236 [March, 
hinder part of the head ; the basal joints of the middle and posterior tarsi are less 
elongate ; and the suture of the elytra is reddish, and not elevated as in 0. ater. 
It is impossible to define the limits to be accorded to a species, without knowing 
the liberal or conservative (qud Darwin) opinions of an author ; but it seems to us 
that larger camels than this have been swallowed before now in the land of the 
Gaul. The Homalium, in like manner, is accorded by M. Pauvel to H. Allardii : 
but, as Mr. Wollaston's species resembles an exaggerated form of R. fossulatum, 
it was patent that there must have been some error on this point ; and we are now 
informed by Mr. Wollaston that M. Fauvel intended to refer H. ocellatum, Woll., to 
E. Allardii. H. ocellatum is, indeed, somewhat close to the latter insect (as will be 
Been by the note at p. 522 of Col. Atl.) ; but the type of it in the Mad. Col., Brit. 
Mus., being compared with H. Allardii, appears to be lighter, shorter, and broader 
than that insect, with bright yellow ocelli and clear testaceous legs, a more ti-ans- 
verse thorax, of which the sides are more rounded and more contracted behind, and 
the hinder angles more prominent (the fovea there being deeper), rather shorter 
and less parallel elytra, which are less strongly and scarcely rugosely punctured, 
and the abdomen not so dull, but with evident scattered punctuation. If Mr, 
Wollaston's insect is, in spite of these discrepancies, to be considered identical with 
H. Allardii, it will not disturb any references ; as H. ocellatum was described in 
Ins. Mad., 1854, and Fairmaire's species in the French " Annales " for 1859. 
§n\n\\i |ufo nuation. 
Italian Entomological Society. — A movement, from which we anticipate great 
results for entomological science, is now on foot in Italy for the establishment there 
of a Society to be called the " Societa Entomologica Italiana." A committee has 
been formed of all the prominent entomologists in the principal towns and cities — 
Turin, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples, Vicenza, Genoa, Ascoli, Parma, Imola 
and Lucca. The local secretary at the latter place — who is also secretary of the 
committee — is our well-known countryman, A. H. Haliday, Esq. The committee 
has issued a circular, stating the objects of the Society, and fixing the Annual Sub- 
scription at 10 lire (francs) ; it is intended to pubhsh a Journal of the memoirs read. 
Death of Professor 0. 0. Costa. — This Neapolitan entomologist died very recently, 
but we know not, at the present moment, at what age ; he must have been advanced 
in years. In conjunction with his son, Achille Costa, and separately, he has pub- 
lished many entomological memoirs, one of the latest of which was on the Ailanthus 
silk-worm (Bomhyx Cynthia) which has latterly attracted so much attention. The 
two Costas were perhaps the only entomologists of note in Southern Italy. The 
change of dynasties does not at present appear to have exercised any very beneficial 
influence upon natural science in that portion of the peninsula. 
Entomological Society or London; 27th January, 1868 (Anniversary 
Meeting) ; Sir John Lubbock, Bart., P.R.S., President, in the Chair. The following 
gentlemen — Messrs. Grut, O. Salvin, W. W. Saunders, and Trimen, were elected 
Members of Council for the present year in the place of those removed. H. W. 
Bates, Esq., P.Z.S., was elected President; S. Stevens, Esq., Treasurer; and 
Messrs. Dunning and McLachlan, Secretaries. 
