Dec., 1891 . 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
279 
became the defender, and the woman a drudge. In what way does 
society differ from the life of a primitive pair ? It is like a plant, 
and obeys the laws of nutrition, protection, and reproduction. These 
laws were described at considerable length. In the evolution of an 
organism, division of labour, though sometimes a necessity, is injuri¬ 
ous to society, when the tool ceases to be an appendage of the man 
and the man becomes the appendage of the tool. The writer said he 
had not gone over the ground of the inductive philosophy of Mr. 
Herbert Spencer, but had introduced the subject to show society to be 
the grandest work the world has ever achieved.—November 9th. Mr. 
J. W. Neville read a paper on “ The Life History of an Aphis.” The 
writer said no insect, not even excepting the migratory locust, had 
inflicted such ravages on the earth as these insignificant flies. After 
reviewing aphides generally, and pointing out their places in the insect 
world, the writer took the rose aphis, Siphonophora. rosce, and traced 
its life from the egg to the imperfect or viviparous female, and the 
progeny that were produced at such an enormously rapid rate. The 
anatomy of the insect was described at considerable length, the 
pseudovarium and ovarium of the imperfect and perfect females 
being specially dealt with. The cycle of life was said to be first 
an egg; this produced a viviparous female that brought forth 
many young during the summer. In the autumn perfect males 
and females appeared. These paired, the result being eggs, 
that remained on the tree during winter to produce imperfect 
females in the spring. The paper was illustrated by a series of 
drawings and microscopic preparations.—November 16tli. Mr. G. 
Corbett exhibited specimens of carboniferous and graptolitic shale 
with alum crystals, and described the chemistry of their formation ; 
Mr. J. Collins a collection of some of our rarer plants, including 
specimens of Coclilearia anglica , Gentiana Amarella , Lagurus ovatus , 
and Lysimachia ciliata. 
BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—October 19th. 
Mr. R. C. Bradley in the chair. Rev. C. F. Thornewill showed a 
number of insects taken on Cannock Chase this year, including a 
melanic variety of Cymatophora duplaris ; also a collection made in 
Buckinghamshire this year, including Cleora lichenaria, Boarviia 
roboraria, Aventia flexula , Phorodesma bajularia , &c. Mr. G. W. Wvnn 
showed a beautiful series of Geovutra papilionaria, bred from Wyre 
Forest larvae. Mr. P. W. Abbott showed Setina irrorella, Agrotis 
lucernea, and A. lunigera, long series, from the Isle of Wight. 
Mr. R. C. Bradley showed Acidia cognata from Sutton, and Acidia 
heraclei from Moseley. Rev. C. F. Thornewill read notes on the recent 
discovery of Stilbia anomala, on Cannock Chase, in abundance. Until 
last year it was not known to be a Midland insect, and then it 
was found by Messrs. Thornewill and Freer in such numbers that the 
latter took 150 specimens ; and this year it was equally common.— 
November 2nd. Mr. R. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. Bradley showed 
Gonyglossum Wiedemanni, from Sutton. Mr. H. J. Sands show 7 ed 
Calligenia miniata , from New Forest. Mr. W. Harrison showed a 
specimen of Epione apiciaria , taken at Harborne on October 3rd this 
year. Mr. G. W. Wynn showed Nudaria mundana, from Cleeve Prior. 
Mr. C. J. Wainwright showed insects bought at the Rev. G. H. 
Raynor’s sale, including fine variable series of Hypsipetes elutata, 
Cidaria russata, &c. 
