# The Zoologist/3rd series, vol 1 (1877)/Issue 6/Proceedings of Scientific Societies

Published in The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1, issue 6, p. 262–272
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.
Linnean Society of London.
April 5, 1877.—Prof. Allman, F.R.S., President, in the chair.
Capt. Chimmo, R.N., Westdown, Weymouth; the Rev. J. Constable, M.A., Agricultural College, Cirencester; and Prof. Liversidge, F.G.S., University, Sydney (New South Wales), were elected Fellows of the Society.
Mr. Collett, of Christiania, read a communication "On Myodes lemmus in Norway." This Scandinavian naturalist's observations on the habits and economy of the Lemming had extended over several years, and in 1876 he had published these in a Norwegian scientific periodical. Since then his attention had been called to Mr. Crotch's contributions in the Linnean 'Journal,' and, as in many particulars he differed from that author, the result was his present remarks on the subject. He stated that the number of young at a birth vary from three to eight, and two sets are annually produced. He regards their wandering propensities as a necessary consequence of their temporarily strong vitality, together with an inherent migratory instinct. The tendency, at intervals, to appear in unusually large numbers is not confined to the genus, but is common to all the species of the sub-family Arvicolinæ. The majority of the wanderers are young, and in one instance, observed by himself, were chiefly males. The migration closes with the death of the individuals, generally brought about by an epizootic disease, the result of over-population, for the denser the masses the higher the rate of mortality. The bare patch on the rump, considered by Mr. Crotch to be due to the habit of protecting themselves against stones in resisting attack, Mr. Collett states is the result of a skin ​disease, and not from the above acquired habit. He, however, supports Mr. Crotch's statements as to the number and kinds of predacious birds and mammals which, as enemies, devour the Lemmings wholesale, and also that, by a perversion of taste or otherwise, both domestic cattle and Reindeer destroy them. Their occasional enormous increase in numbers our Scandinavian field-naturalist holds is owing to periodic prolific years, to the facility of rearing their young, and to their remarkably easy procreative faculty. Parallel instances among other groups of animals—for instance, unusual swarms of butterflies, locusts, &c.—are well known, though as to the true reason of such departures in number, &c., much that is averred is only conjectural. Coincident with the notable years of the Lemming's migrations, the increase above the normal numbers of rats, mice, shrews, and even the grouse tribe, have been recorded. Mr. Collett affirms that the Lemmings travel chiefly in the direction of the valleys, and not constantly due west, as has been asserted: their great movements en masse are chiefly nocturnal. He is inclined to question Mr. Crotch's theory of a hereditary search for a lost "miocene Atlantis," and is rather of opinion that, in accounting for the periodical excess of multiplication and migratory impulse, a physiological necessity impels them; the nature of this is at present beyond our power to explain rationally and with certainty.
A further contribution to the Natural History of Swine, by Professor Rolleston, was read in abstract, this paper forming an appendix to that previously brought under the notice of the Society. The additional information is in the main confirmatory of the views already expressed by the author; but several important facts,—to wit, relative to the striping of the young of Sus celebensis and S. verrucosus, according to Dr. A.B. Meyer,—with information from other naturalists on kindred points, necessarily cause a modification of the conclusions formerly drawn.
The following botanical papers were read or referred to in abstract:—"On a Collection of Ferns made by Miss Gilpin in the Interior of Madagascar," by Mr. J.G. Baker. "Freshwater Algæ of the Cape of Good Hope," by Prof. Reinsch. "On South-African Liverworts (Hepaticæ)," by Mr. W. Mitten. "On some New Irish Lichens," by the Rev. W.A. Leighton.
April 19, 1877.—George Bentham, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair.
