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THIS SOCIETY has for its object the diffusion of the science
of Natural History, by means of papers, discussions,
exhibitions, and the formation of collections for reference.
Since its commencement in 1858, a valuable and useful Library
has been formed, which comprises, amongst other works, sets of the
“Zoologist” (1843—1897), “Entomologist” (Vols. 1 — 42), “ Ento¬
mologist’s Monthly Magazine” (Vols. 1—44), and the “Ento¬
mologist’s Record and Journal of Variation ” (Vols. 1 — 20). There

is also a collection of British Lepidoptera, and collections of other
orders are now in course of formation.

The meetings take place on the first and third Tuesdays in
each month, except July and August, from 7.30 to 9.30 pan., at
the London Institution, Finsbury Circus, E.C., which is easily
accessible from all parts. • Exhibits are made at every meeting,
and papers read on various Natural History Subjects, a special
feature being the systematic discussion and exhibition of interesting
groups of insects, etc.

The Entrance Fee is Two Shillings and Sixpence, and the
Annual Subscription Seven Shillings and Sixpence, payable in
advance, being fixed at as moderate a sum as is possible, consistent
with the proper maintenance of the Society and its work, in order
that all may avail themselves of the benefit offered. The Society
therefore looks with confidence for the support of all who are
interested in the study of Natural History.

The year commences on the first Tuesday in December, but
intending members may join at any time, the ballot being taken at.
the next ordinary meeting after that on which they are proposed.

Further information may be obtained from the corresponding
Secretary.

Tr^TKNSTKeTioNs

OF THE

CITY OF LONDON

Entomological & Natural History

Society

FOR THE YEAR 1911.

PUBLISHED BY THE

CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY,

THE LONDON INSTITUTION, FINSBURY CIRCUS, E.C.

Price Two Shillings.

CITY OF LONDON

Entomological & Natural History

SOCIETY,

Established 18S8.

MEETINGS HELD AT

The London Institution

FINSBURY CIRCUS, E.C.

Council for the Year 1911.

President

• •

A. W. Mera.

T. A. Chapman, Dr., f.z.s., f.e.s.

Vice-Presidents

Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, f.e.s.
Frederick J. Hanbory, f.l.s., f.e
L. B. Prout, f.z.s., f.e.s.

Trustees

James Scott Sequeira, m.r.c.s.

L. B. Prout, f.z.s., f.e.s.

Treasurer ..

P. H. Tautz,

33, North Audley Street, W

Librarians ..

V. Eric Shaw.

F. B. Cross.

Curators

G. G. C. Hodgson.

A. J. Willsdon.

S. J. Bell,

Reporting

“ Wyndcroft,” Farnborougli,

Hon. Secretaries

Kent.

Corresponding

Thos. H. L. Grosvenor,

Walldeans, Gloucester Road, Kedhill.

ANI>

Messrs. H. M. Edf.lkten, J. E. Gardner, L. W. Newman, C. Pickett, J. Riches.

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

City of London Entomological

AND

Natural History Society.

PART XXI.

(1911.)

WITH LIST OF MEMBERS.

THE SOCIETY’S ROOMS, LONDON INSTITUTION
FINSBURY CIRCUS, E.C.

April, 1912.

Names and Addresses of Members.

Adkin, R., f.e.s., 4, Lingard’s Road, Lewisham, S.E.

Bacot, A., f.e.s., 1, York Cottages, York Hill, Loughton, Essex.

Bayne, A. F., f.e.s., Gerencia, Ferro Carril Del Sud, Buenos Ayres.

Beattie, Wm., 9, Edith Villas, West Kensington.

Bell, S. J., “ Wyndcroft,” Farnborough, Kent.

Benton, R. G., Cotswold, Queen’s Avenue, Muswell Hill.

Bowles, E. A., ji.a., f.l.s., f.e.s., Myddleton House, Waltham Cross, Herts.
Brady, Jas., 4, Ham Park Road, Stratford, E.

Briggs, C. A., f.e.s., Rock House, Lynmouth, R.S.O., North Devon.

Brooke, Chas., 1, Berners Street, W.

Borrows, Rev. C. R. N., The Vicarage, Mucking, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.
Capper, Chas., Glyndale, Glebe Road, Barnes Common.

Chapman, Dr. T. A., f.z.s., f.e.s., Betula, Reigate, Surrey.

Cockayne, E. A., f.e.s., 16, Cambridge Square, W.

Conquest, G. H., The Moorings, Meteor Road, Westcliff-on-Sea.

Crabtree, B. H., f.e.s., Cringle Lodge, Levenshulme, Manchester. .

Cross, F. B., Park Villa, Bruce Grove, Tottenham, N.

Dodd, W. R., Trederwen, Village Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Edelsten, H. M., f.e.s., The Elms, Forty Hill, Enfield.

Edwards, S., f.l.s., f.z.s., f.e.s., Kidbrooke Lodge, Blackheath, S.E.

Gardner, J. E., 204, Evering Road, Clapton, N.E.

Gibbs, A. E., Kitchener’s Mead, St. Albans.

Grosvenor, Thos. H. L., Walldeans, Gloucester Road, Redhill.

Hanbury, Frederick J., f.l.s., f.e.s., Brockhurst, East Grinstead.

Hanbury, F. Capel, The Gables, Forty Hill, Enfield.

Harris, Edward, f.e.s., St. Conan’s, Chingford, Essex.

Harrison, A., f.l.s., f.c.s., f.e.s., Delamere, Grove Road, South Woodford.
Hayward, H. C., Repton School, Repton, Derbyshire.

Heath, G. H., 277, Brockley Road, S.E.

Hemming, Mrs., Cambridge Lodge, Horley, Surrey.

Hemming, A. F., Cambridge Lodge, Horley, Surrey.

Hodgson, G. G. C., Stoneleigb, Oxford Road, Redhill,

Hodson, L. S., Maisonette, Palmers Green, N.

Hopson, Montagu F., l d.s., r.c.s., Eng., f.l.s., f.e.s.,

30, Thurlow Road, Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, N.W.
Jackson, F. W. J., Woodcote End House, Epsom.

James, Russell E., 18, Onslow Gardens, Highgate, N.

Kaye, W. J., f.e.s., Caracas, Ditton Hill, Surbiton.

King, Henry A., Oakleigh, Coolhnrst Road, Crouch End, N.

Langford, D., Brooklyn, Dollis Road, Church End, Finchley.

Leach, H. R., Elmcroft, Rickmansworth.

Massey, Herbert, f.e.s., Ivy Lea, Burnage, Didsbury.

Mera, A. W., 79, Capel Road, Forest Gate, E.

Morris, J., 14, Ranelagh Avenue, Barnes.

Newbery, E. A., 13, Oppidans Road, Primrose Hill, N.W.

Newman, L. W., f.e.s., 41, Salisbury Road, Bexley, Kent.

Nicholson, C., 35, The Avenue, Hale End, Chingford, N.E.

Pearson, G., 10, Brushfield Street, Bishopsgate, E.C.

Pennington, F., Mannings Hill, Cranleigh, Surrey.

Phillips, Hubert C., m. r.c.s., Eng., m. & l.s.a. Lond., f.e.s.,

262, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, W.
Pickett, C. P., f.e.s., 28, Cohvorth Road, Leytonstone.

Prout, Louis B., f.e.s., 62, Graham Road, Dalston, N.E.

Raynor, Rev. G. H., M.A.,Hazeleigh Rectory, Maldon, Essex.

Riches, J., 52, Calverley Grove, Hornsey Rise, N.

Robinson, F. J., The Cottage, Reddown Road, Coulsdon.

Roctledge, G. B., f.e.s., Tarn Lodge, Headsnook, Carlisle.

Rydon, A., Awbrook, Lindfield, Sussex.

Sauze, H. A., 35, Collingtree Road, Sydenham, S.E.

Scollick, A., 8, Mayfield Road, Merton Road, Wimbledon.

Sequeira, James Scott, m.r.c.s., Crescent House, Cassland Road, South

Hackney, N.E.

Shaw, V. Eric, Betula, Fallow Court Avenue, North Finchley.

Sich, Alfred, f.e.s., Corney House, Chiswick, W.

Simmons, C. W., 43, Fairmead Road, Tufnell Park, N.

Smith, Roland, T., Osbaldestone Road, Stoke Newington, N.

Studd, E. F., m.a., b.c.l., f.e.s., Oxton, Exeter.

Tautz, H. E., The Mithers, Nower Hill, Pinner, Middlesex.

Tautz., P. H., 33, North Audley Street, W.

Todd, R. G., The Limes, Hadley Green, N.

Tonge, A. E., f.e.s., Aincroft, Grammar School Hill, Reigate.

Wightman, A. J., Ailsa Craig, Lewes, Sussex.

Williams, H. B., 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington.

Willsdon, A. J., 46, Dover Road, South Wanstead, Essex.

Wright, J. A., Grange Road, Bushey, Herts.

Honorary Members.

Anderson, E., 11, Marlton Crescent, St. Ixilda, Melbourne, Australia.

Avebury, Right Hon. Lord, i>.c., d.c.l., f.r.s., f.l.s., f.g.s., f.e.s., High Elms,

Beckenham.

Hcckett, T., New North Road, Islington, N.

Walsingham, Right Hon. Lord, m.a., ll.d., f.r.s., f.l.s., f.z.s., f.e.s., Merton

Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

31st December, 1910.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS.

December 20th, 1910. — Vanessa c-album. — Mr. H. M. Edelsten,
a series bred from Wye Valley ova, 1910.

Lyc.ena corydon, abs., from South Downs. — Mrs. Hemming, two
suffused $ s, one partially striate 2 , and two partially obsolete $ s.

Amphidasys betularia — larvae.— Mr. A. W. Mera exhibited some
larv* showing effects of environment in differences in coloring.

Angerona prunaria. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, a drawer full, showing
differences in colour of larvae, pupae, and imagines ascribed to rearing
the former under different coloured muslins.

Discussion. — Mr. L. B. Prout opened a discussion on “ The
relative value of environment and heredity as factors in production of
local races.” Dr. Chapman, Dr. Hodgson, and Messrs. Edelsten,
Riches, Shaw, and Willsdon took part in the discussion.

January 3rd, 1911. — New Member. — Mr. B. S. Williams, of
77, Durham Road, East Finchley, was elected to membership of the
Society.

Abraxas grossulariata, ab. — Mr. G. Brooks, a specimen with the
usual yellow markings obsolete, and ground colour of all wings deep
yellow.

Epinephele ianira, ab. — Mr. C. L. Collenette, a 2 taken at
Salcombe, 1908, the wings bleached to colour of old ivory with usual
fulvous patches only faintly indicated.

Sesia sphegiformis, assembling. — Mr. G. H. Conquest, a series
taken at Brentwood, June, 1895, by assembling with a bred 2 .

Lepidoptera from Southend (Essex) district. — Mr. Conquest
exhibited series of various lepidoptera he had taken, including
Cirrlioedia xerampelina, August-September, 1904 ; Spilodes palealis,
bred from larvie found in the umbels of Daucaa carota, September,
1902 and 1905 ; Sclioenobius r/u/antellus, taken at light, June, 1910.

