V? Q L Americana PUBLISHED BY THE AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. VOL. I. APRIL 1885 to MARCH 1886. < — >»> EDITOR: JOHN" B. SMITH, NATIONAL MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, D. C. Americana VOL. I. BROOKLYN, APRIL, 1885. NO. 1, ANNOUNCEMENT. Experience has shown that the Entomologists of the United States have not been disposed to give that support, which would insure financial success to the various entomological journals that have been published, and the feeling among many, of late years, has been that in union there would be strength. At the meeting of the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S. , in September 1884, the desirability of a union of existing journals was unanimously conceded. Negotiations between the representatives of the "Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society", and "Papilio'', led to an arrangement by which these Journals were discontinued, and all intention of reviving them abandoned. In their stead, a new Journal — of which this is the first number — was created. The new Journal will be devoted to Entomology in general, and the support of leading specialists in all orders has been promised. The effort will be to make it interesting and instructive to all persons in any way interested in entomology. For many reasons the issuing of such a Journal as an individual enterprise was deemed undesirable, and the representatives of "Papilio" therefore became life members of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, which has been duly incorporated. Provision has been made for a permanent publication fund which, it is hoped, will place the new Journal on a sound financial basis. The publication committee consists of the Editor and Messrs. B. Neumoegen, H. Edwards, E. L. Graef and F. Tepper; and the two journals are therefore represented in the management. The Journal will be edited by Mr. J. B. Smith, who has heretofore- had charge of die Bulletin, and we are glad to announce that Prof. C. V.Riley, U. S. Entomologist, who has also become a life member of die Society, has promised his assistance in making the Journal a success. The proceedings of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, and of the Entomological Society of Washington, will be regularly published, and any other Entomological Society that will send us an abstract of its proceedings will receive like consideration. We ask therefore that all interested in the advance of American Entomology give us their substantial and hearty aid in our new enter- prise. The Publication Committke. Visit to an old time Entomologist. By Dr. John G. Morris. One evening, some years ago, while sipping tea with the family of a friend in his garden in an interior Ohio village, I hastily and uncere- moniously sprung up from my chair, much to the astonishment of my friends, and captured a beetle that was lazily flying by Well, I spilled my tea and dropped my flannel cake and tongue, (not my own, it was delicious beef tongue) but in the scramble, I secured the insect. "You should visit Baron Jemson, before you leave Ohio", exclaimed the lady of the house, "he also catches bugs and is a queer specimen of a big-bug himself, and yet not a hum-bug either." "Baron Jenison!'' 1 replied, "I would go a hundred miles out of my way to see him, for I have heard of him as a man worth visiting.'' Having received directions, behold me early next morning cm my way to visit a foreign titled entomologist who had settled down in Central Ohio. I had never corresponded with him, but I had heard of him. I knew that he was closely allied to one of the proudest families of the English nobility, but he himself was a German by birth. Eor some years he had held a distinguished rank in the army of a German prince. He had enjoyed all the advantages of a German university education. He was .1 gentleman of refined manners and ornamental accomplishments, — he excelled in music and as a draughtsman he hail few equals. His leisure hours were devoted to Entomology and his ardor became so intense, that, having procured a furlough from military duty, he went to Africa on a collecting tour and visited most of the museums and large private col- lections of Europe. An unhappy disagreement with some of his family led him to leave his native country and settle in the United States. He abandoned for- tune and all prospects of preferment and came over with his wife as a poor man. He laid aside all his titular and aristocratic honors and was known among his neighbors as plain Mr. Jenison. This was the gentleman whom I was going to visit. I was quite a young man and wanted to see and learn. I had never seen a live noble- man. Since that time, I have seen many with more names than dollars, and more titles than shirts. On arriving at the village where the baron lived, I did not at once go to his house. I was covered with Ohio dust and I went to a hotel and spent more time in making my toilet than I had done for months. I thought my appearance should correspond to the occasion. The boot black said that if he rubbed another hour at my boots, they would be as thin as paper, and the chambermaid impudently asked me "whether I intended to wash my own shirt?". "Is soap scarce here?" I rejoined. 'No Sir, but it will be if you stay here long'' was the little minx's an- swer, as she bolted like lightning out of the room, just in time to escape a blow from my slippers which I hurled at her head. After smoothing down every hair and adjusting my cravat very neatly, much to its astonishment, I ordered a coach and two. There was no such vehicle in the village. I was told that I must walk. Walk! to a nobleman's mansion? That was vulgar but I had to do it. I went. The house was pointed out. It was not a palace, not even a splendid mansion; it was an ordinary house, very ordinary indeed. It was located on the muddy tow path of a canal; it was constructed of un- painted boards; pigs, fowls and dogs were enjoying themselves around unmolested. I thought my guide had made a mistake. My fancy had portrayed something different: I had thought of columned porticoes, massive gateways, a porter's lodge and liveried servants. My courage began to rise, for verdant as I was, I was intimidated at the idea of en- countering a learned nobleman in his stately mansion, but if his resi- dence is so unpretending, thought I, his manners must correspond. I knocked. A plain, farmer-like man in shirt sleeves, stubby red beard, coarse straw hat, shoes innocent of the stain of blacking and vest and pants that had seen long and severe service, appeared. — 4— I inquired in English: "Is Mr. Jenison at home?" "Yes Sir, walk in ' was the reply in strong German accent. "■Please deliver this card", said I. "lam Mr, Jenison, at your service, Sir!" he replied, straightening himself up with an air of dignity and polished refinement that bespoke the cultivated gentleman under this every day guise. I was amazed and relieved. This then was the entomologist, Baron Jenison. I told him my errand in his native language and I was most cor- dially, almost enthusiastically received. There was the genuine German gush in his manner and in less than ten minutes, though he was twenty years older than I, we were on most familiar terms. We began at once and although it was before noon, I will not say how late it was at night. or lather how early next morning, before we parted. It was indeed a glorious day. He of course, showed me all his collections in almost every department of Zoology, and presented me- ss ith some of his unequalled entomological drawings. He treated me most hospitably and regaled me with everything his own larder and a neighboring caterer could furnish. He displayed extensive reading and personal observation on various branches of Natural History and entertained me most instructively from his exhaustless stores of informa- tion. I humbly sat at the feet of this Gamaliel of science and hung upon his rich discourse with rapture. I started questions and suggested diffi- culties just to draw him out and he spoke like a book. He had met with no one for months who could speak with him on his favorite sub- ject and he seemed greatly delighted. You may imagine what an excit- ing day I spent. The Baron was personally acquainted with many of the most distinguished naturalists of Europe and related many interest- ing anecdotes concerning them. He made me tell all I knew about our American entomologists of that day, when the brotherhood was yet small. Long shall the events of that day be remembered by me. It was an intellectual feast rarely enjoyed. The final adieu long after midnight was impressive. I tore myself away bearing many specimens of the generous Baron's duplicate beetles and the profoundest respect for a truly accomplished gentleman and naturalist. Baltimore, Febry. 1885. Synonymical Notes. By George H. Horn, M. D. There have remained for a long time in our lists species described by Edward Newman which have for various reasons escaped identifica- tion. Several of these are Cerambycidae which immediately obtruded themselves during a recent re-arrangement of my cabinet. Having satis- factorily determined those not previously settled it appeared to me proper to bring together in one list all of Newman's Cerambycidas. These have been described either in the "Entomologist" bearing date 1840-2, or in the "Entomological Magazine" Vol. V, bearing date 1838, In the annex- ed list I have arranged the genera alphabetically, for easy reference, and opposite each of Newman's names the equivalent as now recognized. Those names opposite which no other occurs are still used. In addition to the Cerambycidaa, Newman has described a large number of species in other groups: these are also brought together and similarly treated. In conclusion will be found a number of notes referred to from the list by numbers in parenthesis. By the method of treatment here adopted, priority is established, and the excuse of "long continued use" can not prevail in rejecting an old name for a new one. CERAMBYCIDAE DESCRIBED BY EDW. NEWMAN, WITH THEIR SYXONOMY. CaUidium a:reum Ent. Mag. V. 393. " antennatum ed. " cylindrides ed. 394 -= Smodicum cucujiforme Say. Chion rusticus Ent. 23 = Cliion cinctus Drury. Clytus humeralis Ent. Mag. V, 394 = Neoclytus scutellaris Oliv. Curius dentatus Ent. 17. " scambus Ent. 79 = Plectromerus dentipes Oliv. Encyclops pallipes Ent. Mag. 392 = Encyclops ccerulea Say. Klaphidion deflendum Ent. 6 == Stenosphenus notatus Oliv. " sobrium Ent. 30 = " sobrius (1) mucronatum Ent. 27 = Elaphidion mucronatum Fabr. " incertum Ent. 28. " parallelum Ent. 29. " arctum Ent. 29 = E. parallelum Newin. " inerme Ent. 29. " pumilum Ent. 29. Olaphyra semiusta Ent. 19 = Molorchus bimaculatus Say (2). 1 fcterachthes ebenus Ent. 9. —6— I cpima badia I'm. 69 = Typocerus badius Newm. iH'lu'lis Km. 69 = " veljjtinus Oliv. sinuata Km. 70 = " sinuatus Newm. aurigera I'm. 70 = " zebra t as Fab. bifaris Km. 70. mulabilis Ent. 71. capitata Ent. 71. directa Ent. 71 = Acmseops directa Nm. indirecta Ent. 71 = Leptura lineola Say. interrupta Ent. 72 = " subhamata Kami. stictica Kni. 72 = " octonatata Say. vibex Km. 72 (3). allecta Ent. 72 = Keplura sphsericollis Say (4j. paupercula Ent. 72 = " " exigua Km. 73 (5). haematites Ent. 73. nana Ent. 73 = Leptura exigua Nm. Melhia pusilla Km. 18. Obrium rubrum Km. Mag. V, 395. ( teme indecora Ent. 8 = Oeme rigida Say. Pachyta [one Ent. 30 = Gauroles cyanipennis Saw Phyton limum I'm. 18 = Phyton pallidum Say. Saperda cretata Ent. Mag. V, 396. " cana Ent. 12 = Stenostola pergrata Say. flammata Ent. 13 = Amphionycha flammata \m Spalacopsis stolata Km. 305 (g). " suffusa Ent. 305. Slrangalia famelica Ent. 68. " emaciata Ent. 68 = Strangalia acuminata ( >li\ " strigosa Enl. 69. Toxotus dives Ent. 68 = Toxotus cylindricollis Say. rugipennis Zoologist Vol. 2, p, 476 (14). The following other than Cerambycicku are described in the- Knt< mologist. Kebia russata i>. 31 = Pinacodera platicollis Say. Plochionus amandus p. 32. Hi-pa Bacchus p. 76 = Odontota bicolor Oliv. i' Ariadne p. 77 = Charistena Ariadne Nnv. " Erebus p. 77 = Microrhopala Erebus Nm. " Pluto p. 77 = " excavata Oliv. " Hecate p. 77 = " cyanea Say. Cryptocephalus binominis p. 78 (7). qiiadriforis p. 78 (8). quadruplex p. 78. " lateritius p. 78. trsus p. 79 (8). Species described in Entomological Magazine, Vol. V, 1838. Trichius bistriga p. 170 = Trichius affinis Gory, l'enthe funerea p. 374 = Penthe pimelia Fab. Pogonocerus concolor p. 375 = Dendroides concolor Nin. " bicolor p. 375 = Dendroides canadensis Latr. Eedilus fulvipes p. 375 = Corphyra fulvipes Nm. " rufithorax p. 375 = "' collaris Say. " imus p. 375 = " lugubris Say. " guttula p. 375 = " terminalis Say. " lugubris p. 375 = " Newmani Lee. Myodes slylopides p. 376 = Myodites stylopides Nm. Emmesa connectens p. 376. Hypulus simulator p. 376. Cephaloon lepturides p. 377. Macratria linearis p. 377 = Macratria murina Fab. Ischnomera carmata p. 378 = Asclera ruficollis Say. Synchroa punctata p. 378. Bolitophagus silphides p. 378 = Nosodes scabra Thunb. " telraopes p. 378 = Boletophagus depressus Rand, liydnocera serrata p. 380 = Hydnocera pallipennis Say. Opilus castaneus p. 380 = Priocera castanea Nm. Degrapha typica p. 380 = Calopteron reticulatum Fab. " discrepans p. 381 = " " •' dorsalis p. 381 = " terminale Say. divisa p. 381 = " " Csenia scapularis p. 381 = Csenia dimidiata Fab. Eros praefectus p. 382 = Eros thoracicus Rand. •• lictor p. 382. " alatus p. 382 = Plateros canaliculars Say . " oblitus p. 382 = Eros sculptilis Say. Polaclasis ovata, p. 383 = Polyclasis bifaria Say. Rlupicera proserpina p. 383 Sandalus petrophya Knoch. Onichodon orchesides p. 384 = Fornax orchesides Nm. Necrophorus bicolon p. 385 = Necrophorus pustulatus Hersch. Feronia atrata p. 386 = Pterostichus permundus Say. " orbata p. 386 = Evarthrus orbatus Nm. •' spoliata p. 386 = Evarthrus spoliatus Nm. •' coracina p. 386 = Pterostichus coracinus Nm. •' monedula p. 386 = Pterostichus coracinus? Nm. •' lachrymosa p. 387 = Pterostichus lachrymosus Nm. moerens p. 3S7 = Pterostichus coracinus Nm. picipes p. 377 (9). relicta p. 387 = Pterostichus relictus Nm. interfector p. 387 = Pterostichus ad oxus Say. " rostrata p. 387 = Pterostichus rostratus Nm. Amphasia fulvicollis p. 388 = Amphasia interstitialis Say. Phymaphora pulchella p. .'$89. Langoria gracilis p. 390. Hispa Xerene p. 390 = Microrhopala Xerene Nm. Philemon p. 390 = Odontota nervosa Panz. " Baucis p. 390 =r " Donacia cincticomis p. 391 (10)- " cataractae p. 391 (11). rugifrons p. 391 (11). 1 »rsodachna cosfata p. 391 (12). " ruficollis p. 391. " inconstans p. 392. 1 hlsenius fulgiceps p 490 = Chlsenius pensylvanicus Say. auguslus p. 490. MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. AnchomenuS picticoniis Zoologist, ii, p. 414 = Platynus picticornis Nm. Hydnocera rufipes Uharlesw. Mag. IV, p. 362 (13). " segra id. p. 364. " curtipennis id. p. 364 = Hydnocera rusticalis Say. Rhysodes aratus Charlesw. Mag. 1838, p. 664 = Rhysodes exaratus Serv. p. 666 = Ciinidium sculptile Nm. 1840, p. 249. p. 250 = Griburius larvatus Nm. = Oryptocephalus guttulatus Uliv. = Pachybrachys limbatus Nm. = Oryptocephalus lituratus Fab. = PCryptocephalus trivittatus Oliv. unknown. NOTES. i. — Stenosphenus sobrius Nm., does not occur within our fauna! limits It is abundant in Mexico. 2. — Gltiphyra seminsia Nm , is that variety of M. bimaculatus Say, with the greater portion of the surface rufo-testaceous. j, — Subsequently described by me as L. nitidicollis . 4. — Leptura allecta Nm., is that form of sphaericollis with red thorax. pauper cula with black thorax. 5. — Synonymous with this species is L saucia Lee. L. exigua Nm. i> recognized as variable. The typical form is black, the basal joint of antennae and front legs pale; L. nana has the mouth pale, also the front legs and the bases of the middle and hind femora; /.. saucia Lee, has the legs similar to nana, the thorax yellow with a large discoidal black spot; sometimes the angles only are yellow. In my cabinet is a specimen similar to nana with the head rufo- testaceous. " scu lptilis id. Cryptocephal us bivius id. " larvatus id. " laulus id. " limbatus id. " mammifer id. " geminatus id. • " lixus id. » luteolus id. — 9— L. sabirgentati Kby. Under this name I propose to include several forms which have been separated on color variation. These are ruficeps Lie. , simlis Kby , and rhoiopus Lee. The differences between these forms are given by Dr. Leconte (New Species, 1873, p. 217) the last mrm.l, accidentally omitted, being very like the normal subargentita except that the legs are all rufo-testaceous. 6. — It is probable that these are merely sexes of one, stolata being the male, suffusa the female. 7. — This is, without much doubt, that called by the later name &/- incius Hald. 8. — These two have not been certainly identified. 9. — -" The type of F. picipes Nm , in the British Museum belongs to this (stygicus Say) species, but the description does not agree and seems to refer rather to P. submarginatus." Leconte. In either case the name is a synonym and should be dropped. 10. — This is the species known by the more recent name of lucida Lac. 1 1. — These two seem to be forms of the variable cupraea Kby. 1 2. — After an examination of a large series of Orsodachne from all parts of our country I can see no reason why they should not be considered as one species. There is even greater variation in color than the names now known will cover. The published names in the order of date are as follows: 0. ATRA Ahrens, Neue Schr. Ges. Halle, 181 1, 1, p. 46. vittata Say, Journ. Acad, iii, 1823, p. 430. armeniacce Germ., Ins. spec. nov. 1824. p. 526. hepatica Say, Journ. Acad. V, 1827, p. 281. Ghildreni Kby., Faun. Bor. Am. 1837, IV, p. 221, pi. 7, fig. 6. tibialis Kby., id. id. inconstans Nm. Ent. Mag. V, 1838, p. 392. costata Nm., ruficollis Nm., id. p. 391. trivittata Lac, Mon. Phytop. 1845, *> P- 7 1 - luctuosa Lac. id. p. 72. tricolor Mels., Proc. Acad. 1840, p. 160. From this it seems that our species has quite as much synonymy as has been admitted for the two principal European species. 13. — Hydnocera rufipes has been placed as a variety oUiumeralis Say, but incorrectly, it is a much paler blue than that, the legs entirely pale rufo-testaceous and the elytra are densely and finely punctured. 14- — This species has since been re-described by Dr. Leconte (New Species, 1873, P- 2 °7) as P<-tch\'la rugipennis, he being apparently unaware of Newman's previous description. — IO — On the classification of North American Diptera (Second paper.)* By Dr. S. W. Williston. The limits of the two following families, as here given, are narrower than these now accepted by Osten-Sacken, whose authority in dipterologi- cal matters I need not say is among the very highest. For convenience sake, however, I exclude certain disputed genera, to be discussed else- where, thus rendering the forms given in this paper more certainly re- cognizable. In this, as in the following papers, I introduce genera from Mexico and the West Indies, wherever I can do so with clearness; such will be printed in italics. Genera unknown to me will be preceded b\ .in asterisk. TANYSTOMA. Tarsi with three membranous pads at the tip (the empodium deve- loped pulvilliform); body and legs wholly without macrochaetae {diptera eremochceta Osten-Sacken); eyes of male holoptic (Osten-Sacken), rarely narrowly seperated; two sub-marginal, five posterior cells in the wing, fifth posterior cell not contiguous at its base with the discal cell; the mar- ginal vein encompasses the whole wing; some or all the tibiae with spurs. TABANIDiE. Proboscis of the male with four, of the female with six bristles; third joint of the antennae annulate, never with differentiated style or bristle; tegu- Idt rather large. Species never very small, often among the largest in the order; never thickly pilose; in life the eyes usually brilliantly colored and marked. Head short, broad, eyes large. Antennae porrect, the third joint com- posed of from three to eight annuli or segments. Thorax not very convex, scutellum without spines on its border. Abdomen broad, moderately elongate or short, never slender or contracted. Legs moder- ately stout, the front and middle tibiae sometimes dilated, the middle tibiae always with spurs. Veins of the wings distinct: first posterior cell (and fourth in exotic species) rarely closed. Early stages passed in the water or earth; larvae carnivorous; with a distinct head; pupae free. The females are blood-sucking, usually found in the neighborhood of pastures, in sunny open parts of woods, during the hot sun-shiny days of summer. The males are much more rarely met with, and will be found usually in sweepings of meadow lands, on flowers, etc. * The first paper of the series is in Bull. B'kl. Ent. Soc. VII, p. 129. 1. — Hind tibiae with spurs at their tips (sometimes small:. ( Pangonince. ) 2 Hind tibiae without spurs; ocelli absent. ( Tabanince.) 5 2. Third joint of the antennae composed of eight annuli, the lirst of which is only a little longer than the following ones , 3 Third joint composed of five or fewer segments, the first of which is much longer than the following; ocelli present 4 3. — Front of female narrow, without denuded callus; ocelli rarely absent.. Pangonia. Front of female broad, with a large, broad, denuded callus; ocelli present Apatolestes, ^. 11. 4. Second joint of the antennae about half as long as the first; wings hyaline or with small spots; eyes in life with numerous small dots Silvius. Second joint as long, or but little shorter than the first; wings with a dark pic ure; eyes in life with fewer, larger spots Chrysops. 5. - -Front of the female as broad as long; callus transverse; front tibia; a little dilated; base of third antennal joint not dilated Haematopota. Front of female narrow 6 6. — Front tibia; very much dilated; third antennal joint not strongly angulated above Lepidosiimjii. Front tibiae moderately dilated ; face short Diachlorus. Front tibioe not dilated 7 7. — A small ocelligerous tubercle present in the female; eyes pubescent, more dist- inctly in the male Therioplectes. ( >celligerous tubercle absent; eyes pubescent Atylotus. Ocelligerous tubercle absent; eyes bare Tabanus. LEPTID^. Third joint of antennce simple ; with a simple, or thickened siyliform, bristle; tegulce rudi??ientaty. Rather small to rather large species; thinly pilose, with short thorax, elongate abdomen and large wings. Head short, eyes of male contiguous or approximate; ocelli present. Antennae mostly short, never elongate, the third joint with a terminal or dorsal bristle, or terminal slender style. Face small, excavated. Proboscis short; palpi slender, porrect, often bushy pilose. Abdomen elongate, broadest toward the base, composed of seven segments; the female ovipositor pointed. Legs slender, the hind pair somewhat elongate; some or all the tibiae spurred. Posterior cells of wings all open. Larvae carnivorous, living in earth, decaying wood, dry sand, in moss or in water. The flies are usually found about meadow and low woodlands, on bushes, etc., and prey upon other insects. Some western species of Symphoromyia, according to Osten-Sacken, suck blood, as do the horse-flies. — 12 — 1. — Front tibia- with terminal spurs; face without swelling in the middle (Dialysis Walk., teste Osten-Sackcn) Triptotricha. Front tibiae destitute of terminal spurs 2 2. Third joint of antennae, round, oval, or pear-shaped, the bristle distinctly terminal 3 Third joint kidney-shaped, arista more dorsal 5 3. — Anal cell open Leptis. Anal cell closed i 4. — 'J bird joint of antennas with a slender arcuate bristle Chrysopil°. Third joint with a shorter, slender style *Spa..la.*Ptioli' . 5. Anal cell open Symphoromyia. Anal cell closed Atherix. Apatoiesles, n. g. 9- Head broad; eyes bare, elliptical, angulated above. Front broad, its least width (at the vertex) about a third of the length, below with a large, transverse, denuded callus. Ocelli distinct. Antenna? situated below the middle of the head in pro- file, short, small, first joint thickened, but little longer than broad; sec- ond joint very short, simple; third joint twice as long as the first two together, only a little thickened at the base, cylindrical, composed of eight annuli, the first only a little longer than the following ones. Pro- boscis short, scarcely extending beyond the tip of the palpi, the second joint of the latter moderately tnickened. Abdomen a little wider than the thorax, the sides nearly parallel to the tip of the fourth segment. Legs simple, the front tibiae very slightly dilated, hind tibiae with spurs. All the posterior cells open; anterior branch of third vein with a stump near its origin. Apatolestes comastes, n. sp. 9- Black, thickly bluish gray pollinose. Front -Inning black; face whitish gray; palpi light yellow; wings with stigmatic spot and brownish spots on the cross veins; tibiae brownish yellow. Length II mm., of wings 9 mm. Front shining black, on each side of the ocelli faintly brownish pollinose, below the callus, the first two antennal joints, and on the face densely nearly white pollinose; third antennal joint black. Thorax nearly uniformly clothed with bluish gray pollen, thicker on the pleurae; on the dorsum with sparse white pul>escence, the pleurae with moderately abundant white pile; dorsum with three slender whitish stripes. Abdomen opaque brownish black, the first segment and the posterior margins of the following segments grayish and clothed with sparse wdiite hairs. Legs black, the tibiae brownish yellow : front tarsi blackish, middle and hind pairs brown. Wings lightly infuscated, the stigma and narrow clouds on the cross veins brownish. Two specimens. California. This species in size and general ap- pearance resembles Tabanus pumihis Macq. Gen. nov. A female specimen of a species, yet unnamed, from Florida, — 1 3— may belong to a new genus. The species is the smallest with which I am acquainted in the family, measuring only 6 mm, and has the appearance ot a small Tabanus. The hind tibiae have minute spurs. The head is that of Taba?ius (sensu strict.), except that there is no callus, the front is rather broader, and the antennae have only two very small terminal annuli of the third joint, the basal segment of which is large, only a little longer than broad, gently convex below and obtusely angulated in the middle above. The body is light yellowish brown, thickly pollinose, the wings hyaline with a brownish stigmatic spot. The eyes in life apparently had the upper half green and the lower purple. Noctuids common to Europe and North America. By John B. Smith. In the "Verh. k. k. zool. bot. Gesellschaft in Wien'' 1874, pp. 273 to 319, is a paper on the above subject, by Mr. H. B. Mceschler, than whom perhaps no one has a better collection of Insects from boreal america. From Labrador especially he seems to have sources of supply not open to the majority of collectors, and not a few of the species de- scribed by him are unknown to the American student. To the courtesy of Mr. Mceschler, who at the request of Mr. A. W. P. Cramer sent me for study a small lot of northern species, and among them his types, I am in a position not only to speak intelligently as to his species; but also to correct some errors which have crept into his article. As the heading to this article implies, I speak of the Noctuids alone, and more particularly of the species of Agrotis. Agrotis augur Fab. = haruspica Grt. Mr. Mceschler refers approv- ingly to Speyer's note on this species. Speyer calls them varieties, nam- ing the american form grandis. Grote had previously named the species haruspica and retains the name as referring to a distinct species, and in my opinion correctly. Augur is uniformly smaller and with very dist- inct maculation, and is distinguishable at a glance from its European ally. Not that alone would afford reason for their distinctness; but the fore tibiae are much more heavily spinulated in the American form, and the genital organs of the $ are obviously different. In haruspica the side piece is wider at the middle, and narrows rather abruptly to an ob- tuse tip. The clasper is short, stout, with an abrupt curve forming one cjuarter of a circle. In augur on the contrary the side piece is much — 14 — longer, tapering regularly and evenly from base to tip: the clasper is much longer, more slender, gracefully curved, and terminating in a hook curved into a semi-circle. These characters are constant and reliable, and indicate a good species, however closely related. The western form Sierra differs from haruspica less than that species does from augur, anil is yet a fairly good species. Agroiis sincera II. S. This species I have not been able to compare with European material, but doubt its identity. Agrotis Wockei Mceschl. This species has been hitherto unidenti- fied by American Lepidopterists, and is said, fide Staudinger, to occur also in Central Asia. Comparisons of types prove that scropulana Mori. is a later name for Wockei, and not for cornea, as Mr. Grote puts it. Okakensis Pack, is suspected by Mr. Mceschler as identical with either Carried or Wockei, but without reason: it has bipectinate antennae, while those of WdtkeisLYe simple. I may be permitted to doubt the identity of the Central Asia specimen with our American form. I ! Agroiis /'estiva var. conflua. Mceschler speaks of a § recently receiv- ed, and in his lot is a specimen marked var. conflua; but which is cer- tainly not that species. I have conflua and /estiva, and compared with them, this species differs in having a protuberant, roughened clypeus, very heavily armed lore tibia, and entirely different genitalia. I have named the species solitaria, and feel certain that Mr. Mceschler has al- lowed a superficial resemblance to mislead him. Agrotis simplonia Hb. G. Mr. Mceschler mentions two specimens, and especially a $ which is distinguished by a rusty-spot before the reni- form: this identical specimen is now before me, and is certainly nothing more nor less than a large ^ of Mr. Mceschler's own species, dissona which is also in the same lot. Compared with alpine simplonia which I have at hand the differences are so radical and obvious, that it is really a mystery how Mr. Mceschler could overlook them. Simplonia need not yet be added to our faunal lists. Agrotis Islandica. This Mr. Mceschler claims is found in Labrador: but not like the type form. Two specimens, one from Iceland, and one marked var. Labradorensis are in Mr. Moeschler's lot. This variety is certainly the opipara of Mr. Morrison, and in my opinion fully distinct from the type Islandica. I have seen numerous specimens of opipara which showed very little variation, and decline to believe that it is a vari- ation of Islandica, which is closely allied to sexali/is or obeliscoides. I would much rather believe it a form of ochrogaster Gn., which varies enormous! v. — 15— i Agrotis segetum = texana Grt. This reference is doubtfully made fide Grote in his list of 1875, and texana is not known to Mr. Mceschler in nature. I have seen both sexes of segetum as well as texana and find them totally different. Mr. Giote's reference was probably made on the faith of erroneous information as to the European species. I do not believe that segetum occurs in our fauna. There are eleven other species of Agrotis cited as common to both continents — viz: Chardinyi, bdja, speeiosa, C. nigrum, plecia, fennica ravi, saucio, ypsilon, prasina, and occulta, and as to those I believe him correct, though all the references had been previously made. At some future date I shall have some criticisms to make of others of Mr. Moeschler's original references. I would here simply call atten- tion to the fact that all is not done when it has been determined* that there are no constant differences in color and maculation between species on both sides of the Atlantic. All those forms which are at home in North America are presumably distinct, and only the most careful com- parisons of structure should determine whether the species are really alike. A certain amount of exception to this applies in the case of the circumpolar fauna, and of species which extend far northwardly. The great similarity of surroundings, and the extreme probability that at some time a connection existed between the circumpolar countries, gives countenance to the idea that the fauna is largely identical, and to this opinion I am led by what I have thus far seen of that fauna. As to Mr. Moeschler's paper as a whole, it bears evidence that the author is a firm believer in the identity of a large percentage of the Lepi- doptera found in Europe and North America, and his comparisons are all made with a view to prove identity. Too much importance is placed on color and maculation, and not enough on structure. Mr. Moeschler's references, where they are original, must be carefully verified before they are accepted. Eyes of Insects. In No. 2 of the Journal of the N. Y. Microscopical Society, is an article on "compound eyes and multiple images', interesting as well to the Entomologist as to the Microscopist. There is considerable infor- mation about the general structure, and especially interesting are the notes on the differences of size in the facets of some Tabantdce, and the probable difference of function. Mr. Williston's paper on Syrphula shows that this difference in size of facets occurs also in that family, and also that it has some generic value. J. B. S. — 16— Water Beetles. Looking over several collections of Water Beetles recently, I was surprised to see how poorly they are usually represented. Mr. Roberts and myself last season took numerous species, most of them in large numbers, out of a single pond, and in fact a very limited tract of that pond; and that in mid-summer. April and May are the best months to collect those insects, and any moderate sized pool in which there is some vegetation is sure to yield an abundant harvest. A stout net ring is re- quired, the bag to be of coarse cheese cloth, and the vegetation should be swept nearly to the bottom: not once only, but half a dozen times. In a single haul over a hundred specimens, representing ten or a dozen species have been taken. Rather sluggish ditches in meadows form ex- cellent collecting grounds. J. B S. Oviposition in Agrion. Mr. McLachlan has noticed Agrion mercitria/e, ("a very local British species') with a part or the whole of the abdomen incrusted with mud, caused by its sinking its eggs in the mud left from the dried up pools. He is not aware that this species descends beneath the surface of the water. (Ent. Mo. Mag. Vol. XXI, p. 211.) Remembering the same thing, on referring to my collection, I find a few females of our common Agrion civile with mud on a part of the abdomen. The egg laying habit of this species is to sink about the last four segments beneath the water, generally on grass. I know only one species of North American Agrion to descend beneath the surface of the water, viz: our common A.exulans. I have noticed it a foot or more beneath the surface, fastening its eggs to the stems of water grass, and remaining submerged a long time during the operation. When a stick is thrust near it, or a slight commotion caused that will shake the grass stalk, it will let go, rise quickly to the surface and as quickly take wing. ACAD. NAT. SCI. PHILA. S. FRANK AaRON. In June 1870 I took about sixty cocoons of Samia Cynthia to New- burgh, N. Y., and there freed them. In August 1884 I found on Eagle Cliff, Lake Mohawk, some distance west of Newburgh, several cocoons of -5". cynthia on Sassafras. These were evidently the descendants of those I had freed in 1870. Ailanthus is not found on Eagle Cliff, and the species has evidently adopted the food plant of its near ally, promethea. Chas. A. A. During. New Bombycidae from Colorado. By Henry Edwards. Notodonta notaria, n. sp. Primaries mouse-color, with the nervures, three apical streaks, and a dentate, marginal line, brown. At the base, from near costa to near internal margin is a clear and very distinct white streak. Secondaries sordid white, with brownish dentate marginal line, and a large brownish blotch at anal angle, enclosing a whitish sublimate mark. Thorax concolorous with primaries. Abdomen yellowish brown at base, whitish toward the tip. Antennae dull fawn-color. Underside of primaries sordid white, clouded with brownish, of secondaries sordid white, margins only brownish. Exp. wings 50 mm. Length of body 24 mm. Colorado (D. Bruce.) 5 specimens $ Q- A very fine insect, undoubtedly belonging to the European genus, and in its general aspect recalling A\ tr.em.ula, S. V., and N. torva, L. Janassa lignicolor, var. Coloradensis, n. var. This is probably a new species, but for the present I prefer to regard it as a variety only. The primaries are however much less produced than in/, lignicolor and the tint is grey, with little or no wood-brown shade. The coloring is more diffusely disposed over the wing surface, givmg an indistinctness to the markings, and there is a great difference in the general appearance, difficult to define in words. The anal cloud on the secondaries is decidedly smaller, while the whole insect has a shorter and stouter appearance. Several examples. $ 9- Denver, Colorado (D. Bruce), Salt Lake (Hy. Edwards). Icthyura Brucei, n, sp. Ground color of primaries sordid white, with the lines and marks, rich brown. A basal and sub -basal line, the former whitish, edged with brown, and dentate in the middle, the latter almost straight. Behind the middle is a broad brown shade, through which from costa to internal angle runs a clear white line, which on costa is broadly produced into the distinct white mark usual in the genus, between this and the margin a row of Seven brown spots in the middle of which is a brownish cloud resting on posterior margin, which with the fringe is brownish. Secondaries wholly mouse- color. Thorax sordid white at the sides, the centre broadly brown . Abdomen dull sordid while. Antennae and palpi brown, the shaft of the former whitish. Underside, mouse color, with darker bent median band common to both wings, and the white costal mark on primaries indicated by a pale dash. Exp. wings 30 mm. Length of body 12 mm. Colorado, 1 tf. A very characteristic and distinct species which 1 dedicate with great pleasure to my good friend, Mr. David Bruce, its discoverer. It differs exceedingly from any form previously known to me. ENTOMOl < >GIC \ \MKKK" \\.\ 3 — 1 8 The breeding habits of some of our Dragonflies. H\ W'.m. T. Davis. In the March number of the American Naturalist, Mr. F. E. Todd gives an interesting account of the breeding habits of some Dakota dragonflies. A species closely resembling Lestes imguiculata was ob- served by him crawling down the stems of plants to a depth of several feet in a clear pool. I myself have observed various species of "mallet headed'' dragon- flies under water, clinging to plant stems, and once — but only once — I saw a female Aeschna go below the surface of a slow flowing spring. It was on the 21st of October and about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when I observed this dragonfly partly immersed, but it soon crawled further down the stick until it was entirely under water and near the bottom of the pool which was quite shallow. This insect 1 have before me now and I take it to be Aeschna verticalis, Hagen. It is a bedraggled speci- men and probably was near the end of its days even if had not so un- kindly terminated them. Some of the species of Aeschna seem pardal to running water and I have noticed many flying up and down a brook in the fall, but have never noticed the same insects about the ponds in the vicinity. It is probable, however, that only a few of the large headed dragonflies go below the surface to lay their eggs, as we often see them dipping their abdomens as they fly close to the water. Mr. Uhler says: "LibcUula auripetinis I have often seen laying eggs and I think I was not deceived in my observation that she dropped a bunch of eggs into the open ditch while balancing herself just a little way above the surface of the water. " Are Curculio Larvae Lignivorous? Dear Sir: Mr. Knaus, in the last Bulletin, p. 150, seems rather to enquire whether curculio larvoe live upon dead or decaying wood, than to quest- ion their feeding upon the woody tissues of living plants. So far as my experience goes, it seems beyond doubt that, in addition to such genera as Hylobuis and Pissodcs which infest living plants, there are species which breed in dead wood. I have observed Magdalis barbita. oviposit- ing in fallen hickory {Carya a mar a) and have taken larva;, pupae, and -i 9 — imagos of same species from trees that had evidently been felled more than one season. Acoptus suturalis may also be found in dead stumps. In the following family Eupsalis minula breeds frequently in old stumps and logs of maple, etc., while in the Calandridx I think there are un- doubtedly lignivorous species. Cossonus plataka has been found by me in large numbers under the the bark of a poplar which had been some years dead and was partly decayed. The beetles had evidently emerged from the wood, which was penetrated by numerous small holes. Rhyn- colus and Stenoscelis of this family also apparently breed in dead wood. I have taken specimens of S. brevis both from old poplar and from maple stumps. Ottowa, March u, 1885. W. Hague Harrington. Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society, March 3d. Twenty-six members and visitors present, the President Mr. Cramer in the chair. The reports of the offi- cers for 1884 were read and approved. Mr. A. Salle of Paris, France; Baron C. E. von Osten-Sacken, Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. John G. Morris, Baltimore, Md., were on motion of Mr. J. B. Smith elected honorary members of the Society. Prof. C. V. Riley of Washington, D. C, was elected a life member. Mr. A. E. Brunn was nominated for membership by Mr. E. L. Grasf, and Mr. W. H. Danby of Brooklyn, and Mr. Eugene M. Aaron of Philadelphia were no- minated for membership by Mr. John B. Smith. On motion, the Secretary was instructed to offer to the Agassiz Association the aid of the Society in the way of determinations and in such other ways as might best further the ends of both Societies. Mr. Smith introduced Dr. Horn of Philadelphia, honorary member of the Society, and Dr. S. W. Williston of New Haven, who had come on to attend the meeting of the Society. Dr. Williston was invited to sit as a corresponding member of the Society. Mr. Smith described a monstrosity of a $ Lucanus cervus, the left mandible of which was modified into an imperfect 9 head. Dr. Horn gave a short account of several monstrosities known to him, and stated that the Lamellicomia were especially rich in monstrosities. The antenna? were very often the subject of abnormal variations. Frequently there would be an unequal number of joints in specimens of the same species, or even in the same specimen. The Carahidas stood next in the order of frequency. This led him to speak of variations of color and sculpture, and their value in systematic work. The sexual organs of the ^ are among the most absolutely invariable structures, and are the most reliable in the separation of species among the Sl. Smith and Prof. C. V. Riley, each $50 = $150. AmemcAna VOL. I, BROOKLYN, MAY, 1885. NO. 2. Classification of Hemiptera. By Herbert Osborn. Authors are by no means agreed as to the exact limits of the order Hemiptera or rather as to the number of groups to be included in this varied order. Neither are they agreed as to the natural affinities or the relative rank of the groups and sub-groups they place in it. Mr. P. R. Uhler, our best American Hemipterist includes in the group only the Heteroptera, Homoptera and Parasita, excluding the Mallophaga and the Thysanoptera; these latter groups have been includ- ed by many authorities and Mr. Packard still maintains on embryological grounds that they should be included. This being the condition, and as many more observations both em- bryological and morphological seem necessary to definitely settle the question at issue, we are forced to content ourselves with systems more or less artificial. In undertaking to present a svnoptical arrangement of the group therefore, I shall not consider it in place to discuss these doubtful matters, but simply endeavor to present in condensed form what seems to me the most natural grouping, and that which will afford students the most ready means of arranging their collections. I have followed most nearly the arrangement given by Mr. Uhler in his chapter on Hemiptera in the "Standard Natural History" but am in- debted also to the works of Westwood, Packard, and others. While I have verified all points possible, I have in many instances been obliged to rely upon various authorities, well aware that the discovery of new species must frequently modify the definition of the groups to which they naturally must be referred, and while finding occasion to introduce oc- casional characters in separating the families, based on observations of — 22 — the material in my own hands, it would of course be useless and out of place to attempt to designate such portions, since originality can not be claimed for any such work, though the author may rightly be held re- Sp »nsible for presenting the matter as a whole. The arrangement given is in descending order, hut it will he im- possible to follow this in the order of giving the generic synopses. Including the Mallophaga and the Thysannptera {Physapoda of Packard) we have no comprehensive definition ofth • group. Excluding these, we may say the Hsmiptera include those insects provided with a rostrum or beak formed from the labium and enclosing four ex- tensile setae which form a sucking tube, along with wings usually four in number which are either all membranous, or the fore ones partially or entirely coriaceous. (In Cocci ice there are two in the males only, and in some other groups they are absent or rudimentary in one or both sex< s.) This group which we may call Hemiplera genuina is clearly divided by the position of the head and the structure of the wings into two sub- orders, the Hderoptera and Homoptera. A third sub-order, Parasita, includes the suctorial lice infesting mammals, these apparently having about equal affinities for the two other sub-orders, but combining with neither in being wingless and the beak not jointed. The other groups are at present most conveniently grouped here, and may be ranked also as sub-orders though structurally there can be little question that the}- must bear a more distinct relation to the Hemip- tera proper. The Thysa?ioptera (or Physapodd) are minute insects usually less than 2 millimeters in length; with four very narrow delicately fringed wings which lie flat on the back, with free palpigerous mouth parts, and tarsi without claws; the terminal joint being vesicular. The Mallophaga are wingless parasitic insects living on birds or mammals, with free biting mouth parts, antennae of three to five joints and presenting some resemblance to the wingless Psocidae, and by some authors grouped with the Pseudo-Neuroptera, It is intended to include in these synopses only the North American genera, and the tables must not be considered as applicable in a larger range. The characters also, here mentioned are those of most import- ance as related to the groups to be here included. Perhaps in no Other order of insects is there such diversity of modi lication in the several structural elements, and this diversity is accom- panied with extreme lack of constancy, so that the clear definition of groups is rendered difficult. The body varies in form from the most elongated and thread like to short or circular, from the thickest to forms so flattened that they may live in the narrowest crevices They are convex above and below, or flattened or concave above and convex below. The head serves by its position to separate the two leading sub- orders but aside from this it is subject to most extreme modification. It is cylindrical, often elongate in Reduviidce and Nabidce, decidedly flatten- ed in Corddce and allied families. In the Homoptera the front is very often produced, the most extreme modification of this part occuring in the Fulgoridce. The ryes are usually prominent organs, standing out at the sides of the head; they serve rather as land marks— by which to locate the other organs of the head — than as distinctive in themselves. The ocelli are commonly present and by their absence or by their relation to the eyes serve to define some minor groups. The antenna are never particularly elongated, usually composed of few joints and as a rule but slightly modified. They run from filiform in the lower Homoptera to setiform in Cicada and allies: and are mostly filiform, with the terminal joints either slender or else slightly enlarged in the Hderoptera. In a few cases the joint next the last is much flatten- ed and broadened or otherwise modified. They are truly capitate only in the Lioiheida. The labrum is usually very small, but occasionally with the clypeus furnishes good characters for separation of genera and species. The setae of the mouth vary greatly in length, but are of little value in determin- ing the relation of groups. The labium is an important structural element. It forms the sheath for the setse, and is termed the beak or rostrum. It consists of three or four joints except in the Pediculidae where it is apparently devoid of arti- culation. By its origin at the front of the head indicating the horizontal position, or at the sternal border of the head indicating the vertical posi- tion, it serves to distinguish the Heteroptera and Homoptera and by its separation from or apparent union with the sternum it serves to divide the Homoptera into two minor groups. Furthermore the form of the basal joint and the comparative length of the joints are points of great value in determining relationships. The thorax in its modifications corresponds in general with the habits of the groups, whether aquatic, terrestrial or aerial. The prothorax is often minute and weak, again enormously deve- loped and overshadowing all other parts as in Membracidae. It is trans- versely sutured in Reduviidae. — 24 — The mesothorax contains in the higher Homoptera and in nearly all Hderoptcra, a well developed scutellnm, situated hetween the bases of the fore wings Its form and size assist in distinguishing some import- ant groups. The metathorax is often reduced in size, forming a thin plate between mesothorox and abdomen. The legs vary in size and length and in the structure of the tarsi. A part or ail of them are ciliated in most aquatic species: they are strong and spiny in most of the raptorial groups: pul villi are in some groups present between the claws of the tarsi. The 7vings are quite characteristic. In Honwptira they are gener- allv membranous and veined, or the fore ones as in Ctrcopidcc and allies uniformly coriaceous. In the latter case they do not overlap at the tips but unite on the median line as the elytra of Coleoptera. In Hderoplera the fore wings are divisible into three parts: a basal thick portion, the corium; a transparent apical portion, the membrane, which is veined; and a portion bordering the scutellnm, the clavus. In some groups, notably the Phytoconidae there is a triangular part between the corium and membrane, the cuneus. They usually lie flat on the back, the membranous portions overlapping each other. The hind wings present less differences in structure, in both groups; but their venation is often important in distinguishing minor groups. The Parasita and Mallophaga as well as one sex in many of the other groups, and occasionally both sexes are wingless or have these or- gans represented by mere rudiments. In Thysanoptcra they are very deli- cate with a very broad and delicate fringe. The abdomen presents many modifications of form, some of which are quite constant. It is quite commonly concave above for the recept- ion of the wings, but seldom so concave as not to be filled by the flatly folding wings. The spiracles are, except in Parasita, situated below the margin. The margin is quite generally sharp and either horizontal or slightly elevated. The genital organs are in some groups external and furnish valuable characters for separating groups, but more commonly they are hidden in both sexes so as to furnish little aid without dissect- ion and frequently the distinction of the sexes is impossible by external characters. In the higher Homoptera and in a few groups of the Helerop- tera the ovipositor of the female is received into a slit on the underside of the abdomen and serves to readily distinguish the sexes and affords useful characters in systematic arrangement. The following analytical tables will assist in placing the vaiious sub- groups, and also show the arrangement which seems to me at present most satisfactory. In the synopses of families many groups are given that rank for —2 5 — convenience, which by good authorities, and very properly I think, are given the rank of super-families. These groups will be discussed more particularly along with the characters of sub family and generic import- ance in the synoptical tables of genera, which it is intended shall follow this paper. SYNOPSIS OF SUB- ORDERS. A. — Labium forming a beak and enclosing setae. B -Labium jointed, spiracles inferior, wings usually present. C. — Head horizontal, beak arising anteriorly, fore wings, coriaceous at base Heteroptera CC. -Head vertical, beak arising postero-inferiorly. Wings uniformly membran ous or coriaceous Homoptera BB. — Labium not jointed, spiracles superior. Wings always absent Parasita .•4.4. — Labium not forming a beak, mouth parts free. g. — Wings present, narrow, delicately fringed; tarsi vesicular (frequenting blossoms) Thysanoptera. BB.— Wings never present; tarsi with claws. (Parasites on birds and mammals).... Mallophaga. SYNOPSIS OF FAMILIES. HETEROPTERA. * ANTENNAE ALWAYS PROMINENT. t Legs ordinary, adapted to terrestrial life. Never Inhabiting water or wet places. .4.— Head usually flattened or triangular, closely joined to body, often immersed to the eyes, basal joint of the rostrum straight. B.— Bodies usually rather thick and flattened or convex above, convex below. C. — Ocelli usually conspicuous. D. — Scutellum very large. E. — Scutellum quite convex, covering nearly the whole abdomen Scutelleridae. EE. —Scutellum nearly flat, attenuated posteriorly Penlatomidae. DD. — Scutellum ordinary. F— Antennae inserted above a line drawn from eyes to base of beak .... Coreidae. FF. -Antennae inserted on or below lateral margin of head and on a line drawn from eyes to base of beak Lygaeidae. CO.— Ocelli absent or inconspicuous. Bodies rather soft. G. -Terminal joint of antenna: not slender Pyrrhocoridae. (iO.— " " " " long and slender Phytocondae. BB.— Bodies decidedly flattened or else decidedly concave above, beak 3-jointed. //, —Antennae tapering. Body very flat Cimicidae. JUL— Antennae enlarging at tip or clubbed. /. —Wings more than covering abdomen, gauze like Tingitidae. — 26 — //. Wings not covering the abdomen. J. — Margins of thorax and abdomen elevated, angular, head ftot flattened Phymatidae. ././. -Thorax and abdomen exceedingly depressed, (live under bark) Aradidae. .1.1. Head cylindrical, distinctly separate from b >dy, base of rostrum curved. An tennse usually tapering, prothorax with transverse suture. K. — Rostrum long, slender Nabidae. KK. Rostrum short, stout Reduviidae. ** ANTENNAE (EXCEPT IN GALGULIDAE) PROMINENT. ft Legs usually very long and slender, the tarsi furious!// modified/or locomotion on surface of water or life in marshy places. A. — Antenme very conspicuous. B. — Antennas slender. Bodies linear Hydrometridae. BB. — Antennae short and thick or with basal joint stout and outer joints slender Velliidae. BBB. — Antennae long, conspicuous. C. —Ocelli and scutellum apparently absent Hydrobatidae. CC. - Ocelli present, size small Saldidae . A A. — Antennae inconspicuous, ocelli present Galgulidae. *** ANTENNAE ALWAYS CONCEALED IN CAVITIES OF THE HEAD. Iff Legs often ciliated. (Aquatic forms.) A. — Head inserted in prothorax, fore tarsi normal. B. — Bodies flat oval or ovate. C. —Without caudal setae Naucoridae. CC. — With strap-like caudal appendage Belostomidae. BB. — Bodies flat, oval, ovate or elongated, with long respiratory caudal setae Nepidae. HUH. Bodies thick, usually soft, convex above Notonectidae. .1.1. — Head overlapping the prothoiax, fore tarsi flattened and ciliated. . . .Corisidae. HOMOPTERA. * BEAK DISTINCTLY SEPARATE FROM STERNUM. Tarsi three-jointed. Antennw minute, setiform. A. — Wings more or less opaque, usually narrow, sometimes very broad. B. — Prothorax well developed. Antennae placed between the eyes. Scutellum triangular. C. --Bodies usually rather slender, front little, if any, produced or carinated. D. — Ocelli on vertex Tettigonidae. DD. — Ocelli on front Jassidae. CC. — Bodies usually stout, ocelli on vertex, front usually carinate. ... Cercopidae. llll. —Prothorax weak, often but slightly developed, antennae and ocelli placed beneath the eyes, front often produced, scutellum inconspicuous.. Fulgondae. .1.1. Wings entirely membranous, strongly veined. D. — Prothorax normal, not covering wings. Wings broad, size large, males musical Cicadidae. DD. — Prothorax greatly enlarged, covering the wings and often the entire body Membracidae. —2 7 — ** BEAK APPARENTLY ARISING FROM STERNUM. Tarsi one- or tico-jointed. All of small she. Antenna' prominent, usually filiform. A. — Tarsi usually 2-jointed, wings, when present, four. B. — Beak 3 or 4 -jointed. C. — Antennae 10-jointed Psyllidae. CC — Antennae 3 to 7-jointed Aphid.id.ae. BB.— Beak 2-jointed Abyrodidae. .4,4. —Tarsi one-jointed. Males with two wings, females never winged. Enclosed in waxy scales closely adherent to bark or leaves, or clothed with cottony down. Coccidae. PARASITA. The American species are contained in one family Pedicul'dae. MALLOPHAGA. A. — Antennae filiform. Maxillary palpi absent, tarsi short Philopteridae. .1.1. -Antenna? capitate. Maxillary palpi conspicuous, tarsi long Liotheidae. THYSANOPTERA. These are conveniently grouped in one family Thripidae. An abnormal Lucanus cervus * At the January meeting of the Society Mr. L. C. Schenk exhibited a $ specimen of Lucanus cervus with apparently somewhat aborted man- dibles. It seemed at first as if here was only a case of accidental injury in an early stage; but more careful study has developed a very interesting malformation. In size the specimen ratner exceeds the average $ of cervus, and up to the head, is normal. The right side of the head to the mandible, is normal, the antenna complete. The mandible is distorted, lacking the teeth, and the point bent inwardly and joining the front under the labrum. It is perfectly immobile, and forms an irregular loop. The left .side of the head is shorter than the right; but retains the normal sculpture to the front. The antenna is aborted, the basal joint much shorter than that of the opposite side, the remaining joints irregu- lar, the club wanting. The eye is irregular in shape, and somewhat flattened. The front is oblique, the clypeus twisted sideways by the right mandible. The left mandible is wanting, its place occupied by an imperfect female head, with two perfect though immobile mandibles. The palpi and labrum are aborted and form a queer intergrade between $ and 9 an( -l appear partly to belong to the <$ and parti}- to the 9 head. The palpi are hardly half the length of those of a normal <^\ Altogether this is the most remarkable abnormity it has been my fortune to see. J-l>.^. * Read before the Brookl. Ent. Soc. March 1885. ■28- Synopses of Cerambycidae .* By Charles W. Leng, B. S. GNAPHALODES, Thorns. A species belonging to this genus has occured in Texas. It should be placed before Chion with the following definition: Prothorax with lateral spine behind tin- middle; antenna 1 densely fring- ed beneath, inner angle of joints 4—7 spinose; elytra bispinose at tip, episterna of metathorax wide, scent pores distinct. The scutellum is triangular, larger than in Chion, and the eyes are less coarsely granulated; the prosternum is perpendicular behind, and the mesosternum convex. The body is brown, uniformly clothed with gray brown pubescence, paler and more dense on the scutellum. The species may be considered an occasional visitor rather than a permanent addi- tion to our fauna. G. trachyderoides Thorns. Class. Long. p. 236; acuticornis Chev. Dej. Cat. page 152. CHION, Newm. Contains one species, a large grayish brown insect with rounded prothorax, spined at sides and bispinose elytra. It varies greatly in color and may or may not bear a yellowish arcuate blotch on each elytron be- fore the middle. Length 25 — 37 mm. = 1 — 1.5 inches. Hab. America borealis. C. cinctus, Drury, 111., 2. 1773. Ind. I, p. 85, t. 37, f. 6. Harris, In j. In>. 81; ruricola Gmel. ed Linn. I, 4, p. i860; rusticus Fab. Sp. Ins. I, 228; baUeatus Deg. Mem. V, in, t. 14, f. 3; (jaraanicus Fab. Syst. Ent. 178; 4 spinosus Hald. Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. X, 32. EBURIA, Sere. Contains several species of moderate size readily distinguished 1>\ the two pairs of ivory spots on the elytra. We reproduce the Synopsis offered by Dr. Leconte in 1873, and published in S.M.C., No. 264. A. — Middle and hind femora produced at tip into two acute spines; elytra bispinose at tip; a.— Front coxa? not angulated. fissure completely closed; prothorax abruptly con- stricted before and behind, tuberculate and strongly armed on the sides; color piceous; Body glabrous above, slightly pubescent beneath, prothorax feebly grossly punctured, elytra with very small ivory spots of which the medial pair and the outer basal one are frequently wanting Ulkei. Body densely and finely pubescent, prothorax with a few very large punct- ures; elytral spots small, distant, outer basal one sometimes wanting, ely- tral spines small stigmatica. * Synopses of the preceding genera will be found in the Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc. Vol. VII. — 2 9 — b. — Front coxa angulated; prothorax densely arid coarsely punctured, sides sub- luberculate in front, lateral spine small, acute, dor.-al callosities denuded, color testaceous; Lateral tubercle of prothorax very distinct; elytra with outer spine shorter, and ivory spots smaller Haldemani. Lateral tubercle of prothorax feeble, elytra with outer spine longer, and ivory spots larger 4-geminata. c. — Front coxae angulated; prothorax densely and finely punctured, transversely impressed before and behind the middle, lateral spine acute, color testaceous; Ivory spots very unequal, thoracic spine strong stigma. Ivory spots equal, large; thoracic spine very small, femoral spines very long. distincta. Ii. — Femora with short apical spines; elytra obliquely truncate inwards at tip, pro- thorax coarsely and densely punctured, rounded on the sides, with two denuded dorsal callosities; color testaceous; front coxre distinctly angulated. Ivory spots of elytra unequal ovicollis. C. — Femora without spines, apical angles obtuse; elytra transversely subtruncate; pro- thorax with four dorsal callosities before the middle, lateral spine very small; front coxa? not angulated; Abdomen densely, but equally and less finely punctured: sides of prothorax much rounded in front of the spine, ivory spots small tumida. Abdomen unequally punctured, sides of prothorax very feebly rounded in front; Ivory spots geminate, apex of elytra truncate mutica. Ivory spots single, apex of elytra nearly rounded, with a small sutural spine... manca. E. Ulkei Bland, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., I, 270. Length 27 mm. — 1.08 inch. Hab. Lower Cal. E. stigmatica Chevr. Col. Mex. fasc. 3, 1834, No. 60; perforata Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, p. 180. Length 23 — 30 mm. = .92--- 1.20 inch. Hab. Tex. E. Haldemani Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 102. Length 19 — 30 mm. = .75 to 1.20 inch. Hab. Texas, Florida. E. 4-geminata Say, TAP-, V, 2, 1827, p. 275. Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 11. Chev. Ann. Fr. 1862, p. 265. Length 23—30 mm. = .90—1.20 inch. Hab. Atlantic States. E. stigma Oliv. Ent. IV, 67, p. 126, t. 23, f. 180. Length 18.5 mm. = .70 inch. Hab. Cuba, Florida. E. distincta Hald. Proc. A. P. Ill, 1845, p. 150; Dej. Cat. 3d ed. p. 351. Length 22—25 mm - =.90 — 1.00 inch. Hab. Ga. and Miss. E. ovicollis Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, p. 180. Length 18— 23 mm. = .72— .92 inch. Hab. Texas. E. mutica Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. VI, 1853, p. 233. Length 17—21 mm. = .60— .80 inch. Hab. Texas. E. manca Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, p. 181. Length 15 -20 mm. = .60-. 80 inch. Hab. Texas. ROMALEUM, White. The species of this genus differ from Elaphidion, with which they have been united, by the more robust form and by the epistema of the ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 5 —3° metathorax being distinctly though slightly wider in front, and gradually narrowed behind. The femora are not spinose and the spines of the an- tennae are never long. The antenna- are longer than the body in ^J\ the prothorax is very densely punctured with a posterior medial channel and dorsal cicatrices. In Q the antennae are shorter and the prothorax coarsely punctured with a medial and two dorsal callosities. The species are separated as follows: Body uniformly finely pubescent; Both angles of 3d and 41b joint of antenna 1 spinose procerum. Ouier angles only spinose simplicicolle. Body irregularly pubescent, with spots of coarser and denser hair; Pubescence mottled irregular atomarium. Pubescence uniform, fulvous rufulum. Sparsely pubescent, elyira very coarsely punctured before the middle, with an irre gular transverse paich ot white pubescence at the middle taeniatum. R. procerum Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 88. Length 37.5 mm. = 1.5 inch. Hah. New Mexico, Cal. R. simplicicolle 1 laid. Proc. Ac. Phil. Ill, p. 151; Lee. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. ser. 2, 11, p. 1 2 ; pulverulentus Hald. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. X, p. 32; Lecontei Dej. Cat. 3d ed. p. 352; Chev. Journ. of Ent. I, p. 243. Length 44 mm. = 1.75 inch. Hab. United Stales. The two species above mentioned are very close, and separable only by characters given in the table. The species of this and the succeeding genus are founded on structural differences, in which the family Ceram- bycidae is so rich. In the present and in other instances these differences are so slight as to indicate that the species arc either of very recent ori- gin or are now tending to coalesce. We fail however to find intergrades which would justify us in uniting the species and merely caution the student that the table must be followed very literally to correctly identify specimens. R. aperarium, White, = one of the above species. Since the above was in type, Dr. Horn writes as follows: -Alter examining my series, I can not separate procerum and simplicicolle, ami would advise their union under the former name. The arrangement of the antennal spines is an illusory and evanescent character. " R. atomarium Drury, 111. 11, 1773, lnd - •- P- 93> t- 4L f- 6; Lee. J. A. P. ser. 2, 11, p. 177; marylandieus Fab. Syst. Ent. p. 179; Oliv. Ent. IV, 70, p. 6, t. 1, f. t;; multicolor L. ed. Gmel. I. 4, p. 1857 ; pulverulentus De G. Ins. V, p. 118, t. 14, f. 12. length 22- 31 mm. = .88 — 1.22 inch. Hab. Middle and Southern States. R. rufulum Maid. Trans. Am. Phil. X, p. 32. length 22— 28 mm. = .88 — 1. 15 inch. Hab. Middle States. These are again closely related. The fulvous color will distinguish rufulum as well as the uniform pubescence: atomarium being darker in every specimen we have seen. — 3 i— R. taeniatum Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. VII, 1851, p. 81. Length 20 —25 mm. = .80 — 1.00 inch. Hab. Texas. A verv distinct species, intermediating somewhat in appearance be- tween this and the following genus. ELAPHIDION, Sen?. In this genus the metathoracic episterna are scarcely wider in front than behind. The prothorax in sculpture and form and the spines of thighs, elytra and antennae vary in every conceivable degree and are the basis upon which most of the numerous species have been erected. In general the species of Elaphidion are more slender and smaller than those of Roma hum. The species require renewed and careful study, which can only be made however, with Dr. Leconte's types at hand for com- parison. SYNOPSIS OF ELAPHIDION. A. — Antennae and elytra with very long spines; thighs spinose at tip; prothorax per- pendicular behind, mesosternum gibbous; prothorax rf 9 similar with several callosities; Antenna; (J 1 longer than the body; Above glabrous, with patches of white hair irroratum. Above clothed irregularly with gray pubescence mucronatum. Antennae rf not longer than the body; Uniformly pubescent, scarcely mottled on the elytra tectum. B. — Antennal spines small; elytra rounded at tip, sutural spine distinct; prothorax broadly rounded at sides, coarsely and deeply punctured with three narrow smooth spaces; Rather slender, piceous, thinly clothed with long flying hairs alienum. C. — Antennal spines small; prosternum rounded behind, mesosternum obliquely decli- vous; thighs not spinose at tip; prothorax $ finely, 9 more coarsely punctured; (scent pores indistinct in a, b, or very obvious c, or wanting d); a. — Prothorax rounded on the sides with several dorsal callosities, elytra truncate and strongly bispinose at tip; Pubescence grayish brown, mottled incertum. b. — Prothorax feebly rounded on the sides, elytra uni- or not spinose at tip, pubes- cence grayish brown, mottled; Thorax with a medial smooth space, and no dorsal callosities; tip of elytra trunc- ate inwards, not spinose inerme. Thorax with a medial smooth space and two small discoidal callosities; tip of elytra subtruncate, sutural spine distinct truncatum. Thorax more rounded on the sides, dorsal space coarsely punctured; tip of elytra rounded, suture not spinose spurcum. r. Prothorax scarcely rounded on the sides, nearly cylindrical (except in pumilum); elytra bispinose; Pubescence mottled, flying hairs not very obvious; elytral spines long; legs den- sely punctured and pubescent ; —32— Prothorax scarcely longer than wide villosum. Prothorax distinctly longer than wide parallelum . Pubescence mottled, flying hairs very long and numerous on legs and antenna.*: legs very sparsely punctured; Elytral spines very short pumilum. Pubescence sparse, coarse, uniform; body very long ami slender, coarsely punct- ured; legs coarsely punctured; Flying hairs sparse; antenna] and elytral spines moderately long subpubescens. Flying hairs long; spines long aculeatum. Body shining testaceous, sparsely punctured and nearly glabrous; Plying hairs sparse; elytral spines long unicolor. '/. Prothorax rounded on the sides, coarsely punctured ((j 'O) without callosities; body more robust, uniformly coarsely and sparsely pubescent, elytra rounded at tip; legs coarsely punctured ... moestum. />. Antenna) spines completely wanting; thighs not spinose; pubescence uniform, sparse; form slender, prothorax feebly rounded on the sides; Pubescence intermixed with long Hying hairs; elytra rounded at tip, legs very finely pubescent, scarcely punctured; metasternum without odoriferous pores punctatum. Thinly clothed with long flying hairs; elytra rounded and slightly truncate at tip; thighs finely punctulate with sparse seti^erous punctures; metasternum with distinct odoriferous pores imbelle. Pubescence without long flying hairs; elytra truncate at tip, legs very coarsely punctured; punctuation of prothorax rfQ dissimilar cinerascens. E. irroratum Linn. Syst. Nat. ed XII. p. 633; Drury, 111. I, p. 92, t. 41, f. 3; Hope, Trans. Zool. Soc. I, p. 107; Jacq. Duv. Hist. Club, 1857, p. 266, t. 10, f. 7. Length 19 mm. = .75 inch. Hab. Cuba, New York, Ills. The thighs are distinctly spinose in all that we have, but two speci- mens from Illinois which are otherwise similiar have the antennal spines moderate. E. mucronatum Say, J. A. P. Ill, 1823, p. 427; Newn. Ent. p. 27; muricatum Said. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. X, p. 33; nebutlosum Guer. Ic. regn. anim. Ill, p. 255; Dej. Cat. 3d ed. p. 352. Length 15—19 mm. = .60 -.75 inch. Hab. Mass. to Florida and westward to Missouri. A common and distinct form. E. tectum Lee. Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. XVII, 413. Length 15.6 mm. = .62 inch. Hab. Florida. We have not seen this species. E. alienum Lee. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. V, 173. length 14.5 mm. = .58 inch. Hab. Arizona. Dr. Leconte's description does not describe the thighs, and having no specimen before us we are unable to place it in any previous division. It appears to be a quite distinct form from characters given in table. —33 — E. incertum Newn. Ent. p. 28; Lee. J. A. P. ser. 2, II, p. 13; aspersus I laid. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. X, 1847, p. 32; vicinum Hald. Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. X, ],^; negledum Lee. Journ. Ac., N. Sc., Phil. ser. 2, II, 13. Length 17.5 mm. = .70 inch. Hab. New York. E. inerme Newn. Ent. p. 29. Length 12 — 15 mm. = .5 —.6 inch. Hab. Pennsylvania, Tex. All the specimens we have answering to the description are from Texas and are small and slender. E. truncatum Hald. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. X, p. 33; debile Lee. Proe. Ac. Sc. Phil. VI, 442. Length 14 — 19 mm. = .56 — .75 inch. Hab. Texas. Our only specimen is large and robust. E. spurcum Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. VI, p. 422. Length 14 mm. = .45 inch. Hab. Texas near Mexican boundary. The pubescence is distinctly mottled. E. villosum Fab. Ent. Syst. I, 2, p. 302; Newn. Ent. p. 28; patator Peck, Harris Ins. Mass. p. 81. Length 18 mm. = .70 inch. Hab. Middle and Southern States. E. parallelum Newm. Ent. p. 29; Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 103; Chev. Ann. Fr. 1862, p. 262; murinus Dej. Oat. 3d ed. p. 352; pusillus Dej. Cat. I.e.; dblitus Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 14; arctus Newn. Ent. p. 29; Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 16. Length and Habitat same as villosum. These common species differ markedly in the form of prothorax as well as in parallelum being usually much more slender. The 5th ventral segment in ^ villosum is rounded at tip, while in $ parallelum it is truncate. E. pumilum Newn. Ent. p. 29; Lee. J.A.P. ser. 2, II, p. 14. Length 9 mm. = .36 inch. Hab. Georgia, Tex. This species is easily identified by synopsis. E. subpubescens Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. XIV, p. 41. Length 17.5 mm. = .70 inch. Hab. New Jersey, Tex. E. aculeatum Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, p. 184. Length 15 mm. = .60 inch. Hab. Texas. These two species are closely allied and distinguished from other species by their very slender form. E. unicolor Rand. Bost. Journ. II, 1838, p. 42. Length 11 mm. = .45 inch. Hab. Atlantic States. The slender scarcely pubescent body and elytra distinguish this species at once. E. moestum Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. VI, p. 442. Length 13 — 15 mm. = .50 — .60 inch. Hab. Texas. Resembles spurcum in size and robust form, but differs in elytral spines and pubescence which is sparse, exposing the dark brown color of the body and elytra. —34 — E. punctatum Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, p. 185. Length 10— 12 mm. = .40 — .48 inch. Hah. Lower Cal. E. imbelle Lee. Huff. Bull. IV, 27. Length 17. 3 mm. = .70 inch. Hah. California. E. cinerascens Lee. Journ. Ac. Sc. Phil. ser. 2, II, p. 15. Length 8.5—12.5 mm. = .35 — .50 inch. Hah. Pa. Tex. The three species above named are sufficiently characterised by the synopsis. E. punctatum we have not seen. Note. — I shall be glad to see any specimens of Elophidion which d<> not fall within the descriptions above given, or which seem to intergrade between them. Quite large series have served on the whole to confirm Dr. Leconte's views on this genus and specimens needing special atten- tion will be therefore very interesting and meet with prompt recognition in these columns. Such may be sent to Mr. ("has. W. Leng, P.O. Box 3565, New York. ANEFLUS, Lev. This genus is rendered necessary for certain species which complete- ly resemble the elongate forms of Elaphidion [suhpubescens etc. ) in ap- pearance, but differ by having the joints of the antennae from the 5th flattened and distinctly carinate along the middle of the flat sides. SYNOPSIS OF ANEFLUS. Prothorax distinctly dilated, and feebly angulated on the sides; elytra bispinose at tip; hind tibia; scarcely carinate; palpi unequal, with the last joint dilated, tri- angular; Very large, spines of antenna? moderately long protensus. Prothorax cylindrical, sides nearly straight; Third joint of antennae with a spine a little longer than that of 4th joint; palpi with last joint not dilated; Elytra emarginate at tip, slightly bispinose, flying hairs of tibia? long, not very numerous linearis. Third joint of an term re with spine much longer; Elytra emarginate at tip, flying hairs of tibia.- not conspicuous, palpi with last joint not dilated tenuis. Elytra truncate at tip, suture more prominent, flying hairs of tibiae long, numer- ous; palpi very unequal, with last joint triangular, dilated; (antennal cari- nas obsolete) volitans. Antennal joints 3 — 6 with short spines, distinctly carinate; apex of elytra with two long spines; last joint of palpi elongate, triangular prolixus. A. protensus Lee. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, p. 82. Length 30 mm. = 1.22 inch. Hab. Arizona. A. linearis Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 80. Length 10 mm. =.41 inch. Hab. California. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, MAY, I? ml &S18 ^ t L. rr f& ^% ' -"*•* ft W r / n ! \.Sc T\ W7 m * ; ;.< n ki- ts BNTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, MAY, 1885. fe^5 —35— A. tenuis Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. VII, p. 81. Length 1.25 mm. = .50 inch. Hab. Texas and Arizona. In this species, as in the preceding, the palpi are not dilated and are not very unequal; the hind tibiae are however much more distinctly carinaled, the spine of the 3d antennal joint is two-thirds as long as the 4 th joint and the spine of the latter is quite small. A. volitans Lee. S.M.C. No. 264. 1873, p. 186. Length 10 mm. = .40 inch. Hab. Lower Cal. In this species as in prot.nsus the first joint of the antennae is longer and less thickened than in linearis and slightly curved, the outer joints are scarcely carinate, the spine of the 3d joint is two-thirds as long as the 4th joint and the spine of tne latter is also long, being fully one third as long as 5th joint. The hind tibiae are only feebly carinate. A. prolixus Lee. S.M.C. No. 264, 1873, p. 203. Length 25 mm. = 1 inch. Hab. Lower Cal. The antenna? are very distinctly carinate, of $ nearly as long as body, 9 scarcely two-thirds as long. The appearance of a transverse line on the disk of prothorax is the result of the arrangement of the pubescence rather than a positive elevation. EXPLANATION OF PLATES I & II. 1 Tetropium cinnamopterum, 18 Xylocrius cribratus, 2 Upsimus 4-lineatus, 19 Malacopterus vittatus, 3 Smodicum cucujiforme, 20 Ueme rigida, 4 Conocallus collaris, 21 " strangulata, 5 Physocnemum brevilineus, 22 Eucrossus vilicornis, 6 " Andrete (Elytra), 23 Dryobius 6-fasciatus, 7 Rhopalopus sanguinicollis, 24 Haplidus testaceus, 8 Hylotrupes bajulus, 25 Achryson surinamense, 9 " ligneus, 26 Gracilia minuta, 10 Phymatodes variabilis, 27 Axestinus obscurus, 11 " dimidiatus, 27a " " antenna, 12 " vulneratus, 28 Brothylus conspersus, 13 " varius, 29 Osmidus guttatus, 14 " decussatus and nitidus, 30 Stromatium pubescens, 15 Merium proteus, 31 Antenna of Aneflus, 16 Callidium antennatum, 32 Gnaphalodes trachyderoides. 17 " hirtellum, [By the error of the Photo Engraving Co., the plates were made rather smaller than ordered. The actual size of insects iigured is therefore somewhat greater than indicated. Most of the species here figured were described in Bulletin, Vol. VII.] - 3 6- Synopses of Butterflies.* Bv Rev. Geo. D. Hulst. EREBIA, Dalm. i. Tyndarus Esp. Schm. I. 2. p. 97, pi. 67. Gattias W. II. Edw. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 3, 274. Above brown: on disk of primaries covering the discoidal and upper median interspaces a triangular castaneous patch enclosing a black duplex spot, both parts ocellated. Secondaries with three black spots each in a pale castaneous ring. Underside of primaries castaneous ex- cept the costal edge and apex which are gray; same markings as above. Secondaries grav with a brown tint; the disk crossed with a deeply cre- nated line, anterior to which near base is another similar line nearly ob- solete: spots as above. Expands 1.5 inches. Colorado. 2. Haydenii YV. H. Edw. Rep. Hayden Exp. Montana, 1872, 467. Trans, Am. Ent. Soc. 5, 19. Upper side fuscous, immaculate. Underside a shade paler, much marbled with gray scales; primaries immaculate; secondaries with a com- plete series of black ocelli along the edge of outer margin, one in each interspace, each ocellus narrowly ringed with ochraceous and having a minute white pupil. Expands 1.6 inches. Taken at Yellowstone Lake. 3. Epipsodea Butl. Cat. Sat. B.M., p. 80, pi. 2, f. 9, IihoiUaW. II. Edw. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 3, 273. Body black. Wings above, uniform dark brown; the primaries generally have 3 ocellated submarginal spots, 2 towards the apex, the third post median; all are surrounded with bright reddish brown. There is a row of corresponding ocellated spots on secondaries, varying in number. Beneath primaries somewhat paler with spots repeated; secon- daries paler on outer third, the ocellated spots not edged with reddish brown. Expands 1.5 inches. Colorado, Montana. 4. Magdalena Streck. Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc. 3, 35. Upper surface of wings entirely and uniformly dark blackish brown. Beneath as above with the outer third a shade lighter. Expands 2 inches. Colorado. 5. Disa Var. Mancinus Doub. Hew. Gen. Diur. Lep. II, p. 380, pi. 54. Upper side deep sooty black; primaries slightly reddish towards * These Synopses are continued from the "Bulletin". Descriptions oi" the spe cies oi the preceding genera will be found in Vol. I to Vol. VII of that publication. —37- outer margin; a submarginal row of reddish spots the two nearest the apex more distinctly pupilled. Beneath primaries as above: secondaries brown densely powdered with silvery white scales giving a grayish cast: there is a broad median band of soot}' black, deeply indented towards base, regularly sinuate outwardly; at the costal margin and on the outer edge of this band is a triangular patch of white; also a white spot on second submedian nervule; a submarginal row of faint blackish lunules is also present. Rocky Mts. , Alaska. 6. Rossii Curt. App. Ross' 2d Voyage, p. 67, pi. A, f. 7. Wings uniform dark reddish brown above and below, somewhat paler below. On the primaries towards apex are two ocellated spots close together which are repeated below. Expands 2 inches. Arctic Am. 7. Discoidalis Kirb. Fauna Bor. Am. IV, p. 298, pi. 3, f. 2, 3. Body brown. Wings brown: costa spotted with gray; a triangular obscure tawny reddish discoidal stripe from base to posterior margin on primaries. This spot is also on the underside of the primaries, and the wing is tipped with gray. Secondaries beneath distinctly marbled and clouded with gray and whitish. Expands 1.5 inches. Arctic Am. 8. Fasciata Butl. Cat. S.B.M., p. 92, pi. 2, f. 8. Wings above much as in discoidalis. Below the primaries are paler with three darker fasciae: one basal indistinct; the second broadly median, broadest at costa: the third marginal. Secondaries beneath whitish cin- ereous with three darker fasciae: the first basal, confused; the second median, undulating; the third marginal. Expands 2 — 2.5 inches. Arctic Am. 9. Sofia Streck. Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc. 3, 35. Upper surface dark brown. Primaries crossed with a submarginal rusty yellow band, the same color evident in the discoidal cell. Second- aries with a submarginal row of four rust colored spots. Beneath prim- aries with band repeated but paler. Secondaries also lighter, the spots white. Expands 1.5 inches. Ft. Churchill, Brit. Am. VESAGUS Doub. Hew. Gen. Diur. Lep. 380, pi. 64, f. 3, has been catalogued as a N.A. species of Erebia and thus stands in Mr. W. H. Edwards' latest catalogue. 1885. But it undoubtedly does not belong to our fauna. In Doub. Hew,, where it is figured and named without description, to the name is added, "Rocky Mountains", with an interrogation mark; showing the* locality was uncertain. Kirby catalogues it p. 64, 1. 36 with the ?. Dr. Morris in his catalogue, p. 10. leaves ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, 6 -33- the ? out, as docs Weidemeyer p. 27, who gives it the locality "U. S." W. II. Edw. in all his catalogues leaves out the?, and in the 01 1877 adds to locality "(Prob. Brit Am.)". All these were made without a personal knowledge of the insect. Strecker in his catalogue, 1878, p. 151, (probably under the suggestion ofHewitson), expresses his convict- ion that the species is not North American but Soutn American. Kirby, Cat. of the Diur. Lep. in Coll. W. C Hewitson 1879, P- I 3°' ."' ,Vrs without any expression offloubt, locality ''South America''. Wether this is based on the previous knowledge o\ Mr. Hewitson, or on evidence gained by Mr. Butler by new materia! 1 do not know; but in view of it, the locality originally surmised must have been an error, and in the present state of the case, the species must be dropped from our lists. No authenticated specimen has ever been taken in North America so far as 1 ( an learn. The most oi our .species of Erebia have been named on very limited material, not always in the best condition. It is probable a large gather- ing of material will very great!}' modify our present list. My thanks are given to Dr. H. A. Hagen of Cambridge, and Rev. W. J. Holland of Pittsburgh lor very valuable assistance in the above Synopsis. Notes and News. STYLOPID^. The species of this family are very rare indeed in American collect- ions, but seem more common in Europe. In an old number of the "Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science" is an article on the subject from which 1 quote: "On another occasion saw about 20 Hying, but they were so high from the ground he could only capture half a dozen. The little animals are exceedingly graceful in their flight, taking long sweeps as if carried along by a gentle breeze, and occasionall yhovering at a few inches from the ground". They are in Europe parasitic on Andrena, which is a very early species, flying in April. The (^cJ 1 are sa 'd to em- erge from the pupae early in the morning — 9 to 1 1 a.m. Our species, Xenos Peckii is parasitic on Polisles and I have very often seen the head of the pupa projecting between the segments of the abdomen of our common species. In the "classification" it is stated that the head of the pupa case of the $ is convex; that of of the 9 A at - Spe- cimens of Polis/es found with a $ pupa might be confined with proper food until the parasite emerges. Suppose some of our Collectors turn their attention to Stylops this spring! J. B. S. —39— Looking over the new edition of the "International Scientist's Di- rectory" we find that out of 4&21 names of Scientists from the U. S. and Can. 620 have Entomology specified as one of their studies. Of these, 229 have Ent. added as one of several branches in which they are inter- ested. Among these there are a few well known Entomologists, but a large proportion consists of those omnivorous individuals for whom the circle of Sciences seems too small, and who have tacked on all theologies besides numerous other things not ending in ology. 47 are Entomolo- gists pure and unadulterated, apparently without specialty. The remain- der express a preference for one or the other of trie orders; and the Lepi- dopterists head the list with 129 devotees — some of them have Lepid. only as one of several other pursuits, but have no other specialty in Entomo- logy. The Coleoptera follow with a company of 93 — while the two orders; Col. et Lep. are combined by 73 individuals. A weakness for Hymenop- lera is confessed by 10; for Diptera by 6; for Hemiptera by 5; for Neurop- il a by 4, while Mr. Bruner as sole representative of the Orthoptera brings up the rear. 14 are interested in several orders. The LepidopLra are combined with the Diptera three times; with the Neuroptera twice; with the Orthoptera once. The Coleoptera are combined with the Hymen- optera three times; once each with Hemipt:ra, Orthoptera and Diptera; while one ambitious individual collects; Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Gen- eral Curiosities. These figures are suggestive, and should induce young- students to take up some of the neglected orders: there is an immense field fur work in them, and "Entomologica'' will do all it can to ease the work by presenting introductory synopses of families in all orders. Mr. Brunei', the single Orihopterist feels solitary, and to induce others to join him will prepare an outline synopsis of that order for an early No. of this Journal. * * * We hear that Dr. Horn has been elected on honorary member of the Entomological Suciety of France. They have but six honorary members outside of France, and to be ranked as one of them is of, itself sufficient testimony of the high standing Dr. Horn has made for himself in the Entomological world. We know of none better deserving such a distinction. * * Apropos of your notice on Water Beetles, I recollect being very much surprised not long since to notice some species, bobbing their heads against the ice (from below be it understood). I could hardly be- lieve my eyes at first, but wherever I found a bit of transparent ice, I could with a little patience notice the insects swimming round below. * * * C. W. Leng. — 40— This is a good place to call the attention of readers to the fact that No. 3 of this Journal will be sent only to those who have sent in their subscription before that number is issued. We are sorry to make such a provision, but we have not yet hem able to find a printer sufficiently interested in the advancement of Entomology to print our paper for less than regular price in "Hard Cash''. ■» i > i ^ Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society, April 7th.