THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 303 



nor colour played any part in attracting insects and that they were 

 guided entirely by a sense of smell. 



This sense is defined by Forcl as "a special sense which allows 

 the animal to rcccgnizc at a distance by some specialized energy 

 the (chemical) nature cf a certain body." Our scientific know- 

 ledge cf odours is rather m.cagre. Some arc known vaguely as 

 pleasant or unpleasant and for many we^have no definite names 

 whatever, and arc forced to liken them to the few odours with which 

 we are familiar and fcr which wc have definite names. Moreover, 

 sC'mc smells are exceedingly ccmplcx experiences involving elements 

 of taste, touch and visiLU. The most satisfactory classification of. 

 smells is that adapted by Zwaardemaker frcm the classification of 

 Linna'us, which groups natural objects acccrding to similarities, but 

 decs not aim to itemize all smells. This list is as follows: 



1. — Ethereal smells, including all fruit odc'Urs. 



2. — Arc'matic smells; for example, those of camphor, spices, 

 lemon, rose. 



3. — Fragrant smells, those of most flowers. 



4. — Ambrosiac smells — all musk odours. 



5. — Alliaceous sm.ells — those of garlic, asafoetida, fish, chlorine. 



6. — Empyreumatic smells — those of tobacco, toast. 



7. — Hircine smells — those of cheese, rancid fat. 



8. — Virulent smells — those of opium. 



9. — Nauseating smells — those of decaying animal matter. 



In the Lepidoptera practically all members are attracted by 

 fragrant smells. The Coleoptera have a somewhat wider range. 

 Dcrmcstidae are attracted by fragrant and also hircine odours; 

 Dermestes lardarius, for instance, the larva of which feeds on 

 bacon, cheese, meat and feathers. The bumble flower beetle. 

 Euphoria inda, finds ethereal and fragrant odours to its liking, 

 being found feeding on peaches, grapes, apples and the pollen of 

 flowers. Locust borers and soldier beetles are plentiful on golden- 

 rod and various Buprestids also visit flowers, while the cigarette 

 beetle has an empyreumatic taste. The Silphidse, however, are 

 drawn to nauseating odours, feeding, as they do, on decaying flesh. 



With the exception cf the ants, nearly all Hymencptera are 

 attracted by fragrant odours and also ethereal odours, the Vcspida^ 

 and bees being very fond of nectar and fruit juices. Ants ha^'e a 