Dianthcecia luteago var. barrettii — bred. — Mr. H. M. Edelsten,
specimens bred from Devon, 1910.

Tapinostola hellmanni — bred. — Mr. Edelsten, a series bred from
Wicken Fen larvas, 1910.

Leucania c-album — bred. — Mr. Edelsten, a specimen bred ab. ovo,

1910.

Melinia flammea, ab. — Mr. Edelsten, a pale aberration from
Horning.

Melit^a aurinia. — Mrs. Hemming, a long captured and bred series
from Wiltshire, 1910 ; several of the bred specimens exhibited a
distinct tendency to var. praeclara. Dr. G. G. C. Hodgson, a series of
M. aurinia selected from 113 specimens bred from Wiltshire larvie in
1910. Wide variation was shown, covering the range that would be
displayed in a composite series from such widely separated localities
as Kent, Surrey, Isle of Wight, Devon, Glamorgan, West Meath,
Cumberland, and Argyle. There was a marked tendency to melanism

XXL

in some examples, while in others the black borders tended to
obsolescence ; some tended to var. praeclara, and others showed
almost unvaried fulvous coloration. In some specimens the usually
constant ochreous blotch in centre of hindwings was replaced by black.
Mr. F. B. Cross, M. aurinia from Wiltshire and Cumberland, a
specimen from the latter district with basal three-fourths of superiors
almost entirely black ; also M. athalia from Devonshire.

Argynnis selene. — -Mr. A. F. Hemming, a comparative series from
Princethorpe (Warwick) and Ashdown (Surrey). The former imagines
were much larger than the more normal sized ones from Ashdown.
Measurements showed that the largest and smallest g , and largest
and smallest J from Princethorpe were 8mm., 3mm.. 7mm., and
2mm. respectively, wider in wing expanse than corresponding imagines
from Ashdown.

Hybrids. — Mr. A. W. Mera exhibited hybrids bred from pairing of
Nyssia lapponaria 2 and N. zonaria $ .

Trichiura cratvegi, vars. — Mr. L. W. Newman, dark forms from
Selkirk, and pale forms from Lincoln.

Pericallia syringaria. — Mr. Newman, a J , the coloration of
which approached the reddish coloration of the g .

Variation of Gnophos obscurata. — Mr. L. B. Prout, a long series
from Folkestone, August, 1910, showing considerable range of variation,
some g s nearly white, some 2 s blackish, many specimens with two
black lines very pronounced, and a good proportion of the banded ab.
fascia ta (Prout).

Geometrid.e from Victoria, B.C. — Mr. Prout, on behalf of Mr. H.
J. Turner, exhibited a box of Geometridae collected by Mr. A. J. Croker,
showing close affinity with paliearctic species.

Abraxas grossulariata, abs. — Mr. J. Riches, a number of more
or less aberrant specimens bred 1910 from North London, also a
similar exhibit on behalf of Mr. J. P. Mutch.

Vanessa io, var. cyanosticta (Raynor). — Mr. V. E. Shaw, three
specimens bred from Darentb, August, 1910, also a teratological
example from same brood — the right-hand wings being considerably
smaller than the left-hand pair.

Asymmetrical Zyg.ena filipendul^e.— Mr. V. E. Shaw, a specimen
with spots confluent on left wing, right wing being normal, bred from
Dover pupa August, 1910.

Vanessa antiopa from Oakham (Rutland). — Mr. P. H. Tautz, a
specimen taken inside a shop window on October 20th, 1910, by Mr.
A. Hassan.

Luperina gueneei. — Mr. R. G. Todd, specimens from St. Anne’s-
on-Sea, 1909.

Hydrilla palustris. — Mr. Todd, a specimen taken at Wicken,
1909.

Tapinostola concolor bred. — Mr. Todd, a short series he had
bred ah ovu from Northants, 1909.

Cgdnobia rufa, abs. — Mr. Todd, two very dark specimens — ap¬
parently a new aberration, same not being identifiable with ab. fusca.

Lepidoptera from Finchley and Barnet. — Mr. B. S. Williams, a
number of specimens, including a very dark example of Cosmia

XXL

trapezina, also Plusia moneta, Cymotophora cluptaris, Xylophasia scolo-
pacina, Lnperina cespitis and Cirrhoedia xerampelina.

January 17th, 1911. — New Member. — Mr. G. Brooks, of 28, Hilton
Avenue, Friern Barnet, was elected to membership of the Society.

Senta maritima, vars.— Mr. S. J. Bell, N. maritima var. bipunctata
and var. nigro-striata from Isle of Wight, July, 1909. Mr. C. Capper,
S. maritima, with vars. bipunctata, nigro-striata, wismariensis, and
combinata from Isle of Wight.

Melanic Psilura monacha — bred. — Mr. C. Capper, specimens bred
from wild parents, New Forest, 1910.

Callimorpha hera.— Mr. C. Capper, series bred 1909 and 1910 from
Dawlish, including yellow (ah. lutesccns) and brick red forms.

LycvEna corydon var. semi-syngrapha. — Mr. C. Capper, a specimen
from Isle of Wight.

Xylofhila prasinana, ab. — Mr. Capper, a specimen with the
transverse lines nearly obsolete.

Dianthcecia conspersa. — Mr. F. B. Cross, specimens from North
Cornwall including one very dark, almost unicolorous save for pale
marginal line.

Dianthcecia carpophaga. — Mr. H. M. Edelsten, a long and very
variable series bred from Sussex pupae, the emergence extending from
the end of May to mid-August ; the specimens ranged from dark well
marked to almost white forms with only the stigmata faintly indicated.

Argynnis paphia and var. valezina. — Mrs. C. Hemming, specimens
bred 1909 and 1910 from New Forest parents, showing increase of
black markings, one $ having broad black dashes following the
nervures at base of superiors, also var. valezina with enlarged black
markings and general suffusion.

Hesperia thaumas. — Mr. A. F. Hemming, a series from Sussex,
August, 1910, showing two distinct forms occurring together ; one
with light ground colour and narrow border, and the other with dark
ground colour and broad border.

T^eniocampa pulverulenta var. haggerti. — Mr. J. Morris, a
specimen taken at Godaiming, Surrey.

Boarmia repandata var. nigra. — Mr. J. Morris, specimens from
Sheffield.

Paper. — Mr. C. Capper read an interesting paper on his collecting
experiences during 1910.

February 7th, 1911. — New Member. — Mr. Charles H. Williams,
of 36, Dartmouth Street, Westminster, S.W., was elected to member¬
ship of the Society.

Decease of Member. — Dr. T. A. Chapman announced, with deep
regret, the death of Dr. G. G. C. Hodgson, and proposed that an
expression of the meeting’s regret at the loss to the Society of an
active and highly esteemed member be recorded in the minutes and
conveyed to Dr. Hodgson’s relatives ; the resolution was supported by
Mr. L. B. Prout, and duly adopted.

Anticlea rubidata. — Mr. S. J. Bell exhibited a series he had bred
in 1910 from Isle of Wight ova; the imagines were all of the bright
red form.

xxi.

Smerinthus populi, ab. — Mr. G. Brooks exhibited a specimen,
dark brown in colour, taken at Barnet, 1910.

Noctua augur var. omega (Esper). — Mr. V. E. Sbaw, a specimen
taken at sugar, Finchley, June 28th, 1910. This variety is referred
to by Tutt in his British Noctuae and their Varieties as a very rare
form.

Sesia crabroniformis. — Mr. L. W. Newman stated that when
collecting osier stumps some were found to contain not only full-fed
larvae, but also many young larvae. The stumps were kept on the
concrete floor of a glass-house, and the young larvae migrated from
the small stems to the larger stumps.

Pupation of Sesia culiciformis. — Mr. L. W. Newman drew
attention to the fact that the larva of this insect pupates head down¬
wards in year old stems of the birch, while larvae in the stumps of
course pupate head upwards.

February 21st, 1911. — Dr. T. A. Chapman, photographs of $
appendages of Scoparia, also various specimens of the genus to
illustrate his remarks on same.

Dasypolia templi. — Mr. F. B. Cross, a series bred from pupae
received from Unst, 1910.

Sesia crabroniformis.— Mr. L. W. Newman, stems showing
borings and cappings made by S. crabroniformis, some in living and
some in dead wood, also stems containing larvae of the musk beetle,
which he said feed side by side with S. crabroniformis, and display
similar habits.

Paper. — Dr. T. A. Chapman read a paper entitled “ A note on
Scoparia,” showing on an examination of the male appendages that
S. ambigualh and S. atomalis are, as is usually now accepted, one
species ; that S. basistrigalis is a very distinct species, as also is S.
ulmella from every other British species, but that it is closely related
to, possibly a geographical race, of S. manifestella. It also appeared
that not only English S. ingratella, but also the continental form
bearing that name, is a variety (or at times an ab.) of S. dubitalis.
The British species divide into two sections, “ Moss-feeders ” and
“ Root-feeders,” with S. pallida and S. crataeyella as not quite typical
of either section. These divisions were clearly recognised by Guenee
in 1854, but have since been treated with neglect. (The full data on
which these conclusions are founded are given in a paper read
March 15th, 1911, at Ent. Soc. of London, by Dr. Chapman.)

March 7th, 1911. — Exhibition of Cosmiid;e. — Mr. H. M. Edelsten,
specimens from Epping Forest and Enfield. Mr. A. W. Mera, C.
trapezina, pyralina, diffinis, and affnis from various localities. Mr. B.
S. Williams, C. trapezina var. nigra, Tutt, from Finchley, July, 1910.
Mr. P. H. Tautz, fine series of C. trapezina, pyralina, diffinis, and
affnis from Pinner, Middlesex.

Gonoptera libatrix. — Mr. J. Riches exhibited several specimens
he had found hybernating in a cellar in February, 1911, in a Norfolk
village.

xxi.

Discussion. — Mr. P. H. Tautz opened a discussion on the
Cosmiidae, and his remarks are included in this volume.

March 21st, 1911. — Birds’ attack on the larvae of Sesia crabroni-
formis. — Mr. L. W. Newman showed some stems of sallow which had
contained lame of S. crabroniformis ; the birds had pecked through
about three-quarters of an inch of the wood to get at the larval burrow.
In one instance two, and in the other three such holes had been made
in the stem before the larva was located. The exhibitor mentioned
that a large number of stems bad been so treated and that he saw no
sign of any such attack on the occasion of a visit made to the same
spot a week before.

Hybrid Nyssia zonaria $ xN. lapponaria $ . — Mr. L. W. New¬
man, freshly killed specimens he had just bred.

T.eniocampa opima. — Mr. P. H. Tautz, a long series bred from
Wanstead, 1904 and 1908, all of which were very dark.

Drepanulhle. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon exhibited his cabinet drawer
containing long series of all the Dreyamdidae (excepting harpayida )
mostly taken near London.

Oinophila v-flava. — Mr. V. E. Shaw, an empty pupa case projecting
from a wine cork showing that the larva does, at times, pupate in the
cork itself.

