OF WASHINGTON. 31 



pupae were found to be much parasitized by the Ichneumonid 

 Theronia fulvcscens. The descent of the full-grown larvae 

 from trees 100 feet high by a silken thread was described. Dr. 

 Fletcher also described a collecting trip in the mountain woods* 

 of Vancouver Island, and some of the rarer or more interesting 

 species collected were mentioned. He expressed his very great 

 pleasure at having an opportunity of attending a meeting of the 

 Society, and felt sure that the members who were fortunate 

 enough to live in Washington, undoubtedly the scientific centre 

 of the world as far as natural history was concerned, could not 

 appreciate to the full the difficulties which had to be overcome 

 by students living at a distance from such centres where assistance 

 could be obtained readily at all times. 



In discussing Dr. Fletcher's paper, Mr. Marlatt spoke of the 

 great number of Tenthredinidas in British Columbia. Every 

 general collection of insects made in that region shows very many 

 species of Tenthredininae and Nematinae. It happens that these 

 groups are particularly difficult of study, and much rearing must 

 be done to definitely separate the species. Apropos to this 

 remark, Mr. Fletcher referred to the supposed predaceous habit 

 of Allantus and Tenthredo. Mr. Marlatt said that in these forms 

 the mouth-parts are very strong, but are apparently used more 

 for defence than for feeding. The adults are short-lived and 

 do not feed to any extent. 



Mr. Howard stated that he had seen in the collection of the 

 Gypsy Moth Commission a specimen of Cimbex americana 

 which it was definitely stated had been found flying with the 

 larva of a gypsy moth in its grasp. Mr. Fletcher stated that he 

 had a specimen of Tenthredo with a dipterous insect in its jaws. 

 Mr. Marlatt said that the explanation of such occurrences was 

 probably to the effect that the Cimbex had happened to alight on 

 a spot already occupied by another insect and that the movements 

 of the latter had induced the Cimbex to grasp it, but not for 

 food. These saw-flies are pugnacious. 



Mr. Schwarz added some remarks on the present knowledge 

 and distribution of the Coleoptera of British Columbia. The 

 fauna of the islands and the adjacent coast of the mainland is 

 merely a southward continuation of the Alaskan coast fauna. It 

 represents a very marked subdivision of the transition zone, rich 



