^ c^ ^mmus), birch (Bctula). Found from the latter part of July to about the middle of Seotember. Single brooded. Subterraneous. PREPARATORY STAGES OF CATOCALA RELICTA, Walk. BY HOWARD L. CLARK, PROVIDENCE, R. I. Egg. — Shape of flattened sphere. Diameter, 1 mil. Color, brownish slate. There are thirty-six vertical ribs, each alternate one only reaching the apex ; and numerous horizontal parallel striations. The eighteen ribs which reach the apex there unite with the horizontal lines, forming an irregular network. Duration of this period 241 to 246 days. Young Larva. — Length, 7 mil. Body very slender and geometrid- like, the two anterior pairs of pro-legs rudimentary. The two posterior pairs fully developed. Crawl with a very rapid looping movement. Head ochreous, large and prominent, with minute black piliferous spots. Color 18 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. of body light translucent green, in some cases inclining to olive. Five longitudinal lines are faintly indicated in shades of the prevailing color. These markings and the green color becoming more pronounced in the course of a day or two. Small black tubercles, each with a single black hair, distributed somewhat irregularly over the body. A dark oval ventral spot on each segment. Duration of this period five days. After First Moult. — Length 10 mil. Form much as before, the head perhaps a trifle less prominent. Hairs and tubercles the same, and the anterior pro-legs still undeveloped. Head light straw color, with three or four indistinct wavy brown vertical streaks on each lobe. Immediately after shedding the skin, the body appears of an uniform light straw color, nearly concolorous with the head, with three narrow brownish 4 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. described in some degree above, the greatest change occurring at the fourth moult. Boisduval, in Lep. de l'Amer., gives a Plate of Caesonia, with larva and pupa, copied from one of Abbot's unpublished sheets. This larva is roughly done, but shows the phase which has a yellow and a black stripe on each segment. The text says the larva feeds on many kinds of Tri- fulium and Glycine, and also Tagetes papposa. [n the latter part of the summer and in the fall the females of this soecies are apt to be more or less suffused with rose-pink on under side of hind wing, and about apex of fore wing, and occasionally the male shows something of this at base of hind wing, and around the margins of both wings. Mr. Rowley writes: "The females with red under the wings do not occur at all in the early summer broods. I took scores of butterflies this season in late April, all through May, June and July, and discovered not a streak on one of them. The first examples with red were taken in August. In September they were more numerous, while nearly every female of late October and November were either heavily streaked or solidly red below. I have yet to see a red under-wing of earlier date than August. The feature is surely a seasonal one." NOTES ON THE GENUS COLIAS. BY H. H. LYMAN, M. A., MONTREAL. The discovery by Mr. W. H. Edwards that Colias Hagenii is only a form of C. Eurytheme, as detailed in the Canadian Entomologist for September, while very interesting in itself, serves also to show that this genus is still in a very unsatisfactory state. That a form which so closely resembles PJiilodicc that nine entomologists out of ten would take it for that species, should turn out to be a variety of Eurytheme, emphasizes Dr. Hagen's statement " that reliable differences between these two well known forms are still a want." Mr. Edwards has also come to the con- clusion that Hagenii is the same as the form previously named C. Eriphyle by him, as detailed in the November number of the Canadian Entomologist. A glance at the history of this form will be found interesting. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 25 In 1873, Mr. G. R. Crotch collected a number of butterflies at Lake Labache, in British Columbia, among which were a number of specimens which Mr. Edwards seems to have regarded as Colias Philodice, as men- tioned in Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc, v.. p. 15. Subsequently on page 202 of the same volume, he described these specimens as a new species under the name of C. Eriphyle. In the same place he said that a Colias similar to this had been taken by Mr. Mead, in Colorado, and by Dr. E. Coues, in Montana, and had been referred to by Mr. Reakirt as Philodice, but was, he thought, nearer to Eriphyle than to Philodice. The question now arises as to how these discoveries affect the standing of other so-called species of Colias, for it would seem that some of these forms are like children's tin soldiers set near together, in which if you knock down one, a whole row is laid low. In But. N. A., vol I., plate 15, C. Eur y theme var. Keewaydin is ex- cellently illustrated as a distinct species, as it was then believed to be by a number of eminent entomologists, and one figure — No. 7 — depicts a greenish-yellow form with rather pale margins, which is certainly strik- ingly unlike the ordinary type of Keewaydin^ but which was believed by Mr. Edwards to be merely a variety of that form. In the text, page 50, it is described as follows : " Variety A. t . Upper side pale yellow with a very slight tinge of orange on disk of primaries ; sometimes wholly without orange and then uniform lemon yellow ; the marginal borders also very pale (Fig. j.) " On page 51 the following extract from a letter of Mr. Henry Edwards is given : " I may notice that the flight of the new species is much more rapid and varied than that of Eurythemc : * * that the only variety which appears in the latter is in the case of the albino female, while the male of the new species is constantly subject to run into the lemon yellow variety, which, however, is rarely so well defined as in the specimen I send you." [Figured in plate.] Subsequently Mr. Edwards ascertained that Keewaydin was only a form of Eury theme, as was also Ariadne, which had been described as a distinct species in 1870, and he accordingly published in Part vii. of second volume of But. N. A. (pi. 21, pp. 103-116) a very full account of Eurythemc and its forms Keewaydin and Ariadne. In the course of this most interesting account he said : " It ( Eurytheme) occupies with Philodice the whole of the United States and 26" THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. much of British America, and like that species, which it resembles in every respect but in color, it is subject to great and extreme variation, there being no feature whether of size or ornamentation that is not unstable." At the close of this notice he said '(page 116): "The butterfly figured on Plate of Keewaydin, in vol. i., as No. 7, supposed to be a variety of that species, is regarded by Mr. Henry Edwards as distinct, and has recently been described by him as C. Harfordii" C. Harfordii was described from seven males by Mr. Henry Edwards, in 1877, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sci., and at the same time C. Barbara was described from two females, but subsequently he came to the conclusion that they belonged to the same species, in which opinion Mr. W. H. Edwards acquiesced. In "Papilio," in., p. 160 (1883) Mr. W. H. Edwards described Col i as Hagenii, and said of it that it was close to Eriphyle and lay between Philodice and Eurytheme, "the four species making a sub-group." In Can. Ent., xix., p. 174, Mr. Edwards said: " Hagenii is known to fly throughout the Rocky Mountain region, from Colorado to British America. * * and I think it probable the yellow form accompanies the orange over much of the territory occupied by the latter. On the plains to the east of the mountains these would have been regarded as Philodice by collectors. The yellow male figured in' But. N A., vol. i., on plate of Colias Keewaydin, fig. 7, is Hagenii, a very small example." Now if this same much abused butterfly, known as fig. 7, is both Harfordii, of which, as I have mentioned, Barbara is a variety, and also Hagenii, and if taken east of the mountains would be regarded as Philodice, and that Hagenii is Eurytheme and also Eriphyle, it must follow not only that Eurytheme, Eriphyle, Hagenii, Harfordii and Barbara are one and the same species, but also that it becomes extremely difficult to separate Philodice from the same group. In con- nection with this it should be remembered that at least two well marked specimens of Eurytheme have been taken in this Province, one, a female, at Quebec, by the late Mr. Bowles, and another, a male, at Montreal, by Mr. C. W. Pearson, and that specimens of Philodice slightly suffused with orange do occasionally occur. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 2? I am, however, not prepared to follow Dr. C. V. Riley in his sugges- tion that these two forms should be united. The December number of the Canadian Entomologist contains another paper by Mr. Edwards announcing a further reduction of species in this genus by the recognition of C. Edwardsii as a variety of C. Alexandra. This reduction will, I venture to think, be followed by others, which will considerably curtail our list of species in this genus, for in view of all these discoveries it becomes impossible to believe that Occidentalis, Chrysomelas, Emilia, Interior, Scudderii, Pelidne, Palceno, Chippewa and Boothii are all distinct species. It would of course be rash to try and indicate in what way the reduc- tion is likely to take place, but I am inclined to believe with Dr. Hagen that Emilia will prove to be a variety of Alexandra, and that Chippewa will be united with Palceno. There are, of course, several well-marked forms other than those above mentioned which will probably maintain their positions as distinct species, as for instance Meadii, unless it should prove to be a variety of Hecla, as Strecker has suggested ; Christina, which I believe to be thoroughly distinct, but I do not think that the name Astrcea should be retained at all, as I have a ^ supposed to be that form which I obtained from Mr. Gamble Geddes, whose specimens were determined by Mr. Edwards, and which agrees exactly with what I consider the typical orange female of Christina; Nastes, from which Moina seems to be dis- tinct, but may probably prove to be a variety, and Behrii, which is cer- tainly distinct from any other American species. Unfortunately some of these species are only found in very remote localities, and it will, I fear, be many a long day before their life histories are worked out, if indeed, of the arctic ones, they ever can be. Let us, however, hope that the enterprising and hardy race which will result from the colonization of our mighty Northwest Territories may produce scientists who will yet push their way into the arctic regions of this con- tinent in their search after knowledge, and succeed in wresting nature's secrets from her. 28 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. PREPARATORY STAGES OF CATOCALA DESPERATA, Guen. BY G. H. FRENCH, CARBONDALE, ILL. Eggs. — Diameter, .04 of an inch ; low conoidal, the edges of the base rounded ; striated, fifteen of the striae reaching the micropyle, sixteen more that do not reach the apex, though but few of these are only half length ; shallow transverse striae. Color dull brownish olive. Duration of this period 201 days. Young larva. — Length, .15 inch; cylindrical, slender, shape like others of the genus, a looper from the abortion of first two pairs of pro- legs. Color of dorsum and head smoky, the head the darkest, pale between the joints ; sides a little paler than the back, with three fine dark red lines. Towards the last of this stage the color is more of a whitish olivaceous with a slight pinkish tinge, and the head and top of joint 2 brownish. Duration of this period 10 days. After 1st moult — Length, .35 inch ; shape much as before. Color, purplish black ; four white stripes tinged with the ground color, the two upper blending on joint 2, the lower situated below the stigmata ; venter pale with purple black spots in the middle of the joints ; head striped with broken whitish lines ; thoracic feet pale. Towards the last of this stage the black stripes are separable into a paler center and a darker border line ; the pale a little lilac tinted. Duration of this period 7 days. After 2nd moult. — Length, .85 inch. Colors much as before, four dark and five light stripes, the pale of the dorsum making a pale stripe, each stripe double ; the pale stripes are lilac color, but the two dark stripes on the dorsum have prominent darker patches in the dark border- ing lines on the posterior part of joints 4 and 5, and some on the joints back of these, being a spreading of these lines towards the centre of the body, so that between the two there is only a fine lilac line. Piliferous spots black, but so small as to be scarcely perceptible ; head about as during preceding stage ; venter with a prominent black patch on middle of each joint. Duration of this period 3 days. After 3rd moult. — Length, 1.35 inches. Developing more into the usual Catocala larva shape, slightly flattening and fusiform. Striped as before, but paler ; ground color, pale lilac ; the bordering lines to the stripes black, broken into dots and short bars, the central part of the stripes mottled with black, the mottling in the dark stripes heavier than THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. -■' in the light stripes, the one on each side near the subdorsal region with the black patches on the posterior part of joints as before, the patch on joint 5 filling the whole stripe, the next a little pale in the centre, those back of joint 6 a little darker than the anterior part of the joint in the same region ; between the stripes a pale red line : piliferous spots small, orange ; hairs gray. Head dull pale purplish red, marked longitudinally with yellowish white broken stripes, more yellowish towards the mouth. Lateral fringe white, well developed. Legs white, mottled with pale purplish red. Venter white, with large black patches on all the joints. Duration of this period 5 days. After 4th moult. — Length, 1.60 inches; lateral fringe long, profuse, reaching the ends of the prolegs ; head oblique and flattened slightly as in other species. Marked and colored much as before, but more of a pinkish shade. Ground color pale lilac, the stripes as before, even to the arrangement of the black spots on the dark subdorsal stripes ; the dark stripes are made dark by mottlings that are mostly black dots, the light stripes are equally mottled, but the mottlings in the centre are dark red- dish purple ; in the paler edges — being the dividing lines of the preceding stage — is a line of purplish red dots ; the dark part of the pale stripes is narrower than the dark stripes, though this dark part and the pale bordering line are altogether wider than the dark stripes. . Joint 9 is not elevated, but is black shaded on posterior part, the shading extending down the sides and into the anterior part of joint 10. Piliferous spots orange, their bases the ground color; those on joints 5 to 13 larger than on joints 2 to 4, each tipped with a short black hair. Head purplish gray, marked with dull white stripes that are made up of dots, some orange spots on the vertex with a black hair in the centre of each, these orange spots in line with the dark subdorsal stripes, the spots contiguous so as to make a short line. Lateral fringe of the same color as the body ground color. Venter white, black patches on all the joints Duration of this period 1 1 days. After 5th moult.' — Length, 1.9c inches. Color and markings about the same as before, a pale lilac ground color with stripes composed of black dots giving a grey appearance,, the ground color of the dark stripes being a little darker than that of the light, the light and dark stripes being now nearly the same color; instead of a black patch in the dark stripe, each side of the dorsal stripe between joints 5 and 6, and 6 and 7, 3(1 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST there is a patch of clear pale olive, without black dots ; the dark stripes on posterior part of joint 9 olive tinted, giving the joint a darker shade. Head striped longitudinally with dull lilac and white, the latter broken and irregular ; the top has the lilac replaced by black, with the orange dots of the preceding stage present ; a short black stripe on each side from the clypeus. Venter white, the joints bearing legs with black patches tinted with orange, the others with orange patches. Piliferous spots the ground color, but a little rose tinted. Mature larva. — Length 2.50 inches, width of middle of body .30 inch, of head .20 inch; depth of middle of body .25 inch, of head .15 inch. Color characters the same as at the beginning of period ; the three anterior ocelli black, the three posterior brown. Duration of this period 15 days. Chrysalis. — Length from .90 to .95 inch ; lateral diameter, through joint 5, .33 to .35 inch ; dorso-ventral diameter, through the same joint, .28 to .30 inch ; the cause of the difference being a lateral expansion of the wing cases ; only a slight dorsal depression on joint 1 (referring of course to the abdominal joints) ; length of tongue and wing cases .60 to .65 inch, both extending to posterior part of joint 5 : from joint 5 taper- ing regularly to the posterior part of the terminal joint, this ending abruptly in the cremaster ; anterior part rounded, this and the tongue and wing cases moderately corrugated or wrinkled ; abdominal, joints punc- tured ; the whole covered with a white or glaucous secretion. Duration of this period 28 to 30 days. In this species, as in most I have bred, the eggs continue to hatch for several days after the first ones emerge from the shell, these later speci- mens being so much later in their pupation and in their other changes, when the hatching is not too long delayed. In some cases these belated examples are weaker than the earlier ones, and either die before reaching maturity, or produce smaller or imperfect imagines. For these reasons I have given the changes and characters of the earlier individuals. I be- lieve, however, that in the woods the delayed hatching produces the late specimens that are to be found in good condition in September and often later. The eggs from which these observations were made were obtained October 29, 1886, by confining a dilapidated female with hickory bark and leaves, the supposed food plant. They began to hatch April 21, 1887, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 31 when the hickory leaves began to expand. This would give the egg period 201 days. They began to spin June 11, giving a larval period of 51 days. With a pupal period of 28 days, we have a period of 79 days from the egg to the imago, or 280 days from the egg to the same. It is evident from my date of obtaining the eggs that they were obtained from one of the latest specimens, and that eggs from one of the earlier moths would add one or two months to the egg period, as there is evidently only one brood in a season of any of our species of Catocalee. The food plant, as given before, is hickory. When ready to spin they fastened leaves together in the breeding cage, preferring seemingly the dry leaves under the fresh food. Several spun under a leaf lying on the dirt in the bottom of the box, fastening bits of sand together for the bot- tom of the cocoon and this to the leaf. These points would seem to im- ply that they do not spin on the tree, but in the dry leaves under the tree on the ground. This is further corroborated by several years ago finding a chrysalis in leaves on the ground under a hickory tree, that produced C. Flcbilis. The cocoon, like the other species, is but slight, with the hooks of the cremaster fastened into the posterior end. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW HEMILEUCA. BY W. G. WRIGHT, SAN BKRNARDINO, CAL. Hemileuca Californica, n. s. Expanse, $, 2.40-2.50; Sm. Tortricidia testacea, Pack. Ichthyura inversa, Pack. albosigma, Fitch. Datana ministra, Drury. Nadata gibbosa, Walker. Prionia bilineata, Pack. Actias luna, Linn. Platypteryx genicula, Grote. arcuata, Walk. Dryopteris rosea, Walk Eacles imperialis, Drury. Anisota stigma, Fabr. senatoria, A. & S. virginiensis, Drury. Dryocampa rubicunda, Fab. Clisiocampa disstria, Hubn. Microcoelia diphteroides, Guen. obliterata, Grote. Bryophila lepidula, Gr. Chytonix palliatricula, Guen. Dipthera fallax, H. S. Ccelodasys unicornis, A. &* S. Hepialus thule, Strk. Apatela dissecta, G. & R. grisea, Walk. Agrotis Normaniana, Grote. Mamestra, distincta, Grote. Hadena mactata, Guen fractilinea, Grote. Oligia versicolor, Gr. Anytus sculptus, Gr. Oncocnemis occata, Grote. Prodenia flavimedia, Plarvey. Gortyna, sera, G c^ R. nictitans, Borkh. immanis, Guen. cataphracta, Grote. nebris, Guen. rutila, Guen. Achatodes zeae, Harr. Arzama obliquata, G. 6° R. Heliophila pallens, Linn. Harvey i, Grote. phragmitidicoln, Grote. lapidaria, Grote. adonea, Grote commoides, Guen, unipuncta, Haw, pseudargyrio, Guen. Ufeus satyricus, Grote. Caradrina multifera, Walk. Pyrophila pyramidoides, Guen. Treniocampa furfurata, Gr. Parastichtis gentilis, Grote. Ipimorpha pleonectusa, Grote, Nolaphana malana, Fitch. Aletia argillacea, Hubn, Marasmalus histrio, Grote. Calpe Canadensis, Beth. Plusia contexta, Grote. Putnami, Grote. biloba, Steph. viridisignaio, Grote.. mortuorum, Guen. Plusia ampla, Walk. Lygranthcecia rivulosa, Gitcn, Anthoecia arcifera, Git en. Spraguei, Gr. Anarta cordigera, Thunb. Tarache candefacta, Hubn. erastrioides, Guen. Eustrotia albidula, Guai. muscosula, Gitcn. Celiptefa frustulum, Gitcn. Phoberia atomaris, Hubn. Remigia latipes, Guen. Parthenos nubilis, Hubn. Catocala unijuga, Walk. faustina, Strecker. semirelicta, Grote. briseis, Edw. parta, Gitcn coccinata, Grote. ultronia, Hubn. concumbens, Walk. amatrix, Hubn. cara, Guen. ilia, Cram. neogama, Abb. &-' Sm. subnata, Grote. Meskei, Grote. antinympha, Hubn. palaeogama, var. pha- langa. palaeogama, Guen. habilis, Grote. Clintonii, Grote. fratercula, G. & 1 R. polygama, Guen. crataegi. Saund. arnica, Hubn. ilia, var, uxor, Guen. innubens, Guen. cerogama, Guen. serena, Ediv. similis, Edw. grynea, Cram. Panapoda rufimargo, Hubn. Erebus odora, Linn. Homoptera lunata, Drury. Saundersii, Beth. calycanthata,^//Lirby,i n 34. • 1 divisus, Lee, 1 n 35. Clerus sp/iegeus,Fab., 7 m 36. Ptilinus basalis ,? , Lee, 1 n '37. Ceruchus striatus, Lee, 2 ii 38. Asemum atrnm, Esch., 3 n 39. Tetropium velutinum, Lee ,2 >>. 40. Xylotrechus undiclatas, Say,i n 41. Rhagium lineatum, Oliv., 1 .1 42. Leptura obliterata, Hald., 1 n 43. ii chrysocoma, Kirby, 1 m 44. 11 scripta (var. a) Lee, 2 11 45. Syneta albida, Lee, 1 n 92 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 46. Haltica bimarginata,$>a.y,23 ex. 53. Anaspis atra,~Lec, Sex. 47. Phellopsis porcata, Lee, 1 n 54. u rufa, Say, 1 n 48. Eleodes cordata, Esch., 7 n 55. Eury genius campatiulatus, 49. Iphthimus serratus,Ma.nn.,s u Lee, 1 n 50. Platydema Oregonense, 56. Rhynchites bicolor, Fab., 3 n Lee, 4 n 57. Amnesia granicollis, Lee., 1 n 51. Helops pemitens, Lee., 1 n 58. Sciopithes obscurus, Horn, 1 11 52. Cistela variabilis (var. c) 59. Dorytomus luridus, Mann, 2 n Horn, 1 11 60. Orchestes cauus, Horn, 1 « While lying in the harbor of Victoria for a few hours, during which I did not have the privilege of going ashore to collect, I climbed to the main-top of the steamer, and while sitting at the cross-trees a specimen of Pachyta liturata, Kirby, came flying toward me and settled on my arm. It was promptly captured and tied in a corner of my handkerchief, and is now embodied in my collection. Numerous specimens of Melanophila longipes also came on board and sought refuge in the seams between the planking of the deck. I caught a dozen or more, and for two days after- wards, when fully six hundred miles off the coast, a stray specimen would now and then turn up upon the spray-swept deck of the vessel. The success which attended my efforts to collect at Nanaimo reveals the richness of the locality. I was absent from the steamer about two hours, from 7.30 a.m. until a little before 10 a. m. My collecting was all done in a little clearing made by an Indian for the purpose of planting a few rows of beans and potatoes. The area covered did not exceed 75 yards square. The sun was shining brightly, and about the trunks of the freshly fallen fir trees and under their bark the Buprestidse and Elateridas were particularly abundant. It was with pleasure that I recognized Tro- gosita virescens in this high northern latitude, as heretofore it has been represented in my collection mainly by specimens from Florida. Most of the specimens have dark blue elytra, but a few have the typical green. I trust at some future day to be able to explore patiently and thoroughly the length and breadth of Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia lying to the East and North. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 93 STRAY NOTES ON MYRMELEONID/E, P.art 4. BY DR. H. A. HAGEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS (Continued from vol. xx., page 74.) 8. Brachynemiiras Carrizonus Hag., n. sp. Yellow with black lines ; face yellow, above with a transversal narrow black band, separated by a yellow crescent from the antennas, and by a narrow yellow line between the antennas from the vertex ; a faint median black line goes from the black band nearly to the clypeus ; labrum yel- low ; palpi short, pale yellowish, maxillary with apical joint, cylindrical, black except on tip, the two preceding joints with a brownish mark in the middle ; labials a little longer, apical joint hirsute, black shining except on base, fusiform, thickened, the apical third thin, pointed ; on the inflated part an ocellus like spot. Antennae not fully as long as head and pro- thorax, strong, clavate, black, faintly annulated, the two basal joints shining brown below, yellow above, club luteous ; antennae of female shorter, club broader ; vertex elevated, rounded, yellow, before a yellow transversal band ; above two black transversal bands, the last one dilated behind on each side of the middle to a larger triangular or square spot ; one specimen with the anterior band interrupted in the middle. Prothorax little longer than broad, rounded before, yellow with four black longitu- dinal bands, the internals approximate ; space between the externals with a yellow band, or divided in two elongate spots ; the two externals some- times broader near the head, and a little divergent ; one specimen has the externals reaching only the transversal furrow. Mesothorax black, with two anterior yellow dots and some near the wings, two yellow angular bands divided from behind on the disk ; the hind part yellow with two black approximate anterior spots ; metathorax similar but the yellow pre- dominant ; sides of thorax black with yellow marks. Abdomen slender, of male longer than wings, very finely clothed with white hairs, black, the two basal segments above yellow with a broad black median band, the following similar, but the black band broader ; the last four segments black ; appendages pale with long black hairs, as long as the last segment, slender, a little incurved ; the last segment, below at the end with numerous long black hairs ; it can not be ascertained if among the hairs is a triangular plate ; abdomen of female a little shorter 94 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. than the wings, the yellow lateral marks on all segments ; genitals yellow, superiors split with two transversal rows of strong black spines ; below two very small cylindrical appendages. Legs short, yellowish, strongly sprinkled with black and with black hairs, tip of tibia, of third and apical joint of tarsus black, fourth entirely black ; spurs brown, incurved, as long as the two basal joints. Wings hyaline, pterostigma small, yellowish white, interiorly a dark dot ; only the last costals before it forked ; venation dark, largely inter- rupted with white ; along the mediana and submediana the costals marked with dark, also the base of the small forks on the apical and hind margin of the front wings. Length of body, male 35 m.m. ; female 25 m.m. ; exp. al., 45 to 50 m.m. Habit., Carrizo Springs, Dimmit Co., Texas, just on the border of Mexico ; two males, three females. It has the appearance of a smaller form of B. peregrimis. A larger male, length 38 m.m., exp. al. 60 m.m., is apparently just transformed, with the colors not yet finished, from Tusco, Arizona. I can not separate it from the Texan species. 9. Brachynemurus Sackeni Hag., n. sp. Yellow, variegated with black ; face yellow, with two oblique ovoid black spots near the antennae ; labrum yellow ; palpi brownish, maxillary with the last joint cylindrical ; labials little longer, last joint fusiform and black on the basal half, with a k\v hairs ; antennae longer than head and thorax, black, faintly annulated, clavate, more luteous on tip, below dull, the two basal joints brown shining ; vertex elevated, rounded, black with whitish hairs in front ; yellow with two lacerated black spots on top, which unite anteriorly, surrounding a median heart-shaped yellow spot, two yel- low dots behind it, sending to occiput on each side a fine black line ; a black dot near each eye. Prothorax as long as broad, yellow, with two black median lines, separated by a fine yellow line, which is enlarged behind ; on each side a black interrupted line, and a similar one shortly before the side margin, which is clothed with white hairs ; below a black band near the side margin ; mesothorax blackish-fuscous, on each side a yellow maculose band, and some dots ; besides three small black shining dots on each side ; the posterior middle part bright yellow, with three f THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 95 black dots behind, and two in the anterior corner similar to the ocellus- like spots of M. conspersa ; metathorax yellow, divided by black cross lines ; sides largely black ; thorax between the wings and legs black with many yellow spots and stripes. Abdomen of male slender, longer than wings, densely clothed with long black villosity ; black, each segment with a large yellow spot in middle, a yellow band at the apex, and a yellow band, except on the three last segments, on base ; appendages, long 4 m.m., full as long as the two last segments, thin, cylindrical, a little incurved, clothed with long black hairs ; between and below a short pyramidal tubercle with longer hairs. Abdomen of female similar, as long as the wings ; genitals with a row of black spines, appendages brownish. Legs very slender, short, pale, hairy, sprinkled with black, femur and tibia with a more or less distinct black ring at base and before tip ; tibia with the three last joints black at tip, fourth nearly entirely black ; spurs brown, as long as first joint. Wings slightly fumose ; pterostigma whitish after a darker spot ; only few of the costals forked before it ; venation black, largely interrupted with pale ; some transversals near the mediana and submediana, and the small forks near tip and hind margin more or less fumose ; hind wings less marked ; venation and hind margin villous. Length of body, male 35 m.m ; female 25 m.m. Exp. al. 40 to 50 m.m Habit. — Texas, Dallas, Boll, and Waco by Belfrage, May 3 to 7 ; June 10. California, San Francisco, O. Sacken and Austin; Tucson, Arizona. Seven males and two females. Two females from Colorado, sub-alpine, July, length 35 m.m.; exp. al. 58, can not be separated from the males, except the larger size; the description agrees fully, the legs and wings are stronger marked ; the abdomen is as long as the wings, the genitals with a row of strong black spines, the small appendages yellow. The greatest breadth of the wings is 9 m.m. where it is of the males only 6 m.m. 10. Brachynemurus longipalpis Hag., n. sp. Pale yellow, marked with black ; face very pale yellowish, with a small black median spot above ; sometimes between the eyes and the base of the antennae a faint black stripe and another one on the inner side of the base of the antennae ; labrum pale yellow ; maxillary palpi pale, of com- 96 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. mon size and shape ; the apical joint longer than the others, cylindrical, tip a little pointed, light brown ; labial palpi of unusual length, longer than the head, about 3 m.ra.; second joint about thrice the length of the last maxillary joint, much stronger, hairy, a little incurved, suddenly thick- ened above just before tip, where it is brownish ; last joint as long as the second, strongly clavate before the short, fine, cylindrical tip, hairy, yel- lowish inside, externally brown, blackish on the club. Antennae nearly as long as head and thorax, strong, thicker to tip, fuscous, annulated with yellowish, the two basal joints and basal half of antenna below yellowish ; vertex elevated, pale yellow, on top a transversal black line interrupted in the middle, where is a black spot, and a second transversal line formed by four black spots, besides some black dots near the occiput. Prothorax a little longer than broad, narrowed before and rounded ; pale with whitish villosity ; two fuscous longitudinal bands, approximate and reaching the ** front margin ; on each side, more distant, a fuscous band, ending in the transversal furrow with a black spot ; below along the side margin a black stripe ; mesothorax pale yellow with short black bands, forming three forks, open behind, and a similar on the hind middle part ; metathorax with a black cross ; sides of the thorax yellow, with a black maculose longitudinal band. Abdomen of male considerably longer than the wings, slender, with whitish villosity, intermixed with brown hairs on the apical half, fuscous below, above with a broad yellow band, divided by a fuscous line on the segments 1 to 4 ; a yellowish median line on the three last segments, and some lateral marks ; appendages very short, cylindrical, going downwards, a little divergent, yellow with a black stripe above, strongly clothed with black hairs. I can not find below them any middle part or plate. Abdomen of female as long as the wings, blackish-fuscous, with two yellow dorsal bands from the third segment to apex ; genitals light brown with a row of strong black spines ; below two short cylindri- cal appendages with long black hairs. Legs short, pale yellow, moderately sprinkled with black, with strong black spines and on the interior of the anterior femora with white spines ; tibia with a fine black ring near the base ; tip of tibia and all joints of tarsi black ; spurs brown, strong, as long or a little longer than the two basal joints. Wings hyaline, ptero- stigma white after a brown spot ; costals simple, a few forked before the pterostigma ; veins fuscous interrupted with pale, near the submediana fumose, forming a more or less visible longitudinal dark line ; near the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 97 hind margin and along the gradate veins parallel to tip slightly fumose ; venation and hind margin villous ; hind wings hyaline. Two females from Nevada have more variegated front wings ; nearly all the oblique veins below the submediana, the forks along the hind bor- der are more infumate, which makes the wing look strange ; the femurs of hind legs fuscous. Length of body, male 38 m.m.; female 26 m.m.: exp. al. 48 to 52 m.m. Hab., California, Cap San Lucas, by Xanthus de Vesey ; Humboldt Station, Nevada, July 29, by O.Sacken. Of the 9 specimens before me, 7 are from California (one female), all alike ; the two females from Nevada are stronger colored, but otherwise not different. The great length of labial palpi is a character not to be found in another species. NOTES ON LYCAENA PIASUS, Boisd. BY W. G. WRIGHT, SAN BERNARDINO, CAL. This is in California the first butterfly to emerge in the spring, appear- ing in February, though it is the accepted representative of the Eastern JVeg/ecta, which is not the first to appear there. Piasus is double brooded ; the second brood coming'in the latter part of April, and between it and the first brood a few days intervene when no Piasus are seen. Both broods are very fond of water, being always found on damp sands of wet places, and at the brookside crossings. They are also often seen feeding on willow blossoms. A large series gives a uniform expanse of 1.1 inch. I can detect no difference in the markings or size of the two broods. The larval food-plant of Piasus is the buds of Adenostoma fasci- culattim, an anomalous genus which has no representative, even approxi- mate, in the Eastern States. The Spanish name is " chamiso," which is Anglicized into " chemise." It is a heath-like plant, 4 to 6 feet high, re- sembling a juniper bush more than any other Eastern plant. Every part of it is brittle, dry, and rather resinous, burning freely when quite fresh and green. The leaves are very small, round like pine needles, and ever- green ; they grow all along the stems in little bunches or " fascicles," whence the specific name. The flowers are minute, profuse, in dense terminal racemes on the tips of the twigs, white, scarcely or not at all fragrant, though forming one of the chief sources of honey in the country, 98 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. and it is notable that while the plant is abundant and flowers so profusely as to whiten the landscape, the seeds have never been found. It grows upon the dry hillsides and covers uncounted square miles of waste land. This plant, growing at a distance from the usual haunts of Piasus, is that butterfly's food plant. While the flower buds are as yet but in their merest infancy, the female Piasus of the first brood deposits her eggs, ■ singly, on the bud and between it and the stem. The female of the second brood finds the flowers in blossom. The egg is white, round, flattened, with a depressed point in the center, like other Lycaena eggs. While Adenostoma is entirely foreign to any plant in the Atlantic States or Europe, it is placed by botanists in the Order Rosacaea, and among eastern plants those nearest it are : Alchemilla, "lady's mantle j" Agrimona, " agrimona," and Poterium, "burnet," though all of these are very unlike in appearance to Adenostoma. It is possible that the buds or the immature seeds of other Rosaceous plants might feed Piasus larvae, as cherry, plum, strawberry, etc. CORRESPONDENCE. WIND-VISITING MOTHS. Dear Sir: I have given in the Canadian Entomologist a pre- liminary list of those moths which do not breed continuously in our North American Territory, as defined by Leconte. It has been my theory ^ stated in numerous papers within the past fifteen or twenty years, that a number of species of moths, found as moths within our limits, are wind visitors. I have been at some pains to point out that the Cotton Worm Moth is, so far as the Central Cotton Belt is concerned and the territory north of this, only a summer breeder, and that it is winter-killed over the larger portion of our continent over which it