A paper was read by Dr. Francis Day, "On the Geographical Distribution of Indian Fresh-water Fishes" (Part II. The Siluridæ). These, the so-called Sheat-fishes, form a large family amongst the Physostomi of Asia. Mostly scaleless, their mouths are provided with sensitive feelers, which, serving as organs of touch, assist them when seeking for their prey in turbid waters. Vision in such localities would be but of slight service, and, as might be anticipated, their eyes are comparatively small, whilst with advancing age these organs become atrophied, or at least do not increase in the same ratio ​or so rapidly as the other parts of the body. In addition to augmented facilities for feeling about in muddy water, they have a considerable development of the auditory organs, which doubtless must be of essential use to them. Their power also of employing the air-vessel as a float appears to be subservient to that of hearing; living as they do a life of groundfeeders, this organ is more serviceably restricted to acoustic purposes. These fishes are almost absent from the clear waters of the Red Sea; they are more numerous in the turbulent coasts of Beloochistan, and at the mouths of the larger rivers and marine sand-flats off Sind and India, especially those of Bengal and Burma. They are comparatively rare in the open sea; in fact at the Andamans they become scarce, except such species as reside where small streams empty themselves into muddy creeks. On the other hand, in the turbid sea near Moulmein and amongst the islands of the Mergin Archipelago they abound. Siluroids likewise are found from the sea coast to the base of the Himalayas; but as they generally deposit their ova in the waters of the plains, and not (like many carps) in the rivers of the sub-Himalayan range, they very sensibly diminish on nearing the hills, though a few find a home in the upland waters. These latter genera are provided with an adhesive apparatus on the thorax, enabling them to adhere to stones, and preventing them from being carried away by the force of the stream. In these the barbels are short and the air-vessel enclosed in bone. The Siluridæ are well provided with weapons of offence and defence, viz. strong dorsal and pectoral spines, often serrated. Wounds from these spines are regarded by the natives as poisonous. In some districts, indeed, rules are enforced against bringing these fish to the market with their spines intact. It is doubtful, however, if the East-Indian Siluroids possess a distinct poison apparatus, though often ugly sores arise from wounds inflicted by the serrate spines. There is a great difference in the manner in which the different kinds deposit their ova, some few carrying the latter in their mouths. Reviewing the distribution of the different genera and species, Dr. Day shows that seventy-five species are restricted to the Indian Region, including Burma and Ceylon; six are distributed from the Indian Region, excluding Ceylon, to the Malay Archipelago, and one extends from Ceylon to the Malay Archipelago. Consequently one species, and therefore only one genus, of Indian fresh-water Siluroid extends its range to Africa, whereas six reach the Malayan Archipelago. So far results would appear to show that the present race of fresh-water fishes of India is much more closely related to a Malayan than to an African fish-fauna.
In the absence of the author, the Secretary read two papers by Captain Chimmo, R.N. One of these detailed the native mode of dragging for the beautiful Siliceous Sponges (Euplectella) by the natives of the Philippines, and on points concerning their structure; the other was a short description of a supposed new species of Rhizopod.
​Two botanical papers of interest were likewise laid before the meeting:—"On the Geographical Distribution of the Meliaceæ," by M. Cassimir De Candolle; and a "Note on the Disarticulation of Branches," by Mr. R. Irwin Lynch.
May 3, 1877.— Prof. Allman, F.R.S., President, in the chair.
Mr. James Paton, of the Kelvin Grove Museum, Glasgow, was elected a Fellow.
The demise during last year of three veteran Biologists, Von Baer, Brongniart, and Ehrenberg, having caused vacancies in the list of Foreign Members, the following gentlemen, at this meeting, were duly elected among the honorary fifty holding membership:—
M. Pierre Du Charte, of Paris, a botanist of great repute, distinguished alike for his valuable memoirs on physiological and teratological as well as other branches of Botany.
Prof. Carl Gegenbaur, of Heidelberg (formerly of Jena), whose labours and philosophical investigations into the structure and development of both vertebrate and invertebrate animals mark him as one of the greatest comparative anatomists of the day. His researches on the Heteropoda have laid the foundation of our knowledge of this group. His monograph 'On the Shoulder Girdle of Vertebrates' is now a classic, and the 'Grundzüge der Vergleichende Anatomie' has no equal as a text-book, considering the original views therein, and as an exponent of the present stand-point of a philosophical Zoology.
Prof. Rudolph Leuchart, of Leipzig, chiefly distinguished for his studies on the morphology and physiology of the lower groups of animals. His researches on the Siphonophora, the Ctenophora, the parasitic and other worms have largely contributed to a knowledge of these forms. He was the first to show the necessity for the dismemberment of Cuvier's group of the Radiata, which resulted in the establishment of the group Cœlenterata. In the 'Archiv fur Naturgeschichte' his valuable annual retrospects of the progress of knowledge in researches among the lower Invertebrates have been of immense assistance to zoological co-workers.
