1903I Entomological Branch. 37 



many species, such as house-flies and mosquitoes, in propagating 

 diseases, or in otherwise injuriously affecting the welfare of man- 

 kind. Mr. Metcalfe described experiments made in Toronto by 

 Dr. Brodie in rearing species of Meloe, and the egg-laying habits 

 of these beetles. Mr. Halkett asked whether any members of the 

 HydrocampidcC, whose larvae are aquatic, occur al Ottawa, and in 

 reply Dr. Fletcher stated that two species of these moths were 

 found but not commonly. He also called attention to similar 

 habits of the larva of Azania obliquata, which bores in the stems 

 of the Cat-tail Flag [lypha) and can swim (rom one plant to an- 

 other; the breathing spiracles being so high up as to be above the 

 surface of the water. Mr. Gibson read some portions of a paper 

 which he is preparing upon the Canadian species of the genus 

 Apantesis (of Arctian moths) with special reference to the larvae. 

 Two cases were exhibited, containing representatives, generally 

 in good series, of nearly all the recorded Canadian species, show- 

 ing interesting affinities and variations. Dr. Fletcher exhibited a 

 fine ichneumon fly, MegapLectes Blakei, from Cape Breton. This 

 genus of the Cryptidae is distinguished readily by the swollen 

 triangular second joint of the maxillary palpi. The species in 

 question occurs at Ottawa, and seems to be widely distributed in 

 Canada and the United States. Mr. Young showed some living 

 beetles which he had recently collected under bark, etc., and Mr. 

 Harrington exhibited a series of his Buprestidas. 



The fourth meeting was held at Dr. Fletcher's house on 

 Thursday, Feb. 26th, when a paper was read by Mr. MacLaughlin 

 on the "Classification of the Odonata," or dragonflies. This 

 paper was illustrated by a series of species representative of the 

 different groups and of the principal genera. Mr. Halkett exhi- 

 bited the nymph case of a large species collected by him at Spanish 

 River, and which was not recognized by any of the members pre- 

 sent. The methods of collecting and preserving dragonflies were 

 discussed and Mr. Harrington mentioned that in Japan, where 

 these insects are very numerous, he had observed the children 

 catching them quite easily by means of a slender bamboo tipped 

 with a little rice-glue. Mr Metcalfe read some observations on 

 the ■' Day Flight of the Male of Callosa?nia Prot7ietheii" which 

 commenced about 4 p.m., while the females were only seen at 