Discussion. — Mr. A. Willsdon opened a discussion on the
Drepanulidae which was taken up by most of the members present.

April 4th, 1911. — Donations. — Mr. Y. E. Shaw presented to the
Society vol. iv of the Entomologist’s Record, needed to complete the
Society’s set of that publication. A vote of thanks was accorded the
donor. Dr. Geraldine Hodgson presented a photograph of the late
Dr. G. G. C. Hodgson for the Society’s Album, and the Secretary was
instructed to express the Society’s appreciation of the presentation.

Rush blossom attractive to lepidoptera. — Mr. H. M. Edelsten
exhibited a series of Noctua baja and Cidaria immanata taken on rush
blossom at Epping Forest in July, 1910, at a time when sugar was
unattractive.

Paper. — Mr. R. G. Todd read some interesting and informative
notes on his collecting experiences during 1910.

April 18th, 1911. — Donation. — The Librarians announced the
receipt from Mr. A. W. Mera of vol. xxii of the Entomologist’s Record.
A vote of thanks was proposed to the donor by Messrs. Shaw and Cross
and duly carried.

Lyc.ena alexis var. persica. — Mr. Huggins exhibited a specimen
he had taken at Eastbourne, 1910.

Lyc;ena bellargus, ab. — Mr. Huggins, a ? of $ coloration from
Eastbourne, 1910.

Eugonia autumnaria (alniaria). — Mr. Huggins, a darkly suffused
example from Gravesend, 1910.

Abraxas grossulariata. — Mr. Huggins, two specimens having
black nervures on hindwings, Gravesend, 1910.

XXL

Bombyx rubi. — Mr. J. Riches, 15 bred 2 s, all that emerged from
a brood of about 40 larvae.

Triph;ena comes, vars. — Mr. V. E. Shaw, a long bred series from
Findhorn ova, including vars. clarlci, i litjrescens, pallida, nifescens,
curtisii, and forms intermediate between clarlci and nigrescens, and
pallida and nifescens.

May 2nd, 1911. — Triph;ena pronuba. — Mr. G. R. Baldock, a long
series from Galley Hill, Essex, 1910. The dark form predominated
many specimens showing almost unicolorous blackish-brown superiors.
Mr. P. H. Tautz, a long series from Pinner, Hampstead and Studland
Bay. The specimens from Pinner included many with gray costal
streak, while many of those from Studland Ba}!- showed bright reddish
superiors, and one with straw-coloured inferiors. Mr. H. M. Edelsten
also exhibited his series from various localities.

Lepidoptkra from Exmoor.- — Mr. J. E. Gardner, a number of
lepidoptera taken at Exmoor, August, 1910, including Xylophasia
scolopacina which was common at ragwort bloom, Toxocampa craccae,
Asthena blomeri, Abraxas nlnjata, Triphosa dubitata, Cidaria populata,
and a number of micro-lepidoptera, in which he stated that the district
seemed particularly rich. Mr. G. H. Heath, also exhibited dark
Gnophos obscurata, Cleora glabraria and Cidaria silaceata from the
same district.

Hybrids. — Mr. L. W. Newman exhibited a series of hybrids from
pairings of Nyssia zonaria 2 x Biston hirtaria $ , also hybrid 2 from
N. zonaria $ x B. hirtaria $ with very narrow and pointed wings.

Smerinthus populi.- — Mr. L. W. Newman exhibited S. populi var.
pallida, and a 2 suffused with pink coloration, also a gynandromorph,
one side typical $ , and the other pink 2 ; the body displayed the
two colours equally divided, even the legs showing coloration corres¬
ponding to that side of the body on which they were situated.

Angerona prunaria larvae.- — Mr. C. P. Pickett, larvae fed up under
various colored muslins. Those fed under white muslin were pale,
under pink muslin were of a darker and reddish tint, while those under
red muslin were darker still.

Apamea ophiogramma larv.e. — Mr. J. Riches, larvae found feeding
in roots of Ribbon grass in a North London garden.

Paper. — Mr. J. E. Gardner read some notes on a “ Holiday on
Exmoor in 1910,” and exhibited the insects he had taken there.

May 16th, 1911. — Donation. — The Librarians announced the receipt
of a pamphlet entitled, “ An Algerian Holiday,” from the author, Mr.
A. E. Gibbs.

EnDROMIA VERSICOLOR - RETARDED EMERGENCE. - Ml’. A. W. Mera

exhibited specimens bred from pupae that had passed through two
winters.

Plusia moneta. — Mr. J. Riches, specimens bred from larvae collected
in North London gardens.

Thyatira batis, ab.- — Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited a specimen
with the usual pink coloration replaced by olive-brown.

xxi.

June 6th, 1911.— Boakmia cinctaria — larvae. — Mr. A. W. Mera,
larvte reared from New Forest.

Epione apiciaria — larv.e. — Mr. A. W. Mera, larvae reared from
ova, the hatching of which he stated had extended over so long a
period that while some larvae were practically full-fed there were still
a few ova unhatched.

Eupithecia extensaria. — Mr. L. B. Prout, specimens bred from
larvae taken at Hunstanton.

Sesia tipuliformis. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, living specimens from
Woodford, Essex.

June 20th, 1911. — Selenia illunaria, ab. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a
specimen with the wings almost unicolorous dark grey, the usual three
transverse lines being faintly indicated.

Noi.a confusalis. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a series from Epping,
1911, including one very dark specimen.

Acronycta alni. — Mr. A. W. Mera, specimens bred from Sussex.

Killing by “Laurel bottle” detrimental to colour.— Mr. A. W.
Mera exhibited Geometrci pctpilionciria of a deep yellow coloration
caused by using a “ laurel bottle ” to kill them.

September 5th, 1911.— Donation. — The Secretaries announced the
receipt of a reprint of his Monograph on Luperina yueneei from Mr.
H. J. Turner.

Decease of Member, — The President announced the death of Mr.
A. Harrison, on August 28th, 1911, and moved that the Society
express its regret at the loss it had thereby sustained, and its sympathy
with Mrs. Harrison, which resolution was duly adopted.

Lyc.ena corydon, abs. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, a series from Royston,
including var. semi-synyrapha, and two specimens with brown suffused
undersides.

Lycjena argiolus — third brood. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, two specimens
from Ley ton stone.

September 19th, 1911. — Uropteryx sambucaria. — Mr. C. P. Pickett,
specimens bred in heat, and in a normal temperature, the former
being slightly the larger.

Tephrosia crepuscularia.- — Mr. A. W. Mera exhibited specimens
of second broods from Swansea and New Forest, those from the
former locality being very dark.

Emelesia albulata. — Mr. F. B. Cross, a series bred from Unst.

Eugonia autumnaria. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, a specimen captured at
Ramsgate, September 11th, 1911, and a long series of the same species
from Dover and Chichester for comparison.

Catocola nupta, ab. — Mr. B. S. Williams, on behalf of Mr.
Bloomfield, exhibited a specimen with the usual red on hindwings
replaced by purplish brown; taken at sugar, Finchley, 1911.

Lyc;ena corydon. — Mr. T. H. L. Grosvenor, a series from the
North Downs, including males with broad border on primaries, a $
approaching ab. fowler i, and one with orange markings on secondaries.
A female with left primary cream colour, left secondary cream with

XXI.

brown stripes, right side normal, and a female with streaks of male
colour.

October 3rd, 1911. — Calamia phragmitidis, ab. — Mr. G. Brooks, a
specimen from Wicken, with a small black striate spot just below the
centre of costal streak.

Lyc.ena corydon, abs. — Mr. F. B. Cross, a number of females from
South Cambs. showing more or less $ coloration on secondaries; also
var. sent i -synyrapha.

Melanargia galatea— bred. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, a series from
lame collected at Folkestone and reared in a glass-house ; the specimens
were large. The most noteworthy examples were: — Uppersides, a^
with usual black markings much exaggerated, and another with
central area of primaries almost devoid of black ; undersides, one <?
with black markings much reduced and subdued, and two $ s with
the black markings much enlarged, the white colour suffused with a
bluish black tinge.

Pieris rap.e — third brood. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, specimens bred
from Leytonstone, including a spotless $ and a $ with the spots on
primaries joined ; on the undersides the whole series showed a
yellowish ground colour with black scales.

Colias hyale. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, specimens from Folkestone,
August, 1911.

Pararge meg.era. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, a series from Folkestone,
1911, including a dark suffused .

Agrotis rip.e. — Mr. J. Riches, a series from St. Annes-on-Sea,
1910, the specimens being all of a dark form.

Rumicia phl.eas, abs. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, a number of more or
less aberrant forms from, Deal district, 1911, including vars. radiata,
canileopunctatci, major, and a specimen with left primary of a pale
straw colour.

Abundance of Lepidoptera at Light. — Mr. J. E. Gardner men¬
tioned having observed an extraordinary number of moths round the
electric lights in Amherst Park, London, one night in July about
midnight. Round one lamp about 60 different species were identified.

October 17th, 1911. — Abraxas grossulariata. — Rev. C. R. N.
Burrows, a number of aberrations bred 1911 from larvae mostly
collected at Macclesfield and Wallesey ; the series included an example
of ab. larti color (Raynor), with black suffusion on basal area of
superiors, also ab. fulvapicata (Raynor), and specimens showing con¬
siderable increase of black markings.

Zyg.enids. — Mr. E. A. Cockayne, specimens of Zyyaenids of
doubtful identity, from a colony found in a Berkshire field, which
produced both five and six spotted forms in June, 1911.

Micro-lepidoptera. — Mr. J. E. Gardner, specimens of Oedemato-
phorus lithodactylus, Platyptilia isodactylus, Adkinia bipunctidactyla,
and Amblyptilia cosmodactylus, and a long and very variable series of
Peronea rarieyana, mostly collected in a Clapton garden.

Variable GOdematophorus lithodactylus. — Mr. G. H. Heath, a

XXL

series from South Wales showing variation in colour parallel to that
occurring in Pterophorus monodactylus.

Smerinthus populi, abs. — -Mr. L. W. Newman, a long and very
variable series bred from selected Bexley parents. The series
included two gynandromorphs, of which ten in all were bred ex. 1,000
pupae, including two showing type on oue side, and pink colour on
other. The series showed pink tinged forms, cream-coloured forms,
and intermediates.

Angerona prunaria. — Mr. C. P. Pickett, a large number -of
specimens, mostly from one brood, reared ab ovo under various
colored muslins. The specimens exhibited marked differences in
coloration, which the exhibitor claimed to be due to the different
environments.

Lyc,ena corydon, abs. — Mr. V. E. Shaw, a series taken in S.
Cainbs., August, 1911, the y specimens being marked with more or
less $ coloration, also var. semi-ay nyrapha taken at same place.

Teratological Plusia gamma. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a specimen
from Little Missenden, Bucks., with right primary dwarfed, and
showing a large bleached patch.

Colias edusa. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, a series from Torquay and
Plymouth, including ab. obsoleta (Tutt), and ab. helice (Hb.).

Colias hyale. — Mr. L. W. Newman stated that females he had
taken in September, 1911, and kept for ova, showed no disposition to
lay, and seemed inclined to hybernate.

