200 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



the p. celtidis-mamma of Riley, are not one and the same insect — the 

 Peppered Flea-louse of my own description. They may be very distinct 

 species, but Prof. Riley has not yet made it clear that they are. 



Thos. W. Fyles. 



Dear Sir, — I write to you in reference to Sphyracephala brevicornis, 

 Say ; the only representative of the family Diopidce and the genus 

 Sphyracephala in the United States. This curious and seemingly rare 

 Dipteron was taken by me on the i8th of August last; on that occasion I 

 took three specimens in about five minutes, but had to leave the place as 

 quickly as possible on account of an approaching storm ; but, however, I 

 visited the same place two weeks later and succeeded in taking about a 

 dozen specimens in about half an hour. The specimens were taken in 

 Fairmount Park, near the same locality where Say first took his specimens. 

 Although I have been seeking this insect for two seasons, this was the first 

 time I ever saw it ; its small size is very apt to make it escape the notice 

 of any general collector. My sioecimens were caught on some plants 

 growing near a small brook. They seem to be very local indeed, for I 

 have hunted in similar situations over the Park and in the county, but 

 have never seen any except in that one particular spot. Ochthera mantis 

 T)eG. is also taken in damp situations, but this fly is quite common and 

 can be taken nearly all the summer, for, comparing my notes, I took it on 

 May 7, June 17, during July, August 5 and 12. Hoping my observations 

 may be of some avail to collectors in hunting it, I remain, 



Philadelphia, Oct. 8, 1883. Eugene L. Keen. 



EGGS OF NEMATUS VENTRICOSUS. 



Neniatus vcntricosus^yiz.^ seen to deposit thirty eggs, June 7, upon a single 

 currant leaf within one hour. In the act of ovipositing, it curved the tip 

 of its abdomen downward and forward, directing its ovipositor toward its 

 head, in which position the end of the egg is seen to protrude and attach 

 itself to the leaf-nervure, when the ovipositor is withdrawn, and the egg 

 left in position. Moving backward a very little, another egg is similarly 

 deposited, and in like manner the operation is continued, until the leaf 

 has its assigned quota, or the supply of eggs is . exhausted. The eggs 

 produced their larvce on June 14th. — Psyche, May-June, j8Sj. 



(No. 9, vol. 15, issued November 5, 1883.) 



