28 
in the cage. Mr. Front bad found that traUum, put in with Melanippe 
nrata, induced egg-laying. Three moths, in his experience, laid on 
this, and one which would not lay proceeded to do so when this plant 
was introduced. He felt it of importance to supply moisture for the 
$ moths, usually employing cotton wool saturated with water. He 
found Noctuids put off egg-laying as long as possible, perhaps waiting 
for their natural environment, and would at last lay all their eggs in 
a very short time. Home might be waiting for fertilisation. He once 
got 1500 eggs from a dilatory Ayrotis saucia, but they were infertile. 
The eggs of < 'heiniatobia hrumata and C. boreata were very different and 
easily distinguished. Oporabia dilutata has smooth eggs, which are 
laid in crevices, while 0. filiyraminaria has rough eggs, which are 
fastened to twigs. < 'atocala sponsa lays very far down the cracks of 
oak bark, while its near ally 6'. promism lays on the bark. The eggs of 
Hemerophila abruptaria and llinton hirtaria are similar, those of Himera 
pennaria are sugar-loafed in form, the smaller end adhering to the 
object on which they are laid. Ennoinos alniaria lays her eggs in a line, 
Id. quereinaria in a batch arranged tile-like. The eggs of Dicranura 
rimila are dome-shaped with a fine netting, whilst those of D. enninea 
are flat, of oak-spangle shape, and with an obvious netting. 
Nov. 7th, 1899.— Scotch insects. —Mr. Bacot exhibited a large 
number of insects from Scotland, including many specimens of 
Hydroecia nictitans var. hums and ('Maria ivunanata, also specimens 
of Scoliopteripv libatri.r, Cirrhoedia xerampelina, Calocampa solidaginis, 
Oporabia fHiyranimaria, Celaena haicorthii (Argyllshire) and several 
Krebia aethiops from Isle of Bute. 
Brephos parthenias. —Mr. May, specimens of B. partlwnias, those 
from Wimbledon in some cases having the dark markings on the hind- 
wings, leaving rounded spots near the outer margin, while those from 
Theydon Bois had the band continuous across the undenving. 
Fcjmea casta at Wicken. —Mr. W. J. Kaye, cases of F. casta from 
Wicken Fen. 
Dytiscus marginaus at Edmonton.— Mr. F. B. Jennings, living 
specimens of />. maryinalis from Edmonton, also Xaucoris cimicoules, a 
rather important addition to the Lea valley list of Hemiptera, and a 
larva of Sialis lataria. 
Transactions for 1898.—The President announced that the 
Transactions for 1898 had been received from the printers. 
Paper.— Mr. F. 1>. Jennings read a communication on “ Some 
marsh beetles of the Lea Valley.” A hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded on the motion of Messrs. Dadd and Nicholson. 
On variation of certain species of lepidoptera.— Mr. Bacot 
followed with a very minute study carefully worked out of the variation 
in broods of Malacosoina castrensis, A.rylia putris, Spilosonia urticae and 
Cncullia umbratica. An interesting discussion followed, in which 
Messrs. Prout, Dadd, Mera and May took part, Mr. Jennings moving, 
and Mr. May seconding, a vote of thanks. The paper was illustrated 
by the broods in question (paper printed in Transactions). 
Notes on Eupithecia coronata.— Mr. L. B. Prout read a com¬ 
munication on “ Notes on Eupithecia coronata, Messrs. Kaye, 
Nicholson and Dadd contributing to the discussion, Messrs. Nicholson 
and Bate expressing the thanks of the members (paper printed in 
Transactions). 
