20 
and C. virgo $ var. approaching var. anceps (Steph.), and a ? of 
same species with apex of hind-wings darkened, and Brachytrmn 
pratense, from Wicken Fen. Hymenoptera. — Hymenoptera were only 
represented by Mr. J. A. Clark’s case of large nests of Vespa 
britannica, from Forres, 1898, on fir, birch and heather, and two 
smaller, from the New Forest, on ivy and yew. Miscellaneous.— 
Dr. J. S. Sequeira sent some cases of insects (silk moths, 
bees, blister beetles, gall insects, lac and cochineal insects), and 
their products (silk, honey, wax, dyes, shellac, etc.), useful 
to man in the arts, manufactures and medicine, illustrated by 
wall-diagrams, one of which, picturing 18th century medicines 
(pill-woodlice, etc.), created sympathy for our suffering forefathers, 
who must have had every inducement to say they were cured. Mr. 
R. M. Wattson’s illustration of “Life in a Pond” was attractive. 
Large elegant glass jars, half-filled with water, on which floated pond 
weed, etc., well lighted artificially, contained Hydropkilus piceus, the 
large water-beetle; Nepa civerea, the water-scorpion ; dragon-fly 
nymphs of Micrunympha elegans, Libellula depressa, JEschna cyanea, 
besides smaller water-beetles and other inhabitants of our ponds and 
pools. Apparatus. — For catching and setting insects, which, unfor¬ 
tunately, can only be satisfactorily studied by these means, Messrs. 
Watkins and Doncaster introduced to the notice of members several 
sorts of nets, which conveniently folded up, for catching winged 
insects and for “sweeping” beetles; boxes for lame, “travelling 
boxes,” for use at the end of a holiday, when the country must he 
left and our captures are not dry enough to take off the boards without 
slipping. Mr. Bate showed a brilliant “ cat’s-eye ” electric lamp, for 
use when sugaring, very small, of light weight, and with no oil to 
ooze out. Mollusca. — Shells were exhibited by Messrs. J. A. Clark, 
R. A. Adkin, and G. K. Gude. Mr. R. Adkin’s carefully mounted 
land and freshwater shells included Helix pomatia, vars. of II. 
nemoralu and II. virgata, brown forms of H. ericetorum, and the 
exceedingly local species of II. elegans, from Dover, and a large shell 
of IAmnaea peregra had the body whorl raised abnormally into a 
decided hump. Mr. G. K. Glide’s boxes contained a beautiful 
collection of Helix aspersa, from many localities in Britain, also from 
Gibraltar, Algeria and New Zealand; and about 100 varieties of II. 
nemoralis and H. hortensis, with and without bands. Geology. — Mr. 
C. Oldham, who has collected pebbles from S. Devon and other coasts, 
and had them cut and polished, was able to show many sorts of 
Madrepores, marbles, and agates, all deserving examination and 
admiration. Botany. — Mr. Oldham also lent for the occasion his 
collection of lichens and mosses from Merioneth. Mr. F. J. Hanbury 
brought up to the meeting enough material from his splendid 
herbarium to keep botanists happy all the evening. In his selections 
he exhibited a set of Italian Alpine plants, and with great liberality 
put out for inspection some of the rarest and, in some cases, extinct 
dried British plants, all of which could be handled and examined by 
those interested. A copy of his Monograph of the British Hieracia 
(Ilawk-weeds), so far as published, was laid on the table, the delicate 
illustrations of which are from the brush of Miss Lister and Mrs. F. 
J. Hanbury. Comm. Thos. Hanbury, whom many were hoping 
would attend the gathering, most kindly made the journey from 
