246 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, 



accord with its strength or delicacy. This operation very seldom 

 fails of placing both fore and hind wings of Hymenoptera in a 

 desirable position for study of venation, and never fails with 

 Diptera. 



The two simple manoeuvres mentioned above have in my hands 

 seldom failed to yield most satisfactory results, and their practical 

 utility cannot be overestimated, for they consume no appreciable 

 time, nor do any injury to the most delicate insects, only except- 

 ing the loss of legs of Tipulidae. But these manipulations of 

 course require a certain amount of practice and judgment in the 

 operator, to avoid using too harsh force with the fingers or 

 breath. 



The importance of this preparatory treatment of many Diptera 

 and Hymenoptera, and especially of the Tenthredinidae cannot 

 but be evident to all entomologists who examine the material of 

 numerous collectors, or who make wide exchanges. And this 

 fact must be the excuse for my offering these suggestions to col- 

 lectors, especially as I have never seen the ideas forcibly ex- 

 pressed, except by Dr. H. D. Saussure as mentioned, or else in 

 some scheme for an elaborate "setting" of these insects, which 

 latter plan I think objectionable for many reasons. There is 

 room also for suggestion in regard to drooping more or less the 

 legs of these insects, and other little manipulations which enhance 

 the value for study of specimens, of which I will not speak at 

 present. But I hope these suggestions may be heeded by col- 

 lectors, for many would find that such a course would enhance 

 the desirability of their specimens, and would also greatly im- 

 prove the tout ensemble of their collections. 



o 



NEW LOCALITIES FOR HYMENOPTERA. 



By W. A. NASON, Algonquin, 111. 



I have to record the capture at Algonquin, 111., during the past 

 season of Podium nifipes, Sphex {Harpactopus} abdominalis, 

 Nortonia symmorpha. 



P. rufipes was taken on a board fence bordering some wood 

 land. Its flat body was noticeable as it crouched closely clown 

 to the edge of the board on which it was resting. 



S. abdominalis was taken on JMehlotus alba, which has become 

 an abundant and troublesome weed in this section. 