The first paper read and discussed was "On the Sacral Flexus and Sacral Vertebræ of Lizards," by Prof. Mivart and Prof. R. Clarke. It has of late been recognized that in any attempt to answer the question, which vertebra of any lower animal answers to the first sacral vertebra of man, the nervous distribution quite as much as the bone relations require ample consideration. The authors discuss the researches of Professors Gegenbaur and Hofmann, and then proceed to describe their own dissections of the parts in question in the Chameleon, the Green Lizard, the Common Teguexin, the Iguana, the Monitor, and others. Afterwards they institute ​a comparison of the parts in the Batrachia, and of the sacral region in certain groups of the birds, and, in a somewhat technical summary, state their belief that, although often very puzzling and complicated from occasional variations in species and otherwise, the true sacral vertebræ may be defined in all Vertebrates above fishes where hind limbs are well developed.
A contribution on Corals, viz. "Notes on the genus Alveolites (Lamarck) and on some Allied Forms of Palæozoic Corals," by Prof. H. Alleyne Nicholson and Mr. Robert Etheridge, Jun., in the absence of those gentlemen, was read by the Secretary. It seems, according to these authors' researches, that the name Alveolites covers a multitude of forms which are not always united by relations of genuine affinity; even definition of the so-called type-forms are subject to different interpretations. To clear difficulties examination of a large series has been instituted, and microscopic sections, whenever available, have been made and carefully compared. Discussing the characters and attributes of the genus, and placing the question in its historical aspect, they proceed by taking the affinities of the several species in groups:—
Group A.—Alveolites suborbicularis (Lamarck), along with which may be placed A. compressa (Edw. & Ham.), A. Labechei (E. & H.), and A. Grayi (E. & H.); these agreeing, however, in many respects with the genus Favosites.
Group B.—Cœmites (Eichwald): not easily separated from the foregoing.
Group C.—Brachypora (Lindström). The A. Fischeri (Bill.) and A. frondosa are referable to this genus.
Group D.—Alveolites septosa (Fleming), with which they add Chætites radians (Fisch.) and A. depressa (Flem.) as natural allies.
Group E.—Chætites (Fisch.), with Monticulipora (D'Orb.) and Stenopora (Lonsd.), have much in common with Alveolites and Favosites.
Group F.—Alveolites Goldfussi (Bill.), with which A. Rœmeri is allied, comes near A. Tongti (E. & H.), which latter Lindström puts with Favosites; but further investigation is necessary as to these latter.
Mr. Alfred W. Bennett exhibited and made remarks on some specimens of abnormal primroses; and Mr. G.S. Boulger read a short paper on the perfoliate pennycress (Thlaspi perfoliatum).—James Murie.
Zoological Society of London.
April 17, 1877.—Osbert Salvin, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair.
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March, and called particular attention to a collection of rare Himalayan Passeres, purchased March 8th, ​embracing examples of several ornamental species new to the Society's Collection, and two young male Orang-outangs (Simia satyrus), presented March 13th, by Dr. R. Sim.
The Secretary exhibited and made remarks on some young Anacondas, which had been produced dead by the large female Anaconda purchased on the 15th February.
The Secretary exhibited some photographs of the young Gorilla, now living in the Berlin Aquarium, and made some remarks on what, it now seemed certain, was an example of this ape, which was formerly living in one of Wombwell's travelling menageries, and was after its death transferred to the late Mr. C. Waterton's collection.
A letter was read from Mr. W.A. Willes, in which he gave an account of the success which had attended the endeavours of the Acclimatisation Society at Christchurch to introduce Salmon into New Zealand from the United States.
A communication was read from Mr. W.A. Forbes, containing a description of the peculiar organ known as the Bursa Fabricii in birds, and of its variations and modifications in the different genera of the class which he had had an opportunity of examining.
A communication was read from M. L. Taczanowski, in which he gave a list of the birds collected in North-Western Peru in 1876 by Messrs. Jelski and Holzmann. Amongst several new and interesting forms described was a new genus and species of Fringillidæ, proposed to be called Gnathospiza Raimondii.
A communication was read from the Rev. R. Boog Watson, containing some notes on the Madeiran mollusk identified by the Rev. R.T. Lowe as Achatina folliculus.
A communication was read from Mr. E.P. Ramsay containing the concluding portion of his list of birds met with in North-Eastern Queensland, chiefly at Rockingham Bay.
