4 8 
colouring, and dependent on the habits of the species. Thus, the 
natural resting-place of rupicapraria , leucophearia , and cescularia was on 
tree trunks and fences, the insects being all brown or grey-brown. On 
the other hand, defoliaria , aurantiaria, and marginaria rested among 
dead leaves, and their colour was ochreous. Defoliaria and marginaria , 
however, had acquired the habit in some localities of resting on fences, 
and in these districts the dark unicolorous specimens became more 
common. The females usually hid among leaves and rubbish at the 
roots of their foodplant by day, and ascended the trees at night; and 
he had noticed a tendency in them to become gregarious, on one occa¬ 
sion finding four female defoliaria on one tree. With regard to the 
occasional superabundance of some of the species, he expressed an 
opinion that the females sometimes migrated short distances ; but that 
the chief factor of these swarms must be looked for in local influences, 
or in the migration of a large number of males, as suggested by Mr. 
Adkin. Remarking on the time of year at which these species 
appeared, he stated that with defoliaria and aurantiaria temperature 
had but little to do with it, as pupae kept indoors emerged at the usual 
time, but that the spring species seem to wait for a few mild days before 
they made their appearance. Defoliaria , however, sometimes lay over 
in pupa until January or February if the autumn were very severe, and 
rupicapraria had passed over the time of its emergence entirely, and 
died in pupa during the following summer. All the species emerged 
about mid-day, the limits in Mr. Prout’s experience being from 9 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., both in captivity and nature. On the subject of breeding, 
he stated that defoliaria seemed to require a good depth of earth for 
pupation, and that rupicapraria and cescularia made firm cocoons, after 
the manner of brumata . The earth should be kept damp, as the larvae 
otherwise dried up when full-fed; but he had found it necessary to dig 
up the pupae just before the imagines were due, so as to allow of the 
emergence of the moths. A discussion took place, in which most of 
those present joined ; and a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Nicholson, 
and seconded by Mr. Battley, was accorded to Mr. Prout for his paper. 
Tuesday , Dece77iber 6th, 1892.—Exhibits :—Mr. Clark, a specimen of 
Vanessa cardui , taken in the New Forest, part of the wings having a 
bleached appearance. Mr. Bacot, a variable series of Hybernia 
defoliaria from Epping Forest, some specimens being very dark, others 
well banded. Mr. Prout, a long series of Caradrina blanda , and one 
specimen of C. a/sines , from Sandown. Mr. Battley, Orrhodia vaccmii 
and 0 . ligula , taken this autumn, including specimens of each with a pale 
band on the hind margin. Mr. Tutt pointed out that the banded form 
was the type of ligula , and that the parallel varietal form in vaccinii was 
very rare. Mr. Bayne, variable series of Oporabia dilutata , some 
specimens being pale and others dark, although all from the same 
locality. Mr. Smith, varieties of the undersides of L. adonis. Mr. 
Riches, a fine bred series of Xylophasia scolopacina from Highgate 
Woods ; some specimens being rather suffused. Coleoptera.—Mr. 
Heasler, specimens of Homalota cequata , Epipeda plana , Coryphium 
a?igusticolle , Prognatha quadricorne and Phlcecharis subtillisima. Mr. 
Rosevear, a living larva of Melalontha vulgaris. 
The following gentlemen were then elected as officers for 1893 :— 
President and Treasurer, Mr. J. A. Clark, F.E.S. ; Vice-Presidents, 
