Sept. 1900.] Proceedings of the Society. 200 



The casts were made by pouring plaster-paris in the entrance of the channel, the 

 plaster being liquid enough to allow the same to flow down into the various cells. 

 After the plaster becoming sufficiently hard a pit was dug some distance away from 

 the nest and gradually the soil was removed towards the channel until the same was 

 exposed on the side wall of the pit ; they were ready for removal. It was illustrated 

 by about 40 lantern-slides, showing the insects and the various kinds of cells made 



by these species. 



A vote of thanks was extended to Professor Smith for his interesting paper. 



Messrs. Kearfott, Davis and Miinch were appointed as a committee to nominate 

 officers for the following year. 



Meeting of January 2, 1900. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History. 



Eight members present and Prof. J. B. Smith and Dr. Herman Strecker as vis- 



' """'xhe committee on nominations appointed at the last meeting proposed the follow- 

 ing officers for the year 1900 : President, Wm. Beutenmuller ; Vice-President, Chas. 

 Palm • Treasurer, L. H. Joutel ; Recording Secretary, Chas. Schaeffer ; Correspond- 

 ing Secretary, Ernest Shoemaker ; Executive Committee : E. G. Love, J. L. Zabris- 

 kie, H. Hug, R. Ottolengui and E. Shoemaker ; Publication Committee ; Wm. Beu- 

 ten'miiller, L. H. Joutel, C. Schaeff"er and E. G. Love. 



On motion, which was duly seconded and carried, the Recording Secretary was 

 instructed to cast an affirmative ballot for the election of the officers as nominated, 

 upon which they were declared elected. 



Mr Bird read a paper on Oviposition in the Hydreecia and gave his experience 

 in finding the larv.x- of the species. They bore in stems and roots of various kmds of 

 plants and are concealed entirely. To find them is very difficult for the inexperienced, 

 but a close examination of a suspiciously broken twig, a withering stem, or a knotty 

 swelling might result in finding a Hydracia larva. Before pupating some make an 

 exit opportune for the moth, while others leave their burrows and change in the ground. 

 The mode of oviposition of H. riitila which he observed were described. With the 

 antenna, in constant motion in every crack and crevice that may furnish a proper 

 shelter an egg is deposited. The oviposition did not continue after the third night 

 and the number of eggs was about one hundred. H. impecuniosa places the eggs in 

 a greater or lesser number at one point. H. cataphrada has the same habit as H. 

 rutila. The early stages of four SY>tdts—margin{dens, rutila, impecuniosa and cerus ■ 

 sata not known before were observed by him. 



Dr. Ottolengui spoke on the genus Calocampa. He called attention to the im- 

 portance of the study of the genitalia in defining the species. 



All the known species were exhibited as well as drawings and microscopic slides 

 of the male genitalia. 



After discussion adjournment. 



Meeting of January 16, 1900. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History. 



President Beutenmuller in the chair. Seven members and four visitors present. 