— Twenty-one members, and one visitor present; the Vice-Pres. Mr. E. I.. Graf in the chair. Messrs. A. E. Brunn and W. H. Danby of Brooklyn and Mr. E. M. Aaron of Philadelphia were elected members of the Society. Prof. F. Fillon of Brooklyn was proposi d for membership by Mr. Cramer. Letters from Messrs. A. Salle, Baron C. R. von Osten Sacken, and Rev. John (I. Morris acknowledging their election as honorary members were read by the Secretary. Mr. Smith presented his Report as Editor lor Vol. VII of the Bulletin. Entire cost of Vol $325 45 Receipts from sale of back Volumes and subscriptions... $157 75 Extra pp. in Nos. 2 A :!, borne by Messrs. Hulst .'v Smith... 31 00 Volumes furnished Members 35 00 Exchanges 73 00 Deficit, paid by Society 28 70 $325 45 Mr. Tlulst called the attention of the members to a collection of Coenonympkce, broiight by Mr. Geo. Frank, lie said that these specimens added considerable positive knowledge on the subject of the variation of the species. These speci- mens, undoubtedly '.'. ochracea Edw., varied in color of the upper surface of the wings from a dark brown to a very light buff, the males being darker than the females. There was also a variation in both sexes, some having ocelli, others wanting them. Beneath, there was just as wide variation in the ground color, and in the ocelli. The broken white band on the secondaries was about or quite obsolete in some, in others broad and definite. One specimen had a decidedly reddish brown submarginal band on the hind wings beneath. The question was asked, "might it not be that these were separate species Hying together'".'' Mr. Frank said they were taken near St. Paul, Minn. Mostly on the same day in one small locality; that there was a continuous iutergradation and that he found some widely differing in markings and color, in coitu. Mr. Hulst spoke at some length upon the subject of the evening "the effect of external conditions upon Lepidoptera", remarking upon the three influences, temperature, humidity, and food, and took the ground that the most of direct and immediate changes in the appearance of the insect, resulting from these three causes, could be explained on the theory of impaired or redundant vitality. And in the most of cases w here the changes did not apparently follow from im- paired or redundant vitality, it was only fair, though our knowledge did not give proof, to suppose these were the operating causes. Considerable exception was taken to Mr. Ilulst's views, but as the hour of adjournment had arrived, nothing but an expression of dissent could be given. It was especially thought by some, thai food had often a direct modifying influence. AMERICANA VOL. I. BROOKLYN, JUNE, 1885. NO. 3. Record of some Contributions to the Literature of North American Beetles, published in 1883 — 84* By Samuel Henshaw. In II the first number (in heavy-faced type) refers to the author- list in I. An examination of II shows that twelve (12) authors have described nine (9) new genera and three-hundred and ninety-five (395) new species. E=^_IR,T I. Casey, T. L. 7 Motes on Coleoptera. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 64-67. 8 Revision of the CucnjicUe of America north of Mexico. Trans. Am. Ent Soc. 1884, v. XI, p. 99-112, plates 4-8. 9 Contributions to the descriptive and systematic Coleopterology of North America. Part I. Phila. 1884, pp. 60, i plate. 10 Revision of the Stenini of America north of Mexico. Phila. 1884, pp. 206, 1 plate. (.See Science 1884, v. 4, p. 561.) 11 (Malformation of Acmreops.) Science 1884, v. 4, No. 96, p. 5 Bull. Caulfield, F. B. 12 Remarks on Chrysomela scalaris Lee, Chrysomela labyrinthica Lee. and Physonota unipuncta Say. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p, 226—7. Anthony, A. C. 1 Lebia grandis in Massachusetts. Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. 1883, v. 2, p. 16. Blanchard, F. 2 Note on the habits of Amphicoma vulpina. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 5, p. 90. • 3 Table of Balaninus Germ. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 106-8. 4 Note on the species of Gaurotes Lee. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 108. Bowditch, F. C. 5 Notes on the habits of Hydrocharis obtusatus Say and Magdalis olyra Herbst. Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. 18I v. 3, p. 1-7. Bowles, G. H. 6 On luminous Insects. Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario for 1882. 1883, p. 34, figures. * This brings the Record of American Coleopterology from where it was left in the Bulletin, B.E.S., V, 69 -74 to Jan. 1, 1885. J. B. S. —42- 15 16 Chaudoir, Max de. 13 Monographic das Oodidea Part. 2. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fiance 1882, (1883) ser. 6, v. 2, p. 485—554. Clarkson, Frederick. 14 The dung pellet makers. Ca. Ent 1884, v. 16, p. 18—19. Origin and limitation of the term Scarabaeus. Prionua brevicornis Fabr. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 95. Haoitats. Galeruca xanthomelsena Schrank. Ca. Ent. 1884. v. 16. p. 124-5. Destructive, to elms at Long Island Claypole, E. W. 17 The Colorado Potato -Beetle. Amer. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1174-75 \,i second brood in 18w3; scarcity in the Middlt stales during 1883 [See Science 1883, 0. 2, p. 327.) Coleman, N. 18 The Colorado Potato-Beetle pupating above the ground. Quart. Journ. Bust. Zool. Soc 1 v. 2, p. 32. Coquillett, D. W. 19 Descriptions of a few leaf-eating Co- leopterous larvae Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 21—2 Brief description of Chrysomela pallida, V. clivicollis, G. multigut- tis, V. bigsbyana, C. similis, Lema cottaris, Doryphora juncta, and D. VO-lineata. 20 Notes on the early stages of Xylo- trechus annosus Say. Ca. Ent. 18S3, v. 15, p. 31—32 21 Notes on the early stages of Calop- teron reticulatum Fabr. ( la. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 97—98 22 Descriptions of a few Elaterid and allied larvse. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 101— 2. Describes E later nigricoUis, An, drochirus fxiscipes, Athous cucul talus. 23 Notes on the early stages of Lixus macer Leconte. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 113. Deveraux, W. L. 24 Coal tar for the Plum weevil. Ca. Ent 1883, v. 15, p. 236. Ineffectual. 25 Weevil versus Curculio. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 27—29. Application of the terms, Dimmock, A. K. 26 Sexual attraction in Prionus. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 159. Dimmock, George. 27 Scales of Coleoptera. Psyche, 1883, v. 4, p. 3-1 1 ; 23-27: 43-47; 63 7i- Describes and figures the scales oj species ql CicindeUdce, Dermestidce, Scarabatidai, Buprestidce, Elateri- dev, Ptinklw, Cerambycidce, and Ourculiomdce. Literature of the subject. *See Science 1883, v. 1. p. 203; 1884, v. 3, p. 127—28. 28 Coleoptera. Stand. Nat. Hist. Bost. 1884, v. 2, p. 297—402, figures. Popular illustrated account of the order. Doll, J. 29 (Habits of Dynastes; ) Science, 1884, v. 4, No. 97, p. 6, Bull. Duges, E. 30 Metamorphoses du Lyctus planicol- lis Lee. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 1883, v. 27, p. 54-59, plate. Duvivier, Antoine. 31 Enumeration des Staphylinides de- crits depuis la publication du Cata- logue de MM. Gemminger & de Ha- rold. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 1883, v. 27, p. 91—215. Evans, John D. 32 llemarkable gathering of beetles. Ca. Ent. 1883. v. 15, p. 237-38. Forbes, S. A. 33 Insects injurious to the Strawberry. Trans. Miss. Valley Ilort. Soc. 1883, v. I, p. 50-85. Describes the habits, early stages —43— &c of Lachnosterm sp., Gotalpa lanigera, Paria G-notata, P. ater- rima, Otiorhynchus sulcatus and Tyh Kle rm a f r agaric? . 34 The food relation* of the Carabidre and Coccinellidae. Bull. 111. State. Lab. N. H. 1883, No. 6, p. 33-64. See also Science 1883, v. 1, p. 317; Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 417—19. 35 Twelfth Report of the State Entomo- logist on the noxious and beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois. Springfield, Illinois, 1883. Not seen. Gives notes on the Corn- root worm, Diabrotica longicornis and the Strawberry Grown borer, Tyloderma fragarice. Also re- marks on the food relations of pre- daceous beetles. 36 Thirteenth Report of the State Ento mologist on the noxious and benefi- cial Insects of the State of Illinois. Springfield, Illinois, 1884. Includes notes on Diabrotica longi- cornis injuring Com and on the fol- lowing Strawberry pests, Lachno- sterna sp., Gotalpa lanigera, Allo- rhina nitida, Scelodonta pubescens (= nebulosus), Paria G-notata. P. aterrima, Golaspis brunnea, Otio- rhynchus sulcatus, Anthonomus musculus and Tylodermafragaria^ Figures of several of the above are given. 37 On the life-histories and immature stages of three Eumolpini. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 123-30, pi. 1. Relates to Golaspis brunnea, Paria aterrima, Scelodonta pubescens ( = nebulosus) all of ichich injure the roots of the Strawberry. 38 On the life-histories and immature stages of thiee Eumolpini. Correct ive Note. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 167—168. 39 Insects affecting the Strawberry. Trans. Wise. State Agr. Soc. , v. 21 Not seen. French, G. H. 40 Preparatory stages of Epilachna b< >- realis Fabr. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 189—91. Fuchs, C. 41 A lost locality. Bull. Bid. E. S. 1883, v. 5, p. 81. Near Brooklyn, N. Y. Gerstaecker, A. 42 Ueber die Stellung der Gattung Ple- ocoma Lee. im System der Lamel- licornier. Stett. Ent. Zeit. 1883, Jahrg. 44, p. 436—50. Godman, F. Ducane & Osbert Salvin. 43 Biologia Centrali-Americana. London . Parts 21—34 Jan. 1883-Decemb. 1884 contain portions ofAdephaga by Bates, Staphylinidoz by Sharp, Malacodermata by Gorham,. Phyto- phaga by Jacoby and Tenebrioni- dai by Champion. Hagen, H. A. 44 Lawsuits against grubs and grass- hoppers. Science, 1884, v. 4, p. 168 — 71. Partial reprint of paper wit It. same title which was first printed in 1881. 45 Chrysomela scalaris. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 120. Abundant on elms at Cambridge, Mass. during May. 40 Scolytus rugulosus in branches of Pear-trees, which were killed by Pear-blight. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 161—63. 47 Note on Chalcographa scalaris Lee. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 225—26. 48 Note on the habitat of Xyloryctes sa- tyrus. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 239—40. Hamilton, John. 49 Observations on Anthrenus varius Fabr., Anthrenus musaeorum Lin., Trogoderma ornata Say, and Sito- drepa panicea Lin. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 90-93. 50 Notes on a few species of Coleoptera which are confused in many collect- —44- ioiis, and on sonic introduced Euro- pean species. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 35—38. 51 The survival of the fittest among cer- tain species Of Ptclosticlms as de- duced from their habits. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 73—77. 52 On Valgus canaliculars and sqna- miger, Elleschus bipunctatus, Xylo- lyctes satyrus. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 105 8. .")!! On Trogoderma ornata, Physonqta unipuuctata and Taiiysphyrus lem- nae. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 133-36. ", 1 (Joleoptera in September on Brigan- tine Beach, N. J , on the Atlantic Coast. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 186 90. Hanham, A. W. 55 Entomological Notes. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 98 - 99. Notes on afew species eaten by toads. Harrington, W. H. 56 ( Beetles injurious to men.) Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 59—60. Acmaeops pratensis in the ear, Melanophila lonyipes biting th neck. 57 (Notes on Beetles.) Ca. Ent 1883, v. 15, p. 79-80. Records and habitats of a few species. 58 Variations in mai'kings of Cicindela se .< guttata. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 239. 59 Ohrysornelidae. Leaf-Eaters. Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario for 1882, 188 3, P- 53- 62 > figures. 60 Injurious Insects affecting the Hick- ory. Coleoptera. Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario for 1883, 1884, p. 42 -52, figures. 61 List of Ottawa Coleoptera. Trans. Ottowa Field, Nat. Club, 1884, v. 2, p. 67—85. Introductory comparing previous Canadian and a few local lists with the present. List o/'1003 species included in 524 genera ami 67/am, Hi) species an ru w to ( hnadian lists. See Science 1884, 0. 3, p. 235 Cd (Gathering of beetles. ) Ca Ent. 1884, v 16, p 17-18. 63 Additions to Canadian lists of Cole- optera. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 44 47; 70 to 73; 96—98; 117 -19. Harrington, W. H., James Fletcher and J. B. Tyrrell. 64 Coleoptera. Trans. Ottawa Field Nat. Club, 1884, V. 2, p. 137-39- Notes on a number of species. Hayward, R. 65 A note on Acmseodera culta. Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. 1883, v. 2, p. 56. On the flowers of Hypoxys erecta. 66 On the sexual characters of Boleto- therus bifurcus. Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. 1884, v. 3, p. 16-17. Hayward, R. and H. Savage. 67 A catalogue of the Coleoptera of the Green Mountains. Quart. Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. 1883, v. 2, p. 12 15; 24-29; 36-38. Hill, F. C. 68 On the antenna of Meloe. Am. Journ. of Sc. 1883, ser. 3, v. 25. P- 137—38, figures. Describes the distortion of the male antenna and its use during copu- lation. Holland, W. J. 69 (Use of the jaws of the male Eupsalis minuta.) Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 46. Horn, G. H. 70 Synoptic table of Pseudomorpha. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 16. 71 Synoptic table of Tachycellus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 51-2. 72 The species of Discoderus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 52-3. 73 Synoptic table of Mallodon. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 9. 74 Notes on Chrysomela. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 127 — 29. -4S — Odligrapha muitiguttis Stal. = scalaris Lee. ; C. multiguttata Stal, C. opifera Stal recorded from Ari- zona; C. labyrinlhici Lee. Ms. = C. pnirsa Stal; G. limbaticollis Stal not N. American; D rryphora melunothorax Stal recorded from X. Mexico, and Plagiodera fioscu- losa Stal from California. 75 Synonymical Notes. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 147 —48. Possible identity of Lames is, Westw. and Xenorhipis Lee. ; Cyr- tophcrrus gibbulus Lee. = Micro- clytus gazellula Raid; Leptura coc- cinea L,ec. = teslacea Linn., L. atrata Lee. = proxima Kirby. 76 Miscellaneous notes & short studies of North American Coleoptera. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1883, v. 10. p. 269—312, plate 9. 77 (Poecilobrium n. g. proposed for species included in Callimus.) Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1883, v. 10, p. 11, Proc. 78 (Method of mounting dissections of the mouth parts of beetles. ) Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1883, v. 10 p. 13, Proc. 79 (Outer lobe of maxilla present in the Gyrinidae.) Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1883, v. 10, p. 16, Proc. 80 (Work of Attagenus megatoma in ticking.) Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1883, v. 10, p. 17, Proc. 81 Notes on the species of Anomala in- habiting the United States. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1884, v. 11, p. 157-64. 82 Synopsis of the United States species of Notoxus and Mecynotarsus. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1884, v. 11, p. 165—76. 83 Synopsis of the Philonthi of Boreal America. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1884, v. 11, p. 177—244. Hubbard, H. G. 84 (Habits of Mallodon melanopus.) Science 1884, v. 4, No. 96, p. 5, Bull. Jones, A. W. 85 Notes on the habits of Cic'ndelidae. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 74-6. Kellicott, D. S. 86 Psephenus Lecontei, on the external anatomy of the larva. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, f. 191 —98, figs. See Science, 1883, v. 2, p. 337. Kilman, A. H. 87 Phytonomus punctatus Fabriciufi. Ca. Ent. 1884, v, 16, p. 144 -45. Abundance in Canada, description and habits. Lameere, Aug. 88 Addenda et corrigenda a la liste des Ceranibycides decrits posterieure- ment au catalogue de Munich. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 1883, v. 27, p. 104—5, C. R. 89 Contributions a l'histoire des meta- morphoses des Longicornes de la famille des Prionidae. Not seen. Describes ami figures pupa of Pa- randra polita Say. Leconte, J. L. 90 Synoptic table of Stenolophus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 18S3, v. 6, p. 13-25. 91 Synoptic table of Acupalpus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 15. 92 Synoptic table of Calathus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 49. 93 Synoptic table of Agonoderus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883. v.6, p. 53-54. 94 Lists of Coleoptera collected in 1881 by Dr. Bell and others in the Lake Superior district and in the North- west Territories, east of the 112th meridian and south of the 60th par- allel. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv. of Ca. Kept, of Progress (or 1880-81-82, p. 2 9 c — 39 c - Leconte, J. L. & G. H. Horn. 95 Classification of the Coleoptera of North America. - 4 6— Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 1883, v. 26, pp. 38 and 567. Leng, C. W. 96 Synopses of Cerambycidae. ' Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 7 11; 57— 64; 95— 101; 112 — 16; plate 2. 97 (Notes on a few beetles. ) Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 76-7. Lugger, Otto. 98 Spread of the 12-punctured Aspara- gus beetle. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 199. 99 Food-plants of beetles bred in Mary- land. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 203—4. 100 List of Coleoptera found in the vi- cinity of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins Univ. Circ. v, 3, No. 30, p. 7S—79- Not seen. Matthews, A. 101 On the classification of the Coleop- tera of North America by Dr. J. L Leconte and Dr. G. H. Horn. Ann. and Mag. N. H. 1883, ser. 5 v. 12, p. 167 — 72. 102 Synopsis of North American Tri- chopterygidae. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1884, v. 11 p. 113-56. Merriam, C. H. 103 Kavages of a rare Scolytid Beetle in the Sugar Maples of Northeastern New York. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 84 6, tigs. Concerning Gorthylus punctatissi- mus Zimm. Moffat, J. A. 104 (Notes on Calopteron reticulatum.) Ca. Int. 1S83, v. 15, p. 179—80. Osborn, H. 105 The Corn-root worm (Diabrotica longicornis. ) Bull, Iowa, Agric. Coll. Dept. Ent. 1884. No. 2, p. 61—69. Packard, A. S. 106 Descriptions of the larva 1 of injuri- ous forest insects. Third Rept. U.S. Ent. Comm. 1S8 p. 251—62, plates 6 — 15. Concerning Buprestidceand Oeram- byc'nlir. 107 The development of the bark-bor- ing beetles Hylurgops & Xyleborus. Third Rept. U.S. Ent. Comm. 1883 p. 280 — 82, plate 22. 108 Mode of oviposition of the common pine borer (Monohammus confusor). Am. Nat. 1884, v. 18, p. 1149— 51. 109 Egg-laying habits of the Maple-tree borer (Glycobius speciosus. ) Am. Nat. 1884, v. 18, p. 1 151— 52. Patton, W. H. 110 Sound-producing organs in Ano- mala, Anthonomus and other Coleop- tera. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 146. Pergande, T. 111 (Ptinus brunneus bred from rat dung. ) Science, 1884, v. 4, No. 96, p. 5, Bull. Regimbart, M. 112 Essai monographique de la famille des Gyrinidae. Ann. Soc. Ent. France 1882, ser. 6, v. 2, p. 379—458, plates 10-12; 1884, ser. 6, v. 3, p. 121 — 90, plate 6; p. 381—482, plates 11 — 14. Reinecke, O. 113 Longevity of beetles. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, f. 36. Microclytus gazellula alive after immersion in alcohol /<>r sen nil hours. 114 Invasion of Phytonomus opimus, Leconte. Buffalo Freie Presse, Aug. 12, 1884, Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 76. Reitter, Edw. 115 Platypsylla castoris Bits., als Ver- treter einer neuen europaeisehen Coleopteren-Familie. Wien. Ent. Zeit. Jahrg. 3, p. 19-21. Not seen. Rey, CI. 116 Description de la larve de l'Anthicus tioralis. Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon. 1883, new ser. v. 29, p. 141 — 42. -47— Ricksecker, L. E. 117 On the occurrence of Aniphicoma Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 5, p. 83. Flying over sand dunes near San Francisco. Riley, C. V. 118 On a gall-making genus of Apio- ninae. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 61 — 119 Food habits of Megilla maculata. Am Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 322—23. 120 Damage to silverplate by insects (Niptus hololeptus). Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 420. 121 Number of moults and length of larval life as influenced by food. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 547—48. Observations upon Tenebrio moll tor, T. obscurus and Trogoderma tarsale. 122 Insects affecting stored Bice. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 790. Mentions several beetles. 123 Hypermetamorphoses of the Meloi- dae. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 790 — 91. Revision of the nomenclature of the larval forms. 124 Enemies of the Egg-plant. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1070. Mentions Cassida texana, Dory- phora juncta. 125 Habits of Murmidius. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1071. Lives in old rice and straw ; spins a cocoon; names several cocoon- spinning beetles. 126 Cantharis Nuttalli injuring wheat. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1 174. 127 Hymenorus rufipes as a myrmico- philus species. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1176. In nests of Formica fusca. 128 Keport of the Entomologist. Rept. Comm. Agric. 1883, p. 99 to 180. Pages 159—70, plate 12, fig. 3, give descriptions and figures of all stages of Galeruca xanthomelcuna ; also remedial recommendations. 129 Hitherto unknown mode of ovipo- sition in the Carabidae. Science, 1884, v. 4, p. 342. Chlcenius impunctifrons traced from egg to beetle. 130 The insects of the year. Science, 1884, v. 4, p. 565 —68. The seasonal occurrence of insects. Riley, C. V. & H G. Hubbard. 131 (Habitats of Mezium.) Science, 1884, v. 4, No. 96. p. 5, Bull. Roberts, C. H. 132 (Notes on beetles.) Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 77-9. Saunders, William. 133 Insects injurious to the White Pine Pinus strobus. Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario, for 1883, 1884, p. 52-59. Several beetles are reported upon. Saunders, W. E. 134 Insects injurious to drugs. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 81—83, Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario for 1883, 1884. p. 29 --30. Mentions six beetles. Schaupp, F. G. 135 On the occurrence of Aniphicoma (lupina). Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 5, p. 83. Flying over the sand at Coney Is- land, New York. 136 Hints for raising Coleopterous larvae. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. n; 16—19. 137 List of Carabidae, found in the neighborhood of New York City. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 29 to 32; 71—72. Annotated list of about 214 species. 138 Sea-shore collecting. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 36. Notes on a few Carabidce. 139 Synoptic table of Bradycellus. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 50. 140 Larva of Galerucella sagittariae Gyll. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 54. - 4 8- 141 The species of Cicindelidae. Bull. Bid. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 73 to 108, plates. 142 Remarks and descriptions of new species (of Cicindelidae). Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 6, p. 121 to 124, figures. Schwarz, E. A. 143 Insects affecting drugs. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 140; Rept. Ent. Soc. Ontario for 1883, 1884, p. 30. Adds Lasioderma serricorne and Oryphalus jalappce to the list given by W. E. Saunders. 144 Injury done by Colaspis tristis. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 978. Destruction of the terminal shoots of the pear and peach. 145 Coleoptera infesting Prickly Asb. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 1288—9. 146 Habits of Blaps and Embapbion. Am. Nat. 1884, v. 18, p. 76. 147 Carabidae confined to single plants. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 6, p. 135-6. Mario monilicornis and ? Psy- drus piceus under pine bark, Bro- mius atriceps in steins of grass and Onota fioridana between leaf- ribs of Cubbage palmetto. 148 Notes on tbe food-habits of some N.A. Bhynchophora. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1884, v. 7, p. 8; Sharp, D. 149 Revision of the species included in the genus Tropisternus (fam. Hydro philidae. Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1883, p 91 — 117. Shufeldt, R. W. 152 Mordellidae, Notes & Descriptions. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 6, p. 3—5. 153 Synopsis of the Apioninae of North America. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 18S4, v. II. p. 41 — 68, plate 3. Snow, F. H. 154 Additions to the list of Kansas Cole- optera in 1881 and 1882. Trans. Kans. Acad. v. 8, p. 58. Not seen. 155 Trogoderma tarsale as a Museum pest. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 199, (from Psyche v. 3). Stejneger, L. 156 Contributions to the history of the Commander Island. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, v. 6, p. 58 -89. A few families and genera are mentioned. Stone, George H. 157 Epilachna corrupta as an injurious in sect. Am. Nat. 1883, v. 17, p. 198--99. Heeding on blackwax beans. Townsend, C. H. T. 158 On the variation of the elytra! mark- ings in Cicindela sexguttata. Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 205—8. 159 Further remarks upon the variation of the elytral markings in Cicindela sexguttata. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 125—27. 160 The proportion of the sexes in Ci- cindela vulgaris Say and other notes on the species. Ca Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 227—31. 161 Note on the inequality of the elytra in Alaus ocidatus. Ca. Ent. 1884, v. 16, p. 238—39. Troop, James. 150 Observations upon a collection of j 162 Strawberry Pests. Insects made in the vicinity of New Orleans, La., during the years 1882 and 1883. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1884, v. 7, p. 331—38. List of species, copy from Riley of notes and figures of a luminous hirrn. Smith, J. B. 151 New Mordellidae and Notes. Bull. Bkl. E. S. 1883, v. 5, p. 80-1. Science, 1884, v. 4, No. 91, p. 6, Bull. Notes mi Tyloderma fragarice and 0tiorhynchu8 ligneus. Van Wagenen, G. H. 163 (Abundance of Galeruca xanthome- laenae in New York; Ca. Ent. 1883, v. 15, p. 160. Williston, S. W. 164 Protective secretions of a species of I lleodes. Psyche, 1884, v. 4, p. 168—69. (To be continued.) —49— New species of Californian Moths By Henry Edwards. FAM. jEGERIADAE. Pyrrhotaenia Elda, n. sp. (?) Closely allied to P. heliardhi, P.fragarice and P. Behrensii. The forewings are bright bluish green, with the internal margin fiery copper red, this color being broadest at the base, ceasing before reaching the interior angle. The lower wings are fiery copper red, the fringes of both pairs golden purple. Front, pectus, palpi, sides of thorax and abdomen, caudal tuft, three posterior se rments of abdomen, fore femora, and all the tibise fiery copper red. Both pairs of wings are quite opaque. Beneath there is on secondaries a black discal spot, and the upper wings are coppery red with a purple flush, •and purplish toward the posterior half. It is by no means unlikely that this is the Q of /■'. Behrensii, the lower wings of which are transparent, and should this prove to be the case it may also be concluded that P. helianthi with opaque wings is the 9 of P.fragarice, in which the wings are transparent. The fact of the different disposition of the abdominal band is against this conclusion, but a careful study of the group has convinced me that the sexes differ considerably, and in P- animosa Hy. Edw. , described in Papilio, Vol. 3, p. 1 56, they are distinguished by the character referred to, the lower wings of the $ being transparent, while those of the 9 are opaque. In other of the genera this peculiarity appears, especially so in Sannina exitiosa Walk., and in Falua denudata Harr., and I shrewdly suspect that Melittia (Scs/'a) grande Streck. will prove to be the $ of M. gloriosa Hy. Edw. I have seen none but <$$ of the former of these species and none but Q 9 of the latter. But further observation is needed, and we may have some time to wait for definite conclusions as the insects are remarkably rare. P. Elda is the size of/ 3 . Behrensii {20 mm.) and is described from 2 Q taken in Siskiyou Co , California, by Mr. Jarnes Behrens. FAM. BOMBYCIDAE. Nadata Behrensii, 11. sp. Paler in color than either N. gibbosa or N. Doubledayi, the markings therefore standing out in bolder relief. The apex of the primaries greatly produced and the scalloped margins strongly defined. The anterior line is more bent in on the costa towards the base, thus leaving a much wider space between it and the posterior line than in either of the other two species. The white discal spots are ovate in shape, not round as in .V. gibbosa. and they are surmounted by a very conspicuous dusky shade. The secondaries have a well defined median band, which in the <$ is paler than the ground color of the wing, but in the 9 somewhat darker. The underside is very pale buff, almost sordid white, a reddish shade on apex of primaries, and a pale brown median band common to both wings. Antennae tawny. Thorax, legs, abdomen and palpi all sordid white, the latter without black tips. Exp. wings (^ 45 mm:, 9 5 2 mm - Length of body 24 mm., 9 26 mm. 1 rf Butte Co., Cal. (R. H. Stretch). 1 9 Siskiyou Co., (J. Behrens). ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 8 —50— FAM. NOCTUIDAE. Catocala Andromache, n. sp. Allied to ' '. Desdemona 1 1 > . Edw. (Papilio, Vol. 2, p. 15) but much smaller, and with confused and indistinct markings to the upper wings. Their color is green ish drab, the lines all with darker shadings above and below ihem, and more regular in their outline than in C. Desdemona. The basal half-line is almost obsolete, the t-a much produced outwardl) in the middle, wink' the 1 p has .1 strong tooth outwardly on the third subcostal vein. Reniformand subreniform almost lost in the speckled sur- face of the median space. Secondaries dull orange, dusk) at base and along theabdom- uial margin. Median band as in ' '. Desdemona, widest in the centre, and sharply produced into a hook, which reaches the abdominal edge. Marginal band white at the apex, narrowing suddenly in the center, and abruptly and broadly cut by the orange field leaving an ovale black spot at the anal angle. Underside dull orange, the primaries bearing a broad black median band, the apex also being broadly black. In the specimen before me, the marginal band is divided by an orange dash as it ap- proaches the internal angle. Hand of secondaries as on upper side. Exp. wings 44 mm. Length ol body 20 mm. 1 $ neat San Bernardino, Cal. Collection of J. Akhurst. No other yellow winged Catocala. is known tome from California except C, Zoe Behr., which belongs to another section of the genus. FAM. GEOMETRIDAE. Triphosa pustularia, n. sp. (?) In this singular form the primaries arc blackish brown, with the posterior mar- gin-, a square patch in the middle of the dark posterior space, and three or four large patches on the costa, pale fawn color. These marks are in very strong contrast with the ground shade. The secondaries are-alsopale lawn color, with the lines dark brown, and the abdomen is brown with fawn colored band. Underside with reddish tint, strongly marked discal spot, and the lines all rather indistinct. Exp, wings 45 mm. Length of body 18 mm. 1 cf> l 9- Summit, Sierra Nevada. (Hy. Edw.). 1 $ British Co- lumbia, (J. J. Rivers). 1 9 Soda Spring, Shasta Co.. (J. Behrens). This may possibly prove to be an extreme variety of the well known F. dubitata, but it is so distinct in its markings as to deserve at least a varietal name. Triphosa badiaria, n. sp. Ground color of both wings bright yellowish brown, with the lines, bands and discal sp.it oi a very dark brown shade. The median dark band is of almost equal throughout, and only slightly dentate on its edges. The base and costa are also dark brown. Above the posterior margin, which is black, are some brown lunulcs. the same ornamentation being carried around the margin oJ the secondaries, which aie dusk}- lor their basal hall. I nderside dull law n brow ti, disi al -pots very distinct. but the lines only faintly marked. Thorax and abdomen yellowish brown. Exp. wings 40 mm. Length ofbody [6 mm. I 9. Shasta Co , I al., (Hy. Edw.). Certainly a distinct species, which cannot, 1 think, be at all referred to any known form. —5i — A note on Scotocryptus. By George H. Horn, M.D. The above genus was indicated by Girard (Ann. Ent. Soc. Fr. 1874, p. 574) for a blind Silphide but was not sufficiently described to enable me to place it with certainty in my tables of genera. Recently Dr. Sharp has received a second species and realizing the difficulty above alluded to deals more fully with the generic characters (Comptes-rendus, Soc. Ent. Belg. Feb. 1885). The anterior coxa- are transverse and moderately prominent and their cavities enclosed by the meeting (if the epimera and prosternum. By the system suggested by me these characters place the genus in the Anisotomini as indicated in my Revision (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1880, p. 319) and with the help of I)r Sharp's notes its place seems immediately alter Agaruophagus and before instead of after LioJcs. The absence of eves is otherwise unknown to me in the Anisotomini and it would be in- teresting to know whether the posterior coxae are separated as is often the case in blind insects, although no mention of this is made either by Sharp or Girard and the very poor figure given by the latter seems to in- dicate that they are contiguous. The tarsi on all the feet, are three-jointed. To this chaiacter Dr. Sharp attributes considerable value and makes it the sole groundwork for the separation of a tribe which he places between the Anisotomini and ChoUvini. From my own studies this numerical reduction of the several joints is only another step in the direction so plainly indicated in the geneia already known. In order that the idea may be more readily grasped the genera may be disposed in the following order, the numbers referring to the tarsal joints: Triarthron 5-5-5, J 9- Amphicyllis 5- -5- -4, tf. Stereus 5—5-5, d 9. 5- -4- -4- 9- Hydnobius 5-5—5, cf 9- Colenis 5-5-4, cf 9- Aglyptus 4- -3- -3, tf 9- Cyrtusa 5-5-4, f Eng'rs, U. S. A. Philadelphia, December 1884, pp. 61 — 198. Mr Casey has here given us a pamphlet, for which, with the best possible intentions, it is impossible to say a word of praise. He describes 93 new species, several of them in genera that have not yet been worked up. Thus there are several new species of Bembidium, or as Mr. Casey calls it "Btmbidion"; a new Tachys which it takes over a page of brevier tvpe to describe, which is two millimeters long, and is unique. Such de- scriptions are aggravating, for their minuteness of detail, and after all they amount to nothing but additional names for the lists. There are also three new species of Cratacanthus based on color and proportion of parts. This, in our opinion is unwarranted; dubius is an exceedingly variable form, and every species described by Mr. Casey is represented in our scries. Mr. Casey in his introductory remarks, stated that he used a bin- ocular microscope with mechanical universal-jointed stage clip for hold- ing the pin. This as we can testify from personal inspection is a fine instrument, but the great difficult}- is that it exaggerates unimportant characters — even individual has peculiarities, in which it differs from other individuals of the- same species, and Mr. Casey's careful descript- ions are individual, and not characteristic of species, Mr. Casey entirely fails to make any allowance for variation. His illustration in reference to astronomical minutness of detail is totally inapplicable. This science has for its aim the discovery of the laws regulating stellar motions. These laws are immutable — there is no allowance to make for variations; while in the Coleoptera there are scarcely two specimens exactly alike. —59— We think a great deal of Mr. Casey, and believe him to be a close observer, a careful and conscientious student, and able to take a high rank as a coleopterist; nevertlreless, or for that very reason, we are very sorry to receive such a paper from him It is an obstacle, rather than an aid to students, and we think that some day Mr. Casey will say of this as Dr. Leconte did of one of his early papers — I quote from memory — "One of the crude results of my earlier studies was a monograph of the genus Pasitnachus, where, being then inexperienced in the recognition of species, individual characters were given a value which subsequent studies and material proved they did not possess"'. He adds that lie should have considered it a favor, had the manuscript been returned to him for revision or declined. J. B. S. Revised Catalogue of the Diurnal Lepidoptera of America, North of Mexico, by W. H. Edwards. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XI, 1884, pp. 94, [Issued February 18th, 1885]. This brings the list of species to the beginning of 1885. A notable feature is an index to genera and species, but altogether the work is hardly an improvement over the previous edition. Of course Mr, Ed- wards allows none of the conclusions of recent writers on butterflies to influence him in his estimation of species. Notes on the Systematic Position of some North American Lepidoptera, by John B. Smith. Trans. Am. Ent. Hoc. XII, pp. 77—84, pi. Ill, [February 1885J. Discusses the genera classed as Zygcenidcz in the lists. On the North American Asilidae iPart II). By S. W. Williston, M.D., Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 53 — 76, (January 1885). Contains synopses of Liphria, Mallop tora, Promachus, Erax, and Proctocanthus. Dr. Williston here continues his monographic work, and there is now no reason, why, in the families thus classified, students should not be able to collect and arrange intelligently. Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society. May 5th, 1885.— Twenty-one members present, Mr. Cramer in the chair. The Secretary reported the correspondence with the President of the Agassiz Association, and submitted a proposition for a course of Introductory Lessons to be prepared by Members of the Society. It was resolved that the annual excursion of the Society be to Passaic Falls, Patter- son, N. J., on May 30, 1885, and Mr. Roberts was appointed a committee to ar- range details and notify members. Prof. F. Fillon was elected a member. Mr. Angell read a paper on some variations of Chrysomela philadelphica Lee. and Scalaris Lee, leading to a belief in their specific identity. This was illu- strated by drawing of the varieties showing the gradual change of maculation _o — from that typical of one form, to that typical of another.* Mr. Smith added that these variations were largely selected from material obtained by him, and there were some interesting Tacts as to the localities from which those specimen came. In Cambridge he collected several hundreds of C. scalaris, all perfectly alike In the pineries of New Jersey he collected 0. philadelphica, slightly variable hut with no particular tendency toward scalaria. In Cape Cod both species were found, and both somewhat variable, showing a tendency to an obliteration of tie- Lines of demarcation between species Specimens from the Adirondack^ further close the gap, while material received from Canada showed a surprising range of vari- ation ami furnished most of the interesting forms completing the links between the species. 