Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/60

38 seemed admirably adapted and probably did, to some extent, serve to increase the sound by resonance. In Serville's species, according to Westwood's figure, the stridulating apparatus appeared to be more highly developed, the "mirror" being more distinct and the tegminal cavities much more spacious. The males of the Pterinoxyli were unknown.

Professor Westwood mentioned the formation of a "Channel Islands' Museum and Institute of Pisciculture Society" in Jersey.

The President also brought under the notice of the Society a recently-published paper by Dr. Anderson (Proc. As. Soc. Beng., Aug. 1877), containing an account of Gongylus gongylodes, Linn., a remarkable Indian Mantis, the pupa of which is stated to resemble a flower, both in colour, marking, form, and attitude, this resemblance being, it is suggested, for the purpose of attracting insects on which the pupal Mantis feeds.

Mr. Wood-Mason stated that the remarkable form and coloration of Gongylus gongylodes, and of other species of Mantidæ, had been known to him for years, but had remained an inexplicable puzzle till December, 1875, when his valued and talented correspondent, Mr. S.E. Peal, of Assam, informed him that he had just captured "a little rose-pink Mantis that simulates a blossom beautifully;" and six months later a second "beautifully white (wax-white) and larger than the previous pink one." On examination these specimens proved to be larvæ of Hymenopus bicornis of Serville, an insect of great rarity, and only up to that time recorded from Java. The species had the thighs of the four posterior legs expanded into broad pearshaped plates; so that when seated on a twig with thorax and abdomen raised at right angles to one another, with the fore-legs drawn out of sight under the thorax, and with the four expanded thighs of the rest of the legs spread out two on each side, the "feet" of all these legs being brought to one spot, in form as well as in colour it must present a most perfect and deceptive resemblance to a flower. Here form conspired with colour in a most inimitable manner to produce the deception. The principal reason why this observation of Mr. Peal's was not published long ago was that there was no evidence that insects were attracted to the coloured Mantises as insects to flowers, for if this were not so the resemblance was meaningless; but the evidence required having been published by Mr. Wallace in the September number of 'Macmillan's Magazine,' he had come prepared to make known Mr. Peal's and his own observations, little expecting that reference would be made to the same subject from the chair. According to Mr. Wallace, a small Mantis which exactly resembled a pink Orchis-flower was shown to Sir Charles Dilke in Java. This species was not only said to attract insects, but even the kind of insects (butterflies) which it allures and devours was mentioned.

Sir Sidney Saunders then read some remarks on the specific identity of a spider (Atypus) taken at Hampstead.