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Show 66 MR. A. THOMSON'S REPORT ON THE INSECT-HOUSE. [Feb. 3, *Charocampa nerii. Melanippe hastata. Zygana fMpendula. Gidaria sagittata. Euchelia jacobaa. Cilix spinula. Callimorpha dominula. Dicranura vinula. Chelonia caja. Thyatira balis. Liparis dispar. *Gonomita postica. Of the insects mentioned in the preceding list, I have the honour to exhibit specimens of all the silk-producing Bombyces reared during the past year. Of these I succeeded in rearing a second brood of Attacus cynthia and Samia cecropia; but I could not succeed in obtaining fertile ova from any of the other species, although I made every effort to do so. I fear that the little red ants, which infested the Insect House during the past year to an extraordinary degree, had something to do with this failure, as with every care that was taken to keep them out of the cases, a few managed to get in and worry the insects. Amongst these insects are three interesting varieties, two (male and female) of Samia cecropia, and one of Attacus ricini. The female of Samia cecropia emerged in 1882, and I put it on one side to see if any more would emerge, but none appeared at all like it till the past year, when a very fine male emerged. Compared with the ordinary type of S. cecropia the difference is rather striking. The specimen of Attacus ricini is remarkable for the absence of the dark-coloured markings on the wings, and for the breadth of the rose-coloured band. Of Butterflies, the most interesting species exhibited was Aporia hippia from the Amoor, cocoons of which were received in exchange from the Gardens in Hamburg. I was able to exhibit for the first time during the past year the very beautiful Oleander Hawk-Moth (Charocampa nerii), pupae of which were obtained from the continent. From South Africa I received some cocoons, sent by Mr. E. T. Wells, of Somerset East. These proved to be the cocoons of Gonomita postica ; and I exhibit a male and female insect, together with the cocoons from which they emerged. Mr. Seebohm exhibited an example of a curious pale-buff variety of the Red Grouse, Tetrao scoticvs, which had been shot on the 16th of October, 1884, by Mr. Gray Grayrigge, on a moor near More-camhe Bay. It had been seen during three seasons on the moor. The following papers were read i * Exhibited for the first time. |