'This was interesting because lie had found that in both Coleoptx ra and Lepidoptera, species that elsewhere were constant enough showed a decided tendency to variation in the same localities. The fauna of Northern New York and Canada is one of extreme interest and deserves careful study. Mr. Waters exhibited a specimen of Anisota Hdligbrodtii together with the cocoon from which it was obtained. Mr. Hulst remarked on this, that all the other species of Anisota had naked pupae and were subterranean, while here was a species apparently congeneric, which had a double cocoon like Oecroput, spun on mesquit: not a solid cocoon, but net-like, so as to show the pupa. Mr. Doll said that the geometrid Eucaterva variaria raised by him. spun a very similar co- coon, also donbje. Mr. Hy. Edwards joined the meeting alter adjournment and remarked on this subject that under some circumstances the species of I)(tlf < me of these largest species. Is it not most reasonable to suppose that this tremendous variation in size, is chiefly due to the matter of food supply, as is the well known fact in the very laige variation we can thus make in the size of an individual fish? Now when the food supply is so very scant that the size of the off- spring is necessarily much dwarfed, evidently the weakest will die in the process of rearing; evidently also, the mother-bee whose reproductive -6 5 - powers are the weakest as to the number of offspring, and whose maternal instincts are the strongest, that is to say, the one that lays the fewest eggs and takes the best care of her young, will best succeed. If any broods of young perish altogether from famine, it will be those that are so numerous as entirely to overtax the powers of the mother-bee in feeding them. Thus we gradually approach a time when the care of the mother-bee extends to a period in the life of the offspring, when they appreciate and respond to her affection. The offspring are still numerous and the struggle for existence is severe. The food supply is sufficient to bring the young to that point in existence when they are capable of applying with some prospect of success the instinct, that is to say, the congenital knowledge inherited from the mother. And as the mother-bee continues after this period to help them in their struggle for existence, they see and understand her assistance, and they neccessarily respond to her affection. Here is definitely established filial love, in re- sponse to maternal affection and it is necessary that this filial love should be established in strength even in this little insect, before it is possible that the specialization under consideration shall commence. It must not be supposed that the size of these tiny creatures renders them incap able of this strong feeling, — we must in this respect as in others go by the evidence of our senses and the necessities of the case. Without strong affection the whole life of these bees is quite inexplicable, while with it their conduct is the natural outcome of a certain amount of intelligence applied to certain conditions of existence. Among all creatures nursed with a mothers care, filial love grows stronger and stronger, according to the capacity and circumstances of the offspring and the strength of that affection which calls it forth. But when the time for mating approaches the young seek other relationships and so far as it is incompatible with these does filial love decay. But what happens if the young are by nature incapacitated for these other relationships? Then filial love necessarily grows with the individual and strengthens with her strength. The mating instinct may be almost or wholly lacking; and if wholly lacking, then all of that part of the highly nervous organization, inherited from the mother that is devoted to the affections, will have no other out- let than in filial love. The common life around us, and man himself will perhaps afford us some partial illustrations of this necessary law. The best illustration outside of the insect world is one of which the facts may be easily ascer- tained by any person who will make the inquiry. —66— The breeding of mules is an important industry. The horse anil the ass arc capable ol strong affection, but their colts seldom develope a filial love which has a control in^ influence on their adult life. Kilt the mule, the hybrid between the male ass and the female horse, except in very rare instances is congenitally incapable of reproducing its kind. It has more or less of the instinct for mating, but it necessarily does not have the strong sexual passion of a perfect equine animal. Its love for its mother however amounts to a master passion; it is not spas- modical, but it is intense and it continues as long as there is an oppor- tunity of showing it. It is capable of transfer to another subject and those who breed mules in large numbers take a useful, instructive and amusing advantage of this fact. When the young mules are weaned, the mothers are withdrawn from their company, and one, otherwise worthless old mare is substituted for many mothers. The poor young things turn to the good natured old mare as to a very goddess; while she receives their worship with the equanimity of her sex, never hinting in the mildest terms, that it is an idolatry that should be abated. As the dilapidated goddess herself may be depended upon for her staid qualities, it follows that her worshippers are thereby kept out of mischief. And the poor mule is not a backslider, it is always a consistent worshipper. I have stated that filial love is absolutely necessary to the specializa- tion under consideration. It should be added that it must be intense in its character and capable of replacing to a large extent the maternal in- stinct of the perfect creature. From the fact that insufficiency of food would affect the growth of all organs we deduced the further fact that it would affect weak animals the most, giving those not congenitally perfect an irregular development. It follows also, that if a veiy young animal congenitally perfect, receives for a long period only sufficient food to sustain life, the organs not vital will be more or less dwarfed in their proportions, as compared to the vital organs. For here the law of parsimony is absolute. The vital organs must receive a certain supply, or the life perishes. The non-vital organs make no such imperative demand, and they consequently get less in propor- tion. And an organ that is entirely useless to the life of the individual, would under such circumstances receive no nourishment whatever; ex- cepting only as it is correlated to the organs that are useful or vital. The re-productive organs of the young of all species are entirely useless to the life of the individual; their powers are latent, and excepting as the) are correlated to other organs, they make no demand for nourishment. Star- -6 7 - vation must therefore dwarf the reproductive organs of very young in- dividuals, in proportion to those which are very important, or absolutely necessary to life. In plants this fact is constantly shown all around us and our maize is a striking example. The reproductive powers of swine are very great. But a young pig that is half-starved will not only have its reproductive powers very much retarded in their growth, it will have them diminished in their ulti- mate strength. This is a matter in which general observation fur- nishes the proof. I have not asked fish-culturists the question but I am absolutely certain that other things being equal, the number of fish-eggs will depend upon the size and thrift of the individual, and these, other things being equal depend upon the question of food. It is easy to imagine a possible case among the vertebrates or even the mammals in which a perfectly normal organism by long continued insufficiency of food, is allowed a slow development of those organs that are absolutely necessary for its life, and of the others most nearly corre- lated to these, while the organs of reproduction, in the incipient or un- developed stage in which they were when starvation commenced, still remain till they become fixed and immutable notwithstanding any a- bundance of food that may he given at a later period of life. Let us now go back to the variability of eggs as shown by our hun- dred chicks or the variability of seeds as shown by our ears of corn. This variability is variability of the germs, and this is congenital variabil- ity. This variability as shown in the hundred chicks gives us from three to six pounds for their adult weight and they all differ in color, form, or both. We take no account at present of the fact that our primitive bee as shown by her offspring of to-day was far more variable than fowls, but we note that she was a hoarding insect, gathering with great care and in- dustry in good times, food for times of scarcity; that she supplied her young from her stores; and that they responded to her maternal cares with filial affection. We left her at a time when the struggle for existence was keen and some of her offspring starved through no fault of her own. She was ex- hausted with a constant search for food and the cares of a numerous and starving family. This necessarily involved the fact that her reproductive system was quite out of balance, she was incapable of producing as many eggs as her progenitors, and many of those that she did produce were imperfect. Of these imperfect eggs some addled and some hatched out imper- fect offspring. —68— At this point we proceed to inquire into the nature of the imper- fections of the offspring. There would probably be quite a variety in these defects. One- might be wanting in legs, another deficient in wings, ' another insane, another deaf, another possibly congenitally blind, or perhaps wanting in that sense, whatever it is, by which ants and bees intelligently converse with their fellows. All of these and many other congenital defects are possible and even probable, because we see them in other and the least changeable orders and species of creatures. But the greatest in number of all the very important defects, would be defects of the reproductive organs; because they are the organs in the mother which have been most affected by her unfortunate environment. Under these circumstances, what must become of all the imperfect offspring in a sharp struggle for existence? Manifestly all wanting in legs, or wings, or eves, or in any organs necessary for quick and intelligent movements in attacking or resisting enemies, or in collecting food, must die at an early age, notwithstanding any possible care of the mother. Manifestly none of those defective in the reproductive organs would so die, unless they were also defective in some other particular, unless indeed the struggle became so keen, that perfect and imperfect went to the wall together. Manifestly also, these insects, thus congenitally imperfect in the re- productive organs, would have a great advantage over all others in the struggle for existence, from the time at which the reproductive period in those others commenced. If altogether incapable of reproduction, they would have vitality enough for themselves and a surplus to expend. The energy inherited from the hardworking progenitors would be too great for idleness. The surplus must be expended at the dictates of love or hate. Hate, beyond that healthy indignation at attack or imposi- tion which is necessary to self-protection, is unnatural to such beings.* But they have one to love, and that is the mother. The perfect offspring depart to reproduce their kind, and the one, two, three, or the dozen, of the imperfect ones, stay behind with the mother bee, or if she dies they transfer their affection to some one of their perfect sisters. Now another hoard of honey must be gathered, and another lot of eggs laid, hatched out and cared for. The female bee works industriously, * Lubbock's instances of ants attacking strangers and not reselling friends by no means demonstrates the opposite of this proposition. -6 9 - and true to her instinct, denies herself of necessary food, that she may lay by the more for her future offspring. And now these creatures, happy in their deprivation, capable of supplying their own wants with ease, insist on gathering food for the mother-bee. She takes it with eagerness, tastes and stores it away. And alter the young are hatched out, the like attempt to feed the mother-bee results in feeding them. Thus this family have for a time a great ad- vantage in the struggle for existence and there is a perfectly adequate motive for the conduct of the kind little creatures who minister to the wants of the mother-bee. Still this happy family is not precisely the foundation of our modern bee-hive; it is really too affluent for complete success. The mother-bee, no longer overworked, recovers her health and un- fortunately lays perfect eggs; with the help of the nursemaids she rears her young without overtaxing her powers. Her family and any others like it have very decided advantages over the old tvpe, to which never- theless the}" inevitably revert, to fall into a state of starvation as before; for, in this family, the nursemaids have and can have, no probable suc- cessors while there is plenty to eat. If this happens to one family of bees, it will probably happen to mam- families. The temporary affluence of one family caused by the pre- sence of the helpers will itself increase the depth of poverty in the neigh- boring families, and this poverty will give them helpers in undeveloped bees in the next generation, by which in turn they will be raised to af- fluence. Thus there will be alternating generations of bees, that is to say generations with helpers, followed by generations without them. Among those that go forth from the mother-nest to find mates and rear families of their own, are some that are congenitally weak in the re- productive organs. The majority of these meet with sound mates and the variation dies out. But some individuals thus congenitally imper- fect, meet with like mates, The congenital weakness of the reproductive organs is intensified in the offspring. The majority are perhaps so im- perfect as not to be able to reproduce their kind. Any of these that reach maturity will be glad helpers of the mother-bee. Their less imperfect brothers and sisters are defective in many de- grees. The offspring of one never reach maturity. Those of another nearly all thrive and there are a dozen reproductive females among them. In their migrations at swarming time these bees sometimes become established near less affluent families, congenitally perfect, and are some- times crossed with them . Here we have the bees in a condition of the greatest variability as ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA. 11 to reproductive powers, but all of those that are getting on well in the world have among their offspring some that cannot reproduce, and help- ers are consequently numerous. About this time the paupers are established as a distinct variety. Sick and discouraged with the unsuccessful battle of lile, they are more or less tolerated in the affluent families ol their neighbors. But when they have recovered their bodily strength, they have not also regained their mental balance. They have become accustomed to a life of toler- ated dependence; so they live in the nest and lay eggs to be reared by their industrious neighbors. Sometimes the imposition becomes too great for good nature to stand and there may be a terrible slaughter of the innocent paupers and their offspring. The ones however that most nearly resemble the useful members of the community escape destruction and thus are established the Cuckoo- Bees, their similation of virtue being ever the closer as indignation increases at their vice. The varieties become extremely numerous; many of them however becoming rapidly extinct. At first in all families where there are help- ers there are almost or perhaps quite as many undeveloped males: but this being for bees, a hurtful variation the tendency of natural selection is to their diminution. On the whole those families are the most suc- ( essful in which there are the largest number of undeveloped females. All this time experience is being gathered in the mothers and differ- entiated and stored in their systems, to re-appear as instinct and intelli- gence in the offspring. Sometimes the most affluent families come to want, and perfect fe- males are dwarfed in their reproductive organs by scarcity of food and are only capable of being helpers. From all this diversity there is at last a type evolved which is on the whole the best for the majority of the bees. This type is one in- volving a degree of imperfection in the reproductive organs of all offspring unless highly stimulating food in large quantity is supplied from a very early stage of growth. Thus the normal product is simply a helper and the number of males and females in proportion to the number of helpers and the food supply is a matter entirely under the control, not of chance nor of the mother, but of the community. This then, I think, is the foundation of the Hive-Bee family, the highest type of the flying Il\- nienoptera. As instinct enlarges and intelligence increases, the helpers take more and more upon themselves the care of the household. They be- come pre-eminently the workers, and their officious interference is con- tinually stopping the mother-bee's toil, and stuffing her with the best —7i — food they can obtain. She gives herself up more and more exclusively to the work of reproduction, and her powers increase till she becomes capable of changing food into eggs and individually starting a hundred thousand existences in her single lifetime. Between this highest type of the bee and the lowest, we find several hundred varieties all capable of explanation, either as progressive or re- trogressive, developments from our primitive bee. Many of them are highly specialized in their social habits, and it seems tome that all those that have two fully developed sexes and one or more undeveloped sexes, must neccessarily have thrift, intelligence and love, as the foundation with- out which it is impossible that such creatures should of themselves build up such a singular condition. It seems to me that hunger, something approaching starvation, is necessary as a beginning of the specialization. Now we all know that from their capacity to increase with enormous rapidity, some insects are subject to great vicissitudes in the matter of food. The locusts, for in- stance, increase in numbers till having eaten everything in their native habitat, they leave it in dense masses that obscure the heavens, and which devastate vast regions. Of the next brood, immensely more vast in numbers than even these, comparatively a small remnant reach maturity, and scarcely any reproduce their kind. The race grows up again from the few starved individuals too weak to leave the old habitat and of which a few managed to survive long enough to lay some eggs. Those doubt- less produce many imperfect insects, but these specializations are not use- ful to the race in this case, and they cannot survive. I think it likely however, that man could specialize locusts and many other insects in this way without difficulty. I think it likely that he could with great care so specialize fish and possibly fowls and with great patience and much difficulty some of the mammals. I think also that if mules were from a thrifty hoarding stock like squirrels they would be in the habit of feeding the old mare as the workers feed the mother-bee. But while it may be allowable to mention these as interesting possibilities I do not propose to discuss them in this paper. There is another element which is, I think, very important in fixing the definite type of the workers, and whicn 1 had intended to discuss. But while I think that element important in the bee and perhaps abso- lutely necessary for the still higher specialization of the ant, I think also that a permanent body of workers is necessarily evolved from the condi- tions which I have assumed as natural and proper to the primitive bee. To recapitulale in few words: — 72 — I presuppose a primitive bee fertile and affectionate, hoarding and intelligent. 1 show that great want will necessarily diminish the number of her eggs. That it will render some eggs imperfect by deranging the repro- ductive organs of the mother. That consequently some of the offspring will be defective in the re- producing organs. That while other imperfect bees will generally die before maturity, those imperfect only in the reproductive organs, will live if the perfect offspring live. That some of these being incapable of mating, will not go away for that purpose, but will stay with the mother-bee. That having surplus energy to expend, they will use it in accord- ance with the instinct of the race, in gathering and storing food. That the surplus food will be utilized by the mother-bee, and thai therefore this family will be affluent. That being affluent the formerly overtaxed mother will recover her health, and that her offspring will thereafter be perfect. That consequently these nursemaid-bees will have no successors, and the family will therefore be again reduced to want. That some bees of the same hatch with the nursemaids will be con- genially imperfect notwithstanding that they leave the mother and find mates. That the offspring of congenitally imperfect bees will be extremely variable. That some of this offspring will be unable to reproduce and that they will remain with the mother-bee as nursemaids or helpers. That these helpers from the congenital imperfections of their moth- ers will have successors; substantially as is seen among the hive-bees and the humble-bees of the present day, and That the variation thus started will eventually be reduced to a given type or types — by the survival of the fittest. That whatever other circumstances may aid in producing the result in question, this is sufficient ol itself to account for the specialization of the bee and the ant into females, males and workers. —73— Record of some Contributions to the Literature of North American Beetles, published in 1883 — 84. By Samuel Henshaw. (Continued from p. 48.) IF-A-IVr II. CICINDELIDAE. Oraus ambiguus Schaupp 142 p. 121 Cal. — Cicindela perviridis {var. ) Schaupp 141 p. 79 Cal. Or. Ut. Newfld. ; C. nigrior (var.) Schaupp 141 p. 79 Geo.; C. Hoinii Schaupp 141 p. 80, pro anthracina || Horn; C. graminea (var.) Schaupp 141 p. 80, Kans. Cal.; C. pacifica (var.) Schaupp 141 p. 84 Cal. Ut. Nev. ; C. scabrosa (var. ) Schaupp 141 p. 84 Fla. ; C. Laurentii (var.) Schaupp 141 p. 87 Cal.: C. tenuicincta (var.) Schaupp 142 p. 122 Col.: C. lunalonga Schaupp 142 p. 122 Cal. CARABIDAE. Bembidium vinnulum Casey 9 p. 15 Ariz. — Tachys litorahs Casey 9 p. 15, N. J. Trechus hydropicus Horn 76 p. 273 Va.— Anophthalmus audax Horn 76 p. 272 Ronald's Cave. — Pterostichus zephyrus Casey 9 p. 2 noloc. ; P. osculans Casey 9 p. 2 no loc. — Amara apachen^is Casey 9 p. 3 Ariz.; A. marylandica Casey 9 p. 4 Md. ; A. pallida Casey 9 p. 5 N.Y. ; A. ferruginea Casey 9 p. 5 N. J. — Metabola vi- vida Bates 43 p. 298 Ariz. Mex. N. Son. — Dercylinus (n. g.) Chaud. 13 p. 525 pro Lvolenes impressa Lee. — Discoderus robustus Horn 72 p. 52 Ariz. — Harpalus lustrans Casey 7 p. 64 pro lucidus || Lee; H. opacus Casey 9 p. 8 Pa.; H. manhaltanis Ca-ey 9 p. 9 N.Y., H. vespertinus Ca^ey 9 p. 10 Ariz.; H. placidus Casey 9 p. 10 N.Y. ; H. convictor Casey 9 p. 12 N.V.; H. canonicus Casey 9 p. 12 R. 1.; H. lustralis Casey 9 p. 12 N.Y. ; H. snesceiis Casey 9 p. 12 N.Y. R.I. — Selenophorus seneo- piceus Casey 9 p. 13 Ariz. — Stenolophus gracilis Casey 9 p. 14 Ariz. — Ameiinus (u. canadensis Regimbart 112 p. 159 Amer. bor. Ca.; G. corpulentus Re gimbart 112 p. 178 Amer. bur. Dineutes analis Regimbart 112 p. 216 La. Tex. SILPHIDAE. Triarthron pennsylvanicum Horn 76 p. 2S4 Pa. PSELAPHIDAE. Tychus testaceus Casey 9 p. 31 Mass. N.Y. Mich. — Bryaxis gracilis Casey 9 p. 32 Mich. ; B. inopia Casey 9 p. 33 Fla. —74— STAPHYLINIDAE. Titlianis (n. g.) Casey 9 p. 16 pro Aleochara valida Lee. — Emplenota (n. parallel than nervosa. Its uniform blood red color is characteristic and differs immediately from the two other species belonging to the same section. Charistena bicolor, sp. nov. Head and elytra metallic dark blue, shining, thorax red. Beneath prothorax and abdomen red, else blue black. Elongate, sides of the elytra parallel, margins not serrulate. Thorax as long as wide, feebly arquate in front, parallel behind, Disc hardly convex, with a large, shallow, fovea at base; sparsely punctured at middle, more densely at sides. Antennae black, legs red. Length 45 mm. Hab. New Mexico. 1 specimen. The second and third joints of antennae are equal in length, and the species is close is Ariadne. It stands before that species in the se- ries. The intermediate femora do not appear to be serrulate, and the margins of the elytra are also smooth. It differs from all other species by the uniformly red thorax: the red legs also distinguish it from Ariadne. On the discovery of Thoracantha, a tropical genus of Chalcid flies, in Florida. By Wm. H. Ashmead, Jacksonville, Fla. It may be interesting to many of your readers to know that that interesting genus of the ChalcididcB, Thoracantha, has a representative in the United States. This spring, among other interesting captures, I took a beautiful male specimen of this unique genus, feeding upon the flowers of the gall-berry Ilex glaber, being I believe the first of the genus discovered on the North American Continent. The genus has heretofore been considered tropical, all the described species having been taken in the tropics. Thoracantha fur cala Fabricius, is from Africa and Brazil; T. striata - 9 6- Perty and T. Lalreillii Guerin are from Brazil; while 7! nasua Walker is from Philippine Islands, so that the discovery of the species in the U. S. is doubly interesting. As my species does not agree with any of the descriptions accessible and is probably new, I name it in honor of the ''Land of Flowers" and submit the following description. Thoracantha floridana, n. sp. <$. Length .17 inch. Black, shining, coarsely rugose. Head small, trans- versely rugose, not visible from above and held horizontally under the abnormally developed thorax: eyes moderate, oblong oval, mandibles large, curved, and 4-den- tate; antennae black, 12-jointed, 9-branched, scape moderately long, cylindrical, 2nd large, globular. 3rd to nth short, cylindrical, slightly widened and truncate at tip, each emitting a long sparsely pubescent sub-clavate branch; 12th joint very long, about same size as the antenna! branches and making the antenna? apparently ten-branched; thorax enormously developed and elevated, strongly rugose, the rugosities taking the form of longitudinal grooves, with short. .sparse pubescence; parapsides wide apart, distinct; scutellum abnormally developed, projecting posteriorly over the abdomen in the form of two long slightly curved horns, which are longitudinally grooved; wings are slightly brownish or fuliginous and when at rest lie flat under the horns; the mar- ginal vein is long, thick, and brownish black, stigma a large brown black spot with the postmarginal vein very long; abdomen pedunculated, ■peduncle longer than ab- domen, finely sculptured, cylindrical, slightly bent near the middle and thickest at base, abdomen smooth shining, black, compressed and when viewed from the side, triangular; legs testaceous, pubescent, coxae well developed black, upper part of femora and upper edge of tibiae brown, two apical spurs on posterior tibiae, with one small spine on middle pair. Described from one ^ specimen. Notes and News The meetings of the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S. will be held in room "H" of the University of Michigan. The first meeting will be held on the 25th of August at 2 P.M. and the following is the programme for that meeting: 1. Annual address of the President, Dr. John G. Morris. 2. Election of Officers for the ensuing year. 3. Re- ports of Officers and Committees. 4. New business. 5. "A biographical sketch of Dr. Wm. Le Baron, late State Entomologist of Illinois" by Dr. F. W. Goding. 6. Notes on structural and systematic characters of some N. A. Lepidoptera, by John B. Smith. Other papers have been promised by Prof. C. V. Riley, Prof. Herbert Osborn, Rev. Geo. D. Hulst, Dr. D. S. Kellicott and Prof. J. A. Lintner. * Mr. Ricksecker has written us a letter that is interesting enough to print almost in full; he says: "Allow me to add my testimony to the fact, that at least some Cur- culio larvae are lignivorous. At Monterey, Cal, I took numbers of —97— Cossonus piniphilus Boh. from a parti} - decayed pine log, and at Spokane Falls, W. T., I found Cossonus crenatus Horn under the bark of pine logs and stumps that were still sound. Magdalis Le Contei Horn I have su- spected of depredating in living pine-trees, but am not certain of this. Of Scolytidce I have seen great swarms of Pityophthorus pubipennis Lee. in the branches of newly-felled Live Oaks, and have taken the same or an allied species from sticks of oak that had previously been peeled for tan-bark. P. hamatus Lee. , Tomicus plastographus Lee. and several species of Den droctonus burrow in pine and spruce timber. It must not be inferred, however, that because some of these insects burrow in timber-trees that they are destructive to our forests. Many species will never attack a healthy tree but have an acute sense for dis- covering an injured or dying tree or one that has recently fallen. It is the same with many Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. I have taken a dozen Buprestis upon a single pine log, and at night, in a wood-cutters camp, many specimens of Monohammns and Acanthocinus were taken on the piles of cord-wood (pine), and some were shaken from young pines that had been injured by fire, but none were observed on healthy trees. The apple-tree-borer, Chrysobothris femorata, attacks young fruit trees that have been scorched by the sun, but its natural food is the oak for I have seen dozens of them in the branches of a small Live-Oak that had been cut down less than an hour. Xylotrechus nauficus Mann., were also there, in great numbers, some copulating and others ovipositing. Thus also I have observed a swarm of many hnndreds of ' Melanophila con- sputa and M. longipes Say, where a brush fire had scorched some young spruce trees {Abies Doug/asii). M. fulvoguttata also attacks the spruce and M. gentilis the pine, Ergates spiculafus Lee. flourishes equally well in spruce or in pine, but our common Hylotrupes ligncus Fab., I have found only in Redwood*, {Sequoia semperzrirens), and Neocly /us conjum tus Lee. only in the Madrone. In all these cases, however, it is only the dying or recently deceased wood that is attacked. Every tree that falls in the forest, every limb that is broken off by the wind, every stick that is cut by the wood-chop- pers axe, is attacked by its own peculiar species. They come from all directions. They swarm about it, and run up and down upon it The sexes will be in copulation; some females will be hunting for suitable crevices in the bark, in which to deposit their eggs; other females will be seen in the act of ovipositing, and last of all, not infrequently, — the parasitic Hymenoptera, in their turn, seeking the eggs of the wood-lovers, * Mr. Julich informs me that in the cast, he has found this species confined to red cedar. Ed. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 1 . r > -98- and depositing their own upon them. In due time the eggs hatch, the larvae bore the wood and live their required time, until they come forth as imagines to renew their war upon the dying or injured trees. As these species are generally represented by thousands of individuals in a given locality, it is easy to imagine how destructive they would be to our forests and orchards were they to attack healthy trees. As it is, their operations are fruitful of good in that they aid nature in the grand scheme of life. The fallen tree is perforated in all directions, moisture enters the perforations and Termites, fungi and decay all add their forces in reduc- ing the wood to soil. Many interesting facts continually come under ones observation, but the difficulty is in determining what is new and what is not. Thus, I was astonished some ago, in watching a swarm of perhaps a thousand Melanophila consputa and M. longipes, on some spruce trees and logs, after, a fire in the woods. A large old spruce log, partly decayed, and full of termites, had been subjected to considerable heat, and some of the bark had slipped off. Here I saw and watched four different individ- uals of Melanophila devour the scorched termites, which was the first instance I had observed of a carniverous habit in the Buprestidce. This may, however be well known to others, Then again some very common facts seem to be little known. For instance, I once told Dr. Leconte that our common Mitrius contractus was a bombardier beetle and he was surprised to hear it.'' Melanophila longipes has been known to take playful nips out of ex- posed portions of the human body, but actual carnivorous habits have not been heretofore recorded to our knowledge. As to Metrius, the in- formation is new. Dr. Horn has collected this insect and never noticed the bombardier habit, and Mr. Julich has also taken them in large num- bers without making that observation. Have any others of our Western friends noticed this fact? » * * The death of Mr. H. K. Morrison has made an opening for an in- telligent, enterprising and good collector. Coleoptera and Lepidoptera find a ready sale, and other orders are attracting increased attention here and may also be disposed of in Europe. Who will undertake this? * * * To facilitate exchanges among collectors we will hereafter publish a separate page of advertisements of offers and requests to exchange. A uniform charge of 5 cents per line will be made and the ads. will remain until crowded out by others. Desiderata may be mentioned and lists of duplicates added. Check list numbers or names may be used. —99— Book Notices. Cut Worms. A paper read before the New York State Agricultural Society, at the Annual Meeting, January 21, 1885, by J. A. Lintner, Ph. D., New York State Entomologist. 8vo. 25 pp. figures. Contains a brief review of the literature, a synopsis of their life hist- ory, and a compilation of what is known of remedies. Studies among the Meloidae. By Geo. II. Horn, M. D. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 107—116, March 1885. Descriptions of New North American Scarabaeidae by Geo. H. Horn, M. D. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 117— 128, March 1885. Contributions to the Coleopterology of the United States (No. 4) by Geo. H. Horn, M. D. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 128—162. March 1885. Plates V and VI illustrate these articles. On the species of Canthon and Phanaeus of the United States, with notes on other genera, by Frederick Blanchard. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 163 — 172, May 1885. We are glad to see Mr. Blanchard in the ranks of our systematic workers. He has been long and favorably known as a collector, and his paper gives evidence that he is able to do good work in the systematic line. The Periodical Cicada. An account of Cicada septendecim and its tiedecim race, with a chronology of all broods known, by Chas. V. Riley, Ph. D. Bulletin No. 8, Div. of Entomology U. S. Dept. of Agricult. June 1885, pp. 46, figures. This pamphlet is accompanied by Circular No. 16, giving the di- stribution of the two broods due this year, and stating that notes of the appearance, the numbers and distribution of the broods are desired. It would be a desirable thing for all Entomologists to gather what infor- mation they can in reference to these insects if they appear in their locali- ties and send the same to Prof. Riley. Descriptions of some new Cerambycidas with notes by Geo. H. Horn, M.D. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 173 — 197, June 1885. Gives synopses of Oxoplus, Sienosphenus, Monilema, Monohammus, Goes, Ona'derus, Eupogonius and Dysphaga. Synopsis of the Throscidae of the United States. By Geo. H. Horn, M. D. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 198 — 208, June 1885. A Study of the species of Cryptobium of North America. By George H. Horn, M. D. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, pp. 85—106. PI. I and II. (Feb. 1885.) Dr. Horn here gives us an exceedingly interesting paper, illustrating some remarkable peculiarities of structure. These were touched upon in the March Meeting of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, and are here elaborated. Of many species there are three forms of structure of the 4th ventral segment of the $. One is called a perfect <$, another an imperfect ^, the third an incomplete $. These are but descriptive terms and are not applied to differences of function. It is however an exceedingly interesting question whether these differences in structure — IOO— have not some corresponding physiological difference. It seems highly probable, and yet it is difficult to imagine what it could be. The com- plete $ is the most common, the imperfect <$ nearly as plentiful while the incomplete $ is comparatively rare. The imported Elm Leaf Beetle. Its habits and Natural History and means of counteracting its injuries. Bulletin No. 6 of Div. of Ent. U. S. Department of Agriculture pp. 18; I pi. May 1885. Insects affecting growing wheat. By F. M. Webster. Purdue Univ. Bulletin No. 3. Indianapolis April 1885, pp. 6; 3 Plates. Obituary Note. We are sorry to record the death of Mr. H. K. Morrison, of Morgan- ton, N. C. Mr, Morrison was born at Boston, Mass., January 24, 1854, and died at his home in Morganton, June 15, 1885, of inflamation of the bowels. The passion for collecting insects was strong with him from childhood, and in his twentieth year he determined to give up his busi- ness as shoe dealer and devote himself entirely to Entomology. At this time he began publishing, and described quite a number of heterocerous lepidoptera and made valuable notes and observations, especially in the Noctuidae. The papers were principally in 1873. ^74 an( ^ 1 875 in the Boston Proceedings, and Proc. Ac. N. S., Phil. Many notes and shorter papers are in the Canadian Entomologist for those years. They display strong appreciation of characters used in systematic Entomology, and render it a matter of regret that he did not continue the study. However he had determined to earn his living as a collector, and the long trips necessitated by this made systematic work an impossibility; the more so as justice to those purchasing from him required that rarities should go to them in the sets taken. In the spring of '76 he went south, collect- ted in Georgia and the mountains of Western N. C. , in '77 he married and established his home in Morganton, whence his later trips were made. In '77 he also made a three months trip to Colorado; the summer of '78 he collected in the black hills; '79 in New, Cal. and Utah, '80 and '81 in Wash. Terr., Or. and So. Cal.; '82 and '83 in Arizona, '84 in South- ern Florida and in the spring of '85 he again spent some time at Key West. Mr. Morrison was a dilligent and careful collector and found a large number of new species in all orders, so that "Collected by Mr. Morrison" appears everywhere in descriptive papers. He was well known not only everywhere in America, but also in Europe, and had built up quite an extensive business in this line. His premature death has de- prived our science of one of its most active workers in the collecting line and will leave a vacancy hard to be filled. Americana VOL. I. BROOKLYN, SEPTEMBER, 1885. NO. 6. Descriptions of New Species of Heterocera. By R. H. Stretch. As many of the readers of "Entomologica Americana'' are aware, I have for the past three years been engaged on a monograph of the groups. Zygcc.nidoc, Lithonida and Arctiida of North America, intended to collate all the literature thereon, and to illustrate all the species with a good recognizable figure. The work is now in such a state, that its com- pletion depends only on my ability to secure a certain number of types for figuring; and in this place I propose, while describing certain new forms, so as to obviate the risk of their being described while the work is in the press, and so creating synonyms, to indicate my desiderata and ask assistance from those who may be fortunate enough to possess the species, either in the form of drawings or photographs, or the loan of the insects themselves. At this date there are drawn about 350 figures, illustrating 210 species, most of them already printed. Scepsis Wrightii. 9-cT- Similar to S.fulmcoUis, but smaller. Ik-ad, palpi, antennae, legs, thorax and abdomen, black, the latter with blueish reflections. I'm thorax white with very pale yellowish tinge, not extending to the underside of the head and palpi. Primaries dark brown, as in fulvicollis, but with paler fringes and yellowish costa. Secondaries diaphanous, with irregular blackish margin, as infulvi- collis. Beneath as above. Expanse of wings 1.10 inches. Hab. Southern California, Wright. Described from 7 ^Q, received from Mr. G. W. Wright, after whom it is named. Readily distinguished by its smaller size and the tint and distribution of the prothorax coloring. — 102 — Harrisina australis. ( j\ Similar to H. Americana, but larger. Head black. Antennae black, wiih a metallic blue. tinge. Abd. mien and legs black. Prothorax orange, the color extending to the base of the patagia, and underside of the head and breast. Wings shaped as in americana, but more opaque, blacker and with a more positive blackish -green reflection. Expanse of wings 1,15; length of body 0.50 inches. Hab. Florida, Hy. Edwards. Out of the four American species this is the only one which has the underside of the head yellow, and this character will instantly separate it. In size, the range of americana is from 0.75 to 1.00 inch, with an average of about 0.90 inch, so there is a notable difference in size as well as color. Harrisina metallica. Similar to americana but much larger. Entire insect above and below, lustrous blueish-green, with the wings a shade yellower than the ab- domen. Prothorax orange, the color not extending to the underside of the head. The wings have the apices much more produced than in americana or australis. Expanse of wings 1.60 inches; length of body 0.50 inch. Hab. New Mexico, Prof. Snow. Very distinct from any of the other American forms. The types were received from Prof. Snow under the name of H. americana, and it may probably be in other collections under that label. Nola hyemalis. 9cf- Head and palpi whitish, palpi darker beneath. Ab- domen pale. Body beneath, and legs darker. Primaries very pale gray, resulting from a sprinkling of minute brown dots on a white ground, somewhat darker towards the outer margin and apex. Costa with a dark brown streak at the base, and wings crossed with three indistinct lines made up of dots. Basal line most distinct, at one third from the base, oblique, straight, parallel with the outer margin, with a distinct brown dot near the costa, made up of tufted scales. The second line is slightly beyond the middle, parallel with outer margin for half its length, then rounding rapidly to the costa. The third line originates near the anal angle, is parallel with the second, and leaves the terminal space broadest on the costa. Each of these lines is followed outwardly by a very narrow white shade, and the tip of the wing is faintly striped, owing to the varying depth of color of the veins and interspaces. Fringes long, dark- er than the wing, and distinctly separated therefrom by a very narrow pale line. Secondaries very pale, shaded with darker tints at the apex. Fringes very long, concolorous. Beneath, immaculaie, primaries darkest. Expanse of wings o 80 inch. Hab. Crystal Springs, San Mateo County, (Hy. Edwards); Alameda County, Calif. (Behr). Does not appear to be uncommon in March and April on fences and at light. Cisthene plumbea. Head and thorax lead color. Abdomen bright red above, dusky beneath. Primaries lustrous drab or lead color, with a somewhat triangular whitish spot on the inner margin, two thirds from the base. Secondaries clear pink, with a broad costal lead colored margin, which is continued along the outer margin, decreasing in widih to the anal an^le. Beneath as above, but somewhat paler. — io3— Expanse of wings 0.85 inch. Hab. Texas, Belfrage. Similar to unifascia, but of a darker and different tint and fewer pale markings. Cisthene lactea. Eyes black. Antennre brown. Palpi black. Tongue as long as the body. Entire insect otherwise white above and on the body parts, the underside of the wings being smoky, especially the primaries, on the latter are usually six small black spots, three on the costa, equally spaced; one just outside the discal cell, and two in the space below the median vein, one of them being near the base, and the other near the outer margin. Expanse of wings 0.70 inch. Hab. Providence Mountain, Bernar- dino County, California. This species may not strictly belong to Cisthene but the material is too scant to allow of dissection. Crocata Belfragei. Eyes black. Head, palpi, collar, thorax and primaries, concolorous, clear yellowish brown. Secondaries reddish, with a moderately wide, outer, blackish border. Fringes red. Beneath reddish on all wings, as are the underside of palpi and abdomen; the latter above, dull orange, with a dorsal and lateral series of black spots. Legs somewhat dusky. Expanse of wings 0.85 inch. Hab. Texas, Belfrage. Intermediate in size between rubicundaria and costata, and very different from either in color and shape of the primaries, which are square at the tips, the inner margin being much longer proportionally, and the outer margin less oblique than in either of the species mentioned. Crocota costata. Eyes black, head reddish, palpi same with dusky tips. Thorax pale stone color, collar very narrowly edged with red. Abdomen pale red. Underparts reddish; outside of legs dusky. Primaries pale stone color, dusted with red scales, which are most conspicuous along the costa and on the discal vein. Sec- ondaries pale reddish, of the tint of red-lead. Beneath, all wings pale reddish, not so dark as secondaries above. Expanse of wings 1. 10 inch. Hab. Texas, Belfrage. Allied to rubicundaria, but larger; with the primaries and thorax of a very different color; the primaries are long and comparatively narrow, with the outer margin very oblique. Crocata obscura. Pale fawn color to smoky brown ; when of the latter color, the entire insect is concolorous, except the eyes which are black, and the costa of the primaries beneath which is enclosed to red. The same is the case when entirely fawn color. Sometimes the primaries are fawn color and the secondaries smoky, in which case the head, thorax and abdomen are the color of the primaries. Expanse of wings 1.05 inch. Hab. Pennsylvania, Strecker; New Hampshire,. Fernald. This*fnsect has been sent to me under the name of ferruginosa, Walker, and is so described by Packard in his monograph of the Bom- bycidoe, but this cannot be as ferruginosa has a discal dot on the sec- ondaries like brevicornis. — 104 — Callimorpha reversa. Head and prothorax ochre yellow. Palpiochre yellow, I. hick at the tips. Patagia white. Thorax white, with a 1 road central brown stripe. Abdomen wine, with traces of a narrow dorsal stripe. Legs yellowish, coxa> of, anterior pair with a round black dot; outer edges of anterior and middl dusky. Primaries silky white; inner margin, costa, and outer margin ratherbroadly edged with dark brown, interrupted at the apex. A brown band crosses the wing from the anal angle to the costa, about two-fifdis from the base; from the centre of th I ami. a second brown band runs to the outer margin just below the apex, divid ing the wing into three pi ineipal white patches. The basal patch is triangular (some times divided by a narrow basal brown band). '1 hat on the outer margin is more or less ovate, and is frequently divided near the apex by the brown nervules into three sub-equal spots; and the costal patch is more or less clearly divided into three sub equal -pots, by an expansion on the discal vein of the bn wn costa] margin, and by toothed enlargements of the brown markings, between the discal vein and apex. See ondaries clear white, immaculate. Beneath as above, but the markings are more ob- scure, and the costa of all the wings is tinged with yeilow ochre. Expanse of wings 1.50 to 1.90 inch! Hab. Canada, Saunders; New York, Hy. Edwards; Kansas, Prof. Snow. This species has long been confounded with Leconki. Harris and Doubleday discussed the question of their specific identity, and Canadian Entomologists have long contended that two species were included un- der the latter name, but so far as I know without pointing out the most recognizable character, which is to be found in the main transverse band ol the primaries. In Leconki, this starts from the inner margin and goes to the apex, while in reversa, it starts from the outer margin and goes to the anal angle, being exactly as in Clymene, Just as is often the case in the latter species, the transverse band is sometimes partly absolete near to the costa, and this seems to be the chief variation. Arctia approximata. 