flies. I ascertained, while in the employ of the Agricultural Department, that, on the coast of Georgia, the earlier or later appearance of the Cotton Worm depended, at least in some seasons, upon the average direction and force of the wind. No continued observations could be taken, but as the general course of the wind is from south to north during the summer, what I heard agreed with my previously published conclusions. My theory as to the Cotton Worm has been ingeniously covered up in his Reports by . THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 99 Prof. Riley, but I refer to my statements in print and to the fact that the line of continuous breeding is yet unfixed, while it is the primary object to be ascertained by practical entomologists. On page 56 of this volume, Mr. Smith "dissents from the idea" that certain Sphingidas or Hawk Moths determined from our territory by Mr. Edwards should be taken into our fauna in papers on our fauna. He demands that the right should be made clear by ascertaining that the insect breeds within our territory. I agree with Mr. Edwards that we should take all species found within our territory into our lists and treat them as belonging to our southern fauna, until it is proved that they do not breed with us ; and then with the remark that they do not breed, but are merely wind- visitors as moths. How can we pass over such a fact, as their being found with us, in silence? Again, seeing the large extent both of our territory and of our ignorance of the conditions under which our moths live, how can we pronounce whether or no these moths may not be summer breeders, or occasional breeders ? Who knows that Philampelus typhon does not breed seasonally in Arizona ? Mexican moths are probably more often found in Texas than we have yet any idea ; and Cuban in Florida. Mr. Roland Thaxter has bred the Spanish moth, Euthisanotia timais in Florida. This is quite a pronounced tropical form. The moth in numbers is beaten by the wind into the light-houses on the coast at least as far north as New Jersey, probably much higher up. We must keep a busy record of the habits of these moths to under- stand their geographical distribution and their habits. Any ignoring of them in monographic works will tell against the completeness of such works, while the moths, unhindered by the defects in our literature, will wing their way northward and become at least adopted citizens of our domains every summer. As to the Hawk Moths, the Blue and Green Hawk (labruscce) has been taken in Missouri and in New Jersey. Tropical species of the Owlet Moths allied to Erebus odora have been taken so far north as Wisconsin, coming up the valley of the Mississippi. I refer the student to my general paper on the Geographical Distribution of our Moths in these pages, and I earnestly hope that all our wind- visitors will be catalogued, described and put on record, since it seems to me we can get no complete picture of our fauna without them. The limit of their continuous breeding must be ascertained, as also of their summer migrations. Do not our ornithologists take into their works and 100 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. distinguish between continuous residents, summer breeders, and birds of passage ? These moths are our birds. The ornithologists have already a trinomial nomenclature, which we may come to use in time. After awhile the most self-important classificator will come to appreciate the fact, that the laws of Nature are of general application, and that the value of Natural Science is tested by its ability to broaden our views and widen our understanding. It is clear we must compare our results with those reached in other branches of Natural Science. A. R. Grote, Bremen, Germany. A RARE MOTH. Deai- Sir : Permit me, in the pages of your valuable journal, to record the capture here of an interesting moth, — the rare and beautiful Hepialus auratus, Grote. Towards the close of last July, while strolling through a cool shady ravine at Lancaster, near this city, I came upon my treasure resting upon the leaf of a wild gooseberry bush that grew on a knoll, surrounded by as rich a growth of vegetation as nature can well produce in this latitude. As it hung to the leaf with its wings steeply closed over its back, and the tip of its long body elevated, it was a very difficult object to detect ; and in the deep shade in which it occurred, greatly resembled a yellow, partially dead, leaf. The well known larvae of Grapta progne, which feed on this plant, derive perhaps some pro- tection from a similar coloring. May not this circumstance indicate the gooseberry as the food-plant of the golden Hepialus ? The type specimen of this species was taken by the late Mr. W. W. Hill in the Adirondacks, July, 1877, and was described by Mr. Grote in the Can. Ent., vol. x., page 18. As I find no reference to the capture of another example, I presume the present to be its second recorded occurrence. E. P. VanDuzee, Buffalo, N. Y. CELIPTERA BIFASCIATA, BATES. Dear Sir : Mr. John B. Smith has compared my types of Celiptera bifaseiata, described as a new species in the Can. Ent., May, 1886, page 94, and informs me that it is evidently identical with Pliurys vinculum, Guen. J. Elwyn Bates. Mailed May 2nd. <% Canadian (fetomotogisi VOL. XX. LONDON, JUNE, 1888. No. 6 DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME NEW NORTH AMERICAN CHALCIDID^E. BY WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Sub-family Entedonin^e. Astichus Forster. (1) Astichus arizonensis n. sp. £ . Length .04 inch. Steel blue, finely scaly, with a slight metallic tinge on thorax ; the knees and tarsi white. Antennae dark blue, the funicle joints excised, pedunculated, with whorls of very long hairs. Wings hyaline ; veins pale, the marginal vein very long. Hab. — Arizona. Holcopelte Forster. (2) Holcopelte missouriensis n. sp. % . Length .09 inch. Rather robust. Vertex of head, thorax and metathorax cupreous ; face, thorax beneath and at sides, and the abdo- men all blue. The scape of the antennas, excepting at tip, and all the legs, excluding the blue coxae, waxy white ; flagellum blue-black, pilose. The head is punctate, thorax and scutellum scaly, the latter longer than wide with a median groove ; metathorax with two delicate parallel keels. Abdomen petiolate, truncately rounded at apex, the second segment occupying most of its surface. Wings hyaline ; veins pale brown. Hab. — Missouri. (3) Holcopelte Popenoei n. sp. °. . Length .09 inch. All of the head, the thorax, mesopleura and coxse bright cupreous. Head and thorax punctate ; scutellum delicately scaly with a median groove. The scape of antennae, excepting at tip, and legs yellowish white ; flagellum cupreous. Abdomen as in H. 102 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. missouriensis, blue-black, with a slight aeneous tinge near the base, in certain lights. Wings hyaline ; veins pale. Hab. — Kansas. Prof. E. A. Popenoe. Both of the above species seem to approach quite closely to H. albipes Prov. (4) Holcopclte floridana n. sp. $. Length .08 inch. All black, shining, excepting a slight -aeneous tinge on thorax. The trochanters, apices of femora, all tibiae and tarsi, white. The head and thorax very delicately punctate ; scutellum smooth with a median groove. Abdomen petiolate, pointed ovate, the second segment occupying most of its surface, the following segments shprt, but all distinctly visible. Wings hyaline ; veins brown. Hab. — Florida. (5) Holcopelte microgaster n. sp. £. Length .05 inch. Blue-black, smooth. Scape of antennae, coxae and metathorax, distinctly blue. Funicie aeneous. The femora, except- ing tips, blue ; tibiae and tarsi white, the former with a brown blotch. Wings hyaline ; veins yellow. Hab. — Missouri. Reared from a Microgaster cocoon. Plcurotropis Forster. (6) Plcurotropis leucopus n. sp. % . Length .06 inch. Robust, coarsely scaly. Dark blue, excepting a slight metallic tinge on the thorax ; the apical tips of tibiae and all tarsi white. Metathorax short, with delicate keels. Abdomen broadly oval, the petiole very short, second and third abdominal segments nearly equal, the following segments shorter. Wings hyaline ; veins pale yellowish, postmarginal vein wanting. Hab. — Florida. Entcdon Dalman. (7) Entcdon albitarsis n. sp. g. $. Length .06 to .08 inch. Head, antennae and thorax, blue- black, vertex of head and mesothorax, aeneous, distinctly scaly. Abdo- men of female pointed ovate, in male linear ; it, as well as the legs steel THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 10 o blue ; tips of tibias and tarsi yellowish-white. Wings hyaline ; veins pale brown. Hab. — Virginia. (8) Entedon arizoncnsis n. sp. $. Length. 10 inch. Head, antennas and thorax, fiery cupreous. Head nearly smooth, vertex narrow ; thorax and scutellum very coarsely scaly. Abdomen ovate, black, very highly polished, the second segment occupying nearly the whole surface. Legs blue-black, the anterior and middle pairs with metallic tingings, the posterior pair all cupreous. Wings hyaline ; veins dark brown. Hab. — Arizona. (9) Entedo'i columbiana n. sp. $ . Length .07 inch. This species is very close to E. albitarsis, and may prove to be nothing but a variety of that species. It differs, however, in being much more robust, more coarsely punctate and in having the trochanters, extreme tips of femora, all white, as well as the tarsi, characters that will readily separate the species. Hab. — District of Columbia. Asecodes Forster. (10) Asecodes albitarsis n. sp. $. Length .08 inch. Blue-black, smooth, shining. Head and thorax with a decided brassy tinge. Scutellum smooth, metallic green. Antennae (?) seven-jointed, scape blue, flagellum metallic green, pilose. Legs, excepting the three basal joints of tarsi which are white, all blue or black. Wings hyaline ; veins brown, the postmarginal vein is slightly developed. Hab.— (?) Omphale Haliday. ■ (11) Omphale bicinctus n. sp. g. Length .09 inch. Stout, robust, cyaneous, delicately ripple marked. Head large, broader than the thorax. Eyes very large, brown. Antennae inserted low down on the face ; scape slender, yellow, excepting a dusky streak above near the apex ; joints of flagellum black, with long hairs. Legs, excepting coxae and femora which are black, all yellow. Abdomen pointed ovate, slightly longer than the thorax, the second 104 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST segment the longest, but extending hardly to half the length of the abdomen ; sides with some long hairs. Wings hyaline, with two trans- verse brown bands across the disk ; veins pale brownish, the post- marginal vein longer than the stigmal. Hab. — Florida. Closterocerus Westwood. (12) CIosteroce?-us cinctipennis n. sp. £. Length .04 inch. Head, pleura, sternum, metathorax and abdomen blue ; collar, mesothorax and scutellum golden green, strongly punctate. Head emarginate in front and consequently very thin antero- posteriorly. Antennae brown-black, hairy. Legs brown, trochanters, tips of tibiae and tarsi pale or whitish. Wings hyaline, fringed with long hairs, forewings with a brown band extending across the stigmal region and another at the apical margin. Hab.— U. S. Sub-family Tetrastichiiue. Anozus Forster. (13) Anozus siphonopJwrcc n. sp. £ . Length .04 inch. Black, smooth, shining, impunctured. Head transverse, very thin antero-posteriorly, front deeply emarginated. Antennas black, (broken). Thorax transverse, collar not visible from above ; mesothorax broader than long, parapsidal furrows, deep ; scutellum large, smooth, convex, without grooves, broad at base, the scapula? being very minute ; metathorax short ; pleura blue-black. Abdomen sessile ovate, yellowish at base. All coxae black ; trochanters, tips of femora and tibiae, and all tarsi, yellowish. Wings hyaline ; veins pale brown, the marginal vein is very thick and about as long as the submarginal, the stigmal and postmarginal veins not developed, wanting. Described from one specimen reared from an Aphis, siphonophera sp. Euderus Haliday. (14) Euderus columbiana n. sp. °. . Length .10 inch. Dull brown, or bronzy green, its whole sur- face including the abdomen strongly confluently punctate. Head trans- verse, not wider than the posterior part of mesothorax and with only a slight antennal groove in front. Antennae about as long as the thorax, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 105 eight jointed ; scape slender, yellowish brown; flagellum dark brown, about twice as long as the scape, pubescent, the pedicel shorter than the first funicle joint, the latter joint the longest, about twice as long as wide, the following joints being not much longer than wide, sub-moniliform. Thorax : collar transverse, rounded before ; mesothorax with parapsidal grooves well defined ; scutellum longer than wide, without grooves, rounded behind, sides parallel. Abdomen conic ovate, cylindric, one- third longer than head and thorax together, the segments of nearly equal length. Legs dark brown, trochanters, knees, fore and middle tibiae, and all the tarsi honey-yellow, hind tibiae dusky in the middle. Wings hyaline, fringed with short ciliae ; the veins brown, the marginal is twice the length of the submarginal, the stigmal short, while the postmarginal is wanting. Hab. — Florida and District of Columbia. Hyperteles Forster. (15) Hyperteles hylotomcc n. sp. £ . Length .08 inch. Dark blue, with a faint metallic lustre on thorax. Antennae eight-jointed, brown, pubescent, scape brownish- yellow, the joints of the flagellum are about twice as long as thick. Collar transverse, rounded before ; mesothorax with a median groove ; scutellum with two parallel grooves ; metathorax with three keels. Abdomen oval- rotund. Legs pale brownish-yellow, excepting the femora, which are blue for two-thirds their length ; tarsi pale. Wings hyaline, pubescent, veins pale brown, the marginal vein about twice the length of the submarginal, stigmal vein longer than usual, postmarginal wanting. Hab. — Canada. Described from three specimens sent to me by Mr. W. Hague Har- rington, who reared them from the eggs of a saw-fly Hylotoma sp. Aprostocetus Westwood. (16) Aprostocetus granulatiis n sp. °_ . Length .07 inch. Black, with a coarse, scaly punctation. Antennae, including scape, brown, pubescent. Thorax ovoid, the parap sides distinct, the collar very short, rounded before, the scutellum longer than wide with two grooves on its disk. The abdomen is pointed ovate, longer than head and thorax together, depressed above, rounded below, with an exserted ovipositor, nearly half its length. Legs dark honey- 106 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. yellow, femora and the tibiae at base brownish. Wings hyaline, pubes- cent and ciliated, the pubescence brown, the venation as in Tetrastichus. Hab. — Florida. Described from one specimen. (17) Aprostocetus canadensis n. sp. %. Length to tip of ovipositor .08 inch; ovipositor .02 inch. Dark blue, with a slight aeneous tinge on the thorax. Head emarginated in front, and very thin antero-posteriorly. Eyes brown. Antennas shorty eight-jointed, brown, pilose. Collar short, transverse, rounded before ; mesothorax with distinct, deep parapsidal grooves and a median groove. Abomen linear not quite twice as long as the thorax, concave above, keeled below, the ovipositor being not quite two-thirds as long as the abdomen. Legs honey-yellow, the femora, excepting at tips, blue ; the tibiae with a brown blotch in the middle, more distinct on the posterior pair ; apical tarsal joints brownish. Wings hyaline, almost devoid of pubescence ; the venation as in the genus Tetrastic/ius. Hab. — Canada. Described from two specimens sent me by Mr. W. Hague Harrington, who reared them from the thistle (?) cecidomyia, along with Solcnottis Fletchcri, on which it may be a secondary parasite and from which it is with difficulty distinguLed. Solenotus, however, has a larger collar and very broad, thick fore femora and tibiae. (18) Aprostocetus americanus n. sp. °_ . Length to tip of ovipositor .09 inch ; length of ovipositor alone .03 inch. Smooth, shining black Head emarginated in front and very thin antero-posteriorly. Antennae eight-jointed, brown, the club wider than the funicle joints. Thorax : collar very short, transverse ; parapsidal grooves deep, distinct and no median groove on the mesonotum. Scu- tellum convex, slightly longer than wide, with two parallel grooves on the disk. Abdomen sessile, long, linear, without the ovipositor about twice as long as the head and thorax together, very slightly widened just before apex and from thence acuminate and ending in a long ovipositor two- thirds its length, above depressed, below keeled with a few long hairs surrounding apex. Legs honey-yellow, the femora, excepting at tips, brown, the terminal joints of anterior and middle tarsi and the two THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 107 terminal joints of posterior tarsi, brown. Wings hyaline, with short cilia? ; venation as in Tetrastiches. Hab.— U. S. Sub-family Trichogrammin^e. Trichogramma Westwood. (19) Trichogramma acuminatum n. sp. Female, length .03 ; male, .02 inch. Honey-yellow; eyes purplish- brown ; legs pale or white. The abdomen in the female is acuminate- ovate, about twice as long as the head and thorax combined, with a lateral and a ventral row of five or six brown spots. In the male the abdomen is obtuse behind, not longer than the head and thorax com- bined. Antenna? pilose. The wings are strongly ciliate, the fore pair broadly rounded with a dusky blotch beneath the stigma, the hind pair rather narrowed and pointed at apex. Described from two female and one male specimens, reared from a corn-leaf, and probably parasitic on the eggs of some leaf miner. (20) Trichogramma nigrum. Female. Length .02 inch. Robust, black, polished. Antenna? short, stout, brown. Legs entirely white. The scutellum is rather high testaceous, the extreme tip white. The abdomen is sessile ovate, not longer than the head and thorax, its dorsum somewhat flat. Wings hyaline, as in T. acuminatum without, however, the small blotch beneath the stigma ; veins brownish ; tegula? white. Described from two specimens. (21) Trichogramma ccrcsarum n. sp. Female. Length nearly .04 inch. Reddish-yellow, rather slender. Eyes brown. Abdomen and posterior femora fuscous, the fore and middle femora pale brown ; tibia? and tarsi pale The thorax is trian- gular in front ; the abdomen not longer than the thorax but wider. Wings hyaline, as in T nigrum, but with very strong violet reflections. Described from two specimens reared from the eggs of the Membracid Ceresa bubulus Say. 108 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. PREPARATORY STAGES OF CATOCALA PAL^EOGAMA, Guen. BY G. H. FRENCH, CARBONDALE, ILL. Egg. — Diameter .04 inch, low conoidal, a prominent bulging ridge round the base of one half of a hundredth of an inch on each side, so that inside of this the egg is .03 inch ; striated with 38 prominent long- itudinal striae, of which 1 2 reach the small micropyle, shallow transverse striae ; apex small, not depressed. Color dull, pale, brownish olive. Duration of this period not known, bul at least 194 days. Young Larva. — Length .12 inch, of the usual Catocala shape, loopers on account of the first and second pairs of pro-legs being small ; pale brownish yellow, joints 5 and 6 dark, somewhat blackish, joints 7 and 8 whitish, 9 and 10 blackish again; a faint fine red line on each side of body, very short hairs from the pelifirous spots. Duration of this period three days. After 1 st Moult.— Length .20 inch. Color reniform pale whitish, slightly brown tinted, head darker, a red line on each side with a broken line above it and another below it, of the same color, on the ventre a round red spot on the middle of each joint. Duration of this period four days. After 2nd Moult. — Length .28 inch. On the sides are four rather broad, dark reddish purple stripes, alternating with pale greenish ones, these dark stripes approaching on joint 2 so that there is here only a narrow dorsal light line, the upper line indistinct ; from joint 2 the dorsum widens out in pale greenish so that in the middle of the body this color extends to the region of the subdorsum, its outer part containing the upper part of the lateral stripe which is here broken and of a purplish areen color. The dorsum from joint 5 to 10 has in its centre a series of very narrow elliptical pale purplish green spots extending from the middle of each joint to the middle of the next one back. Pilifirous spots small and black, head mottled with irregular longitudinal purplish black and pale greenish markings, the purple on joint 2 being of the same color but a little paler on its back part. Ventre with spots of the same dark color in the centres of the joints ; feet pale. Toward the close of this period the larvae turn darker, many of them being as dark on the whole of the dorsum as on the thoracic segments at the beginning of the period, this color purplish black, with a fine whitish dorsal line ; all of them THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 109 darker than at the beginning of the period. Duration of this period six days. After 3rd Moult. — Length .85 inch. Marked very much as in the preceding stage, stripes and mottlings purplish black, this color enough paler in the middle of the body to be purple, and jet black at the extremities, the two blending into each other and arranged in fine long- itudinal stripes, each of which has a paler centre but which is not so pale as the alternating whitish stripe ; the dorsum paler than the sides. Piliferous spots more prominent, black, the very short hairs black ; head striped with broken white lines as before ; ventral spots prominent only on the middle joints ; thoracic feet pale. The lateral fringe begins to show. Duration of this period three days. After 4th Moult. — Length 1.20 inches. Striped with black very much as before, but each stripe composed of three indistinct lines, making the body pale on joints 5 to 8 and the anterior part of joint 9 and the pos- terior part of joint 10, the rest of the joints darker; the light shade is lilac tinted with a yellow tinge between the joints from the middle of the body back ; joints 2 and 13 so dark as to obliterate the stripes. Head striped as before, but the dark is orange shading into black towards the mouth ; legs orange ; pilifirous spots on the dorsum black with yellow at the base, the lateral ones yellow ; the hairs on the dorsum black, on the sides and head pale yellowish ; a black transverse patch on joint 9 between posterior pair of dorsal piliferous spots ; eyes black ; ventre pale yellow, a yellowish black spot in the middle of each joint ; the substig- matal stripe not separable into lines but irregularly mottled. Duration of this period five days. After 5th Moult. — Length 1 60 inches. Color pale purplish red mottled with black, in some more or less of a yellowish tint, rather dis- tinctly arranged in five light and four dark stripes, the mottlings being thicker in the dark stripes, the pale stripes with darker centres, the outer edge of the pale being almost free from black but mottled in shades of red ; the dorsal stripe with the dark in ellipses that have their broadest part between the joints ; piliferous spots on joint 2 pale yellowish, almost white, tipped with black ; those on joint 3 to 4 white ; those on the dorsum of the other joints dark yellow, pale at base ; those on the sides pale yellowish ; the posterior pair of dorsals on joint 1 2 very much enlarged ; all large and prominent, each with a short black hair ; joint 9 110 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. has a dark patch on the posterior part of the dorsum. Head pale reddish, the same shade as the red ground color, marked with irregular longitu- dinal rows of white dots ; feet pale red ; ventre pale yellow with black centres to the joints, those at the anterior and posterior parts of the body small. At this time there is a distinct fringe of fleshy appendages on the sides. Mature Larva. — Length 2.75 inches ; cylindrical, tapering slightly to either extremity, with short lateral fringe. Marked as at the beginning of the period with seven longitudinal stripes from stigmata to stigmata, the lower dark one stigmatal, below this the space to the fringe the same color as the dorsal stripe, making the nine stripes mentioned before. The stripes are very nearly the same color, the only difference being that the dark ones have a little more of the black mottling than the pale ones ; the stripes are divided by narrower stripes or broad lines of the ground color, which is dull, pale, smoky red. The thoracic joints are a little darker than the others. Piliferous spots pale nankeen, the dorsal tipped with orange ; the space between the posterior dorsals on joint 9 black, only a little elevated; the posterior pair on joint 12 about three times as large as the others ; each tipped with a very short black hair. Head, the ground color striped with reddish white that consists of transversely elongated dots ; feet the ground color ; fringe white ; ventre pale yellow a black patch on each joint. Duration of this period seven days. Chrysalis. — Length 1.10 inches, depth .35 inch, width .40 inch; cylindrical, tapering from joint 5 back ; tongue and wing cases extending back to the posterior part of joint 5, tongue case as far back as wing case ; abdominal joints moderately punctured, anterior part of each a little cor- rugated ; head moderately rounded. Color chestnut brown, covered with a white powder as is usual. Duration of this period from 30 to 32 days. In pupating, the larva fastened leaves together with silk, slightly lining the interior, and into this thin lining the cremaster was fastened. Food plant hickory. The eggs from which the larva? from which these notes were taken were found Oct, 5, 1886, in a crevice in a piece of hickory bark, there being fifty-eight of them in a mass, laid so that they overlapped each other, one edge of each being against the bark. I have since found the shells of other eggs in the crevices of hickory bark deposited in the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Ill same way. The species of hickory upon which they were found was what is known as the Mockernut, or Carya Tomentosa. • The eggs hatched, or about one-fifth of them, April 17th, 1887, the rest coming out from day to day after this, and they emerged from the pupae from June r4th to 16th, giving an egg period as above of at least 194 days, to which it is probable that at least two weeks more should be added ; and from the time of hatching to the emergence of the imagines 58 days, of which one month is in the pupa state. I have no reason to think that this, or any other species we have here, is more than one brooded. I am also of the opinion that they pass through changes sooner in the hatching boxes than in their homes in the woods, as I never find this species on the trees before July ; and the same may be said of some other species, though C. Ilea should probably be excepted. After one had moulted, at the last moult, I saw it turn, after its usual period of rest, and eat the cast off skin. THREE MOTHS NEW TO OUR FAUNA. BY HV. EDWARDS. In my article with the above heading, to which my friend Mr. J. B. Smith takes exception, I at once confess that an error occurs, and that the title should have been new to "our lists" and not to "our fauna." Mr. Smith wrote me a day or two after the publication of the paper, and I at once replied that I should have used the word "lists" in the place of " fauna." I am therefore somewhat surprised that in his printed remarks he did not allude to the correction I had personally made, but that he should take me to task after receiving my letter, and charge me with adding the species mentioned to our "fauna," when I had disclaimed the meaning he attributes to me. But though I am free to allow that the species I spoke of may not with propriety belong to the U. S. fauna, I am by no means willing to admit that they are on that account not deserv- ing of a place in our Check List or Catalogue. This is, as I take it, not a philosophic account of species belonging to a certain faunal district, but merely the names of those species found to be inhabiting a geographical limit, and is intended chiefly for the purpose of enabling collectors and 112 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. students to classify their specimens, and in the case of a synonymical catalogue, of referring to the descriptions of species. At any rate, this is the view I take in giving Pseudosph. Tetrio, Philamp. Typhon and Syntonu Epilaris as being found within our limits, and I hold that they have as much right to a place among N. American, or rather United States species as many that have long been admitted. Of the first named, I have now seen five examples, four taken in Arizona, and one in N. W. Texas. Of these, one was quite fresh and in excellent condition, the others more or less broken and imperfect, though apparently more from careless handling than from either long flight or the age of the specimens. I cannot of course say positively that the species breeds in U. S. territory, but I have as much ground for believing that it does, as my friend Smith has for assuming that it does not. Then as to P. Typhon. The specimen to which I allude was taken by the late Mr. H. K. Morrison in the mountains of N. E. Arizona, as nearly as I can tell, about 20c miles from the boun- dary line. It is quite perfect, so much so that it may only have emerged from the pupa state within two days, and it seems to me hardly credible that this particular example should have flown such a great distance, and still retain in their purity all its delicate scales. Syntomeida Epilaris is from Florida, and I have very little doubt that it will one day be found there in comparative plenty. Indeed, I have good reason to believe that it was taken by Mr. Morrison a short time before his death, and it may possibly be among the Lepidoptera found by Mr. Schwartz during his visit to Key West some little time ago. If we are to discard these insects from our lists because our territory is not their original home, what will become of a large number of the species now included ? One third at least of those from Florida, Texas, Arizona and S. California will have to be eliminated, for at least this proportion must be said to belong to a different fauna from the insects of Pennsylvania or Illinois. Mr. Smith calls atten- tion to the fact that he has excluded Diludia Brontes from his monograph of the Sphingidse. I still fail to see on what grounds. D. Brontes is found in Florida, and specimens taken by Dr. Wittfeld are in my collection and in that of Mr. Neumoegen. If these insects did not breed near Indian River, where did they come from ? Surely Mr. Smith would hardly have us believe that they flew across the ocean from Cuba. I am no believer in the frequent long flight of any species of insects, though it is known that many species travel considerable distances, but I cannot bring myself to think that a specimen say of D. Brontes flies from its home in Cuba, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 11 g and that months or a year after two or three more do the same thing, and that these all find their way to Dr. Wittfeld's collecting box. As my friend W. J. Florence would say, this is T. T. (too thin). It seems more reasonable to believe, as I honestly think is the case with the species in dispute, that a few individuals have established themselves upon our limits, and that they are now gradually taking up new localities and spread- ing over a larger area. Mr. Smith alludes to Erebus Odor a, and says that " because it has been found in Canada, it would be an absurdity to call it a Canadian insect." Now I think he is unfortunate in this statement. We do not yet know the food plant of the larva of this species, but because we are ignorant of that, it is no reason why it should not breed in Canada, and the evidence is in favor of its doing so. I have examined at least forty specimens of E. Odora, taken severally in New York, Georgia, Arizona, California, Vane. Island, Canada, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio, some of them in absolutely perfect condition, and as fresh as bred speci- mens, and I am in my own mind quite sure that this species at least has taken up its abode with us, and is as much a resident of the U. S. as Vanessa Antiopa or Pyrameis Cardui. As to Mr. W. H. Edwards hav- ing " separately called attention to species occasionally found in but not really belonging to our fauna," I respectfully submit that this is a mistake. Mr. Edwards has done nothing of the kind. He has discarded from his Catalogue a number of " species for some time accredited to our fauna, but omitted for want of authentication," which is but saying in other words that had the statement of the capture of the species within our limits been given on undoubted authority, they would have found their place in his Catalogue. He has included indeed Pamassius Eversmanni, Callidryas P/u7ea, Diadema Misippus, and others, which certainly are not parts of our fauna, but Mr. Edwards holds the same views as I do on the sub- ject, and I claim no more for the three species I alluded to than is claimed for the diurnals I have just mentioned, and that is, that they have been found within our limits, that there is no evidence before us to show that they do not breed therein, and that therefore, when I change, as I am willing to do, the heading of my article to '•' our lists " in the place of " our fauna," the three species to which I called attention should be recorded in our catalogues. 114 THE CANADIAN KNTOMOLOGlST. THE ORIGIN OF ORNAMENTATION IN THE LEPIDOPTERA. BY A. R. GROTE, A. M., BREMEN, GERMANY. Elsewhere I have ventured to call attention to the interesting chapter in Mr. Scudder's book on Butterflies, in which the theory as to the primi- tive pattern of ornamentation is given. By this we are told that the com- plex patterns, the seemingly chiselled lines and the eye-like spots, arose from simple transverse shade bands running parallel to the outer margins of the wings themselves. Such bands we yet find on the wings of many Owlet Moths. In the Moths we might expect to find, still existing, a nearer approach to the primitive style of marking than in the higher Butterflies. Mr. Scudder's theory of the primitive pattern is quite inde- pendent of the theory as to the origin of the primitive transverse shade lines themselves. Referring to what I have said in my " Essay on the Noctuidse " and in other places, about the pattern of one wing being re- produced in some species exactly, and in some whole families in the style of a rougher copy, upon the under-lying wing, I have employed the word " photographed " to express the effect produced. The primitive band may then be conceived to have been produced by an outside process, the effect of light and shade upon the surface of the wing itself. Its produc- tion may have been aided by the movement of the wings (expanding and shutting). The edges of the wings in many ways may be conceived to be first affected. That the primitive Lepidopteron was plain and sombre, we have reason to suppose, judging from what is known of now extinct types from which the whole Order may have been evolved. Under the murky skies of the Carboniferous the colors of the insects remained dull. Upon this plain wing, the first shade or marking may have arisen by a process comparable with photography, the action being produced by the same chemically acting ray of light. The atmospheric conditions then existing are factors in the problem. The shadow originally cast on the wing left a trace in process of time, a deeper tinting which became a permanent shade line or band. The evolution of this primitive shade band is the subject of Mr. Scudder's theory. The manner in which it may have arisen from a shadow has been long the subject of my own thoughts. I am aware that there is a learned opinion that the colors and patterns of insects are developed from the insects' insides, by a process the links in which I am unable to follow, and which it has not pleased the authors of this THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 115 inside theory to state. It seems more reasonable to conclude that the sun has been the originalpainter, still improving and beautifying his work. That the deviations from the original pattern and color have been seized upon by Natural Selection and that gradual changes have been fostered, may be conceived under the workings of general evolutionary law. From a' study of the subreniform spot in Catoca/a, I, many years ago, came to the conclusion that the spots in the Noctuidce were modifications of the transverse lines, and this theory will be found stated in my writings. They may be fragments of original transverse lines, or, as the case seems to be with the subreniform spots, they may belong to existing transverse lines from which they have become disconnected. The median transverse shade is interesting, as it still simulates, by its cloudiness, the shade band of the secondaries and of the under surface of both wings in most JNoc- tuidee nonfasciatce ox -Nocturnes. The primitive transverse shade band will have been vague and cloudy, and all fine and cleanly cut markings will prove to be recent in comparison and to have proceeded from nebu- lous and undefined ornamentation. The instances where the upper surface of the secondaries resemble the under surface of the primaries occur in the Ceratocampince, and also in the Smerinthincc, among other groups. This fact struck me when I was studying the relationship between the Horned Spinners and the Eyed Hawk Moths. As a general rule, the cloudy bands on the under surface of the wings of the Noctuidse or Owlet Moths, resemble those on the hind wings above. The under, or covered wing, bears a certain relationship to the upper, or covering wing, in coloring and ornamentation. We may conclude that it has remained longer plain and unicolorous, that its less exposure in certain groups of the Lepidoptera has allowed it to retain more of the primitive appearance. The Spanners, or Geometridce, the Sparklers, or Pyralidce, carry the under wings more exposed and the markings are continuous and similar on both wings above. This is the case with the lower or geometridous Noctuidae, to a considerable extent. The pattern of the wings seems to follow the exposure, as I have else- where pointed out. The conditions of the caterpillar stages are widely different from the environment of the perfect insect, and I have long ago pointed out that each stage varies independently and unequally, as in the case of the representative species of Apatela, etc , (see my paper in Annals N. Y. Lyceum, N. H.) I have also elsewhere drawn attention to 116 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. the law of variation in representative species in the Owlet Moths. This variation is first observed on the upper surface of the fore wings, then of hind wings, while the whole under surface preserves its similarity longest. The uniformity of the under surface in the Noctuidse seems to be corre- lated with the habits of the insects themselves, to depend, in fact, upon the conditions of its exposure to the light. I am not here arguing that color in the wings is now dependent upon existing conditions of light. I merely point out that variation both in color and marking proceeds appar- ently more noticeably upon the more exposed surfaces of the insect in the Noctuidse, from a comparison of related species inhabiting different parts of the world. In the history of the Lepidoptera former geological con- ditions have played a part in the evolution of species together with the whole environment. In this paper I merely show the probability that the first transverse markings were the effect of light, and that the more ex- posed surfaces show most variation in representative species. From my scattered writings I have in part brought these brief notices on this point here together, so that the student may be spared that trouble, and in the hope that the investigation may be carried further. In the investigation of this subject we must keep the phenomena of color and pattern separate. The test of our theories must lie in the observation of existing variations. In this direction the observations of Mr. Edwards on the influence of cold in the pupa state upon the colors of the imago, are of the utmost value. The class of facts bearing upon the phylogeny of the species must be kept separate from those bearing upon individual variation. But it must be remembered that varieties are in the same sense evanescent species, that species are permanent varieties. The crucial test of our modern idea of species lies in the demonstration of the fact that, in the whole life history, the cycle of reproduction is now distinct. To the establishing of this fact repeated observations are often necessary. The whole conditions under which the form is produced must be understood. This is a great field of work, and single instances, how- ever carefully recorded, of breeding from the larva, only partially illustrate the subject. The value of specific determinations from collections of per- fect insects depends on the tact and experience of the naturalist and are to this extent tentative. Only where the full round of insect life is known can our determinations be absolutely reliable. The vista of entomological labor is widening as we proceed, so that it is trite to say that the subject THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 117 is inexhaustible. The most attractive side of the study consists in the curious habits and relationships of the different forms, and here is where the talent of the observer is to be tested. The assorting of collections of specimens is a matter of subordinate tact. CEYLON BUTTERFLIES. The Lepidoptera of Ceylon, by F. Moore, F. Z. S., Vol. I., (published under the special patronage of the Government of Ceylon) London, L. Reeve & Co., 1 880-81. 