ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 347 



meal of blood before egg-laying. The antenna appear to be more 

 developed in the male. The irritation following a flea-bite is due to 

 the action of the insect's saliva. In jumping, a flea can raise its body 

 about eight inches, about a hundred times its own height. The pygidium 

 on the back of the ninth abdominal segment has fourteen areolas ; from 

 the centre of each a sensory hair projects. It seems to be stimulated 

 during copulation. The author illustrates the internal structure of fleas, 

 compares different genera, and discusses their varied practical import- 

 ance. J. A. T. 



Luminescence in Tiger-moth. — I. Lsaak {Biol. Centralbl, 1916, 

 36, 216-8, 2 figs.). Two luminous points occur on the prothorax of 

 Arctia caja ; the luminosity is due to the secretion of a yellowish fluid ; 

 it appears under the influence of mechanical stimulation, and may have 

 protective value. J. A. T. 



Wing-markings of Sphingidae.— J. F. Van Bemmelen {Proc. 

 Royal Acad. Amsterdam, 1918, 21, No. 8, 1-16, 1 pi.). From the 

 study of patterns it is possible to decide in regard to a new group, which 

 form is most primitive. Thus among Sphingidas it seems probable that 

 Smerinthus popidi is a very primitive form, the arguments being that 

 there is a far-going similarity between fore-wing and hind-wing, on 

 both surfaces, and that the pattern over the entire wing-shrface shows 

 the same simple motif — a regular alternation of darker and lighter 

 transverse lines and bands, each composed of spots. The fundamental 

 plan is not only older than the genus Smerinthus, but even than the 

 family of Sphingidte, perhaps than the entire order of Lepidoptera. So 

 it cannot be regarded as characteristically generic. The author proceeds 

 to show how the colour-design on the upper side of S. ocellata can be 

 derived from that of S. populi. The changes are such as occur in other 

 species and in other genera ; but they are accompanied by subtle nuances 

 in *S'. ocellata. " The special refinement and the elaborate details by 

 which the pattern of S. ocellata surpasses that of other Sphingidae near 

 akin may well be the consequences of natural selection, which could 

 enter into action as soon as, by coincidence of hereditary variations of 

 the fundamental Sphingid pattern with special circumstances of life, 

 a deceptive likeness had been established to the face of a big-eyed owl, 

 which frightened away little birds and mammals." J. A. T. 



Genetic Studies on Mediterranean riour-moth. — P. W. "Whiting 

 (Joum. Exper. Zool, 1919, 28, 413-43, 2 pis., 1 fig.). The study of 

 Ephestia Iciihniella Zeller was handicapped by the low fertility of the 

 pairs. Variations in size are apparently not hereditary. Defects in the 

 labial palps are hereditary, but irregular and apparently much influ- 

 enced by environment. The abnormality of cleft tongue apparently 

 depends for its expression on certain environmental conditions, among 

 which humidity is important. A case of reversal of dominance is noted : 

 sooty colour is a simple dominant to type, while black is a simple 

 recessive, but in the homozygous black moths sooty colour acts as a 

 recessive. An explanation of this is suggested, and the question of the 

 physiology of colour-production is discussed. J. A. T. 



