13 
species of Pterostichus, to illustrate these characters appearing on the 
last ventral segment— V n'ujcr, raised keel in $ and ? — P. a nth r acinus, 
depression in $ — V. nip vita, tubercle in $ — P. minor, a raised keel— 
P. mad ulus, a raised transverse ridge. Mr. Donisthorpe spoke later of 
a secondary sexual character not mentioned in the paper, viz., the 
horns developed in some $ and not in ? . Darwin had called them 
sexual ornaments, Bates giving no indication. Mr. Bacot asked if 
these minute characters (of Pterostichus) were of use sexually— i.c., 
prevented hybridising. Mr. Heasler thought not. But, it was asked, 
if there were not a sexual difference, why were they different in the 
sexes? Dr. Chapman said although the characters referred to in 
Pterostichus were minute, it could not be said they were of no 
use, nor could one well say what the use was, until more 
observations were made. Few could guess the use of the whip¬ 
like tip of the antenna; of the $ (hhjnerus spinipes, until one had seen 
these clinging round the antenna; of the y when the insects were in 
cop. A question was asked, if $ s require protection. If, for instance, 
$ D. marr/inalis receives protection, why does not the male require it? 
Mr. Prout thought the 5 always has more need of protection for the 
due propagation of the species. 
May 16th, 1899.— Donation.— Mr. F. J. Ilanbury kindly presented 
the Society with a copy of “Kent Flora,” of which he is a part author. 
Mr. Nicholson proposed that a vote of thanks be accorded. Mr. 
Jennings seconded, and the vote carried. 
Exhibits. —Mr. E. M. Dadd bred specimens of Araschnia levana, 
Notodonta bicnlor, N. torva, Valeria oleapina, Gastmpacha tremulifolia, 
Clostcra pi'jra, P. rurtula, Pamphila ci/ercmct and /'. viator. Mr. F. B. 
Jennings, imagines of Sialis lutaria, contributing a note about this 
Neuropteron. The unknown larva exhibited by him at last meeting 
having been pronounced by Mr. McLachlan as that of this insect. 
Valeria olkagjna. —Mr. Dadd stated that a pupa of I*, olear/ina 
showed a white spot on the wing-case in October, the moth emerging 
in April. Mr. Tutt thought this indicated that the moth matured the 
previous autumn. 
Paper. —A paper, contributed by Mr. Tutt, on “ Nature’s Scaven¬ 
gers,” was read by Mr. Sauze. It was pointed out that all vital 
processes produce waste material, which has to be reduced by chemical 
action to its elements, or else reconverted by “ scavenger ” animals 
into organic products. Some of these go to work in a perfectly sani¬ 
tary way, others the reverse, i.e., some creatures have the instinct to 
bury waste, like the “ sexton ” and dung beetles. Some feed on offal, 
&c., like the carrion birds and carrion-eating mammals. And thirdly, 
there is a dangerous class, such as the carrion and dung flies, which 
although doing good by laying their eggs in putrid matter, are often 
the means of carrying diseases, Ac. Of the first-mentioned class the 
habits of Geotrupes were detailed, its burrow, vertical and even, reach¬ 
ing to some eight or ten inches below the excrement, some of which 
they bury and lay an egg therein. The Aphodii have similar habits, 
but it is to be noted they are always shining and clean in appearance. 
The Necrophori undermine and “ bury ” the dead bodies of the smaller 
mammals and birds, laying their eggs in the flesh. Four specimens 
of N. relutinus have been known to drag a swallow a distance of six 
