80 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



expression of individual opinion, and it seems to me that this example 

 might very profitably be followed by other similar societies. 



I am authorized to state that this committee unanimously sustain the 

 name of Eros Edw. as applied to the dark species, and Floridensis Streck. 

 as applying to the dark variety of Z. Misippus which ranges from Illinois 

 to Florida. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



ON THE USE OF THE FORCEPS OF FORFICULA. 



I just happen to hit upon Dr. J. G, Morris's article on the functions 

 of the forceps of Forficula (Can. Entom. 1877, p. 218), and it reminds 

 me of a statement on the same subject in E. Newman's " Zoologist," 

 1850, p. 2,695, which however differs in its details, and deserves therefore 

 to be reproduced here. The article is signed : John Williams, Royal 

 Astronomical Society, Somerset House ; the insect was Labia tiiinor, and 

 the principal passage runs thus : " Upon arriving at the highest point it 

 " could attain (on a book upon which it had alighted) the insect stood 

 " quite still and raised the elytra ; it then, with a very quick motion, thrust 

 " the point of one of the caudal appendages, close to the body, under the 

 " wing, which was unfolded by its agency ; this being repeated on the 

 " other side, both wings were fully expanded and the insect briskly flew 

 '■ away, etc." According to Mr. Morris, the insect lifted itp the short elytra 

 with his forceps, before the luings 7voiild expand. Both passages may per- 

 haps be reconciled, only the former is more explicit in the statement that 

 it is the tving which requires the help of the forceps in expanding. 



C. R. OsTEN Sacken, Heidelberg, Germany. 



The determination of Alans published by Mr. J. T. Bell, on p. 59 of 

 your last issue (xiii.. No. 3) as gorgops is perhaps erroneous. I know 

 that species (the older name of which is lusciosus Hope, v. Crotch List, 

 Suppl. 27) from no locality north of the western part of Louisiana and 

 Texas. The Canadian form 7nust be A. ocuiatus. 



In this connection, I would observe that a determination unless as 

 authentic as possible, is liable to produce serious error if published as a 

 contribution to a faunal list. J. L. LeConte. 



Philadelphia, March 28th, 1881. 



