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Show 1881.] REPORTS ON THE INSECT-HOUSE. 819 The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of October was 114, of which 4 were by birth, 71 by presentation, 27 by purchase, and 12 on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and removals was 101. The most noticeable additions during the month were:- 1. A n example of the little-known Bornean Carnivore Hemigalea hardwickii1, new to the Society's collection. The specimen measures about 2 feet long in the body, the tail 18 inches. It is very shy and fierce, and nocturnal in its habits. When handled it ejects a highly acrid and skunk-like secretion from its anal glands. 2. Two female Beatrix Antelopes (Oryx Beatrix), obtained from the great desert behind the mountainous district of Oman, Muscat, by Lieut.-Col. S. B. Miles, British Consul at Muscat, and presented to the Society by Lord Lilford, F.Z.S. This rare Antelope has, so far as I know, been only three times previously brought alive to this country. (Cf. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 603, and 1878, p. 789.) One of the present examples is in good condition ; the other is unfortunately much injured about the head. The following Reports on the Insect-house, by Mr. W . "Watkins, were also read :- Beport of the Insect-house for July 1881. Cage No. 1. This cage has been tenanted with cocoons of Samia gloveri; two cocoons still appear likely to emerge. No. 2. Samia cecropia.-The eggs obtained from this species, like the preceding, hatched; and the larvae fed rapidly, attainingover an inch in length ; but in three days the whole brood died, being attacked with diarrhoea. An entomological friend of mine had a large number of imported cocoons from the same source as those belonging to the Society; and the progeny, to the number of some thirteen hundred, all died soon after moulting for the first time, from the same cause, which I attribute to degeneration, the cocoons imported having been obtained in confinement. A further small supply of larvee was obtained from Madame Simon of Brussels ; and these larva? are doing quite well at present, only one having died, and that from some injury received en route. No further imagos have emerged during July ; the case, however, has been kept furnished with cocoons until larvas are of sufficient size to transfer to it from bell-glasses. No. 3. Attacus cynthia.-Imagos of this species emerged at intervals during the greater part of the month, and eggs for succession were obtained; these have hatched and are feeding inside a muslin bag attached to a lilac tree near the Insect-house, and growing slowly, as desired, for late exhibition. Another and earlier brood are exhibited 1 Viverra hardwickii, Gray, Spicil. Zool. ii. p. 9 (1830); Viverra boiei, Miill. & Schl. Verh. Zool. p. 120, t. 18 ; Hemigalea hardwickii, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 524. 53* |