A communication was read from Dr. Otto Finsch, containing a preliminary account of the birds collected during his recent journey in the North-Eastern part of Turkestan.
A communication was read from Prof. Owen, containing the description of a new species of extinct Kangaroo of the genus Sthenurus, which he proposed to call Sth. minor, together with some remarks on the relation of this genus to Dorcopsis.
M. Edgar A. Smith read a paper containing descriptions of new species of South-American Helicidæ in the British Museum.
The Marquis of Tweeddale gave descriptions of four new species of birds from the Indian region. These he proposed to name as follows:—Trichostoma leucoprocta, Chrysococcyx Limborgi and Pomatorhinus Austeni (from Tenasserim), and Brachypteryx Buxtoni (from Sumatra).
​Mr. Osbert Salvin exhibited and pointed out the character of a new genus and species of bird of the family Ampelidæ, from Costa Rica, and proposed to call it Phainoptila melanoxantha.
May 1, 1877.— Prof. Newton, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
Mr. Howard Saunders exhibited and made remarks on some nests and eggs of the Orphean Warbler (Sylvia orpheus), from the vicinity of Malaga, Spain. Amongst the eggs in each nest were one or two of larger size, supposed to be possibly the eggs of the Cuckoo. Mr. Howard Saunders also exhibited two skins of Dupont's Lark (Certhilauda Duponti) from the same locality.
Prof. St. George Mivart read a paper on the axial skeleton of the Pelecanidæ, selecting Pelecanus as his type and standard of comparison. Prof. Mivart first compared it, as regards its axial skeleton, with Struthio, and other Struthionidæ, and then compared the other Steganopodes with it and with one another.
A communication was read from Dr. M. Watson, Professor of Anatomy, Owen's College, Manchester, on the anatomy of Hyæna crocuta, in which he described the very peculiar conformation of the female generative organs of that animal.
Mr. A.G. Butler read a paper wherein he gave the description of two small collections of Heterocerous Lepidoptera, from New Zealand, recently brought to England by Dr. Hector and Mr. J.D. Enys.
A communication was read from Dr. O. Finsch, giving an account of a small collection of birds from the Marquesas Islands. Amongst these were three examples of a new species of Kingfisher, proposed to be called Halcyon Godeffroyi.
A communication from Mr. Frederick Smith contained descriptions of four new species of Ichneumonidæ in the collection of the British Museum. Amongst these was a new Bracon, remarkable for having its ovipositor more than nine times the length of its body. This was proposed to be called Bracon penetrator, and had been received from Yokohama, Japan.
Prof. A.H. Garrod read some notes on the anatomy and systematic position of the genera Thinocorus and Attagis, which he considered should be referred to the Limicolæ, in the neighbourhood of Glareola and Cursorius.
May 15, 1877.—Prof. Mivart, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March, and called particular attention to a Ceylonese Fish-Owl (Ketupa ceylonensis) from Ceylon, presented April 4th by Capt. H.B. Turner; a female Antelope of an uncertain species, transmitted by the Sultan of Zanzibar, along with other animals, to the Prince of Wales, and deposited by His Royal Highness in ​the Gardens on April 24th; a Pigmy Marmozet (Hapale pygmæa), purchased April 27th, and stated to have been obtained at Pebas on the Upper Amazons, and two Yellow-thighed Parrots (Caica xanthomera), new to the collection, received along with the Marmozet from the Upper Amazons.
Mr. Sclater made some remarks on the progress and condition of the Zoological Gardens of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent, which he had just visited.
A communication was read from Mr. G.S. Brady, containing a monograph of the fossil Ostracoda of the Antwerp Crag.
A communication was read from Dr. F. Day, containing a notice of the capture of a specimen of Coregonus oxyrhynchus on the coast of Lincolnshire.
A communication was read from the Marquis of Tweeddale, containing a memoir on the birds of the genus Batrachostomus. The author came to the conclusion that there were seven recognizable species of this difficult group, inhabiting the Indian Region, one of which, yet undescribed, was from the Philippines. The rule appeared to be that the females were rufous from the nest, while the males are brown and sometimes spotted.
Mr. Edward R. Alston read the description of a Shrew, from Guatemala, which had been indicated without being characterized by the late Dr. Gray, and for which the name of Sorex veræ-pacis was now proposed.
Prof. A.H. Garrod read the second portion of a series of papers on the anatomy of Passerine Birds.