9- Head and palpi black beneath, front and vertex pale. Thorax cream color; prothorax with two black spots, thorax with three black stripes. Abdomen red above, with dorsal series of black spots; tip and underside black. Legs black touched with cream color. Primaries velvety black, with all the margins, the nerves and nervules, terminal W, terminal transverse band on which the \V rests, and longitudinal streak, dark cream color. The terminal band is in- complete, wanting the portion between the subcostal and median veins. A small pale dot above the origin of the first median vein, is all that remains of the median band. No basal or sub-basal bands. Secondaries clear red, yellowish round the Mack spots, winch consist of the discal spot of the median row, all four of the sub- marginal row, and the two apical spots of the marginal series, which are fused to gether round the apex. No basals clouds. Beneath as above, but colors more diffused. Expanse of wings 145 inch., length of body 0.52 inch. Hab. Canada, Hy. Edwards. A small species close to Saundersii, of which it may be only a variety. The pattern of the primaries resembles no other species. The secondaries are like Saundersii 'and intermedia. Described from 1 Q, — io5— sent me by Henry Edwards, who states that he has another identically the same. Arctia obliterata. $. Head beneath and palpi black; above pale yellowish, with black spot between the antennae. Thorax pale yellowish, with two prothoracic and three thoracic stripes. Abdomen black above, yellow ochre along the sides, with black lateral spots; beneath whitish with two rows of black spots. Legs black; femora of the anterior pair touched with ochre; outside of all the tibia? whitish. Primaries dark blackish brown; costa, fringes and inner margin, narrowly pale yellow, as well as the veins, longitudinal stripe, terminal W, and costal half of the terminal band, this being all that is left of the transverse bands except traces of the median. Secondaries dull red with black spots, the marginal and submarginal rows being all present and of good size. There are faint traces of all the row of median spots, but the discal one is the only one conspicuous. Base unclouded. Apical spots slightly fused into a narrow apical border. Beneath, as above, but the colors paler and more diffuse. Expanse of wings 1.30 inch. Hab. (?) Described from 1 $ in only fair condition, sent me many years ago by W. H. Edwards, Esq. After seeing all the other American Arctians I can refer it to none. The ornamentation of the primaries places it in the Quenselii, gelida group, characterized by the presence of only the costal half of the terminal band, which imparts to them a very distinct character. Obliterata is however the only one in which the sec- ondaries are spotted, and also the only one in which they are red. Arctia elongata. 9 • Head and palpi black, front very narrowly margined with pale yellowish white. Thorax the same color, with two prothoracic and three thoracic stripes which occupy nearly the entire surface. Abdomen above yellow - ochre, last segment whitish; terminal hairs, two lateral rows of spots, and a moder- ately broad dorsal stripe, black. Thorax and abdomen beneath, black, with a few pale marks on the edges of the segments of the latter. Legs imperfect in my speci- men. Primaries black, markings pale yellowish white. These consist of a narrow costal border not reaching beyond the median band; a similar border to the inner margin and the fringes; the median vein very narrowly as far as the terminal band; the longitudinal streak, terminal W, terminal and median bands both extending from costa to beyond the longitudinal streak, and traces on the costa of a sub-basal band. Secondaries clear ochre-yellow, with black spots. All four spots of the marginal and sub-marginal rows are present, the costal spot of the former, and the three apical spots of the latter row, being fused into a narrow apical margin. All three spots of the median row present, the inner one being connected with the base by a black streak. Fringes yellow. Beneath, similar to the upper surface, but colors less pronounced. Expanse of wings 1.55 inch. Hab. Spokane Falls, Washington Territory. Described from one female in good preservation except the legs and antenna;. Collected by Mr. Ricksecker and presented to me by Mr. Rivers of Oakland, California. The species is very distinct. In shape — io6 — it approaches nearest to Dahurica, the wings being rather narrow, with the outer margin oblique, and apex acute. If the veins were all pale, it would somewhat resemble the yellow forms of achaia in color, but not in shape. Euchsetes murina. cf9* Eyes dark brown. Head and thorax clear stone color, with a pink shade in the suture between them. Palpi dusky, a few pink hairs at their base. Abdomen above reddish, with a dorsal row of small black dots. Be neath stone color, as are the legs, the fore coxre of the latter shaded wiih pink. All the wings pale stone color, above and below. Fringes and extreme costa paler. Expanse of wings 1.25 inch. Hab. Tucson, Ariz. Not uncommon at light in August. In form it is near egle, but smaller, and differs from it in having pale costa and red abdomen. Euchsetes Bolteri. Q- Palpi, eyes and antennae dull black. Thorax white above, with a fine red line on the front of the prothorax. Thorax below slate color with a red patch centrally. Legs dark gray; coxae of anterior pair red; base of the femora white. Abdomen bright orange above, dull white beneath, with a white anal tuft, a dorsal series of black dots as well as a lateral series. Primaries dull while, slightly tinted on the outer half with irregular markings of light stone-drab color. These markings vary in depth of color in different specimens, and extent; in one specimen they are so close that only fine white points of the ground color of the wing show between them. Secondaries pale slate color. Beneath, all the wings are uni- form pale stone-color. Expanse of wings 1.40 inch. Hab. Texas, A. Bolter. The above description was kindly furnished me by Mr. Bolter, drawn up from the three females in his possession. The species is very distinct, being close to clegans, but differing in color of abdomen and tint of wings. Halesidota scapularis. <$. Eyes black. Head pale fawn color. Antenna stout, long, rufous. Prothorax dirty white, with brown median line. Patagia like prothorax, brown in front. Thorax brown, with triangular white spot in front. Ab- domen dark yellow ochre above, banded below with brown and pale Tawn color. Primaries dark brown with six irregular bands of white spots. The first basal and narrow, the spots fused into an irregular curved band. The second row consists of a large irregular spot below the median vein, and a long costal spot divided by the sub- costal vein. The third row has a similar costal spot, a small one below the median vein, and a large one above and a small one below the submedian vein. The fourth row has five spots, the middle one very small. The fifth row is submarginal, and consists of eight lunate spots decreasing in size towards the costa where they also be- come more ovate. The sixth row is marginal, triangular, a small spot at the end of each of the nervules. Secondaries very pale fawn-white, with four darker submarg- inal spots, those near the apex largest. 9- Similar to tf, but the head brown, the spots on the primaries larger and slightly more irregular, and but two spots on the secondaries, the largest near the apex. Beneath, the secondaries show a dusky shade at the middle of the costa, irregularly connected with the apical spot. Expanse of wings $ 2.00, 9 2.30 inches. Hab. New Mexico, A, Bolter. Allied to Sobrina, Ingens and Argentata } but distinguished from all these by the thoracic parts. DESIDERATA. Eudryas Stce Johannis, Walker. Ctenucha Robinsonii, Boisd. Lycomorpha Palmerii, Packard. Penthetria majuscula, Hy. Edwards. " parvula, Hy. Edwards. Nola anfracta, H. Edwards. Hypoprepia inculta, H. Edwards. Cisthene tenuifascia, Harvey. Eulithos a thoracica, H. Edwards. " composita, H. Edwards. Nemeophila Scudderi, Packard. " Geddesii, Neumoegen. Alexicles aspersa, Grote. Spilosoma antigone, Strecker. Ectypia bivittata, Clemens. Leucarctia permaculata, Packard. Halesidota Davisii, Ply. Edwards. " mixta, Neumoegen. " minima, Neumoegen. " cinnamomea, Boisduval. " macularia, Walker. Euhalesidota pura, Grote. Vanessodes fuscipes. Euchsetes inopinatus, Hy. Edwards. Of these desiderata, Eudryas S tee Johannis is in the British Museum; the types of L. Palmerii and Leucarctia permaculata, as well as Ectypia bivittata appear to be hopelessly lost; Ctenucha Robinsonii and Halesidota cinnamomea appear to exist only in the Boisduval collection in France; Halesidota macularia is in the British Museum, but apparently not known in the United States; and lastly Nemeophila Scudderi (Platarctia, Packard) is Nemeophila Sclwynii, H. Edwards, and may be in collections under that name. NOTE ON SANDALUS. Sandalus has always been rather an uncommon insect near N.Y. while Mr. H. W. Wenzel of Philadelphia has found it commonly enough; he writes: ''In regard to finding Sandalus petrophy a, you inform me that the insect is rare in the neighborhood of New York. I think if it is sought for in the right season and locality it might be found as frequent- ly as I find it near Philadelphia. I do not think Sandalus is a local in- sect, as I have found it in several places, not before the end of June, and the most of them I have captured in the middle of July, and always on Beech, crawling on the bark or sheltered along the roots of the tree. Their movements are very slow. 1 have frequently observed them with head and thorax covered with dirt; have also found them half out of the ground, but only in the morning. The females are found more frequent than the males. So far as my experience goes, the larvse evidently live on Beech. The 'new classification refers to Sandalus as affecting various cedars; I have collected in several cedar districts through Southern New Jersey but never met with a single specimen on cedar, and wherever I have found them, there was no cedar in the vicinity." — ioS — Synonymical Notes. (No. 3.) By George H. Horn, M. D. During a visit made a short time ago to the Museum at Cambridge, I had an opportunity to examine the types of the species described by Lieut. T. L. Casey, now the property of the Museum. The proposed publication of a new list of the Coleoptera of our fauna rendered it advisable to go carefully over the writings of those who have specially treated the species of our fauna. With this view the de- scriptions of Kirby, Leconte, Randall, Newman and Palisot de Beauvois have been as far as possible re-studied, and those of Melsheimer, Halde- man and Ziegler are in progress. In the following pages especial attention has been given to the species described in an isolated manner, those treated synoptically such as the Euplecti, Euaesthetus and Steni have been left for future study. The remarks which follow are based on a comparison of the species with those of the cabinet of Dr. Leconte, now part of the Museum at Cambridge. A few of the species mentioned below have been described in the Brooklyn Bulletin and are so quoted, the others are in pamphlets pri- vately printed, entitled "Contributions to the systematic and descriptive Coleopterology of the United States'', parts 1 and 2, (the paging being continuous.) and "Revision of the Stenini of America North of Mexico". Pterostichus zcphyrus, I, p. 2 = P. adoxus Say, var. rejectns, Lee. " osculans, id. = P. diligendus Ghd. " manhattanis, 2, p. 72 = P. lucublandus Say. Amara apachensis, 1, p. 3 = A. remotestriata De/., var. relucens Mann. " marylandica, I, p. 4 = A. basillaris Say. " pallida, I, p. 5 = A. rubrica Hold. " ferruginea, I, p. 5 = A. rubrica var. Bembidium vernula, 2, p. 62 = B. constrictum Lee. typicall " acticola, 2, p. 63 = id. slight variety. " militare, 2, p. 65 = B. picipes Kby. " vividum, 2, p. 66 = B. contraction Say. " dejectum, 2, p. 67 = (1). " vinnulum, 1, p. 15 = (2). Tachys occultator, 2, p. 69 is allied to pallidus and mordax. " litoralis, I, p. 15 = T. pallidus Chd. Barytachys glossema, 2, p. 70 = T. granarius Dej. " gemellus, 2, p. 71 (3). Discoderus pinguis, 2, p. 75 = D. robustus Horn (4). Cratacanthus litoreus, 2, p. 74 = C. dubius Beauv. " bisectus, 2, p. 75 = id. " texanus, 2, p. 75 = id. — 109 — Bradycellus Iucidus, I, p. 8 (5). Stenolophus gracilis, I, p. 14 = S. ochropezus Say. " scitulus, 2, p. 78 = S. conjunctus Say, var. rotundatus Lee. Harpalus opacus, 1, p. 8 = Anisodactylus nigerrimus Dej. " manhattanis, 1, p. 9 = Xestonotus lugubris Dej. " vespertinus, 1, p. 10 (Q). " placidus, 1, p. 10 = H. fallax Lee. " convictor, 1, p. 12 = H. viridiameus Beaur. " canonicus, I, p. 12 = id. " lustrahs, I, p. 12 = id. " aenescens, 1, p. 12 = id. Selenophorus seneopiceus, 1, p. 13 = S. pedicularius Dej. " perpolitus, 2, p. 76 = gagatinus Dej, var. Anisodactylus arizonae, 1, p. 6 (7). Bidessus nigrinus, 2, p. 80 = B. affinis Say, var. obscurellus Lee. Helephorus pallens, 2, p. 81 = H. lineatus Say. Philhydrus angustulus 2, p. 83 = P. reflexipennis Zimm. Colon decoris, 2, p. 84 = C. thoracicum Horn. Eumicrus vestalis, 2, p. 85, a valid species. " punctatus, 2, p. 86 = Choleras Zimmermanni Schaitm. Tychus testaceus, 1, p. 31 = T. longipalpus Lee, fide Lee. Bryaxis facilis. 2, p. 87, near to B. rubicunda Aube. " gracilis, 1, p. 32, id. id. " inopia, I, p. 33, very near B. puncticollis Lee. Batrisus denticollis, 2, p. 87 = near B. nigricans Lee. " Virginia?, 2, p. 90, allied to B. striatus Lee. " aterrimus, 2, p. 91, near B. spretus Lee. and B. striatus Lee. Arthmius gracilior, 2, p. 88 (8)- Euplectini (species) (9;. Tithanis, new genus = Maseochara Sharp. Emplenota mantima, 1, p. 17 is Polystoma maritimum. Quedius silvicola, 2, p. 123 = Q. fulgidus Fab. var. Belonuchus moquinus, 2, p. 125 = Belonuchus xanthomelas Solsky, (10). Xantholinus fucosus, 2, p. 126 = X. emmesus Grav. var. fusciceps Fvl. Cryptobium capito, 2, p. 127 = C. pallipes Grav. "■ convergens, 2, p. 129 = C. floridanum Lee. " parallelum, 2, p. 130 id. " proximum, 2, p. 132 id. Lathrobium tricolor, 2, p. 133 = L. ventrale Lee'. " inops, 2, p. 135 = L. othioides Lee. Orus picipes, 2, p. 136 = Scopreus picipes. " punctatus, 2. p. 138 = Scopseus punctatus (H). Stilicus latiusculus, 2, p. 139, a valid species. Lithocharis tabacina, B. B. VI, p. 65, a valid species. Edaphus carinatus, 1, p. 30 = E. nitidus Lee. " luculentus, I, p. 31 id. Euresthetus (species) 1, p, 19 (12). Erchomus flavidus, 2, p. 141 = E. ventriculus Mr. immature ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA . 17 — no — Conurus versicolor, 2, p. 142 = C. crassum Orav. immature. " imbricatus, 2, p. 143 = C. pubescens Payk. " occultus, 2, p. 145 = C. basale Say. " corticola, 2, p. 145 = C. opicum Say. setifer, 2, p. 147 = id. Bolit 'bias facilis, 2, p. 148 = B. trinotatus Er. cab. Lcc. " occiduus, 2, p. 150 = B. cincticollis Say. Bryoporus parvulus, 2, p. 15 1 = B. rufescens Lee. var. testaceus Lee. Mycetoporus inquisitus, 2, p. 152 = M. splendidus Orav. Apocellus (species) 2, p. 153 (12). Ptilium fungicola, 2, p. 162 = P. Hornianum Matlh. " trimcatum, 2, p. 163 (13). Trichopteryx radicola, 2, p. 163 (14). " funginus, 2, p. 164 = T. discolor Hold. " longipennis, 2, p. 166 = T. parallela Mots. Cryptamorpha Hubbardi, 2, p. 167 = Psammcecus Desjardinsii Guar. (15). Carpophilus zuni, 1, p. 34, a valid species. Epursea papagona, I, p. 35, allied to E. rufida Mels Rhizophagus procerus, 2, p. 168, a valid species. Monocrepidius finitimus, 2, p. 169 = M. auritus Hbst. Drasterius fretus, 2, p. 170 = D. amabilis Lee. Anthaxia nanula, 2, p. 174 = D. ceneogaster L. et 0. " simiola, 2, p. 175 = id. " senescens, 2, p. 175 = id. Lyctus parvulus, 2, p. 175 = L. opaculus Lee. Ennearthron californicum, 1, p. 36, a valid species. " unicolor, 1, p. 37 = E. Mellyi Mellie. Serica parallela, 2. p. 176 = S. sericea Illig. immature. " porcula, 2, p. 177 = S. elongatula Horn. Diplotaxis levicula, 2, p. 178 = D. punctata Lee. " popino, 2, p. 179, a valid species. Strigoderma pimalis, 2, p. 181 = S. arboricola Fab. (IS). Lachnosterna subpruinosa, 1, p. 38 (17). Cryptocephalus ellipsoidalis, B. B. VI, p. 66 = C. insertus Hold. Disonycha pulchra, 1, p. 51 = D. punctigera Lee. procera, 2, p. 182 = D. pensylvanica Illig. " arizonae, 1, p. 52 = near maritima Mann. Chxtocnema paupercula, I, p. 53 = C. parcepunctata Or, immature. Psylliodes extricata, i, p. 54 — punctulata Mels. very immature. " angustala, 1, p. 55 = P. interstitialis Lee. var. convexior Lee. Bruchus cubiculus, 2, p. 183 = B. impiger Horn 9- Epitzagus ovalis, 2, p. 184 (18). Eurymetopon piceum, I, p. 40 = E. emarginatum Cos. immature. " emarginatum, 1, p. 41 (20). " dubium, 1, p. 44 (19). carbonatum, I, p. 43, is the $ of dubium (21). sculptile, 1, p. 44 = E. emarginatum Gas. " papagonum, 1, p. 42 = id. (22)- Emmenastus nanulus, 1, p. 45, nearly related to obesus Lee. Con'ontis elliptica, i, p. 46 (23)- Eleodes arcuata, 1, p. 47 = E. extiicata Say (24) Blapstinus pimalis, 2, p. 185 = B. pulverulentus Mann. Platydema pernigrum, 1, p. 49 (25). ■' parvulum, 1, p. 50 = P. excavatum Say. " opaculum, 1, p. 51 = P. ruficorne Sturm, var. anale Hald. Mordella deserta, 2, p. 186 = M. lunulata Helm. var. Xylophilus densus, 2, p. 187, allied to piceus Lee. Notoxus delicatus, 2, p. 189 = N. monodon Fab. var. Pilalei Laf. Anthicus facilis, 2, p. 190 = A. spretus Lee. Rhynchites naso, 2, p. 190 (26). Anihonomus moleculus, 2, p. 191, a valid species. Elleschus californicus, 2, p. 193 = E. ephippiatus Say. Tyloderma nigrum, 1, p. 56 = T. aereum Say. " punctatum, 1, p. 57 = id. Apion vespertinum, B. B. VI, p. 67, a valid species. Hrachytarsus paululus, 2, p. 194 = B. tomentosus Say <$. The following new genera of Carabidae have been proposed: Amerinus for Bradycellus linearis Lee. In the first description (1, p. 7) no distinctive generic characters are given. In fact there are none if we except the presence of a few squamules on the middle male tarsi. The new name is unnecessary. Glycerius for Bradycellus nitidus Dej. The character given being the number of setae along the lateral margin of the thorax. The value of this will be recognized by those having some knowledge of the Cara- bidae. The name is also unnecessary. 1 — Bembidium dejedum Casey. This species belongs to that series of the Peryphus group in which the dorsal punctures are at the middle of the third interval, it should therefore be placed with ephippiger and grandicolle (Lee. Proc. Acad. 1857, p. 4). 2 — Bembidium vinnulum Casey. Should be placed in the series with scopulinum and picipes. It is remarkable in the large and deep punctures of the striae. 3 — Barytachys gemellus, Casey. Closely related to incurvus and differs in the absence of punctures in the basal stria of the thorax. 4 — The difference in the measurement .of the episternum of the meta- sternum between Mr. Casey and myself results from the fact that I compare the anterior side with the internal edge while Mr. Casey measures the piece really diagonally. 5 — This species must at present remain in Bradycellus but the middle tarsi being as widely dilated as the anterior mark it as a very peculi- ar species. 1 12 — 6 — Harpalus vespertinus Casey. Allied to and very closely resembling ellipsis Lee. and differs in having the elytra very smooth in both sexes. 7 — Anisoddtlvlus arizoruz Casey. Belongs to that series in which the anterior tibial spur is broader at middle and the hind tarsi shorter and somewhat depressed. It belongs to the group B-b as defined by me (Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1880, p. 172) and is related to nivalis by the single puncture at each angle of the epistoma. In form it resembles semipunclalus. It is very black and shining (the ■ female slightly opaque) the surface sometimes with a slight purplish lustre. 8 — This form is placed by Leconte with globicollis. I find differences in the form' of the sexual fovea in all the males examined. y — As the genera and species are treated systematically the value of the species will be determined in time. It is however the opinion of Mr. Ulke, to which Dr. Leconte assented, that Nicotheus tibialis is the male of Eutyphlus similis Lee. 10 — This species is considered a Philonthus by Dr. Sharp. It is not in- cluded in my synopsis as I thought and still think that it should either remain in Belonuchus or that the latter should be entirely united with Philonthus. 1 1 — Orus does not differ from Scopaeus. The antennae are not genicu- late. 0. picipes is very close to Scopaeus exiguus Er. O. punctatus is from Owens Valley, Cal., the type was formerly one of two in my cabinet, it is very close to Sc. brunnipes. 12 — These are treated synoptically and the value of the species can be determined by any one having the material. 13 — The generic reference seems doubtful. I was unable from lack of time to dismount the specimen for study. 14— Of this species I saw the elytra only and could not satisfactorily determine. 15 — There is no difference between the specimens from Florida and those from Oregon, Madeira, Mauritius and New Zealand. 16— The comparisons made by Mr. Casey are between specimens from New Jersey and Arizona, he having none from the intermediate regions. 1 7 — The important characters which define the position of this species have been omitted. It is however allied to micans. —ii3— 1 8 — Epiiragus ova/is is extremely close to plumbeus and very doubtfully different. 19 — Eurymeiopon dubium. In the types of this the thorax is a little more coarsely and not quite so closely punctate as in rufipes and the sides of the thorax slightly sinuate near the hind angles. In a large series before me (21 specimens) these characters are evanescent. 20 — E. emarginatum is also allied to rufipes but is more elongate, some- what convex and with the elytra less densely and somewhat substriately punctate. 21 — E. carbonatum. The typical series of this species consisted of five specimens. That to which the label was attached is emarginatum, the other four are males of dubium. Supposing the majority to re- present the species the synonymy is placed accordingly. 22 — The differences between the forms united as emarginatum are purely individual. 23 — The species of Coniontis are with our present knowledge purely opinionative. I preferred to consider the forms described as C. elliptica as smaller forms oirobusta in view of the recognized varia- tion in Eschscholtzii and viatica. There is almost unlimited op- portunity for new names in this genus. 24 — There can be no doubt in the mind of any one who will examine a large series of extricata that cognata Hald. is merely a variety and that artuata Casey is the female of cognata. 25 — Platydema pernigrum has the form of Janus Fab. but with a more shining surface and more distinct sculpture. The color differences alluded to by Mr. Casey are inexact. 26 — Rhynchiiis naso is allied to fossifrons but the thorax is more densely punctured: the striae are also more coarsely punctured. Among the Steni the following synonymy has been observed: Dianous chalybeus Lee. = coerulescens Gyll. A $ specimen of the latter obtained by me in Scotland has been returned to me by Mr. Casey as chalybeus. D. zephyrus Casey = nitidulus Lee. Areus Casey = Hemistenus Mots. The genus is not considered a valid one. We call attention to our page of "Exchange" Notices. Those having good species to offer or desiring a particular line of insects, cannot do better than to avail themselves of its advantages. — 114 — On the Classification of North American Diptera (Third Paper.)* By Dr. S. \V. Williston. "The families Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae, Xylophagidae, Acanthome- ridae and Leptidse form a natural group, which has several characters in common: three pulvilli, total absence of macrochajtae, and smooth legs, deprived of those bristles and spines that distinguish the Asilida. 1 , and, in a lesser degree, most of the Bombylidre and Therevidae. " "The principal families in this group are well marked enough, but there are, along side of them, many forms of transition, so-called synthetic types, which render the exact difinition of the families very difficult." — Osttn Sat ken** Three or four of these synthetic genera are peculiar to, or occur in, North America. These are: Arlhropeas Loew, Ghttops Burgess, and "Nov. Gen." Osten-Sacken (to include Arlhropeas leptis O.-S, and an un- described species fiom Washington Territory). Of Bolbomyia Loew, not enough is known to base any definite opinion — its author was in doubt about it himself. Dr. Brauer, in his recent extensive review*** of the genera of Xylophagidae and Stratiomyidce, would place them under the Xylophagidae. Baron Osten-Sacken, on the other hand, would locate them under the Leptida). I know but one species, pertaining to the new genus; its general habitus is so markedly Leptid, that I would agree with Osten-Sacken that the structure of the antennae should hold a sub- ordinate value. The larvae possibly, when found, may give more decisive evidence. Subula, another disputed form, Brauer retained in the Xylo- phagidae, but pointed out larval relationships with the Stratiomyidx'; Osten-Sacken gave reasons (I.e.) for including this genus under the Stra- tiomyidae, a view which Brauer afterwards accepted, f With these changes, however, I am utterly at loss to find characters that will distinguish these families, and I am here compelled to give an artificial analysis to separate the disputed forms. The veins separating the posterior cells are here spoken of simply as posterior veins. In the distribution of the groups I follow Brauer chiefly. * See ante p. 10 for second paper. ** Berlin. Ent. Zeit., Band XXVI, 1SS2. p. 363. *** Denksclir. d. math.-natnrw. Classed. kaisi Akad. d. Wissenschaften, Band XLIV, pp. 59 — 110. t 1 lenkschr. etc. Band XLVII, p. 23. — ii5 — Thr: writings of Loew, Schiner, Gerstiicker, Osten-Sacken and Brauer have been especially studied in the preparation of this paper. Empodium developed pulvilliform, pulvilU present. Without distinct bristles idiptera eremochceta O. S.). Basal cells of icings large. Third joint of antennas seg- mentated or annulated. Tegidce small or rudimodary. Proboscis not adapted for piercing. Males holoptic or dichoptic* . [.—Tibiae wholly without spurs; veins usually crowded anteriorly STRATIOMYIDAE. Tibiae more or less spurred; the costal vein encompasses the whole wing; two sub-marginal and five posterior cells always present 2 2. — All the tibiae with spurs 3 Front tibiae without spurs \ 3. — Third joint of antennae not acute at tip, or, if so, the scutellum with spines on its border XYLOPHAGIDAE. Third joint acute; palpi cylindrical; scutellum without spines.. *Arthropeas, Lw. 4. — Fourth posterior cell closed. (Macroceromys Bigot) Subula, Meig. Fourth posterior cell open 5 5. — Face projecting on each side into a rounded conical protuberance, thickly cover- ed with hair *Glutops, Burgess. Face with two deep, diverging furrows, running from the base of the antennae to the oral margin ''Nov. gen." O.S. XYLOPHAGIDAE. Species of moderate or large size, more or less elongated, thinly pilose, or nearly bare. Ocelli present. Antennas elongate, third joint annulated or segmentated, never with a differentiated style or bristle. Veins of the wings distinct, not crowded anteriorly, third longitudinal vein furcate; five posterior cells. Abdomen with seven or eight visible segments. All the tibiae with spurs at the tip. The flies are usually found about trees, where they feed upon sap, or about decaying logs, and are often mistaken for ichneumonids. 1. —All four posterior veins arise from the discal cell; head small; scutellum with spines Ccenomyia, Latr. The last posterior vein arises from the second basal cell; head not small; scutel- lum without spines 2 2. —Fourth posterior cell closed; third joint of antennae much elongate, composed of numerous distinct divisions, often pectinate; eyes emarginate near the antennas Rhachicerus, Hal. Fourth posterior cell open; third joint of antennae composed of eight annuli, in- distinctly separated Xylophagus, Meig. ■ 1 propose this term as the antithesis of holoptic. — n6- STRATIOMYIDAE. Head large, hemispherical. Antennoe situated at or below the middle of the head in profile, short or elongate, the third joint composed of more or less distinct annuli; usually with a more or less differentiated style, or bristle. Eyes bare or pilose; ocelli present. Scutellum often with thickened spine-like points. Abdomen elongate, clavate, oval, or rounded, flattened or convex above, of five or more visible segments. Legs never very stout, often slender, tibia? without spurs (except in some exotic genera). Wings usually with the veins more or less crowded an- teriorly, often on the outer posterior part weak and faint; third longitud- inal vein usually furcate, terminating before the tip of the wing; four or five posterior cells, all open, the posterior veins not seldom more or less rudimentary. Species from three or four to twenty or more millimeters in length, bare or moderate pilose. They are mostly flower-flies, and are often found upon vegetation in the vicinity of damp places. Larvae pupigerous, that is the pupa; remain within the larval skin till ready to emerge as perfect insects. i. — Abdomen with seven visible segments Beridinae. Abdomen with only five or six visible segments 2 2. — Three posterior veins, all discal Pachygastrinae. Four posterior veins, the anterior ones sometimes rudimentary 3 3. — All the posterior veins discal, the last posterior cell contiguous at its base with the discal cell 4 The last posterior vein arises from the second basal cell, the last posterior cell not contiguous at its base with the discal cell 5 4. — Third antenna! joint with a long, delicately fringed, lamclli form style; usually large, more or less elongated species; males dichoptic. (HermetiincB.) Hermetia, Latr. Third joint not with such a style; abdomen short, not more than twice as long as broad Clitellarinae. 5. — Antenna; with a slender dorsal or terminal bristle Sarginae. Antennae never with a slender or long bristle Stratiomyinae. (To te continued. ) In the article on the 8phingi Arizona. The male probably has a different thoracic sculpture as is usual in this genus. ANEFLUS, Zee. The outer antenna] joints are distinctly carinate on their flat sides this sentence gives the basis on which the genus was erected. On tins point some remarks will appear in the course of this article. The species of Aneflus are thus distinguished: Outer joints of antennae more or less distinctly carinated 2 Outer joints not distinctly carinated volitans, Lee. 2 — Third joint of antennae with a very long spine tenuis, Lee. Antennal spines of moderate size 3 3 — Elytra simply emarginate at tip linearis. Lee, Elytra spinose at tip 4 4— Thorax cylindrical; pubescence of elytra conspicuous. Disc of thorax vaguely quadvituberculate; antennal spines well developed. protensus, Lee Disc bituberculate at base, an elevated transverse line slightly in front of mid- dle; antennal spines small prolixus, Lee. Thorax distinctly narrower at apex, the disc very roughly sculptured ; pubescence of elytra very inconspicuous calvatus, Horn. A. volitans Lee. New Species, 1873, p. 186. Brownish, sparsely clothed with long pale pubescence. Thorax longer than wide, base and apex equal, sides feebly arcuate, disc densely rather coarsely punctate. Elytra closely coarsely punctate, the punctureis finer posteriorly, the apices truncate, the sutural angle acute not spiniform. Tibiae with flying hair. Length .40 inch; 10 mm. The carinae of the outer joints of the antennae were said by Dr. Leconte to be obsolete, in fact from an examination of the type I can- not find that they exist at all. The spine of the third antennal joint is two-thirds as long as the fourth joint, while that of the fourth is above one-third the length of the fifth joint. This species is placed at the beginning as an expression of its close relationship with some Elaphidion as acukatum and subpubescens and as the genera constructed at the expense of Elaphidion are at present de- fined there seems to be no reason why A. volitans should not be placed near the species above cited, unless it be placed in Psyrassa Pascoe. The latter genus and the value of its characters will be referred to later on. One specimen. Lower California. A. tenuis Lee, Proc. Acad. 1854, p. 81. Brownish or piceous, sparsely cloth- ed with white pubescence. Head very coarsely punctured. Thorax longer than wide, base very slightly narrower than the apex. Sides feebly arcuate, disc coarsely and deeply punctate, an indistinct smooth median line. Elytra coarsely and deeply but not closely punctate, the punctures gradually finer toward the apex, the apices emar- ginate, not spinose. Length .46 — .64 inch; 1 1.5 — 16 mm. The carinae of the outer joints of the antenna,* are very indistinct. The third joint has a long spine equal to half the length of the fourth joint, the other joints are mutic. This species should probably be placed in Psyrassa, if recognized. Occurs in south-western Texas. —132- A. linearis Lee. True. Acad. 1859, p. So. Rufo-testaceous, sparsely clothed w nil whitish pubescence. Thorax longer than wide, sides arcuate, disc < oarsely dense- ly punctate, a slight smooth space at middle p >steriorly. Elytra coarsely punctured, the punctures somewhat liner near the apex, the apices separately emarginate- iruncate, not spinose. Length .40 — 42 inch: 10—10.5111111. The outer joints of the antennae are distinctly carinate on their flat sides, the third, fourth and fifth joints with a short apical spine. The living- hairs of the tibiae are long but not very numerous. Occurs at Tejon, California. A. protensus, Lee. (Proc. Acad. 1658, p. 82.) Brownish piceous, clothed w.th grayish-white pubescence. Thorax longer than wide, scarcely peiceptibly narrower at apex than at base, sides feebly arcuate, sl.ghtly obliquely impressed near the base, disc convex, very coarsely and roughly punctate-granu.ate with four d.stinct elevations arranged in a quadrangle and a narrow median smooth callosity. Llyira coarsely not closely punctate, the punctures gradually finer toward the apex, the apices bispinous (j 1 or with the suture above spiniform O. Length 1 06 rf , 1.20 Q inch. 26.5—30 mm. The pubescence of this species is nearly as abundant as in Elaph. atomarium but more regularly placed. The joints three to six of the antennae are distinctly spinous, the spines gradually shorter. The outer joints are distinctly carinate on their fiat sides. Occurs in Arizona and northern Sonora. A. prohxus, Lee. n. sp. 1873, p. 203. Piceous, moderately densely clothed with cinereous pubescence with a few longer hairs intermixed. Thorax longer than wide, nearly cylindrical, coarsely and closely punctured, disc moderately convex with two slightly elevated tubercles near the base and a transverse elevated line slightly in front of the middle. Elytra coarsely not closely punctured, the punctures finer posteriorly, the apices bispinous in both sexes. Length 1.00 inch; 25 mm. The outer joints of the antennae are very distinctly carinate, the joints three to six with a short spine at apex. The slight transverse elevated line of the thorax is made more conspicuous by the arrangement of the pubescence. Occurs at Cape San Lucas, Lower California. A. calvatus, n. sp. Brownish piceous, moderately shining, surface with very tine, sparse and inconspicuous pubescence. Head coarsely punctured. Thorax lunger than wide, base one-half wider than apex, sides feebly arcuate, disc coarsely and roughly punctured with a tendency in the punctures to become transversely con- fluent. Elytra double the width of apex of thorax, parallel, coarsely and deeply, not closely punctate, the punctures finer near the sides and toward the apex, apices bi- spinous in the emargination between the spines and distinct tooth. Body beneath sparsely punctate. Length 1.16 inch.; 29 mm. The outer joints ol the antennae are very distinctly carinate on their flat sides, joints three to six distinctly spinous at tip. The legs are feebly pubescent without flying hairs. It is conspicuous among the larger species by the very feeble pubescence of the surface. One specimen s incrassated ; elytra opaque black ebenus. H. nobilis, Lee. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1862, p. 41. Length .50 inch. = 12^ mm. Hob. Texas. This species is the largest of the three. The prothorax is trans- versely impressed before and behind as in the following. The elytra are ornamented with two pale fasciae, one before the middle interrupted at the suture and one behind the middle, angulated in front. H. 4-maculatus, Hald. Trans. Am. Phil. 1862, p. 43; Lee, J.A.P., ser. 2, II. p. 23. Length .30 -.45 inch. =7^ — 11 mm. llab. Penn., Mo. Varies considerably in the markings. The general color above is darkish testaceous with paler spots. H. ebenus, Newn. Ent. p. 9; Hald., Trans. Am. Phil. X, 1847, p. 43; Lee. J.A.P., ser. 2, II, p. 23; dimidiaticomis Dej. Cat. 3. ed. p. 359. Length .42 inch. = 10J mm. Hab. Southern States. Very easily known by the opaque black color and structural charact- ers named above. PLECTROMERUS, Lee. Contains one species: P. dentipes, Oliv. Encycl. Meth. V, 1790, p. 268; Ent. IV, 70, p. 29; scambus Newn., Ent. p. 79; Lee, J.A.P., ser. 2, II, p. 22. Length .40 inch. = 10 mm. Hab. Georgia, Florida. The form of this species is cylindrical and the surface is polished and glabrous. Prothorax nearly straight on sides. Antennae with 4th joint much shorter than 5th. Thighs suddenly clavate armed beneath with a broad tooth which is larger than in Curius. Color testaceous, the elytra with two fuscuous bands. -136- CURIUS, Newn. C. dentatus, Newn. Ent. p. 17: Dej. Cat. 3. ed., p 358; eoncinnatus Hald. Trans. Am. Phil. X. 1S47. p. 43. Length .24 inch. = 6 mm. Huh. Florida. Form depressed, surface dull, slightly pubescent. Color pale brown. the elytra with three longitudinal darker spots. The eyes are coarsely granulated, the antennae slender, longer than the body, annulated, finely punctulate and pubescent. EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. 1 Dicenthrus Bluethneri. 12 Curius dentatus. * 2 Eburia 4-geminata. 13 Pcecilobrium chalybeum.* 3 Elaphidion rufulum. 14 Eumichthus cedipus. * 4 " parallelum. 15 Phyton pallidum. 5 Ancflus protensus. 16 Obrium rubrum.* 6 Eustroma validum.* 17 Hybodera tuberculata. 7 Tylonotus bimaculatus. 18 Megobrium Edwardsii* 8 Zamodes obscurus. 19 Callimoxys sanguinicollis. 9 Compsa puncticollis.* 20 Molorchus bimaculatus. 10 Heterachthes 4-maculatuS. 22 Ancylocera bicolor. 1 1 Plectromerus dentipes. * * The drawings for this figure we owe to the kindness of Dr. Horn. In a specimen of Monihma sent me as semipundatum I observe a strange aberration. The tarsus of one hind leg is five-jointed, the first four joints being quite equal in length but each shorter than usual so that the four occupy only the length that the usual three would do. The final joint is of the usual size. The spongy pubescence which covers the 3d joint only, on the normal tarsus, is in the other spread over all four joints and reaches even the tip of the tibia. In view o( the well established theory that such aberrations are a reversion to an ancestral type more or less re- mote, this specimen would be a further indication that the Longicorns are descended from individuals possessing five jointed tarsi. Chas. W. Leng. Not everybody knows the qualifications required to make a good Entomologist, but we have recently discovered one not previously known to us, and which might prove interesting. A well known Coleopterist re- joices not only in a fine collection, but in a little six year old son who takes a great interest in his father's collection and in his callers as well. Recently came a visitor who was viewed by the youngster with a great deal ol interest and curiosity. After he had left, the boy sidled up to his father and said confidentially: "Papa! that wasn't a real one; was it?'' "What do you mean?'' said the astonished father. "He collect insects; don't he?" "Yes, certainly." "But he isn't a real collector; not a genuine' one I mean!'' "But why not?" "Because he has too much hair on his head: all the real ones have very little! ' said the youngster decidedly. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, OCTOBER, 1885. — 137— Huebner's Tortricids. By Prof. C. H. Fernald, State College, Orono, Me. The time of publication of some of Hiibner's works has been a mat- ter of no little investigation on the part of entomologists, and many pa- pers have appeared on this subject, in the European Journals. I have thus far interested myself only so far as pertained to the Tortricids, that I might get the most accurate information, in the matter of priority, for my work on the revision of this group. Hiibner published in his Sammlung Europaischer Schmetterlinge, forty-six plates containing two hundred and ninety-one colored figures of European Tortricids, and Carl Geyer who continued the work after the death of Hiibner in 1826, published seven plates of Tortricids, contain- ing forty-nine colored figures. Mr. S. H. Scudder stated in his historical sketch of the genera of Butterflies, page 98, that Dr. Hagen told him the works of Hiibner were in their original wrappers in the Konigliche Bibliothek in Berlin. Wish- ing to get what help might be obtained from this source, I wrote to my kind friend Mr. O. Budy in Berlin, who went to the Royal Library and examined Hiibner's works for me. He writes that Hiibner's part of the Sammiung is not in the original wrappers, but the continuation of the same by Geyer is still in the wrappers of which there are two. In look- ing over the volumes of Hiibner, Mr. Budy found several prospectuses by Hiibner himself, bound in the last volume. These were carefully copied and sent to me and they furnish some additional evidence bearing on the date of the publication of Hiibners works; but at present I shall mainly make use of what pertains to tne Tortricids. The first prospectus is without date but gives a list of Hiibner's works then for sale, and from the Sammlung, only the Pyralids, twenty plates, and the Sphinges, sixteen plates, are offered. The dates of these are there given as 1796, so that whatever may have been the date of this pro- spectus, 1 796 may be regarded as the date of the first twenty plates of the Pyralids and the first sixteen plates of the Sphinges. The statement is also made on this prospectus that the Tortricids and Tineids will appear very soon, therefore it must have been later than 1796, when they were published. The second prospectus is dated Augsburg Dec. 21, 1806, and adver- tises four hundred and seventy-five colored plates of the Sammlung, with title page and text, but does not state what the plates are. The third prospectus, dated 1807, advertises four hundred and ninety-seven plates etc. The fourth, dated 1S09 is also of little value for our purpose. It advertises 34 4-5, fifteen plate issues. The fifth prospectus is dated Augs- ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 21 -138- burg Dec. 22, 1823, and advertises for sale such of Hiibner's works as had appeared up to that time, and states of the Sammlung, that there were the title page, twenty-five pages of descriptive matter and six hund- red and sixty-three plates, namely: Papilio 161; Sphinx 34; Bombyx 67; Noctua 151; Geometra 100; Pyralis 30; Tortrix 46; Tinea 67; Al- ucita 7. This is signed by Hiibner himself. The first part of Geyer's contribution is still in the original wrappers dated Augsburg 1830, and contains the Tortricids, plates 48 to 52 inclu- sive, with title, preface and two sheets of text. The second part of the continuation is in the original wrappers dated Augsburg 1834, and con- tains five plates of the Noctuids, Nos. 158 to 162. In the same wrap- pers is contained a prospectus of the whole work dated Augsburg, Jan. 1, 1834, giving the prices and signed by Carl Geyer. In this are adver- tised, fifty-three plates of the Tortricids, all that were ever published, with the number of plates of the other families. A careful examination of the contemporaneous works is of import- ance in this question and I have looked over all that I have access to In Illiger's edition of the Verzeichniss der Wiener Gegend which bears the date of 1801, there is a notice in the first volume as follows:-"The 2nd volume (that containing the Tortricids) is already in press. Ostern, 1800." Now this second volume contains reference to the first thirty plates of Hiibner's Tortricids and as it was already in press in 1800, these plates must have been issued before 1800, but from the first prospectus mentioned above, they must have been issued later than 1796. The portion of Haworth's Lepidoptera Britanica which includes the Tortricids, — as shown by the original wrappers in the Banksian Library in London, — was published in 181 1 and contains references only to the first thirty plates of the Tortricids in the Sammlung. Whether there were any more published at that time I have no means now of determin- ing but of course Haworth had seen no more. Charpentier and Sommer's Ziinsler, Wickler etc. published in 182 1, contains references to plate 40, so that this plate must have been in their hands at that time and the first 40 plates must have been published be- fore 1821. On the 22d of December 1823, Hiibner advertises the first 46 plates of his Tortricids for sale as shown above by the fifth prospectus. We may reasonably infer that this last date is the time of publication of plates 41 to 46 inclusive. Hiibner's Verzeichniss contains references to the plates of the Tor- tricids up to and including plate 46, and yet this work purports to have been published in 1816. We see no way to explain this discrep- ancy except to agree with Scudder that the Verzeichniss was published in parts and that only the first part with the title page really appeared in — 139— 1826, and the part which includes the Tortricids, could not have been published earlier than 1823 and perhaps later than this. Frolich, in his Enumeratio Tortricum, published in 1828, refers to the first 46 plates but not to the 47th. Treitschke in Die Schmetterlinge von Europa, Vol. V. published in 1830, (the preface is dated Dec. 1829), refers to this 47th plate, so we may feel sure it was published late in 1828 or early in 1829, after Frolich's work but before Treitschke's. The con- temporaneous French and English works afford no assistance for then authors do not appear to have received Hubner's works for some little time after their appearance. Plates 48 to 52 inclusive, of the Tortricids were published in 1830 as shown by the date on the original wrappers in the Royal Library in Berlin. Plate 53, the final one of the Tortricids in the Sammlung, is re- ferred to by Treitschke in his Supplement, Part 3, published May 10th, 1835, but this plate was first offered for sale by Geyer in his prospectus dated Jan. 1, 1834 which must be regarded as the time it was published. Summing up the above, the dates of publication of the Tortricids in Hubner's Sammlung Europaischer Schmetterlinge are as follows: Plates 1-30 incl. were publ. later than 1796 and earlier than 1800. " 31-40 " " " 1 8 1 1 ? " " 1820. " 41-46 " " Dec. 22, 1823. " 47 was published late in 1828 or early in 1829. " 48-52 inclusive were published in 1830. " 53 was published Jan. 1, 1834. The Present Status and Future Prospects of Silk Culture in the United States.