m<j.] 39 



there may often be seen a dense mass of very minute parasites. So 

 far as one can judge from the examination of the structures it would 

 appear that these are produced entirely to the disadvantage of the bee, 

 seeing that they afford a secure retreat to the parasites, and place 

 them in a most convenient position for attacking what is perhaps the 

 most vulnerable part to be found on the creature they infest. How- 

 ever, as the existence of the chamber and the parasites is well known 

 to Mr. E. E. Green, of Ceylon, and other entomologists, who are in a 

 position to make direct observations on the living insects, it is to be 

 hoped that such observations will shortly be made. I am very much 

 indebted to Dr. Sharp for furnishing me with the species of Koptor- 

 tliosoma enumerated above for examination, and to Dr. Willey for his 

 most interesting specimens from New Britain. 



A somewhat similar ease known to me is that of a wasp of the 

 genus Odynerus, found in Arizona and Mexico. If, in a female example 

 of this wasp, the second segment of the abdomen be pressed down- 

 wards so as to expose the basal portion, which, in a natural position, 

 lies beneath the first, it will be seen that this portion is very deeply 

 constricted, and extremely long, projecting far beneath the basal 

 segment. Naturally, the apical margin of the basal segment rests 

 on the front of the non-constricted part of the second, so that an 

 extensive closed cavity is formed, limited in front by the intersegmental 

 membrane of the two segments. This cavity is filled with minute 

 Aca7'i, which dispose themselves in the most regular order, so as not 

 to interfere with the movements of the segments. As in the case of 

 the parasites of Koptorthosoma, these Acari are also placed in a posi- 

 tion most favourable for protection, and for access to a soft part, viz., 

 the membrane connecting the first two seguieuts. The male of the 

 wasp has only the narrow constriction at the base of the second 

 segment, as is usual in the genus, and Acari were altogether absent 

 in all those examined. 



Cambridge : December 14:th, 1898. 



ORTHOPTERA FOUND AROUND JERUSALEM IN 1893 AND 1896. 

 BY A. H. SWINTON, F.E.S. 



FORFICULARIA. 



FoEFicuLA AUEiCTTLAEiA, L. — Dr. Festa found this insect at Jerusalem on 

 March 17th, 1893 (BoU. dei Mus. di Zool. Torino, December, 1893). 



BLATTODEA. 



Periplaneta oeientalis, L. — Dr. Festa says that this domestic plague is 