A communication was read from Mr. T.E. Buckley, containing additional remarks on the past and present Geographical Distribution of the larger Mammals of South Africa.—P.L. Sclater, Secretary.
Entomological Society of London.
April 4, 1877.—Prof. Westwood, M.A., F.L.S., President, in the chair.
Mr. George Harding, of Stapleton, Bristol; Mr. Charles Adolphus Briggs, of 55, Lincoln's Inn Fields; and Mr. John T. Carrington, of the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, were balloted for and elected Ordinary Members.
Mr. E. Howard Birchall, Mr. T.D. Gibson Carmichael, Dr. Edward Capron, and Mr. Valentine Cluse were balloted for and elected Subscribers.
The Secretary exhibited a collection of fine species of Lepidoptera from Siam (about twenty miles from Bangkok), forwarded to him by Mr. R. Garner, of Stoke-upon-Trent.
Mr. M'Lachlan exhibited a specimen of Ophideres materna, a brightly-coloured exotic species of Noctuidæ, given to him by Mr. R.H. Scott, of the Meteorological Office, with a note to the effect that it was taken at sea in lat. 25° 24' S., long. 62° 10' E. (the nearest land being the island of ​Mauritius, about 360 miles distant), by Captain Raeburn, of the ship 'Airlie.' The moth is a common Indian species, but is found also in Africa. A specimen was long ago received from Brazil, and Mr. Grote had recently noticed its occurrence in Florida.
Mr. M'Lachlan also exhibited a cocoon and pupæ of a species of Cetoniidæ (probably Diplognathus silaceus) from Cameroons, sent to Mr. Rutherford. The cocoon appeared to be formed of dark brown earth, but attached thickly to the exterior were oval, slightly flattened, deep black, hard bodies (each nearly five lines long by two broad), which he thought were probably the excrement of some rodent quadruped.
Mr. Champion exhibited Stenus Kiesemwetteri (hitherto only found in this country at Wimbledon), Gymnusa brevicollis, Bembidium nigricorne, and Plociomerus luridus, all from Chobham; also Philonthus cicatricosus from Shoreham.
Mr. Howard Vaughan exhibited (on behalf of Mr. Bidwell) a specimen of Notodonta trilophus, taken about the year 1867 at Ipswich by a lamplighter. Mr. Douglas had captured some years ago at St. Osyth, in Essex, what was hitherto the only authentic British specimen of this insect.
The President read some interesting remarks from a letter he had received from Mr. B.G. Cole respecting some specimens of Ephyra punctaria which he had bred from eggs laid by the same female, the greater number of which emerged from the pupæ in July (as the spotted variety), while the remainder appeared in May, in all respects resembling the mother. He repeated the experiment in 1876 with similar results; all but one pupa from a batch of eggs laid in May appeared in July as the spotted form (males and females), the single exception remaining still in pupa, which it was presumed would appear during the coming May in the vernal dress. In this latter case he had reared a second brood of larvæ from eggs laid by some of the July females, all of which were now in the chrysalis state. Mr. Cole added—
"May not the above be considered a case of 'season-dimorphism' analogous to that occurring in Pieris, Araschnia, Selenia, &c., as investigated by Dr. Weismann, a slow process of development during the winter being necessary for the production of the May form (which may be considered the type), whilst if the development of the pupa is hastened by the heat (and light?) of summer, the smaller and less perfect individuals are the result. Referring to the similar case of Selenia illustraria, Dr. Knaggs (Entom. Mo. Mag., vol. iii. p. 238) remarks as follows:—'It is pretty well known that in the natural sequence illustraria reproduces itself in the form of delunaria and vice versâ. But what I assert is, that whenever (whether at large, owing to exceptionally hot or long summer seasons, or in captivity from warmth, assisted perhaps by what Mr. Crewe has happily termed "feeding up quickly") the completion of the pupal stage is accelerated, then delunaria produces delunaria, not illustraria. Further, it is my belief ​that the converse will be found to hold good, viz. that should the completion of the pupal stage be retarded either by cold seasons or climates in a state of nature, or artificially by aid of an ice-well, illustraria, not delunaria, would be found to result from illustraria.' And again (loc. cit. p. 256) he puts it thus:—'If I. = illustraria, D. = delunaria, and—= winter; then if there be but one brood in the year the sequence will be I.—I.—I., and so on; if two broods, I.D.—I.D.—I.D., and so on; if three broods, I.D.D.—I.D.D., and so on.'
