taken in the Isle of Portland by Mr. N. M. Richardson. He said that these forms proved the identity of the two supposed species, which he believed were both referable to P. dilutella, Hb. He also exhibited specimens of Hesperia lineola, and a pale variety of it taken in Cambridgeshire by Mr. H. W. Vivian; specimens of Epischnia bankesiella, a recently-described species, taken by Mr. N. M. Richardson in Portland; and a specimen of Retinia margarotana, H.-S., a species new to Britain, discovered in Mr. Hodgkinson's collection amongst a number of Retinia pinivorana which had been collected in Scotland. Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher showed a series of Gelechia fumatella from sand-hills in Hayling Island and near Littlehampton, and, for comparison, a series of G. distinctella, from the same places. He also showed a few bred specimens of G. terrella, and a series of preserved larvæ. He stated that on the downs the larvæ live in the middle of the tufts of such grasses as Festuca ovina and allied species, and that on sandhills where herbage is more sparse, they make silken galleries under stones, and sally forth to eat blades of grass growing near their homes. Mr. H. Goss read a communication from Dr. Clemow, of Cronstadt, St. Petersburg, on the subject of the coincidence of vast flights and blights of insects during the years 1510, 1757, 1763, 1782, 1783, 1836 and 1847, and the epidemic of influenza. During the year 1889 no unusual activity in the insect world had been recorded. Mr. H. T. Stainton and Mr. M'Lachlan made some remarks on the subject, the purport of which was that there was no connection between epidemics and the occurrence of swarms of insects. Mr. G. A. J. Rothney communicated "Notes on Flowers avoided by Bees." It appeared, according to the author's observations, made in India, that dahlias were exceptionally attractive, but that the passion-flower was only resorted to by a few species of Xylocopa; and that, with one exception, he had never seen any insects feeding on the flowers of the oleander. Mr. Slater, Colonel Swinhoe, Mr. Trimen, Lord Walsingham, and Mr. M'Lachlan took part in the discussion which ensued. Dr. D. Sharp read a paper entitled "On the structure of the Terminal Segment in some male Hemiptera." Colonel Swinhoe read a paper entitled "On the Moths of Burma," which contained descriptions of several new genera and 107 new species. Dr. F. A. Dixey read a paper entitled "On the Phylogenetic Significance of the wing-markings in certain genera of the Nymphalida." A long discussion ensued, in which Lord Walsingham, Mr. Jenner Weir, Capt. Elwes, Mr. Trimen and others took part.H. Goss, Hon. Sec.

CITY OF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.— February 6th, 1890.-J. A. Clark, F.E.S., President, in the chair. Messrs. A. Quail, J. A. Simes, and W. Cook were elected members of the Society. Mr. Raine exhibited specimens of preserved larvæ, including a fine variety of that of Phalera bucephala, L. Mr. G. Bryant, preserved larvæ and pupa of Apatura iris, L., Papilio machaon, L., Limenitis sibylla, L., and Ñemeobius lucina, L. Mr. Whittle, a variety of Epinephele ianira, L., having the left hind wing nearly bleached. Mr. J. A. Clark, 24 species of Tineina; also currant-stems, showing ravages of larvæ of Sesia tipuliformis, Clerck. Mr. J. W. Tutt exhibited photographs of a number of varieties of Arctia caia, L., and A. villica, L., Spilosoma menthastri, Esp., and S. lubricipeda, Esp., and Abraxas grossulariata, L., the extent of variation being of much wider range than either he or any of the members present

had ever seen in English collections. He also remarked on the recent discovery of Hesperia lineola Ochs., which hitherto had been passed over as Hesperia thaumas, Hufn., in Britain. The same member, referring to Mr. O. Goldthwaite's exhibit of Lycaenidae, pointed out the similarity of these and other Continental species to Lepidoptera indigenous to this country, and considered, that as the latitude, climate, and geology were nearly identical, other species might have been overlooked. In Coleoptera, Mr. Cripps exhibited Plymouth species. Mr. Heasler, Dromius 4-notatus, Panz. Mr. Bellamy, Hydrophilus piceus, L., Dytiscus punctulatus, F., Molytes coronatus, Goeze, and M. germanus, L. Mr. Milton, Carabus nitens, L., and Trichius fasciatus, L. Mr. G. A. Lewcock reported on the Coleopterous species prevalent in 1889, giving an account of the insects obtained by him at Chattenden, including Brachytarsus scabiosus, F., Tillus elongatus, L., Anthribus albinus, L. (by Mr. Cripps), and 40 specimens of Malachius aneus, L.; at Rainham (Essex), Geodephaga were plentiful in early spring; at Epping Forest aquatic species were abundant in both spring and autumn, and several specimens of Dytiscus punctulatus, F., Hydrous caraboides, L., Ilybius ater, De G., &c., were among the captures; many species were also obtained from Farnham, Esher, Woking, and other localities.-G. A. LEWCOCK, E. HANES, Hon. Secs.

BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-January 20th, 1890.-Mr. W. E. Blatch, President, in the chair. The Rev. Chas. F. Thornewill exhibited Acidalia immorata, also Noctua festiva var. conflua, the latter being from Scotland. Mr. C. J. Wainwright showed Cabera rotundaria, from Sutton Park. Mr. H. Tunaley read a paper on the entomology of Porlock, in Somersetshire and the neighbourhood, giving a good description of the place, and a list of the Lepidoptera taken, which included some rare species. The insects captured were exhibited.

February 3rd. Annual Meeting.-Mr. W. E. Blatch in the chair. The report of the Council for the past year was very satisfactory, showing a considerable amount of work done in this their first year. The Treasurer's report was read, which showed a slight balance in hand. The following gentlemen were elected as officers for the ensuing year:- Mr. W. E. Blatch, President; Rev. Charles F. Thornewill, F.E.S., Vice-President; Mr. R. Bradley, as Treasurer; and Mr. C. J. Wainwright, as Secretary, the remaining members of the Council being Messrs. W. E. Lee and È. C. Rye.-COLBRAN J. WAINWRIGHT, Hon. Sec.

OBITUARY.

ARTHUR BLISS died January 29th, 1890, at the early age of 32 years. For some time past his health had been far from robust, but the immediate cause of his death was pneumonia supervening on influenza. Mr. Bliss was a member of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society from 1874, and at one time ably discharged the duties of secretary to that body. In March, 1885, he was elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London. Although specially interested in the lepidopterous fauna of his own country, he also formed a collection of tropical species, but, with the exception of a few observations recorded in the Entomologist,' he does not seem to have contributed much to the literature of his study.