168 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



THE MUTILLID GENUS CHYPHOTES. 



On Aug. 21, 1894, I found at Santa Fe a specimen of Chyphotes^ 

 which I thought might prove to be a new species, as the legs are brown, 

 with the femora and tibiae, except their ends, black. The abdomen is 

 also more elongate than in Blake's figures of C. elevatus, and the third 

 segment is fuscous. The length of the insect is 9 mm. Mr. Fox, after 

 comparing it with Blake's types, is persuaded that it is only a form of 

 elevatus. It follows the rule already observed in certain bees of the 

 genus Perdita, that individuals from higher elevations are darker. 



The most curious thing developing from the examination of this 

 specimen was, that Blake's account of the palpi of Chyphotes is all 

 wrong. My example has the palpi honey-colour, maxillary palpi 6-jointed, 

 lateral palpi 4-jointed. Formula for maxillary palpi 3 (46) (25) i. 

 Second joint of lateral palpi broadened. When I called Mr. Fox's atten- 

 tion to this, he wrote back that C. elevatus was really similar, the 

 description being wrong. T. D. A. Cockerell. 



PROPOSED BIOLOGICAL STATION. 



The undersigned has it in view to found in New Mexico a Biological 

 Station, and health and holiday resort for scientific persons, teachers, and 

 kindred spirits. No loafers would be admitted, nor persons whose health 

 was so poor as to prevent them from working. 



Practically no funds are at present available, but it is hoped that 

 "if a very modest start is made, the means may in time be found to put 

 the institution on a secure and permanent basis. 



In such an establishment, scientific work may be carried on without 

 any fear of interference by politicians and other self-interested or ignorant 

 persons ; while the Station might also come to be recognized as an 

 independent educational centre, helping to promote the best interests of 

 education in the broadest sense, as well as those of pure science. 



The promoter hopes to be able, sooner or later, to secure the 

 co-operation of a number of persons who will engage in the work for its 

 own sake, and will not object to necessary privations or be afraid of the 

 inevitable difficulties. Without enthusiasm, nothing can be done. 



Three years' experience in this country gives the writer the highest 

 opinion of the value of the climate for persons in the earlier stages of 