* By C. V. Riley The subject is discussed under the following heads: 1. The adaptability of the U. S. to Silk-culture. 2. Silk-culture in the Gulf States. 3. Silk-culture on the Pacific coast. 4. Profits of Silk-culture. 5. Necessity for a home market for the cocoons. 6. The prospects of establishing a market by private enterprise. • 7 The practical outcome of the efforts by the Department of Agriculture in promoting Silk-culture under present restrictions. The paper deals with the above named subjects in detail and the es- sential, conclusions are: 1. The adaptability of our country to Silk-culture is proven beyond all question. T Abstract of a paper read at the recent meeting of the Am. Ass Adv. Sc. — 140 — 2. That the profits are so small that by far the larger proportion of those who become interested abandon the culture after the first year. 3. That the present encouragement given by Congress through the Department of Agriculture has been productive of good in that it has en- abled the establishment of three reeling centres, one at Philadelphia, one at New Orleans and one at San Francisco, which are in active operation and furnish a home market for cocoons. 4. That there is great difficulty in carrying on the experiment on true business principles because of the law which prevents the Commis- sioner of Agriculture from selling the products of these reels and thus utilizing the income. 5. That this encouragement has intensified the interest felt in the subject, but that it can endure only so long as Congress chooses to con- tinue the appropriation. This, once withdrawn, will precipitate a reaction. 6. Finally, that no permanent advantage can be secured until tariff ,egislation gives real encouragement to the industry and recognizes the fact that so-called "raw silk - ' is a manufactured article and should, if other manufactured articles are protected, receive like protection. * 1 » 1 — Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society, September 1, 1885. — Twenty-six mem- bers and visitors present. Mr. J. B. Smith in the chair. Mr. Leng the curator reported large accessions to the cabinet, and progress in arranging the material. The Society has now an almost complete collection of the Cicindelidce and Car- abidce of the vicinity of N. Y. Mr. Hulst, the librarian reported large accessions through exchanges and that books had been re-arranged und newly catalogued. Lt. T. L. Casey was elected a life member of the Society. Mr. O. Dietz was proposed for membership by Mr. Julich, and Mr. Adrian T. Birkhoff by Mr. Weeks. The resignation of Mr. L. C. Schenk was presented and accepted. Mr. Leng read a paper on "Hypocephaius armahi.s".* Mr. Smith gave an account of the meetings of the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S., and called attention to some interesting facts presented, and stated they would be published. A discus- sion was* had over the peculiar structural modification of Cosmosoma omphale in which Messrs. Hulst, Leng, Neumoegen, Graef, Weeks and Smith participated. Mr. Hulst exhibited a suffused specimen of Danais archippus Mr. Doll says a damp cyanide bottle will produce the same effect. Mr. Mohns has seen just such specimens on the wing and does not believe in its being the effect of cya- nide. A discussion was had in reference to the action of cyanide in changing colors of insects. Mr. Waters exhibited specimens of Saturnia galbina and states that these are the imagines belonging to the cocoon exhibited at the May meeting of the Society but he cannot account for the presence of Anisota Reiligbrodtii, in the box, as there se< med to be no other kinds of cocoons. "This will appear in full in a future number. Americana tfOL I. BROOKLYN, NOVEMBER, 1885. NO. 8. The North American Myriapoda By Lucien M. Underwood, Ph.D. In order to call the attention of collectors to this interesting though much neglected group of Arthropoda the following outline sketch of the literature of the American species and synopsis of the genera heretofore recognized in America have been prepared. The first paper of importance was published in 182 1 by Thomas Say 1 , describing fifteen species half of which will probably stand as good species in the genera in which they were originally described and others in genera established later. Nothing more of importance appeared until 1844, when George Newport 2 published his extensive Monograph in which five American species were described together with the new genera, Theatops and Scolo- pocryptops to which some of Say's species were referred. Girard 3 , in 1853, described Scolnpendra heros, the "centipede" of the South-West, and two species of lulus. Three years later Sager 4 gave three almost unintelligible descriptions of Myriapoda giving neither structural characters nor localities. Two of the three species, have, how- ever, been identified bv later writers. 1 Thomas Say. Descriptions of the Myriapodre of the United States. Jour. l'hila. Acad. II, 102— 114, 1 821 (Reprinted in Collected Writings, Edited by Le- conte, II, 24 — 32). 2 George Newport. Monograph of the class Myriapoda, Order Chilopoda. Trans. Linn. Soc. XIX, 265—302, 349—439, 1845. 3 Charles Girard Myriapods. Appendix F to Marcy's Report on Red River Expedition, 243—246, Plate, 1853. * Ab. Sager. Descriptions of three Myriapoda. Proc. Phila. Acad. VIII, 109, 1856. — 142 — In [86 1, H. C. Wood 5 , better known by his work on the Fresh Water Algae, commenced a series of pipers which culminated in a mono- graph, "The Myriapoda of North America'', published in 1865, the most important paper ever published on the subject in this country. In the first paper he describes four species of Scolopoulra from America be- sides numerous exotic species. In 1862 Dr. Koch 6 published his monograph of the genus Lithobius in which he described L mordax and L transmarinus from Louisiana. Then follows the remainder of Wood's papers. His paper on the Chilopoda appeared in 1863, in which he describes twenty-six new species from America together with the new genera, Bothropolys and Opis themega. In 1864 three papers appeared in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy; the first on the PolyJesmidce, describes ten new species; the second on lulidce, describes eleven species of lulus and three of Spirobolus; the third describes the new genera, Octogleria and Brachy- cybe with 0. bivirgata and B. LeContei, new species. In 1865 appeared his chief work "The Myriapoda of North America'' published by the American Philosophical Society in quarto with three plates; this work describes all the genera and species known to inhabit the United States at that time, amounting to eighteen genera and ninety-two species. In 1867 two additional papers were published, describing new species from Texas and California, the former with four species the latter with six species. 5 Horatio G. Wood Jr. Descriptions of new species of Scolopendra in the Col- lection of the Academy. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 10 — 15. On the Chilopoda of North America ( with Catalogue of all the specimens in the Collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Jour. Phila. Acad. n. s. V, 5—42, 1863. Descriptions ot new speci s ol N rth American l'olyde-mid.e. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 6 — 10. Descriptions of new species of North American Iulidse. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, IO—15. Descriptions of new genera ami species of North American Myriapoda. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 186-187. The Myriapoda of North America. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. XIII, 137—248, 3 plates, 1865. Descriptions of new species of Texan Myriapoda. l'roc. Phila. Acad. 1867, 42—44. : — Notes on a collection of California Myriapoda, with descriptions of new Eastern species. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1867, 127-130. ,; Ludvoig Koch. Die Myriapodengattung Lithobius. pp. 9^, two plates. Niirn- berg, 1862. — 143 — There next appeared a paper published by E. D. Cope' in 1869 on the extinct Mammalia of the cave formations of the United States giving a short account of the cave Myriapoda; in this he describes five new- species with the new genera Pseudotremia and Andrognathus. In 1870 a second paper appeared on the Myriapoda of the Alleghanies describing a new genus and species Petaserpes rosalbus. The year 1870 ushers in the first representative of a new order of Myriapoda; Dr. Packard" in two short papers notes the discovery of Pauropus in Massachusetts — a type of minute Myriapoda on which Lubbock had founded the order Pauropoda. In the year 1872 Meinert 9 described Lithobius vorax from Louisiana; Harger 10 published a paper describing seven new species and the new genus Trichopetalum; and Cope 7 in a paper on the fauna of the Wyan- dotte cave described the new genus Scoter pes. Another paper by Packard appeared in 1874 on "Myriapods from Colorado" published in Hayden's Annual Report; new forms were de- scribed but no new species named. In 1875 Anton Stuxberg 11 published two valuable papers on the North American Lithobiida, the first describing eight new species of Lilhobius, the second enumerating all the species of North America, twenty-four in number including five from Mexico. Packard 12 again in 1877 described Poldesmus cavicola from Utah, and Murray 13 described Brachycybe rosea from California. 7 Edward D. Cope. Synopsis of the extinct Mammalia of the Cave Formations of the United States with observations on some Myriapoda found in and near the same etc. Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. XI, 171 — 192, 1869. On some new and little known Myriapoda from the Southern Alleghanies. Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc. Ill, 65 — 67, 1870. On the Wyandotte Cave and its Fauna. Amer. Nat. VI, 1872. H A. 8. Packard Jr. New or rare Neuroptera, Thysanura and Myriapoda. Proc. Boston Soc. N. H. XIII, 405 — 411. 1870. A remarkable Myriapod. Amer. Nat. IV, 621. 1870. 9 Fr. Meinert. Myriapoda Muscei Havniensis. I. Geophili. Naturhist. Tidsskr. 3 R. VII, 1871.— II. Lithobiini. Ibid VIII, 1873. 10 0. Harger. Descriptions of new North American Myriapods. Amer. Jour. Science and Arts, 3rd series, IV, 116— 121, plate, 1872. 11 A. Stuxberg. Nya Nordamerikanska Lithobier. Ofversigt k. Vetensk. Akad. Kurhandl. XXXII, No. 2, 65—72. 1875. Lithobioidre America: borealis. Ibid. XXXII, No. 3, 23—32. 1875. 12 A. 8. Packard Jr. On a new cave fauna in Utah. Pull. U. S Geo!. Survey (Hayden) III, 1877. 18 Andrew Murray. Economic Entomology: Part I, Aptera. London, 1877. — 144 — In 1878 f. A. Ryder 14 notices the discovery of a second species of Pauropoda in America. — Pauropus Huxleyi, hitherto known only from England; in 1879 the discovery of a third forming a new genus Eu ry- pauropus; and in 1881 he gives a list of the Lysiopelalidce of North America adding a new genus and species, Zygonopus Whitei. Packard 15 published three papers in 1883, the first describing Poly- desmus ocel/atus (since referred by Stuxberg to Craspedosoma); the second a revision of the Lysiopelalidce, a most important addition to our litera- ture, giving a summary of the information at hand and founding the new genus Cryptolrichus on Spirostrephon ccesioannulatus Wood; the last is a short paper on the Morphology of the Myriapoda. Finally in 1884 Latzel 16 in his masterly work on the Myriapoda of Austro-Hungary has given some notes on American species notably the so called Lysiopelalidce. His criticisms will be found stated below. Such is the principal literature on the subject to date, to say nothing of many shorter notes on distribution, structure and classification that have appeared in various periodicals and other publications. The European species have been carefully studied by Meinert" 1866— 1868, Fanzago 18 1874, Latzel 16 1880— 1884, and others. The work of the last named author is the most important contribution to a knowledge of the Myriapoda that has appeared for a long time. It is 14 John A. Ryder. Discovery of two remarkable genera of minute Myriapods in Fairmount Park. Amer. Nat. XII, 557-558. 1878 Notice of a new Pauropod etc. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1879, 139, 164. An account of a new genus of minute Pauropod Myriapods. Amer. Nat. XIII, 603—612. 1879. A third locality for Eurypauropus. Amer. Nat. XIII. 703. 1879. List of the North American species of the Lysiopetalida;, (with a blind form Zygonopus, n. g.). Proc. U. S. Nat. Museum, III, 520—531. 1881. 13 A. S. Packard Jr. A new Polydesmus with eyes. Amer. Nat. XVII, 1883. A Revision of the Lysiopetalidcv, a family of Chilognath Myriopoda, with a notice of the genus Cambala. Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. XXI, 177 — 197. 1883. On the Morphology of the Myriopoda. Ibid. XXI, 197—209. 1883. lB Robert Latzel. Die Myriapoden der Oesterreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie. Erste Halfte: Die Chilopoden, pp.228, plates I -X, Wien, 18S0. — Zweite Hiilfte: Die Symphylen, Pauropoden und Diplopoden, pp. 414, plates I — XVI, Wien, 1884. 1 7 V. Ber:> — is nearly always distinct, and arises from the second basal cell. Anterior veins often crowded anteriorly. Antennae never with a long or slender bristle. I. — First antennal joint three or four times as bug as the second; scutellum with spines Stratiomyia Geof. First antennal joint not three times as long as the second 2 2.— Front projecting below, face much retreating, body narrow, abdomen narrower than the thorax, third longitudinal vein n< >t furcate, scutellum with small spines (Texas, Mexico) *Myxosargus Brauer. Front not projecting below, face convex, abdomen short, broad, scutellum usual- ly with spines; third longitudinal vei.i usually furcate. . . . Odontomyia Meig. Genera not yet known to occur in the United States: Chordonota Gerst. (Mexico), Neorondania O.S. (Mexico), Cyphomyia Wied. (Central America, West Indies), and Nothomyia Loew. (Cuba). CLITELLARINAE. Abdomen short, usually but little longer than broad; four posterior veins, all of which arise from the discal cell. Small or moderately large species, nearly bare. i. — Scutellum without spines; face produced below into a projecting cone; posterior veins of wing weak; small species Nemotelus Geof. Scutellum with spines 2 2. — Antennae short, with a subterminal bristle Oxycera Meig. Antennae more or less elongate, without bristle 3 3. — Scutellum with two spines on its border \ Scutellum with six spines. (Scoliopetta). 4. — Antennae much elongated, style not differentiated, eyes bare, smaller species. . . . Euparhyphus Gerst. Antennas less elongate, style more or less differentiated, eyes pilose, larger species Clitellaria Meig. Additional N.A. genus: Euryneura Schiner. — Mexico. PACHYGASTRINAE. Small species, abdomen oval. Three posterior veins, all arising from the discal cell. 1. — Antenna; situated near the middle of the face in profile, third joint short, with a terminal arista, scutellum without spines Pachygaster Gerst. Antenna; situated low down, near the mouth 2 2. — Third joint of the antennae forked, the upper branch with an apical bristle *Chauna Loew. Third joint of the antennae elongate, segmentate, scutellum with spines *Acanthina Wied. Additional N.A. genus: Cynipimorpha Brauer, I.e. — Mexico. NOTES: Sabula, Chrysonotus and Chaunu are all preoccupied. At least one of these of earlier date {Chauna Illig. ) is now in use, and will necessitate a change. The only North American species referred to Chloromyia is Sargus viridis —154— Say (= S. nigribarbis Big.). This species, however, as I identify it, is a true Si in /us. Sargus triinttatus Say is probably a Ptecticus. S. xanthopusWieA. is, [believe, a synonym of 8. decorus Say. Macrosargus is a genus of doubtful value; some of Loew's species of Sargus belong here. Exochostoma caloceps Big., as Osten-Sacken suggests, is probably an Odon- tomyia. Chryeoehlora Lat. (Mexico) is placed by Brauer in a distinct group. Scoliopelta n. g. Head similar to that in lieris. Eyes broadly contiguous in the male, pilose; ocellar tubercle prominent; face rather small, antennae situated a little below the middle in profile, first two joints short, of nearly equal Length; third joint moderately long, moderately thickened, and then uniformly attenuated to the tip, composed of eight segments, without style, first segment longest, about as long as the second joint, the following six joints very narrow and distinguishable only with difficulty, terminal segment longer; palpi cylindrical, not abbreviated. Scutellum nearly as broad as long, sub-triangular, with two larger, approximate spines at its tip, and on each side two smaller ones. Abdomen much flattened, nearly circular in out line, composed of seven segments, the last two small, the seventh scarcely distinguish- able from above. Hypopygium small. Origin of the stem of the second and third veins opposite the base of the discal cell; origin of the second vein before the anterior cross-vein; the furcation of the third vein near the middle; discal cell with four post- erior veins, the third abbreviated before reaching the margin, the first two nearly con- tiguous at their origin; fifth posterior cell broadly contiguous at the base with the discal cell. Legs a little more slender than in Beris. Differs from Beris in the broad short abdomen, the elongate palpi, the presence of the third posterior vein, etc. From Aclina it differs in the holoptic male, the shape of the abdomen, hind femora, etc. Scoliopelta luteipes, n. sp. ^. Length 7 mm. Black, legs luteous. Antennae about two-thirds as long as the distance from their base to the ocelli. Dorsum of thorax shining, with a deep green reflection, clothed with short orange-colored pile; humeri and post-alar callosities obscurely luteous. Halteres yellow. Abdomen mod- erately shining, with sparse, very short, black pile. Legs luteous, the knees broadly, and the tarsi yellow. Wings brownish infuscated, darker in front, the stigma small; veins, except toward the base of the wing, brown. Two specimens, collected in meadow-land, near the base of Mt. Washington, in the early part of August. In the examination of my material I have observed a few general characters that appear not to have been previously described. I offer some of them here as merely suggestive. In all the genera of Stratiomyidae known to me, except Subula, species of Beris, Scoliopelta, Ptecticus and Pachygaster, the second longi- tudinal vein takes its origin from beyond the anterior cross-vein. Its origin in the three species of Ptecticus, which I have examined, was un- expected. In the Stratiomyidae, except the Beridinae (and Subula), the front coxal openings are more widely separated, the coxae are shorter, the meso- — 155— sternum longer and more developed, so that the front pair of legs are more widely separated from the other two, which are approximated at the back part of the sternum. This difference may most readily be per- ceived by a comparison of Coenomyia and Hermetia or Stratiomyia. In the present and related families the second main vein-stem of the wings gives off, first the sixth longitudinal vein, and, at a short distance beyond, the fourth. In the family Syrphidae the reverse is invariably the case in the two hundred or more species examined by me. The Conopi- dae agree better with the Muscidae calypiratae in the origin of the fourth and sixth veins occuring at the same point. Errata. —First paper, page 132, line 6, for "thickened" read flattened; p. 134, under Xantbogramminae, B. for "Ocelli" etc. read Face retreating, etc.; BB. for "Ocellar" etc., read Face projecting. Second paper, p. 11, line 6 from bottom, insert usually after "wings". Yale College, May i88;. Notes on Platysamia Polyommata Tepper. By Geo. D. Hulst. Platysamia polyommata Tepper, described from a unique Q in Mr. Water's collection, Brookl. Bull. Vol. V, p. 66, and represented in that place also by a photograph, is, as any one may see, an insect with rather broader wings than P. cecropia L. and consequently without doubt a Platysamia. Since then Mr. Waters has received from Arizona a <$ of this same species. In coloration it is very like the 9- having the same bands and spots on wings and body. It has in addition a white basal crossband on the fore wings, and the black ground color is richer and very velvety in appearance, The shape of the wings is how- ever altogether different from those of the 9- In this it has almost the form as it consequently has very much the appearance of Callosamia promethea. The fore wings are just as distinctly falcate, and the external margin runs inward, shortening the internal margin and narrow- ing the wing. The hind legs are narrow and extent backward. The insect is thus put in the unfortunate position, that the tf is in one genus, the 9 i n another. Samia cynthia has gotten itself in a somewhat similar predicament. In China it is a Samia but in the few years it has been naturalized in this country, it has broadened its wings, so it has become a pretty fair Platysamia. I call attention to these facts only that those who are interested may see that some of these genera have no excuse for existing as at present limited; for they are, I believe, limited by the shape of the wings and the wing spots only: neither of which characters are constant or identical in the sexes of the same species. —156— Notes and News. The collection of Lepidoptera made*by Mr. O. Meske, of Albany, N. V., has been acquired for the National Museum. The collection con- tains many types of American species and a well determined lot of European and other exotic species. With the Lepidoptera contained in the Riley collection and in the Belfrage collection, that order is now very fully represented: — American forms principally considered. When in shape, with the rich biological material of the Riley collection well work- ed in, it will rank among the best in the countrv. * * We are pleased to be able to notify our readers that Mr. P. R. Uhler of Baltimore has handed us the mss. for a Check List of the Hemiptera Heteroptera for publication. That we need such a list no one will dispute, and that Mr. Uhler is the proper man to prepare it will be as little doubted. * * * The first specimen of Rhopalopus Sanguinicollis Horn, I got from Carrolltown on the Laurel Ridge Mts. Since then I have found it on the Chestnut Ridge in Westmoreland Co., Pa.; but only on the sweet black cherry tree. It does not seem to injure any other trees, for beside these trees stand sweet red and sour red cherry, apple, peach, pear etc., all un- touched by the insect. It makes its appearance after the tree has blos- somed and before the fruit is ripe (about middle of June) and a few specimens may be gotten as late as August. It is always taken in the afternoon on the shaded side of the tree. Thaddeus Seher. Owing to the length of other articles, the continuation of the Pro- ceedings of the Ent. Club of the A. A. A. S. was crowded out of this number. A goodly portion will appear in our next. * * * In the June number of Ent. Am., under "Notes and News", I no- ticed the statement from Mr. L. O. Howard, that Belostoma grandis was attracted in great numbers to the electric lights in New Orleans during the month of December. This was also the case in the early part of the same year, and probably prevails to a greater or less extent all the year round. I might add that in Chicago the electric lights attract, besides other insects, great numbers of Ephemera:. In the latter part of July I have seen myriads of these insects in the evening, attracted to the lights. In some places the stone pavement being entirely covered over with them, so that there was more danger of slipping up on their soft bodies and falling, than if the pavement had been carefully strewn with the proverbial banana peel. They undoubtedly breed by millions in the Chicago River, and are a constant source of annoyance during the greater -part of the summer. C. H. T. Townsend, Constantine, Mich. — 157— Book Notices. Dr. Carlos Berg of Buenos Aires, has sent us a series of his papers, mostly from the "Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica Argentina'"', and giving notes and descriptions on and of a large number of Coleoptera, Ltpidopltra and Hemiptera. It is interesting to note, that in addition to our old and well known friends Agrotis ypsilon, and saucia, A. incivis, and Cindaphia bicoloralis also occur in the Argentine Republic. For A.ypsilon we have as synonyms frivola Wallgr. and robasta Blanch. A. saucia has as syno- nym angulifera Wallgr., and the Doctor thinks that Spaelotis stictica Blanch., S. punctulaia Blanch., Agrotis impaclaWlk., and Noctua aethiops Phil., will also prove forms of this protean species. A. incivis is A . ante- posila Gn. , and A. leniicidosa Moritz. Cindaphia bicoloralis Dr. Berg himself had re-described as Botis amiculatalu and here corrects himself. It proves that the synonym mill is grinding there as well as here. On the Parasites of the Hessian Fly. By C. V. Riley, Ph.D., Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII, 413—422, PI. XXIII, Sept. 1885. An interesting contribution to the history of this well known pest, describing and illustrating: — Merisus destructor (Say), M. (Homoporus) subapterus n. sp., Eupelmus allynii (French), Tetrastichus productus n. sp. and Platygaster Herrickii Pack An extract characterizing the species was read before the recent meeting of the A.A.A.S. , and the life history of the species is carefully traced. Fourteenth Report of the State Entomologist on the Noxious and Bene- fical Insects of the State of Illinois. By S. A. Forbes (3d Kept.), for the year 1884. pp. 136, pi. XII. Also an Appendix containing "General Indexes to the first Twelve Reports of the State Entomologists of Illinois. ' ' Contains an Entomological Calender, and articles on Corn Insects; Wheat Insects; Grape Insects; Black- and Raspberry Insects; Agrotis C. nigrum; Apple and Pear Insects; Maple and Elm Insects; and Miscellan- eous Notes. The Index to the 12 Reports is a valuable contribution, modelled upon Prof. Riley's Index to the Mo. Reports. The title page enumer- ates Francis LeBaron as one of the State Entomologists — we were under the impression that William LeBaron held that office. Quite a large number of new species of several orders are described more or less completely, and a new Tenlhredid genus (Melallus) is very incompletely characterized. The article on Wheat Insects is interesting because it covers to an extent the ground covered in the publication by Prof. Riley (previously noticed) on the parasites of the Hessian fly. In all but Tetrastichus carinatus the generic reference of the species ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 24 -i 5 S- described, is either erroneous, or the name of a genus is used which has been long since subdivided. Descriptive work ought either to be left to competent specialists, or, as in the case of Prof. Riley's paper, a special md careful study of the group treated of, should be made. However good a general entomologist a man may be, he cannot have that special knowledge of any one order which is necessary to a describer of new species. Pteromalus futvipes Forbes is the Merisus subapterus of Riley, and Prof. Riley's generic reference is reliable. The figures are largely reproductions bom Riley, or from the earlier 111. Repts. The new figures are as a rule very poor, inaccurate, in Mime instances even misleading and they print miserably. A recent number of "Science" criticised the last report of the U. S. Dept. of Agri- culture for its illustrations; acknowledging their artistic merit and scien- tific accuracy, but blaming the use of Photo-engraving for their repro- duction. Curiously enough the new figures in this report, which show no traces of that careful supervision of the artist necessary to secure an accurate figure of an insect, are passed over without comment by that Journal. As a whole the report is a valuable contribution to economic entomology, though leaving in some points, much to be desired. Further notes upon the markings and attitudes of lepidopterous larvae, together with a complete account of the life history of Sphinx ligustri and Selenia iUunaria (larvx). By Edward B. Poulton. Tr. Ent. Soc. London, 1885. Part II (August 5) pp. 281—329. PI. VII. A valuable and exceedingly interesting contribution to the ontogeny of the species treated, of giving some interesting speculations as to the use and purpose of some ol the appendages, and on the origin of the colors and markings and their philosophy. The article is too long to abstract, and we must refer students to the paper itself for its contents. Wie entsteht die Gliederung der Insectenfuehler? By Dr. Fritz Mtiller. Kosmos, 1885. Vol. XVII, pp. 201 — 204. Notes on the gradual increase in various stages of the number of joints in the antenna? of dlotenjics rugosus and some species of Cochlio- psyche, showing how the increase in number of joint stakes place by divis- ion, principally of the third and fourth joints. The Butterflies of North America by William II. Edwards. 2nd series. Boston, Houghton, Mifflindk Co., 1874 — 1884, pp.445, pi. 51. 4 . A recent number of '"Science" contains a notice of the above work, which we can heartily indorse. After giving the author deserved credit for the quality of matter, and especially the fine plates (part of this praise — 159— belongs to Mrs. Peart, the artist), the article reads as follows: "In this, [referring to the list of species closing the volume] however, in which the number of species is raised from 512 to 612, he retains in nearly every particular the antique classification adopted in the first volume. The studies which Mr. Edwards has undertaken upon die history of butter- flies have rendered him an authority on that subject, and his skill in field investigation has been unexcelled. This, however, constitutes no claim whatever to any knowledge of the structure itself of butterflies, upon which classification must be founded; and as he has shown no such knowledge in his writings, we can only regret that he did not alto- gether omit this list, since it carries an authority to the public eye which it does not possess, the classification being not only false in many minute particulars, but fundamentally false to nature". Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society, Oct. 6th, 1885. — Present 27 members and visitors; the president, Mr. Cramer in the chair. Mr. O. Dietz and Mr. A. T. Birkhoffwere elected members of the Society. Mr. Smith proposed Mr. \V. B. Taylor of Brooklyn; Mr. Weeks proposed Mr. Chas. Scott of N.Y., and Mr. Neumoegen proposed Mr. Chas. Palm of N.Y. as members of the Society. On motion of Mr. Neumoegen, seconded by Mr. Hulst, Senor Doctor Don Juan Gundlach, of Cuba, was elected an honorary member of the Society. Mr. Hulst presented additional evidence that Danais archippus occasionally presented a very dark, blackish suffusion. Mr. By. Edwards exhibited a specimen of archippus which before being put in cyanide was bright red; but was now dull blackish. He stated however, that he had this summer taken an even darker specimen in the field. He also exhibited a specimen of Colias eurydice dyed a brilliant red, by the action of a damp cyanide bottle. Mr. Tepper exhibited a series of bred specimens of Papilio asterias and read a short paper* on their variation, especially noting the facts, that the anal ocellus varies in size and shape and is sometimes entirely absent, therefore not reliable as a test of specific distinction. Mr. Smith stated, that he had of late examined every collection he had seen, for variations in Papilio, and considered the anal ocellus as of absolutely no value. Mr. Cramer states that a series of turnus, bred in Maine, so strongly resembled rutulus that he could scarcely distinguish them. Mr. Edwards had seen bred spe- cimens of asterias showing even a greater range of variation, but he considered that Mr. W. H. Edwards placed more stress upon the shape of the anal spot than the presence of the ocellus, and hardly liked to consider the species classed under machaon as identical. He referred to P. Hippocrates which showed a peculiar departure from the normal form in the shape of ocellus, and said many of the * Which will appear in a future number. — 160 — misunderstandings and differences of opinion had arisen from differing ideas of a species. An occasional resemblance of a specimen of one species to that of another, did not identity of the two. Mr. Neumoegen spoke on the same subject. He had P. asterius from Cuba and from this locality the female instead of being larger and with less yellow than the <$, resembles that six in all respects. In other words, that sexnal difference in color which is so prom- inent in U.S. specimens does not exist there. This is the form named poh by Drury. In Central America the asleroides form becomes the prevailing one. Mr. Smith, referring to Mr. Edwards' remarks on species, said that the difficulty was, that some persons would not recognize the fact that species are not always a fixed quantity. The process of evolution is still going on, and the so called species that these disputes are about are undergoing change. Some forms never resemble anything but themselves and leave no doubt as to their distinctness. These are so far fixed that they may be called species; but the other forms that are changing, and have so far changed that locally they are constant, are not species, though they deserve a title explaining their relation to the parent stock. No sensible man will dispute the close relationship of asterius, polyxenes, asler- oides, and some others, and it is generally assented that they come from the same stock. They have not yet branched so far as to leave the stem form be- hind, or to sever connection with it. Many others are in the same predicament. Several other examples were instanced. Mr. Hulst favored names to indicate the relationship of forms to each other and did not think the term species should be used for these partly separated forms, lief erring to the species of Papilio allied to machaon he had been inclined to believe Dr. Hagen in the wrong, but carefully studying Mr. W. H. Edwards' reply, and the figures given with it, he became fully convinced that Dr. Hagen was in the main correct. Mr. Hulst made some remarks on Plaiysamia potyommata Tepper which show- ed how little the genera in this group were based on actual characters, for the 9 is a Plaiysamia, while the $ belongs to the genus CaUosamia. Mr. Neumoegen agrees that the Attaci are badly separated generically. Take the variations of Cynthia in Japan, U. S. and Paraguay and you have entirely different wing form and habitus, so that your species in Paraguay belongs to one genus, while in the U. S. it belongs to another. Incidentally he mentioned that it had been proved by breeding that Attacus splendidus and orizava were identical. Mr. Smith then introduced Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of Washington, who read a few notes on TelmalophUus americanus .* Mr. Leng read a few notes on the dis- tribution of Cicindelidce near N. Y. Mr. Edwards called attention to the fact that diurnals were occasionally at- tracted to the electric light. He had observed P. troilus, P. atalanta, cardui, huntera, V. antiopa, D. archippus, and L. pseudargiolus. He had been informed by Dr. C. Hart Merriam that a Light-house keeper on Lake Ontario had been greatly annoyed by the large swarms of archippus that flew r against it and ob- scured the light. After informal discussion the Society adjourned. During the informal dis- cussion a small lot of named Coleoptera, from So. Cal. donated by Dr. Horn were sold at auction for the benefit of the Society, and brought $9.50. Which will appear in a future number. Americana tfOL I. BROOKLYN, DECEMBER, 1885. NO. Aletia xylina vs. A. argillacea* By C. V. Riley. Without entering into any general discussion, which would be out of place here, as to whether Hiibner's names should be adopted or not— a question which has always divided entomologists — but following those who, taking the more conservative view, accept his species when his de- scriptions and figures leave no question as to what is intended, the purported description in connection with the figures, would have to be rejected even from this standpoint. In point of fact they leave every doubt as to the species intended, and give us no absolute certainty. The only descriptive part is that referring to the white dot, and this is con- spicuously and well represented on the figure referred to; but it is this very character which makes it morally certain that some other species than xyli?ia Say was intended; for while typical specimens of xylina invariably have the three white minute dots referred to on page 9, of this work, the conspicuous discal or reniform spot on primaries is almost invariably* oval and dark, with two cinereous pupils, which are often dilated so as to represent a large cinereous spot, with a dark center and a dark border. Of the many hundreds, and we may say thousands, of specimens which we have examined, not one has had the distinct white spot described and * This article is taken from advance sheets from the 4th Rept. U. S. Entomolog- ical Commission and to give point to it I reproduce Hiibner's original description. "Aletia Argillacea. Aus Bahia. Vom Herrn Sommer abgelassen. Eine Noctua genuina und Heliophila lineata. Sie ist der A. Vitellina sehr ahnlich, hat aber in nichts eine Gleichheit mit ihr und auf den Schwingen einen weissen Punkt. Ihre Fiirbildung 399, 400, stellt ein mannliches Muster vor." This may be translated: "From Bahia. Left by Mr. Sommer. A Noctua genuina and Heliophila lineata. It is very similar to A. Vitellina, but is in nothing identical with it, and has a white dot on the wings.' Figs. 399 and 400 represent the male." The question as to what argillacea really is, will be considered in a special study of the genus Anomis which I hope soon to make. From material so far studied it is a species received from Bahia, somewhat smaller than xylina. — 162 — tig u icd by Hubner. The figures in other respects bear out this con- clusion; for while in the different copies of the Zutrage the coloring will vary according to the colorist and according as the colors have changed with age — two facts which in themselves should be sufficient to discard names founded on mere figures — yet in the three copies which we have examined the figures represent a smaller, feebler-bodied species, lacking in the characteristic olivaceous hues, and much more roseate superiorly and more highly colored with yellow and roseate on the under side. The under surfaces of xylina are of tolerably uniform pale gray, with a faint ochreous tinge, and in no specimen of xylina do we find the sharp black line on the under side of the hind border of the secondaries charac- teristic of Hiibner's figure. From these facts it will be seen that nothing can be absolutely settled from Hiibner's description and figures, and so much has this been felt by previous authors that they have not been able to identify Hiib- ner's argillacea. Thus Guenee, who had evidently better material to judge from than any previous, or for that matter subsequent, author whom we can call to mind, questioned whether his grandipuncta (=xylina) could be referred to argillacea, for the reason that this last is more yellow, more distinctly marked, with the reniform concolorous, marked with a very distinct white dot, and quite distinct on the under surface Even Mr. Grote, notwithstanding the assurance with which he identifies argillacea in the paper before the Association in 1874, express- ed his uncertainty in his first published opinion on the subject. (Bulle- tin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, vol. i, p. 170, 1874.) The figures on our Plate IV, 7a, were kindly copied for us by Mr. Skinner, from the copy of the Zutrage in the library of the American Entomological Society. The coloring has been slightly lightened in the printing, but otherwise shows the figures very well as they appear in that copy. In the copy in Dr. Hagen's possession,* as also in that which we have lately obtained for the Department of Agriculture, the figures are somewhat darker; but all are uniform in those particulars which we have just pointed out, and in which they differ from xylina. Hence, a careful and candid study of the subject, so far as Hiibner's work per- mits, leaves very grave doubt as to the identity of his argillacea, and though from the fact that we had accepted Grote's determination in the first edition of this work (solely on his authority) we have tried to retain it rather than make a change in this second edition; yet an unbiased weighing of the facts presented by the published data would alone have forced us to reject argillacea. We are entirely of Dr. Hagen's mind, as This copy, as Dr. Ilagen informs us, is on "geschopftes Papier" with what is known as old coloring in good condition. — 163 — expressed in a letter written to us April 4, 1883, after full study of the facts, and before he was aware of our previously published opinion to the same effect. He remarks: "Compared with Say's excellent de- scription, I believe it out of question not to accept Say's name, which has priority. Forced thus, from the published data, to reject argillacea on the ground of uncertainty, we have endeavored to reach the definitive con- clusion from non-published, historical data, i. e., by an endeavor to as- certain whether types of Hubner's argillacea were still in existence. Dr. Hagen kindly informed us, in a letter dated April 12, 1883, that since argillacea was described from the collection of the late Mr. Sommer of Altona near Hamburg, it might perhaps be possible to find the type spe- cimens still in that collection, as Mr. Sommer had his collection speci- mens kept in very good order. The Sommer collection was supposed to have been purchased by the Museum of the city of Hamburg, but upon inquiry we were informed by Mr. C. Criiger, who was formerly connected with the Museum Godeffroy of Hamburg, that the collection had long since been purchased by Dr. Staudinger, of Blasewitz near Dresden. Having thus traced the Sommer collection, we directed Mr. A. Koebele to proceed, with specimens, to Germany, and to visit Dres- den and inquire into the facts. With the kind permission of Dr. Staud- inger, Mr. Koebele was able to make an examination of the Sommer collection, but the results gave us no greater certainty; for, from the notes made, it would appear that very few of the labels in the Sommer collec- tion are written by Sommer. The collection is, also, in great disorder, and has been neglected by Dr. Staudinger. Of the eight specimens of our xylina in the collection one is marked from Panama, another from Porto Rico; one is named ii A?io??iis grandipuncta Guen.", another, un- spread 9 specimen '■'argillacea Hbn." and a third "A, grandis". If there were any way of considering these labels authoritative the evidence might be considered in favor of our xylina being Hubner's argillacea, but from all the facts it is evident that the labeling has been done by other hands, and there is other evidence to weaken the value of those labels. Thus the type of argillacea is distinctly stated by Hiibner to be male, so that the female above referred to could not be the type, which must also have been spread to have permitted the artist to fully figure the upper and under surfaces of all wings. Again in the Sommer collection there are eight specimens of a closely allied moth — the Anomis luridula, of which one is labeled "luridata/' and a second "modes/a' and a third "exacla''. The species bears no resemblance whatever to the exacta of Hubner's figures, so that we have here positive evidence oftheworth- lessness of the labels as historical indications of Hubner's types. * -.6 4 — Proceedings of the Entomological Club of the A. A. AS. (Continued from p. 125 ante.) The following paper was then read by its author. NOTES ON SOME STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS OF THE LEPIDOPTERA. By John B. Smith. I had hoped and expected to be able to present a rather complete review of the structural peculiarities of some groups or families of the Lepidoptera and to propose a new scheme of classification; but lack of time and too many other duties prevented the completion of the work, and I will present only brief notes of a suggestive character. In many families in all orders, sexual peculiarities furnish characters of high systematic value; but in the Lepidoptera these organs have never been carefully studied and no systematic value has been attached to them. Lederer in the "Noctuinen Europas" gives a number of figures and describes a number of what he calls "after klappen", but his figures are imperfect and misleading and the most essential parts of the structur- al peculiarities were missed by him. For some time past the Noctuidse have been studied by Prof. Riley and myself with the view of preparing a monographic work on the family, and many interesting points in structure have been discovered. Working over the Noctuidae suggested inquiries and studies in other families, partly to fix relationships, and partly for purposes of comparison. The discoveries of modifications of the genital organs of the <$ are such, that a decided modification in our present classification of the Lepidop- tera may have to be made. The diurnals are so well separated, that no special examinations of them have been made, though what little I have done shows that there is still much to be learned about them. The normal structure of the clasping organs of the $ among the Heterocera consists of a superior lunate or triangular corneous plate, which I call the supra-anal plate; a variously shaped corneous hook soldered to the tip, which I call the supra-anal hook: and an oblong, semi-chitinous piece on each side, called the side piece; to which are often attached corneous hooks or processes called claspers. The side pieces are move- able, are very differently shaped, and afford excellent specific and per- haps generic characters. The claspers also offer a wide — in fact infinite — variation: so great a one indeed that in some groups there are no two species alike, and the modifications are specific while in others they are so constant that they afford good generic characters. My present purpose is to call' attention to some modifications of -i6 5 - this structure in the Bombycidae and the groups placed between them and the Rhopalocera. In the Hesperidae, the males, so far as I have examined them, have the supra-anal plate small, lunate or crescent shaped, there is no supra-anal hook, and the side pieces are short, and illy, or not at all adapted for clasping. Some, perhaps many of the higher groups have the supra-anal plate well developed, but it is with the lowest of the group — those placed at the end of the series, that I have now to deal. Among the Heterocera the Zygaenidae most nearly approach the Hesperidae in this respect; entirely lacking the supra anal plate, and hav- ing the side pieces scarcely modified into clasping organs. The Syntomidae are closely allied in structure; but here, though the supra-anal hook is not, in the forms examined by me, fully developed, it is well indicated, and the side pieces are often corneous and furcate, or provided with separate corneous claspers. In Didasyi these organs are very prominent and furnished with long tufts of hair. Allied to the Syniomidae are the Aegeridae, or Sesiidae as some prefer to call them. But here the supra-anal plate undergoes a modifi- cation: instead of being solid, a triangular space is punched out of the center, leaving a triangle with its apex somewhat dilated. There is no supra-anal hook in those specimens examined by me, and the side piece is simple. In the Macroglossae another peculiar modification appears. Here the plate is narrowed, thickened and takes a shape somewhat like a Lobster's claw. The side piece is simple, and there is a stout, straight, corneous spine below the intromittent organ. * Sphinx has usually a complete supra-anal plate and hook, and often corneous claspers. In the higher Bombycidae we notice a curious and remarkably con- stant modification — the supra-anal plate is present though pften much reduced in size, and the tip is somewhat prolonged, but instead of forming a spine it divides and forms points, or lobes, varying in the species. I illustrate cynthia, cecropia, regd/is, imperial's and Adelocephala bicolor and all the other large species examined by me, present the same form.