.Rapid growth of Vanessa cardui and Sphinx convolvuli larwe.
— Mr. L. W. Newman mentioned that by feeding up the larvae in a
hot-house he had got the former through the larval stage in 21 days,
and the latter in 26 days.

November 7th, 1911. — Orthosia lota. — Dr. T. A. Chapman, three
specimens bred from larvae taken at Amelie les Bains, South France,
and fed on Coriana rnyrti folia — the three insects, all that emerged,
were of three different forms, viz., leaden, dark red, and dark fulvous,
suggesting the existence of much less uniformity than is found in
British specimens, and were especially large, viz., over 40mm.

Acidalia virgularia var. bischoffaria from London. — Mr. G. H.
Heath, a specimen of this melanic variety taken at Brockley, London,
September 23rd, 1911.

Lyc^ena arion. — Mr. A. W. Mera, a series taken at Bude, July,
1911.

Cerastis vaccinii var. suffusa (Tutt). — Mr. B. S. Williams, two
specimens taken at Finchley, September, 1911.

Ematurga atomaria. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a $ specimen with
tawny ground colour of £ > Oxshott, July, 1911.

Paper. — Mr. L. W. Newman being prevented through illness from
reading his paper, “ Some notes on breeding and collecting during
the record season of 1911,” had forwarded it to Mr. S. J. Bell to
read. (See end of this Vol.).

November 21st, 1911. — Lepidoptera from Mucking, Essex. —
Rev. C. R. N. Burrows exhibited a number of moths he had taken at

xxi.

sugar during September, including an example of Xanthia ocellar i», a
melanic Thera variata, Melanippe fluctnata var. costovata, Xanthia
aurago, X. gilvago, Calamia lutusa, Leucania comma (second brood) and
a melanic Noctua xantlwgrapha.

Vanessa cardui. — Mr. L. W. Newman, a long series bred from ova
laid by a Folkestone 2 on September 2nd. The larvae were fed upon
nettle in a hot-house at a temperature of about 80°, and all the
imagines had emerged by October 16th. In a few specimens the
large white inner spot on apex of forewings was almost entirely
obscured by black scaling while many others showed the same
peculiarity in a less pronounced form.

Vanessa io and var. cyanosticta. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a series
hred from larvie taken at Chalfont on July 8th, including one example
of var. cyanosticta.

Chesias spartiata. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, a variable series from
Wanstead including pale grey, brownish, reddish-fawn and melanic
examples.

Sesia myop.eeormis. — Mr. A. J. Willsdon, a series taken at rest on
the grass at foot of apple trees early in the morning.

Macroglossa stellatarum at light. — Rev. C. R. N. Burrows
recorded the appearance of a specimen at light at Mucking in
September.

Lycjena argiolus, third brood.— Rev. C. R. N. Burrow's mentioned
the occurrence of a third brood at Mucking in September.

Appointment of auditors. — Messrs. A. J. Willsdon and E. Harris,
were appointed to audit the Treasurer’s annual account.

December 5th, 1911. — Thera variata and T. firmata. — Mr. E. A.
Cockayne, a series of each from Aberdeenshire both of a light ground
colour, together with specimens of Surrey T. firmata and Oxfordshire
T. variata much darker in colour than those from Scotland.

Erastria venustula — bred — .Mr. H. M. Edelsten, a series bred
from Brentw'oocl ova. The larvie fed up well on the flowers of various
Potentillas, Strawberry and Bramble blossoms, and finished off
on lettuce leaves. The species was somewrhat difficult to get to
oviposit, but from thirty ova 27 specimens were reared. The larvae
made a tough cocoon underground.

Lycxena icarus. — Mr. H. B. Williams exhibited L. icarus ab.
costajuncta (Tutt), Glamorganshire, 1909, ab. nigromacnlata (Ckll.), ab.
crassipuncta (Courv.), ab. semi-persica (Tutt), ab. apicojuncta (Tutt), also
a specimen of ab. glomerata (Tutt), showing union of spots forming
abs. melanotoxa (Marott), costajuncta (Tutt), and basijuncta (Tutt), the
streaks in the latter two cases being extremely short, the spots being
almost super-imposed — all from Little Missenden, Bucks.

Lycjena astrarche. — Mr. H. B. Williams, a specimen vdth
obsolescent spotting on underside, and an upperside with certain
marginal spots on left wdng pallid, Bucks, 1911.

LiYCiENA astrarche. — Mr. V. E. Shaw, a 2 specimen with usual
red spots on margin of all -wings joined, forming a deep red band.
Royston, August 7th, 1911.

xxi.

Lyc.ena icarus ac. melanotoxa (Marott). — Mr. V. E. Shaw, a
specimen from Royston, August, 1911.

Xanthia ocellaris — bred. — Mr. L. W. Newman, a series bred from
a captured 5 taken near Hampton-on-Tkames. The series could be
divided into three forms, viz., type, a form approaching X. gilvar/o (ab.
intermedia), and a form approaching X.fulrago (ab. lineago).

Limenitis sybilla ab. nigrina (Weymer) and var. angustata (Stgr.)
— Mr. L. W. Newman, specimens taken New Forest, 1896.

Vanessa antiopa. — Mr. L. W. Newman, a specimen taken by Mr.
Hills at Folkestone, September, 1911.

Nemeophila russula, abs. — Mr. L. W. Newman, two males without
usual black markings on posterior wings bred Folkestone by Mr. Hills.

The result of the election was as follows : —

Council for 1912.

President. — Mr. A. W. Mera.

Vice-Presidents. — Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Dr. T. A. Chapman,
Messrs. F. J. Hanbury and L. B. Prout.

Treasurer. — Mr. S. J. Bell.

Curators. — Messrs. A. J. Willsdon and B. S. Williams.

Librarians. — Messrs. F. B. Cross and R. G. Todd.

Secretaries. — Messrs. V. E. Shaw and H. B. Williams.

Non-Official Members. — Messrs. H. M. Edelsten, J. E. Gardner,
G. H. Heath, L. W. Newman and J. Riches.

Secretaries’ Report, December 5th, 1911.

A swan song is of necessity a somewhat melancholy performance,
and it is to be feared that this, which is the official swan song of the
present secretaries, is likely to prove no exception to the rule. The
average attendance of members once more marks a decline, being
13-25 against 14-5 for 1910, 14-45 in 1909, and 17-05 in 1908; as
regards visitors while the last year average of 1-3 has been exactly
maintained, such a figure can hardly be regarded as a matter for
jubilation. An attempt to bring about some improvement in the
attendance has been made by issuing to all members a circular letter,
urging the importance of more frequent appearance of members at the
meetings ; the result however to-date is hardly encouraging, indeed it
seems to be limited so far to the return of but one lost sheep to the
fold.

Three new members have been elected, while four have resigned,
and three alas ! have gone over to the great majority, viz : Mr. A.
Harrison, at one time a frequent attendant and exhibitor but of whom
we had seen little of late, Mr. H. A. King, not often at our meetings,
and Dr. G. G. C. Hodgson ; the loss of the latter’s attractive and
interesting personality, ingenious and illuminating deductive reasoning,
keen interest, and extensive and informative exhibits is undoubtedly a
great blow to the Society.

In the last report attention was drawn to the paucity of the
exhibits ; it is satisfactory to be able to record that 1911 shows some
improvement in this respect despite the smaller attendance. More

XXL

scrupulous attention is still required to the reporting secretary’s need
of detailed notes of exhibits from exhibitors.

The customary three field meetings were held during the summer
but the attendance at same was meagre in the extreme ; in previous
seasons a similar state of affairs has been attributed to ill-luck in the
matter of weather but this was certainly not the reason in 1911.

Entries in the Minute Book under the heading “ Donations,” are
somewhat few and far between ; to Mr. Mera the Society is once
again indebted for the latest complete volume of the “ Entomologist’s
Record,” while Mr. Shaw presented volume iv. of the same magazine,
needed to complete the series in the Society’s library.

If a personal note may be permitted in conclusion the Reporting
Secretary would like to express his appreciation of members’ goodwill
and courtesy during his twelve years of office, six as corresponding
secretary, and six as reporting secretary ; he feels that he is now
entitled, if not to complete freedom, at least to transference to an office
where he can still be of service to the Society, but under somewhat
less exacting conditions ; the Corresponding Secretary also makes his
bow to members and regrets that he finds that he is not now able to
give the work the attention that it merits.

The retiring secretaries wish their successors every success and
look forward with confidence to the proverbial results of the use of
new brooms and the infusion of new blood.

Details of the programme for the past session are appended as
usual.

1910, Dec. 20. Discussion— “ The relative value of

Environment and Heredity as
factors in production of Local
Races” ... ... Opened by

1911, Jan. 3. Pocket Box Exhibition.

,, 17. Notes on Collecting Experiences in

1910

Feb. 7. Holiday Notes from Exmoor

„ 21. A Note on “ Scoparia ” .

Mar. 7. Exhibition and Discussion — “ Cos-
miidse” ... ... Opened by

,, 21. Notes on “ Drepanulidfe” ...

April 4. Collecting experiences in 1910 ...

,, 18. Special Exhibit — Genus Triphrena.

L. B. Prout,
F.E.S.

Chas. Capper.

J. E. Gardner,
F.E.S.

Dr. T. A. Chap¬
man, F.E.S.

P. H. Tautz,
F.E.S.

A. J. Willsdon.

R. G. Todd,
F.E.S.

Nov. 7. “ Notes on Breeding and Collecting
during the record summer of
1911” .

xxi.

Mr. L. W. New¬
man, F.E.S.

Nov. 21. Nomination of Executive for 1912.

Appointment of Auditors.

Special Exhibition and Discussion
— “ Clearwings.”

Dec. 5. Annual Meeting. Election of Exe¬
cutive for 1912.

Secretaries’ and Treasurer’s Reports.

Presidential Address ... ... Mr. A. W. Mera.

S. J. Bell. )

T. H. L. Grosvenor. f

Hon. Secs.

Treasurer’s Report, December 5th, 1911.

More Adequate Support of Publication Fund Imperative.

Two years ago, the then Treasurer, Mr. P. H. Tautz, drew the
attention of members to the fact that the Society’s expenditure had
exceeded its income, and it is the unpleasant duty of his present
successor to emphasise the fact that this unsatisfactory state of affairs
continues.

This excess expenditure, as pointed out by Mr. Tautz, is un¬
doubtedly entirely due to the failure of members, with but few
exceptions, to subscribe to the Publication Fund. When it was first
decided to embark upon the enterprise of publishing Transactions, it
was recognised that it was impossible to meet such expenditure out of
the ordinary Funds of the Society ; a special Publication Fund was
accordingly opened, and was at first loyally supported by the members.
The donations thereto have, however, gradually fallen off, until now
they represent but a fraction of the cost of printing the Transactions.
The result is that for some years past the Society’s expenditure has
substantially exceeded its income, and the reserve, built up in the years
when the cost of the Transactions did not encroach upon the General
Funds, has now been practically wiped out.

