OF WASHINGTON. 267 
see any in actual conflict, but was rather impressed with the idea that the 
participants had no warlike intentions during these actions. The speci- 
mens were at this time nearly all males. 
On August 9 two specimens taken in the act of aerial oscillation were 
both males. Of two going through their actions on the ground, the one 
which flew away first was caught and found to be a male. The other es- 
caped. The females were just beginning to appear at this date. 
The latest oscillations of the season were observed on October 10. There 
had been none noticed for nearly a month previous to this time, owing to 
the fact that the weather had been decidedly cold and with much rain. 
These last performances were due to the fact that for the preceding seven 
days the weather had, without exception, been warm and dry. 
My explanation of these actions is as follows : From the fact that only 
the males seem to take part in these aerial performances, I believe that 
they are at these times exhibiting their powers and graces in other words, 
paying court to the females. As these exhibitions attract other males, 
when the excited antics are indulged in on the ground, I imagine that each 
one is thereby trying to drive the other off the field, generally endeavoring 
to intimidate him, and rarely actually clasping in conflict. This is to be 
inferred from the fact that the vanquished one soon flies away, leaving 
the other in possession of the field. There is little doubt that in some 
instances the males actually clasp and fight with each other; but more 
often one of them seems to be conquered without recourse to blows with- 
draws before that point is reached. The females doubtless are in waiting 
in convenient spots, from which they witness these scenes, and ultimately 
accept the males whose superior intimidating powers have resulted in their 
being left in undisputed possession. 
Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of a Cerambycid beetle, 
Cyrtomerus -pilicornis Fabr. (determined by Dr. Horn), a species 
hitherto not known from the United States. It occurs sparingly 
on the Island of Key West, Fla., where it infests the branches of 
felled or dying trees of Conocarpus erecta. The species is 
widely distributed in the tropical and semi-tropical regions of. 
America. 
