212 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



first trial I secured one nearly full-grown larva of versicolor, and six half- 

 grown larvae of promethea. Unfortunately I was unable to visit the bushes 

 again until it was too late. The advantages this method has over that 

 of examining the bushes while standing are manifold. In the first place, 

 four times as many branches can be examined in the same length of time. 

 Secondly, not a larva, great or small, can escape observation. Last, and 

 not least, eggs may be detected, because, as is well known, insects gen- 

 erally lav their eggs on the under side of the leaf or on the stem. Another 

 advantage to the collector is that the wood of this shrub is very brittle, 

 and fifty branches can be broken off in a few minutes. 



I observed one characteristic not mentioned by Geo. D. Hulst in his 

 description of D. versicolor. In moving from one branch to another it 

 feels its way step by step, stretching out the thoracic part of its body 

 three times its ordinary length, and then suddenly drawing back, repeating 

 the same several times before venturing forward, reminding me strongly 

 of the manoeuvring of a large tropical basket-worm I once had the pleasure 

 of rearing. As many of the branches of the button-bush hang directly 

 over the water, the larva seems to know by instinct that a fall would be 

 fatal, and no doubt (as Mr. H. Strecker has suggested) many of them are 

 lost in this way. 



A Remarkable Entomological Collection. — Some details have 

 reached us concerning a large collection in Entomology made by Henry 

 Edwards, of San • Francisco, during the last 25 years. Professor David- 

 son, President of the Academy of Sciences, states that this collection of 

 insects is one of the largest ever made in the United States, and by far 

 the most complete ever made on the Pacific coast. It consists of about 

 60,000 species, comprising more than 200,000 specimens. These include 

 not only all the orders on the Pacific coast, but nearly or quite all in the 

 United States, with a large representation of orders from all parts of the 

 world. The collection is said to be really one of the most complete 

 known in any country. It is valued at $12,000, or rather, that is about 

 the sum expended in freights, cabinets and the purchase of rare speci- 

 mens. The labor of 25 years is not estimated. — Times (London, Eng.) 