"I have not yet tried the effect of artificial retardation on the pupæ of Ephyra, but intend to do so when opportunity offers. My experiment shows that the effect of natural retardation over the winter months is to produce the type whatever may be the form of the parents; and that such natural retardation does usually (? always) occur in polygoneutic species I believe to be true from my experience in breeding various insects. Remembering that the summer broods of season-dimorphic species are smaller, and apparently vitally weaker than the spring ones, and that it is from the former that the latter are usually descended, may we not assume that the provision by which some few of the direct offspring of the spring forms are preserved through the winter in the pupal state, and so are enabled to pair with the offspring of the summer form, is of advantage to the species, in affording a 'cross' between individuals which have developed under very different conditions? A similar benefit may be derived in the commonly observed case of individual pupæ of single-brooded moths (e.g. Eriogaster and many Notodontidæ) remaining two, three, or more years in that stage, and then eventually making their appearance at the proper season with the ordinary flight of the species.
"As bearing on the above suggestion, I may refer to what occurs in those single-brooded moths (Sphinx Convolvuli, Acherontia Atropos, &c.), which sometimes appear abnormally from the pupa before the winter hybernation, or which by 'forcing' have been artificially so developed. It has been stated, I believe, in most such cases in which an anatomical examination has been made, that the ovaries, &c., were found in an abortive or rudimentary condition. This goes to show that a long period of quiescence is necessary to perfect these delicate and highly specialized organs, and by a parity of reasoning it may perhaps be assumed that those pupæ which remain longest in that stage will (ceteris paribus) produce the most highly developed and vitalized images."
The President read "Notes upon a Strepsipterous Insect parasitic on an Exotic Species of Homoptera (Epora subtilis, Walk.) from Sarawak," accompanied by drawings illustrating the metamorphosis. He also read Notes on the Genus Prosopistoma, especially with regard to the species from Madagascar described by Latreille, of which he exhibited the types.
​Mr. Cameron communicated a paper on East Indian Tenthredinidæ; and Mr. Butler a paper on the Lepidoptera of the Amazon Valley, collected by Dr. Trail in the years 1873–75.
Mr. Baly communicated "Descriptions of new Species of Halticidæ," and Mr. C.O. Waterhouse, "A Monograph of the Australian Species of the Coleopterous family Lycidæ."
Mr. Frederick Smith read "Descriptions of new Species of the Genera Pseudomyrma and Tetraponera belonging to the Family Myrmicidæ.
May 2, 1877.— J.W. Dunning, M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
Messrs. H.J. Adams, Charleston Adams, and J.W. Slater were elected Members of the Society.
Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited a large silken cocoon from the Cape of Good Hope, supposed to be a spider's nest. On being opened it was found to contain, among other débris, a number of skins of small spiders and remains of the elytra of a beetle of the genus Moluris. Mr. Weir also exhibited a spider's nest from Montserrat.
Mr. F. Grut exhibited a large species of Chelifer from North Spain.
Sir Sidney Saunders exhibited a spider, Atypus sulzeri, taken on Hampstead Heath; it was found inhabiting tubes concealed under bushes in hedges. These tubes project about four inches above the ground and extend about ten inches beneath the surface. Mr. Jenner Weir remarked that he had observed the same or an allied species on the South Downs.
Mr. Champion exhibited a series of Alaus Parlyssi from Thaso Island.
Mr. C.O. Waterhouse exhibited specimens of Dohrnia miranda (Newm.), a Heteromerous beetle from Tasmania; also Creophilus erythrocephalus and Forficula erythrocephala from the same region, these two last insects having some resemblance to each other. Mr. Bates suggested that the resemblance might possibly be accounted for by the two insects mimicking some other species.
Sir Sidney Saunders communicated a paper "On the Adult Larvæ of Stylopidæ and their Puparia," and exhibited specimens in illustration.
Mr. H.W. Bates communicated a paper "On Ceratorhina quadrimaculata (Fab.), and Descriptions of Two new Allied Species." Specimens of the new species and also of C. Morgani (Westw.) were exhibited by the author.
Mr. Dunning urged upon authors of papers the advisability of exhibiting specimens of the new species described in their communications in all cases where possible.—R. Meldola, Hon. Sec.