June, '09] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 279 



at the end of the abdomen." Evidently he saw only the work- 

 ing of the female at the thoracic depression of the male. Dr. 

 Hancock terms this organ the "alluring gland" and thinks its 

 functions "is solely for the purpose of alluring the female." 

 Possibly this is so, but why does she continue to work away 

 at this organ for a considerable period of time after the ob- 

 ject of their union has been accomplished the reception by 

 the female of the male sperm sac? Can this be a provision 

 of nature to keep her attention occupied for a time in order 

 that the spermatozoa may have time to pass into her organs? 

 If not thus entertained, possibly she would detach the sac at 

 once upon receiving it from the male. 



WE have just received, as we were going to press, a new and interest- 

 ing work on entomology, entitled "Our Insect Friends and Enemies, the 

 Relation of Insects to Man, to Other Animals, to One Another and to 

 Plants, with a Chapter on the War against Insects," by John B. Smith, 

 Sc.D. J. B. LIPPINCOTT, Philadelphia. 



NOTE. The undersigned has undertaken the task of fully indexing 

 the literature of the Orthoptera of the World subsequent to the year 

 1900. The task is not a light one, but will, it is hoped, ultimately prove 

 well worth the labor involved. Publication is not contemplated for 

 many years but in the meantime the index should be of much use in 

 various ways. By the constant use of guide cards indicating reduc- 

 tions to synonym, or resurrections therefrom, and the transfer of 

 species from one genus to another, it is hoped to make this more than 

 a mere list of names. 



In conjunction with the above undertaking an exhaustive Bibliog- 

 raphy has been attempted and geographical and systematic indices are 

 kept, listing articles treating of the fauna of different places and citing 

 tables and important discussions of genera and higher groups. 



To facilitate the above work the writer earnestly requests separates 

 of articles from authors writing on the Orthoptera. The importance 

 of the request is considerable and its maker hopes that it will be favor- 

 ably considered by all orthopterists. The writer will be glad to ex- 

 change separates so far as possible and stands ready at all times to 

 transmit facts and data from the index to any one desiring such in- 

 formation. The index is now complete to date so far as it has been 

 possible to secure the literature. A. N. CAUDELL, U. S. Nat. Museum, 

 Washington, D. C. 



