182 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



carefully examined except for the mere external characters. If 

 we look for resemblances in the more obscure parts, what seem 

 to be distinguishing characters will be more nearly harmonized. 

 Dr. Riley agreed with Mr. Schwarz in his last remark, and 

 stated that if, for instance, we examine the larvae of Brenthis and 

 of Eupsalis, we shall find differences which emphasize the separ 

 ation of these two genera. 



Mr. Hubbard presented some unelaborated notes on the 

 fertilization of the tropical Aroids, showing that a Nitudulid 

 beetle, Macrostola lutea, accomplishes partial cross-fertilization 

 and complete self-fertilization with these plants. He illustrated 

 his remarks by the exhibition of specimens and drawings of the 

 plant, and showed that the plant adapts itself to the easy entrance of 

 the first pair of beetles, which bring with them pollen from a 

 different plant, thus bringing about partial cross-fertilization. 

 The offspring of these beetles, to the number of several hundreds, 

 live within the spathe and accomplish self-fertilization of the 

 plant. After the entrance of the first pair of beetles, a fungus 

 disease attacks the spot of entrance upon the spathe and, by in 

 creasing, facilitates the exit of the next generation of beetles.* 



Professor Riley also exhibited what he considered to be a 

 diurnal termite with faceted eyes, which he considered might 

 confirm old Smeathman's observation upon a species of African 

 Termites which he represented as travelling by day and 

 resembling ants upon the march, an observation the accuracy of 

 which had been seriously doubted. The specimen which he ex 

 hibited had been given him in Europe, and had been captured in 

 Natal by daylight by Haviland. Mr. Schwarz suggested that 

 the specimens exhibited might not be termites but Embiids. 

 Mr. Heidemann exhibited certain new and interesting Capsidae, 

 Coreidae, Lygaeidae, andPentatomidae, which he had found during 

 the summer in the vicinity of Washington. 



Mr. Ashmead exhibited a large box of fig-insects, many of 

 which were typical. He had been accumulating the material for 

 some years and had specimens received from Dr. Mayr of 



* An article upon this subject bj Mr. Hubbard is published in Insect 

 Life, Vol VII, No. 4. 



