OF WASHINGTON. 37 
liar feature of the Rhynchophorous fauna of North America. He 
also stated that, in his experience, our species of Platypus never 
attack the tops of trees, but are always found in the lower part of 
the trunk, being usually inquilinous in the galleries of other wood- 
boring beetles. 
Dr. Riley exhibited drawings of larvae and pupae of Aphorista 
vittata and Epipocus punctatus and explained the differences be- 
tween the corresponding stages of the two species. The larva 
of Epipocus is more ovoid and smoother than that of Exorista, 
the antennas relatively shorter, the lateral appendages dorsal, much 
less spinous, and 5 in number in Epipocus, whereas, in Exorista 
they are ventral and 7 in number. The pupaa of both species are 
provided with lateral spines, thus showing great resemblance to 
those of Cassida. 
FEBRUARY 12, 1886. 
Eleven persons present. President Howard in the chair. 
Mr. Howard read a note from Dr. Riley in relation to the food- 
habits of the larva of Feniseca tarquinius, in which he stated 
that he had for some time had in his notes records of observations 
by Mr. Pergande who had found the larva actually feeding on the 
following species of Aphididce : Pemphigus fraxinifolii, Schi- 
zoneura tessellata, and Pemphigus imbricator. The last named 
species is the Beech Aphis referred to by Mr. Johnson and Mr. 
Lugger. 
Mr. Howard read a paper on the Chalcid genus, Podagrion, 
which is peculiar for the reason that it unites the characters of 
several subfamilies, and that the species of the genus seem to be 
exclusively parasitic on Mantis eggs. He related his experience 
in breeding these parasites, and referred more particularly to the 
mode of oviposition through the hard covering of the egg-masses 
of Mantis. 
Mr. Howard mentioned that Dr. Schafhirt, of this city, had 
given him a specimen of Lasioderma serricorne found alive in 
Pyrethrum powder, which was said by Dr. Schafhirt to be still 
strong enough to kill cockroaches. 
Mr. Lugger exhibited a new pattern of an aquarium which is 
very convenient for rearing and observing all sorts of aquatic ani- 
