ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 563 



duration of the life cycle and the habits regarding egg laying and feeding, with 

 incidental observations on injurious influences and other points. Descriptions 

 are given of the beetles in all stages, which are also illustrated in color. 



The violet rove beetle, F. H. Chittenden (U. S. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 26Jf {1915), 

 pp. If, fig. 1). — Apocellus sphwricoUis, known as the violet rove beetle, has been 

 reported from time to time since 1901 as an enemy to violets and other suc- 

 culent ornamental plants in the District of Columbia and at St. Louis, Mo. 

 The injury is caused by its feeding on the flowers and leaves. Since the beetle 

 lives normally, like others of its kind, on old dead leaves or in soil covered 

 by leaves over winter, the use of decaying leaves deposited in piles at regular 

 intervals about infested plants will serve as a trap for them, and they may be 

 readily destroyetl by dipping in hot water or otherwise. Sterilization of the 

 leaves used as a mulch will bring about the destruction of the insect and prevent 

 its introduction into the greenhouse or flower bed. 



The small sweet potato weevil (Crynptorhynch-us batatae), L. A. Whitney 

 {Mo. Bui. Com. Hart. Cal., 4 {1915), No. 3, pp. 162-16^, figs. 5).— While this pest 

 has not become established in California it is said to have been taken in quaran- 

 tine repeatedly; in some shipments inspected fully 50 per cent of the tubers 

 examined had been riddled by the larvce. 



Recent studies of the Mexican cotton-boll weevil, B. R. Coad {U. S. Dcpt. 

 Agr. Bui. 231 {1915), pp. 3.'f, fig. 1). — This is a report of investigations conducted 

 by the author in connection with and in continuation of those previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 31, p. 458). 



Among the more important observations noted are those relating to longevity 

 of adult weevils, it having been found in an experiment during 1914 at Wash- 

 ington, D. C, that they may be kept in a dormant state for more than a year ; re- 

 production, including the length of periods in the life of the adult weevil ; rate 

 of oviposition, etc.; incubation period of the egg; total developmental period; 

 generations ; important food adaptations, etc. 



Bee keeping for profit, W. S. Morley {London: Cassell & Company, Ltd., 

 1914, pp. 124, Pl-^- S). — A popular handbook. 



The orientation of ants and the orientation problem in general, R. Brun 

 (Die Raiimorientierung der Ameisen und das OrientierungsproTflcm im allege- 

 meinen. Jena: Oustav Fischer, 1914, PP- VIII-\-234, figs. 51). — A critical experi- 

 mental study and a contribution to the mneme theory, A bibliography of 124 

 titles is included. 



Chalcidids of the genus Isosonia injurious to grain crops in Eussia, M. N. 

 RiMSKY-KoRSAKov {Trudy Bvuro Ent. [St. Petersb.], 10 {1914), No. 11, pp. 84, 

 pis. 3, figs. 50; ahs. in Rev. Appl. Ent., 2 {19^14), Ser. A, No. 7, pp. 470-473).— 

 This is a report of investigations conducted in the Government of Kherson. 

 Five species of Isosoma were found of which two are described as new. It is 

 pointed out that but little is as yet known of the biology of members of this 

 genus in Europe. 



[Studies of the Siphonaptera or fleas], C. Fox (Pm&. Health 8erv. U. 8., 

 Hyg. Lab. Bui. 97 {1914), PP- 31, pis. 22). — Three papers are here presented. 

 The first relates to Some New Siphonaptera (pp. 7-17) ; the second consists 

 of A Further Report on the Identification of Some Siphonaptera from the 

 Philippine Islands (p. IS) ; and the third takes up The Taxonomic Value of 

 the Copulatory Organs of the Females in the Order Siphonaptera (pp. 19-22). 



A synopsis of the British Siphonaptera, N. C. Rothschild {Ent. Mo. Mag., 

 S. ser., 1 {1915), No. 3, pp. 49-112, pis. 8). — The author recognizes 45 species of 

 fleas representing 16 genera as occurring in Great Britain. The paper includes 

 a synonymic catalogue of the species. 



