Vol. XXVlii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 



four hundred and ninety-five species of moths are listed, whereas 

 Smith's list went to seven thousand, one hundred and sixty-nine, 

 an increase of one thousand, three hundred and twenty-six. This 

 is a very considerable increase, and while there will be still more 

 species of moths described, there will also bo a considerable re- 

 duction by synonymy, varieties and aberrations, as the genera are 

 revised and the relationships of the species better known. It goes 

 without saying that other students will not agree in all cases with 

 the authors in regard to the standing of the species, but that is to 

 be expected, as such a work always shows a certain amount of 

 personal opinion. Taking it as a whole the authors have been 

 conservative. The complete index is valuable. We find nothing to 

 condemn and much to praise, and trust that those persons for 

 whom the work has been prepared will be duly appreciative. H. S. 



Doings of Societies. 



Feldman Collecting Social. 



Meeting of December 20th, 1916, at the home of H. W. Wenzel, 

 5614 Stewart Street, Philadelphia; twelve members present. President 

 H. A. Wenzel in the chair. Prof. J. G. Sanders, State Zoologist of 

 Pennsylvania, elected an honorary member. 



Lepidoptera. Mr. Daecke mentioned that a Mr. Anderson had 

 found larvae of Vanessa antlopa Linn, on willow along the Susquehanna 

 River, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, from which was reared one, on 

 September ist, that has a yellow band covering the outer half of 

 wings; this was exhibited and is var. hygiaca Heg. ; he stated that the 

 only record he knew of this "freak" is in Holland's Butterfly Book, 

 p. 169, pi. xx', fig. 4, 1910. 



Coleoptera. Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited his rearranged col- 

 lection of Colydiida? and Cucujidse. Dr. Castle exhibited two specimens 

 of Pelenoinus obscurus LeC. from Detroit, Florida, October 15: a 

 species with very peculiar antennse ; he also has it from Savannah, 

 'Georgia. Mr. Wenzel said all his specimens are from Texas. Dr. C. 

 also reported breeding CaUidinm antennatitin Newm. from the larvae in 

 logs brought to the meeting of September 20th by Mr. Hoyer. Mr. 

 Laurent, quoting from an article published in Science of November 

 I7th, 1916, entitled "The Synchronal or Simultaneous Flashing of 

 Fireflies," stated that he did not believe any such occurrence ever took 

 place, that it was nothing but the twitching of the observer's eyelid^. 

 Some years ago he saw what he thought to be a case of simultaneous 

 flashing of fireflies (Lampyridae) ; however, he soon discovered it \vu; 

 nothing but the twitching of his eyelids that caused the effect and the 

 insects had nothing whatever to do with it. Adjourned to the annex. 



GEO. M. GREENE, Secretary. 



