Dec, 1908.] Proceedings of the Society, 45 



that none of the species liad been collected at any great altitude, and for the most 

 part were not unlike what might he collected about New York city. Most of them 

 were collected by sweeping. 



Mr. Dow spoke of capturing a number of specimens of AlalacAius ceneus at 

 Claremont, N. H., on May 30 resting on Spirda, and other specimens were taken 

 during the latter part of June on other plants. 



Meeting of November 17, 1908. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History, President C. W. Leng in 

 the chair, with sixteen members and one visitor present. The minutes of the pre- 

 ceding meeting were read and approved. 



Mr. Dow reported on the dinner to be given to Professor J. B. Smith, Saturday, 

 the twenty-first inst. 



Mr. Matausch exhibited a new color variety of Sinilia cantelus from the Catskill 

 Mountains, and read a description of the variety. 



Mr. Schaeffer exhibited and spoke on some new Rhynchophora, tlie descriptions 

 of which were prepared for the December number of the JOURNAL. He also showed 

 several new species of Coleoptera from Nogales, Arizona, among which were 2 

 Chauliognathns, 2 Discodenis, I CJuysobothrns, I O^ithophagns, i Hydnocei-a and 

 I Bruchus. 



Mr. Engelhardt exhibited five species and two nests of stingless bees from 

 Guatemala, concerning which he made the following remarks : "The so-called 

 stingless bees were among the most abundant of insects observed during the past 

 summer in Guatemala. Their nests were found on numerous occasions in hollow 

 trees, about houses and underground, but never in exposed situations. Each colony 

 contained an immense number of individuals. The nests of those above ground, so 

 far as noted, were all built of wax, while those underground were built of clay or 

 earth intermixed with a gummy substance. In the character of construction all were 

 alike, the central breeding combs being encased by a mass of irregular galleries with 

 the round honey pots placed on the outside. The honey though sweet was found to 

 br: inferior in flavor to that of the hive bee. The Indians are said to eat it, but the 

 white people prefer that of the hive bee which has been successfully introduced. 

 Some of the bees, especially those that budd clay nests under ground, displayed a fierce 

 disposition on being disturbed, attacking, seemingly with preference, eyes, ears and 

 nose of the disturber, and even crawling under the clothing. They acted as if about 

 to sting, curling the abdomen around, and the dull pressure of it could be distinctly 

 felt. But most annoying of all was the bite of their sharp mandibles." 



Mr. Beutenmiiller exhibited the nest of a stingless bee from Brazil, which had 

 been made by a colony of live bees in the Museum. 



Mr. Schaeffer spoke briefly of the honey-making wasps of Brownsville, Texas. 



Dr. Pollard mentioned the recent death of Dr. James Fletcher, of the Central 

 Experiment Farm, Ottawa, Ontario. 



Society adjourned. 



Meeting of December i, 1908. 

 Held at the American Museum of Natural History, President C. W. Leng in the 

 chair, with sixteen members present. The minutes of the preceding meeting were 

 read and approved. 



