OF WASHINGTON. 173 



small an insect as the Rhinocola, in which the spines were micro 

 scopic, there could be no protective resemblance to plants. Dr. 

 Gill said that the distribution of spines upon an insect would 

 affect the play of the light and thus enable it to assimilate with 

 its surroundings. Mr. Marlatt was of the opinion that these 

 spines would prove to be of secondaiy sexual value and that 

 their occurrence is not due to protective resemblance. 



Mr. Benton exhibited specimens of Apisjaponica which had 

 been sent to the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Professor 

 Matsumuri, of Japan, and pointed out the differences between 

 this species and Apis mellifica. He thought that its greater 

 pubescence would make it a better pollenizer and that it would 

 prove to be an active and energetic worker, so that possibly it 

 might be well to introduce it into North America. 



Mr. Banks exhibited four rare species of Caddis flies, 

 namely, Neuronia pardalis Walk., Neuronia dossuaria Say, 

 Halesus argus Harris, and Neophylax concinnus McLach. 

 He pointed out the resemblance of the second species to a scor 

 pion fly and thought that this might be a case of protective 

 mimicry. He further spoke upon the interest attaching to the 

 Trichoptera through their close relationship with the Lepidop- 

 tera, which has recently been established. 



The following paper was presented : 



-f THREE NEW SPECIES OF CHRYSOPID/E. 



By NATHAN BANKS. 



The lace- wing flies of the northeastern United States are proba 

 bly mostly described, but those of the South and West have been 

 little studied and doubtless will furnish many new species. The 

 group is of much interest on account of its curious habits and 

 life-history, and is also of considerable economic importance 

 owing to the predaceous habits of the larvae. 



Chrysopa. oculata has occupied in economic respects a place 

 similar to that of Lachnosterna fusca. And just as the later 

 studies of the May-beetles revealed many forms, so also the study 

 of our golden-eyed or lace-wing flies will show that there are 

 other species of nearly as much value as Ch. oculata. 



The species of Chrysopa are exceedingly difficult to separate ; 

 the venation being remarkably constant in the various species, 

 and other structural characters are of little avail. 