This fact is clearly demonstrated by the steady decline of the
balance at the end of each year. In December, 1908, the Society had
in hand £18 2s. 8d. ; in December, 1909, £9 5s. 5d. ; in December, 1910,
£8 11s. lid. (including £5 transferred from Life Membership Fund on
death of a life member) ; while at the end of the present year (1911)
the balance is only £3 19s. Od. With regard to the latter figure it is
true that an extraordinary expenditure has been incurred in the shape
of a book-case costing £5 9s. Od., but on the other hand the cost of
the 1910 Transactions was exceptionally low, viz., £8 3s. Od. as
compared with £11 2s. 3d. for 1909, and £16 15s. 6d. for 1908.

The total expenditure in 191 1 has been about £34, and the
total income about £27 10s. Od. The Transactions cost £8 3s. Od.
as already stated; the donations to the Publication Fund amounted
to only £2, while sales of copies of the publication realised
£1 12s. Od., leaving a deficit of about £4 10s. Od. to be made up
out of the General Funds. The Treasurer is inclined to think
that this condition of affairs may be at least in part due to
the fact that the existence of the Publication Fund has not been
sufficiently advertised, and would suggest that a circular re the matter
be sent out with the new members’ list in the New Year.

xxi.

Considerable effort has been made to get all subscriptions in before
the close of the Society’s financial year ; six members are still in
arrears for a total amount of £3 15s. Od., but it is doubtful whether
even half this amount will ultimately be recovered.

Members must, therefore, face the fact that the Society’s income
is but little in excess of its normal current expenditure, and,
consequently, if the publication of Transactions is to be maintained,
as it, of course, must be, more generous and general support (averaging
about 5s. per head), must be forthcoming for the Publication Fund.
Until such support is assured the Treasurer must of necessity oppose
so far as lies in his power, any proposal to incur further expenses in
connection with the publication of Transactions.

The details of the annual account are as follows : —

TREASURER'S ACCOUNT, 1911.

Cr. GENERAL FUND. Dr.

To Balance brought forward

By Rent, July 31st, 1910, to

,, 8 Subscriptions, for 1910,

July 31st, 1911

at 7s. 6d.

Bookcase .

,, 2 Subscriptions, for 1911,

) )

Printing — Holmesdale

at 5s. . .

Press, . . £2 Is. Od.

,, 57 Subscriptions, for 1911,

E. B. Hor-

at 7s. 6d.

wood & Co. £1 Is. 9d.

,, 1 Subscription, for 1912,

J J

Postages and Petty Exs.

at 7s. 6d.

Secretaries £2 4s. 3d.

., 3 Entrance fees, for 1911,

Treasurer £0 11s. Od.

at 2s. 6d.

Insurance

, , Interest on Life Member-

» 1

Magazine subscriptions :

ship Fund, 1910

“ Entomologist,”

1911 .. £0 6s. Od.

“Entomologist’s

Monthly,” 1911

£0 6s. Od.

> J

S.E. Union affiliation fee,

1910 .. £0 5s. Od.

S.E. Union affiliation fee,

1911 .. £0 5s. Od.

» J

Binding Magazines

Attendance

Debit Balance Publication

Fund .

» J

Balance carried forward

£32

£32 11

PUBLICATI

FUND.

To Balance brought forward

Printing Transactions,

(Reserve against cost of

1909 .

1909 Transactions) . .

Printing Transactions,

,, Donations

1910 .

,, Sales

,, Balance transferred to

General Fund. .

£19

XXL

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND.

£ s. d.

To Balance brought for ward —
Subscriptions (Messrs. A.

E. Gibbs (& W. J. Kaye) 10 0 0
,, Interest for 1910 .. 0 5 0

£10 5 0

£ s. d.

,, By Transfer to General

Fund . . . . . . 0 5 0

,, Balance carried forward 10 0 0

£10 5 0

Examined and found correct.

Edward Harris, ) Auditors

Alfred J. Willsdon, j ' Sidney J. Bell (Hon. Treas.)

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

Before touching on the Entomological features of the season which
has just ended, I must allude to the many losses that the
Entomological world has sustained during the past year, through the
death of some of its most prominent members.

The year had hardly commenced when we had to lament the death
of Mr. J. W. Tutt, and although he had ceased to be a member of our
Society for some years before his death, yet in his early collecting
days he was a constant attendant at our meetings, and at one period
was President of our Society for some years. But apart from any
attachment that our Society may claim, he was so universally known
and regarded as a man of immense energy and mental attainments,
that we all feel that a light has gone out, and that there is a void in
the Entomological world which it may take years to fill. Of course
his colossal work will remain for all time, but his personality will be
sorely missed, particularly by those of us who were in the habit of
meeting him at various social entomological gatherings.

Then we have to record the lamentable death of Dr. G. G. C.
Hodgson, which occurred on February 3rd. By his death our Society
sustained a heavy loss, as we could always rely upon him for extensive
exhibits whenever there was any special species of Rhopalocera under
discussion, and this, together with his knowledge of the subject, and
his kindly manner, were assets which our Society can ill afford to lose.

Again we had a great loss in the death of Mr. Albert Harrison,
which occurred on August 28th. Although he was only an occasional
attendant at our meetings, as an Entomologist he was widely known,
and his hospitality at his home at Woodford has been shared by many
of us. To me personally his death is a great loss, as I enjoyed his
friendship, and always received a pleasant welcome whenever I took
an opportunity of looking at his extensive collection and more
particularly at his breeding houses.

Yet another well known Entomologist has passed away.
Mr. G. H. Verrall died on September 16th, leaving his great work on
“ British Flies ” unfinished. He also was doubtless known to many of
our members, but personally I never had the privilege of his
acquaintance.

xxi.

Our Secretary, as usual, has given you a detailed account of the
progress of our Society, and it would be superfluous for me to go over
the same ground ; therefore I will commence with a few points of
interest connected with the Season’s collecting.

During April there was nothing to indicate the approach of an
unusually hot and early season. About the end of the month I paid a
short visit to the neighbourhood of Ashdown Forest, and at that time
there appeared quite a dearth of insect life. During a good ramble in
the Forest I saw nothing but a hybernated Vanessa io, and a single
• specimen of Pieris napi.

By the 22nd of May things bore quite a different aspect, as we had
then commenced to enter upon a period of unusual heat, and insect life
was extremely abundant. I don’t think I ever knew Drepana cultiaria
to be so numerous as it was at that date in Epping Forest. Not that
this is by any means an early date, as I have known the species to be
in full flight by the 1st of May, but that I believe was in the very hot
year of 1868.

On May 26th we had one of our Society’s excursions to Clandon,
led by Mr. Shaw, and this was the only excursion of the season I was
able to join. The list of insects taken was fairly numerous, and the
outing was all that could be desired, but the attendance was scanty.
The search for the ova of N. lucina occupied a considerable time, and
the number of ova taken between us was quite large. One of the most
interesting captures was a single specimen of Hepialns velleda, which
was taken at dusk. This insect is generally considered to be one of
our Northern species, and the time of appearance is given by Newman
as July, whereas this specimen was taken on May 26th ; possibly those
in the North of England are later. By June 5th the heat was beginning
to assert its influence, and most of the insects usually fresh at that
time were showing decided signs of wear, while a few others were
making an appearance which seemed to me earlier than usual,
particularly when compared with the year 1910. For instance, Eubolia
plumbaria was taken on June 5th this year, whilst in 1910, within a
few miles of the same place, I took it on August 19th. But perhaps
it was not until July had set in that the full influence of the unusual
heat had made its mark on insect life, when many things were a
fortnight earlier than in a normal season. On July 2nd Argynnis
aglaia was fully out in Cornwall, and Dianthoecia barrettii and I),
conspersa were both over. Perhaps some of the most remarkable double
broods that have been recorded are those of Limenitis sibglla and
Vanessa io. The former was recorded by Mr. Gervase F. Matthew
from the neighbourhood of Dovercourt, and the latter by Mr. TV. H.
Harwood from Essex ; both of these occurrences appear to be very
unusual. The L. sibglla were seen on September 19th, and it was not
a case of isolated specimens, but several were seen about that date.

It may be that collectors do not record their captures as much as
formerly, as the number of records in the journals of rarities taken
during the year seems below the average, and considering the almost
tropical summer we have had, we might well have expected something
unusual in that way.

On August 18th there is a note of Argynnis latlionia having been

xxi.

taken at St. Margaret’s Bay. A specimen of M. atropos was sent to
Mr. Barrows alive on June 19th, but only one ovum was obtained.
Although this was probably an early immigrant there has been
nothing to indicate that a considerable number arrived about that time
as the autumnal records of the larvie are only moderately numerous.
Vanessa antiapa has been seen in Essex, Kent, and the Isle of Wight,
and the records of Colias hyale have been quite numerous; the localities
extending from Norwich to Porthcawl in South Wales. As usual, the
South-Eastern counties have been chiefly favoured, but the species
does not seem to have been anything like so abundant as it was in
1900. Colias edusa has also put in an appearance in Kent, Essex, and
Cornwall, but in considerably fewer numbers than its generally rarer
congener C. Injale. Deilephila livornica has been recorded from Sussex
and Cornwall, and one or two specimens of what looked like a second
brood have occurred during August in Hampshire and Surrey. This
species is generally taken in June or early July. Sphinx convolvuli
also has been tolerably abundant in the South-Eastern counties.
Apparently, there have been no very striking movements in what are
looked upon as our migrating species, including V. cardui and
possibly V. atalanta. I saw one V. cardui in Cornwall on July 10th,
which had all the appearance of having been on the wing a long time
and was probably an immigrant. On July 9th I saw in the same
place a specimen of V. atlanta which was in perfect condition and
showed no signs of having travelled.

A very interesting discussion has been going on in the journals as
to whether the habits of V. atalanta are identical with those of V . cardui,
so that each year we have to look to foreign arrivals, to keep up
our stock of atalanta. Personally I have been so accustomed to look
upon atalanta as indigenous, that the suggestion to the contrary came
upon me as quite a surprise, and after reading evidence, for and
against, I am still inclined to think that atalanta does get through our
winter in a wild state, in one stage or another. As far as my
observations are concerned I have never seen atalanta appear suddenly
in anything like large numbers in a worn condition, as is so frequently
the case with cardui. In fact whenever there has been a year when
atalanta was a little more abundant than usual, they have always
appeared at first in good condition, and it is not a species that varies
in point of numbers to any very striking extent. With cardui the
difference in the abundance of the insect is most marked, as in some
years it appears to be entirely absent, and another year it may be in
profusion, and I think I am right in saying that in all years of great
abundance the arrival of worn specimens has been noticed some month
or so before any really fresh specimens have been seen. Although
there may be no absolute proof of atalanta having been found during
hibernation, it is hardly sufficient reason for saying that it never
hibernates with us, as we all know how few hibernating insects are
found during their period of sleep, and we must still allow the
possibility of the larvae or pupae surviving our winter, as both larvae
and pupae have been found very late in the autumn.

There appears to have been this year an effort on the part of
Papilio machaon to find new pastures. It has been noticed in Hert-

xxi.

