimens of Zygmia 
niinos which had been caught by Mr. Blagg in Carnarvonshire. He 
remarked that the specimens were not representatives of complete 
melanism, and suggested that the word “ phaeism ” — from (puioQ, dusky 
— would be a correct word to apply to this and similar departures from 
the normal coloration of a species. Mr. C. J. Gahan exhibited speci- 
mens of the common “ book-louse,” Atropos pulsatoria., Fabr., which he 
had heard making a ticking noise similar to that made by the “ death- 
watch ” (Anobium). Mr. B. A. Bower exhibited the following rare 
species of Micro- Lepidoptera : — Spilonota pauperana, Frol. ; Gelechia 
osseella, Stn. ; Chrysoclysta bwiaculella., Haw. ; and Elachista cingilella., 
Fisch. Lord Walsingham and Mr. Tutt made some remarks on the 
specimens. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a variety of Anthocharis carda- 
mineSy and one specimen of Sesia scolicEfoi'inis bred from a larva found 
at Rannoch. 
Mr. G. T. Baker read a paper entitled “Notes on Lyccsna (recte 
Theda)., rhyjnnus, tengstrce?nii, and pretiosai^ A discussion followed, 
in which Lord Walsingham, Capt. Elwes and Mr. Baker took part. 
Mr. F. Merrifield read a paper entitled “The effects of artificial 
temperature on the colouring of Vanessa urticce and certain other species 
of Lepidoptera.” The author stated that both broods of all three species 
of Selenia, Platypteryx falcataria, Va?iessa urticce, Bombyx qucrcus and 
var. callunce, and Chelonia caja were affected by temperature in the pupa 
stage, the lower temperature generally producing the greater intensity 
and darkness of colour ; some of the Va?iessa urticce made a near approach 
to the var. polaris of Northern Europe. A long discussion ensued, in 
which Mr. E. B. Boulton, Mr. McLachlan, Prof. Meldola, Mr. Barrett, 
Mr. Jenner Weir and Lord Walsingham took part. Mr. W. Bateson 
read a paper entitled “ On the variation in the colour of the cocoons of 
