39 
April 18th, 1893.—Exhibits :—Mr. Tremayne, various Hybernidce and 
a $ example of Nyssia hispidaria from Epping Forest, where the latter 
species has been somewhat plentiful this year; Mr. Eiches, bred examples 
of Smerinthus ocellatus, populi and tilice ; Mr. Clark, a series of Eupithecia 
pumilata from Bournemouth, and a 2 specimen of Selenia tetralunaria, 
recently taken in the New Forest; Mr. Smith, a 2 example of Amplii- 
dasys strataria ( prodromaria), also Asphalia flavicornis and Brephos 
parthenias from Epping Forest; he also remarked that the latter 
species had been unusually abundant there this spring; Mr. Lane, a 
series of Colias edusa, including the var. 2 helice captured last season 
at Loughton; Mr. Gates, living examples of the local Adela cuprella 
from Wimbledon, and specimens of Gelechia atriplicella from Hammer¬ 
smith. Coleoptera :—Mr. Heasler, a series of Paromalus flavicornis 
from Eichmond Park ; Mr. Clark, who had just returned from the New 
Forest, reported the capture of Aleucis pictaria and Notodonta chaonia in 
that locality, also Arctia fuliginosa at Bournemouth; he further stated 
that he had taken a 2 specimen of the glow-worm ( Lampyris noctilnca) 
on April 12th; Mr. Lewcock stated that Panolis piniperda had been fairly 
common at Farnham; and Mr. Nicholson recorded A. strataria (proclro- 
maria) from West Wickham. 
Tuesday, 2nd May, 1893.—Exhibits :—Mr. Clark, Nyssia hispidaria, 
with a pale marginal band, a pale grey specimen of Tceniocampa instabilis, 
with a dark central band, and Notodonta chaonia, all captured recently in 
the New Forest. Mr. Oldham, Trachea piniperda, a dark form of Tcenio¬ 
campa instabilis, and Brephos parthenias. Dr. Buckell, series of Polia 
chi, from various localities, including the var. suffusa, from Sheffield. 
Mr. Hollis, melanic specimens of Biurncea flagella, from Highgate, 
and living larvae of Ocneria dispar. Mr. Battley a variable series of 
Tceniocampa munda, from Epping Forest. Captain Thompson, a living 
larva of Geometra papilionaria. Mr. Adye, a series of Boarmia repanclata, 
from the New Forest, including some fine specimens of var. conversaria. 
Mr. Tremayne, living larvae from Epping Forest, including Nola cucu- 
latella, Himera pennaria and Miselia oxyacanthce. Mr. Bacot, Amphidasys 
prodromaria, Tceniocampa populeti, and a pale variety of T. instabilis, all 
from Epping Forest. 
Coleoptera :—Mr. Heasler a series of Anchomenus thoreyi, from the 
Plumstead marshes. Mr. Lewcock, a living larva of Pulex irritans. 
Mr. Tutt then read the following paper on “ Melanchroism in British 
Lepidoptera,” being a criticism of Mr. Eobson’s };)aper, “ Is moisture the 
cause of melanism? ” read before the Society, in February last. 
MELANCHEOISM IN BEITISH LEPIDOPTEEA. 
It is difficult to deal with Mr. Eobson’s paper, “ Is Moisture the 
Cause of Melanism ? ” read before the City of London Ent. Society on 
Feb. 21st last, without going into considerable detail, without going 
over ground already repeatedly trodden, and finally, without taking 
too serious notice of a paper which contains no single item on the 
subject which has not been thoroughly discussed before. 
Some little time ago it will be in your recollection, I published a 
pamphlet on Melanism and Melanochroism in British Lepidoptera, in 
which I summarised the various articles written by more or less compe¬ 
tent students of lepidoptera, and criticised the various suggestions as to 
its cause which had been offered. Mr. Eobson's paper briefly passes in 
