180 SUMMAKY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



nest a scent-track may be left. It is useful for those that lose their 

 way. But following a " scent " is assisted by contact-data. In some 

 forms the eyes help, perhaps utilizing ultra-violet rays. 



In general, the orientation-power of an ant is a complex phenomenon, 

 depending on diverse external stimuli, which the insect co-ordinates. 

 Smell, topochemic sense, vision, touch, muscular sense, hearing may all 

 be combined to furnish data. 



New Type of Ant.* — A. Forel describes, among other novelties, a 

 remarkable form from Ceylon, where it was found by E. Green living 

 along with Termites. It seems to represent a bridge between Ponerinse 

 and Myrmicinae, uniting to the former the genera MeUssotarsus and 

 Rhopalomastix of the latter. Forel names it Metapone greeni g.etsp.n., 

 and establishes for it a new tribe and section. It cannot be placed in 

 any of the three Ponerine sections. It differs from the Euponeriua? 

 in having non-tuberculate larvae (with long sets), and in having strongly 

 developed mandibles in the male ; it differs from Prodorylinas in having 

 an entire subgenital plate, and from Proponerinas in having naked nymphs, 

 as in Myrmicinge. 



Parasitic Hymenopteron in Cabbage Caterpillar.t — Remo Grandori 

 gives an account of the development of Apanteles glomeratus, a widespread 

 Hymenopterous parasite of the caterpillar of Pier is brassicse both in Europe 

 and America. The parasitic larva feeds at first exclusively on the fluids 

 of its host, and at later stages on the fatty tissue. Its explorations in the 

 body of the caterpillar are described. Much attention is devoted to the 

 anal vesicle. It is that region of the ectoderm which is destined to form 

 the posterior intestine of the pro-nymph ; it is peculiarly modified in 

 relation to the parasitic life, and is subsequently introflexed. It is 

 interpreted as an organ for absorbing nutriment, like the ectoderm 

 generally, and also for respiration and excretion. Turning to the post- 

 embryonic development, the author describes the silk-glands, the nervous 

 system, the alimentary system, and so on. The adult is also described, 

 both as to structure and habits. 



Dimorphic Spermatozoa in Flea and Blow-fly. |—T. A. O'Donohoe 

 finds evidence that about 70 p.c. of male fleas (Fidex hominis) have two 

 kinds of spermatozoa, large and small, while the remaining 30 p.c. have 

 the smaller form only. " Both forms are alike as to the heads, but differ 

 in the length and form of the body, which in the smaller form tapers 

 o-radually from the head and ends in a fine line, whereas the body of the 

 larger form gradually increases in size and ends in a bulbous swelling." 

 The spermatozoa of a blow-fly taken from the spermatheca of a female 

 show two forms, one very much thicker than the other. The author is 

 attracted to the familiar hypothesis that there may be male and female 

 spermatozoa and male and female ova. 



Wax-glands in Male Pulvinaria camelicola.§ — G. Teodoro has 

 previously described the secretion of wax in the female of the Coccid 



* Rev. Suisse Zool., xix. (1911) pp. 445-59 (1 pi.). 



t Redia, vii. (1911) pp. 363-428 ( 4 pis.). 



% Journ. Quekett Micr. Club, xi. (1911) pp. 313-16 (1 pi.). 



§ Redia, vii. (1911) pp. 352-62 (4 figs.). 