S41

fordshire, Middlesex and twice in Essex, and it will be interesting to
note if new colonies are formed in any of these counties. On the
continent of Europe the insect is hy no means confined to marsh
land, as in this country, and there seems no reason why it should be
so restricted in its localities with us.

The abundance of Polyommatus phlaeas has been very noticeable
this summer. In some places it has been in profusion. I came upon
it in early August in Sussex, but not in such great numbers as met
with in such favoured localities as Deal, and other places along the
South Coast. Those that I saw were generally more suffused than
usual, which seemed to be a characteristic feature of the season.

Taking the summer throughout it can hardly be called a really
productive year for the Lepidopterist, as a very hot summer seems
fatal to the larvae of many species. I have heard of more than one
instance of the larvae of Abraxas grossulanata dying off entirely, when
sleeved out. Larva beating in Sussex during August proved very
unproductive, but probably the want of success may have been owing
more from the fatigue of working in a temperature of nearly 90° than
from the real absence of larvae. Still I am inclined to think there was
an unusual scarceness. Quite late in the season, during early October, I
tried again in the New Forest, but with only very moderate results, the
larvae of Vernas coryli being perhaps the most abundant. Sugaring in
Cornwall during July was absolutely useless. I only tried one evening,
when not a single visitor came to the bait ; after that I was satisfied
to hear the result from others, which was always of the same want
of success. It was not because there were no insects about, as I
netted Agrotis lunigera, and several other species of Noctuae, and I also
saw quite a number of Noctna pleeta assembling round a freshly emerged
female, which allowed themselves to be taken with the greatest ease.
Apparently the reason for sugar losing its attractiveness was owing to
the amount of honeydew on the foliage. I noticed the oak leaves
everywhere were sticky with honeydew, but otherwise the foliage of
that part of Cornwall was most luxuriant and free from anything
approaching dirt, so very unlike what I am accustomed to see in the
woods for some miles round London. This prevalence of smoke
deposit opens up considerable scope for discussion, and to my mind
has a distinct bearing on an article in the “ Entomologist ” by Professor
R. Meldola entitled “ What has become of our British Satyridas.”
Professor Meldola is by no means dogmatic in his conclusions as to
why the Saty rides have not only disappeared from what may be termed
the London district, but have also become scarcer in other quarters
than those supposed to be affected by urbanisation. There is a
hypothesis put forward, as a possible reason for the apparently
reduced numbers of our Satyridcc, and that is the operation of the
“ Wild Birds’ Preservation Act,” in preserving birds that feed on
insect larvre. But I think those of us who have collected for half a
century or so, must be of opinion that the decrease, not only in the
Satgridce, but of many other species, had set in a long time before
the “ Wild Birds Preservation Act ” had come into operation, and
that while some of our wild birds were on the point of extermination
our insect fauna was showing very marked decreases. Therefore, the

xxi.

operation of the act could at roost have only slightly accelerated the
general decline which had already set in, and even this in point of fact
is highly problematical. As to the mam fact put forward by Professor
Meldola that the Satyridce have decreased, I think all old collectors
must fully agree. I perfectly well remember when aegeria could be
taken at Loughton pretty freely, some 40 years ago, and I have not
met with a specimen in that district for at least 35 years, but I am
not saying that none have occurred since then. Unfortunately, I have
not visited my early collecting grounds for some years past, which
were to a great extent in the neighbourhood of Ipswich, but I am
convinced that, with the exception of Lirnenitis sibylla, many of the
butterflies are much scarcer than they were when I first visited these
woods about the year 1865. From that date until 1885 I was a fairly
frequent visitor to these parts. Since then I paid one visit in July,
1891, and lastly, in July, 1894. Up to that date there was a most
marked decrease in Argynnis adippe, paphia, selene, Thecla quercus, and
Apatura iris, which latter had apparently gone, whereas in 1868 it was
abundant ; and Lirnenitis sibylla was the only insect which appeared to
be more than holding its own. These same woods during the sixties
used to produce both Catocala promissa and sponsa, but I have not
heard of either having been taken for many years.

When we refer to somewhat old entomological literature we observe
this gradual decadence in the abundance of our butterflies visibly noted.
A few instances will suffice. Edward Newman records Leucophasia
sinapis from Darenth, and Birch-wood, Kent, saying they were formerly
very abundant. Edward Doubleday records Melitcea athalia from Col¬
chester, and W. H. Harwood adds now confined to one wood. J. C. Dale
gives a locality for Lycaena avion in Hampshire, as formerly taken on the
hills near Winchester. Then we have the records of Lycaena acis,
most of them denoting a great falling off from about the year 1835.
T. Parry says in 1835, 18H6 and 1837 he could take acis in plenty, hut
has not seen it since. J. C. Dale says, in 1841, formerly in plenty at
Glanvilles Wootton, in Dorsetshire, but none have been taken since.
Thus we trace the general decrease from that time until the present
day, and in my opinion it may be dated from the time of the intro¬
duction of Railways into England, and the general use of steam both
in our harbours and rivers, as well as on our iron roads. This,
together with the immense increase in the consumption of coal for
manufacturing purposes, to say nothing of the vast increase of
inhabited houses, all pouring forth their quota of smoke must cause
far-reaching contamination of our atmosphere. It is pretty clear that
with a few exceptions butterflies cannot stand the proximity of towns,
and at the present time the remote parts of Cornwall produce a larger
number of species than can be found in more populated parts. The
difference in the atmosphere around Ipswich at the present day, and at
the time when I was a boy, is most marked. Fifty years ago it was
comparatively a small country town with very few factories of any kind
that produced smoke, and the air was always clear and bright. Now
as you approach the town by rail, there is quite a visible thickness in
the atmosphere, which spreads far and wide owing to the vastly
increased consumption of coal, and to my mind this impurity of the

xxi.

air is responsible for the decrease, not only in the Satyr idee, but of many
other genera. These remarks can be applied with still greater force to
many of our Northern and Western districts.

This year two additions have come under my notice of the ever-
increasing number of Lepidoptera that have developed a melanic
tendency. One is that of Dasychira pudibunda, which is recorded in
the “ Entomologist” by Major Robertson, and is described as black, and
the other is that of Acidalia viryularia, which was exhibited by Mr.
Heath at one of our meetings. Both these, I believe, are new
developments. The explanation of the increase in melanism in many
of our Lepidoptera is still held in abeyance by those who are making
a special study of the subject, but I think the average entomologist is
beginning to see that there is more than one influence at work in the
production of melanic specimens. There are those species from the
far north of our islands which practically speaking have always been
melanic ; this may well be attributed to a general hardening of the
insect, through stress of weather, as in most cases the insects so
affected are not only darker than those reared in a more congenial
climate, but are also frequently of a smaller size, such as Noctua
ylaregsa, the dark ones here are distinctly smaller. Then the dark
form of Triphaena comes does not run as large as southerners.
Emmelesia albulata var. thules is another example. Although I should
not like to say this reduction in size is absolutely invariable, yet it is
sufficiently pronounced to have some bearing on the subject. Then
we have other species that have great adaptability to environment, the
most noticeable being Gnophos obscurata, which can assume almost
any hue to suit its surroundings. But the great majority of melanic
species are of modern production, and it seems reasonable to assume
that the same contaminated atmosphere which is reducing the number
of our Satyr id a and others, is responsible for the increase of
melanism by some action which possibly in time will be satisfactorily
explained.

Before concluding, I should like to thank the officers of the
Society for their services during the past year. As will be seen, we
have had to make important alterations owing to the retirement of
some of the officers. I am glad to say that we have been able to
secure our late Secretary Mr. Bell’s services in another capacity. As
already said, our Society has suffered many losses during the last year
or two, and in consequence of this we have had to contend with a
period of some depression. Therefore it is to the young blood that we
look for revival ; this, I am happy to say, is in evidence, and I trust
that before long the gaps will be filled.

Possibly it might have been better for the Society to have elected
another President, but as it seems your desire that I should continue
my services for another year, I can only bow to your decision, and we
must all do our best to make the meetings as interesting as possible.
This can largely be attained by an ample supply of exhibits, which,
whether common or otherwise, frequently’’ produce points of interest
of an unexpected character.

I will conclude by expressing my warm appreciation of your confidence
in once more electing me as your President, and my sincere wish for
the prosperity^ of our Society.

xxi.

REPORTS OF FIELD MEETINGS.

May 27th, 1911, to Clandon. Leader, V. E. Shaw. Notwith¬
standing a tine day, the party only consisted of five members and one
visitor. About 30 different species were taken, including Ninneria
■pnlceraria , Zonosoma porata, Kmmelesia affi.nitata. For an afternoon
trip it was pleasing to come across no less than eleven different species
of butterflies, viz. : Euchloe card amines, Pier is brassicae, napi, rapae,
Theda rubi, Argynnis euphrosyne, Lycaena argiolus, icarus, Nemeobius
lucina, Nisoniades tayes, and Goenonymplia pampliilus. The leader
having found a few ova of N. lucina on the underside of cowslip and
primrose leaves, the party spent about an hour searching for ova, and
on counting up whilst waiting for tea at the Silent Pool the number
was found to exceed 350, and as some more were found on the return
journey, the final number exceeded 400. Hepialus velleda at Clandon
seems an unusual occurrence, but a specimen was taken at dusk. —
V. E. S.

June 17th, 1911, to Effingham. Leader, V. E. Shaw. But five
members and two visitors put in an appearance for this outing, which
was a most disappointing number, the day being beautifully fine, and
the district to be explored most interesting from a lepidopterist’s view.
It is much to be regretted that our members do not support our few
field meetings with more spirit — the excuse put forward in 1910 as to
bad weather fails this year.

On arrival at Effingham the party took the road to Witley
Ponds, passing through the pine woods some fine Ellnpia fasciaria
(prosap iaria), Macaria litiirata, Thera variata, and Melanthia ocellata
were taken, working through the woods to the heath, a good many
Anarta myrtilli were walked up, and soon the party were all after this
elusive insect, but only a dozen were captured, together with a few
Aspilates strigillaria and Acidalia reniutaria. Tea being fixed for six
p.m. did not allow of a long stay on the collecting ground, which
members were most reluctant to leave. — Y. E. S.

July 8th, 1911, to Chalfont Road. Leader, H. R. Leach. Eight
members joined the last field meeting of the year, but do not appear
to have added any new species to the list for this favourite locality,
and the member who remained to “ sugar” was only rewarded by the
appearance of a few common NoctuaB.— Ed.

PAPERS READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY.

NOTES ON THE COSMIIME.

(Read March 7th, 1911, by P. H. TAUTZ, F.E.S.)

