282 



^December, 



A Chece-List of the Coccid-s: : by T. D. A. Cockere£l. [Extract from 

 the Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, Urbana, Illinois. 

 Vol. iv (1896)]. 



This enumeration of the known Coccids of all countries (773 species — names 

 are given), the first that has been published, will be very welcome to all students, as 

 the result of a laborious investigation of authors' works. " A list of 124 persons 

 who have named genera, species or varieties of Coccids is appended, with the dates 

 on or between which their writings pertinent in this connection were published." 

 Says the author : — 



" Specific names may be placed in three categories according to the manner of 

 publication : — 



" (1) Nomina nuda. Names published wholly without description. These are 

 entirely ignored in the present list. 



" (2) Nomina seminuda. Names published witli descriptive matter insufficient 

 for the determination of the species. Noted separately. 



" (3) Nomina valida. Names published with descriptions sufficient for the 

 recognition of the species." 



So far good. Yet, the author continues, " Many names proposed by Green, W. 

 G-. Johnson, Olliff, and the present writer have been included, though unpublished at 

 the time of writing ; but in every case the description is understood to have been 

 prepared, and to be awaiting very early publication." This invalidates the rule 

 No. 1 ; a name only, published or not, is of no scientific value whatever, as it 

 cannot be quoted or referred to. Otherwise this work is worthy of much praise. 



Cambridge Entomological and Naturai, History Society. — Oct. IQth, 

 1896. — the President, Dr. Sharp, in the Chair. 



Mr. Jones exhibited specimens of the Large Blue {Lyccena Arion). Mr. 

 Rickard had the nest of a tree-wasp and other locally interesting exhibits. The 

 President showed an unknown larva which is at present doing much damage to 

 vegetation in Northamptonshire ; a pupa of Sphinx convolvuli, prepared to show 

 the way in which the proboscis is folded in its case ; also one of the colonies of 

 " white ants " {Colotermes domesticus) exhibited a year ago, now "in extremis." 

 He said that one of the individuals had been transformed into an egg-producer, and 

 specimens of the other Termites were seen in the spring carrying the eggs ; the 

 small colony had, in fact, established a " substitution queen " after the fashion 

 described by Grassi. The next Meeting of the Society will be held on Oct. 30th and 

 fortnightly from that date. — C. J. Wilkinson, Hon. Secretary. 



Oct. 30th, 1896.— The President in the Chair. 



Mr. Rickard exhibited a number of South African insects, including various 

 Orthoptera of the genus Phymateus and allied genera, and Hymenoptera, and a 

 specimen of Batrachotettix, a very variable insect, whose colour is said to depend 

 upon the nature of ground in its neighbourhood. Dr. Sliarp showed various stages 

 of Thysidopterifx ephemeriformis from Washington, U.S.A., including some perfect 



