■ The Scottish Naturalist. 117 



Colias Edusa in Galloway. — To-day I captured here a specimen of 

 'Coltas Edusa, flying along the shore. It is in excellent fresh condition, 

 considering the time of year ; and was strong on the wing. — W. D. 

 Robinson Douglas, Orchardton, Castle-Douglas, June 7th. 



Colias Edusa is just now out all round Dumfries (that is in both , 



Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire). I captured a pair on the 9th inst., 

 and it has been seen singly, and in twos and threes, all over the district. 

 It is very strange we missed it in August and September last, as it would 

 probably be in much larger numbers then. It has not been seen here for 

 the last ten years — the duration of my entomologlical experience, but Mr. 

 Lennon, of the Crichton Royal Institution, informs me, that some thirteen 

 years since it was abundant near Annan, about sixteen miles south from 

 here. I trust this beautiful butterfly will take up a permanent abode with 

 us. — Robert Service, Dumfries, June 1877. 



Colias Edusa in Berwickshire.— A splendid specimen of Colias 

 Edusa has been taken, and others seen, in Berwickshire in the beginning of 

 June. — W. Shaw, Eyemouth, June 1877. 



Colias Edusa in Perthshire— 1 saw a specimen of Colias Edusa here 

 a few days ago. Though, unfortunately, I did not succeed in catching it, 

 yet I was so near it as to be able to see the markings very distinctly. — 

 W. Herd, Scoonie Burn, near Perth, June 1877. 



Alternation of generations in the Cynipidee We take the follow- 

 ing note from the " Petites Nouvelles Entomologiques," (Vol. 2, p. 142, 

 June 15, 1877). M. J. Lichtenstein has communicated to the Entomol- 

 ogical Society of France, the result of very curious observations made 

 by Dr. Adler, of Schleswig, upon Hyinenoptera of the family Cynipida,. 

 The females only, as is well known, of many genera of this family have 

 been found, but from Dr. Adler's observations it would appear that the 

 species of these genera are only transitory forms (fonnes transitoires ) 

 of other species of which both sexes are known. It is by means of a 

 true parthenogenetic alternation of generation that the reproduction 

 of these insects is effected. This discovery presents a new and large 

 field of study for entomologists, and will cause a revolution in the 

 nomenclature of the Cynipidce, The form and structure of the two forms 

 is so different that they have been placed in different genera. As an 

 example of the metamorphosis M. Lichtenstein mentions iSpathegaster 

 baccarum which comes from the well known fleshy " Currant-galls " of the 

 oak, and of which both the male and female are known. The ovipositor 

 is short, and from the pricking of the young leaves by it results a small 

 lentil-shaped gall (one of the spangle-galls) from which comes the 

 Neuroterus lenticularis, a species of which only the female is known, and 

 of which all the individuals are females. In the Neuroterus the ovipositor 

 is long, and the eggs are laid in the buds of the oak, the result being 

 the formation of the Currant-galls, and the consequent production of 

 Spathegaster baccarum. Df. Adler is stated to have proved this metamor- 

 phosis in five other species.— F. Buchanan White. / 'Sj'i^-^-^-r^ /\. 



/^/> ^o^ v\^ 