In preparing these few notes on the Cosmiidae, I very quickly came
to the conclusion that, as I am only able to treat the group from a
collector’s and not from a Scientist’s point of view, it would be as well
to make them as short as possible. I have not for instance attempted
any descriptions or discussions of any of the various stages, as I should
be quite unable to tell you anything about them that you do not already
know, neither have I attempted to make any extracts from books. In
this way the evening may be devoted rather to a general discussion
and exhibition of the group amongst the members. Generally speaking
I look to this evening as one in which I shall be able to teach nothing,
but one in wffiich I hope to learn a lot. Having made this frank
confession, I will make a start on my few collecting notes, relative to
this group of moths, that, in the flattering words of one of our
members, “ I am going to do my best to mutilate this evening.” (This
gentleman seems quite full of misgivings as to the result of my to-night’s
intentions, for he has advised me to hang a notice round my neck asking
you “ not to shoot as I am doing my best.”) The group is of course
quite a small one and not difficult to master as a collector, and as you
will see by the cabinet drawer that I have brought with me to-night in
illustration, I am fairly well represented in all of them; this is
principally accounted for by the fact that they are all to be found
commonly enough at Pinner, where for six years I have taken three of
them freely both at sugar and at light, and the other one more sparingly.

The members of this group, so far as my knowledge of them goes,
do not seem to be at all given to melanism, except possibty 0. trapezina
and even then in very rare instances. There is one amongst my
extreme forms that is the nearest approach that I possess, or in fact that
I have seen, with the exception of one which was exhibited by one of
our members, Mr. P. S. Williams, some six weeks back, viz,, v. niyra
(Tutt), taken at Finchley, July, 1910.

I will now deal with them one by one and relate what little I know
of them, and leave it to others more able than myself to expound any
problematical features that the group may possess.

C. trapezina. — From about June 25th, and throughout July, and
the first half of August I have taken this insect commonly at sugar, though
it has also flown to light pretty freely. In the Pinner district during
May and the first half of J une the larvae are nearly every year excessively
abundant, and I am of opinion that their cannibalistic tendencies do
good rather than harm, by reducing the overwhelming numbers of the
larvae of C. brumata, to which they seem to devote the greater part of
their attention ; this opinion is not exactly original, as I have heard
it expressed by most entomologists of my acquaintance. If they ever

xxi.

do any leaf eating, and I am not prepared to swear to this from my
own observation, they do not seem to mind what the leaves are, for I
think 1 have beaten them from every form of tree. In my cabinet
drawer will be found two series of this insect, the one on the left is
composed of specimens taken at Pinner, or the surrounding district,
and they show a considerable amount of variation. I have placed on
the right of my cabinet drawer six specimens representing the extreme
forms so far as I am acquainted with them; reading from top to bottom
of these I should term them : —

No. 1. Unicolorous form in which even the dark spot so constant
in the remform is almost non-existent.

No. 2. Brown banded and brown fringed form.

No. 3. Grey form.

No. 4. lied form.

No. 5. Suffused brown form with melanic tendency.

No. 6. Olivaceous form.

The greyish form seems fairly plentiful, but the red form, of which
I have only two, seems to be much less common.

The other series is entirely from the edge of the sea, at Studland
Bay, Dorset, and the specimens seem to be more constant in colour
and generally of slightly larger build. All this latter series was taken
at sugar between August 1st, and August 20th. I do not know of any
particularly interesting facts connected with this insect, other than
those already mentioned.

Like most collectors, I have recollections of disasters brought about
by its larval depredations when introduced into cages with other and
more valuable larvae ; I recollect in my first collecting days, when I
had the co-operation of my brother, that we suffered quite a lot of
losses, until we got to know all about its gentle and affectionate habits
towards its fellow creatures, when we completely isolated them in a
cage, which we labelled the “Thieves’ Kitchen.” I fear, however, that
this isolation business frequently involved many innocents which in
our ignorance we thought looked suspicious.

C. affinis. — This insect is extremely abundant in Pinner, and the
larvae are to be beaten in quantities, from the elms allround my house,
and in the surrounding fields ; I have never beaten it from any other
food plant, but have reared a large number of them from larvae beaten in
this manner and the series I am showing to-night is a bred one ; I have
a great many others, which should any member be short of the species
I should be very pleased to hand over. I have never found the least
difficulty in rearing them, and have noticed how extremely rare it is to
see a crippled specimen.

On a propitious night it will come very freely to sugar, when I am
out for its more distinguished congener, C. •pyralinci. With me there
is a curious fact in connection with C. affinis, in that only on one
occasion in five years has it come to light in my house, whereas its
aforesaid relative, C. yt/ralina, turns up so freely that 1 have taken as
many as 25 in a night. I have also worked with a lamp and sheet,
but have never taken it in this way. The series in my cabinet will be
sufficient to demonstrate the amount of variation that it is subject to
in my district, and I shall be delighted to avail myself to-night of the

xxi.

opportunity of seeing whether other forms turn up elsewhere. I have
of course taken C. a finis in other districts, but not in any quantities,
and I have not noticed any variety that calls for comment, except that
at Studland Bay during the first half of August, they appear to be, as
in the case of C. trapezina, slightly larger.

C. difinis. — This member of the group although not being a rarity
at Pinner is decidedly less plentiful than C. a finis both in larval and
imaginal stage, and as it appears right at the end of July, and as I
invariably leave for the sea at this time, I do not get much opportunity
to work it. I have taken a few larvte from the elms, and I have also
had a few specimens at light, but as my cabinet will show I am not
possessed of a full series of it. I notice that ash and oak are given by
Wilson as food plants, but I have never succeeded in finding it on
either. *

C. pyralina. — This last and most sought after member of the group, I
have, ever since I have been at Pinner, taken freely at light, and have
found it in this manner most easy of capture, as it arrives without any
preliminary and vexatious dodging about, and makes up its mind the
moment of its arrival where it wants to go, goes there and settles down
as comfortably as a cat before the fire, and apparently goes fast asleep;
the only thing that disturbs it is when some other clumsier insect
bumps into it in its excitement. When I first went to Pinner, in 1905,
I was so much a beginner that I did not know what I was taking and
I remember that, coming to the conclusion that it must be the commonest
of the group, I set aside quite a number of them to bring up on
exchange night, when I received the necessary information as to their
true identity, and incidentally did not take any back with me. The
earliest date i can find in my diaries for its appearance is July 8th, and
there from it continues throughout the month, being most abundant
about the 15th to 20th. One interesting point that I may here
mention, is that I have never captured a female at light, and in fact,
I never took one at all until July, 1910, when I discovered the proper
spot to sugar for them, and got some number. I have never beaten a
single larva of it to my knowledge from the elms, and I therefore
conclude that it does not feed there, but on the fruit trees in the
orchards in my immediate vicinity, which out of respect to my
neighbours I cannot very well beat. This opinion is endorsed by
Owen S. Wilson, who gives pear and plum as the food plants, and by
Stainton, though Kirby says it lives between united leaves of elm, but
is also found on fruit trees. The question was raised on January 17th,
as to whether anyone had succeeded in inducing a female to lay her
eggs, and Mr. Newman appeared to be the only member present who
had achieved this, though very sparingly ; personally I have not, though
last year I managed to totally ruin ten beautiful female specimens, taken
at sugar, in the attempt. After death I dissected the specimens and
found them full of eggs, and as they were taken in a wild state I
presume that fertilisation had taken place. I therefore conclude that
they require some special circumstance or condition to induce them to

* Since writing these notes last August, in fact as I remained in Pinner, I was
able to do some sugaring in the orchard around me, and I took a long and perfect
series of this member of the group.

XXI.

deposit their ova. I put them free to fly in a good size cage with
leaves and bark and twigs of elm and pear and plum, and carefully
fed them, but all to no avail; I propose to make the attempt again
this year, and should be grateful for any hints on the subject. My
cabinet series will show the forms I secure at Pinner, and as I have
never taken it elsewhere, or even seen specimens exhibited in juxta¬
position to my own, this evening will be valuable I hope in presenting
to us the opportunity of so doing. Generally speaking they appear to
be of the dark violet-brown form, but some seem to exhibit a tendency
to paler colouring, and I have set aside two in the right hand corner of
my drawer to demonstrate the extreme forms that I take.

It appears to be very firmly established in that part of Pinner,
immediately surrounding my house, and personally I have never taken
it elsewhere. I cannot, however, find any mention of Middlesex in
any book as being one of its counties.

This, gentlemen, must conclude my remarks anent this very
interesting group, and I deeply regret my weakness in handling it, but
I trust that it may at least serve the purpose of opening up an
interesting discussion, for which this evening is more really set aside.

SOME NOTES ON BREEDING AND COLLECTING DURING THE
RECORD SEASON OF 1911.

(Read November 7th, 1911, by L. W. NEWMAN, F.E.S.)

During January and February I devoted a considerable time to
collecting larvaa of the Sesiidae. I found S. andrenifonnis fairly common,
but as I had in the past worked it pretty hard I only spent three days,
or rather parts of three days, in working for them ; the result was not
as good as previous years and I therefore left them alone in case I
should make them scarcer.

S. culiciformis were in thousands in every wood 1 visited that had
been cut the previous winter. I found a considerable number up the
young twigs and this is by far the best way to collect them ; the tits
had been before me, however, and had ripped open the twigs and
extracted the juicy morsel from a great many ; the stumps were full of
holes where the tits had been at them, but by hard work it was easy to
collect a great number.

A few hints to those who wish to breed this species may be accept¬
able. In digging out the larvae from the stumps many come out of
their cocoons. Get a good sized tin, half fill it with sand and fill up
with chips of birch, place the larvae in this and keep moist, stand the
tin in a hothouse, and in ten days all will have pupated ; the wood
should then be removed from tin and laid on damp sand and the
imagines will emerge in about a week; I found if left in the tin some
could not emerge as they had spun their cocoons on side of the tin
and in many instances the pupa head was against the side of the tin.
Those in the twigs should be stuck into damp sand, and those which
you can get out of stump on a piece of the wood with cocoon intact

xxi.

laid on damp sand. I know of no easier insect to force, they respond
almost at once, and I bred out hundreds in January and February.
S. andreniformis will force also, but the change to pupa and imago is
much slower; if collected in November they will emerge in January as
a rule if kept very warm. I forgot to mention I bred seven or eight
culicifornris with yellow band.

After I had got tired of working culicifornris I had a go at S.
bembeciformis ; this I found common in a large bed of Salix caprea, it
was not as easy work getting these as andreniformis, as some of the
stems were large and required a good bit of sawing off. One also had
to look out not to take the Musk beetle by mistake, as they feed in a
very similar way to S. bembeciformis. I secured a considerable number
in the winter, and it was just as well, as in the spring they were
attacked by some bird, and I fear almost cleared out. I never saw
such havoc as the birds made, and it is a marvel to me what bird can
have done it ; the bill must have been very strong, as large stems
thicker than ones wrist were torn open just where the larva had spun
its cocoon. I exhibited some of the sticks here, and you will no doubt
remember them. This insect can be forced also but responds slowly ;
I did not breed any before March.

I visited Joyden’s Wood in February, where H. leucophaaria is very
common, but only found two or three ; several visits produced very few,
and I think it was scarce here. In March and April I spent a few days
in larvae searching — in all my favourite spots I found A. caja, villica,
potatoria, L. querci folia, B. quercus almost non est where as a rule they
are in hundreds. At last I found a bank where A. caja swarmed ; I got
over 500 in two afternoons, but in no other spot could I find any to
speak of — of A. villica I did not find half a dozen.

