PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 331 



Now, why is it that in three such forms as Podiceps, Colymbus, and Hes- 

 perornis, all undoubtedly powerful div^ers, in the first we should have 

 retained a patella fully as large as the extensive rotular process ; that 

 in the second it has been reduced to a mere flake of bone and an im- 

 mense rotular process retained; and finally, in their ancient ancestor 

 we again find an enormously developed patella with a very considerable 

 process on the tibia ? 



Such questions will probably only be arrived at, if they are ever an- 

 swered at all, by the most searching investigations into the anatomy, 

 and more particularly the physiology, in such instances as these, of liv- 

 ing birds. Palaeontology in such matters simply offers us the nuts to 

 crack, as of course every vestige of the muscular system has disappeared 

 in our fossil birds. 



OBSERVATIONS UPON A COLLECTION OP INSECTS MADE IN THE 

 VICINITY OP NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, DURING THE YEARS 

 1882 AND 1883. 



By DR. R. W. SHUFSI^DT, U. S. A. 



While stationed in New Orleans during the autumn of 1882 and spring 

 and the greater i^art of the summer of the ensuing year, all the time that 

 could possibly be spared from other duties I devoted to making a collec- 

 tion of the vertebrates and invertebrates of the region. This collection 

 when brought all together consisted of some 2,500 to 3,000 specimens j 

 circumstances existed, however, that prevented me from bestowing the 

 attention upon it that it deserved, or systematically disposing of the ma- 

 terial so hurriedly brought together. 



The major part of the insects that were taken were sent unassorted 

 in alcohol to the Agricultural Department of Washington. They num- 

 bered some five or six hundred, and were collected during the times 

 specified over a limited tract of country lying south of, and just beyond, 

 the city limits. 



Through the kindness of Prof. 0. V. Eiley, I am enabled to present a 

 tolerably complete list of these insects. All of the diagnoses were made 

 under the direction of this gentleman, and I am further under great obli- 

 gations to him for the interest he has taken in the matter, and other 

 assistance so cheerfully given in connection with the collection. 



The first installment was forwarded on the 27th of November, 1882, 

 the specimens in it having been captured between the middle of the 

 preceding month and that time. 



On the 5th of December I received from Professor Eiley the follow- 

 ing determinations of this part of the collection : 



I. COLEOPTERA. 



Laxandrus rectanguhis Lee. 1 specimen. 

 Diploeliila laticollis Lee. 1 specimen. 



