21 
to feed up during the autumn. Although the thermometer stood at 
something well over 60, and the larvae were provided with lettuce, 
they all ceased feeding during the latter part of September and com¬ 
menced hybernating. Hitherto, under similar conditions, I have 
invariably got a certain number to feed up, but this year they left off 
feeding altogether, and nothing would induce them to commence 
again. Possibly it is well known to most of us that no pabulum is 
more conducive to a rapid growth in caja than lettuce, and that a far 
larger number of varieties occur in the second brood than in the first. 
Perhaps the most interesting species that I have bred during the 
season is Polia nvjrocincta, which I succeeded in raising from the egg. 
This insect is generally acknowledged difficult to breed, and to anyone 
attempting to rear them I would suggest, above all things, to avoid 
overcrowding. In my case, I started with only quite a few, but my 
friend, Mr. J. P. Mutch, who very kindly gave me the ova, lost every 
one of his. The favourite pabulum in confinement appears to be 
carrot leaves; while young, the lame rest on the veins of the leaves, 
but when nearly fullgrown, they show a strong desire to hide, and in 
fact bury themselves in the earth for the last week or more of their 
existence, only coming up at night to eat. This habit is very dissimilar 
from that of its congener, flavocincta, which delights to rest in some¬ 
what exposed positions until it goes to earth to pupate. 
I am afraid I have devoted most of my remarks to the interest of 
the collector and field entomologist, rather than to what we may call 
the more advanced side of entomology. I must therefore ask the 
indulgence of those of our members who we are proud to know are 
capable of greater things. 
Before concluding, I should like to tender my best thanks to all 
the Officers of the Society for their hearty co-operation in carrying out 
the duties incumbent upon them, and I congratulate the Society on its 
retaining the services of nearly all the same Officers for the ensuing 
year as for the last. 
I must also express my appreciation of the confidence the members 
have again placed in me, in once more electing me as their President, 
and I sincerely hope that the coming year will, in every way, prove as 
successful to our Society as any that have passed. 
REPORTS OF FIELD MEETINGS. 
Excursion to Ranmore, May 23rd, 1908. 
The weather being propitious, a party of fourteen availed them¬ 
selves of this excursion, three spending the whole day in the district 
and being joined by the rest of the party during the afternoon. On 
account of the somewhat injudiciously early date that had been 
selected, the day—though enjoyable from every other point of view— 
xviii. 
