lvi Journal of Proceedings.
to the microscopist. Cortinarius rigens, a very rare species and recently
new; Mr. English had found it in Monk's Wood ; the form very much
resembles C. ochroleuca, although in his opinion perfectly distinct.
Agaricus ecricaeus, a common species in the Epping Woods, but one which
appears to be a great puzzle to mycologists ; it had been returned to
him under three names, velutinus, stercoraria and squamosus.
The Secretary exhibited some insects from his own collection for the
purpose of illustrating Mr. Meldola's remarks at the last meeting on
mimicry and protective resemblance in these animals. The case of
mimicry was that of the little moths Acidalia subsericeata and Asthena
candidata before explained, and "protective resemblance" was exempli-
fied by many specimens of caterpillars which possess various modes
of concealment.
Taking these specimens as his text, Mr. Meldola engaged the atten-
tion of his audience by a short dissertation on caterpillars, their habits
and appearances, considered as means of protection from their enemies.
He pointed out that many caterpillars resemble twigs, dead leaves,
flowers, leaves, etc., and so escape detection. Such cases are easily
recognised. On the other hand many caterpillars are hairy or brightly
coloured and appear to court observation rather than concealment.
Many experiments made by Mr. Jenner Weir, Mr. Butler, and Dr.
Weismann, went to show, however, that insectivorous birds rejected
such larvae, probably on account of some unpleasant taste or odour.
Of course it would benefit the insect but little to be bitten in two and
then rejected, and Mr. Wallace had suggested that bright colours and
hairs served the purpose of danger-signals, warning the birds of the
nauseousness of the morsel. Some caterpillars have fringes of hairs
just above the legs, and Mr. Meldola suggested that such hairs might
be of advantage by softening the shadow thrown by the insect when
stretched along a bough, and so rendering it less distinctly seen. This
was the case with the larva of the "Lappet-moth," Lasiocampa querci-
folia shown by Mr. Cole. Other caterpillars possess eye-like spots, and
Dr. Weismann found by direct experiments that these frightened birds
off the insects; his results being confirmed by the experiments of Lady
Verney. In short, there was not a hair, spot or marking on a caterpillar
but possessed some meaning, and indicated some trait in the economy
of the species.
The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Andrew Johnston asking for
information as to the correct orthography of the words "High Beach."
The general opinion of the meeting was that the word should be so
spelled, and not "Beech;" the words probably indicating high ground,
in which pebbly gravels cropped out, so forming a "beach." *
* We have adopted the form "Beach" in the reports, but must confess to feeling con-
siderable doubt as to its correctness; it must be noted that the word is spelled "Beech" in
the Ordnance Maps, in Warner's "Plantae Woodfordienses," and also is so written in some
MS. notes in Mr. Unwin's copy of the same work. We shall be glad of information on the
point.—Ed.