xlvi
Journal of Proceedings.
fields and marshes, they retreat to the seaside, shelter themselves
among the weeds, and live upon what they can pick up from the Algae,
&c, between high and low water mark. Our friend remarks, that
the time of their appearance in Essex coincides with that of their
leaving the inland counties; the same observation has been made in
Hampshire."—Ed.]
Mr. English also exhibited a fine specimen of the rare Fungus
Thelephora multizonata from Epping Forest. Since he had discovered
the species in the Forest he had found seventeen specimens in about
nine years. He believed that two examples had been gathered in
Hereford, but as far as he knew, these were the only specimens
recorded.
Mr. W. Cole exhibited some remarkably dwarf specimens of Lepidop-
tera all taken at large in the Forest district, Chingford and Buckhurst
Hill. The species were A. cardamines, Crocallis elinguaria, Ennomos angu-
l ria, and Abraxas grossulariata. Some of these diminutive insects were
less than half the normal size of the species. .
The President showed some specimens of Exotic butterflies for the
purpose of illustrating some interesting remarks made by him on the
phenomena of Protective resemblance amongst, insects. The specimens
well demonstrated the existence of two classes of cases—one in which the
insects derived protection from their enemies by reason of their resem-
blance to living or dead leaves, twigs or flowers. This case is well
illustrated by the Indian Leaf Butterfly Kallima Inachis, and by many
moths and caterpillars in England. The other class of cases, including
those rarer species which find protection by "mimicing" some
commoner species, which may itself be protected by some special
quality, such as nauseous taste or odour, from the attacks of birds
or other enemies. This class Mr. Meldola illustrated by Diadema
misippus, the female of which very closely resembles the common
Danais chrysippus. Among English species it may be noted that the
comparatively scarce little Geometrideous moth Acidalia subsericeata,
closely mimics the common Asthena candidata; and many examples of
these phenomena could probably be found in British insects.
Mr. Cole mentioned that his brother had seen a specimen of Cynthia
Cardui at Ramsgate, hovering oyer and settling upon some artificial
flowers in a lady's hat. The observation was worth recording, as it
tended to show that the colour and form of flowers were the chief
attraction to insects.
Mr. N. F. Robarts, F.G.S., wished to call attention to the Deer in
Epping Forest, in the hope of eliciting some information with respect
to their peculiarities. When compared with the ordinary Fallow-deer
of our parks, he thought they presented noticeable differences, and
they appeared to be a separate race. He also wished to know whether
the cause' of the mortality of the Shrew-mouse (Sorex araneus) was