4 . The butterflies of the East India region appear to be now in a fair way of receiving their due share of attention. We have already called attention to Dislant's invaluable work on the Malayan butterflies, and to the hand- book to the butterflies of India and Burmah, by Marshall and De Nice- ville. On many accounts neither of these is so important as the earlier work on the Lepidoptera of Ceylon by Frederick Moore, which we desire to introduce to the readers of the Canadian Entomologist, principally on account of the very considerable accession to our knowledge of the earlier stages of eastern butterflies which is here given in the plates, and also to draw attention to the notes on the natural history of the insects given by Dr. Thwaites, which are embodied in the text. The work as a whole consists of three volumes ; but we speak hereof the butterflies only, which are comprised in the first volume, published in 1880-81. It is a large quarto, with 71 excellent colored plates, in which the early stages are in very many instances figured side by side with the butterflies. Notwithstanding that it is published under the special patronage of the Government of Ceylon, the work is a costly one, and to one residing in the United States an embargo is laid upon its purchase by the fact that the duties upon such a work are so high. This single volume cost me $15 for duties and trans- portation alone. Thus is science encouraged with us ! We are here introduced to a new set of illustrations of the early stages of butterflies, many of which are of extreme interest, and these in every family of butterflies. It is the most important and considerable contri- bution to our knowledge since Horsfield's memorable volume. It is a pity, however, that in many instances no reference is made in the text, either in Dr. Thwaites' notes, or Mr. Moore's' descriptive portion, as to the meaning of certain figures which differ strikingly from those of their allies. 118 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Thus the pupa of a species of Cirrochroa is represented as hanging by its- hinder end. as in all Nymphalidae, but bent so at the end of the abdomen, as to lie parallel to the horizontal branch from which it is suspended, much in the way that we find it in our own species of Chlorippe ; but there is no appearence in the figure and no mention in the text of any greatly elongated cremaster with its row of hooklets down the side, which in Chlorippe stiffens the pupa into what would seem to be an unnatural position. We have some interesting additions to our scanty knowledge of the early stages of the Lemoniinae and an unusual wealth of larvae and pupae of Lycaeninae. Here again is a figure of a species of Spalgis hang- ing by its tail without the median girt, which is wholly anomalous in this subfamily, but, as there is no explanation of the matter in the text, it is to be presumed that it is not meant to represent the insect in its natural position, the more so as the same is the case in a species of Appias, one of the Pierinae, represented in two figures as hanging by its tail only, while the whole structure of the chrysalis indicates that it must have had a median girt. Very interesting are the figures of the early stages of the Papilioninas, which add very considerably to our knowledge, including as they do some figures of the younger stages of the larva — presumably younger from their appendages, though here again no mention whatever is made of the fact in the text. We call attention also to the interesting figure of Gangara, a hesperian living open and unconcealed, as I am in- formed by Mr. De Nice'ville, and which bears long waxy filaments appar- ently riot proper appendages, but as iong as the width of the body itself, rendering it an exceedingly conspicuous object. In the arrangement of families, Mr. Moore follows the rapidly growing company of the best instructed entomologists in beginning the series with the Nymphalidae and placing the Papilionidae just before the Hesperidae. He separates the Lemoniinae from the Lycaeninae as a distinct family, and places the Libytheime with the Lemoniinae as was done by Bates ; but he brings the Pierinae and the Papilioninae under one family heading. It has naturally pleased the present writer to see that Mr. Moore has had the courage of his convictions sufficiently to subdivide the old and bulky group so long holding rank as a homogeneous whole, the so-called genus Papilio, into a number of genera, including among the seventeen species which he catalogues no less than ten genera, following thus precisely the line which Hubner long ago undertook to establish, and which I adopted in 1872. Samuel H. Scudder. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 119 EARLY STAGES OF ARZAMA OBLIQUATA, G. and R. BY H. H. BREHME, NEWARK, N. J. Egg. — Fusiform, thick in the middle and tapering to a small rounded summit, marked by about sixteen longitudinal ribs, which are low, nar- row, flat and crossed by a few fine ridges. Color yellow-brown. Duration about fifteen days. Young Larva. — About .8 inch in length, cylindrical, slender ; shape like the other Arzamas. Color pale green, with a few long hairs pro- ceeding backwards. Duration eighteen to twenty days. Mature Larva. — When fully grown the larva? are i*4 inch in length, some as much as two inches long. They are very slender ; head thick ; color more gray : body smooth, with no hairs. Pupa. — Length .75 inch; breadth across mesonotum .16 inch; across abdomen .16 inch; greatest depth .22 inches. Shape like the other Arzamas. Color dark brown. Duration sixteen days. The eggs from which these observations were made were obtained on the 26th of October, 18S6, by confining a dilapidated female caught flying about the food-plant — the Cat-tail reed. The female generally lays her eggs in the middle of the reed, between the long leaves. They began to hatch on the 10th of November, thus giving a period of about 15 days. They began to go into pupae on the 20th April, 1887, making the whole larval period 161 days; adding to this the pupal period of 16 days, makes a total of 190 days from the egg to the imago. The food-plant — the Cat-tail reed — grows in the meadows. As soon as the larva is hatched, it bores at once into the reed and feeds from the top downwards, continuing to feed throughout the winter, until the whole of the reed is eaten out ; it then returns to the top, and forms its pupa there. The larva is very hard to rear, as it feeds during the winter, and the reed must be kept as wet as possible. I have succeeded by keeping the reeds in a pail of water. The moth generally begins to flv between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, and ceases between seven and eight o'clock. Its flight is very slow. It is described and figured by Grote and Robinson, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, vol. 1., page 339. 120 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. CORRESPONDENCE. ON INSECTS FEIGNING DEATH. Dear Sir : I notice in Dr. Hamilton's paper, page 6, the remark that a statement made by me in your pages, namely, " that insects can have no knowledge of death," as such of course and purposely feigning it, is " unsupported " and " dogmatic." I wish to correct these two adjec- tives, otherwise, as a matter of opinion, I have no further interest with the subject. I cited in my paper the reason for my belief that insects merely kept still and did not move on the approach of danger. I showed that hard bodied insects, as beetles, suffered themselves to drop, while soft bodied caterpillars, equally assuming attitudes of repose and quiet, assisted by their colors and mimicry, clung tenaciously. There is no doubt in my mind t^at the " keeping still " is the main point, and that the insects have not sufficient mental powers to feign death. Whether insects can have any knowledge of death, as such, may be a matter of opinion, I should as soon credit them with a knowledge of history. Beetles allow themselves to fall by folding in the legs, knowing, from acquired or hereditary experience, that a fall will not hurt them, while in the grass where they tumble they have a place of concealment where they can stop "feigning" and scamper away. While I do not believe t v at insects can reach the " feigning " process, I know that Dr. Hamilton can, when he says of my paper, which we have all at least glanced over in the pages of the Canadian Entomologist, that he " lately saw it in print somewhere." Such carelessness is probably feigned, and whether it is protective may be doubted. It is, however, the privilege of man to keep still, without the danger of being credited with feigning death, a privilege it seems denied to insects. It is well so, since a silent man might run the risk of being buried on suspicion. A. R. Grote. notes on coleoptera. Dear Sir : In my paper in the April No. of the Entomologist, page 66, last line, Apio7i herculanum is printed in error herculaneum. On same page I wrote " prolongata [Dicerca] breeds so far as known in conifers." This statement admits of a doubt, when the proof is sifted thoroughly. Mr. F. C. Bowditch writes that he collected it on the Colorado mountains on aspen and willow, but never on conifers. It is probably polyphagous, like some other species of this family. John Hamilton. f% (faatoin Entomologist. VOL. XX. LONDON, JULY, 1888. No. 7 THE HESSIAN FLY AN IMPORTED INSECT. BY DR. C. V. RILEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. As the readers of the Canadian Entomologist are aware Dr. H. A. Hagen has argued at length to the effect that the Hessian Fly was, first, not imported by the Hessian troops ; secondly, that it was not imported from Europe at all, and that it is an indigenous North American insect. In the Third Report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, Dr. Packard has an extended article upon the Hessian Fly, and while he alone is responsible for the general position there taken on this subject, we dis- cussed the matter together, and the views there presented are substan- tially those which I held at the time, as it was Dr. Packard's desire to arrive at an impartial judgement. The subsequent communication of Dr. Hagen in the Canadian Entomologist for May, 1885, seemed, however, positively to set at rest the question of the introduction of the insect by the Hessian troops, as well as of its occurrence in this country prior to the revolution ; because the correspondence which he there published from Mr. H. Phillips, jr., seemed to admit of no further doubt that the first question was settled in the negative, and the second in the affirmative. While in Europe last autumn, I found a great deal of interest manifested in the subject of the Hessian Fly in England, on account of its recent introduction there, and, being called upon, I made some statements at one of the meetings of the London Entomological Society, which will be found reported in the Transactions of the Society for October 5, 1887. I take the liberty of quoting therefrom the following passages as indicating my position in the matter : " Prof. Riley said it would extend his observations beyond reasonable limits, to enter into the details on which he based his own conviction, which had been substantially expressed in the full paper by Packard, in the ' Third Report of the United States Entomological Commission (1883).' His opinion was that while we might drop the Hessian theory — since Mr. Henry Phillips, jr., as quoted by Hagen (1885), finds mention of the ' Hessian Fly,' in the unpublished minutes of the American Philosophical Society for 1768 (a rather astonishing fact, as it antedates the landing of the Hessians !), — and 122 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. concede that the insect was introduced some time prior to the revolution ; yet that its introduction about that time must be accepted, because Hagen's arguments to the contrary were not supported by [sufficient] evidence." " Prof. Riley further remarked that he had referred to these conflicting views oi leading writers as to the original source and time of introduction of the insect into America, not so much to foreshadow the future conflict of opinion on similar points in England, as to bring out this important fact as a warning to hasty generalisers, viz., that the arguments of Wagner, Hagen, etc., against its introduction into America, were inherently weak from the biologic side. They are based on the average or normal period of summer development of about seven weeks from egg to adult, and ignore the impor- tant bearing of exceptional retardation in development 'whereby the puparia of one summer remain talent and only give forth the flies in the spring or early summer of the ensuing year. This fact, recognized by Harris (1852), Prof. Riley said he had evidence of in America in garnered straw, and it was proved by Wagner himself to have occurred in Germany in field stubble. It was more apt to occur, however, in straw kept dry and packed than in stubble or exposed straw, and is in keeping with many other similar cases of retarded development in insects, some remarkable instances of which he called attention to before the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 188 1. It destroyed Hagen's main argument, rendered the introduction of the species possible at almost any season, and made its introduction to America by the Hessians, who left Portsmouth, April 7th, and landed June 3rd, 1777, on Staten Island, quite probable and plausible from biologic grounds." For the purpose of the present communication, it is not necessary to go into the other arguments which Hagen has brought forward to relieve the Hessians of whatever onus attaches to their accidental introduction of this insect : the more important are, (1) that there was no Hessian Fly in Germany at the time, and (2) that the Hessian troops did not carry straw from regions in which it did occur. At this late day it would be folly to attach too much importance to these negative deductions, where there are so many possibilities of their both being erroneous in fact. The evidence as to the introduction and spread of the insect in this country is of a so much more clear and positive nature that it off-sets such nega tive deductions. With the exception of Mr. Phillips's positive statements, there is only one other recorded statement that would seem to indicate that the Hessian Fly was known in the United States prior to the land- ing of Hessian troops. This is a statement quoted by Fitch, of Judge Hicock, of Lansingburg, N. Y., who says (Memoirs of Bd., of Agr., n, p. 169) that a farmer named Jas. Brookins had informed him (Hicock), that upon his first hearing of the alarm upon Long Island, in the year 1786, he (Brookins) detected the same insect in the wheat growing on his farm in Lansingburg. Fitch remarks in parenthesis, "doubtless 1776 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 123 is intended here," evidently on the assumption that Brookins's first hear- ing of the alarm on Long Island was coincident with the first alarm — an assumption by no means necessary, and one which only complicates the matter. If we grant Mr Brookins's statement to be reliable, there would be nothing remarkable in it as an observation of 1786. But whether for 1776 or 1786 it were folly to overthrow prevailing record and belief by one such unverified statement as this, where the chances are so great of inaccuracy from mere hearsay, and Fitch was justified in stating the strong probability that it was some other insect which was found by Col. Brookins. Mr. Phillips's statements, as the readers of the Canadian Entomo- logist are aware, are of a very different character. In response to Hagen's inquiries, made to Prof. J. P. Lesley, Mr. Phillips wrote as follows : " At the request of Prof. Lesley, I have examined our old minutes in reference to the Hessian Fly, and append on next page the results of my search. I know positively that before the revolution our newspapers were full of communications in reference to the Hessian Fly eo nomine. I cannot call to mind any one paper, but I remember perfectly frequently seeing these articles when reading for other purposes. I cannot find that the committee ever reported." The following are the extracts from the minutes as furnished by Mr. Phillips : 1768, May 18. Com. on Husbandry to consider whether any method can be fallen upon for preventing the damage done to wheat by the Hessian Fly. [N. B. — Mr. DuHamel has written on the subject.] 1768, June 21. Papers on the Hessian Fly read by Dr. Bond, ordered to be pub- lished. See No. 4, original papers. 1768, Oct. 18. Col. Landon Carter, Sabine Hill, Va., observations on the Fly Weevil destructive to wheat ; ordered to be published. [Is published jn Vol. I, of the Transactions of the Society. Cf. Harris, Injur. Ins., pp. 502. Dr. H. A. H.] And upon being again questioned by Dr. Hagen as to the possibility of error Mr. Phillips writes : " 1. 1768 is not an error. It occurs in the proper place in the old M.S. Vol., and there can be no doubt about the fact. Similiter the words Hessian Fly. "The term came in use in Pennsylvania from the early German immigrants long before the revolution. I am sure the term occurs in our Pennsylvania gazettes long prior to that period. " 2. Cannot say if that paper (of Bond) was ever published. Possibly in some gazette pro bono publico. There is no clerical error as to the date and name." Since this correspondence was published by Dr. Hagen in the Can- adian Entomologist, the early minutes of the American Philosophical 124 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Society have been published, and the published volume confirms the above statements of Mr. Phillips, as in the minutes for May 18, and June 21, 1768, the term* Hessian Fly was printed. The evidence against the introduction of the Hessian Fly, and even its introduction by Hessians is so easily set aside, and so weak as com- pared with the positive evidence of such introduction, that I have long wondered at the records of these meetings, and thought that there must be some error. Only recently, however, did I have the opportunity of personally referring to and examining these early minutes in the original. I felt an interest in doing so, because I thought it barely possible to show that they were transcripts from earlier rough minutes, and made sub- sequent to the revolution, when the term Hessian Fly, then familiar, was inadvertently added by the transcriber. I was therefore much amazed to find that there is really no mention of the Hessian Fly in these old minutes, until the year 1791. I take the liberty of reproducing verbatim et literatim the records as they really occur of the three meetings in 1768, quoted by Mr. Phillips in Dr. Hagen's communication : May iSth, 1768. — " It was recommended to the Committee of Husbandry, &c, to meet on Tuesday, 31st of this month, at the college to consider whether any method can be fallen on for preventing the damage done to wheat by what is called the fly. N.B. Monsieur du Hamel has written on this subject." June 21st, 1768. — " The Committee for Husbandry report that they had considered ye affair of destroying the Fly in wheat, and that Dr. Bond had laid before them a paper containing many useful observations on that subject, which Dr. Bond was requested to read before ye Society. The Society having heard and approved of ye paper request him to prepare it for ye Press, that it may be communicated to ye public without loss of time." Nov. 15, 1768. — " Colonel Lee transmitted to the Society the ingenious and accurate observation of Colonel Landon Carter, of Sabine-Hall, in Virginia, concerning the fiy- weavil that destroys the wheat. The Society acknowledge themselves under great obligations to Col. Carter for communication of the conclusions he has formed (on long experience) concerning that insect's propagation and progress, and the methods to be used to prevent the destruction of the wheat by it, and order it to be printed for the public benefit." It will be seen that in all three " the fly," " the fly in wheat " and " the fly-weavil " are the terms used, and it is susceptible of positive proof that all these popular terms applied then, as they sometimes do yet, to entirely different insects, viz., the grain-weavils, Sitophilus granaria and S. oryzce, and the Angoumois grain-moth, Gelcchia cercalella. Now the minutes, as published, are avowedly abstracted from the original THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 125 minutes by Prof. Lesley, and not full, while the copies of Mr. Phillips neither agree with the originals nor with the published abstracts, while in one case, as may be seen, he has changed Nov. 15, to Oct. 18. I can readily understand how Prof. Lesley inadvertently used the term Hessian Fly in abstracting from the minutes, if indeed he did so ; but it is more difficult to explain Mr. Phillips's positive statement after Dr. Hagen's specific questioning. Mr. Phillips was unable to explain to me how he came to make the error, and just as unable to give me any definite reference that will justify his very positive recollections of having seen the term " Hessian Fly " eo nomine in pre-revolutionary literature. When the state- ment of ocular evidence turns out to be so incorrect we cannot attach any importance to his memory, even where so confidently asserted. With the final disposition of this strongest blow to the general belief that has prevailed for a century among both husbandmen and entomologists, I feel that we must not only accept the general verdict and tradition as correct that the insect was introduced about the time of the revolution, but that there is no very convincing or valid reason for rejecting the other common belief that it was imported by the Hessian troops. The recorded history of the period does not necessarily include all possible, or even probable facts in relation to the limits of distribution of the insect in Europe, or of the sources from which infested straw may have been derived by the Hessians. In what I have said above I have spoken of the general belief and arguments in favor of the introduction of the Hessian Fly to this country, because I am quite aware that others besides Dr. Hagen have argued for its indigenous nature ; but none of them have perused the question with such single perseverance, and such bibliographical zeal and erudition. He, in fact, deserves our thanks for having brought together so large a body of bibliographical data, because I think it has been the means of confirming not his own conclusions, but the opinion arrived at by Fitch and others. While in London last autumn I took the trouble to look up and read over the voluminous letters and reports, of which Dr. Hagen has published a list, contained in " the proceedings of His Majesty's most Honorable Council, and information respecting an insect supposed to infest the wheat in the Territories of America." I was thus enabled to verify the accuracy of the list furnished Dr. Hagen by Prof. Nichols. I was fortunate enough to 126 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. secure a copy of the " Annals of Agriculture," published by Arthur Young, Vol ii, 1789, pages 406 to 613, of which are devoted to these papers. The title in this volume differs only from that given by Dr. Hagen, in having the word " Privy " before " Council," and the contents of the volume from the table of titles given by Dr. Hagen, only in that his Nos. three and seven " Orders of the Council " are omitted in the Annals. The original paper is a quarto volume, and fills in the octavo Annals nearly 208 pages, which will account for the discrepancy in the space, occupied by each article, the articles in the Annals not being numbered, I refer to these old papers because they are most interesting as exempli- fying the fact, that the late confounding of such terms as " Fly-weavil" for " Hessian Fly" in the minutes of the American Philosophical Society, which has made such a difference in the historic facts, had its counterpart at that time. The more important papers consist of a letter (1788) by P. Bond, Consul at Philadelphia, to the Right Honorable Marquis of Car- marthen, about the injury of the " Hessian Fly " in the Middle States, and supposing that the eggs are laid in the grain, as " seed wheat steeped in a preparation of elder juice effectually secures a crop." Bond probably referred to the true Hessian Fly, but his letter is followed by one from Sir Jos. Banks, President of the Royal Society, to the Marquis of Carmarthen, in which Banks calls the insect " the Flying Weavil," describes the adult as a minute moth, likens it to the clothes moth, states how the eggs are laid upon the grains of wheat and produce a diminutive caterpillar; in fact refers to the Angoumois grain-moth. There is a large subsequent cor- respondence, and finally Banks recogizes his first mistake and collects a good deal of information about both Gelechia cerealella and the true Hessian Fly, the latter derived from Dr. Mitchell. Pages 465 and 471 are occupied by an excellent article by Col. Geo. Morgan, of New Jersey, to Sir John Temple, Consul General for Great Britain at New York, which gives a good account of the spread of the Hessian Fly and its origin, states that the name was given by him and a friend early after its first appearance on Long Island, and then treats of the " Virginia Wheat-fly," and also of the " Chintz Bug-fly." It is worthy of note that these papers are preceded in Young's Annals by an anony- mous article entitled, " On the Hessian Fly, whose depredations have been very mischevious in America," in which the author recognizes and describes the work of C. destructor, describes its annual spread from the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 127 points of introduction, and remarks that it must not be confounded with the " Virginia Wheat-fly " (cerealella). The reading of all these papers simply confirms the conclusions which I have expressed in this communi- cation. Washington, D. C, May 22nd, 1888. P. S. — In the above communication I have stated merely the facts of the case without any attempt at explaining away Mr. Phillips's misleading statements. The receipt, since the article was written, of the latest part (No. 127) of the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, bringing them down to the meeting of May 4th last, induces me to add this postscriptum. I spent the evening of May 3rd very delightfully with Dr. G. H. Horn, who, as one of the secretaries of the American Philosophical Society, was interested in my intended investigation of the old minutes ; in fact Dr. Horn informed me that Mr. Phillips, knowing that he (Horn) was about to visit Dr. Hagen on his way to Europe, had but a short time before charged him to tell Dr. Hagen, that the latter might feel quite certain of the accuracy of his (Phillips's) statements. I have already indicated my surprise at finding them unverified, and shown how Mr. Phillips was unable to give me any explanation of his mistake. There was to be an exceptionally interesting meeting of the Society that evening, and I purposely remained in Philadelphia to attend it, and took occasion to call attention to the error in the old minutes above set forth. Mr. Phillips, following my remarks, threw all the blame for the published error on Prof. Lesley who was absent in Europe at the time ; and, having in mind his (Phillips's) communications to Hagen, this conduct struck me as not very magnanimous. I deemed the correction of this error of sufficient importance to go on record, and handed to the Secretary for incorporation in the minutes a brief abstract of my remarks. Judge of my surprise therefore to find the whole matter passed by in the published minutes of that meeting of May 4th last, by the statement of the Secretary that " Prof. C. V. Riley referred to a possible error of transcription in the Volume of Early Proceedings (No. 119), on pages 14 and 15, as to the word Hessian Ply " (! !) Mr. Phillips's conduct in this particular is as remarkable as his correspondence with Dr. Hagen, and I call attention to it that it may no longer obscure the facts of history. 128 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST ON DIADEMA MISIPPUS, Linn, IN FLORIDA. BY W. H. EDWARDS, COALBURGH, W. VA. About the middle of last November Miss Annie M. Wittfeld, whose untimely death I have spoken of elsewhere, wrote me that she had taken a butterfly of a species which she had never seen before, while it was laying eggs on purslane. She confined the butterfly with the plant and obtained 74 eggs. It was like a Danais, she said, but the caterpillars were like a Vanessan. I wrote her it probably was Misippus, a single male of which Dr. Wittfeld had taken several years before. The female of this species is entirely unlike the male in colour and markings, and really imitates a pale Danais. Meanwhile eggs and larva; at every moult were put in alcohol for me, and after my letter was received Miss Witt- feld inflated two mature larvae, and with all these stages sent me living papas, so that I shall be able to illustrate the history of this curious butterfly. This was the last thing Miss Wittfeld did for me, and is an example of the intelligent and painstaking work she was accustomed to. Misippus is a common species in south-eastern Asia, in Australia, Africa, in parts of South America, and is found in some of the West India Islands. Drury figured the male, and gave New York as one of the localities, but, except these few Florida examples, I know nothing of the occurrence of the species within the United States. As the food plant is everywhere one of the commonest of weeds, it is not improbable that from Florida Misippus may spread northward. In Papilio 1, p. 30, I mentioned the capture of the male spoken of under the name D. Bolina, Linn. Bolina is an allied but distinct species. The one taken in Florida is Misippus. SOME NEW NOCTUID^E. BY A. R. GROTE, A. M., BREMEN, GERMANY. A grot is agilis, n. s. Two males in good condition received from Mr. J ames Fletcher, from Vancouver, belong to a decidely different species from my semiclarata, Essay, Plate 1, Fig 9, though allied, as also to Californian gravis, and our Eastern venerabilis. Antennae brush-like. Gray, with a brown tinge. Lines obliterate. Fore wings yellowish gray fuscous, brownish, with a red THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 129 tinge along costa, this color obtaining before the s. t. line before apices. A distinct velvety black basal streak, absorbing the claviform spot and ex- tending below median vein from base to the faint yellowish brown median shade line. Cell filled in with velvety black on which the complete, rounded, orbicular rests, a little pointed outwardly. Reniform moderate, subequal, transverse, of the normal shape, surrounded almost completely by the cellular black filling. Some black scales along costa marking the incep- tion of the transverse lines, which are here filled in with white, under the glass. The red brown shade obtaining before apices, shows three pale ante-apical costal dots. The s. t. line is marked by cuneiform, dark, sub- equal shades and followed by a white shade more determinate at costa. Terminal space narrow, darker than the wing. Hind wings rather uniformly pale fuscous ; beneath with an outer shade line and costal border, paler than fore wings beneath, with a thick cellular spot and somewhat whitish at base and inferiorly. Fore wings smoky fuscous, with faint outer transverse shades. On fore wings above, the pale shade is more or less noticeable outside s. t. line at the apex of the wing. Head and collar ochre brown. The collar shows a double black superior line enclosing a reddish shade ; the upper black line edged outwardly with white scales. Tegulae whitish, pale ; abdomen fuscous ; anal hairs ochery. Expanse 30-32 mil. Agrotis hospitalis Gr., Can. Ent. xiv., 184. This species is allied to Baja by the black mark, inaugurating s. t. line, but otherwise it is quite close to Perconflua. I think that I am hasty in considering it a variety of the latter species, but the pattern is much the same, although the lines are marked in black in Hospitalis, and the color of primaries is a more uniform and darker brown, approaching Baja. At any rate this species must be catalogued with Conflua, Perconflua and Hillia7ia. In Papilio hi., 29, my late lamented correspondent, Mr. W. W. Hill, records the capture of two specimens of Hospitalis in the Adirondack region in July. On a very close comparison with Pei-conflua, taken by the same Entomologist at Centre, N. Y., in August, the shape of the t. p. line is seen to differ from that species. In Hospitalis it slopes away down- wardly and outwardly from costa much more obliquely ; it is less upright, more outwardly exserted or bent. The species are alike in size, in color of hind wings and in the paler front and palpal tips, contrasting with the 130 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. darker sides of the face and palpi. There will be nothing gained in throwing these forms together, and they must be bred to decide. The character of the t. p. line escaped me until recently, and speaks for the ultimate distinctness of Hospitalis. Xylomiges Fletc/ieri, n. s. ■ The species sent me from Vancouver, by my kind correspondent Mr. James Fletcher, is apparently allied to the forms described by myself from California, under Xylomiges, such as hiemalis and curialis ; a specimen of X. crucialis Harv. is also before me from Vancouver. Fletcheri differs by the more Gompact shape, the pale fuscous hind wings with darker stained veins. The eyes are hairy, the body untufted, and the color is a stone gray overlaid with whitish, so that the moth approaches Anytus sculptus in color. The costa is straight, the wings rather short and full outwardly, with pronounced apicer, reminding one a little of Cloautha. To the eye the wings appear of a rather light stone gray, but under the glass the whole base of the wing is seen to be overlaid by white scales, as also the coalesced large stigmata, which are outlined in black, completely fused inferiorly, forming an irregular V ; the inner limb of this, the obicular is outwardly oblique ; the outer, the reniform, is upright, sinuate on its outer edge. The white scales appear again over the terminal portion of the wing. The lines are black, fragmentary, marked by different shades on costa. A fine black basal ray. The median lines are waved and inferiorly approach each other, narrowing greatly the median space below the cell ; the concolorous claviform spot, also outlined by black scales, joins the median lines on submedian fold, although moderate in size. The subterminal line is fragmentary, black, appearing between the veins. Head and thorax fuscous gray, a little darker than fore wings, unlined ; tegular shaded with whitish ; at the sides with a black edging. Abdomen dusky gray. Beneath the primaries are clouded fuscous ; the secondaries paler than above with a neat dot and an extra- mesial line accentuated on the veins. Antennae of the male simple ; smaller and shorter-winged than the other species described by me. Expanse 30 mil. Orthosia hamifera n. sp. This species has been sent me from California, by my kind friend Mr. James Behrens. It is allied to purpurea, but larger. The male antennae are brush-like, female simple. The fore wings are pointed at apices ; THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 131 the exterior margin somewhat sickle-shaped ; the eyes are naked ; the tibiae unarmed. Head, thorax and fore wings brownish wine-red ; the thoracic hairs show a tipping of white scales under the glass. All the markings obliterate, so that the insect in color and appearance reminds one of Perigrapha tra?isparens. The markings are indicated by blackish scales. Reniform marked by an upper and lower blackish clouding, moderate, upright, finely ringed with pale. Orbicular more faintly marked, a little oblique, approximate, also finely ringed with pale. The median shade crosses the wing. Lines not discernible ; under the glass the s. t. line is seen to be marked by double black points on the veins. Fringes more clearly red on both wings ; secondaries without marks, somewhat evenly fuscous ; beneath paler, with traces of the reniform on primaries ; secondaries with a dot. This is larger than crisp a; varying in depth of red, the female the darker. Three specimens. The insect looks like Gortyna nebris a little, except in its red color. Expanse 35 mil. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPARATORY STAGES OF CHIONOBAS JUTTA. BY REV. THOMAS W. FVLES, SOUTH QUEBEC. Eggs laid June 17th., scattered, hatched July 1st. Egg. — Creamy white : one-twenty-fourth of an inch in diameter ; shaped like a nutmeg-melon ; marked longitudinally with zig-zag ridges ; attached by short foot-stalk. Newly Hatched Larva. — One-eighth of an inch long. Head large in proportion to body, honey-yellow, granulated. Body attenuated and ending in two pointed prolongations; pale amber, set with brown tubercles bearing light spines. Dorsal and side lines darker amber. Spiracles dark brown. Head and fore legs bearing a few bristles. The insect feeds with its head downwards on the edge of the leaf. Its food plant is the sedge, Carex oligosperma. The first moult occurred July 6th. The skin was ruptured under the head. Larva After First Moult. — Length one-fourth of an inch. Colour a delicate shade of pea-green; dorsal, sub-dorsal and side lines a pale warm 132 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. brown ; spiracles black. A few small black warts on the body. Head honey-yellow. Moulted July 30th. Larva After Second Moult. — Length three-quarters of an inch. Colour grey; dorsal and sub-dorsal lines amber, the dorsal having twelve blotches of a darker shade; side lines dark brown. Under the side line comes a spiraculariine of grey, and then a brown line touching the legs. Head large, amber coloured ; thickly indented like a thimble, and marked with four longitudinal rows of brown dots. Under the microscope the body is seen to be thickly set with elongated amber-coloured warts — the brown warts having disappeared. In feeding the insect has changed its posture, carrying its head up- wards and cutting through the blade till the top falls off; then eating across, always working from the near edge, systematically shortening the blade and lowering itself when necessary. Moulted Aug. 14th. Inert and sickly-looking before the change. Larva After Third Moult. — Length nine-tenths of an inch. General colour grey ; thickly covered with light brown hairs. Spiracular line whitish. Spiracles kidney-shaped, chocolate-coloured with a yellowish white perpendicular line through the centre. Dorsal line represented by twelve brown spots ; sub-dorsal lines very faint. Head large, has five warty dark brown spots on each side. Mandibles brown. Moulted Sept. 1st. Larva After Fourth Moult. — Length one inch and five-sixteenths of an inch. Head pale brown, indented, set with reddish hairs, and having six longitudinal rows of dark brown dots, also on either side five dark warts. Mandibles brown ; general colour of the body pale green, thickly set with reddish hairs. Dorsal line dark green, bearing the twelve oblong brown spots. Pale sub-dorsal lines, and dark green side lines bordered below with a pale streak. Spiracles dark brown, Caudal fork has a slight rosy tinge. Fore legs colour of head. I left home for England on the 4th of October, having provided a sufficiency of growing sedge, embedded in sphagnum, for the use of Jutta. I returned in February, and found the larvae fresh and plump, but quite torpid. They had undergone the 5th moult (probably in October). On the 6th of April they revived. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 133 Mature Larva after Hibernation. — Length one inch and a quarter. Body pale pea-green, set with light brown hairs. Legs of the same hue of green. Head green with six rows of brown dots ; indented. Twelve greenish-brown spots along the back ; side-lines dark brown ; spiracles black. After their revival the larvae ate little, if anything. They pupated April 2 1 st. Chrysalis. — Length five-eighths of an inch ; greatest breadth one- fourth of an inch. Head-case amber-coloured, with a brown dash on either side. Wing-cases pea-green, outlined and streaked with brown. Thorax prominent, abdomen conical, in colour pale yellowish green, with dorsal line of darker green and numerous longitudinal rows of brown dots. Extremity of abdomen rosy. The perfect insect appears in this locality from May 31st to June 15th. PARASITES ON DANAIS ARCHIPPUS AND ANTHOMYIA RAPHANI. BY C. P. GILLETTE, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, MICH. I am not aware that any parasites have ever been reported as attacking the larvae of Da?iais archippus or the maggots of Anthomyia raphani. However that may be, it will be of interest to the readers of the Ento- mologist to know that last fall I obtained from a single chrysalis of D. archippus over fifty specimens of a new species of Pteronialus. The parasites came forth September 13, the chrysalis having been brought into the laboratory a few days before, and inclosed with a bell-jar. Speci- mens were sent to Mr. L. O. Howard, who has since described the species and given it the name of Pteronialus archippi. The parasites from A. raphani belong to the genus Eticoila, and are probably a new species also. A large number of pupae and full-grown maggots of A. raphani were put in a jar containing earth, from which the flies began to come forth June 9. The jar remained covered with gauze until September 2, when the parasites began to appear, and in a kw days eight specimens were obtained. In connection with the latter parasite it may be well to note the fact that a red garden mite, a species of Trombidium, did excellent service 134 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. last summer in the College garden by feeding greedily upon the eggs of Ant ho my ia brassicce. It was not uncommon to find nearly a half tea- spoonful of empty egg shells about the stems of the plants, and in such cases a number of the mites were always to be found just below the surface near the plant. For experiment's sake three of these mites were kept in a jar of moist earth for a time, and fed each day upon fresh eggs, when it was found by actual count that they would suck, on an average, twenty-eight eggs each and every day. Many of the plants did well and produced fine heads, that I am certain would have withered and died had not these mites devoured enormous numbers of the Anthomyia eggs. DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME LEPIDOPTEROUS LARV.E. BY WM. BEUTENMULLER, NEW YORK. Datana integerrima, Gr. & Rob. Before Last MouLT.--Ffead and cervical shield shining jet black. Body deep reddish brown, with three very fine, narrow, sordid white stripes along each side, and a broader one below the spiracles, which are black, and another stripe along the middle of the venter. Thoracic feet, extremities of abdominal legs and anal legs jet black, shining. The body is also covered with sordid white hairs. Length 32 mm. Mature Larva. — Body wholly jet black, and covered with very long floss-like, sordid white hairs, becoming yellowish as the larva undergoes its changes to the pupa. Thoracic feet black, shining. Abdominal legs black outside and reddish-brown on the inner side. Length 55 mm. Lives together in large companies on walnut ( Juglans), hickory (Carya), beech (Fagus), and also on oak (Quercus), but very rarely. In several individuals of the brood of this species, in the last stage, there are visible a sub-dorsal, ill-defined, white, longitudinal stripe, and a rather broad wavy lateral stripe below the spiracles, and sometimes there is also a white stripe along the middle of the underside. In all else resembling the typical form. Datana contracta, Walk. Before Last Moult. — Head and cervical shield jet black, shining. Body black, with four equidistant sordid white stripes along each side, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 135 being as wide as the intervening spaces, except the dorsal space which is the widest. Body beneath concolorous to the above, with three longitu- dinal stripes, and the intervening spaces much broader. On each of the 4, 5, 10 and 11 segments two reddish brown patches. Thoracic feet and claspers of the abdominal legs jet black, with their bases reddish brown. The body is also sparsely covered with sordid white hairs. Length about 30 mm. Mature Larva. — The cervical shield now becomes orange yellow, and the stripes creamy white. Otherwise as in the previous stage. Length 55 mm. Food Plants. — Oak ( Quercus), chestnut ( Castania), hickory ( Curyu). Datana Angusii, Gr. & Rob. Head and cervical shield jet black, shiny. Body black, with four very narrow, pale yellow stripes along each side, all being much narrower than the intervening. On the underside three pale yellow stripes. One along the middle, which is the broadest, and one on each side being broken by the legs; the intervening spaces are much wider than those above. Thoracic feet black. Abdominal legs reddish, with the extremities jet black. On the 4, 5, 10 and n segments two reddish patches. Body with sparsely distributed sordid white hairs. Length 55 mm. Food Plants. — Hickory (Carya) and walnut (Juglans). The following synoptical table may serve in determining the larva? of the genus Datana. The larvae of D. robust a, Strk., and D. major, G. & R., are unknown to science: — STRIPES NARROWER THAN THE INTERVENING SPACES. Body black, stripes sulphur yellow Ministra. Body black, stripes citron yellow, confluent posteriorly Drexelii. Body black, stripes very fine, pale yellow Angusii. Body black, stripes absent Integerrima. STRIPES AS WIDE OR WIDER THAN THE INTERVENING SPACES. Body black or red, stripes bright lemon yellow Perspicua. Body black, stripes creamy white Contractu. Body black, stripes yellowish, head and anal plates red Floridana. 136 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Hadena turbulenta, Hub. Head jet black, shining; mouth parts sordid white. Body above jet black, with a number of fine longitudinal stripes, beginning at the anterior portion of the second segment and running to the end of the tenth segment; last segments black, with a number of white spots. Cervical shield velvety black, with a few semilunate spots on the anterior portion, and posteriorly margined with white. Body at the sides and beneath dull amber yellow. Along the sides are three white stripes; the two below the stigmata run from the anterior portion of the first segment to the last segment, while the remaining stripe runs the same as those above. Thoracic feet black, shining. Abdominal and anal legs dull amber yellow, with a brownish patch, followed by a white one, on the outerside. All the stripes on the black portion of the body are connected in pairs by a fine trans- verse stripe at the posterior extremity. Lives socially on catbriar {Smilax). September. THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE A. A. A. S. We are requested to announce that the next meeting of the Club will be held at Cleveland, Ohio, in the High School Building, beginning at 9 a. m., on Wednesday, the 15th of August. This date is a week earlier than that at first decided upon for the meeting of the A. A. A. S. As this location is central and convenient alike for both United States and Ontario Entomologists, it is expected that there will be a large attendance, and an interesting and enthusiastic meeting. All entomologists are requested to come prepared to aid in the matter ; those who desire to present papers should send to the Secretary, Prof. A. J. Cook, Agricultural College, Mich., the subject they propose to discuss in order that it may be announced in the programme. CORRESPONDENCE. DANAIS ARCHIPPUS. Dear Sir: I wish to enquire through your columns whether any progress has been made lately in explanation of the migratory habit of Danais archippus. The last information I have got on the subject being from the vividly descriptive pen of Dr. John Hamilton (Can. Ent., Vol. xvii., No. 11), who showed clearly, that, up to that time, the facts and THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 137 the theories had failed to agree. Several causes have combined recently to turn my attention to the subject, notably a question from Mr. W. H. Edwards, as to its time of ovipositing here, which I could answer only in the most general terms. I have always regarded it as a misfortune that Mr. Roland Thaxter, in his account of what he saw in Florida (Can. Ent., Vol. xii, No. 2), did not give the month or months in which his observations were made ; it might have assisted us much in forming an opinion as to whether they were flocks from the north come for the pur- pose of going into hibernation or not. although the fact of some of them pairing is decidedly against the idea that these, at all events, intended to hibernate. They make their appearance here about the latter part of May, according as the season favors ; the first ones are restless and energetic, like males looking for mates ; not in the least broken or damaged ; not so rich and bright in color as fall specimens, but fairly good withal. In a week or so they become more plentiful, and begin to mate, and for a time are scarcely seen but in pairs. Shortly after eggs may be found on the flower clusters of the milk-weed, which is not yet in bloom. They never seem to entirely disappear till fall, fresh hatched specimens mingling with the old battered ones of the early season. Their conduct in spring is quite in harmony with that of species which hatch from the chrysalis here. If they hibernated in this locality I should expect them to put in an appearance a good deal earlier than they do. I regard it as a particularly interesting creature in every respect ; although so common, it is never " vulgar," never in a hurry ; it has the easy grace of the leisurely class. I have thought that one who has seen it only in an open country can form but an inadequate conception of the diversity of its movements on the wing. To see one on a bright summer day, when a stiff breeze is blowing, disport itself about the wide-spreading top of a high tree, is a choice pleasure. It seems to fairly revel with delight in a gale ; now it rolls and tosses and heaves, always heading against the wind ; now it spreads its sails to the breeze, and is hurried violently backward and upward ; again it furls them, and, slowly descending and advancing, it describes a variety of the most charmingly graceful curves and waves and undulations imaginable ; a thing of beauty to' look at, and a joy to think of forever after. Attempts have been made to attach to it common names. I have thought, when watching one at such a time, that '•' the storm king" would be very appropriate, and quite befitting its regal 138 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. character. In my former scrap on this insect, an error in punctuation occurs, which makes it rather confusing. The " at least every other day " there refers to my visiting the woods, not to the movements of the butterflies. I have but little of personal observations to add to it, having seen but one small gathering since. A stream of Archippus from the side of a wood attracted my attention. I entered to watch it go. There was nothing of the listless attitude of my former observations in this group. There was a general uneasiness pervading the whole flock, rather difficult to describe. It did not come from a working of the wings, but of the feet, as if the foothold was not good, and they were trying to secure a better, which produced a rocking motion, whilst con- tinuously throughout the swarm one and another was dropping off to make for the edge of the woods and join in the grand procession. J. Alston Moffatt, Hamilton, Ont. THE CLOVER-ROOT BORER, HYLASTES TRIFOLII, MULLER Dear Sir : — As far as I know, this insect has not been mentioned in the Entomologist as occuring in Ontario. The beetle has appeared in this locality, and is doing incalculable damage to the clover fields. At the time of writing this, the beetles, which have hibernated in the root during the winter, have not all left their retreats, and may be counted by the dozen in roots badly infested. No doubt the insect has been working in our midst for some time, and at present fully three-fourths of the red clover, Trifolium pratense, is dead or dying from the ii'jury caused to the root. The damage has not been all occasioned by the larvae during the past season, for I found the perfect beetle driving.channels in various directions through the roots during May and the early part of June. My observations correspond so well with the description given by Mr. W. Saunders in the annual report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1881, page 43, that I need only refer the reader to his paper. June 9, 1888. J. White, Edmonton, Ont. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 139 Dear Sir : Mr. Brehme, in his article on " The Early Stages of Arzama Obliquata," after stating its manner of feeding in the reed, says, " It then returns to the top and forms its pupa there." I would remark that that is not its invariable habit in nature, for I have found the chrysalis in early spring beneath the bark of a decaying stump, corresponding in that respect with Diffusa, and in some instances quite a distance away from the marsh where the reeds grow. From Mr. Brehme's dates it would appear to be double brooded with him. J. Alston Moffat, Hamilton, Ont. ON BOLINA FASCIOLARIS, HUBN. Dear Sir : In the pages of the Can. Ent. I showed that Mr. Morrison's statement, that we had re-described Bolina fasciolaris Hiibn., was an error, based upon a mistaken identification of Hubner's species. That my determination was correct, is proved by a letter of Mr. Butler's, published in Entomologica A?nericana, vol. iv., p. 13, where a specimen of the true B. fasciolaris, as determined by myself, is alluded to from my col- lection. This specimen came to me as from " Mexico." To my knowledge B. fasciolaris does not occur in our limits, but not improbably it may be found in the south-west. Mr. Butler thinks that it is highly probable that B. ochreipeimis Harvey is the male of B. nigrescens G. & R., and thus repeats the suggestion already made by myself. The species will be known as nigrescens, this name being much the older. The genus Bolina of Duponchel is, in my opinion, incorrectly used, and our species should be referred to Melipotis of Hiibner, as I have done in my Check List, where ochreipennis is doubtfully referred to as the male of the preceding species, nigrescens G. &. R. (p. 39, No. 1145). The sexual distinction in ornamentation in Melipotis is peculiar and interesting. A. R. Grote. Change of Address. — Mr. C. H. T. Townsend requests us to state that he has left the Adjutant-General's Office, War Department, and is now an assistant in the Division of Entomology, Department of Agricul- ture, Washington, D. C. 140 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. OBITUARY. Miss Annie M. Wittfeld, only daughter of Dr. Wm. Wittfeld, of Fairyland, Indian River, Florida, died suddenly of rheumatism of the heart on the ioth April, aged 23. Fifteen months before — to a day — Dr. Wittfeld had lost his only son by brain fever while down the coast on a boating expedition, and so the stricken parents are desolate. It is about ten years since Miss Annie began to aid me in obtaining eggs and larvae of butterflies, and it is mostly owing to her zealous, friendly and intelli- gent assistance that I have been able to learn the history of so many Florida species. Her death is a loss to science. The readers of this magazine will sympathize with Dr. and Mrs. Wittfeld in their bereave- ment. W. H. Edwards. DEATH OF THE "YOKOHAMA NATURALIST." Particulars have been received of the death in Japan, on the 17th of February, of Mr. Harry Pryer, C. M. Z S., the Yokohama naturalist, at the early age of thirty-seven. When Mr. Pryer went to Japan in 1S70 he was already known as an active Fellow of the Entomological Society of London. In the intervals of a busy mercantile career he interested him- self in Japanese natural history, and soon became a recognized authority on the subject. In conjunction with Captain F. Blakiston, he wrote the standard monograph on the birds of Japan, and at the time of his death he was engaged in publishing in English and Japanese an important work on the butterflies of Japan, entitled " Rhopalocera Nihonica." Mr. Pryer was not only an assiduous collector, but a keen observer and a practical investigator, and his researches on the parasites of the silk worm have been of material advantage to the silk culture of Japan. His house and garden were filled with valuable specimens and collections of animals and insects, living and dead, and the loss sustained by the European com- munity through his death is shared by the Japanese, who recognize the valuable services he rendered in connection with the establishment and maintenance of the museum at Tokio. — Pall Mall Gazette. Cly Canadian Entomologist. Vol, XX. LONDON, AUGUST, t888. No. 8 LIST OF THE SPIDjERS, MYRIOPODS AND [NSECTS OF LABRADOR. BV A. S. PACKARD, PROVIDENCE, K. I. A list of all the known species of terrestrial Arthropods of the Labrador coast may prove convenient as a starting point for future investigations. Hence I have, besides enumerating the species of other groups, revised the lists of Lcpidoptcra — Mr. Scudder kindly contributing the list of butterflies. For changes in the names of the Tortricidae I am indebted to Prof. C. II. Fernald's excellent catalogue of the Toririoida; of the United States. ARACHNIDA. The spiders which I collected at various points on the coast were sent to Prof. T. Thorell, of Upsala, for identification and description. Out of ten species collected, seven were new to science. Prof. Thorell's paper was published in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural His tory, xvii., April 21, 1875. Epeira pata^iata (Clerck). Square Island, Strawberry Harbor. " Packardii Thor. " " Tetragnatha extensa (Linn.; " " Linyphia Emcrtonii Thor. " " and near Dumplin Harbor. Clabiona frigidula Thor. " " Gnaphosa brumalis Thor. Strawberry Harbor. Lycosa Greenlandica Thor. " " " furcifera Thor. Square Island, and near Dumplin Harbor. " fuscula Thor. Strawberry Harbor. " Labradorensis Thor. Strawberry Harbor and Square Island. Xysticus Labradorensis Keys. K. K. Zool. Pot. Ges. Wien., 479, 1887. Ungava Pay (Turner). MYRIQPODA. Julus sp. Square Island. 142 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. INSECTS. Orthoptera. Caloptenus. A Pezzotettix-like species, with short wings. Square Island Odonata. Diplax sp., near rubicundula. Caribou Island. Dragon flies were very rare on the coast, and I saw none north of the Straits of Belle Isle. ALschna sp. Caribou Island. Perhaps another species (identified by Dr. P. R. Uhler,) also occurred, and an yEschna-like form was observed at Tub Island. Hemiptera. Teratocoris sp. Deltocephalus debilis Uhler. Hopedale. A few other species of Cercopidae were seen at Caribou Island. Trigonotylus ruficornis Fallen. Hopedale. Corixa sp. Platyptera. Ptcronarcys regalis. Okkak. Hopedale. Plcctoptera. Potamanthus marginatus Zett. This boreal European May-fly, occurring in Lapland, we have found in abundance in southern Labrador. Perla sp. Belles Amoures. Chloroperla sp. A small greenish species was observed at Strawberry Harbor. Trichoptera. Desmataulius planifrons Kol. Okkak. Limnophilus subpunctulatus Zett. This Lapland Caddis-fly is the most abundant species in Labrador, and what are probably its cases are common in the pools of fresh water. Three or four other species also occurred, but have not been identified. No genuine Neuroptcra or Mecaptera (Panorpidae) occurred. COLEOPTERA. Lepyrus co/ou (Linn.) Cape Chidley (R. Bell). ■ Pissodes ? sp. Hopedale. Coccinella lacustris Lee. Okkak. Leptura sp. Caribou Island. Criocephalus obsoletus Randall. Okkak. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 143 Argaleus nitens Lee. Near Cape Harrison. Telephorus fraxini Say. Hopedale. P. Icevicollis Kirby. Hopedale. Podabrus mandibularis Kirby. Caribou Island. Sericosomus incongruus Lee. Square Island. Eanus vagus Lee. Square Island. E. pictus (Cand.) Horn. (E. maculipennh Lee.) Caribou Island to Square Island. Cryptohypnus bicolor Germ. Belles Amoures, Strawberry Harbor and Indian Harbor. Byrrhus Americanus Lee. Caribou Island. B. Kirbyi Lee. (B. picipes). Caribou Island. Atomaria. Not determined. Caribou Island. Ips sanguinolentus OHv. Caribou Island. Bledius. Not determined. Quedius sublimbatus Mokl. Blanc Sablon (R. Bell). Tachyporus n. sp. Hopedale. Creophilus villosus Gray. Caribou Island. Agathidium obsoletum Lee. Square Island. Silpha Lappo?iica Linn. Caribou Island to Hopedale. Philhydrus bifidus Lee. Caribou Island. Gyrinus picipes Aube ? Square Island. G. minutus Linn. Square Island. G. affinis Aube ? Square Island. Colymbetes picipes Kirby. Caribou Island and Strawberry Harbor. C. binotatus Harris (probably). C. sculptilis Harris. Caribou Island, Square Island, Hopedale. C. nov. sp. Square Island. Agabus parallelus Lee. Square Island. A. longulus Lee.? Stupart's Bay (R. Bell). A. ambiguus Lee. (A. infuscatus Aube). Caribou Island. A. subfasciahis Lee. Caribou Island. A. scmipundatus (Kirby). Caribou Island. A. Icevidorsus Lee. Caribou Island. A. pundulatus Aube. Caribou Island. A. discolor Lee. Indian Harbor. Hydroporus catascopium Say. Square Island and Dumplin Harbor. H. tenebrosus Lee. Caribou Island. 144 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. H. puberulns Lee. Sloop Harbor and Dumplin Harbor. H. longicornis. • Stupart's Bay (R. Bell). H. perplexus Shp. Stupart's Bay (R. Bell). Trechus micans Lee. Belles Amoures. Patrobus tennis Lee. Square Island. P. hypcrboreus Dejean. Belles Amoures, Straits of Belle Isle, Cape Chidley (R. Bell). Harpalus herbivagus Say., var. proximus Lee. Square Island. Amara obtusa Lee. Amara, near A. melanogastrica Esch., perhaps A. brunni. A. pennis Dej. Caribou Island. Amara, "no name." Strawberry Harbor, Square Island and Hopedale. A. similis Lee. ( Stereocerus similis Kirby). Caribou Island. A. hcematopus Kirby. Sloop Harbor, Hopedale, Okkak (S. Weiz). Pterostichus adstrictus Esch., var. orinomum Kirby. Mecatina ; Gulf St. Lawrence. Pterostichus hudsonicus Lee. Stupart's Bay (R. Bell). Pt., species not determined. Hopedale, Sinker Island, off Cape Harri- son (Cape Webuc). Pt. heczottii Dej. Blanc Sablon (R. Bell). Platymis sinuatus Dej. Belles Amoures, Straits of Belle Isle. Calathus ingratus Dej. Whole coast. Carabus chamissonis Fischer. Domino Harbor and Okkak. Ncbria Sahlbergii Fischer. Sloop Harbor, Cape Chidley (R. Bell). Notiophilus Sibiricus Motsch. Domino Harbor, Square Island. DIPTERA. Scatina estotilandica Rondani, Archiv, etc. Canestrini hi., fasc. i, 35, Labrador. Osten Sacken adds : Mr. Rondani, in the same place, mentions Scatophaga diadema Wiedemann (Montevideo), as having been received from Labrador. Helophilus glacialis Loew. Stett. Ent. Zeit. vii., 121. " grocn/andicus (O. Fabr.) Dolichopus stenhammari Zett. Sloop Harbor, July 19. Theriopledes flavipes Wied. " septentrionalis Loew. Verb. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien., 1858, 593. Tipula tesscllata Loew. Cent, iv., 4. Tipnla septentrionalis Loew. Cent, iv., 3. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 145 Amalopsis hyperborea O. Sacken. Monogr. iv., 269. Dicranomyia halterata O. Sacken. Monog. iv., 71. LEPIDOPTERA. Tineidae. Glyphipteryx sp. Caribou Island. Tinea fuscipunctella Harv. ( = CEcophora frigidella Pack J Caribou and Square Islands. CEcophora sp. Hopedale. Incurvaria Labrador ella Clem. Caribou Island. Ornix boreasella Clem. Caribou Island. Tinea spilotella Tengstrom. Caribou Island, Square Island, " Okkak, June." Christoph. Gelechia continuella Zell. Moeschl. ( = trimaculella Pack.) Strawberry Harbor. Gelechia labradorica Moeschl. Moravian Stations. " brumella Clem. Caribou Island. Tortricidce; Grapho/itha nebulosaiia Pack. Strawberry Harbor. Phoxopteris plagosatia (Clem.) Caribou Island and Square Island. " tineana Hiibn. (Pandemis leucophalerata Pack.) Hopedale. Sericoris bipartitana (Clem.) Caribou Island. Pcedisca solicitana (Walk.) (Halonota packardiana Clem.) Caribou Is. Sericoris turfosana H. S. " glaciana Moeschl. Whole coast ; common. Petithina capreana (Hiibn.) " murina Pack. Caribou Island. " septentrionana Curtis. Sloop and Strawberry Harbors. (Polar regions, Curtis.) " i?itermistana (Clem.) (P. tessellana Pack.) Caribou Island to Hopedale. frigidana Pack. Conchy/is deutschiana Zetterstedt (Lozopera? fuscostrigana Clem.; C. chalcana Pack.) Sciaphi/a osseana Scopoli (Ablabia pratana Hiibn.) " moeschleriana (Wrcke). " niveosana Pack. Moravian Stations, August. 140 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Pyralidae. Crambus unistriatellus Pack. Caribou Island. "■ argillaceellus Pack. Square Island. 41 trichostomus Christoph. Moravian Stations. " /abradorensis Christoph. " Okkak, July." " albcllus Clem. Mouth of Esquimaux river, Aug. 3. " inornatellus Clem. Caribou Island, July 15. Endorea centuriella Christoph. ( Pempelia fusca Harv., Eudorea ? frigidella Pack.,) Eudorea ? albisinuatella Pack. Okkak. Pyrausta borealis Pack. Square Island. Botys ephippialis Zettst. " torvalis Moeschl. " inquinatalis Zell. (Scopula glacialis Pack.) Hopedale. PhalcenidcB. Eupithecia hit eat a Pack. Caribou Island, July. " gelidata Moeschl. Moravian Stations. Glaticopteryx caesiata (S. V.) Whole coast. " polata (Dupon.) Whole coast. 11 p/iocataria Pack. Epirrita dilutata (Borkh.) Moravian Stations. Petrophora truncata (Hum.) Whole coast. " . prunata (Linn.) " " " populata (Linn.) " " suspectata Moeschl. Moravian Stations. Ochyria munitaria Hiibn. Caribou Island and var. /abradorensis Pack. " abrasaria H. Sch. Caribou Island. R/icumaptera lugubrata Staud. Whole coast. " post at a (Linn.) Whole coast. disceptaria (F. R.) Moravian Stations. Triphosa dubitaria (Linn.) Caribou Island. Scmiothisa dispuncta Walk. (Sex-maculata Pack.) Square Island. Anaitis sororaria Hiibn. Moravian Stations. Aspilates gilvaria S. V. " " Acidalia sentinaria Hiibn. " " " frigidaria Moeschl. " " THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 147 Noctuidae. Brephos parthenias (Linn.) Moravian Stations. Plusia uaureum Boisd. u " " par His Hiibn. " divcrgens Fabr. " " Anarta funesta (Thunberg). " " " melanopa (Thun.) " mclaleuca (Thun.) " " Whole coast. " vidua Christoph. *' " " cordigera (Thun.) " " algida Lef. " lapponica (Thun ) " schonherri Zett. " " zetterstedtii Staud. Hadena exulis Lef. " " " exornata Moeschl. " " Pachnobia caruea Thun. " " Whole coast. Mamestra arctica Boisd. Whole coast. Diaiithoecia subdita Moeschl. Moravian Stations. " plwca Moeschl. " " Agrotis septentrioualis Moeschl. " " " fusca Boisd. " Wockei Moeschl. " " speciosa Hubn. " " " comparata Moeschl. " : ' " dissona Moeschl. " " " umbratus Pack. " " conflua Fehr.. " " Leucauia rufostrigata Pack. Caribou Island. Bombycidce. Hepialus labradoriensis Pack. Caribou Island. " hyperboreus Moeschler. Moravian Stations. Laria Rossi i (Curtis) Whole coast. Arctia Queuselii Paykull. Whole coast. Platarctia borealis (Moeschler). Moravian Stations. Euprepia caja (Linn.) Whole coast. 148 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. *RHOPALOCERA. Brenthis chariclea (Schneid). This is the Argynnis boisduvalii of the previous list. A detailed description of the species, drawn up exclu- sively from American material, will be found in the Proc. Bost. Nat. Hist., Vol. xvii., p. 297. Brenthis triclaris (Hubn.) = Argynnis triclaris of the previous list. A full description will be found as above on p. 294. Brenthis polar is (Boisd.) = Argynnis polaris of the former list. A full description, based entirely on Dr. Packard's material, will be found as above, p. 303. Brenthis frigga (Thunb.) = Argynnis frigga of the former list. The single male obtained in Labrador, with specimens from Colorado, taken by Mr. Mead, form the basis of a detailed description in the same place as the preceding, p. 306. Eu^onia j-album (Boisd. -Lee.) = Grapta interrogationis of the previous list. This is the worst error in that list, and a case of pure careless- ness in writing. CEneis jutta Hubn. = Chionobas jutta of previous list. " bore (Esp.) = Chionobas bore of former list. " ceno (Boisd) = Chionobas ceno of former list. Agriades aquilo (Boisd.) = Lycsena aquilo of former list. An extended description from Dr. Packard's material will be found in the Proceed- ings of the Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. vol. xvii , p. 310. Pier is frigida Scudd. I have not re-examined this. Eurymus Labradorensis (Scudd.) This is the Colias palceno, as well as the C. Labradorensis of the previous list. The specimen referred to the former being of the same species as the latter. I will not here venture on a discussion as to the validity of the specific name retained here, but as the species was described and figured sufficiently for determination, and is the common form in south-eastern Labrador, it is easily identifiable. *A revised list of the butterflies obtained in Labrador by Dr. A. S. Packard, by Samuel H. Scudder. (The list was prepared for use in the present work. The species have been arranged in the descending order by the author.) In 1886 I published a list of Dr. Packard's collections in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Vol. xi. The present list is merely a redetermination of the same material, in the light of larger collections since seen. The same order as before is followed. The specimens are mostly in my collection and in that of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. — S H, S. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 149 Eurymus nastes (Boisd.) = Colias nasles of former list. I have not re- examined specimens, as they are apparently no longer extant. Pamphila comma (Linn) = Hesperia comma of my former list. The single specimen obtained was not examined by me in my study of the species of Pamphila (Memoirs Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist, ii., 34 T )> and is the only specimen I have seen of P. comma from America. It belongs to the var. catena Staud, found in northern Scandinavia and Lapland, and exactly resembles the specimen of that variety figured by me in the memoir referred to above. Moschler has already noted that it is this variety which occurs in Labrador. Hesperia centaurcae Ramb. Nothing to be added. HYMENOPTERA. Urocerus flavicornis Fabr. Common on Caribou Island. " cyaneus Fabr. Hopedale. Eicura orbitalis Norton. Var. a. b. Caribou Island. Nematus Labradoris Norton. Caribou Island. " malacus " " " fallax monela " fulvipes " placentus " Allantus originalis Macrophya ( Pachy protasis) omega Norton. Tenthredo mcllinus Norton. Caribou Island. cinctitibiis " " Formica herculanea Linn. Whole coast. " sanguinea Latr. Straits of Belle Isle. Vespa maculata Linn. Southern coast, Mecatina Island. norvegica Fabr. Caribou Island. Bonbus lacustris Cresson. Whole northern coast; common. " hirbyellus Curtis. Sloop Harbor and Hopedale. frigidus Smith. Square Island and Hopedale. <■'• nivalis Dahlb. Caribou Island and whole coast northward. Caribou Island. 150 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST JOHN ABBOT, THE AURELIAN. BY SAMUEL H. SCUDDER. It has been a fortunate thing for the study of butterflies in this country that the earlier students were those who devoted themselves very largely to the natural history of these insects rather than to their systematic or descriptive study. It was indeed a natural and healthy result of the poverty of external resources in earlier times ; and I have thought that it would not be devoid of interest to present a few facts concerning the life and industry of one of these earlier naturalists, who worked to such good purpose and accomplished so much, under circumstances that would now seem very forbidding. A unique figure, perhaps the most striking in the early development of natural history in America, is that of a man of whom we know almost absolutely nothing excepting what he accomplished. With one exception, all our knowledge of his personality comes through tradition. No life of him has ever been written, excepting a brief notice by Swainson in the Bibliography of Zoology, to which Mr. G. Brown Goode has kindly called my attention. It is not known when or where he was born, or when he died ; scarcely where he lived, or to what nationality he belonged. Even the town where he worked no longer exists. His name alone remains, and though we have access to not a little of his writing in his own round hand, his signature cannot be discovered.* John Abbot was presumably an Englishman, as the name is English, and he is said by Sir. J. E. Smith, to have begun his career by the study of the transformations of British insects. When not far from thirty years old, and probably about 1790, he was engaged by three or four of the leading entomologists of England, to go out to North America for the purpose of collecting insects for their cabinets. After visiting several places in different parts of the Union, he determined to settle in the " Province of Georgia," as Swainson calls it. Here he lived for nearly twenty years in Scriven County, as I am informed by several persons through the kindness of Dr. Oemler, of Wilmington Island, in that State, returning to England probably not far from 18 10, where he was living about 1840, at the age "probably above eighty." It is rumored in *Mr. W. F. Kirby has kindly made many researches for me at the British Museum, the Linnsean Society, etc. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 151 Georgia that he owned land there, and all that can be learned of him comes from persons beyond middle life in that State, who remember hear- ing their parents speak of him. Col. Charles C. Jones, the Georgia historian, informs me through Dr. Oemler that ; ' while he remained in Georgia, in the prosecution of his scientific labors, his head-quarters were at Jacksonborough, then the county seat of Scriven County. Here his work on the Lepidoptera of Georgia was largely prepared. All traces of this old town have now passed away." It is supposed that he also em- ployed himself as a school-master in this place, but this is purely traditional, and his occasional bungling, not to say ungrammatical sentences, rather indicate a lack of schooling on his own part. What we certainly know regarding him is that he entered into relations with John Francillon, a silversmith in the Strand, London, who had a famous collection of insects and an extensive entomological correspondence. Francillon undertook to supply subscribers with drawings of insects and plants by Abbot, as well as with specimens, the latter of which, says Swainson, "were certainly the finest that have ever been transmitted as articles of commerce to this country ; they were always sent home expanded, even the most minute ; and he was so watchful and indefatigable in his researches, that he contrived to breed nearly the whole of the Lepidoptera. His general price for a box-full was sixpence each specimen ; which was certainly not too much, considering the beauty and high perfection of all the individuals. Abbot, however, was not a mere collector. Every moment of time he could possibly devote from his field researches was employed in making finished drawings of the larva, pupa, and perfect insect of every lepidopterous species, as well as of the plant upon which it fed. These drawings are so beautifully chaste and wonderfully correct, that they were coveted by every one." It would appear from a note in Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology (5th ed., hi., 148) that " the ingenious Mr. Abbot " also knew the art of inflating caterpillar skins, and dealt in them through Francillon. (See many other references in the same volume.) There still exist in various places, principally in the British Museum, but also at Oxford, Paris and Zurich, and in this country at Boston, large series of his drawings of insects and plants. Those in the British Museum are arranged in sixteen stout quarto volumes, bound in red morocco ; each volume has a printed title page and is dated 1792 to 1809, the dates no doubt between which they were purchased for the Museum through Francillon from Abbot, and which probably indicated the period of his 152 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. activity in America. In Boston two similar volumes exist, one of which was presented by Dr. Gray of the British Museum, to Dr. Gray the botanist of Cambridge, and by him to the Natural History Society, where it may now be seen. The other volume is a collection, perhaps the only considerable one which has never passed out of this country, which was purchased by the Society from Dr. Oemler, of Georgia, who inherited it from his father.* In the title page of the last volume of the British Museum series there is a miniature portrait let into the title page, which, tradition says, was painted by Abbot himself, and indeed it bears every mark of this, though there is no memorandum to this effect within the volume. With its peculiar physiognomy it adds considerably to our interest in the original ; there seems to be not a little humour in the quaint features and figure, and the spare form hardly gives the figure of robust health which the face would indicate. Abbot probably returned to England about 1810, at an age of about fifty, and our portrait was doubtless painted at about this time, certainly before he left America, since it represents him in the thinnest of southern costume. There were old persons living in Georgia up to 1885, but since deceased, who knew him, but apparently none now remain. Abbot's work was by no means on Lepidoptera alone, as any of the series of his drawings will show. Dr. Hagen, in speaking of the volume in the British Museum containing the Neuroptera, says that all the details are given with the greatest care, and that in almost all cases the species can be identified. The same is the case with most of the drawings of Lepidoptera, though there is a mark of carelessness in some of the figures of early stages which is not found in others ; this is no doubt due to the fact that so many applied for these drawings, "both in Europe and America, that he found it expedient to employ one or two assistants, whose copies he retouched, and thus finished they generally pass as his own. To an experienced eye, however, the originals of the master are readily distinguished." It would hardly appear that he paid more attention to Lepidoptera than to other insects. Yet in the Oemler collection alone there are one hundred and thirty-three plates of Lepidoptera, nearly every one of which *Mr. Oemler and Mr. " Le Compte ". are both mentioned in Abbot's notes as sending him specimens. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 15. figures a species distinct from the others, and ninety-four of which are accompanied by the early stages. Twenty-two of these are insects figured in Abbot and Smith's work, but the figures of the early stages are in no case identical ; they represent the same insect but in different attitudes. Of these one hundred and thirty-three plates, thirty-four are concerned with the butterflies. The drawings of butterflies in the British Museum are contained in the sixth and sixteenth volumes, the former comprising the perfect insects only, the latter the early stages as well, and in this latter series thirty-six species are figured ; while the two Boston collec- tions contain figures of the early stages of all but two of the species repre- sented in the British Museum volume. Swainson states that a series of one hundred and three subjects of Lepidoptera, including none published before, was executed for him " with the intention of forming two additional volumes to those edited by Dr. Smith, but the design is now abandoned." Each set of drawings furnished by Abbot seems to have been accom- panied by more or less manuscript, in which the life history of the insect is given in brief form, with the food plant of the caterpillar and the times of the change of the caterpillars to chrysalids, and of chrysalids to butter- flies, which shows that Abbot must have been an exceptionally industrious rearer of insects. Indeed the transformations of not a few of our butter- flies are even now known only through the observations and illustrations of Abbot. Dr. Boisduval was good enough to present me with three series of manuscript notes entitled " Notes to the Drawings of Insects," all written in Abbot's own hand, and comprising twenty-seven foolscap pages, rather closely written, and describing the changes of two hundred and one species; of these thirty-eight are butterflies. These, unfortunately, are referred to only by number and by an English name, which Abbot himself applied, apparently to every insect of which he furnished drawings, such as the " reed butterfly," the " ringed butterfly," the " lesser dingy skipper," etc , though he occasionally makes use of such names as the "autumnal ajax," " Papilio antiopa," etc., showing his familiarity to a certain extent with Linnean names. As the names and drawings are in some instances kept together, the manuscript of those in which they are not connected is still of use. It appears that nearly all the Georgian butterflies were observed and painted by Abbot, and that of about sixty species which he raised he distributed illustrations and notes of the early stages to some of his correspondents. 154 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. As is well known by all aurelians, one considerable collection of Abbot's drawings was published by Sir James Edward Smith in two sumptuous folio volumes, but these comprise, as far as the butterflies are concerned, only twenty-four species. This work made an epoch in the history of entomology in this country. Besides this Abbot published nothing. The article credited to him in Hagen's Bibliography was by a Rev. Mr. Abbot, who wrote from England in November, 1798, when Abbot was in this country. CHARACTERS OF PROTECTION AND DEFENCE IN INSECTS. BV A. R. GROTE, A. M., BREMEN, GERMANY. A few years since I described a colony of Spanner caterpillars (Geometridce) belonging to an undetermined species, and the description appeared afterwards in this journal. These larva? were remarkable for their mimicry, in color and shape and attitude, of dead leaves. There could be no question that they belonged to the category of protective appearance, to which so many green and brown tinted larvse belong, which share these " cosmical colors." In studying these larvae we must consider their color, shape and attitude separately. The larva? of most of the Hawk Moths belong to this category. The caterpillar in repose, or at the approach of danger, assumes a rigid attitude in which it resembles a leaf on a branch of the food plant. The markings along the back often assist this resemblance. The only motion is that imparted by the swaying of the plant on which it rests. When disturbed, the caterpillar of Thyreus Abbotii throws itself by jerks from side to side and gives out a crepitating noise. It looks then somewhat snake-like. The second category is that of defensive appearance. Highly colored, red and yellow larvae, belong many of them to this category, as also those armed with spines and prickles. These would seem to court obser- vation, which they further aid by their restlessness. It is probable that, by their gaudy appearance, they inspire distaste or fear in their natural enemies. The caterpillars of Orgyia are not eaten by birds, nor are those of Abraxas. By simulating obnoxious species it has been shown that several kinds of butterflies escape destruction. From these two points of view the appearance of insects must be studied, but it by no means follows that the means to the end have been always perfectly attained. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 155 It is owing to the imperfection of their protection that insects are, as a whole, kept under and -an undue multiplication prevented. But there is, probably, an effort in these directions to be noted and brought out in the life history of all insects. Darwin's law of Natural Selection tends to bring out these characters more strongly by its effect of preserving the best pro- tected kinds. I have noted how the species of Catocala, so numerous with us, are preserved ; the larvae, by their resemblance to twigs, the moths, from their upper wings, during the day and in repose, correspond- ing in appearance with the trunk and bark of the trees against which they rest. The larvae of burrowing Lepidoptera resemble in their pale and livid colors those of the Coleoptera or burrowing larvae of other Orders of Insects. The larvae of Hymenoptera, which are external feeders, resemble the external feeding Lepidoptera in their greenish tints. There is then a correlation between habit and color. The larvae of cut-worms (Agrotis) resemble the soil in color, where they burrow at the roots of plants. In South Carolina I collected a number of specimens of an Orthopter- ous insect, which strikingly resembled the predaceous Cicindelidae. They were active on the leaves of Okra. I regret that the specimens were lost, and I could not determine the species. I have observed that certain smooth Chrysomelidae, living on a species of lily, on the approach of danger folded in the feet and allowed themselves to slide off the leaves, dropping in the herbage beneath where they speedily recovered the use of their legs. The snapping beetles, Elateridce, assume a rigid attitude, the short feet tucked in against the under part of the hard body, and look like bits of dead wood or twigs. By their quiet and protective color they seem to expect that they will escape notice. This and similar actions in other kinds of beetles and insects is called " feigning death " by some writers. In order to " feign death," as the words intend, some knowledge of death as such and its advantages must be supposed. But I cannot think that insects have arrived at any such generalization of ideas. Their actions often incompletely answer to their apparent ends. It is probable to me that their attitudes of repose are assumed from the experience which they have gradually acquired that in a state of quiet they will best avoid the immediate dangers which beset them and which they cannot escape bv flight. A Catocala will rest in quiet for hours, but on the near approach of a disturber will take to very quick and instant flight. Trying to capture a specimen once it thus escaped me, but in its endeavor to avoid Charybdis it fell into Scylla, for a passing swallow devoured it in the air. 156 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The characters of protection and defense form an interesting subject in the natural history of external feeding larvae, such as those of the Lepidoptera, for here the insect must rely on them and can do little or nothing by movement. Therefore they can here be the more readily detected. In tracing descent and relationship between the species, the modifications of the external characters of the larvae must lead to the best results, to the safest conjectures as to the line taken. Almost all our knowledge as to any species and its habits is fragmentary and incomplete. What piece and parcel we observe we are apt to be very certain about, and we do not hesitate to draw therefrom very absolute conclusions, with an air of authority incommensurate with our knowledge. But in the multitude of counsellors there is in this case so far safety, that each may bring his observations and conclusions to paper, and, if the editor will print them, from the sifting of the whole a picture will in time be drawn which will stand in some proportion to the real truth. THE ORANGE SPOT IN NATHALIS IOLE, Bdw. BY T. D. A. COCKERELL, WEST CLIFF, COLORADO. On November ist, 1887, I took in this locality (Swift Creek, near West Cliff,) an example of NatJuxlis io/e, and was thereby led to examine its characters. The general colour of the upper side of this insect is pale yellow. The primaries are marked with pale black (if one may use such a term,) after the manner described in the text books, and the upper margins of the secondaries also present a black patch, covering the area which is normally overlapped by the primaries. On this black patch, not far from the base of the wing, is an elongated spot of the most vivid orange. 1 first noticed this spot when setting out my specimen, and was led to wonder why the most vivid piece of colouring in the whole insect should be situated where it was invisible under ordinary conditions. Could it be due to some peculiarity in the development of the pigment induced by its peculiar position on the wing? was it a relic of the original colour of the insect, which not being under the same influences as the exposed parts, had not become modified in the course of ages ? or was it a secondary sexual character to be exhibited by the raising of the primaries ? Being unable to answer these questions, I put the insect away until January 12th, when I sent it off with other butterflies to Mr W. H. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 157 Edwards, calling his attention to the presence of the orange spots. He wrote in reply that he could not tell why some examples of N. iole had the orange spot and others not, but it was a very variable species. On March 5th I received the box I had sent, and in it my specimen of N. iole, which, to my great astonishment, had completely lost the orange spots,— they having become pale yellow, the colour of the rest of the wing (except the black portion), only somewhat glossy. The orange shade on the under side of the primaries, near the costal margin, had not faded in the least. Supposing that the butterfly might have been sub- mitted to some unusual influence while in Mr. Edwards' hands, I wrote to him asking the exact circumstances under which he had kept it, and he replied as follows: "The particular specimen which you sent and I returned never was outside your box, and the latter rested on top of one of my insect cases, so that no chemical influence was brought to bear on it. Last year I raised several iole imagos from larvae, and the males I think all had the orange spot ; I am sure some had. On looking at them now (March 16), I find no orange at a//." So it is perfectly clear that the orange spot in Nathalis is of a peculiar nature, and is further liable to fade, which process is not one of continuous and gradual bleach- ing due to the action of light — because my specimen was all the time in a closed box in perfect darkness, and the orange remained as vivid as ever up to the time that I sent the insect to Mr. Edwards — but is more or less sudden, and apparently due to change in the constitution of a complex pigment, rather than its destruction. However this may be, I think that however insignificant this question may seem from the point of view of the systematise it is one which the evolutionist will recognize as demand- ing his careful attention, and this must be my excuse for dealing with it at so great a length. NOTE ON A GERMAN EDITION OF ROSS'S SECOND VOYAGE (1829-1S33). BY A. R. GROTE, A. M. A copy of a German translation of Ross's Second Voyage lately fell into my hands, and I make the following bibliographical note upon the descriptions of Lepidoptera there given. The translation is by Julius,. Graf von der Groben, Lieutenant in K. Pr. Reg. Garde du corps, and the third part or volume is published in Berlin, 1836. This volume (8 vo.) 158 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. contains the natural history, the descriptions of the Lepidoptera occupying pages 238 to 255 inclusive. The following are the references : Colias Boothii (Curtis), p. 238. " Chione (Curtis), p. 239. Hipparchia Rossii (Curtis), p. 241. " subhyalina (Curtis), p. 242. Melitcea Tarquinius (Curtis), p. 243. Polyommatus Frankliriii (Curtis), p. 245. Laria Rossii (Curtis), p. 247. Eyprepia Hyperboreus (Curtis), p. 249. Hadena Richardsoni (Curtis), p. 250. Psychophora Sabiui (KirbyJ, p. 251. Oporabia Punctipes (Curtis), p. 252. Orthotcenia Bcntleyana (Don), p. 253. " Septentrionana (Curtis), p. 254. Argyrotosa (?) Parry ana (Curtis), p. 254. I have identified the moth Laria Rossii from specimens taken by Mr. Mann on Mount Washington, N. H. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF ANTHOCHARIS. BY W. H. EDWARDS, COALBURGH, WEST VA. Anthocharis Pima. Male — Expands 1.75 inch. Upper side yellow ; the bases of wings dusted black ; primaries have the basal half of costa white, crossed by dark brown streaks ; the apex also edged white on both margins, and next this is a series of five large, elongated, dark brown spots, almost confluent, filling the interspaces to second medium nervule, each sending a narrow projection to the margin ; on the arc a black rectangu lar bar, the area between this and the apical spots and costal edge orange ; fringes whitish ; a few blackish hairs at the end of each nervule on secondaries. Under side of primaries yellow ; the apical area greenish, dusted with black scales ; the orange repeated paler and diffused over cell and second median interspace ; the bar on arc repeated. Secondaries pale yellow, largely covered by patches of light yellow- green, confluent, forming irregular and connected transverse bands from hind margin to base. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 159 Female — Expands 1.7 inch. Same yellow ; the apical spots longer and completely confluent, forming a solid patch ; the orange paler ; the bar on arc less rectangular ; broadest on sub-costal ; under side as in the male. From two examples taken early in April, 1883, m Pima County, Arizona, by Mr. O. T. Baron. In all 2 $ and 2 °_ were taken. This is the only known North American species in which both sexes are yellow. The brown apical patch is much larger than in the allied species. BOOK NOTICE. THE BUTTERFLIES OF SOUTH AFRICA. South African butterflies : A monograph of the extra-tropical species. By Roland Trimen, F. R. S., etc., assisted by James Henry Bowker, F. Z. S., etc. Vol. I : Nymphalidae ; Vol. II : Erycinidae and Ly- caenidae. London : Trubner & Co., 1887, 8 vo. All who have studied foreign butterflies at all are acquainted with Trimen's work on the butterflies of Southern Africa, published more than twenty years ago, under the title Rhopalocera Africae Australis. It will please them to know that there has recently appeared the first two of three volumes on the same subject, which are based, indeed, upon the old, but wholly rewritten, and with a great wealth of additions, especially on the natural history side. These two volumes comprise the Nymphalidae, Erycinidae and Lycaenidae, in all 238 species. The Papilionidae and Hesperidse are to occupy the third volume with about 142 species. It will thus be seen that Mr. Trimen falls into line with all the principal lepidopterists of England in the serial order in which he here places the different families of butterflies, adopting, indeed, exactly the subdivisions and the order Mr. Moore employed in his Lepidoptera of Ceylon, which we noticed lately. But he does more than that; for, in a long introductory chapter of 44 pp.. he treats of the structure, classification and distinctive characters of the groups, together with their geographical distribution, their habits and instances of mimicry in an excellent manner, such as is very unusual in a work of this nature. It would interest every reader of the Canadian Entomologist. So, too, all the families, sub-families and generic groups are characterized with a fulness entirely proportional to the specific descriptions, rendering the work one of the best introductions to a fauna known to me. These descriptions are evidently the work of one who is quite familiar with structure, are not copied from the writings of others, but 160 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. are introduced in language of the author's own, having a special value quite apart from the rest of the work. Nor is this all ; for the characters are drawn not simply from the complete stage of the insects, but from the larva and pupa as well, and these same stages are introduced in the generic descriptions. It is unfortunate that he has not included also the egg. The work is illustrated so far by ten octavo plates, one of which is devoted to the structure of the wings, the head and legs of the imago ; two to the early stages of a few species, and the remainder to excellent chromo- lithographs of the perfect insects. The figures of the early stages are an in- teresting, though somewhat scanty, addition to our knowledge, the most important of which is found in the larva and pupa of D'Urbania, a curious genus of Lycaeninae, in which the pupa, as well as the larva, is covered with long fascicles of hairs, as long as the width of the body. Mr. Trimen has been aided by collectors and naturalists throughout Southern Africa to a very great extent, so much so, indeed, that he has added to his title page the name of one of them, Col. Bowker, as joint author with himself ; and the help he has received in this respect may be indicated in part by the considerable number of species which have been added to the list of South African butterflies since the publication of his first work, a total of 3S0 against 197. An excellent coloured map of Southern Africa, south of the tropic of Capricorn, is prefixed to the first volume. We hope the third volume, completing the work, will soon be issued. Samuel H. Scudder. CORRESPONDENCE. REMEDY FOR ROSE-APHIS. Dear Sir : Experiments with a weak solution of Creolin upon Rose Aphides and leaf-tying larvae ( Tortrix) proved quite successful without any apparent injury to the plants. Rose bushes syringed with Creolin solution remained for some time after free from insects of any kind fo far as I could observe. More continued use of Creolin must be made to speak with certainty, but it seems to me likely that in this disinfectant we may have a valuable help for garden or greenhouse. A. R. Grote. Mailed August 1st. Clje Canadian (Jntawolapt VOL. XX. LONDON, SEPTEMBER, 1888. No. 9 CATALOGUE OF THE MYRMOPHILOUS COLEOPTERA WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY AND NOTES. BY JOHN HAMILTON, M. D., ALLEGHENY, PA. Quite a number of our Coleoptera are known to associate in their imago or perfect state with the Formicarise — comprehensively, ants. Very little, perhaps nothing, is known of the larval and pupal life of any of these beetles. Some, like Batrisus bistridtus, probably never leave the ants ; but others, like the species of Cremastochihis, desert them in the spring, whether afterwards to return and propagate among them is an open question. The association here referred to is common inhabitancy and more or less mutual interdependency, and not mere accidental occurrences under stones, bark and common shelters as seen frequently ; and it is not always easy for the collector to avoid confusion of this kind. By bringing together the most of what is recorded in American literature about these interesting Coleoptera, with this as a basis it is hoped a stimulus may be given to research, and collectors may be induced to search for them more diligently, and make public their observations. It is no easy matter to investigate properly an ant's nest, but patience and labour intelligently directed may meet with ample reward. Larvse and pupae should be diligently sought for in the formicariums. Only once or twice is there mention of any larva of a Coleopter having occurred with ants, and that of some Staphylinide that may have only been there as an explorer. ABBREVIATIONS. Tr. — Transactions of the American Entomological Society. Pr. — Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Science, Phil. (2nd series). An. — Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History, New York. B. J. — Boston Journal of Natural History. 162 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. No Carabidae are known to me to truly inhabit with ants, but several species hibernate in their burrows whether inhabited or not, as Panagceus fascidtus, which I find in autumn and in spring. Ptomophagus parasitus Lee. I take this beetle occasionally in April on the under side of flat stones covering the formicaria of a large black ant (Formica herculanea ? ). With this species of ant I once found five specimens of Hister p/auipes, and Cremastochilus canalicidatus and Harrisii are its guests. Co/on. The Classification, p. 77, states that some species of Colon are found only in ants' nests, but I fail to find further bibliography. Scydmcenus. The Classification, p. 84, mentions ants' nests as the residence of some of the species. It might be well for the collector to consider whether the association is other than accidental. S. capillosus Lee. Is found in March on the under side of stones, and is said (Pr., 6, 152) to sometimes occur in the nest of a small rufous ant with red legs. I take it sometimes with various small ants but just as frequently by itself, and see no connection besides that of occupying a common shelter. Georgia, Pennsylvania and New York. 6". brevicomis Say. Occurs in the nest of a small black ant. New York and Pennsylvania. (Pr., 6, 153.) S. rasus Lee. Found with a small fuscous ant. Pennsylvania. (Pr., 6, I53-) Adranes coccus Lee. Found with a small black ant. June. Georgia and Illinois. (B. J., 6, 84; N. S., p. 28 ) Adranes Lecontei Brend. Several specimens of this curious insect, which is without eyes and has only two joints in the antennae, were taken by Mr. Charles Dury near Cincinnati, Ohio, with a medium-sized pale brown species of ant, inhabiting a decaying beech log. "On each side of the body and just back of the elytra is a tuft of brown hair, and from it springs a tube from which the beetle exudes a fluid that the ants are supposed to eat." — 'Dury, Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, July, 1884. Ceophyllus moni/is Lee. Inhabits here with a medium-sized, honey- yellow ant (Lasius integerrimus ?) that nests under stones. When the beetle is found, which is not often, from six to a dozen occur in the same THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 163 nest. I find Hetcerius brunnipennis with this ant. April and May. Dr. Leconte took C. month's under bark in August in Michigan. (B. J., 6, 73 ; Can. Ent., i8, 26.) Cedins Ziegleri Lee. Dr. Leconte took a specimen at Bedford, Pa., in the nest of Formica ritfa, though previously he had found it under bark. (Tr., 6, 288; B. J., 6, 74.) Tmesiphorus costalis Lee. Found with Formica rufa. (Tr., 6, 287.) Ctenistes pulverens Lee. Taken at San Jose, California, "with a small piceous ant with testaceous legs." (An., 5, 214.) Tychns puberulus Lee. With ants. San Jose, California. (An., 5, 214) Decarthron formiceti Lee. Found with Formica Pennsylvanica. April. Pennsylvania. (B. J., 6, 90.) Batrisus I once. Found by Dr. Leconte " with a small, opaque, black ant, with rufo-piceous feet and antennas." May. Mt. Iona, Georgia. (B. J., 6, 94.) B. armiger Lee. Lives with a medium-sized rufous ant. Pennsylvania. (B. J, 6, 94) B. ferox Lee. Found with various ants. Pennsylvania, loc. cit. B. cristatus Lee. Found with a large rufous ant with a brownish head. Pennsylvania, loc. cit. B. riparius Say. Occurs occasionally in Pennsylvania under stones with Formica Pennsylvanica (?), but more frequently under pine bark in Georgia. (B. J., 6, 95.) B. globosus Lee. Inhabits with several species of ant in Pennsylvania and Georgia. (B. J., 6, 100.) B. bistriatus Lee. Taken by Dr. Leconte with a large rufous ant, loc. cit. I have taken it twice in April with a medium-sized honey-yellow ant. The ants seem to be very fond of them, and carry them off like their eggs and pupae, while the beetles appear to be entirely impassive. (Can. Ent., 18, 26.) B. lineaticollis Aube. Taken with a large rufous ant. Georgia and Pennsylvania. (B. J., 6, 100.) It is quite probable other species of this genus occur with ants. Five species in California, described as new by Mr. Casey since the catalogue 164 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. was issued, are found in wet moss and under stones near water courses, thus showing great diversity of habit in insects placed in the same genus. Anchylarthron cornutwn £ (inornatum % ) Brend. Gregarious with ants. Mississippi Valley and South Carolina. (Tr., 14, 208.) Trimium puncticolle Lee. Many specimens of this species were taken in an ants' nest by Dr. Horn in Arizonia. (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, 17. 384-) Homalota. An undescribed species was taken with Formica rufa at Bedford, Pa., by Dr. Leconte. (Tr., 6, 288.) Lomechusa cava Lee. About fifty specimens were taken with a colony of black ants [Formica Pennsylvanica\ inhabiting a white oak log. Massachusetts. (Bui. Brook. Ent. Soc, 2, 4.) Dr. Leconte took it from the mounds of Formica rufa in the Alleghany Mountains ; it occurred with yellow ants in Columbia County, Pa., Michigan and Maryland ; and in Illinois in large numbers in the nests of Formica rufa (?). (Tr., 6, 287.) Oxypoda. A species occurred with Formica rufa at Bedford, Pa. Leconte. (Tr., 6, 288.) Lept acinus longicollis Lee. Occurs in the middle States, and usually in ants' nests. (N. S., p. 41.) Eleusis pallidus Lee. Ants' nests, Lancaster County, Pa. (Leconte in New Species, p. 58. This insect is gregarious. I have twice taken a colony early in July under the bark of Balm of Gilead stumps (Populus candicans) — once with very small brown ants, and once alone. The association of this species with ants appears to me to be merely acci- dental. (Can. Ent., 18, 27.) Hister plariipes Lee. Occurs, according to Dr. Horn, from Massachu- setts to Georgia. Here, I took once five specimens in April in a nest of Formica herculanea. H. perpunctatus Lee. Mr. F. Blanchard takes this species at Tyngs- borough, Mass., with a brown ant, 4.5 mm. long. (Tr., 8, 190.) H. repletus Lee. This, according to Mr. Blanchard, is also found in Massachusetts in the nest of a small black ant. (Ent. Am., 3, 86.) It is quite probable H. subopacus is also a Myrmophile. It occurs in Nebraska, Colorado, and also in Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 165 Hetcerius brunnipennis Rand. Occurs here occasionally with a medium-sized honey-yellow ant in April and May. H. Blanchardi Lee. Mr. Blanchard, the discoverer of this species, took it and Ulster perpunctatus with the same species of ant. (Tr., 8, 190.) Echinodes aetiger Lee. This singular form has occurred variously ; in South Carolina and Georgia with a pale ant. (Horn. Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, 13, 305.) Zimmerman found it at Columbia, South Carolina, in April, with a small brown ant. (Tr., 2, 253.) And it has been taken in Haber- sham County, Georgia, in the nest of a small ant under bark. (Pr., 1859, 3i6.) Cremastochihis Schaumii Lee. Dr. Horn frequently found this species in ants' nests in California. (Tr., 3, 339.) C. Westivoodi Horn. Found in or near ants' nests in Owen's Valley, California, where it is not rare. (Pr. Am. Phil. Soc, 18, 139.) C. a,7igtilaris Lee. This species was taken frequently in ant's nests in California by Dr. Horn, who several times saw large black ants dragging the beetles towards their nests. He strongly suspects the fossa; at the anterior angles of the thorax and the finely punctured and perforated patches under the hind angles yield a secretion grateful to the ants. This species extends to Vancouver. C. variolosus Kirby. One specimen occurred here with ants. C. canaliculatus Kirby. Is the most abundant species found here ; it is found from April till June with large black ants, perhaps of two species, inhabiting usually under stones or other covering, but not infrequently throwing up small mounds in old pastures and open ground. The nests under stones rarely yield more than two beetles, but the mounds often con- tain five or six at once, and with care will yield a crop every two or three weeks. The beetles are found near the surface, none having been taken below the plane of the base. As soon as it becomes warm, from the middle of April onward, this species takes leave of the ants and flies away ; like the Cicitidelce it only flies during the hottest sunshine and for short distances, alighting suddenly on a stone or the middle of a dusty road. Its flight is low and heavy, and after it lights cannot take wing again without some delay, and I have seen it flying as late as August. Whether after having left, the same beetles 16G THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. return and breed among the ants, or whether it is a new brood that claims their hospitality for the winter, is absolutely unknown. I never could satisfy myself as to whether those found in the nests in June had returned or were just preparing to leave. (For some interesting observations on this species and Schaumii see Ent. Am., i, 187.) C. Harrisii Kirby. I neglected to observe the ant with which I took a specimen. Dr. Horn incidently mentions that C. latcosticticus, pilosicollis and castanece have likewise been observed in ants' nests. (Pr. Am. Phil. Soc, 18, 384.) Without much doubt many species of our Staphylinidce will be found to be Myrmophilous as in Europe, where, according to Rev. J. G. Wood, in the Aleocharidse alone no less than " eight genera contain species that are parasitic and spend their whole lives in the nests of ants," among them Atemeles emarginatus and A. paradoxus living with Formica fusca and Myrmice ruginodis which take as good care of them as of their own young ; also Myrmedona Hazvorthii and Dinarda dentata, Quedius brevis is said to live with Formica rufa, and that wonderful beetle Claviger foveolatus, destitute of eyes and mouth, inhabits with Formica flava. Besides the species catalogued here several others in our Fauna are traditionally reputed to dwell with ants, but the observers have either not published the facts or I have failed to find the bibliography. THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE BOMBYCID.E. (Second Paper. ) BY A. R. GROTE, A. M., BREMEN, GERMANY. We have seen, Can. Ent., xix., p. 156, et sea., that the Bombycida?, or Spinner Moths, are characterized, as a whole, by their short, pectinate antennre, ample, velvety wings, thick bodies, small heads and sluggish habit, while the pupa is usually contained in a cocoon made by the cater- pillar in its last stage. To almost all these characters the sub-.amily groups offer exceptions, and we have seen that while Dr. Packard follows the tradition of Harris, Latreille and Linnaeus, modern German writers break up the family into independent groups limited by structural features THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 167 taken from the imago. What Agassiz calls "form" still unites these various groups — a certain correspondence in outline and habit. Dr. Packard seeks this in the shape of the clypeus, the piece between the eyes, its relative proportion. In my first paper I have adopted this view, that we have to do with descendants of a former complex and that we may still unite the Spinner Moths under a common family title. Those who differ may merely alter my sub-families into families. Sub-family Sarothripince. The single genus Sarothripus Curt, was first referred to the Tortricidae, then to the Noctuidae, and finally as part of the Nolince, the second sub- family or group of the Bombycidce. In my new Check List the genus is omitted, as I had no knowledge of our N. Am. species. The form of the cocoon allies it to Nolo,. The moth is tortriciform and differs from Nolo, decidedly in the form of the wings. The fore wings are elongate, sub- quadrate, hardly widening outwardly with acute apices. The palpi are much longer than the head, more erect and prominent than in Nola. The caterpillar is 16-footed and makes a boat-shaped cocoon. The neuration shows a relation to Nola and the Lithosians. As the hind wings have only two internal veins, we see that the moth is not really a Micro, to which group it was once referred. The fore wings have no accessory cell. We shall come back to this accessory cell later and show its importance and constancy in some other groups. The antennas are simple in both sexes. The resemblance to Nola lies also in the want of ocelli, and this character unites the three first groups, viz., Sarothripince, Nolince and Lithosiince; again, the elongate palpi, which are, however, equally squamous throughout. Of the European genera, Chlcephora, Halias and Earias, we have no N. Am. species, and these probably form a distinct group, Chlcephorince. Of Sarothripus we have one described from the East and one from the West. Now the European species is very variable, and whether we have more than one species, or whether our species is really distinct from the European revayana, is not clearly made out. Probably the earliest descriptions of forms of our Eastern Sarothripus are those cited by Fernald, Am. Ent, I., 36, the Tortrix scriptana and frigidana of Walker. Sub-family Nolince. The fore wings are broad, sub-trigonate, without accessory cell ; the hind wings rounded, not as in the Sarothripince, with the outer margin 168 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGlSt indented. No ocelli. The fore wings have tufted scale patches above. The caterpillars are 14-footed and make a boat-shaped cocoon. The neuration of our N. Am. genus Argyrophyes is given by me, Can. Ent., ix., 236 ; and we have two species, cilicoides and nigrofasciata ( = Eustro- tia obaurata Morr.). This latter synonym recalls the fact that the orna- mentation in this group of small insects resembles that of the Noctuidae. In Argyrophyes the raised blotches of scales on primaries are metallic. Of the typical genus JVo/a, I have cited five N. Am. species in the new Check List. Sub-family Lithosiince. The long palpi of