152 PROCEEDINGS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



supplied in the extremely hard chitinization of the anal segment, 

 and furthermore by the development of spiny processes around the 

 elevated spiracles. To determine the utility of this apparatus, a 

 specimen was placed in a glass tube the size of its original burrow, 

 and from time to time disturbed by thrusting a bristle down the 

 tube beside it. Immediately upon being touched this horny arma- 

 ture was thrown violently against the side of the tube pinching 

 the bristle firmly. The fate of any Clericl or other predatory 

 larva that should attempt to reach the soft forward part of its 

 intended victim, can only be surmised, but this defensive organ 

 appears perfectly effective. In two beetle larvae a peculiar anal 

 armature has been observed which appears -to be more or less effec- 

 tive in the same manner, the first simply for defense, the second 

 both defensive and offensive. The first is Melitomma (Lymexy- 

 lon) sericeum in which the anal segment is very heavily chitiiiized, 

 obliquely truncate, and strongly concave, the margin furnished with 

 short stout teeth. This can be used to completely plug the gallery 

 against an intruder, and by crawling backward to slowly force it 

 out of the gallery. The other species is Hyloccetus lugubris a 

 member of the same family, in which the first stage larva has an 

 anal segment very similar to the last mentioned species, but which 

 in later stages develops into a long horny process armed on the 

 dorsal side with sharp teeth. These, it is believed, would be fatal 

 to any soft bodied enemy that should try to crawl past. The syr- 

 phid larvae from the softer, more decayed logs ho\vever, were of 

 a different type of anal armature in which only the spiracle promi- 

 nence is chitiiiized. These also do not seem to make definite gal- 

 leries, and are equally available to their enemies from all sides. 

 As before stated they are believed to be a distinct species. A 

 single specimen of T. cequalis was bred by Mr. Champlain amongst 

 many T. bombylans so-called. 



At first sight the larvae of Temnostoma appear to be furnished 

 with powerful out-turned mandibles comparable to those in the 

 larvae of the Eucnemidffi, and certain Hymenoptera, but these are 

 probably only plates of the head that have become functional for 

 boring, the real mandibles being internal within the mouth, which 

 is well on the under side of the head. The speaker exhibited 

 photographs and sketches of the specimens and their work. 



MEETING or OCTOBER 2, 1913. 



The 270th meeting of the Entomological Society of Washington 

 was entertained by Mr. E. A. Schwarz in the Sangerbund Hall. 

 There were present Messrs. Baker, Banks, Barber, Boeving, 



