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Show 1889.] MR. A. THOMSON'S REPORT ON T H E INSECT-HOUSE. 87 Deilephila euphorbice. Saturnia pyri. galii. Ennomos angularia. vespertilio. Pygeera bucephala. Chcerocampa elpenor. Clostera anachoreta. Macroglossa bombyliformis. Eacles imperialis. Of the Silk-producing Bombyces, one very beautiful species, Attacus hesperus, from Brazil, was exhibited for the first time. The cocoons from which these insects were produced were deposited in the Insect-house by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, F.Z.S., on the 29th of June last. The first perfect insect emerged next day, 3 on the 1st, 2 on the 2nd, 1 on the 5th, 1 on the 6th, 3 on the 7th, 1 on the 13th, 1 on the 20th, and 1 on the 23rd of July, and with one exception were all good specimens. I exhibit the whole series (13) this evening. It will be observed that seven of these insects are lighter-coloured than the other six. These agree with the specimens of A. hesperus in the British Museum. Whether the dark-coloured ones are of another species, or a dark variety, I have not been able to make out, but I could not find any in the British Museum like them. During the past season we have had an excellent exhibition of the great Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) and the Tusseh Silk-Moth (Anthereea mylitta). The last Atlas Moths (2) emerged on the 14th of November last. For the cocoons, of which a large number were sent, the Society are indebted to the kind assistance of Messrs. Wood- Mason and W . L. Sclater, of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. I exhibit this evening a series of Anthereea mylitta of both sexes. This species is well known to be an extremely variable one, but, out of the many I have seen, I do not remember to have seen one like the female placed at the top. It has been suggested that it must be of a distinct species : this, however, can hardly be the case, as the cocoons (which came from Assam) were certainly all alike, and it was impossible to pick out the cocoon from which this particular specimen emerged. As will be seen, the markings round the " eyes " are much extended towards the thorax. Amongst the Diurnal Lepidoptera I exhibit two remarkable varieties of Vanessa antiopa. I have had from time to time a very large number of these insects in the Insect-house, but this is the first time 1 have obtained any varieties. The first specimen, it will be noticed, has the marginal blue spots on the fore wings only, and in the second specimen the blue spots are entirely absent on all four wings. I am sorry that I cannot report the successful rearing of any larvse of interest during the past season ; the weather was so unfavourable that I was unable to rear many of the common and hardy species. The following papers were read :- 7* |