the preceding groups are replaced by shorter, more bombyciform appendages. In this group the body is weak and the fore wings usually narrow, while the hind wings are wide and frail. The ocelli are wanting. Hence I refer Crocota to the following group of Arctiince. The costal vein of secondaries springs from the subcostal. No accessory cell on primaries. The caterpillars are 16-footed and live on lichens. In the new Check List I cite the genera Clemensia, Crambidia, Hypoprepia, Cistkene, Byssophaga (distinct?), Lithosia. Euphanessa and Atneria. It is possible that the two last do not belong to this group. Sub-family Arctiince. In this group the male antennae are usually provided with short pecti- nations ; the ocelli are present ; the palpi are quite short and the whole appearance is bombyciform. Veins 4 and 5 are near together on both wings. The moths are usually of larger size than in the preceding groups ; the wings are ample, held roof-like in repose. The caterpillars are hairy and make loose cocoons. Our North American genera are allied to the European, but Dr. Packard has drawn attention to the fact that onr species are more white and yellow, less red-colored than the European. In the presence of the genus Nemeophila the west coast fauna more nearly resembles the European. The genera Crocota, Kodiosoma, Seirarctia, Leucarctia, Ecpantheria, Euerythra, Halisidota, are more especially American forms, outgrowths, so to speak, of Spilosoma and Arctia. I wish to correct here Mr. J. B. Smith's reference of Cera- thosia tricolor Sm., to the Arctiidce. A comparison of its corrected characters will show that it should be rather referred to the Noctuidce. The clypeus has an inferior circular rim and presents a sub-central, button- THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 169 like projection. This is a Noctuid and Pyralid feature, though a projection is found in Copidrya's without the rim. The fore wings have an accessory- cell. The hind wings have vein 5 present, but weak, not absent as stated by Mr. J. B. Smith, and this vein is equidistant between 4 and 6. contra- dicting the characters of the Arctiince. Mr. J. B. Smith also describes incorrectly the relative positions of veins 3, 4 and 5 on primaries, as also the point of emergence of vein 10, which springs from about the middle of the upper margin of the accessory cell, not fr -;m the upper and outer angle of the cell, whence springs vein 7, giving off 8 and 9. In Cera- thosia there is a claw on fore tibiae ; the legs are thinly scaled, the palpi not so short as in the Arctiidce. The moth is lithosiform rather than arctiiform in appearance, but the ocelli will not allow of its being referred to the Lithosians ; its neuration and total characters exclude it from the Bombycidas altogether. The squamation is rather like Tarache than like Arctia. It is not enough that a description of a genus be given ; the reason why it belongs to the family must be stated. Added to this, Mr. Smith's description is in itself faulty and inaccurate, and affords no reason why this author should use such language in correcting Mr. Hy. Edwards's reference of certain genera, or take such a tone in correcting my own writings. In the present day when the Lepidoptera are well known, the details of structure of the different groups are all given in the writings of the past fifteen or twenty years in Europe and America. Sub family Dasychirince. This group is allied to the Arctiidce by the tufted or shaggy cater- pillars, the frail cocoons. The antennae are more plumose, in the female with short teeth. The palpi are short. The ocelli are again wanting. The legs are short and are usually hairy as in many of the Arctiidce. The pupa itself is often hairy — an unusual character. The wings are ample, but in the females of some genera wanting or incompletely ex- panded. Veins 4 and 5 spring near together, another point of resembl- ance to the Arctiidce. In fact we cannot but approve of Harris's and Dr. Packard's arrangements of these groups. HepioJus and Cossus should not be interpolated here, but are the lowest groups of the family. In the Dasychirince the body is rather heavy, and there is a disproportion between the sexes, many males being much smaller and lighter. In the New Check List I have cited the N. Am. genera Parorgyia, Carama 170 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. and Lagoa. The two latter are curious, and show some resemblances to the following group, Cochlidiince. Carama may be described by Curtis also. The genera Orgyia and Dasychira are shared with Europe ; in the old world the representation of the Dasychirince seems to be far greater than in the new. PARTIAL PREPARATORY STAGES OF CATOCALA INNUBENS, Guen. BY G. H. FRENCH, CARBONDALE, ILL. April 28, 1887, a single .larva of a then unknown Catocala was found on a Honey Locust which proved to be this species. By its appearance it had seemingly passed the first moult. Hence the egg and first stage of the larva is lacking in this account of its life history. If my conjecture be true, my description will begin with the conventional '• after the first moult." Length, .26 inch. Color pale greenish, the anterior two and posterior three joints whitish ; four purplish red stripes on each side, the lower somewhat broken ; head mottled, but not heavily so ; piliferous spots black, with short black hairs. Shape as usual with Catocala larvae. Duration of this period unknown. After 2nd Moult. — Length, .40 inch. Color, pale dull purplish rose in nine longitudinal stripes alternating with pale greenish white lines, the rose darker on the head and joint 2, shading into the pale rose on joint 3 ; the dorsal stripe a narrow line on joints 2 to 4, broken between the joints and narrow on the last three joints ; stripe 2 (counting the dorsal one) contains the dorsal piliferous spots ; stripe 3 without any piliferous spots ; stripe 4 with the lateral piliferous spots ; below this a broken and irregular stripe that contains the lowest piliferous spots. These stripes are of the double line kind, each edge darker than the middle, though there is little difference in any of them except the lowest or number 5, which has more or less of the greenish white in its centre. Piliferous spots black, conspicuous, the short hairs black ; head reddish purple with mottlings of broken white lines. Duration of this period four days. After 3rd Moult. — Length, .80 inch. Color, pale green, with seven dark reddish purple stripes on each side, composed of contiguous dots ; head striped with purplish black and white ; the dark on joint 2 black, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 1 7 I gradually shading into the purple ; yellow tinted between the joints; piliferous spots blaek ; joints in the middle of the body with black patches on the venter. The posterior pair of piliferous spots on the dorsum of joint 9 are, like other species, more approximate than the others and the intervening space elevated, the elevation containing four spots in a trans- verse row with a patch of pale yellowish back of these. Duration of this period five days. After 4th Moult. — Length, 1.20 inches. Color, pale green, almost white, with a slight yellow tinge, more distinct underneath the top of joint 2, the legs and a substigmatal stripe distinct yellow ; the transverse folds between the joints with more of the yellow tinge. Head striped with dark reddish purple (this was black before) and ' white, the markings arranged as before but the stripes are almost obliterated on the body except on joints 2 to 4, and the transverse folds between the joints where they are distinct as to the rows of black dots that mark the boundary of the stripes, faint traces of these on the middle of the joints ; the black on the venter small except on the middle joints. Piliferous spots black, not very large ; a prominent black patch on each side of the posterior part of joint 9, composed of three spots, a short dorsal orange line between them ; the posterior pair of spots on the back of joint 12 more prominent than the others ; no lateral fringe, but a slight fold above the pro-legs ; the anterior two pairs of pro-legs pretty well developed. Mature Larva. — Length, 2.25 inches. Color, sordid white, a little green tinted, very obscurely striped as at the beginning of the stage, the bordering blackish dots marking the boundary of the stripes most dis- tinctly on the intersegmental folds ; the black on joint 9 the same as before with a very short orange stripe between ; the substigmatal pale stripe orange on joints 5 and 6 ; joints 2 to 4 with the rows of spots distinct. Piliferous spots small, black ; venter white, tinted a little with yellow, black only on the joints bearing feet ; no fringe. Duration of this period nine days. Chrysalis — Length, 1.05 inches ; diameter, .40 inch; of joint 5, .30 inch ; tapering from joint 5 to the end ; rather strongly indented on joint 1 ; tongue and wing cases equal, extending back to posterior part of joint 5 ; cremaster two long hooks at the tip, two shorter at the base, outside of these and a little removed from them several other short hooks ; abdom- inal joints slightly punctured, the tongue and wing cases shallowly corru- 172 THK CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. gated, terminal joint deeply on dorsal and lateral parts ; head rounded. Color, chestnut brown, as usual coated with a white powder. Puparium a slight lining to the leaves that were fastened together with silk. The larva pupated May 17th, and the imago appeared June 20th, giving a pupal period of about a month, which is about the same as the other species that have been bred. One feature of the species is that the larva has no lateral fringe. As given before, the food plant is Honey Locust. May 12th, another larva was found that differs from the above descrip- tion only in being darker, and as a natural result the stripes more distinct, the light stripes having an orange tint. After this two more were found, one of which had all the light stripes quite distinctly orange tinted. The head was reddish purple striped with numerous white lines, or rather broken lines. Like the other, the venter had the black only on the joints bearing legs. This one had passed the last moult when found, and pro- duced the imago June 17th, showing that keeping the first in confinement had not materially interfered with its time of pupating or its other changes. ON THE CHALCIDEOUS TRIBE CHIROPACHIDES. BY WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Below I give an analytical table for recognizing the genera in the tribe Chiropachides Thomson. It will be seen that I have placed in this group the genus Schizonotus Ratzburg, which Dr. Arnold Foerster, in his Hymenopterologische Studien (1856), says is identical with Seladerma Walker, an opinion in which I cannot concur, my type of Schizonotus Siebaldi Ratz. not agreeing at all with Walker's definition ; also the genera Mcsopolobus and Platymesopus Westwood, which were subpressed by Walker and other authorities, and placed in the genus Pteromalus ; they agree in all essential characters with, this group, the anterior femora being very similar to Chiropackys, the type of the tribe. Two new genera will be found characterized in this group, the characters of which, as given in the table, being sufficient, it is hoped, to enable them to be easily recognized. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 173 The arrangement proposed is as follows : — Tribe Chiropachides Thomson: TABLE OF GENERA. Posterior tibiae with one spur 3 Posterior tibia? with two spurs. Eyes not hairy 2 Eyes hairy. Abdomen sessile, long pointed ovate, marginal and postmarginal veins * somewhat thick, the latter being longer than the marginal ; stigmal vein short, one-third the length of the marginal ; sculpture coarsely pitted G. 1, Dasyglenes n. g. 2. Collar transverse quadrate, separated from the mesothorax by a deep incision at the posterior angle ; pedicel of antennae lengthened, funiclar joints much broader than long, the club obliquely truncate from below G. 2, Schizo?iotus Ratzburg Collar not so formed. Collar transverse, rounded before, narrowed in the middle. Anterior femora exciso-dentate ; wings with two transverse bands G. J, Chiropachys Westwood. Anterior femora simple ; wings with one transverse band G. 4, Acrocormus Forster. 3. Abdomen petiolated 6 Abdomen sessile, long or pointed ovate. Marginal vein of anterior wings not thickened 5 Marginal vein of anterior wings thickened. Antennae with transverse ring-joints 4 Antennae with ring-joints large not transverse. Marginal vein but slightly longer than the stigmal G. 5, Pandelus Forster. 4. Stigmal vein and postmarginal vein short . . . . G. 6, Metacolus Forster Stigmal vein longer than the marginal ; % with the antennal joint stylate at the apex G 7, Raphitelus Walker. 5. Parapsides only indicated anteriorly ; anterior margin of collar sharp. Stigmal club very large G. 8, Dijwtus Forster. Stigmal club small or moderate. 174 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. * °. With marginal vein at least thrice as long as stigmal ; funiclar joints broader than long ; middle tibiae in g with a small hirsute lobe, out- wardly near tip G. p, Mesopolobus Westwood. ** % With marginal vein not twice as long as stigmal ; anterior tibiae flat ; middle tibiae in $ broadly dilated, foliaceous G. 10, Platymesopus Westwood. 6. Collar rounded before ; mesothorax lengthened with three keels. Marginal vein more than twice longer than the stigmal ; parapsides indi- cated anteriorly . . •. G. II, Rhopalicus Forster. Marginal vein but slightly longer than the stigmal ; parapsides complete G. 12, Brachycrepis n. g. Dasyglenes n. g. °. Whole surface, including the abdomen, very coarsely reticulato- punctate, and sparsely covered with a pale pubescence. Head large, slightly broader than the thorax with deep antennal grooves, the grooves converging and meeting at apex. Antennae inserted slightly above the clypeus, the latter with a sinus in the middle. Eyes hairy. Collar trans- verse, contracted and produced anteriorly into a short neck, the neck with a delicate medium carina. Mesothoracic parapsides delicate but complete. Scutellum convex, as broad as long, slightly prolonged over the metathorax and ending in a slight projecting ridge at the apex. Meta- thorax short, with a delicate medium keel. Abdomen sessile, much longer than the head and thorax together, acuminated, the tip projecting slightly beyond the wings when folded. All femora swollen, the fore pair much more so than the middle pair ; the tibiae are very long, the three basal joints of which are as long as their tibiae; the middle and posterior tibiae longer than their femora, and the tarsi not nearly as long as their respective tibia; the posterior tibiae are armed with two strong, divergent apical spurs. The submarginal vein, of anterior wings, is one and a-half times as long as the marginal, the marginal and postmarginal veins thick, the latter much lengthened, gradually acuminated, ending at the rounded edge of the apical margin of wing ; stigmal vein short, about one-third the length of marginal, slightly bent, the stigma small and slightly emargin- ated at the apex. $ Unknown. Dasyglenes osmice n. sp. £ Length .25 inch. Cyaneous, coarsely pitted, pubescent. Flagellum of antennae brown. Legs dark red, pubescent ; femora infuscated. Wings THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. I7i hyaline, veins brown ; the whole surface is covered with a fine brownish pubescence. Described from one ^ specimen reared from a bee, Osmia species, living in Catalpa twigs. This genus shows strong affinities with Cleonymus Latreille and Aetroxys Westwood, but is readily distinguished from both by the thickened fore femora ; had it not been for this character I should have placed it in the genus Cleonymus. Chiropachys Westwood. Chiropachys colon Linn., Faun. So. Ed., ii., p. 413; C. quadrum Walk., Ent. Mag., iv., p. 14; Pteromalus bimaculatus Swederus. This common European chalcid must now be added to our fauna, specimens having been taken in the United States that cannot be separ- ated from types received from Europe. The species described by Mr. Edward Norton as Chiropachys nigrocyaucus, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc , ii., p. 327, is not a Chiropachys, but belongs to the genus Pachyneuro7i in the tribe Sphegigastrides. Di?iotus Fdrster. Dinotus elongatus n. sp. £ Length .13 inch. Dull metallic brown, confluently punctate, sparsely covered with white hairs. Head much wider than the thorax, the width of the vertex nearly twice the length of the eye. Ocelli red, Eyes ovate, brown. Antennae 13-jointed, filiform, pubescent, the long slender scape, pedicel and the two ring-joints, honey-yellow ; flagellum brown, the first funiclar joint the longest, following joints slightly subequal; the club short, three-jointed, slightly thicker than the funicle, and not longer than the first funiclar joint. Collar very short, transverse ; parap- sides only indicated anteriorly. Metathorax not very long, not keeled ; metathoracic spiracles long oval ; metapleura slightly pubescent. Coxa? smooth, bluish-green, with tufts of white hair anteriorly. Legs honey- yellow, excepting the femora which are brownish in the middle. Abdo- men sessile, pointed ovate, one-third longer than head and thorax com. bined, concave above, and of a dull greenish metallic lustre, each segment laterally with some short hairs. Wings hyaline, sparsely pubescent; veins yellowish, the marginal hardly twice the length of the stigmal, the latter terminating in a slight knob, while the postmarginal is slightly shorter than the marginal. Described from one specimen captured at large. 176 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Brachycrepis n. g. This genus is very similar to Rhopalicus Forster, but the prolonged metathorax has three distinct keels, the abdomen has a short rugose petiole, the marginal vein of the front wings is but slightly longer than the stigmal and the parapsides complete. The anterior femora are very much swollen ; the antennae are subclavate, 13-jointed with two ring joints, and are inserted slightly below the middle of the face ; the pedicel is about as long as the first funiclar joint. Bi'achycrepis tricarinatus n. sp. °. Length .13 inch. Dark blue with a slight metallic tinge on the head and thorax, confluently punctured. Eyes dark brown. Antennae 13-jointed, black, except the scape beneath, which is brownish-yellow ; flagellum pubescent ; the first funiclar joint the longest, the others slightly subequal, but gradually growing wider toward the club, the fifth and sixth joints being wider than long. Collar transverse, narrowed in the middle. Mesothoracic grooves distinct, but very delicate as they approach the scutellum. Coxae, femora and tibiae, excepting their tips and the last tarsal joint, blue-black ; tips and the other tarsal joints, honey-yellow. Abdomen long ovate, about the length of the thorax, blue-black with a very slight metallic tinge near the base beneath. The second segment, counting the petiole as the first, is the largest, the others gradually sub- equal ; each segment with a single row of delicate white hairs. Wings hyaline ; veins pale brownish, the submarginal vein as long as the marginal and postmarginal together, delicate, the marginal is but slightly longer than the stigmal, the latter clavate with a slight uncus. Hab. — Riley Co., Kansas. Prof. E. A. Popenoe. CAN INSECTS DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RED AND YELLOW ? BY T. D. A. COCKERELL, WEST CLIFF, COLORADO. In this neighborhood (Custer Co., Colorado,) one very frequently finds a yellow spider of the genus Tiiomisus or allied thereto, seated in the middle of the umbels of Ligusticum montanum Benth. and Hook., and on other yellow flowers. This spider, so seated, has nothing to cover it from direct observation, and from its size and colour would be conspicuous enough elsewhere ; but on the yellow flower, sitting in the depression in THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 177 the centre of the umbel, it is quite invisible unless specially looked for. Thus concealed, it waits until some insect — frequently a small bee, or a butterfly of the genus Pamphila, settles on the flower — but no sooner is the insect intent upon the nectar of the blossom, than the cunning Thomisid has it in its grasp, and is sucking its life-juices away. On one occasion, also, I found a white Thomisid spider seated on a white umbel, and equally concealed here by its whiteness, it had secured and was feasting on a bee. So far good. It may be argued that spiders of this family have been accustomed to sit on flowers, and being variable in colour (as in fact they are) natural selection has so arranged matters that yellow spiders pre- side over yellow flowers, white over white, and so on. But perhaps, also, the spider has " an eye for colour," since he (the yellow one) occasionally sits on a small species of sunflowers which has yellow rays and a dark brown disc — and here, although the spider always sits in the middle of a. yellow umbel, he sits on the rays of this sunflower, knowing altogether better than to expose himself to observation on the brown disc. But, to> come to the point to be discussed, there is a species of geranium found here ( Geranium fremontii Torrey,,) having pink flowers — yet the yellow- spider sits on these, apparently unconcerned at the difference of colour. Now, it is a curious thing, that throughout living organisms, whether birds (e. g. Fringillidoe), mollusca (e. g. Tellinidce, Helicidce), insects (e. g. Zygcenidce, Sesiidoj, Chelouiidce, Ic/ineumonidce), or plants, that the red and yellow pigments seem to stand in this relation to one another, that the red is a more complex form of the yellow, and hence occasionally reverts to it, yellow being in all cases the primitive color. In Geranium, it is true, there are not (to my knowledge) yellow-flowered varieties, but then r there are both pink and yellow-flowered species of Oxalis, in the same natural order. Therefore, it is conceivable that the yellow Thomisid first came to sit on geranium flowers at the time when these were yellow, and has continued the habit — but still, since it appears to understand the difference between brown and yellow on the sunflower, why cannot it tell that pink and yellow are not the same ? Does it not look as if, to this spider, these colours were indistinguishable ? Also, the geranium-frequenting spiders do not starve, although to human eye they are very easy to be seen — does not this, again, look as if the insects frequenting those flowers could not distinguish between pink and yellow, and so, not seeing the spider, fell unwittingly into its grasp ? 178 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. This is the question I wish to ask, and to answer it, it is necessary to have observations of a more extensive nature on the relation of yellow insects to pink flowers, and vice versa. I have myself noticed that (in Kent, England.) Gonepteryx rhamni appears to be exceptionally fond of settling on pink flowers, but it seemed to me rather that the butterfly was conscious of the contrast between the colours and its own conspicuous- ness arising therefrom. May I rely upon your readers to supplement these notes, and so clear up this question ? CORRESPONDENCE. DlCERCA PROLONGATA. With reference to Dr. John Hamilton's note on p. 120, I may say that I have found the larva of this species boring in Populus tremirio'ides in Colorado, concerning which details were published in the " Entomologists' Monthly Magazine" for March, 1888, vol. xxiv, p. 232-233. T. D. A. COCKERELL. CAPTURES IN 1887. Dear Sir: My additions to the list of Canadian Lepidoptera for the past season is of the most meagre description. I took a good many micros, new to me ; but as usual, with them a large proportion were single specimens of a kind. I sent to Prof. Fernald 1 7 specimens which I had in duplicate ; of these three turned out to be variations of kinds that he had previously named for me ; three proved to be all one ; one, Depressaria heracliana Dege. was new to me, but already in the list, and one Eccopsis nitidana Clem, is new to the Canadian list ; the rest were unknown to him. Three years ago I captured at Ridgeway, along with Limacodes, to which I thought it belonged, a moth new to me, and which has been from that time until lately awaiting a name. During the past winter, Mr. John- ston, of this city, was making some exchanges with Miss Emily L. Morton, of Newburgh, N. J., and received from her a specimen labelled Adoneta spinuloides H. S., in which I recognized my unnamed Bombycid. Miss Morton acknowledges her indebtedness to Mrs. Fernald for the correct identification of most of her Lepidoptera. On the nth of July last I came on an assemblage of Pyralids in the grass under the shade of a butternut tree, where I had taken refuge from the excessive heat. At first THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 179 I thought it was Botis magistraiis, on closer inspection I doubted its identity — it was like, and yet unlike. I concluded that if it was A/agis- trails, it was an unusually fine specimen, so I took a quantity of it anyway, and all the more willingly as it was quite abundant in the very spot where I wanted to stay for a while. On comparing them, I was still undecided ; whilst in communication with the Rev. Mr. Hulst, about some Geometers, I sent to him a specimen and received for it the name Bolls quinquelin- 'ealis Grote. These three names are then the only presentable result of my last season's work in this direction. J. Alston Moffat, Hamilton, Ont. KNOWLEDGE OF DEATH IN INSECTS. Dear Sir ; An incidental remark in one of my papers, page 6, of the present vol., has attracted the attention of a correspondent of the Ento- mologist, as may be seen by turning to page 120. I was then entirely unaware that I was meddling with an "ipse dixit of Mr. Grote's, or was touching one of his 'chips,' " but, in common with the readers of the Entomologist, I know it now. While Mr. Grote certainly had the right to show, if he could, that the alleged assertion, whether made by himself or not, was not " unsupported," was not " dogmatic ; " yet he had no right to assume that I had seen his paper, and even on that assumption no right disposed person, while differing from me, could take legitimate offence at my words, which are strictly scientific. The cause is said to be weak, when the advocate resorts to the argumentum ad hominem to over- come his opponents argumentum ad rem ; * * * Let us see where Mr. Grote stands, his words are : £i It is by the keeping still that the insects seem to me to appear to ' feign death,' of che existence of which latter they could have no knowledge." Few or none will dispute the first part of the quotation. It states exactly what such insects do, that is, •" keep still ; " but this does not prove that insects can have " no know- ledge of death ; " no proof of this is anywhere offered, nor is the assertion in any way limited or qualified ; hence "unsupported," "dogmatic" are appropriate adjectives, and though not made by me with any reference to or knowledge of Mr. Grote's paternal claim. Now see how he "corrects" the adjectives " unsupported," " dogmatic " (ib , p. 120). His words now read : " Whether insects can have any knowledge of death, as such, may be a matter of opinion," etc., quite a different statement from his former 180 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. postulate, that insects could have no knowledge of death. The reader will notice how ingenuously " dogmatic " is disposed of by this change of base. Now, as to what he doubts not is the main point, that is, " the keeping still," that is only what these insects do, a mere act, and one to which even Mr. Grote himself attaches a motive, "the approach of danger." But why "keep still" on the " approach of danger " ? His answer cannot be surmized. Writers have expressed various opinions about this " keeping still," " death mimicry," " feigning death," as practiced by certain insects and other animals, but I have not seen any statement that they can have no knowledge of death, except that claimed by Mr. Grote and a similar one in a Pittsburg news- paper. Dr. Lindsay, in his work " Mind in Animals," in treating of death-feigning, says : " This must require great self-command in those that practice it ; " while Professor James, of Harvard College, in an article in Popular Science Monthly, June, 1SS7, on "Some Human Instincts," says : "It is really no feigning of death at all and requires no self-command. It is simply a terror paralysis, which has been so useful as to become hereditary." In commenting on this the newspaper man makes the remark I took exception to, my notice of which, without at the time being able to state where I had derived it, brought out Mr. Grote, whom I would most assuredly have quoted had I been aware of his assertion. John Hamilton, Allegheny, Pa. Arzama obliquata, g. and r. Dear Sir : In reference to Mr. Moffat's remark in the July number of the Canadian Entomologist, that the larva of this moth does not always form its pupa in the reed, I wish to say that I have taken between fifty and seventy-five chrysalids this spring, and all of them were in the reeds where the larva had been feeding. I believe that the larva sometimes goes out of the reed and wanders in other directions before going into pupa, but this is not often the case. My friend, Mr. Doll, when breaking an old cedar stump apart last spring, found in it the chrysalis of A. obliquata, but the larva had been feeding in the stump. Could that have been the case in Mr. Moffat's instance ? Hermann H. Brehme, Newark, N. J. Mailed September 1st. Clje danaforan Entomologist. VOL. XX. LONDON, OCTOBER, iSSS. No. 10 THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE BOMBYCID.E. (Third Paper.) BY A. R. GROTE, A. M., KREMEN, GERMANY. Sub-family Cochliince. A study of the American genus Lagoa in its various stages of growth shows a manifest approach to the present group, so that we are warranted in following the Dasychirince with the Cochliince. This sub-family is remarkable for its peculiar larvae, called " slug caterpillars " or " saddle- backs." The first name is given on account of their snail-like appearance, the form being elliptical or oval, the false feet replaced by swellings on the abdominal segments, so that the larva lies flat and close to the leaf. The head is also retractile. The cocoon is egg-shaped or circular, firm and spun between the leaves. The moths are not unfrequently green and brown as are the larvae, and the name " saddle-backs " is given in allusion to the bright green quadrate patch which covers the back in some species. Dr. Packard calls one species monitor, in allusion to the singular shape and armature of the larvae. The moths are of various shades of brown, often with green patches, sometimes with darker lines and shades on primaries. The ocelli are wanting and the tongue is short. The North American genera fall into two series : one in which the male antennae are pectinate, the other brush-like or sub-simple. To the first series belongs the typical genus Limacodes of Latreille, and to this series belong the two European species representing two distinct genera. As compared with Europe, our fauna is rich in Cochliince. We have two species belonging to the Asiatic genus Parasa, with grass-green thorax, and the fore wings largely green. The larva of Parasa chloris H.-S., is described by Mr. Henry Edwards, Papilio hi., 128 ; that of Parasa fraterna Gr., by the same author, Ent. Amer. iii. , 169. (I here correct a statement of mine, that the sub family Chloephorince does not occur in North America. Mr. Henry Edwards describes Earias obliqnata from Florida, a form unknown 182 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. to me, the genus belonging to this sub-family which I distinguish from the Sarothripince ) I do not know any forms of Cochliince from California ; if the sub-family is feebly represented there, it will be a fresh example of the resemblance between the West Coast fauna and the European. No Cuban forms were included in the collection described by me. The geographical distribution of the North American Bombycidae merits atten- tion. On the islands of the West Indies, there seem to be no typical Spinner moths, that is to say, no Attacince, Ceratocampince, Platypterygi?ice, LachneincB. In the new Check List, I included the only West Indian form of this group known to me, Heuretes picticor?iis G. & R., the types of which are in the Royal Museum in Berlin. Fifteen other genera are included in my list, and although one or two of these are probably synonyms, not being identified by me, enough is shown to prove the richness of our fauna in this group. Sepp figures a South American species of Empretia. The group is probably widely distributed and belongs to the older forms of the family. Sub-family Psychince. The larvae of the present group are still more curious than those of the Cochliince from their habit of living in a case. The thoracic feet alone are developed, and the undeveloped abdominal feet present a resemblance to the slug caterpillars, so that we have a reason for bringing the groups together. The cocoon-making habit is not alone displayed by the mature larvae, for so soon as the little Psyche larva leaves the egg it fashions a tiny sack and begins its wanderings, dragging its shelter after it. In most of the genera, the females are apterous and worm-like, but in the North American genera with broad, falcate wings, Perophora Harris, and Lacosoma Grote, the females are winged like the males. Sepp figures a South American broad-winged form, and Herrick-Schaeffer, from the vena- tion refers this section of the sub-family to the Attacince, notwithstanding the sack-bearing larvae. The neuration will hardly guide us in this group, since certain European genera have apparently three internal veins on the secondaries like the Microlepidoptera. Perhaps they are wrongly reckoned here. Some of the moths resemble the Dasychirince. This resemblance is seen in Psyche; but the American genera Thyridopteryx and Oiketicus have long-bodied males with partly glassy wings and short antennae, and look more like the Cossince. As compared with Europe, we have apparently very few species of Psyche; in fact only one species is well known, viz., THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 18< Psyche confederata Gr., now described in almost all its stages. The life- history of almost any species in this group will be found replete with curious facts, and instances of parthenogenesis are recorded among the European genera. The moth Phryganidia californica Pack., is appar- ently incorrectly described as belonging to this sub-family, and Butler refers it to the Dioptidce, a group not studied by me. The Psyc/iince occur in the West Indies, and South America ; the genus Oiketicus also in Ceylon. This group seems to be, with the Cochliince, of very general dis- tribution, and to belong to the older forms of the family, retaining perhaps some characteristics of a primitive form of the moths. It may even be that the cocoon or sack was, in past geological ages, more common as a part of larval habit, and that it was later on restricted to the pupal con- dition. The Sphingidce and groups making no cocoon may have been thrown off from the genealogical tree of the Lepidoptera at later periods. In North America there seem to be but few species of Psychince, gener- ally distributed ; the genus Oiketicus being tropical and sub-tropical, Platceceticus a Floridian form, the other genera ranging from Canada to the Southern States, while from the west a few species belonging to the more typical section of the sub-family have been indicated. The broad, falcate-winged genera seem to belong east of the Rocky Mountains, and are reported from the region east of the Andes in South America. Hence, their distribution is paralleled by that of the Ceratocampince. Sub-family Notodontince. Although we have found some reasons for our sequence of the preced- ing groups, there is here somewhat of a break. For instance, the Sarothripince, JVo/ince, Chloephorince, make a similar cocoon ; in the two first the labial palpi are elongated. The Lithosiina resemble these more or less in form and the absence of ocelli, but their colors and shorter palpi are more like the succeeding Arctiince ; again the Dasychirince resemble the latter in their hairy larvae and style of pupation. There is an approxi- mation to the Cochliince in the Dasychirid genus Lagoa, and the Cochliince and Psychince approach by the rudimental abdominal feet of the larvae ; but the Notodontince, although they fit in with succeeding groups, differ greatly from the Psychince. I have described a Psychid genus from Cuba, which has something of the Notodontid form, which is that of the Noc- tuidae, and which latter several genera of this group greatly resemble. Indeed, there seems to be some doubt as to whether the genus Edema is, 1 84 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. as I believe, a Notodontid, or a Noctuid. We may take also into con- sideration a certain similarity of the abdomen in Limacodes and Ichthyura , among the superficial resemblances which induce the bringing in of the Notodontince here ; but the position chiefly recommends itself to me in that we obtain a better sequence for the ensuing groups. In the JVotodontince, the neuration of the secondaries approaches the Noctuidce. in that vein five of the hind wings is (when present) situated midway between four and six from the cross-vein. The form varies, but most of the genera have long wings, and the abdomen exceeds the second- aries. The costal vein of hind wings does not spring from the sub-costal or upper margin of the cell, but is free from the base. The head and thorax are usually thickly haired, the latter being sometimes peculiarly tufted at the sides. The male antennae are usually pectinate, the female simple. The caterpillars are often naked, that of Notodonta stragula almost sphingiform. That of Apatelodes is hairy, and Abbot's figures induced the generic name. They have fourteen or sixteen feet, and some- times the anal claspers are wanting ( Cerura), and the body is terminated by two thin prolongations. It is this form of the larva which prepares us for the Platypterygincc, in which the anal projection is single. This sub- family is known to English entomologists under the name of " Pebble Moths," in allusion to the ornamentation, which consists often of shaded spots or blotches. In repose, the wings are folded close to the body. In this position Datana looks like a broken twig, the shaded thorax, with its raised tufts at the sides, like the top of the twig at the break. Datana is related to the European Phalera bucephala; the same mimicry is dis- played, but here the colors are paler, and the deception even more apparent. The American genera are remarkable for their odd forms, and in some cases for the number of species. Among the most unusual is Apatelodes, closely related to the South American Parathyris. The fore wings are broad, curiously outlined, with sharp tips ; and the soft gray color, the tufted abdomen, present a resemblance to the Sphingid genus Cressonia, so that I have called the species of Apatelodes : False Hawk Moths. The larvae of several rarer Notodontids have been described by Prof. French, to whom we are much indebted for life-histories of our North American moths. Sub-family Platypterygina. The moths of this family are frail, geometriform, with falcate or sub- falcate primaries, with short maxillae and palpi, and pectinate male antennae, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 185 The caterpillars have the anal claspers replaced by a single projection, have fourteen feet and. make a cocoon between the leaves, and are prob- ably double brooded, the pupa of the second brood hibernating. I have described the larva of Dryopteris ; an allied genus has been described by- Walker, from Japan, which 1 have not been able to compare critically with our two North American species of Dryopteris. Mr. Henry Edwards records the European Frionia lacertinaria from Canada, and it seems that we have a second species in the Frionia bilineata of Packard. We have two species of Platypteryx Lasp. (■=. Drepana Schrank,) from the east, the one more whitish, Walker's arcuata, the other more of a buff yellow, my genicula. The European genus Cilix of Leach, is apparently absent in our fauna. In the shape of the wings this little group resembles the following Attacince, if we may compare such frail species with the giants of the family. The neuration shows also some approach to the typical Bombyces. The hind wings have eight veins, but the inner of the two internal veins is incomplete ; vein five is nearer to four than to six. The fore wings are twelve veined, and a certain look of miniature Attacids is due to the conformation of the wings. We have a Geometrid genus Drepanodes, which, with its pointed primaries, looks like Platypteryx, and it is possible that Stephens has so mistaken the species. STRAY NOTES ON MYRMELEONID.E, Part 5. BY DK, H. A. HAGEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. Dendroleon paniherinum Fabr. Myrmeleon pantherinum Fabr., Mantissa, 249, 3 — Ent. Syst. ii., 93, 3 — Brauer Neur. Austr., 64. Myrmeleon ocellation Bork. in Scriba. Beitr. ii., 165, pi. 11, f. 5. Dendroleon pantherinum Brauer, Wien. Z. B. G. xvii., 963, pi. 14, f 3. The species was described (1787) by Fabricius, from a specimen wanting prominent parts, antennae and legs. The descriptions by Villers, Olivier, Gmelin, Latreille and Walker, are simply copies. Borkhausen, in 1791, described the sa mespecies as M. ocellatum, from a specimen found in Darmstadt, Hesse. The description and figure are good, and Burmeister believed the N. American species to be identi- 186 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. cal. Prof. Brauer has given a new description in Neur. Anstriaca. The species is a very rare one, found, besides in Austria and Hesse, fifty years ago in Silesia and Hungary. The discovery of the larva in the Prater, near Vienna, on trees, and the raising of the imago by Prof. Brauer is one of his numerous splendid discoveries. He made for the species the new genus Dendroleon. Both species are recorded as Glcnurus Hag. in my Synopsis Hemerob. This genus was proposed exactly at the same time with Dendroleon, but the latter one should be retained for those species. The N. American species and the European are very similar, but the rarity of both prevented the exact knowledge of their differences. I have seen of the European species only three specimens, one from the Rhein Mus. Berol., one from Austria, and one from Hungary in Frivaldsky's collection. The latter one I have compared carefully with Burmeister's types in Winthem's collection in 1852. As since this time nothing is published about the differences of both species, I give here my manu- script notes. D. panther inum is of the same size, but a little more robust ; pro- thorax plain-luteous, without the fine black granulation of D. obsoletum ; a large black dorsal band on metathorax and basal segment of abdomen ; D. obsoletum has mesothorax, metathorax and basal segment above in the middle only with a very dilute blackish color. Abdomen with seg- ment second and third black, the fourth and fifth above light brown ; D. obsoletum has on all segments, or at least on second and third, a transver- sal yellow band. Legs yellowish brown ; fore legs with a ring around the apex of femur, middle of tibiae, and third and fourth joint of tarsus all black ; middle and hind legs with a broad dark ring before the middle of femur, which is externally nearly connected with the apical ring ; the apex of tibia and a median ring, which is wanting on hind legs, black. The coloration of D. obsoletum is very different, as stated in the descrip- tion. Wings with the venation less close, the areoles larger ; veins in both wings more fuscous ; front wings in the basal third of the space between fourth and fifth longitudinal vein with four fuscous spots, the most apical one longest, about 3 mm. (wanting on D. obsoletum) ; the ocellate spot on the hind margin is complete (D. obsoletum wants always the apical half of the iris around the spot) ; hind wings with a quad- rangular (round in D. obsol.) spot near the costa, and ring of spots on the apex of hind margin. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 187 Dendroleon obsoletum Say. Formicaleo obsoleia Say., Journ. Acad. Philad. viii., 44, 1 — Say, Ed. Lee. ii., 413, 1. Myrmeleon obsoletus Hag., Syn. N. Am. Neur. 225, 2. Myrmecoleon ocellatzcs Burm. ii., 995, 1 — Walk. 401, 172. Myrmeleon nigrocinctus Rbr. 398, 20 — Walk. 361, 10 j — Glover Ent. Amer. Neur., pi. v., f. 15 (the figure is a fair one). Body slender, abdomen little villous. Head narrow, face luteous, between the eyes a broad shining black band, notched on the inferior margin ; vertex luteous ; antenna; as long as head and thorax, slender, elongated, clavate on tip, blackish fuscous, pale in middle ; palpi short, pale ; maxillary ones with the three apical joints equal ; labials not longer, apical joint fusiform ; prothorax elongated, narrower anteriorly, luteous, faintly granulated with black ; thorax dull luteous, above darker ; on each side above the legs a broad black longitudinal band ; below pale ; abdo- men shorter than the wings (I believe I have not seen a male), blackish brown, with a yellow dorsal, transversal band on the middle of each seg- ment, or at least on the second ; the parts in the last segment light brown, with black hairs ; above split longitudinally ; below on each side a short, flat appendage ; legs very long and slender, with short hairs, shining black ; anteriors with base of femur and tip of tibia brown ; hind legs with a luteous band before the tip of femur, or luteous, tip black ; tibia pale, black on tip and after base ; or black, pale at base ; tarsi long, black ; the basal joint sometimes luteous ; spurs luteous, as long as the two basal joints ; apex incurved ; claws luteous ; wings hyaline spotted with fuscous ; front wings with the inner half of an ocellate spot on the middle of the hind margin ; a double spot at the pterostigma, an apical interrupted series, and some dots along the mediana ; hind wings with a larger orbicular spot before the pterostigma, and some spots near the tip and the apical part of the hind margin j venation white, some of the forks and the longitudinal veins interrupted with fuscous. Length of body, 20 to 26 mm ; exp. al., 46 to 67 mm. Mr. Sanborn, Mass. Agric. Rep., 1862, p. 161, states:— " Specimens of this insect are sometimes found which differ either with the wings not spotted, but hyaline or sprinkled with fuscous, or costal space with a double series of areoles, or without spurs." Apparently Mr. Sanborn has here confounded several species. 188 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Habit. — Canada, Ontario, Mr. Saunders ; southern peninsula of Michigan, Mr. Harrington ; N. Hampshire, Mr. Leonard in T. W. Harris's coll. There is a very indifferent figure of Harris's specimen by F. J. Sanborn (it is reproduced in Dr. Packard's Guide, f. 604), in his Rep., 1862, Mass. Agric, p. 160. Mr. Sanborn, who had a most general and reliable knowledge of insects in this country, says : — " It is of common occurrence throughout the country, and this is the only well-known ant- lion in N. England." But I have to state that Harris's specimen is till now the only one from N. England seen by me ; N. York, in Winthem's coll. and by Mr. Akhurst ; Missouri, St. Louis, Mr. Engelmann ; Illinois, Galena, Mr. Bean ; Maryland, Mr, Uhler : N. Carolina, Morganton ; S. Carolina, Aiken; Virginia; Georgia, June 7 and August 21, in pine woods, rare, in Abbott's figures in the Brit. Museum ; Alabama, figured by Mr. Gosse in his letters from Alabama, p. 242 (I have not seen this book); Liskiyon, Cala. Mr. Behrens. Mr. Th. Say states only, "this species is rather common." The range of this species is very large, and probably a larger one to the south and west. The size is not very variable, except one specimen from South Carolina, and one from Cala., to which belong the smallest given dimensions Very probably the larva ascends trees as the related European species ; and the larva from Washington, D.C., described by me years ago, probably belongs to this species. (Stett. Ent. Z., 1873, p. 271, n. 7.) Myrmcleon immaculatus De Geer. M. immaculatus De Geer hi., 564 (365), pi. 27, f. 8 — Retzius 59, No. 202 — Walker 401, n. 174. M. melanocephalum Oliv. Encycl. viii., 127, No. n. M. immaculatus Hag., Syn. N. Am., 231, 14, partim. Face shining, black; epistom and mouth yellow; the black color covers sometimes more or less the epistom, notched anteriorly ; a fine yellow ring around the eyes, more or less interrupted near the antennae, and enlarged below near the mouth. Labrum short, twice as broad as long, rounded laterally, largely notched anteriorly. Palpi light brown, darker in more adult specimens ; maxillary moder- ately long ; thin cylindrical ; three apical joints sometimes black, with a THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 189 small yellow basal ring ; last joint cylindrical, truncate on tip ; labial about as long, second joint arcuate, thin, enlarged on tip ; last joint of the same length, subarcuate, largely fusiform above, shining black, tip thinner, yellow. Antennae a little shorter than head and thorax, clavate, dull black, more or less annulate with yellow, basal joint above yellow, below the basal joints shining black. Head broad ; vertex transversally ovoid, elevated ; anteriorly finely rugose ; a number of very fine elevated lines originating together between the antennae, and then diverging ; the color and pattern of the vertex varies much ; the main color is dull black, with a yellow transversal band, which is entire or more or less divided and may be wanting entirely ; two pitchy black transversal bands are divided by a middle longitudinal band, consisting of two anterior and two posterior approximate twin spots, all these pitchy black shining flat spots and bands may be differently shaped ; besides there is on each side near the eyes on the vertex a posterior linear flat spot, and another behind this on the occiput ; the yellow trans- versal band fills the space between the two pitchy black bands, and is always interrupted in the middle by longitudinal band ; the yellow band is entirely wanting in the N. England, Michigan and N. York specimens, it is more or less indicated in the specimens of the Southern States, and always present in the Western States and Colorado. Prothorax short, nearly once broader than long ; sides about straight ; front margin semi-circular, dull brown ; the front margin, two large spots on the part before the transverse sulcus, and two smaller ones after the sulcus, and the membrane between the prothorax and mesothorax luteous or yellowish ; some black hairs on the sides of prothorax ; thorax pitchy fuscous to black above and below : the margins sometimes a little luteous Abdomen of female much shorter than the wings ; of the males less shorter and more slender ; pitchy black ; the basal half principally of the females or newly transformed specimens with a large dull luteous spot, covered with short and fine whitish villosity. Female genitals the same of M. mobilis, but the black appendages a little shorter and thicker, with very long black hairs ; male genitals similar, but the spoon-shaped part a little shorter. 190 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Legs of the Southern specimens similar to M. j?iobilis; the specimens from the Northern and Eastern States and the Rocky Mts. much more black ; the anterior tarsi and larger parts of tibia entirely shining black, but all intermediate colors are to be found ; spurs and sometimes the claws brown. Wings similar, variable in size, shape and coloration ; the most striking difference is the hind margin of the hind wings, which is never (in 3c specimens) sinuate in the apical half, but performs a flattened curve, a little more incurved on tip ; the mediana and subcosta are darker and the space between them is blackish, where they are not interrupted with yellowish ; sometimes the transversals below the mediana and some other veins are fumose ; pterostigma white. Length of body, 25 to 36 mm.; exp. al., 60 to 76 mm. Breadth of hind wing, 5 to 7 mm. The smallest specimens are from Colorado. Habitat. — 30 specimens male and female are before me ; Ludington, Mich., Mr. Pierce (raised); Keene, N. H., Mr. F. H. Foster (raised) ; Peabody, Mass., Mr. G. H. Emerton (raised) ; Albany, N. York (raised by myself); Maryland, Mr. Uhler; Virginia, Alleghany Mts., and Wash- ington, D. C, O. Sacken ; Morganton, N. Carolina, Mr. H. Morrison ; Waco, Texas, Mr. Belfrage ; Denver, Golden City, Manitou, Colorado, by O. Sacken; Wasatch Mts., Utah, Rocky Mts. Dr. Anderson; Lake Tahoe, Cala., O. Sacken ; Sylvania, Cala., Mr. Ricksecker (raised) ; Oregon, Mr. H. Edwards; Washington Terr., Yakima River, Mr. S. Henshaw. The imago appears everywhere in J une and July. The larva hyber- nates and transforms in the pupa about May. The description and the figure by De Geer, though both not sufficient, proved that his species was the one here described ; there is no N. American species known, which makes this determination doubtful. There can be no doubt that M. melanocephahim Oliv. is the same species. Olivier's specimen was collected by Bose near New York, De Geer's in Pennsyl- vania. Burmeister's type, now before me, is M. mobilis. It would be useless to speak about two species described by Walker, without com- paring his types. The same applies to Prof. Taschenberg's species. When I published the Synopsis N. Am. Neur., I knew only three specimens, which are still before me. I had them separated in two THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 191 species, but the insufficient material seemed to make it more prudent to unite them provisionally. Both species are very similar, and the only palpable difference is the hind margin of the hind wings sinuated in the apical half of M. mob His, and convex in M. immaculatus. I have raised myself both species, and have the full grown larva? in alcohol. (To be Continued.) THE CHALCID GENUS RILEYA. BY L. O. HOWARD, WASHINGTON, D. C. An interesting interference in the adoption of the generic name Rileya has recently taken place between Mr. Ashmead and myself, and, as I am of the opinion that this name should apply to the genus of Encyrtina? defined by myself, rather than to the genus of Eurytominaj defined by Mr. Ashmead, I state in this note the circumstances of the interference, and print in full the paper in which my description occurred. At the meeting of the Entomological Society of Washington, held June 7, 1887, I read the paper in question and handed the manuscript, after reading, to Mr. Smith, the Secretary, with the request that he publish the generic description in full in his abstract of our proceedings in Entomo- logica Americana. June 9 this periodical for June was received, and I found upon reading Mr. Ashmead's " revised generic table of the Eury- tominae," published upon pages 41 to 43, that he had decided to use the same name for a genus of that sub-family. The name is there given, not as a new genus, but as one already described, and the few words given to it in the table fail to sufficiently characterize it. Noting these points, I did not recall my description from Mr. Smith, and it was published in the July number of the same periodical (received July 5). 1 inferred from the fact that Mr. Ashmead entered the genus as " Rileya Ashm.," and not " Rileya n. g.," that his description had been sent away for publication, but had not appeared, and this inference was shown to be correct when upon July 14, first copies were received of Bulletin No. 3 of the Kansas Experiment Station, which contained in an appendix Mr. Ashmead's full description of this genus. I am individually inclined to think, therefore, that as Mr. Ashmead 192 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST did not give his few words in the generic table to Riley a as a new genus, his mention of it there amounts simply to the mention of a manuscript name, and as the full description of Rileya Ashmead as a new genus w r as not published for some days subsequent to the publication of my genus, the latter should bear the name. Were this a mere matter of credit for a genus, I would not waste words upon it, and were it any other name I would give way without hesitation to my friend Mr. Ashmead, but my desire to establish the genus in Professor Riley's name, and to apply it to this extremely interesting and beautiful form, is so great that I am led to assert my claim, which of course will stand or fall upon its merits. The original paper as read before the Entomological Society ot Wash- ington, June 7, is as follows : — " One of the most beautiful insects I have ever seen was sent in con- siderable numbers to Dr. Riley, from California, by Mr. Koebele, in 1886. It was captured by Mr. Koebele, as stated in his notes, while searching for a species of Dactylopius, which lives upon the Passion Flower at Los Angeles. His account of the actions of the little parasites upon this plant is interesting enough to quote : ' A number of the parasites were collected on a plant, and some of them were noticed depositing their eggs. Busily they ran up and down the branches, and if they met with a grown insect, this was touched from behind with their antennae from five to fifteen seconds ; then either the parasite would run off or turn around and thrust an egg into the insect, which, when the parasite approaches, keeps perfectly quiet ; but if operated on, will turn the posterior part-of its body rapidly around in a circle, and its enemy will, after the egg is left, walk quietly off without facing its victim again.' " This little parasite, although only about a millimeter and a-half in length, is a perfect gem in color, it is a fleck of brilliant green-gold, and its structure is very strange to one not familiar with the peculiar group of genera to which it belongs. The remarkable antennae, with their concave leaf-like scape, peculiar pedicel, and broadly flattened flagellum carry to an extreme a conformation seen only with the three genera — Mira, Anusia and Cerapterocerus — of the sub-family Encyrtince of the C/ialcididce. 1 have always supposed that the preliminary tapping of a Bark-louse, with the antennae, as described by Mr. Koebele above, and as often noticed with other parasites, was for the purpose of ascertaining by a tactile sens*,- THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 193 or by sound whether the Bark-louse was already inhabited by a parasitic larva, and it is altogether likely that this extraordinary development of the antennae in these genera is of use in this direction, and was developed in response to some such need, for it will be noticed that this conformation occurs in the female sex only, and that the males of such of these genera as have known males have antennae of the ordinary pedicillate whorled type. RlLEYA SPLENDENS. "The relationships of this California parasite, although it forms a new and in some respects abnormal genus, are plainly with the European genus Cerapterocerus of YVestwood (Tclegraphus Ratz.j, of which two species have been described, viz., C. mirabilis YVestwood, and C. corniger Walker, of both of which we have authentic specimens in the collection of the National Museum, through the courtesy of Dr. Mayr. of Vienna. The 194 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. former has been reared from a Lecanium on peach by Tschek, from a Lecanium on plum by Kollar and Rogenhofer, and from coccids on grass by Kollar and Kriechbaumer ; while the latter has been reared by Kriech- baumer from coccids on plum and grass. " I have, with Dr. Riley's kind permission, dedicated this remarkable and beautiful genus to him, in acknowledgement of the work which he has done in making known the life-histories of American hymenopterous parasites, not less than in acknowledgement of the opportunities he has given me, and the assistance and encouragement he has rendered me in the study of the interesting family to which it belongs. " Riley a, Gen. nov. Female. Moderately stout, resembling somewhat Cerapterocerus Westwood (see Mag. Nat. Hist, vi., 1833, page 495 ; see also Snellen van Vollenhoven, Schetsen, Tab. vii ; see also Mayr, Die Europaischen Encyrtiden, Verh. d. k. k. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 1875, page 747 ; see also Ratzeburg, Ichn. d. Forstins. ii., 1848, page 152, under name Tekgraphus), but differing as follows : The face is not elbowed in the middle so as to give a triangular profile to the head, but is gently rounded, and has a strong glistening transverse clean-cut ridge just above the insertion of the antennae, which are stouter and with a more concave scape than with Cerapterocerus. The mesoscutellum has a strong tuft of erect black hairs as in Cliiloneurus, but which is lacking in Cerap- terocerus. The stigmal vein is given off immediately at the juncture of the submarginal with the costa, and is a trifle longer than the postmarginal. The submarginal is three and one-half times as long as the stigmal. The postmarginal, the distal third of the submarginal, and the wing disc below this last heavily clothed with short stout bristles. The body is highly polished and the wings are not hyaline. The metanotal spiracles are large, long-oval and oblique, and the abdominal spiracles are very prominently tufted. The ovipositor does not protrude, except in specimens killed in the act of oviposition. " Riley a splendens, Sp. nov. Female. Length, 1.63 mm.; expanse, 3.8 mm.; greatest width of fore- wing, 0.53 mm. Front with a delicate round- oval punctation ; cheeks with delicate longitudinal striation, and a perfectly smooth band bordering the eyes ; mesoscutum very delicately shaggreened ; scutellum and scapulas smooth ; mesopleura and abdomen smooth. General color metallic green, the most brilliant reflections given off from the cheeks and the proepimera ; antennae also with metallic reflections, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 195 but darker in general effect ; mouth-parts honey-yellow ; abdomen bluish- metallic below ; all legs metallic ; joints 2, 3 and 4 of tarsi honey-yellow. Distal two-thirds of wings (fore) dark brown ; the proximal limit of the color very definite, and the color deepest at this point, becoming lighter at tip of wing ; a narrow, longitudinal, slightly curved, hyaline line arises at the middle of the proximal border of the infuscation, and extends rather more than halfway to the tip of the wing. Described from many female speci- mens. Los Angeles, Cal., A. Koebele." ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. The annual gathering of the Entomologists of North America, in connection with the meeting of the A. A. A. S., took place this year in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. While much regret was felt at the absence of many eminent Entomologists who have always taken an active part in the work of the Club, and at the consequent smallness of the attendance, the meeting was much enjoyed by those who were present, and the valuable papers read were received with great interest. The first session was held at 9 a.m. in a class-room of the Central High School Building on Wednesday, August 15th] the President, Mr. John B. Smith, of Washington, in the chair. In the absence of the Secretary (Prof. A. J. Cook, of the Agricultural College, Mich.) Professor Herbert Osborn, of Ames, Iowa, was requested to act in his place. Owing to the smallness of the attendance the Club adjourned till 1.15 p.m., when the President read his annual address on " Entomological Collec- tions in the United States." In this interesting and valuable paper, which, as well as the other papers read at the meetings of the Club, will, we understand, be published in full in Entomologica Americana, the writer gave an account of all the great collections, both public and private, in the United States. Among general collections he especially mentioned those of Mr. Bolter, of Chicago, and Mr. Henry Edwards, of New York ; in Coleoptera he specified the collections of Dr. Horn, of Philadelphia, Mr. Ulke, of Washington, and Messrs. Hubbard and Schwarz, and Lieut. Casey ; in Lepidoptera those of Messrs. Henry Edwards, Neumogen? 196 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Strecker. Graef, Tepper, Holland, W. H. Edwards, Lintner, Bailey, and Meske ; in special departments of Lepidoptera those of Mr. W. H. Edwards, Rev. Dr. Holland, and Mr. Bruce in Butterflies; in the Hesperidae that of Mr. E. M. Aaron, of Philadelphia ; in the Sphingidae that of Mr. E. Corning, of Albany ; in the Geometridae that of the Rev. G. D. Hulst, of Brooklyn ; and in the Tortricidae that of Prof. Fernald, of Amherst, Mass. He also noticed many other collections in various orders for which we must refer the reader to the address itself. After hearing the address the meeting adjourned till the next day. The following persons were in attendance during the sessions : — John B. Smith, Washington, D.C. ; Prof. H. Osborn, Ames, Iowa ; Prof. F. M. Webster, Lafayette, Ind. ; Dr. D. S. Kellicott, Buffalo, N.Y. ; Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Westcott, Chicago ; L. O. Howard, Washington ; J. Mackenzie, Toronto; A. B. Mackay, Agricultural College, Miss. ; D. A. Robertson, St. Paul ; S. H. Peabody, Champaign, 111. ; Dr. C. V. Riley, Washing- ton ; S. B. McMillan, Signal, Ohio ; Rev. L. C. Wurtele and Miss Wurtele , Acton Vale, P.Q., and others. The Entomological Society of Ontario was represented by its Presi- dent, Mr. J. Fletcher, of Ottawa, and the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, of Port Hope. On Thursday, August 16th, the Club met at i p.m., and entered upon the consideration of the President's address ; this naturally led to a discussion upon the best materials for boxes, &c, in which to preserve collections. Mr. Howard stated that the boxes in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, Mass., had their bottoms made of Italian poplar. Mr. Fletcher asked for the experience of members with poplar, tulip-tree and other woods as regards cracking and splitting. Dr. Riley said that there was no wood that would not split, warp or crack ; the only remedy was to have the materials kiln-dried and then soaked in shellac and alcohol. He adopted the form of boxes used in Washington for the sake of convenience rather than otherwise. The cabinets in Europe were not subjected to the same dry heat as in America, and were consequently not a guide to us in this respect. Mr. Fletcher stated that there are only two noteworthy collections of insects in Canada: (i) that of the Entomological Society of Ontario at London. It is not very large, but is very good as representative of the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 197 Canadian fauna, while it contains many specimens from the United States and other countries. The collection of Lepidoptera is especially- good and well named, having been revised by Mr. Grote before it was sent to the Philadelphia Exhibition, in 1876. In Coleoptera and other orders great care has been taken to have the specimens well named. The collection is open to any one who desires to examine it. (2) The collection of Lepidoptera in the National Museum at Ottawa is very good. The nucleus was formed by the purchase of about 8,000 specimens from Captain Gamble Geddes, of Toronto. It is now being added to by the officers of the Geological Survey, who bring to it from time to time rare specimens from out-of-the-way and little known regions. There are several private collections of value, but it is unnecessary to specify them. Mr. Fletcher agreed with Mr. Smith that " types " of new species should be placed in some national collection where they would be accessible to- all students. For his part he should always be glad in future, as in the past, to place " types " whenever possible in the National Museum at Washington. A discussion then arose as to what is meant by a " type." Mr. Fletcher understands the term to mean all the specimens actually before a describer when he is making out his description of a new species. Some writers, however, call all specimens types that may afterwards be identified by the describer as agreeing with the originals. Mr. Howard agreed with Mr. Fletcher that only the material before a describer at the time is to be called " type;" other specimens should be marked "deter- mined by the author." Dr. Riley thought that all the materials deter- mined by an author might be called " types of that species," provided that they do not vary from the original specimens. Prof. Webster considered that all typical material should be placed in some national depository where it would be perfectly safe, and instanced the loss of the Walsh collection by fire as a calamity to science ; collectors should be willing to sacrifice their types for the general good of science. Mr. Smith was also of opinion that only the specimens before the author at the time of making the description are " types," and that specimens determined afterwards are not really "types." Mr. Fletcher referred to Chinobas Macounii as an example. Mr. W. H. Edwards had eleven specimens before him when he described the species ; these are types, though most of the specimens were imperfect. During the past summer the speaker 198 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. had obtained from the original locality a good supply of specimens in perfect order, and although these agreed with the original description perfectly, they should only be labelled as " typical," and he was of the opinion that the describer even would not be justified in labelling them "type." Professor Osborn agreed with the last speaker. (To be Continued.) CORRESPONDENCE. NOTES ON IPS. In vol. xvii., p. 46, of the Can. Ent., Dr. John Hamilton gives some notes on Ips fasciatus and allied forms. He says: — " The form fasciatus is the most common here (Allegheny, Penn.), and is that into which all the others are resolved ; in it the elytra are black with an irregular broad basal, and a sub-apical fascia, yellow ; individuals are met with totally black without any spot ; others have only a small basal and sub-apical spot yellow (more often reddish) ; others add to these a humeral lunule ; others have various other spots, and by the gradual dilation and coalesc- ing of these through a series of specimens, the full form fasciatus is reached." He further says that he has never met with these black and spotted forms at any other time than in early spring, usually during April. As the season advances these entirely disappear and the fasciate form alone remains, continuing till autumn. Judging from my observations of these forms at Montreal, I cannot quite agree with Dr. Hamilton's opinion. I find that in the fasciate form the colour is bright clear yellow, while in all the spotted specimens that I have seen the colour is very pale yellow, almost white ; the difference in this respect being very marked. With respect to seasons, [ find that the spotted form, or what I take to be 4-signatiis, occurs during summer as well as in spring, as the following notes will show: — April 24th, 1886, found Ips fasciatus and the spotted forms common at a bleeding stump on Montreal Mountain, 4-signatus being most abundant. June 12th, 1886, found several specimens of Ips 4-signatus in a small hole in the bark of an oak tree, where the sap was oozing out. August 5th, 1886, found a specimen of Ips 4-signatus on a tombstone in Mount Royal Cemetery. August 15th, 1886, found a specimen of Ips 4-signatus on a tomato on the breakfast table. July 26th, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 199 1888, found a specimen of Ips 4-signatus in a jug of milk. The last " find " was a rather curious one, but the specimen was quite fresh, and had evidently been " supplied " with the morning's milk. No specimens of fasciatus were observed during the summer months, so that my experi- ence appears to have been just the reverse of Dr. Hamilton's. F. B. Caulfield, Montreal. INSECTS FEIGNING DEATH. Dear Sir : I have read with much interest Mr. A. R. Grote's commu- nications upon the subject of " Insects Feigning Death," glad always of the opportunity of learning from the older members of the entomological fraternity. But in this case I am not sure that I comprehend the gentle- man's meaning. In the June number of the Can. Ent. he expresses a doubt in regard to insects possessing any knowledge of death, and hence considers that they are not mentally capable of feigning death. In the August number he again takes up the subject and says, " It is probable to me that their attitudes of repose are assumed from the experience they have gradually acquired, that in a state of quiet they will best avoid the immediate dangers which beset them, etc." Immediate dangers of what ? Physical pain, a knowledge of which they have gained by frequent cap- tures and escapes ? It strikes me that it is not only not this, but death itself which they seek to avoid. With no knowledge of death, as such, why should they seek to avoid it ? Is it not true that all animal life is doomed to die sooner or later ? And is not a knowledge of the fact that it is something to be feared and avoided as long as possible, necessary to the perpetuation of species ? Surely even insects would not seek to avoid that of which they have no knowledge. Does not the very presence of the sense of fear presuppose a knowledge of death, in the sense of annihilation? If the larva of a Geometer has learned, no matter whether by experience or instinct, that by assuming a certain rigid position re- sembling a portion of the twig upon which it is itself located, it is thereby enabled to escape destruction in common with the twig ; might not another species, by the same course of reasoning, learn that, to assume the same inanimate position as a dead companion who is not carried away, it also might escape ? Beetles belonging to the genera Chlamys and Exewa, of the family Chrysomelidce, will often drop from a seemingly 200 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. safe position on the stem of a plant to the exposed upper surface of a leat of the same, remaining there perfectly quiet without making any further attempt to escape, their only protection being the form and color of their bodies, which very strongly resemble the excrement of caterpillars. After all have we not reason to believe that life, to an insect, embodies all that is precious ; the alpha and omega of all that is worthy of being cherished and protected ? Knowing as we do the great variety of methods by which insects seek to protect this life, is it so highly improbable that they should hit upon the plan of feigning its absence ? The question is an interesting one, though difficult, and, perhaps, impossible to solve ; yet it certainly involves nothing that should lead us to forget that we are fellow-workers. F. M. Webster, Lafayette, Ind. DANAIS ARCHIPPUS. Dear Sir : In view of the discussion now going on respecting this insect, it may not be amiss to give some observations from this locality* D. archippus (alias piexippus) is an exceedingly common butterfly in Custer Co., Colorado, from the end of April throughout the summer. At the present time it is abundant near my house, at about 8,400 feet alt.,, especially frequenting the flowers of Oxytropis /amberti, and also seeming much attracted by a patch of Trifolium pratense that has sprung up in a timothy field. But the peculiar thing is, that so far as I know, Asclepias^. the food-plant, does not occur nearer than some four or five miles away,, and at perhaps nearly a thousand feet lower elevation. The only larva I have seen here was an immature one brought to me July 3rd, which had been found on Asclepias at about 7,300 feet alt., some six miles from here. Yet the specimens of piexippus found up here at 8,400 feet are perfectly fresh and undamaged (much more so than Papilio asterias, which breeds up here), and further, are frequently to be seen paired. July 22nd. T. D. A. Cockerell, West Cliff, Colorado- Notice. — The Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario will be held in the City Hall, Ottawa, on Friday, October 5th. It is hoped that there will be a full attendance of members. Mailed October 3rd. Cljt (fonarjian (KirtpraolopL VOL. XX. LONDON, NOVEMBER, 1888. No. 11. AN EXTREME CASE OF SEASONAL DIMORPHISM IN COLIAS. BV T. D. A. COCKERELL, WEST CLIFF, COLORADO. It was thought strange when it was proved that Colias keewaydin and C. eurytheme were seasonal forms of a single species Still stranger did it seem when Mr. W. H. Edwards proved by breeding that C. eriphyle (alias Hagenii) was also a form of eurytheme, but even after this I was not quite prepared for the conclusion, forced upon me by irresistible facts, that in this locality the orange and yellow forms were not only of one species, but actually alternated seasonally, the former being the summer, and the latter the winter form. The locality in question is the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo range, in Custer County, Colorado, in the neighborhood of Swift Creek, at altitudes varying from about 7,800 to 8,400 feet. Only two forms of C. eurytheme are found (exclusive of the pale females), and neither of these agrees precisely with those already described, so that ("West American Scientist," 1888, p. 42,) I called the orange one intermedia, and the sulphur yellow form autumnalis, this last being very close to C. eriphyle. The facts of the case are best shown by extracts from my diary, all bearing upon this locality : — July 13th, 1887. — Arrived here, found intermedia flying abundantly, and so until the middle of August, when I left for a trip to the western slope. No autumnalis seen. October 22nd. — Returned to this locality ; a few worn intermedia seen, the last of brood. November 9th. — Caught a % autumnalis, the first I had seen. May 13th, 1888. — Caught a % autumnalis — the first of the year. Soon after autumnalis became common, but no intermedia seen. The first £ was caught May 19th. (The $ 's of both forms of eurytheme, and also of C. alexandra, seem to emerge here sooner than the £'s.) June 4th. — The first intermedia of the year seen. 202 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. June 8th. — Autumnalis still abundant, but some intermedia seen. June 12th. — Intermedia becoming common, and autumnalis scarce. June 26th. — Intermedia abundant, a single autumnalis, a £ ? taken, and this is the last seen. C. eury theme var. intermedia is now (July 17 th) abundant, and C. alexandra is flying very freely. It is a curious circumstance that the so called " albino " females (var. pallida) do not appear to occur in autumnalis, or if they do are very rare, while they are so frequent in intermedia that I have sometimes fancied they even outnumbered the typical females. In both forms, I think, the females outnumber the males. From the above facts, I think that it is hard to come to any other conclusion than that the orange and yellow forms alternate, and that this should be so, presents perhaps one of the most remarkable cases of seasonal dimorphism at present known. There is a very large Asiliid fly found here, which occasionally preys upon C. eurytheme var. intermedia in the perfect state. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF ORTHESIA FROM CALIFORNIA. BY WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. In a collection of Hemiptera sent me some time since for identifica- tion, were two male specimens of a coccid, and a single white waxy sac, from which one had issued, attached to the upper surface of a small, oval leaf, which at the time, from a superficial examination, I took to be a mealy bug, Dactylopius longifilis Comstock ; but recently on a more careful examination I find to be a species of that interesting genus Orthesia Bosc. But a single species has been described in this genus in our fauna, i.e., Orthesia Americana Walker. A good description of what is supposed to be this species was given by Prof. Comstock in the U. S. Agricultural Report, 1880, page 349. As the present species does not agree with that description, it is apparently undescribed, and below I give a description of it, naming it in honour of its discoverer, Mr. Hy. Edwards, who took it at Grass Valley, Nepa County, California. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 203 Orthesia Edwardsii n. sp. Male sac. — This is broadly oval, pure white, .15 of an inch long by .12 of an inch in breadth. It was evidently formed by a secretion of fine, waxy flakes, the regularity of which has been lost as the insect reached maturity, the dorsal disk being entire, and the flakes only being partially distinguishable at the margins. Male. — Length .12 inch; style about .04 inch. Entirely black, excepting a reddish cast on the mesothorax, scutellum, metathorax, abdomen at sides and beneath, and the epipleura of the mesothorax ; while the head beneath the insertion of the antenna? is pale yellowish white. Head small, nearly quadrate, being but slightly narrowed posteriorly. The eyes consist of 5 or 6 ocelli placed at the side of the head, while the mouth consists of two large, quite prominent ocelli. Antennae very long, the points of which have four or five irregular nodose swellings, with irregular whorls of long, delicate bristles ; the first two joints are very short, not as long as wide, the 3rd and 5th joints the longest, about an equal length, the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th shorter and gradually subequal, the 10th or apical joint more thickened, fusiform, about four-fifths the length of the penultimate joint Thorax short, less than one-half the length of abdomen ; the prothorax is hardly distinguish- able from above, being but a delicate ridge or collar ; mesothorax quite short, somewhat trapezoidal in outline, and obliquely ascending towards the scutellum, but with a depression in the middle, the lateral lobes distinct ; scutellum highly convex, polished, with some short hairs on the disk, abruptly transversely divided by a deep, yellowish fissure posterior- ly. Metathorax very short. Legs very long, rather slender, black, and with a long, fine hair pubescence ; tibiae longer than their femora, slender, cylindrical ; tarsi less than one-third the length of tibiae and more slender, gradually acuminate toward apex and terminating in a small, delicate claw ; no digitules. Abdomen, on the dorsum, wrinkled, at sides towards apex covered with a white, waxy substance, and terminating in two very long caudal setae, more than double the length of the insect, rather thickly covered with a white, waxy substance, especially at base, so that in reality they are much more slender than they appear. Style long, blackish. Wings two, white, of the ordinary shape, but I can detect a spurious vein, springing from near the base of the longitudinal vein, between it and the costal margin, and running parallel with it to half the 204 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. length of the wings. I have examined many male coccids, but never before noticed this spurious vein, and consequently think it of great importance. Halteres linear, terminating in a hook with two teeth ; one of the halteres is attached to a fold or thickening in the front wing, and as has before been observed, evidently greatly assists the insect in its flights ; the other one was loose, and thus enabled me to make out the two small teeth. STRAY NOTES ON MYRMELEONIDiE, Part 5. BY DR. H. A. HAGEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. ( Continued from page igi.) Myr?nelcon mobilis Hag. M. mobilis Hag. Stett. Z., vol. xxi., 368 ; vol. xxvi., 444. (No description.) M. immaculatiis Burm. Vol. ii., 994, 5 (not De Geer)— Hagen Syn. N. Am. 231, 14, partim. The face above the epistom blackish brown, shining ; mouth and a ring around the eyes yellowish ; palpi yellowish ; maxillary thin, apical joint cylindrical, notched on tip ; labial of same length, apical joint fusiform, the conical tip notched. Antennae as long as head and thorax, thicker at tip, which is clavate, fuscous, annulated with yellow, except on club ; basal joint yellow above, second black ; antennae below largely yellow. Head dull luteous, with some flat pitchy-fuscous spots ; vertex transverse-ovoid, elevate, anteriorly finely rugulose ; on the middle two pairs of twin bands, one behind the other ; the anterior pair with hind end of its band bent outward ; a round spot on each side of the bands j the posterior pair straight ; on each side two triangular spots, near the eye ; behind the vertex on each side a transversal band, near the eyes. Prothorax broader than long, sides about straight, front margin semi- circular, luteous with some black hairs besides ; anterior part before the transverse sulcus on each side with a black crescent and indistinct median band ; hind part on each side with an indistinct black mark ; thorax dull luteous, with some indistinct brown shadows besides and below. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 205 Abdomen much shorter than the wings, slender, dull luteous, more yellowish on the apex, articulations pale ; covered with very short pale villosity. Female — Last segment short, yellow, split below near the ventral margin with two, thick, black shining cylindrical appendages, which are as long as the segment and covered with very long black hairs and spines ; out of the superior part of this segment is protruded an additional short segment with two short quadrangular yellow plates with black margins, and below two transversal rows of very strong black spines. Male — Abdomen not longer than of the female ; ventral part of last segment not split below, yellow with long black hairs, forming a large spoon-shaped part ; there are no cylindrical appendages ; the additional segment forming two yellow plates which are shorter but much more pro- longed below and a little enlarged ; margin black with long black hairs below, without the rows of spines ; above on dorsum with a bunch of hairs. Legs slender, pale, with black hairs ; the femur, tibia and all joints of tarsus black on tip ; a fine black ring on tibia not far from the knee ; spurs as long as the basal joint, straight fuscous. Wings long, narrow, front wings with the costa straight, curved strongly on tip, which is short, about rectangular ; hind margin very slightly incurved, so that the wing is broadest near the apical third ; hind wing nearly as long, a little narrower, sharply pointed ; hind margin a little sinuate on the apical half, broadest near the middle of its length ; hyaline, hairy, veins fine, dark ; subcosta, mediana and submediana interrupted with pale yellow ; ptero- stigma small, whitish. Length of body, 30 to 34 mm.; exp. al. 80 mm. Hab. — Burmeister's type from Savannah, Georgia, very probably col- lected by Dr. Zimmermann ; it is a female, and was described out of Winthem's coll.; the label, immaculatus De Geer, in Burmeister's hand- writing, is still on the pin. I have raised male and female in July, 1883, out of larvse from Alabama, given by Prof. Lyon ; I have the full grown larva, larva skin, nympha skin and cocoon. The larva is called Doodle, and it is a favourite pleasure of children to kneel in the sand near the holes and to sing in a monotonous way, " Doodle, Doodle, etc." It is believed that the animal comes out to receive food. But I have to remark that the larva of Tetracha Carolina is treated similarly. 206 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The type is just transformed, as is proved by specimens from Ala- bama, which made their transformation on the same day ; one has all four wings developed, one only the fore wings, and the third has all wings crumpled. Nevertheless they have all the same colours of the type, and it is to be supposed that older specimens will show a darker coloration. I have never seen more specimens. When I published the synopsis I had before me the type of Burmeister and two specimens of M. imma- culatus, and believed all three to belong to the same species. Myrmeleon formicalynx L. The synonymy need not be repeated here ; compare Stett. Ent. Zeit., 1866, p. 439. Face shining black, above with two impressions, which are variable in shape and size, and an engraved spot in the middle between the antennae ; around the eyes a yellow ring, interrupted near the vertex ; epistoma yellow, with two black spots connected with the colour of the face ; mouth yellow. Maxillary palpi slender cylindrical, black shining, pale on tip ; apical joint notched on tip, third joint incurvate ; the two basal joints globular, dull yellowish, the second blackish externally ; labial palpi longer and stronger, shining black ; second joint incurvate, thickened on tip ; last joint thick, ovoid, with an engraved spot externally before the tip, which is pyramidal, pointed. Antennas shorter than the thorax ; tip clavate, dull black, below shining black on base ; basal joint yellow, below black in middle, and with a yellow ring around the base. Head dull black anteriorly, with rare white hairs, finely rugose, the lines diverging ; vertex transversally ovoid, elevated, divided by a more or less pronounced median impression, on top with a transversal corrug- ated band, and some glossy flat spots ; two approximate anteriorly and two posteriorly, and on each side a larger round one ; behind the vertex near the eye an oval similar spot. Prothorax short, broader than long, enlarged behind, rounded before, dull pitchy black ; margin yellow except in middle anteriorly ; yellowish near the thorax ; on each side with some longer black hairs ; mesothorax and metathorax pitchy black ; the body paler. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 207 Abdomen slender, compressed, shorter than the wings, pitchy black ; apical margin of the last segments pale ; villosity white, rather scarce. Female genitals with two transverse rows of black bristles, two cylin- drical black appendages with very long black hairs, and between them an advanced black part of the margin with strong bristles. (Rambur says with two appendages "formant deux petites saillies an peu plus epaisses " — which I cannot find.) Male genitals similar to M. mob His, the spoon-shaped part shorter, triangular, yellow. Legs slender, reddish-yellow ; apical half of femur black ; tibia blackish ; the posterior legs externally reddish-yellow, except on tip ; tarsi blackish, sometimes yellowish at base ; spurs about as long as the basal joint, straight ; claws brown. Wings in shape and venation like M. immaculatus, with the hind margin convex ; hyaline ; veins black, interrupted with yellow ; ptero- stigma milk-white, blackish interiorly. Length of body, 25 to 32 mm.; exp. al, 55 to 84 mm. Breadth of hind wings, 6 to 8 mm. Hab. — Everywhere in Europe, only England and the islands in the Mediterranean excepted. A pair collected in Castilia by Staudinger is quoted by myself Stett. Ent. Z., xxvii, p. 290. A. Costa figures it from Naples. In Russia it is known from Livland to Astrachan and Nert- schinsk, Siberia. I have eight specimens, male and female, before me from Sweden, Prussia, Silesia, Switzerland. The imago flies from July to September. I have raised this species, which is common in Germany. In the collection of Linnaeus a specimen of this species on the character- istic Linnean pin, bearing in his own handwriting on the label the name "formicalynx," is still present. I have seen it in 1857 and 1861. The high authority of my friend McLachlan, and the emphasis with which he declines to acknowledge this specimen as typical (Tr. Lond. Ent. Soc, 1871, p. 443), oblige me to state why I hold decidedly the contrary opinion. Mr. McLachlan bases his objection solely on the fact that the specimen is identical with the Swedish species, and that the African habitat, given by Linnaeus for his M. formicalynx, must belong to a different species (though the few words of the diagnosis given will apply 208 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. to this insect so far as they go. — McL ), because no specimen from Africa is known to him ; and " that the collection of Linnaeus has been mal- treated by additions, destruction and displacement of labels." The dis- covery of a true African specimen would make McLachlan's objection untenable. Nobody would be surprised that an insect, with such a large distribution, and found in Castilia and Naples, should be found in Africa. For the statement of the displacement of labels in the Linnean collection McLachlan quotes the preface of Staudinger's Catalog der Lepidopteren, 187 1, p. xvi.-xvii. This quotation is indeed very unfortunate, as the Ger- man original is essentially different (p. xvi ) from the French translation (p. xvii.) which is alone used by McL.: — " C'est malheuresement un fait certain que l'acquereur de la collection de Linne a eu la deplorable ide'e de remplacer quelquefois des exemplaires endommages par des exem- plaires frais — vielleicht vorhandene schlechte Exemplare durch bessere ersetzte." So long as McLachlan gives not any other evidence for his opinion, it is apparently not admissible. Concerning the Neuroptera in the Linn, collection, I have published (Stett. Ent. Z.,vol. vi., 1845, P- : 55) tne ust still before me, made in 1844 by Mr. R. Kippist, then Secretary of the Linn. Soc. Of the 83 species described in Syst. Nat. Ed., xii.,, were present 50 species, but 17 of them were later additions, with labels written not by Linnceus, but probably by Mr. Smith, with the occasional addition " exdescript Linn." These 17 species are marked only with pencil in Linnseus's own copy of Syst. Nat. Ed., xii. The other 33 species have labels in Linnseus's own handwriting, and are marked in the copy of Syst. Nat. Ed., xii., with ink. From these alone it is certain that they were in the collection of Linnaeus, and among these is M. formicalynx. I have compared myself the collection in 1857 and 1861. I found nothing changed and no indication of displacements. Illiger's paper, 1 801, in his Magazin, vol. i., p. 7. Westwood's paper of the Linnean Staphylinus (Tr. Ent. Soc, Ser. I., vol. iv., p. 45); Schaum " neber zweifelhafte Kaefer Linne''s nach seiner Sammlung," Stett. Ent. Z., 1847, P- 2 7^ ', Haliday ibid., 185 1, p. 131 ; Motschulsky, 1855, Etudes. Ent., iv., p. 25, will show that the sweeping charges in McL. paper can not be considered as warranted. The description of M. formicalynx in Ed. x. is the same as in Ed. xii., excepting the clerical error " antenna; setaceae " for clavatae, as given in THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 209 the character of the genus. The quoted figure of Roesel well represents this species. The insects in Linne s collection have been labelled by him in accordance with Ed. x. of his Syst. Nat. At this time the imago of the Swedish species (1758) was unknown to him, and was only published later (1761) in the Ed. ii., of his Fn. Suecica. It is evident that Linnaeus has believed Reaumur's species and the Swedish one to be identical, as he says in Ed. xii., "Alae nostratis obsque maculis fuscis," and as he has called this species M. formicariwn, instead of M.formicaleo, as in all his anterior works. Now every student of Neuroptera, since half a century ago, knows very well that Linne has combined two different species, and that a new name would be needed for one of them ; but as a second species had been described also by Linnaus this name was accepted for the Swedish species as M. formicalynx. Therefore, indeed, no mistake and no uncertainty was possible. McLachlan has given no proof for his opinion that M. formicalynx from Africa belongs to a different unknown species. McLachlan's quotation I.e., p. 441 and 442, "In the first edition of the Fn. Suec, 1746, he (Linne') says of an antlion alae obsolete nebulosae? is not to be found at all in this book, and could not be found, as Linne described only the larva. The words obsolete nebulosae occur in no work of Linne, nor in any other work known to me describing this insect ; but I have now the kind information by McL. that those words were taken out of the interleaved copy of the Fauna Suecica, and that my friend is now sure that they belong not at all to Myrmeleon. McLachlan proposes to use the name M. formicarium, which every body has used for more than a century, since Syst. Nat, Edit, xii., 1767, for Reaumur's species, for the Swedish species. McLachlan proposed for Reaumur's species at first the name M. formicaleo used by Linne in Ed. x. and by Poda ; later he proposed to call it M. Ettropceus, which was adopted by Mr Redtenbacher and Prof. Brauer, though the latter remarked that if a new name was needed M. nostras Fourcroy would have the priority. Concerning such changes of names, should be studied the excellent dissertation of Dr. Elias Fries, Ofver Vexternes Namn Upsala, 1842 (also in Fries's Botaniska Utflygter, T. i., p. 113, and German Transl. in Hornschuch Archiv., 1855, T. i.), where also about Linne's collection, the former idolatry and the later belittling in England, excellent advice and notice will be found. 23 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Myrmeleon formicarius, Linn. The curious habits of this insect are known for nearly two centuries and quoted so often that in my Synops. Hemerobidarum, p. 439, about half a page is filled by them. There is much written pro and con about this name. I believe the change of the name is simply a matter of taste, and I remember with merriness the page on which the late R. Crotch, my old friend McLachlan and myself were hacked to pieces for our heresy in nomenclature by A. Lewis. I consider the paper of McLachlan, Tr, Lond. Ent. Soc, 1871, p. 441, to be a very fair one. Of my two objections one has been removed by himself as I mentioned by M. formicalynx. Myrmeleon rusticus Hag. M. rusticus Hag. Syn. N. Amer. Neur. 233, 17. Front a little convex, nigro-piceous, shining, above with two trans- verse small impressions ; epistom black, or on each side with a yellow oval spot, which may encroach a little on the front, and a triangular yellow middle spot, largest anteriorly ; rhinarium bright yellow, labrum largely notched, brownish ; maxillary palpi yellowish, apical joint a little darker, cylindrical, notched at tip, scarcely longer than the preceeding ; labial palpi longer, yellowish, second joint thin, incurved, thickened at tip ; apical joint about as long, strongly ovate, blackish, with an impressed spot outside, suddenly contracted before end, which is thin, pyramidal, a little incurved ; head below and a narrow ring encircling the eyes bright yellow ; antennse strongly clavate, longer than head and prothorax, dark, annulated with yellow. Vertex obscure ferrugineous, shining, elevated, with a median furrow, dull grayish in front above the antenna? ; a yellow spot on each side near the eye ; two flat interrupted median stripes and on each side a larger flat shining spot. Prothorax short, broader than long, narrowed before, front margin rounded ; clothed on margins and behind laterally with short white villosity ; dull yellowish, with two approximated median bands more visible before the furrow, and on each side with a broader dark fuscous band more visible after the furrow ; thorax dull pitchy, obscurely mar- gined with dull yellow \ besides, below the wings pitchy with a few yellow spots. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 211 Abdomen shorter than the wings, luteo-fuscous ; posterior margin of segments, and sometimes a faint middle line, yellow. Genitals of male and the last segment black, below a row of strong black spines ; an inferior conical part with long black hairs ; abdomen of female shorter, the superior parts blunt, below a row of black bristles ; two small appendages (probably) inferiors. Legs yellowish, not very short, the intermediate finely sprinkled ; femora and tibia darker inside, except in the middle pair ; tibia with an apical dark ring ; tarsus about longer than tibia, tips of joints darker ; spurs scarcely as long as first joint, straight, dark. Wings hyaline, moderately pointed ; pterostigma small, milk white, a small dark dot before it ; venation pale, median and submedian veins distinctly interrupted with fuscous ; costals simple. Length of body, £ 30, $ 26 mm.; exp. al. 54 to 60 mm. Hab. — New Mexico (formerly W. Texas), Pecos River, August 4th, Capt. Pope's Exped.; Mexico, Matamoras, same expedition. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. The Annual Meeting of the Society was held in the City Hall, Ottawa, on Friday and Saturday, October 5th and 6th, 1888. A Council meeting was held on Friday morning at 10.30 o'clock in a Committee room of the City Hall, at which the following members were present : — The President, Mr. James Fletcher, Ottawa ; Mr. E. Baynes Reed, Mr. W. E. Saunders and Mr. J. M. Denton, London ; Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope ; Rev. T. W. Fyles, Quebec ; Mr. James Moffat, Hamilton ; Mr. H. H. Lyman, Montreal. After the transaction of routine business, the sum of $200 was voted to the Library Fund for the purchase of books and the binding of periodicals and pamphlets. An Executive Com- mittee, to consist of the President, the Editor, the Secretary-Treasurer and the members of the Council resident in London, was appointed to deal with the financial affairs of the Society and to provide for the representation of the Society at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The work of arranging the Society's collections and putting them in good order was directed to be 212 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. continued, and Mr. Moffatt was requested to do for the Coleoptera what he has already so successfully accomplished with the Lepidoptera. In the afternoon the Society met at 2 o'clock. Mr. W. H. Harrington was present in addition to those above mentioned. Mr. Lyman exhibited a series of specimens of the different species of Callimorpha which he had described in his paper last year (C. E. xix., p. 181) and remarked upon their various peculiarities. He thought it most desirable that names should be attached to the different varieties, even though they may hereafter be found to belong to the same species. Messrs. Fletcher, Fyles and Moffat made remarks upon the subject, and agreed that all distinct forms should have separate names. Mr. Fletcher gave an account of his visit to Nepigon, Lake Superior, early in July, in company with Mr. S. H. Scudder, of Cambridge, Mass., for the purpose of collecting the eggs of various rare species of butterflies. He described the various modes they had employed in order to induce the females to deposit their eggs, and recounted the great success achieved in securing the eggs of no less than seventeen species of butterflies and capturing a number of others. Rev. Dr. Bethune exhibited a number of specimens of Colias eurytheme. chiefly of the form eriphyli, which he had taken at Port Arthur on the 1st of September last, and gave an account of his trip to the Nepigon River, exhibiting a large number of specimens of butterflies and other insects captured thereon August 21st, 22nd, and 30th. Among these may be especially mentioned Colias interior and eurytheme, Argynnis electa, atlantis, chariclea and bellona, Phyciodes tharos, Grapta fawius andprogue, Pyrantels huntera and cardui, Limenitis arthemis, etc. Rev. T. W. Fyles read a paper on Chionobas Jutta, in which he recounted his success in rearing the insect through all its stages. Mr. Fletcher and Dr. Bethune spoke of the desirability of issuing a series of papers on popular and economic entomology in the Canadian Entomologist, and urged upon the members present the necessity of co-operating in the work. The Editor also drew the attention of the meeting to the duty of at once providing the material required for the Annual Report of the Society. The President laid on the table specimen sheets and plates of Mi. Scudder's great work on the Butterflies of the Eastern States and Canada, which were examined by the members with much interest. He also THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. - 213 brought up for discussion the subject of the disease known as " Silver-top" in hay, which is believed to be caused by a species of Thrips, and requested the members to investigate the matter in their various localities. The only remedy at present suggested is the plowing up of old hay-fields which are found to be the most seriously attacked. The depredations of Grasshoppers during the past season were next consider- ed. Mr. Fletcher suggested that much might be done to reduce their numbers by cutting the hay about the 20th of June, if practicable, and thus preventing the maturity of the insects by depriving them of their food before they were able to fly to a distance for it. Mr. Denton reported that the Chinch Bug had been observed in the Township of Delaware, near London, and that it was likely to become very injurious if measures were not taken to counteract it. The meeting adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SESSION. In the evening the Society held a public meeting in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at 8 o'clock, at which there were about sixty persons present, including the Hon. C. W. Drury, the recently appointed Minister of Agriculture for Ontario ; Mr. John Lowe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for the Dominion of Canada ; Prof. Saunders, Director of the Experimental Farms of the Dominion ; Sir James Grant, M.D.; Mr. R. B. Whyte, President of the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club ; Mrs. Macleod Stewart ; Mrs. R. B. Whyte, Mrs. Davidson, and several other ladies as well as a number of farmers and gardeners from the city and neighbourhood. The proceedings of the evening began with an able and practical address from the President, Mr. James Fletcher, of Ottawa, upon " Insects Injurious to Crops." (The address will be published in full in the Annual Report of the Society.) The speaker stated that it was a well-known fact that at least one-tenth of all the crops grown in this country was destroyed by noxious insects. In order to combat these insects it was necessary to know their life-histories, and to acquire and disseminate this knowledge was the main object of our Entomological Society. He described in simple terms the two systems of structure in insects, in accordance with which one class live by sucking out the juices of plants and the other by biting and gnawing the substance, and related the various means adopted to counteract the ravages of each. In his position as Dominion Entomologist he found it possible to give to nearly 214 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. all enquirers useful information about the insects that might be affecting their crops or gardens. He then referred to many common injuries and related the best means of dealing with them, and gave an account of what might be termed the " first-class pests " of the season, among these he specially mentioned the cut-worms and grass-hoppers, which had been more than usually numerous and destructive in many parts of the Province. He concluded his address, which was listened to with great interest and attention for upwards of an hour, by expressing the pleasure it gave to the members of the Society to observe the growth of their science in popularity, a fact evidenced by the attendance that evening of so many distinguished persons. The Hon. C. W. Drury next addressed the meeting. He said that he had not come to deliver a speech, but he had travelled five hundred miles in order that as the head of the Agricultural Department of Ontario he might show the importance which the Government he represented attached to the work of the Entomologists. He considered that the small grant annually made to the funds of the Society was amply repaid by its practical work, and mentioned as an instance the immense saving to the country effected by the discovery of the remedy for the clover- seed midge Sir James Grant spoke in graceful terms and delivered a very interest- ing address. He described the importance of Entomology in its various aspects, and referred to the work of some of its greatest masters, from Aristotle and Pliny, in ancient times, to LeConte, who had described so enormous a number of species of beetles and whose lamented death was so great a loss to science. He described its relation to other depart- ments, especially to medicine, and mentioned as an instance the fact that bacteria had been introduced into the blood by the bite of mosquitoes. He paid a high compliment to the President for his practical and interest- ing address, and for his enthusiastic devotion to the science which had deservedly won for him the recognition of the Dominion Government. Professor Saunders rose to move a vote of thanks to the President for his valuable address. Pie gave a short account of the history of the Society and its work, and mentioned the fact that there were only two of the original members present besides himself, viz.: Dr. Bethune and Mr. E. Baynes Reed, who had been concerned in its organization twenty-five years ago. Sir James Grant seconded die vote of thanks, which was put to the meeting by Dr. Bethune and unanimously carried. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 215 Rev. Dr. Bethune then proceeded to give a brief address, in which he strongly urged the importance of encouraging young people in their instinctive fondness for collecting insects. It was not only a most useful pursuit from an educational point of view, but led to great results in developing a love for science and a steady increase in the number of its votaries. As one of the pioneers of the Society he was delighted to see for the first time at one of its meetings the Provincial Minister of Agricul- ture and also the Dominion Deputy-Minister ; he expressed his pleasure also at the presence of so many ladies, and trusted that they would bring to the aid of Fntomology all those gifts of deftness and neatness which they so eminently possessed. For their encouragement he mentioned that the most distinguished entomologist in England at the present time is a lady, Miss E. Ormerod, of St. Albans. In acknowledging the vote of thanks, Mr. Fletcher took occasion to refer to one point which he had overlooked, namely, the injuries inflicted by " that miscreant, the English sparrow," whose extermination he strongly advocated. The Hon. Mr. Drury stated that this destructive bird was no longer under the protection of the Act of Parliament respect- ing insectivorous birds, and that everyone was at liberty to aid in redu- cing its numbers. The meeting then adjourned. Saturday's session. Saturday, October 6th. — At 10 o'clock a. m. a meeting of the Council, was held for the transaction of business, and after its adjournment the Society continued its proceedings. The reports of the Secretary- Treasurer, the Librarian, the delegate to the Royal Society of Canada, the Montreal Branch, and the delegates to the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science were presented and adopted. The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year :— President — James Fletcher, F.R.S.C., F.L.S., Ottawa. " Vice-President — E. Baynes Reed, London. Secretary-Treasurer — W. E. Saunders, London. Librarian — E. Baynes Reed, London. Curator — Henry S. Saunders, London. Council — J. M. Denton, London ; J. Alston Moffat, Hamilton ; Gamble Geddes, Toronto ; W. H. Harrington, Ottawa; Rev. T. W. Fyles, M. A., South Quebec (and the former Presidents, who are ex-officio members 216 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST viz., Prof. Saunders, F.R.S.C, F.L.S., F C.S., and Rev. C. J. S. Bethune). Editor of the Canadian Entomologist — Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., D.C.L., Port Hope. Editing Committee — The President, Prof. Saunders, J. M. Denton, H. H. Lyman (Montreal), Dr. W. Brodie (Toronto). Auditors — J. M. Denton and E. B. Reed. Delegate to the Royal Society of Canada — H. H. Lyman, Montreal. Papers were read by (i) the Rev. T. W. Fyles on " The Hypenidse of the Province of Quebec;" (2) Mr. J. A. Moffat on "Some Curious Proceed ings of the Larvae of Euchcstes egle Feeding upon the Milk-weed ; " (3) Mr. W. E. Saunders on the English Sparrow, strongly recommending its extermination ; (4) Rev. T. W. Fyles on " The Sphingidae of the Province of Quebec." Mr. Fletcher, in discussing this paper, remarked upon the colours of Sphinx §-maculata, and said that the dark forms seemed to be hardier than the pale green ; he had observed also in Papilio asterias that some green pupae emerged much sooner than the brown ; he had obtained no less than four broods of this insect this year. (5) Rev. T. W. Fyles read "A Memoir of the late Philip H. Gosse," and exhibited a photograph of this eminent naturalist and his late residence. (The above papers will all be published in the annual report of the Society.) Mr. Moffat stated that he had taken Papilio cresphoutes this summer at Hamilton, and that he had seen in that neighbourhood a specimen of the now rare Pieris protodice. Mr. Fyles mentioned that he had taken Grapta gracilis and faunus at Quebec in September, Hepialus gracilis in the Township of Dunham, and Hepialus auratus in the Township of Brome. Dr. Bethune had found Grapta J. album numerous at Port Hope in September, and brought some living specimens to the meeting ; these will be taken care of during their hibernation, and efforts will be made to obtain their eggs in the spring. The following gentlemen were elected members of the Society : — Rev. Prof. Symonds, Trinity College, Toronto ; Rowland Hill, London ; Mr. Brown, Free Press, London ; A. L. Poudrier, Donald, B. C. ; Arthur M. Bethune, Port Hope ; E. M. Morris, Toronto. It was decided to hold the next annual meeting in London immedi- ately after the close of the meeting of the American Association in Toronto in August. After passing a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Council for the use of the City Hall the meeting adjourned. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 217 BOOK NOTICES. Entomology for Beginners, for the use of Young Folks, Fruit Growers, Farmers and Gardeners. By A. S. Packard, M. D. New York : Henry Holt & Co. — i vol., 8 vo., pp. 367. It is with much pleasure that we draw the attention of our readers to the publication of this work. For many years past, we have been re- peatedly asked to recommend some book that would serve as an intro- duction to the study of Entomology, and enable young collectors to make a satisfactory beginning in the pursuit. Hitherto, we have been unable to mention any single work that would answer the purpose, and we have felt constrained to tell enquirers that they must procure several books, for instance, Kirby & Spence's Entomology, Harris's Insects Injurious to Vegetation, etc., and even then not have what they want. Dr. Packard's new book is certainly one that has long been wanted, though we fear that it is a little too technical in its language, and too abtruse in its treatment of some of the subjects to exactly meet the requirements of beginnerst We think, too, that the author has not been judicious in the arrangemen. of the matter ; the first two chapters on the structure of insects and their growth and metamorphosis will, we fear, prove rather repellant to one who has collected a few specimens and wants to know something about them and what to do with them. They are carefully written, and give an admirable summary of what every student of Entomology requires to know ; but they are a little beyond the youthful mind, or the uninstructed powers of the ordinary farmer. We, therefore, strongly advise all beginners who procure this book — and we recommend them to get it without fail — to commence their reading with Chapter vi., which contains very interesting and useful directions for collecting, preserving and rearing insects ; they mieht then turn back and read Chapters iv. and v. on insect architecture, and insects injurious and beneficial to agriculture. By this time, we have no doubt, they will have become so deeply interested in the work that they will not be discouraged by the drier details and the harder words in the remainder of the book. The third chapter, which fills over a hundred pages, gives an admirable synopsis of the classification of insects, and should enable a beginner to arrange with some degree of system any specimens that he collects. The author has departed from the usually received divisions of insects, and sets forth no less than sixteen orders ; this number he obtains by sub-dividing the Neuroptera, Orthoptera and Diptera. To the new orders thus formed, he applies the