8 
coloured animals are usually protected by stings, or are unpalateable to 
their enemies. Thus their conspicuous hues serve as danger signals, 
and help to secure their safety. Brightly-coloured larvae are avoided by 
birds, while green or brown ones are frequently eaten. 4. Mimicry. — 
Animals protected by stings, or otherwise, are often mimicked by others, 
who thus share their immunity from attacks of enemies. Wasps are 
mimicked by insects of other orders. Some insects resemble pieces of 
stick, leaves, etc. 5. Alluring mimicry. —Certain animals allure their 
prey by imitating objects which are attractive to them. A species of 
Mantis from India resembles the flower of an orchis, thus attracting 
various insects on which to feed. 6. Aggressive mimicry. —A fly ( Volu- 
cella bombylans), the larvae of which feed in the nest of the Humble-bee, 
mimics the latter insect, and so gains access to its nest. 7. Recognition 
markings. —Animals which live in colonies usually develop some mark 
by which they are able to recognise one another. Rabbits are enabled to 
gain a shelter from danger by following the small white tails of others that 
are nearer their burrows. 8. Sexual selection. —Females of some species 
exhibit a preference for the most brilliantly-coloured males. This has 
led to the special adornment of the males, and to the general improve¬ 
ment of the species. 
February $th, 1891.—Exhibits :—Mr. Hodges, Acronycta rumicis 
and its var. salicis , Leucania vitellina from the Isle of Wight, Emmelesia 
tceniata , and specimens of Anchocelis lunosa and Miana strigilis, showing 
the range of variation. Mr. Battley, series of “carpet ” moths; also, on 
behalf of the members of the Record Exchange Club, fine varieties of 
Crocallis elinguaria, Cidaria populata , Arctia menthastri , and Noctua 
festiva. Mr. Tutt, long series of Larentidce to illustrate his paper. 
Mr. Milton, Heliophobus hispidus , Noctua glareosa. Coleoptera :—Mr. 
Elliman, Mycetophagus atomarius , Litargus bifasciatus , Cicones varie- 
gatus, Dromius quadri-notatus , Sunius angustatus, Rhizophagus bipustu- 
latus, and other beetles. Mr. Milton exhibited Nacerdes melanura, 
Alphitobius piceus , Carabus nitens , Calosoma inquisitor and Panagceus 
crux-major. The following is the summary of a paper which was then 
read :— 
The Geometrid genera — Melanthia. Melanippe and their allies. —Mr. 
Tutt said that he had chosen the geometrid genera of “carpet” moths 
because they exhibited, perhaps better than any other group, changes 
which were now in progress. It was generally accepted by scientific 
men that transverse bands on the wings of lepidoptera had been formed 
by the union of transverse lines, and that many species exhibited incom¬ 
plete bands, the incomplete part being formed of wavy lines. Attention 
was drawn to the fact that the moths of these genera rested with out¬ 
spread wings on rocks, tree-trunks, palings, etc.; and that, taking into 
consideration the probability of a more humid climate in the British 
Isles when they were more covered with wood, there was the consequent 
certainty of a natural darkening in colour of species with such habits ; 
and since it might be safely assumed that the darker specimens with 
transverse lines represented an older form, the genus Larentia was 
probably one of the oldest genera in this group. As types of the changes 
that may have occurred, Mela 7 iippe hastata , Melanthia rubigmata , 
Melanippe montanata , M. fiuctuata , and Camptogramma bilineata were 
