[page] xxv

Mr. Pascoe exhibited some Australian Heteromera, including new species of Helæus, Byrsax, Seirotrana, &c., and two new genera. One species of Saragus (undescribed, and for which the name S. floccosus was proposed), was remarkable from being covered with a peculiar fungoid growth, which was said by the captor to occur on the living insect, and also (or a similar growth) on the trees which the beetle frequented. This growth had been examined by Mr. Currey, and was pronounced to be truly fungous, in fact an Isaria, the early stage of a Sphæria. Several specimens of the Saragus had been seen, all with the Isaria in the same stage of development.

Mr. Wallace enquired whether the supposed fungus had been microscopically examined, as it seemed highly improbable that a living animal should habitually have a living vegetable growing on it. More probably, if it really existed during the life of the beetle, it was a natural animal growth: an allied species has a hairy covering, and it was but one step further for a hairy covering to assume a fungoid appearance, a protective resemblance to the fungi or lichens growing on the trees upon which the beetle was found.

Mr. Albert Müller made some observations on the scent, when handled, of Cynips lignicola and another species which forms a gall on the under-side of oak-leaves: this scent was probably protective, and gave the insect an immunity from the attacks of birds, &c., and the rapid spread of Cynips lignicola over the country might be due to its rejection on account of its peculiar odour.

Mr. J. Jenner Weir added that the musk beetle was free from attack by birds, and this was doubtless due to its scent.

Mr. Salvin exhibited six species of Clothilda, in illustration of the paper mentioned below.

Mr. Briggs (who was present as a Visitor) exhibited a specimen of Deiopeia pulchella, captured near Folkestone on the 1st of October: its habit was to fly only a few yards at a time, and its appearance on the wing was described as resembling one of the Geometræ.

Mr. Davis (who was present as a Visitor) exhibited a large number of preserved larvæ of Lepidoptera; amongst them a series of Cossus ligniperda, of all ages, in willow-stems, preserved in situ; and a larva of Sphinx populi to which were attached a number of pupæ of some parasite. There were also a few dried larvæ of saw-flies.