* This modification gradually runs into the normal form; but through what stages it passes to do so I am not yet prepared to say. Little as I have done yet, the results attained are still instructive — in combination with wing structure and habits they suggest a classification somewhat different from that usually adopted. The Syniomidae with diurnal habits, clear, bright or contrastingly * Figures of these peculiarities will be presented at a future date.— J.B-S. — 166 — colored wings with few veins, should head the list, followed by the Aegeridae, with similar appearance, similar habits and very similar struc- ture: then come the clear wing sphinges or Macroglossae which are also largely diurnal and which differ very essentially in structure from the typical Sphinx as I have shown recently in "Entomologica Americana"; and the Sphinges with crepuscular habits again lead naturally to the typ- ical Bombyces, through the nocturnal Smerinthids. As the highest type of another series stand the Zygaenidae. Also largely diurnal in habit and often brightly colored they yet differ largely from any of the preceding in the numerous veins of both wings. The true Zygaenidae do not exist in the United States as I showed recently in the Transactions of the Am. Ent. Soc; but their close allies, the Pryomorphidae do exist here in some number, and they very gradually lead into the Lithosiids and thence to the Arctiids and Bombyces. We have here two distinct series: the Syntomidae and Zygaenidae rather closely allied, and diverging from thence, the one to the Bombyces through the Sphinges, the other to the same group through Pyromorpha, Lithosia and Arctia. In the Lepidoptera Heterocera and especially those groups classed as Zygaenidae and Bombycidae systematists have shown a remarkable ob- jection to the creation of families, or more correctly to the use of family terms to express relationships and define groups. The result is that there is a mass of species all classed under the general term Bombyces, or Zygaenidae which have absolutely not one character in common. Mr. Grote to be sure in his recent list makes some divisions, but unfortun- ately they are nowhere defined, based only on superficial resemblances and thoroughly unscientific. Coleopterists have by careful and hard work raised their branch of Entomology to the dignity of a scientific study, while Lepidopterists have wasted their time in studying the orna- mention of insects, overlooking the most obvious structural details, and the classification of the order therefore leaves much to be desired. To call attention to the fact that there is yet plenty of work to be done be- fore Lepidopterists can claim that they have a knowledge of their order equal to that of the Coleopterists, these brief notes are presented. An- other and perhaps natural error has been made by many Lepidopterists: they have seized some one character, and rested their studies on that. Thus Dr. Herrich-Schaeffer made venation the ultimate test of family distinction while Dr. Packard with less felicity finds head characters controlling and ignores venation. The result gives us such assemblages as those heretofore mentioned. I wish it distinctly understood that I do not pretend to find the one controlling character in the genital structure of the rj^. I deem it a very important one in connection with other — 167 — characters, but no more. The legs afford excellent characters as yet en- tirely overlooked, while thoracic structure, and especially that of the dorsum will eventually furnish points of value to systematists. Adding to these notes, I wish to call the attention of systematists to a character not made use of so far as I am aware, to the extent its im- portance warrants: It is the relative proportions of the hind legs. In Noctua and Geometra, using these terms in their widest sense, the posterior legs are uniformly longer than the others and very strong, proportionately, and the two pairs of spurs are well developed, often prominently so.* In the typical Bombycidae on the other hand, the opposite is the case; the fore legs are strongest, often longer than the middle pair, and the post- erior pair are small and weak, and the spurs are small, often wanting in part. This is a peculiarly Bombycoid character, and the strong relation that the Snurinthids have to the Bombycids finds an additional proof in the agreement in this respect — the obsolete tongue and short posterior legs separate them very .sharply from the true Sphinges. I have recently pointed out that Ellema belongs to the Smerinthid, and not the Sphingid series. In examining the large Bombycidae, I have often been struck by the enormous development of the "epiphysis" of the anterior tibia. In most groups it is concealed, and in some Rhopalocera wanting. It is present in all the Heterocera so far as I know; but often very small. In regalis, imperialis and some others this organ is very largely developed and is bare of vestiture. What purpose does it serve? The following paper by Mr. Geo. D. Hulst was then read. THE FAMILY POSITION of EUPHANESSA MENDICA, Wlk. By Geo. D. Hulst. Euphanessa mendica was first described a.sA r udaria mendica by Walk- er Cat. Brit. Mus. II, p. 576 (1854), and redescribed by Herrich- Schaeffer Lep. Exot. p. 19 as Eadule biseriata. By both of these authors, and afterwards by Dr. A. S. Packard Jr. (Synopsis Bombycidae U. S. Pro. Ent. Phil. 1864 p. 102,) it was placed among the Bombycidae. In the latter place Dr. Packard describes the new genus, Euphanessa. In the Canadian Naturalist III, p. 227 (1 87 1) Mr. W. Saunders describes the larva as being in form a true Geometer, having only two pair of abdominal legs. In his Geometrid Moths p. n (1876) Dr. Packard refers to this, but still places the insect among the Bombycidae, and writes as follows: "I have carefully recompared this genus proposed * Some Geometers, I am aware, lack the spurs; but the difference in proportion is, I believe, constant. — ,63 — by myself and placed next to Nudaria, ami am still of the opinion that this is its proper position. In the small head with the large occiput and the male genital armature it is much like Crocata. The antennae and legs are much as in other Lithosians. The venation, though different in some important respects from that of Crocota, (there being a subcostal cell where there is none in Crocota, and but five subcostal veins where in Crocota there are six), is still Lithosian in plan there being four med- ian veins. On a fresh comparison of Euphanessa with European examples of Nudaria I see no reason to doubt the clear subfamily relations of the two genera. " In the Trans. Ento. Soc. London, 1877, p. 371, Mr. A. G. Butler in a Catalogue of the Lithosiidae in the Brit. Museum places the insect near Nudaria without comment. Having during the last few months given some study to the Geome tridae, I have come to the conclusion that the proper and only possible place of this insect is among the Geometridae, ana not among the l.om- bycidae where it is placed by the authors above quoted. 1st. — The larva is a true Geometer. The larva? of the Bombycidae are, I believe, in no case Geometers. And those of Crocota and Nudaria are not only not Geometers, but are more or less clothed with hair and spines. From this characteristic Euphanessa is an anomaly among the Bombycidac, and has no relation whatever to its so called nearest allies. 2nd. — The pupa is just as anomalous if Euphanessa be placed among the Bombycidae. The pupae were found in New Jersey by Mr. J. B. Smith,- and the imagines emerged. The pupa skins are now in my possession by his kindness. Both Crocota and Nudaria I am told pupate in a cocoon. The pupa of Euphanessa was found under bark, en- tirely without cocoon, girthed and suspended by the tail. The pupa un- doubtedly went beneath the bark only for protection from the weather, and was hanging free. The pupa of the Bombycidae are comparativelv short and stout. That of Euphanessa is slender, angulate and elongated. The pupa can thus properly be referred only to the Geometridae. There are at least some corresponding examples, I have read of, among the Geo- metridae of Europe, but I have heard of none among the Bombycidae. Somewhat aberrant in the first family, it would be anomalous in the second. 3rd. — In habits the imago is entirely a Geometer. It is not only easily disturbed during the day, but has the habit of hiding on the under side of leaves, with the wings widely extended when at rest, and it has the loose uncertain weak Geometrid flight. — 1 69 — 4th. — So far as the head is concerned the insect it seems to me must be considered a geometer rather than a Bombycid. In size, it is no smaller comparatively than many cither Geometers. The antenna? tongue and palpi are Geometrid rather than Bombycid. And the shape of the front and occiput is paralleled in others of the Geometers. At the most the parts of the head which Dr. Packard emphasises as being of great im- portance in showing the Bombyqid standing of the insect, might serve for generic but certainly not for family separation. 5th. — I have made no detailed examination of the thorax, and can not speak of any bearing this may have on determination. Superficially it agrees with the Geometers. 6th. — So far as the venation is concerned, Dr. Packard is as far as I can see, mistaken in saying there are four median veins, unless he ac- knowledge the same to be true of all Geometers. I have examined several wings, fully denuded by the Chloride of Lime and Carbolic acid process, and placed in Balsam and I can not find any feature which is not reproduced in the figures of venation given by Dr. Packard in his Geometrid Moths. In the position of vein 5 (the independent vein) it is very different from Croco/a, though not from Nudaria. As a matter of fact however the venation of many of the Geofnetridae and Bombycidae exactly correspond, and little stress can be placed on venation. But Euphanessa is undoubtedly a Geometer on this basis, or I have made a very often repeated error in observation. 7th. — There is a great difference in the relative size of the legs of the Bombycidae and Geometridae. Mr. Smith has called my attention to the fact that in the Bombycidae the hind legs are usually as small and as weak or smaller and weaker than the fore legs. The contrary is the case in the Geometridae. On this basis Euphanessa is a strongly marked Geometer. 8th. — So far as rny observation has gone, the genitalia of the male of Euphanessa mendica follow the type o( the Geometridae. Certainly the genitalia differ very materially from those of Crocota. The lateral claspers are somewhat the same, but the supra-anal plate of Euphanessa is a slender down curved spine after the ordinary form of the Geometridae, while Crocota has at the termination of this plate, another spine beneath and within the terminal incurved point, which, curved backward, seems to have a scissors movement toward the terminal spine for clasping. Thus there is nothing which would make the* placing of this insect among the Geometridae an error, while many things make its position among the Bombycidae anomalous and forced. There are many things in which it agrees only with the Geometridae, none in which it agrees only with the Bombycidae. It seems therefore that Eupjhanessa must be catalogued with the Geometridae. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 26 — i7c— Prof. Riley commenting on the paper," thinks that Mr. Hulst makes out his case very well. The characters enumerated, make the insect an anomalous one wherever placed, still the bulk of the characters are geo- metrid and he thinks that most Lfepidopterists would instinctively place it with the geometers, rather than the Bombycids. He had previously, in a note to some paper on the preparatory stages of other insects referred to the peculiar pupa of this species, which is the only instance known to him where a heterocerous pupa was girthed, and fastened by thecremast- er as in the Papilionidae; and the resemblance was further heighthened by two small horns, or ears, which gave the insect the appearance of a miniature Papilio cresphontes. We have here the anomaly of a moth, low in the scale, mimicing a character peculiar to buttertlies usually placed among the highest, by systematists. He thinks the only conclusion to be formed from this, is that the adolescent stages are not always to be depended on in defining the proper position of the mature insect. In reference to Mr. Smith's paper there were two points to be remarked on. First, — the genitalia in some groups have been well and carefully studied, and as it is desirable that there should be uniformity in nomen- clature, new names should not be proposed for the parts, but so far as possible the names used by others should be adopted. Second, — he agreed entirely with Mr. Smith's strictures on the work of the Lepidopterists, which had heretofore been so superficial that it had been often made a reproach, and their work was looked on as unscien- tific. The specific descriptions are often very unsatisfactory, based on the most inconstant characters, and the generic descriptions are even worse. In reference to the genitalia he doubts whether they will be as useful in systematic work as is now supposed, and venation and other structures will still have to be relied upon. When first the variability in this respect was discovered, it appeared valuable; but larger study he thinks will shake our faith. He says, too, that he finds more or less variability in the same species. He has found that some species otherwise closely allied are widely separated by this character, and again species perfectly distinct are nearly alike in this respect. He looks upon them as of secondary importance, and con- siders them as adaptations and special functional developments, that must not be too strongly urged, though undoubtedly of value as Mr. Smith suggests, in connection with other characters. In reference to the anterioi tibial epiphysis nothing certain can be said, though there is little doubt but it serves some purpose in the at traction of the sexes. He does not believe that it is a scent organ as has been suggested. Prof. Lintner remarking on Mr. Hulst's paper, stated that he had started up Euphaneisa mendica by the hundreds and hid noticed their flight. They would just flutter for a short distance and then return to cover under the leaves. The pupal characters mentioned were new to him, and he asks Prof. Riley whether they were truly girthed as in Papilio or whether there was not a slight cocoon. Prof. Riley replied that he had not seen them transform, but he considered it truly girthed, there being a single strong thread in a suture either at the end of the meta-notum or near the base of the abdomen. It was some time since he had seen them; Mr. Smith might recollect better. Mr. Smith states that he found them under a piece of loose bark, fastened by the tail, and a distinct band, while there was no trace of a cocoon. The long slender pupa suggested Tipula, and he was utterly astonished when he found the imago that emerged. He certainly would never have imagined it a Bombycid pupa. On motion the club then adjourned, to meet on the 26th inst. at the call of the President. Club meet August 26th, at 7 P.M. pursuant to adjournment, 40 persons present, Prof. Lintner in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted. Dr. Kellicott read a paper ON THE LARVAL PERIOD OF HARMONIA PINI, AND A PARASITE OF SAME. The original description of this moth, together with the facts, so far as known, in its history, were published in the Canadian Entomologist, vol. XIII, 1885. The last week in June of this year I had an opportu- nity to visit the "old homestead'' in Oswego Co., N. Y., where I ob- tained a limited number of imagines and certain additional facts per- taining to its preparatory stages; these I present for the consideration of this Club, together with specimens of the moth, the pitch-masses in which the pupae form, with pupa shells protruding, and a dipterous fly-parasite of the species. I have elsewhere, Canadian Entomologist XIII, 157, shown that the larva does not transform until, at least, two years old; I think now that I have evidence that it does not change until the third year. The facts are these: In June 1883 two pitch-exudations on a small pine were marked; these were fresh and were supposed to contain larvae one year old and which would probably give moths in June 1884; accordingly I made arrangements for having the same cut out and sent to me at — 172 — Buffalo in May 1884; the plan failed, however, and, as it turned out, the oversight led to good results. On revisiting the spot in June of this year 1 at once identified the pitch-cocoons marked in June 1883, then one year old. and on examining them 1 could find no reason for think- ing that nitidis escaped from them in 1884; on opening one of them a live chrysalid was found within; tne other was cut out with an axe and on fuly 6th gave a moth, now in my collection. These facts do not amount to demonstration, although to me they indicate a high degree of probability that the life-period of this /Egcrian is completed the third year. For, by way of application, the fully formed pitch-masses of June 1883 were caused by larvae hatched in 1882 since die imagos of 1883 were just appearing, and had moths issued in 1884 the opening, pupa-shell and pupa-cell would have been easily seen until 18S5. It is scarcely possible that eggs were laid in 18S3 from which larvae occupied these masses formed by a previous generation or by some other animal. On examination of scores of examples I have failed to find traces of any other insect in the pitch, at least, such as could cause the exudation. ,Pinipeslis Zimmermani causes somewhat similar forma- tions, but they are readily separated from those of the ./Egerian. The egg and the very young larvoe have not been seen by me: the former is evidently deposited near a wound in the tree; the young not being able to penetrate the outer bark of the pine trunk. They rarely occupy branches and have not been found in small trunks, i.e. from three to five years growth; on the other hand they prefer young pines from six inches to a foot in diameter, especially such as have grown up when the original pine forests have been mostly removed. For obvious reasons larva; boring into woody stems or the roots of trees or shrubs are well protected from insect parasites. A few references occur, however, to instances of hymenopterous parasites of our wood- boring yEgerian larvae; one, Phceogmcs ato\ parasitic in Podosesia syr- ingce, has been noticed by G. H. French, Papilio I, 106, and another, an fchneumon, in the same, by Herbert Osborn, Papilio II, 71. Thus far I have found no mention of a dipterous parasite of any of our species of the group. The two-winged fly exhibited with the examples of Harmonia pint escaped from a pupa of the same and is a parasite of the same. May 30, 1885, at Portage, N. Y., I removed amass of pitch that proved to contain a pupa; it was kept in a proper box when it soon lost its motion and the puparium of the fly was observed within its shell. The fly appeared June 20th. It has been sent to Dr. C. V. Riley for identification, but it was not in his collection and it was not specifically identified; it is a species of Tachina. I am at a loss to understand, — 173 — knowing the larval habits imperfectly, how the fly can possibly deposit its egg upon the moth larva, as it lives continuously, as I suppose, within the pitch. There must be some means of obtaining air and possibly there are openings left for that purpose; I have not been successful in finding out how the matter is managed. The' pupa-cell is covered at the outer extremity by a thin layer of rather brittle pitch; it may be a fact that this is sometimes destroyed when the temporarily exposed inhabitant is victimized. Had the parasite occupied the body of the host since the previous summer, it seems that the latter would have been too much ex- hausted to have completed its transformations. But why guess out the history of this parasite and its relation to the host? Now that its existence is known of, the facts of its history may be readily determined. Prof. Riley had been very much interested in the paper. He could not recollect any instance where the larval life has been so long, and the /Egeridae as a rule are supposed to require only one year to undergo their transformation. As to the manner in which the Tachina reaches the /Egeria larva, it is probable that the latter must come to the surface rather often to expel the excrement from its burrow and the Tachina could take advantage of that. Once fastened, the egg is very secure. Prof. Lintner asks whether the larva feeds on the pitch. Dr. Kelli- cott says that the excrement is mixed with pitch, but the larva makes regular burrows in the wood and undoubtedly feeds upon the wood. He says the larva is always more or less coated with pitch, and when remov- ed from its burrow dies in a short time from the stiffening of this sub- stance. He assumes that the larva must come out sometimes for air, but does not see that there is any arrangement similar to that of Pcedisca Scudderiana which has a little trap-door-arrangement which it can open at will. Prof Lintner says that Nephopteryx Zhnmermani, or Pinipesies has the same pitch pine feeding habit and also lives in turpentine exudations. Dr. Kellicott has observed this larva also which however does not make so large an excrescence. The excrescences are also more irregular, often a mere line or track of pitchy exudation marking the track of the larva from whorl to whorl or twig to twig. This larva when removed from its burrow also lives but a short time, owing to the hardening of the pitch. Dr. Kellicott then read a paper ON THE PREPARATORY STACKS OF AN UNDETERMINED COSSUS. This short paper on the preparatory stages of an undetermined Cossus although in a somewhat unfinished state of preparation is presented — 174 — for friendly criticism, and whether or not it shall be completed finally, depends upon what is left of it after you have done. A few weeks since ii was my pleasure to revisit the "old homestead" in Oswego Co., N. Y., and to tramp for a few days over hills'and swamps dwelling upon the memories of boyhood days and endeavoring to capture a few insects for mementos and for my collection In getting a few I was successful. One of interest among this number is the Cossus whose larva and pupa are the subjects of the following notes. The discovery of the borer was accidental; passing along the border of a brook I came upon some alders, A. incana, which had been drawn out root and branch upon dry ground: one stem had been broken oft" near the root disclosing the cylindrical gallery of an insect borer very different from those made by a beetle larva common in the same stems. An examination brought to light numerous examples of a Cossus larva in the roots and stems of the alders in the vicinity. The facts in its history were partially made out. Larvce of two distinct sizes were about equally abundant; the larger ones at the time, June 29th, were moulting. As the imagos, probably, had escaped it seems pretty certain that the preparatory stage lasts three years, i.e., the smaller larva; were one year old, the larger two and these transform next May or June. Several pupa-shells (all broken) were found in the openings in the bark, and one pupa, which was dead but in perfect condition. The larva, it seems bores principally in the roots until the second year, when it begins to work upward in the trunk, and before pupating in the spring of the third year, bores out to the surface a few inches above the ground. The pupa-cell, a mere enlargement of the burrow a little below the external opening, is not stopped or plugged with chips as is the case in the cell of C. Centerensis\ none were found in the roots and no evidence was obtained that the larva bores in the trunks save towards the end of its period, when it moves upward to pre- pare a way for the moth to escape where it is out of the way of danger of water, as the alder grows in wet places. This moth escapes as others of its kind do, by the pupa worming its way out of the cell so that part of its body protrudes from the tree when the moth emerges leaving the skin in the opening. I will describe the larger of the larva; and compare the smaller one as it may differ. Length 1.5 to 1.8 Laches. Subcylindrical, tapering very slightly at extremities, slender, width ofbody .25 of an inch. Length of smaller ones .8 inch. The head is light yellowish brown above, black about the mouth parts, hemispherical, smooth, or slightly roughened, with a few dark clots from which arise dark hairs, usually — 175— worn off the vertex of the larger examples. The second ring is smooth, lighter color- ed than the head; above the spiracle on either side there are three black spots situ- ated at the corners of a right-angled triangle, the upper one at the right angle, bears a coarse brown hair, the other two liave finer, lighter colored hairs; the top of the third ring is likewise smooth and brownish; the remaining body surface except the yellowish pihferous spots and top of ring thirteen is white; the longer hairs on the posterior rings are black. The body rings are strongly folded transversely; the yellowish dorsal spots bear brownish hairs; the anterior larger pair are situated rather near together on the broadest transverse fold; the smaller posterior pair are situated on a narrower fold and much farther from the slight dorsal furrow. The stigmata are broadly elliptical, the rings narrow, black scarcely raised above the surface, the color within the ring light brown. The legs are yellowish, hooks black; the prop legs with very many hooklets. The pupa is slender, length 1.6 inches, width of thorax .33 inch, but slightly curved and of .unusually uniform diameter, smooth, under a lens transversely striate, the three anterior rings black, shagreened, on the prothorax there are two conical protuberances which in profile under a strong lens prove to be double pointed: on the clypeus are two gouge-shaped spines, shining black on outer half, and on the upper roughened base of each of these there is a small conical tooth; on the underside of the head case, below the gouge-like spines is a pointed spine directed forwards; back of this are two smaller cusps, one either side of ventral line and still farther back apparently over the first tarsal joint of the fore legs are two smaller points. The transverse rows of dorso-abdominal teeth are as usual, but the teeth are exceedingly fine, increasing in size but little posteriorly; the black, blunt anal segment bears several small black conical teeth on either side. I have mentioned this insect above as an undetermined Cossus; that it is one of the Cossidze, there can be, I think, no doubt and as I un- derstand the descriptions of the preparatory stages of the genus Cossus, it seems to me that it belongs to that genus, therefore I will for brevity of referrence call it provisionally Cossus Alni. It certainly is clearly distinct from C. Centerensis whose larva and pupa I have had an oppor- tunity to examine from poplars at Corunna, Mich. ; in fact it appears to be distinct from any species, whose history is know. It may prove to be one of the doubtful or partially known species. I am aware that Mr. Lintner has referred to a Cossus which bores in the trunk of white birch; I am also mindful that insects are as a rule pretty good botanists and that B etui a and Alnus are closely related plants, so this insect may prove to be the one discovered in the birch by Mr. Lintner. It ought not to be a difficult matter to obtain the moth in May or June next. For the above entomological guessing, my first attempt, I trust you, my friends, will pardon me; as most of you have at sometime and in some degree, committed the same error, I think you will. Prof. Lintner says that the larva referred to as having been found by him in birch seems also a root borer; all those found being near the ground. He found only one broken pupa which is still in his possession and he -i 7 6- offers it to Prof. Kellicott for examination ami study. The pupae in this genus afford excellent specific characters. Prof. Riley says Mr. Koebele last fall found in N. II. a larva boring in birch, which he thought was a Cossid. This died, or at least has not emerged, and as far as he recollects agreed very well with Dr. Kellicott's description. However, some examination had been made, and some discussion had been had with the result that it was doubtful whether the larva was Cossid, or whether it was not that of a Zeuzera or an Aegeria. He simply suggests this as a possibility as the larva seems to agree very well with Dr. Kellicott's account. Dr. Kellicott says he is very sure it is not an Aegeria but a Cossus. He further mentions that he has found querciperda at Buffalo, in dry red oak. At first he thought them small specimens of C. robifiice. Prof. Lintner hopes that Dr. Kellicott will continue his experiments and observations on this interesting group. Prof. Riley then gave some NOTES ON THE PRINCIPAL INJURIOUS INSECTS OF THE YEAR. We are aware that almost every year is characterized by some un- usual prevalence of destructive insects, not previously observed in any such numbers. Examples were last year Pulvinaria innumerabilis and Agrotis fennica. A glanee at the entomological events of the present season shows a comparative scarcity of such phenomena so far as noxi- ous species are concerned and I can recall but few characteristic of the year. One worthy of mention is Agrotis messoria found at Goshen, N. Y., destructive to the onion. This had previously been known as destructive to vegetation, but principally to fruit trees by cutting out the buds in early spring; hence the habit noticed this summer has been ex- ceptional. Another species, belonging to the Coleoptera, Anihonomus musculus, attracted considerable attention in the strawberry fields, cm Staten Island, N. Y. This habit of the species is not new, because I had noticed it in Missouri many years ago, but its abundance and destructive- ness were phenomenal. As is usual, where a great abundance of a form is collected, the species was found to have two names, and there is some doubt as to what the destructive species really is. Another Lepidopterous insect, Eurycreon ranialis, a Pyralid, is worthy of mention as a conspicuously injurious insect in the South- western States. It is astonishing what an amount of injury this insect has done, and the agricultural papers have been full of accounts of this "web worm'', as this insect has popularly dubbed. This larval first found in 1S67, in Western States, and in Kansas in 1S73, common on — 177— Amaranthe. The present year it was destructive not only to the vege- tables but many other plants. All through Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas and Arkansas, and also Iowa and Nebraska, the insect was most destructive. The larva, though of the usual Pyralid form, is still well distinguished by its pale green color and large piliferous spots. During the present year Cicada septendecim has appeared in many portions of our country and I have been able to collect a large number of valuable notes that will enable us to better fix the limit of distribu- tion and the extent of both the sepleiutccim and iredecim broods. In Central N. Y, the Hessian fly has done a great deal of damage. For some years past it has not attracted much attention there, and it has been the opinion of some even well known Entomologists that it had left its old haunts and migrated to the west. As a matter of fact however wheat culture has changed its center, and the only reason there have been no complaints in the East, is that there was little or no grain for them to attack; and this year the sudden increase in numbers has again called attention to the fact that the insect has not yet left its old haunts. So much injury has been done that many farmers abandoned the crop and did not harvest it. On the Pacific Coast, locusts have been unusually abundant, and have done great damage. Hitherto the injury had mostly be done by Camnula pellucida, but this year the species has been Melanoplus devasta- tor. I regret to say that Mr, L. Bruner, an agent sent to visit Montana, reports a great increase of the Acridida> throughout that region and great fears are entertained of the future; but the prospects are not necessarily gloomy, for the weather has of late been unfavorable to their develop- ment, and unless there is a great change of conditions they will not be unduly abundant. Melanoplus spretus is still most abundant, but native species are also very plentiful, and Camnula pellucida was found, indicating that all these species can become very destructive in the west. Many other species were locally abundant or destructive, but these can be considered charact- eristic of the year. Dr. Kellicott mentioned that in Buffalo Podosesia syringes has been destructive to the ash trees. Prof. Osborn and Mr. Hy. Edwards had stated in "Papilio" that the young shoots or branches were attacked, but in Buffalo it lives under the bark of the old trees. He has observed a number of the trees, has seen the pupa cases projecting and has watched 20 or more from a single tree in a single day. Often ioo or more were in a single tree. A gentleman from Goshen, said he knew something about one of the insects mentioned by Prof. Riley. A friend of his had three acres of KNTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA. 27 -178- unions, and ajl had been eaten up, so the land had to be plowed and put into potatoes. The larvae never came out in the day, but in the evening they came out in vast numbers and all hands turned out to capture them. A man and wife had between 9 and 12 P.M., collected 8 quaits of larva. In regard to the Hessian fly, that is SO abundant in that part of the State that wheat culture is simply abandoned. Prof. Underwood says the maple a^gerian has been common in Syra- cuse this year and many trees were literally full of larva. Prof. Osborn says in referrence to Sesia syringa that in 1 — \.\ inch ash twigs he has found them most abundant — tnose from larger trees con- tained mostly parasites. Caloptenus femur -iul. rum has been abundant and attracted considerable attention — in fact some papers proclaimed the arrival of M. spretus. They have done considerable damage to oat fields, eating off the heads, and in pasture lands, where the damage is less evident. In motion oi Pro!. Cook the meeting adjourned to meet again at the call of the President. (To be continued.) Notes and News. Dr. Coding writes us as follows: I have another piece of good news to report. Tennessee — the most progressive of all the Southern States has made another ad- vance and appointed a State Entomologist. Prof. E. W. Doran, Principal of the London (Tenn. ) Academy is the appointee and will at once enter upon his duties. Though not very well known to the entomological world, yet Prof. Doran has been a quiet, earnest student of the habits of insects for several years, and no doubt .1 bright future is befoie him. Little entomological work has been done in Tennessee, and, with a rich soil and fine magnolia groves about him we may well expect some line fruit following Prof. Doran's labors". Prof. Doran is unknown to us, and we await with interest the result of his work. It is always a pleasure to us to learn of a new worker, and in this case there is added the gratification that another State has recognized the importance of having an Ento- mologist. It might, perhaps, have been better, had a more experienced man been appointed, but we are willing to give our new friend a fair show. Occasionally, in a narrative of travels an interesting observation on insect habits is made, and is very apt to be overlooked. Mr. E. A. Schwarz has handed us the following notes from "Die Thierwelt im Hollandischen Guiana" von Aug. Kappler.* Ausland 1885. P. 617. No. 31. Speaking of Bradypus cucculiga (Faulkner), an animal of the the size of a cat, covered with a fur of dense hair-like wool; and be. longing to the Edentata, he says "In this thick fur there lives as a parasite, a Tineid, * Animal Life in Dutch Guiana, by Aug. Kappler: —179— which when the animal is dead comes forth by the dozen and flies away". A para- sitic Tineid is certainly a curiosity. P. 699, No. 35. Speaking of birds of the genus Cacicus, several of which in- habit Guiana, he says "Very remarkable are their friendly relations with several species of Pciistes, well known to the Indians and negroes. The nests of these birds are never seen without a nest of these wasps in the immediate vicinity —sometimes so near that the bird when entering its own nest, touches the combs of the wa-ps, which are not at all disturbed by this proceeding; but they vigorously resist any attempt to disturb the birds' nests. I know three species which are thus friendly with these birds". * * The new Check List of Hemiptera Heteroptefa will be ready for distribution to- ward the end of the present month. It will make about 30 pages, and will cost 50 Cents per copy. Subscriptions to be sent to the Editor, at the National Museum, Washington, DC. -*'^^B>- Book Notices. List of the Coleoptera of America, North of Mexico. By Samuel Henshaw. Philadelphia. American Entomological Sweety. Roy. 8vo pp. 161. Oct. 1885. We have received this publication, and are heartily glad to see it. M-. Henshaw has earned the gratitude of every American Coleopterist, and we doubt not he will receive it. But the Am. Ent. Soc. has also done its part, and has furnished us with a book that for quality of paper, neatness and accuracy of typography, seeks its equal. There are 9258 species numbered, representing those forms known to American students. Species not yet identified are left without a number, and we regret to say there are quite a large number of them. Every Coleopterist should have at least two copies. Society News. Brooklyn Entomological Society. November 3d, 1885. — Twenty-four persons present; Mr. Cramer, the President, in the chair. Messrs. W. B. Tay- lor, Chas. Scott and Chas. Palm were elected members of the society. Mr. Smith read a paper on "Cosmosoma omphale," * illustrated by black- board sketches, describing a peculiar secondary sexual character, of the tf, noted at a previous meeting. Mr. Hy. Edwards exhibited the pupa and cocoon of the same insect, the latter of which is fine, rather loose, and of a bright lemon yellow. In response to a question, he stated that the larva was tufted, and somewhat Arctia form and he rather agreed with Mr. Butler that there ought to be a group Ardio-zygamida; to which such species as this might belong as they had characters common to both groups. Mr. Smith illustrated the agreement of Cosmosoma with some of the Bombytida; in genital structure, and stated, that, while undoubtedly strongly Bombycid in character, yet there were peculi- arities enough to put this species in the Syntomoidee. It is certainly not it Zygcenid. Prof. Riley remarked on the peculiarity of the position of this structure. It had, he believed, the purpose of attracting the 9 ftn d he thought that a rivalry might exist among males — he credited insects with sufficient psychic development to believe that the 9 might exercise choice in the matter * Which will be published in the next number. — i8o— of which should be her mate. Mr, Weeks exhibited a series of D. jxrchippus showing variations in depth of suffusion. Prof. Riley exhibited to the Society several colored lithographic plates of Acronycta, Imagines and larva 1 , ami also of Cicada septendecim in various stages of development. After informal discussion the Society adjourned. Entomological Society of Washington, Nov. 19th. Mr. Otto Lugger read a paper on the larva of Caenia dimidiata ( Fabr.), whieh is identical in ap- pearance with lit,'. 