T. fimbria in the woods were about as common as usual, and in
the other common species I saw no decrease. My collecting now came
almost to a stop until August, except for a flying visit for Pachetra
leucophea and Agrotis cinerea on the night of May 27th. My assistant,
two friends and self started off about 8 p.m. loaded with sheets, poles,
lamps, etc., and a good supply of food and drink, and we were very glad
to get rid of our burden after a twelve miles cycle ride ; we rigged up
the sheet and amused ourselves collecting Hipparchia semele' larvae, and
searching for 5 A. cinerea until the sport commenced, which was about
11.45 p.m. By midnight we had quite an admiring crowd, which had
been attrached by our lamps from a village a few miles off ; five yokels
in all came to the light, and seemed very much interested. P. leucophaa
was scarce, and we only bagged four, which were in the very pink of
condition. A. cinerea was nothing like as thick as last year, but as
nearly all bagged were perfect I think we were a few days early for the
crowd ; by 3 a.m. we started for home as it was getting light. I
could not spare time to pay a second visit.

My next jaunt was a couple of afternoons in June for the larvae of
Thecla rubi and L. argiolus, which I found in swarms feeding on the
berries of dogwood ; both larvae fed side by side, and L. argiolus was
well attended by ants. I never saw such quantities of these larvae ;
I collected over one thousand in the two half days, and I think, without
exaggeration, had I cared to work thoroughly for a week, I could have

xxi.

taken 10,000. also Eupithecia coronata lame. I quite expected a huge
percentage to produce ichneumons, and also a large percentage to
appear as imagines in July, but, strange to say, one only was stung;
only about 20 per cent, emerged in July and the rest are laying over
the winter as pupre.

My next and last half-day’s collecting until August was in early
July, when I went for L. aegon, etc. ; I found aegon more scarce
than I have ever known it, and only took a dozen $ s in consequence.
Hesperia linea was common, also Hipparchia hyperanthus , but Epine-
phele janira seemed very scarce.

On August 15th I went to Folkestone, as I expected L. adonis
would be out very early, and I found j s in the pink of condition,
and 2 s just starting. I bagged a few nice vars., also a few C. In/ale
in a lucerne field. 1 had to return on the 18th, and my man went
down from that day until 21st; he had rather wet and dull days, but
secured a few O. hyale and a couple of Vanessa cardui, also two or
three V. atalanta and some nice L. adonis.

Mr. Bright very much wanted to have a good turn at adonis with
me, so on Saturday morning (26th) we met at Cannon Street Station ;
having arrived at Folkestone, and fixed up our rooms, we started
off for the hills with lamps and worked for adonis vars., getting
a few. Sunday proved very dull, so after lunch we took train to
Dover and called on Mr. S. Webb, who kindly showed us his
wonderful collection (or, rather, part of it) ; we found him not in the
best of health. After a refreshing tea we went back to Folkestone,
and in the evening took a turn with the lamps for more adonis vars.,
but came to the conclusion it was slow work compared with daytime,
and decided not to go again after dark. On the Monday our serious
work commenced, and we did work ; we spent eleven to twelve hours a
day for a solid week on the hills examining adonis for vars., and our
labour was fully rewarded, for we got some grand forms, the best of all
falling to Mr. Bright ; it was a $ in splendid condition, striated to
the very extreme, in fact it looked as if you had been at work on it
with a J pen. I never saw adonis in such profusion. We worked in
the following manner : — We had three killing bottles each, one of
which was used as a stock pot for vars. and extra fine ones ; we netted
a few and placed in one bottle, then a few more in the next, and then
sat down and examined them as soon as stupefied and marked all
rejected specimens by taking the tips off the wings and throwing
them out ; nearly every one came to life in a short time, and we did
not then net the same fly over and over again ; by the end of the
week there were thousands flying about with our “ trade mark.”
About 6 p.m. they settled down for the night, it was then not necessary
to bottle them, but we still continued to mark all rejected specimens.

We kept count for a time of the number examined, and I may
safely say, without any exaggeration, that I have examined over 8,000
this year.

By September 1st L. icarus, third brood, were getting common.
Of V. cardui I took a few on September 2nd, and got them to lay. I
was very struck with the total absence of blue shot $ s of adonis this
year. I never saw one with any trace of blue out of the thousands

xxi.

examined. Last year a large percentage were blue. Purdy told me
the spring 2 s were very blue.

Phlaas, third brood, were very early, and well out August 15th
to 20th, and continued emerging well on to September. I put in a
good many days at them and secured some nice vars. : four with
absence of bands, two nice underside vars., and many minor ones ;
blue spotted specimens were fairly common, also dark ones.

1 captured a fine C. edusa on September 16th, a $ , the only one I
have seen this year. Hadena pisi came to sugar in fine condition on
September 15th. This looks like a second brood.

On September 16th, while collecting larvae of 1’. atalanta which
were found in all sizes, some very small, I found several large third
brood larvte of V. urticae, these were all small ; I reared all, but no
vars. emerged. I found the second brood of urticae very scarce in the
neighbourhood of Bexley, in fact, only one small brood, though I
turned out several hundred imagines earlier in the year.

At the end of September I spent my first real week’s holiday for
over 14 years and a most enjoyable time I had at Bournemouth, as
the guest of Mr. Bright, who very kindly devoted nearly every day to
taking me about to places of interest, including Swanage, Studland
Bay, and the New Forest. I had never been to the latter district before
and we had a most enjoyable cycle ride from Bournemouth via.
Ringwood, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst ; strange to say we met
Mr. Morris, who told us there were no Autumn lame this year. The
following day Mr. Bright was engaged, so though I had made up my
mind to be “ off” collecting I could not resist taking a “ Bignall ” and
some boxes and finding my way to Brockenhurst, I had no idea where
to work and great fears of getting lost, however, I struck off into the
Forest and spent the day whacking, and I think there were some lame;
anyhow I bagged over 500, among them Deivas coryli, Dicranura
furcula, Selenia lunaria, Boarmia consortaria, Eurymene dolobraria,
Daxychira pudibunda, Hylophila prasinana, bicolorana, Bupalus piniaria,
Amphidasys betularia, B. roboraria, Zonosoina porata, punctaria, and
many others. I did not get lost as I struck the railway and by following
it got back to Brockenhurst just before dark. My first experience of
the New Forest as a collecting ground was decidedly favourable.

I have had more than enough of breeding this year with the
thermometer reading 96° in the shade day after day. It is no joke when
in a glasshouse and with larvte to keep from being baked alive. One
instance this year of larvse being baked alive is with A. grossulariata,
which, though sleeved out in the garden on growing trees, were nearly
all killed in August.

In breeding on the huge scale which I do, one expects some surprises,
and the greatest of this year is the race of melanic E. angulana ( querci -
naria), the parents of which were quite typical. Last year I bred out
several hundreds of the London strain and paired some half dozen, all
normal specimens ; the larvte were sleeved on oak in the spring and
fed up rapidly owing no doubt to the heat, and produced rather under¬
sized pupae ; from these I bred 40 melanic specimens. The heat was
so intense when they were emerging that they would not keep still in
the day. Many were rubbed with flying in the day. I spoilt four

xxi.

pairs for breeding, but nearly all the ova are infertile, though
copulation took place.

R. phlaeas produced the record for normally-fed larvae, the period
from the hatching ol the first ovum to the time of pupation being 21
days ; this was during July. The species has been abnormally common
in the district this year, far more so than I have ever noticed it before.
Second and third broods and partial broods have of course been
common; among them I have noted the following: — M. brassicae, very
common ; Jl. phlaeas , a partial fourth brood reared by a friend of
mine, lame pupated September 17th; S. populi, a small percentage at
end of July and early August, no more for nearly a month, then more
mid- September ; two C. elpenor, end August; S. menthastri, twenty or
more August ; S’, lubricipeda, six end of August ; Z. orbicularia,
80 per cent, of pupae emerged in August, producing third brood ; P.
machaon, small percentage emerged in August.

A. caja larvae were collected wild in September in the last skin, but
all produced ichneumons.

I obtained ova from V. cardui in early September, and as soon as I
found they were fertile I started mj7 little hot-house going and kept it
up to between 70 and 80 degrees, and by this means and feeding on nettle
I reared over 400 grand sized specimens in mid-October ; the larvae in
this heat grew very rapidly. No good vars. were bred although several
have the largest white spot all clouded over with black like the
specimens shown to-night. I obtained a few Sphinx convulvuli ova,
these hatched in seven days and the larvae fed up in 26 days in the
hot-house ; they were of great size when full fed ; being over 4A" long,
all of the dark brown form with w7hite markings. I let each pupate in
a separate flower pot ; they went well down in the earth, and I kept
damp moss on the top and stood the pots in cages right over the hot-
water pipes, but there was no sign of their emerging up to October 25th.
On that day I turned out one pot and found the pupa at the bottom
in an earthen cocoon ; it was very lively, but shows no sign of
emerging this year. To-day none are out so I expect they intend to
lay over the winter as pupae.

One thing has struck me forcibly this year in breeding and that is
the absence of disease among larvae, when crowded. As a rule when I
try to rear several thousand large larvae such as C. elpenor , S. carpini,
S. ocellatus, etc., even though I split them up into as many sleeves or
cages as possible, they nearly always get that awful dysentery ; this year
nothing seemed to kill them. C. elpenor were crowded fearfully, I had
over 3,000 in one large cage, and the only way to kill them was to tread
on them ; when the pupae were dug up we had 3,640 fine pupae.
Carpini and ocellatus were also very thick ; carpini suffered a very little,
some 100 dying oft, but the disease did not spread as is usually the case,
and some fine pupae resulted in sleeves where diseased larvae died.
Nemeophila plantar/inis have not produced a second brood with me,
though the first lot were early.

I think 1 have now taken up quite enough of your time, and I fear
my notes have not been as interesting as they might be.

I shall long remember the wonderful summer of 1911, and I
sincerely hope we may not have another quite so hot for a time, as the
work pretty wbl^ lwl/'jpgAOut in July and August. ,

p .-V* « PRESENTED
x 29 OCT 191?

Cifn of IronOon (Piitomological # iflatural

HIS SOCIETY has for its object '•& diffusion of the science

of Natural History, by n*
exhibitions, and the format'

papers, discussions,
ffions for reference.

Since its commencement in 1858, a valuauie and useful Library
lias been formed, which comprises, amongst other works, sets of the
“Zoologist” (1843 — 1897), “Entomologist” (Yols. 1 — 45), “ Ento¬
mologist’s Monthly Magazine ” (Yols. 1 — 47), and the “ Ento¬
mologist’s Record and Journal of Variation ” (Yols. 1—23). There
is also a collection of British Lepidoptera, and collections of other
orders are now in course of formation.

The meetings take place on the first and third Tuesdays in
each month, except July and August, from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m., at
the London Institution, Finsbury Circus, E.C., which is easily
accessible from all parts. Exhibits are made at every meeting,
and papers read on various Natural History Subjects, a special
feature being the systematic discussion and exhibition of interesting-
groups of insects, etc.

The year commences on the first Tuesday in December, but
intending members may join at any time, the ballot being taken at
the next ordinary meeting after that on which they are proposed.

Further information may be obtained from the corresponding
Secretary.

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