vJOUR ISI iLLv 



OF THE 



SSijettt ^jcrrh iSntomiDrliDrgtCnl SiDTCiiSig* 



Publishes articles relating to any class of the subkingdom Arthropoda, subject 

 to the acceptance of the Publication Committee. Original communications in this 

 field are solicited. 



Editorial. 



We published in the last number of this Journal an article by Mr. 

 A. C. Weeks, which elaborates the theory that the coloration of the 

 hind wings of the genus Catocala serve the purpose of diverting the 

 attention of predaceous enemies from the vital parts of the insect. 

 This view has been previously stated by Professor E. B. Poulton,* 

 but the theory does not strongly appeal to us for the reason that the 

 colored parts are concealed in repose and could only be seen by an 

 enemy during flight or the short period while the wings are elevated 

 before taking flight. We doubt whether the rapidly moving wings 

 would be seized during flight, and, in the short period before or 

 after flight while the colored wings are unconcealed, they would seem 

 to lie dangerously near the abdomen. In the case of the genus 

 T/iec/a, where the colored spots and tails on the hind wings, being 

 kept in gentle motion during rest, give the false impression of being 

 the head of the butterfly, these parts are well elevated above the abdo- 

 men and extend beyond it In this case the theory discussed by Mr. 

 Weeks seems obviously applicable, but in the case of Catocala we in- 

 cline to the view that the primary use is something else, perhaps as a 

 recognition marking, f 



We print in this number a list of Philippine Hymenoptera by Dr, 

 Ashmead. We cordially indorse the suggestion that American ento- 



* Poulton, "Colours of Animals," p. 206, 1890. 

 f Wallace, "Darwinism," p. 217, 1891. 



