PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
315 
slender, grows up straight, and its erect branches forma pyramid. It is uni¬ 
sexual ; and the flowers of both sexes are insignificant; those of the male last only 
for a few days, when they dry up ; this is likewise the case with the petals of 
the females. The segments of the calyx, however, continue to grow, changing 
in their growth from green to white and vermillion, and become so attenuated 
that the branched nerves are easily perceptible. In that state they are three 
times as large as the fruit, which is still protected by the tube of the calyx : and 
the whole might, in appearance, be compared to a shuttlecock. The risps are 
dense, and the tree presents now a most elegant appearance. One unacquainted 
with the contrary, would consider the tree covered with white blossoms tinged 
with red, among which the dark green leaves have only occasionally room to 
make themselves visible. The incautious botanist who, allured by the deceptive 
appearance, should approach the tree to pluck the blossoms, would rue his 
attempt. The trunk and branches are hollow, like those of the Trumpet-tree 
(Cecropia ), and provided between space and space with partitions, which answer 
to the position of the leaves on the outside. These hollows are inhabited by a 
light brownish Ant, about two or three-tenths of an inch long, which inflicts the 
most painful bites, causing swelling and itching for several days. If they find 
themselves captured, they attack and kill one another like Scorpions. The 
Aramah Indians call the tree “ Jacuna,” and the Ant, “ Jacuna sae.” 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
March 5. —J. F. Stephens, Esq., F.L.S., President, in the chair.—The 
memoirs read at this meeting were,—1st, Observations upon the habits and 
other peculiarities of Brachelytra (genus Staphylinus , Linn.), by F. Holme, Esq.; 
2nd, Description of a new Strepsipterous insect, found in Brazil, and inhabiting 
the body of one of the Sand Wasps, Sphegidce , by R. Templeton, Esq.; 3rd, 
Description of Platyrhopalus angastus , a new species of Paussidce , brought from 
the interior of India by Assistant-Surgeon Downes, by J. 0. Westwood, Sec. E. S. 
—Mr. Saunders exhibited a specimen of the splendid Urania Rhipkeus , which 
had been captured in the channel of Mozambique, many leagues from land.— 
Mr. Bainbridge communicated a method for ridding insects saturated with a 
greasy matter, which occasionally exudes from them when placed in the cabinet, by 
immersing them in petroleum.—Messrs. Hope and Raddon made some observa¬ 
tions upon the distinctions between the two gums, anime and copal, which have 
been respectively considered to contain insects, and the latter member stated 
that the singular noise emitted by the Death’s-head Hawk-moth ( Acherontia 
atropos ), and which has so much perplexed physiologists, is sometimes produced 
by the insect whilst in the chrysalis state. 
April 2.—J. F. Stephens, Esq., President, in the chair.—Mr. Barker com- 
