4 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



dary sexual and specific characters not available for statistical 

 study. This led to the conclusions, that the sculpture of the pro- 

 thorax in Scolytidae is of especial taxonomic importance; that, 

 by the statistical method, progressive lines of variation may be 

 determined ; that different stages in this variation may be indi 

 cated by the sum of the mean ratios in a series of individuals and 

 varieties, which will not only aid in the accurate separation of 

 the species, but will indicate their natural affinities. 



The paper was illustrated by drawings of different stages of 

 some of the species described, together with tables of measure 

 ments and ratios, and a chart showing the classification. 



This paper was discussed by-Messrs. Ashmead, Schwarz, Gill, 

 and Benton. Mr. Schwarz said that he considered the results 

 obtained by Prof. Hopkins as correct, but thought that these 

 results would be more easily comprehended by entomologists and 

 other naturalists if shown in drawings or expressed in terms of 

 descriptive entomology rather than in mathematical formulas. 

 Dr. Gill thought it hardly safe to draw conclusions in regard to 

 the course of evolutionary development from the data obtained 

 by Prof. Hopkins' measurements. Mr. Benton mentioned that 

 the variation in the length of the tongue in queen bees was made 

 use of in separating the various varieties of honey bees. 



FEBRUARY 7, 1901. 



The i5Sth regular meeting was held at the residence of Dr. 

 H. G. Dyar, 1512 Twenty-first street N.W. The chair was 

 occupied by the President, Dr. Dyar. The others present were : 

 Messrs. Ashmead, Howard, Patten, Caudell, Busck, Currie, 

 Chapin. Kotinsky, and Barber. 



The Recording Secretary announced the death of Baron Michel 

 Edmond de Selys-Longchamps, the distinguished Belgian ento 

 mologist and authority on the Odonata. Dr. Howard, after 

 referring to the Baron's long life of activity both as a statesman 

 and a naturalist, moved that a committee be appointed, including 

 the Chair, to convey the sympathy of the Entomological Society 

 of Washington to the Entomological Society of Belgium in the 

 death of their member and long-time president. The Chair ap- 



