50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



his note on the order Rhipiptera, (Gen. Col. Europe, 3,419), published subse- 

 quently to my work on Classification. 



I will, however, answer briefly the questions asked by Dr. Gerstaecker in the 

 passage above cited. 



The characters common to a Strepsipteron and various Coleoptera are these : 

 1. Hypermetamorphosis of the larva, (Sfeloidse) ; 2. Parasitism, (Rhipidias) ; 

 3. Retention of the Pupa within the skin of the larva, (Lampyridae, tribe Lycini, 

 genus Calopteron) ; 4. Unfitness of anterior wings for flight, (a character also 

 found in Orthoptera and Hemiptera, which, however, have no metamorphosis) ; 

 5. Large development of metathoracic segment. 



Even if the Stylopida? are considered as a distinct order Strepsiptera it 

 will be necessary to place them immediately after the Coleoptera. 



In view of the great variation of characters found in Coleoptera, it would seem 

 rational to consider Stylopidse as an extreme and degraded form of that order, 

 rather than to regard such a small number of objects, closely related in form, 

 structure and habits, as an equivalent to the great orders Coleoptera, Orthop- 

 tera and Hemiptera, with which alone they can be morphologically compared, 

 (characters 4 and 5). 



The information given by Dr. Gerstaecker regarding the difference in food 

 and manner of life between the larva? of Meloidce and Stylopidae, though not 

 original, is doubtless quite interesting, but seems to imply that I had compared 

 them together, which is not correct. 



Mr. Cassin called the attention of the Academy to the collection of birds 

 presented this evening by the Smithsonian Institution, and particularly referred 

 to several species of great rarity and scientific value. The Didunculus strigiros- 

 Iris is one of two species of birds now known to be approaching extinction, the 

 other species being Alca impennis. which is also in the Academy Museum. Thi3 

 bird is the most nearly allied to the extinct Dodo, formerly of the Isle of France, 

 and inhabits the Samoan or Navigator Islands. Its extinction or approach to 

 it is said to be owing to the introduction into those islands of the domestic cat. 

 Not more than four or five specimens are known to be extant. 



Other little known types were pointed out and exhibited to the Academy, 

 9uch as Carpophaga Aurorse, Carpophaga latrans, Artamus meiilalis and others. 

 Thi3 interesting series is from the collection of the Uniied States Exploring 

 Expedition of the Vincennes and Peacock, and is presented to the Academy by 

 the Smithsonian Institution. 



March 22d. 

 Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



Seventeen members present. 



The following were presented for publication : 



" Critical llemarks on the Genera Sebastes and Sebastodes," and 

 " Second Contribution to the SeJacology of California." By Theo. Gill. 



" A Critical review of the Family Procellaridse ; Part I." By E. 

 Coues, M. D. 



"Thoughts on the Influence of Ether ou the Solar System; Part IV." 

 By Alex. VVilcocks, M. D. 



March 29th. 



Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 

 Seventeen members present. 



[March 



