714 SCIENTIFIC RECORD FOR 1883. 



be regarded as a superorder, for which the name Phyloptera is pro 

 posed, as these four orders are closely allied to, if not in some cases 

 identical with, the stem or ancestral groups from which probably all 

 the higher orders " have originated. 



The head of Insects. — Prof. A. S. Packard, jr., in consequence of an 

 investigation into "the number of segments in the head of winged in- 

 sects," reached the following conclusions: "The epicranium, or that 

 piece (sclerite) bearing the eyes, ocelli, and antennae and in front the 

 clypeus and labrtim, is formed from the original procephalic lobes, 

 and represents the first or antennal segment, and is pleural, the clypeus 

 and labrum bearing the terminal portion of the segment ; while the re- 

 mainder of the original or primitive segments, are obsolete, except in 

 those insects which retain traces of an occiput or fourth cephalic ter- 

 gite. All of the gular region of the head probably represents the base 

 of the primitive second maxillae." (Am. Nat., vol. xvn, pp. 1134-1138.) 



Vitality of Insects. — It is tolerably well known to most persons that 

 insects will live for some time after mutilation, but the knowledge is 

 vague. Mr. R. Cauestrini undertook a number of experiments to deter- 

 mine how long various species could survive mutilation. The head was 

 cut off generally by thin-bladed forceps, and when spontaneous move- 

 ments ceased he employed sundry irritating devices, such as pricking, 

 squeezing, and blowing tobacco smoke over the insect. As a result of 

 these experiments he ascertained that beetles (Coleoptera) at once 

 showed signs of suffering from the amputation, while the more active 

 Hymenoptera (ants, bees, &c.) remained as if unaffected ; others seemed 

 to recover their senses only after a long interval from the operation. 

 Butterflies (Lepidoptera) seemed but little discomposed after decapita- 

 tion, and flies (Diptera) appeared to mind it still less ; flies, indeed, 

 were observed in copulation some time after being beheaded. Flies, 

 however, only lived about a day and a half (36 hours) after being 

 operated upon, while the bodies of butterflies survived eighteen days, 

 the head nevertheless showing no sign of life after a few hours of de- 

 capitation. The last signs of life were manifested by either the middle 

 pair of legs (most frequently) or the last (not quite so often). Similar 

 experiments were made on Myriopods, and they, too, showed great 

 tenacity of life and indifference to the loss of the head. (Bull. Hoc. 

 Venet.- Trent. Sci. Fat, vol. n, pp. 119-125; J. R. M. S. (2), vol. in, pp. 

 645, 646.) 



How Insects can adhere to smooth vertical surfaces. — The mode by 

 which insects adhere to vertical walls has been investigated by H. 

 Dewitz, who reaches essentially the same conclusions as did the Eng- 

 lish arachnologist Ulackwell. The insects secrete a glutinous liquid 

 in their feet, which exudes, in insects which have hairy feet, from 

 the tips of the hairs which surround the lobes of the feet, and in those 