133 of Packard's Guide, there called "related to DrUus" but which had never been bied. The larva? were found in May 1883 in a cluster of 214 specimens at the base of a willow, slightly covered with dead leaves. They much resembled the cast-off skins of Oniscus found in similar locations. Amongst the larva? were specimens of a young Helix exidently born there. Re- moved to a breeding cage they remained motionless for a few days, but then re- vived and moved about, but with extreme slowness of gait. The lateral appen- dages are hollow and inflexible. In ten days some transformed to pupae within the larval skins. The imago issued in six days and was perfectly white on first appearing, changing rapidly through light sky-blue to the normal coloring of blue and orange. The imagos copulated freely, but only one unfertilized egg was obtained. The speaker believed the larva to be phytophagic and not carni- vorous as suggested by Packard. The paper was discussed by Mr. Mann and Prof. Riley. Prof. Riley called attention to the similarity of habit between the Ccenia just described and fcycus terminalis which he believed to be also a vegetable-feeder. Mr. B. P. Mann explained at length the Dewey decimal system of library arrangement and classification. His paper was discussed by Prof. Riley and Mr. Smith. Prof. Riley commended the system for large libraries but consider- ed its use a waste of time for small private collections of books. Mr. J. B. Smith read a translation of Dr. Gerstaecker's paper on the posi - tion of Pleocoma Lee. , in the Lamellicorn series, from the Stettiner Entomol. Zeitung. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Schwarz and Smith and Prof. Riley. Mr. Schwarz endorsed Dr. Gerstaecker's conclusions, but called attention to the lack of emphasis placed on Dr. Leconte's original statement that the spe- cimen had no abdomen, and stated that after his second paper, Leconte made no redescription, and probably never re-examined his specimens, but based his conclusions as to the place of the genus on characters made out and embodied in his early articles. As to the larva called Pleocoma by Osten-Sacken, he re- marked that it was difficult to consider it a Lucanid, for no Lucanid of sufficient size is known from California— yet the larva could scarcely belong to any other group, and there was either an error in the locality, or there must exist a species not yet discovered. Possibly also the specimen was accidentally carried to the place where found. Mr. Howard made a statement to the effect that the Thoracantha floridana described by Mr. Ashmead in Entomologica Americam for August, as the first representative of its group found in the United States, is the same species which he (Mr. Howard) exhibited to the Society in June 1884, and which was origin ally collected by Mr. Schwarz at Haw Creek, Florida, in July, 1883. L. O. HOWARD, Coir. Secy. Americana VOL. I. BROOKLYN, JSNU1RY, 1886. NO. 10. Cosmosoma omphale.* By John B. Smith. At the Ann Arbor meeting of the A. A.A.S. . Mr. H. G. Hubbard mentioned to me a peculiar flaxy or cottony substance concealed in a cavity in the abdomen of the ^ of this species, and asked its use. The presence of this substance was entirely new to me, and so far as I have been able to discover since, no mention of it is made by any author. At my request, Mr. Hubbard who was prevented by indisposition from at- tending the meetings of the Entomological Club, sent some specimens through Mr. E. A. Schwarz, who presented the matter before the Club. He called attention to a broad plate at base of abdomen — much larger than the ventral portion of the sub-basal segment, and stated that this covered a cavity in which was concealed a downy substance, sufficient in quantity when teased out to fill a small pill box. Considerable discus- sion on the nature and use of this structure was had; but all present were absolutely ignorant of its existence before this time. Mr. Hubbard has kindly given me a number of specimens of this insect and from them these notes are made. The intention at first was to give a description of this structure only; but on reflection it was decid- ed to figure and briefly describe the external anatomy of the entire insect. Lepidopterists have paid too little attention to the anatomical struc- ture of their pets, and as, sooner or later the study must become more specific in structural detail, it may save the future student some labor to have at least one species carefully figured. Right here it may perhaps be well to call attention to an error in my paper on the Zygaenidae, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. XII, 77 — 84. On PI. Ill, fig. 25 the figure instead of representing Cosmosoma, really represents Didasxs. The error occured in labelling- the slides from which the * Ke.nl before the Brooklyn Entomological Society, Nov. 3, 1885. l82- dra wings were afterward made, and the word Cosmosoma wherever it oc- curs should read Didasys. I had no $ specimen of Cosmosoma before me when that paper was written, hence my failure to note the peculiar structure hereafter described. fit 7 ""-*=" r,<, 2 The head presents nothing noteworthy, and the figures sufficiently explain its structure. The front is somewhat protuberant, nearly quad- rate, suddenly receding, and with a deep concavity below the base of the antennae, leaving a distinctly marked intervening carina extending to the suture. The ocelli are distinct, as usual situated close to the com- pound eye and behind the base of the antennae. The dorsum of thorax appears slightly lengthened in the figure, be- cause the convexity is not shown. Of the prothorax nothing is visible from above. The mesonotum or scutum is, as usual, the rriost prominent, and is oblong, somewhat widening posteriorly. The upper surface presents nothing of note, and does not seem to differ from its allies. Viewed from the side it shows more that is characteristic, and differs essentially from that of Zygaena by the slight development of the meta-thorax. No com- parisons can be made at present because of the lack of knowledge of allied forms, and I shall simply let the figure speak for itself. The abdomen is most peculiar. It consists of 8 segments, includ- ing the membraneous connecting segment at base, and excluding the specialized rings forming the genital armature. The membraneous ring at base consists of a dorsal plate a, an in- flated process, covering a spiracle, b, and a minute sternal ring, not vis- ible from below unless the abdomen is removed. The second dorsal segment is longest, and wider than the thorax. The 3rd is shorter and wider, while the 4th and 5th are nearly equal in width and considerably shorter. From this point the segments narrow rapidly and shorten some- what. The ventral surface at first view presents only six segments: the basal ring is hidden as above stated, by the thorax, while the second covers the two following rings, leaving only a narrow rim of the 4th seg- •ment exposed. The other segments present nothing remarkable, narrow- ing toward the tip; the last emarginate. The dorsal surface overlaps somewhat, and forms a beaded margin, more or less visible in various specimens and not marked in the Q . The figure (2) will show the un- derside better than I can describe it. Taking a specimen that had been softened, I lifted the abdomen from the tip, and found that it bent readily, separating along the posterior edge of the second dorsal segment and presenting an appearance from the side as shown at figure 3, except that the silky substance was not shown. Above the large plate is a cavity extending upward half the diameter of the whole segment and filled with a pure white cottony sub- stance, consisting of very fine threads cut to exactly the same length, and compressed into the space as closely as it was possible to pack it. Tak- ing it out carefully the pad measured nearly 2 mm. in width by 0.5 mm. in thickness; left to dry a few minutes a slight puff separated the mass, so that, sticking together as a ball, it had expanded to fully 7 mm. in diameter. In the fourth segment was found a similiar cavity with a somewhat smaller pad of this fine silky or cottony substance, and added to the other, a ball fully 10 mm. in diameter was formed, light as air, and fine as the finest floss silk. A section of the abdomen of a specimen barely softened, presented the appearance shown in figure 6. In the 2nd segment the cavity opens and is exposed by the simple lifting of the abdomen or dropping the covering plate. The third seg- ment is reduced ventrally to a narrow ring, lined inside with a fine elastic membrane to which the second pad is attached, and this rests in the ven- tral half of the fourth segment which is empty, but otherwise noimal, except that it is not united to the 3rd at its anterior edge. By flexion of the abdomen the distance between the edges of the 3rd and 4th segments is widened and the pad, unattached inferiorly, is exposed. Fig. 3 shows the appearance of the cavities in profile, while fig. 6 represents a section of the abdomen, the fine lines indicating the pad. The cavities extend upward to the center of the seghients, where they are separated by a thin chitinous wall; below this, and lining the cavities, is a thin elastic membrane, forming a complete sac. On this the superior or attached portions of the pad rest. The upper portion of segments 2 and 3 are empty — i.e. all the or- — 1«4— gans of the abdomen arc crowded into the terminal segments, leaving the 2nd and 31x1 hollow. The stigmata opening into these segments are large and distinct. Completely softening a specimen and detaching the abdomen, I flexed it so that the cavities were opened, and then inserting a tube into the upper portion of the segment, having first punctured the septum di- viding segments 2 and 3 superiorly, I found that I could distend the fine membrane lining the lower cavity, causing it to present the appear- ance shown at fig. 5, in section, and in fig. 3 in profile. It is very probable that the insect has the power of voluntarily flex ing the abdomen, and thus opening the cavities, and also of inflating the membrane to protrude this silky substance, which a breath of air would then dilate, and this pure white substance contrasting with the deep black venter and bright red thorax and legs must present a very pretty appearance. The obvious explanation of this structure would seem to be that the display made would prove attractive to the female and the insect might strut about, exhibiting itself like a peacock or a turkey gobbler. There is however one difficulty in the way of this ex- planation. The attachment of the cottony pad to the membrane is so exceedingly slight, that the faintest puff of air, or a mere touch with a fine needle detaches it, and it seems scarcely possible that once displayed it could ever again be retracted and packed away into place. This would seem to indicate that the display would also mean the loss of the sub- stance, and yet every male I have been able to find in collections, appear- ed to have this pad intact and all of them had the cavities tightly closed as well. Then too, it would seem likely that such a display would have been noticed, for these insects are not uncommon. Mr. Hubbard says tney are quit abundant in sunny spots in the woods near Crescent City, Fla., and he will try to observe them more carefully. It would be well if all Entomologists in the regions where this insect is found would try to observe its habits closely. The genital structure allies the insect closely to some families of the Bombycidae. The supra-anal plate is broad and corneous, narrowing to- ward tip, where the sides are produced into moderately long acute hooks, bent outwards, and the points downward; while the middle is modified into a broad, rather short hook with rounded tip, bent downward. The side pieces are broad, chitinous and inwardly concave at base, suddenly narrowing halfway to tip and produced into a long, corneous, curved hook. Fig. 7 will show the appearance of these organs from below, giving the names of the parts; The central, narrow plate is the sheath of penis. The venation is shown at fig. 1. The primaries are twelve-veined. -i8 5 - No. i is the internal vein which is close to the hin f d margin. Between it and the median vein is a false vein, or fold, so closely resembling a true vein that until fully denuded, its spurious character is not apparent. In a species in which the wings are hyaline and only the veins clothed with scales this is especially likely to mislead, as here the false vein is as distinctly shown as any of the others Vein two runs from the outer third of median vein with a downward curve to outer margin Vein three from meadian nearly half way be- tween the inception of vein 2, and the end of the median, to outer margin. Vein six from a short spur at the end of sub-costal. The median cell is imperfectly closed by inward spurs from the end of median and sub-costal, which, perfectly distinct at their inception become faint and thread like before they join. Through the centre of the median cell, half way to the base, and the same distance toward the outer margin, runs a distinct fold or false vein. Vein seven forms the continuation uf the sub-costal, and gives rise to veins 10 and 8, one quarter from its in- ception. Vein 8 runs to apex, giving rise to vein g at its middle. Vein 9 runs to costa, as does also vein io. Vein n runs from the sub-costal, one fourth from tip to the costa, rather less than one fourth from apex of wing. Vein 12 — the costal vein, runs from base to costa, rather less than one third from tip. The secondaries have but five veins; No. 1 is the internal; 2 and 3 are together from the end of the median ; 4 and 5 together from the end of the sub-costal. There is no costal vein. The median cell is closed by a long inward loop. The figure will better explain the course of the veins than words of mine can do. The frenelum is present but is weak and hair like. It is simple in the $. The legs are moderately long and slender; closely scaled. Anterior with tibial epiphyses small; median with a pair of terminal spurs and posterior with two pairs of spurs. The tarsi are not spinulated but clothed beneath with rather stiff hair. The claws are simple, The antenna are lengthily bi-pectinate nearly to the tip, where the joints are serrate. In one specimen I counted sixty-three joints. In 'the 9 the pectinations are not so long, The palpi are of the usual form and proportion, and as shown in the figure. In conclusion, the discovery of this remarkable structure in so pro- minent and well known a form as Cos?nosoma omphale, shows how little we really know as yet of the Lepidoptera, and how wide a field exists for the careful and conscientious student. - i86— COCOON OF C. OMPHALE. At the November meeting of the Brooklyn Entomological Society- Mi-. Ilv. Edwards exhibited the cocoon of this species as a supplement to the preceeding paper. It is a clear lemon yellow, oval, somewhat flat- tened and fastened to the underside of a leaf. There is a basis consisting of a thin silkv fabric, and on this are ranged the long yellow hair that give the color to the whole. These hairs are long, apparently nearly equal in length, ami furnished with minute hooks and bristles, enabling them to felt readily. Interpersed, are a few hair with black bushy tips and sometimes with also a circle of black bristles at middle. It would seem therefore that the larva must be somewhat Arc/in like. The pupa is pale, rather sordid in color, with the wings, antennae and legs well defined. It resembles very much the Orgyia pupa in color and shape, except that the abdomen is blunt and terminates abruptly. Both cocoon and pupa indicate a strong Bombycid relationship, not with the Arctiidas however, but rather with the Dasychirae. Note on Papilio Asterias Fab* By Fr. Tefper. I have brought with me this evening some specimens of Papilio listerias to show some of the variations, the species is subject to. In the first place I do not think it has ever been recorded that asterias occurs with a blind ocellus; that is with the orange anal spot without any trace of a black spot. I have such a specimen in my collection bred from the larva in Flatbush several years ago — the specimen as will be seen is in fine condition and leaves no question of a doubt that this form occurs. Moreover it is a male specimen, and this sex is much less given to branch off into aberrations than are the females. Besides we have what might be called inter-gradations, specimens in which the spot assumes different shapes, such as lobes or mere specks, all of which tends to show that there is a predisposition to take on abnormal forms. Now this is the main fact I desired to establish; but while on the subject I would point out some other variations into which the species is apt to run, and these are more frequently confined to the female sex. The yellow bands, as is generally known, are not so heavy in the females as in the males, al- though occasional females have these bands just as heavy as the males. I have found that the inner yellow band on the secondaries of the females is subject to very striking variations — in fact disappearing altogether in some instances. The specimens I exhibit will show this tendency very well indeed, as they range from the heavily banded ones to those lack- * Read before ihe Brooklyn Entomological Society, Oct. 6, 1S85. — 187— ing this band entirely. Another tendency to branch off is shown in the marginal row of spots on the secondaries These in the normal form are yellow, but as my specimens will show, the same spots are sometimes yellow, sometimes greenish or bluish, and sometimes even bright orange — this variation, as far as I have noticed, is also confined to the females. All the specimens exhibited were bred from larva? found on carrots in my garden at Flatbush. Jn connection with this subject I would say that collectors should endeavor to gather more material of our common species. I know well how it is. A collector has a pair of asterias in his collection and deems this sufficient. When in the field he disdains to look at asterias, much less to capture one. I myself would not advise old collectors to capture the mature insect, for the reason that the few met with are in the first place generally not fit for the cabinet, and in the second place I believe but occasional varieties are met with in the few that come under our notice. Collectors ought to bend their energy towards raising them, either from the egg, or from larvae, which can be picked Lip in quantities in any carrot field. Among 50 or 100 specimens you are almost sure to find some interesting forms, which will pav one for the trouble taken. ^ ■ • 1 ^ Concerning Cremastochilus. By Geo. H. Horn, M.D. In the early part of this year I received word from Mr. J. J. Rivers of California that he had what he supposed might by a new species of Cremastochilus. The specimen was kindly loaned to me and on close examination proved to be a C. Schauinii in which an accidental notch of irregular triangular form had been made in the hind angles of the thorax. In this species the hind angles are formed of thin triangular plates. Shortly after this matter had been settled, a similar communication was received from Dr. Hamilton, and on seeing the specimen he referred to, it proved to be a canalkulatus in which both hind angles had been lost. The following letter from Dr. Hamilton gives the details. "Dear Sii: The two specimens of Cremastochilus canaliculars submitted to you were taken in June of the present year (1885) about two weeks apart, and in the same ants' nest. The first one taken had the hind parts of the thorax so abnormal (the angles, or rather processes being entirelv wanting) that I considered it a new species, till the other specimen was found with the enucleation of the angular pieces so far advanced that they were movable and might have been detached by a little pressure; though in the dried insect the mobility is lost, and the notch between it and the body of the thorax is much narrower than in life. On carefully examining the first specimen it will be seen that it once possessed these processes, as there is in the basal excavation on each side a roughened or alveolate space showing the place of attachment. The uniformity of surface of these spurs in connection with what is seen in the other spe< i men proves conclusively that their loss is not owing to an accident. These, with other questions present themselves. Are these pieces deddu- ous like the horns of the Cervidae, or are they gnawed out by the ants? And in the latter cast', what for? Does the same thing occur in other species? Yours truly [ohn Hamilton." The specimen submitted to me by Mr. Rivers showed plainly an inequality in the notching of the hind angles of the thorax as well as an irregularity of the edges of the notch. It is my belief that the irregular- ities in the Rivers and Hamilton specimens are the work of the ants, with which the specimens were found and I have long held the opinion and have so published it, that the pubescens depressed spaces near the front and under the hind angles of most of the species, are glandular, and give a secretion very palatable to the ants, and these, almost reason- ing insects, finding the processes in their way have deliberately removed them, either partially as in the Rivers specimen, or entirely as in the other. That the processes are naturally deciduous, as are the horns of the Cervidse or the mandibular appendages of the Otiorhynchs is hardly supposablc "Mr. Schwarz has also made some observations bearnig on this point, as follows: In May 1883 while on an excursion in the vicinity of Washington, I came across a large ant hill constructed by a species of Formica which is allied to, but not identical with, F. n/Ar. My attention was at once at- tracted by three objects on top of the ant hill, which at first glance ap- peared to be compact masses of ants. Upon looking closer to each of the masses proved to consist of a living CremastocJiilus attended by numerous ants which held on with their mandibles to the legs. the head, the sides of the thorax of the beetles, in short wherever there was a chance for them to hold on. That they did not intend to do any harm to the beetles was evident, and it seemed to me that they in- tended to prevent the escape of the Cremastochili from their colony. Herein they were evidently successful, as upon waiting for a considerable length of time there was no change in the situation. I then proceded to investigate the interior of the ant hill, which consisted of numerous layers of intricate galleries and chambers, all built of rather loose earth without any sticks or other debris. Within the chambers several more Cremasto- chilus were found but not attended to by ants. At this as well as at previous occasions I failed to find any trace of the larva or pupa of Cre- mastochilus either within or beneath the ant hill. E. A. Schwarz _i8q— Hypocephalus Armatus, Dem* ByChas. W. Leng, B.S. My attention was drawn to this Brazilian beetle by an article of M. Lameere in the Annals of the Belg. Ent. Soc, which presents so many curious features that I have thought some account of it, and more partic- ularly of the recent discoveries by Messrs. Sharp and Lameere would not be uninteresting. In the first place, it has caused the students of classification, as much anxious thought as any insect in existence, and has occupied a place in almost every group known. It was described in 1832 by Des- marest, and placed by him among the Silphidae, where it remained until Westwood transferred it to the Cucujidae. From that family it travelled into the Longnorns under the guidance of several eminent entomologists, where it remains at present in the catalogue of Gemminger & Harold and in the estimation of our European colleagues. Curtis published however in 1854 a long dissertation attempting to prove its Lamellicorn affinities, and Gistl, Spinola, and Leconte have each made it the sole re- presentative of a separate family, as to the name and affinities of which, however, no two agree. Dr. Leconte's view, based upon an examination of a specimen contained in the Brazilian exhibit, at our Centennial Ex- position, is the most interesting. He considers it a survival of an ancient family the other members of which are extinct. He shows by a careful examination of those parts, which experience has shown are least liable to variation, that it cannot be included in any family as at present con- stituted, while its various parts show such relationships, with many of them, as to indicate the possibility of their being descended from it. M. Lameere devotes a considerable space to controverting this view, and by supposing a modification of these parts in recent times, makes it a mem- ber of the Longicorn group. The principal features to which I would draw attention are as fol- lows: The five-jointed tarsi, the- very short antennae, the fossorial legs, and especially the enormously developed hind femora; (these will be considered with the habits of the insect); the manner in which the head joins the thorax, leaving a large space beneath, filled with a soft mem- brane. (This character is found in very few families and is of the greatest interest. ) The peculiar form of the mandibles is highly interesting, and they are capable of motion in a vertical plane, as well as outwards. This character is met with elsewhere only in the Rhymchophora. Of course the enormous thorax and short elytra attract attention at once. The thoracic interior is filled with powerful muscles operating the head and * Read before the Brooklyn Entomological Society, Sept. 1, 1885. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 29 — 190 — mandibles. The creature is aptly characterized by Dr. Leconte as re- sembling no other beetle so much as an insect of an entirely different order — the mole cricket. And yet so wonderful are the operations of nature, that the discovery of the unique life history of this beetle shows a perfect adaptation of each of these discordant parts to the needs of its 1 iwner. The first specimens were said to have been found in the carcass of a dead horse: which perhaps accounts for its original reference to the Sti- phidae. Subsequently specimens were found dead upon the ground, and the discovery that an Asiatic beetle somewhat resembling this pupated underground, led to the suspicion that it also might be subterraneanin habit; which suspicion the investigations of M. de Lacerde has practi- cally converted to certainty. Under this hypothesis you can easily under- stand the value of its special adaptation. By the movement of head and mandibles, directed by the powerful muscles of the thorax, it can loosen and push aside the particles of decaying vegetable matter, of which the soil of Brazilian forests is composed, its front legs aiding in the work, while the strong hind legs push the entire body forward through the passage thus partially prepared. Even the extraordinarily developed fringe of hair at the margin of the prosternum would have its use in such a process, brushing the membrane clean of all particles of dirt each time the head was retracted within the thorax. If it wishes to retreat through the hole it has made, the tibiae fit exactly into the femora, and they under the abdomen; leaving the pointed elytra to open the way for the passage of the large bulk of the insect: thus the creature is able to live and travel about for an indefinite period underground, feeding upon the tender roots, and perfectly secure from the attacks of its enemies. And now we can see how Dr. Leconte's theory of the very ancient origin of this beetle is confirmed, for it is not supposable that such forests as those of Brazil are of recent origin. On the contrary it is well known that portions of the globe were once covered with tropical-like growth, yielding among their roots a soil of softer consistency than we anywhere find now, thus affording ample opportunity for such subterranean beetles as H. armaius to gain a living in their own peculiar way. The presumption would therefore be, that their numbers would be proportionally great, and this bone of contention may well be the last living relic of a time when man was not upon the globe. To come now to the recent discoveries which have been somewhat anticipated in the last paragraph. The function of the sharply prolonged lateral lobes of the head was unknown until Mr. Sharp's article ex- plained them. I should also say that the capacity of movement con- tained in the head was known to very few. All specimens have been — IQI— found dead with the head in its position of retraction, that is, not only drawn in close to the thorax above, but completely bent under the thorax just as in the pupae of many Cerambycidae . It is capable of this elsewhere unknown movement through the possession of the large mem- brane between the head and the thorax. The specimen Dr. Leconte had for examination was evidently in this position, for he makes no mention of the membrane, which could not have escaped his eye had it not been concealed within the thorax. The drawings of Curtis show it perfectly, but it appears to have been overlooked by subsequent writers. This fact explains also why so many have failed to appreciate the suggestion of a subterranean career in the beetle's appearance, for with its head tucked under its wing, as it were, the mighty and warlike H. armilus becomes heavy, purposeless, even stupid in aspect. Mr. Sharp in an article in the Annals of the Belgian Soc for 1884 states, that having softened a damaged specimen, he found, that upon overcoming the resistance of the powerful muscles contained in the thorax, he was able to make the head execute the complete movement of flex- ion and contraction. Putting the head into its natural position, he was able to inspect carefully the soft membrane thus brought to light. In doing so he made the interesting discovery of the wound which had prob- ably caused the death of the insect. That it had been inflicted during the life of the insect, was conclusively proved by the dried serum sur- rounding the wound: and, from the shape corresponding exactly with the shape of the genal processes of the head, it was highly probable that it had been inflicted by another individual with one of those parts. Instances of combats between males for the possession of females are known in many groups of animals, and even among man, so that there is nothing improbable in Mr. Sharp's supposition that the wound he dis- covered, was caused in such a combat. This, according to Mr. Sharp, would explain the great development of their genal processes; and, carrying out the theory of sexual selection, even the other characters. The beetles in their combats would endeavor to wound one another in the highly vulnerable soft membrane. An individual finding himself worsted in the fight, would need all the strength of the powerful muscles of contraction to hold his head close down to the thorax, and thus pre- vent his opponent reaching the weak point in his chitinous armor. His enemy on the other hand would use his mandibles to pry him open, and bracing himself with his stout hind legs, the struggle would go on until the weaker brother was defeated. Thus, according to Mr. Sharp, the individual deficient in the peculiar weapons of offens*e and defense, would often fail to secure a mate, and in the long run the majority would leave no offspring to perpetuate their failings: and in the series of ages — 192 — during which the species has existed, the gradual disappearance of poor- lv developed specimens has produced the present monstrosity — a monu- ment to the evil passions of the Coleoptera. Mv. Sharp is deeply grieved at such an immoral proceeding and I quote his closing and affecting words: "If I am correct in my suppositions "about this insect, those of us who are evolutionists will have to admit "that the organisation of this extraordinary creature has been evoluted "in correlation with sexual combats through a long series of ages, "and there has thus resulted a most extraordinary perfection of struct- "ures directly and indirectly connected with this object. This is so "abhorrent to our moral sense, that we may feel gratified that we can "also point to the fact, that these structures are unique, and that out "of hundreds of thousands of insects now known to us, there is nothing "to indicate that any other has passed through a similar evolutionary ' 'record. " It will be observed that Mr. Sharp does not allude to the subterranean life of the insect, of which ne appears in fact to have been ignorant, for he regrets that he can furnish no satisfactory explanation of the form of the hind femora, unless they assist in the sexual combats as sketched above. It was reserved for M. Lameere to revive the previously known fact of the insect being subterranean, and thus complete its history as I have given it above — taking most of my facts from M. Lameere's article. M. Lameere examined a number of specimens, and found in several, the wounds of which Mr. Sharp wrote, and in one specimen a similar one in the much smaller upper membrane. He therefore adopts Mr. Sharp's theory as to their cause and of the development of the lateral processes by sexual selection; but considers that the other parts have attained their present form entirely through a process of natural selection, due to the subterranean habit of the beetle. To return to its position in classification for a moment; M. Lameere in support of his placing H. armatus among the Longicorns advances some interesting theories as to the antennae and tarsi. In his own words: "It is scarcely necessary to remark that long antennae would be ex- "tremely inconvenient for a longicorn so well adapted to a subterranean "life and that even on the surface they, would be useless, since it has "lost its wings. And as to the tarsi, just as the limbs of Mammalia "were originally furnished with five fingers which diminished in number "under special circumstances, so the legs of Coleoptera seem to have once "uniformly terminated in five-jointed tarsi, which have varied in the "process of evolution, as they were needed for running or for attaching "the insect to trees. If the insect needed adaption to walking o r "running habits, its tarsi would become as long as possible; and there- — r 93 — ' 'fore such families now present the primitive form of five-jointed tarsi. "If however the insect was, as in Longhorns, in the habit of attaching "itself to trees, these would need to be as short and compact as pos- ' 'sible, and hence the fourth joint has disappeared. The subterranean "life of Hypocephalus has simply restored its primitive form." Leaving these speculations, we certainly have in Hypocephalus ar ma - /us a most interesting addition to our knowledge of natural history, in a beetle so modified, that at first glance it does not resemble its order at all, and even after fifty years still baffles the attempts of our most learned Entomologists to place it properly in that order. To those who are inclined to the theories of evolution, it furnishes once more a striking example of what changes peculiar circumstances can bring about, and of the perfect operation of the processes of Natural Selection. Editorial vagaries. We have just looked over the back Nos. of Ent. Am. with a feeling of satisfaction at the value of their contents; but we cannot help feeling also that some parts — even the most valuable — are dry; very dry. Science is, by outsiders, supposed to be dry, and Entomology as a science ought necessarily to be dry also. It seems an inevitable deduction that if En- tomology is dry, Fntomologists also should suffer from drouth. And perhaps too, that explains the fact we have noticed, that all Entomologi- cal Societies that we have attended, have, without special motion, but with remarkable unanimity, wended their way, after adjournment, to some convenient locality where liquid refreshments were dispensed. When the Brooklyn Ent. Soc. arrives in force, there is always a new keg put up, for science is sometimes very dry indeed, and over the cup that cheers, the lights of our science hold forth to a group of special admirers, and in so- cial chat experiences are exchanged, and much valuable information gained. With Messrs. Edwards, Neumoegen, Hulst,* Graef, Tepper, and other Lepidopterists of note at one end of the table, Dr. Horn, Messrs Julich, Leng, Roberts, Angell etal, Coleopterists, at the other, "ye editor"* oscillating between, the hours fly unheeded, and, with a sigh of regret, the meeting finally adjourns: each member fuller than before — of Entomo- logical wisdom of course. Temperance drinks only! — 194 — Sometimes valuable observations are given at these ''annex" meet ings, which, but for the "chiel amang them taking notes" would never be "prented. " * At the recent "annex"' meeting of the lint. Soc. of Washington — pre- sent C. V. Riley, Ph. D., President; Geo. Marx, M. D., Vice President; E. A. Schwarz; Rec. Secy.; L. O. Howard, Cor. Secy.; "ye editor,'' as re- presentative of the rank and file, and Prof. H. Osborn as honored guest — there was observed a roach — Blatta germanica. Roaches are not so scarce in Washington as to merit special attention; but the members having all run very dry on Entomology generally, seized upon the subject with rel- ish — i. e. not with the same relish that the subject of Cicada was seized up- on by some members of this society on a previous occasion; but with a different, less gastronomical relish. Prof. Riley related that in his office there was a roach that had be- come quite tame and familiar.* It manifested no fear of him, would watch him at his work and would, when a finger was presented climb on it, run round on his hand, and make itself very much at home. Mr. Howard stated that he also had a tame roach, and this specimen had a fondness for tobacco. He would, when smoking, occasionally lay his cigar on the edge of one of the drawers of his desk, and the roach would come to the moist end and feast on nicotine. When taking up the cigar again he would shake off the roach who would wait until it was again re- placed, and again resume his feast. Another member, who modestly desires to have his name with- held, thought that insect intelligence had been much under- rated. A young lady friend of his had a pet roach that used to frequent her dressing case drawers, and used to expect and appreciate, the little tendernesses and endearments its mistress accorded it. For three years, or thereabouts it lived happily; but then, for a short time its mistress re- fused to notice it — other matters on her mind probably — and this the little pet took so to heart that it deliberately made a feast on "Pearl Pow- der,'' knowing of its poisonous qualities, and died. Deliberately com- mitting suicide! A marvelous instance of Insect intelligence! * Sea shore collecting, which is often very remunerative, has its disad- vantages if pursued on frequented shores. Every passer-by stares: pity- ingly in some instances; curiously in others. That might be endured; but they ask questions: why do you collect? what do you do with them? Usually we tell them they are used to flavor chowder, which despite our * The editor has also found Washington roaches very familiar indeed on very short acquaintance. — J 95 — clerical appearance does not always seem to meet with entire belief. Mr. Schwarz says they are used in making fever medicine, and as Mr. S. has a thoroughly medical look, his explanation is usually deemed satisfactory. Sometimes neither explanation will work and then such rencontres as the following may happen. Collecting industriously near Fortress Monroe, Mr. Lugger was accosted by an army officer who asked the usual questions. Considering his questioner Mr. Lugger tried to explain. "Hum" — replied the officer — "bugs eh! Humbugs I guess'' and passed on. Later on the officer again came along with all the pride of uniform and a fair lady on each arm, and found Mr. Lugger examining a speci- men of Tetrodon turgidus a bladder fish, which had been cast up and was inflated. "What's that; not a bug too is it?" was demanded. He was informed it was a fish. "What's its name; do you know?" That also was given as above. "Oh nonsense! I want an English name if it's got one." "Oh yes!" replied Mr. Lugger, remembering the "humbug'', "we call it the officer fish. " "Officer fish?" queried his now interested inter- locutor "Why Officer fish?" "Because it is usually so puffed up" was the answer, which caused the ignominious retreat of the young magnate amid the laughter of his fair companions. Curious mistakes sometimes occur in foreign Journals, commenting on American works, because of insufficient knowledge of English. In the "Relazioni intorno ai lavori della R. Stazioni di Entomologia Agraria, di Firenze 1879-82 issued in 1884, S. Targioni Tozetti gives a review of Prof. Comstock's paper on Coccidae in the Rept. of the U. S. Entomolo- gist some years ago; giving in parallel columns the species, and the plant or tree it infests and the locality where found. Among others we find My tilaspis panda nni n. sp. feeding on Trealease at Cambridge. Mr. Trealease is pretty well known, but that he had a special Coccid infesting him may be news. Of course Mr. T. was in the original referred to as collector. Another error in the paper credits Prof. Comstok with the ChalcididcE described in his Report, while Mr. Howard is in reality an- swerable for them. Prof. Comstock has hard luck — in the Berliner bot. Zeitschrift for 1882 he is three times referred to as "Prof. Cornstalk." Bound to make a botanical specimen even out the name it seems. Our Editorial labors for the year are about closed— the present num- ber especially has required serious thought and much deliberation, and with a sigh of relief we put away our editorial paraphernalia, wishing each of our readers most heartily "A Happy New Year;" and as we feel charitably disposed, we will also wish them anything else they may desire. — 196 — Food-Plants of Lepidoptera* (No. 2. Smerinthus excaecatus, A. & S.) BY WM. BEUTENMULL1K. Leguminosae- Wistaria sinensis, Dec. (Chinese Wistaria. ) Rosaceae. Prunus virginiana, L. (Choke-Cherry.) Rubus odoratus, L. 1 Purple-Flowering " serotina, Ehr. (Wild Black Cherry.) Raspberry.) Spiraea opulifolia, L. (Nine Bark.) Pyrus malus, Tourn. (Apple.) Urticaceae. Ulnms fulva, Michx. (Slippery or Ulmus alata, Michx. (Whahooor Red Elm.) Winged Elm.) " americana, L. (American or " suberosa, Mouch. Wild Elm.) Cupuliferae. (,)uercus palustris, Du Roi. (Smamp or Ostrya virginica, Willd. (American Pin Oak.) Hop Hornbeam. ) " coccinea, Wang. (Scarlet Oak.) Carpinus americana, Michx. Corylus americana, Walt. (Wild (Hornbeam.) Hazel-Nut. ) Betulaceae. Betula alba, L. (White Birch. Betula var. populifolia, Spach. Salicaceae. Salix cordata, Muhl. (Heart-leaved Populus tremuloides, Michx. (American Willow. ) Aspen. ) " lucida, Muhl. (Shining Willow.) " grandidentata, Michx. (Large- " fragilis, L. (Brittle Willow.) toothed Aspen. 1 " alba, L. (White Willow.) " angulata, Ait. (Angled " Babylonica, Tourn. (Weeping Cottonwood.) Willow.) " nionilifeia, Ait. (Cottonwood, Necklace Poplar.) Notes and News. The Rev. A. Matthews establishes** the new genus Corylophodes which is ex- ternally distinguished from Corylophus by the antennae having 11 joints (9 in Cory- lophus) by the small thorax with the posterior angles either obtuse or rectangular (produced and acute in Corylophus), and by the elytra being much broader than the thorax. The mouth parts are said to differ strikingly in the two genera but are not described. The new genus includes Corylophus marginicollis and tnincatus from North America, two species from the Sandwich Islands and a number of species from Central America, the old genus Corylophus being restricted to the two European species and a third from the Atlantic Islands. E. A. SCHWARZ. Commenced in l'apilio, Vol. IV, p. 155. ' Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, XXII. Dec. 1885, p. 160. - i97— A generic Synopsis of the Hymenopterous family Chalcididae. By L. O. Howard. As an endorsement of the plan adopted by the editor of Entomo- logica Americana 1 present the following synopsis of one of the families of parasitic Hymenoptera which I have been studying in a somewhat de- sultory manner for the past few years In it I lay no claim to originality'; but present it as a simple compilation from Foerster, Thomson, Mayr, Walker, Halliday, Cameron, Rondani and other writers. I do not con- fine it to American genera ft;r the obvious reason that the family has been so little studied in this country, that European genera new in America will be recognized almost every day by the student. I have followed Dr. Williston's synopses in marking with an asterisk all genera which have not up to this date been found in America north of Mexico. I shall preface the consideration of each sub-family, where practicable, with a statement of works of ieterence. I would remind those who have occa- sion to use these tables that they will find a tolerably complete list of the species so far described in North America in Bulletin 5 of the Division of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and take this occasion to call attention to the only important omission so far discovered in this list, namely, the nineteen species of Chalcididae described by l'Abbe L. Provancher in his "Petite Faune Entomologique de Canada". I much regret having inadvertently omitted these species. I shall carry my synop- sis in this number only to the twenty sub-families into which the family is naturally subdivided. The style of arrangement which I have adopted is used at the suggestion of Mr. Cresson and to enable him to readily in- corporate this work with his synopsis of the whole order Hymenoptera, which