1878.] 93 



common in wet meadows (food-plant not mentioned, but probably Galium uliginosum 

 as recorded by Dr. Router). It does not, therefore, seem clear that Foerster's and 

 Flor's species are the same. It has been surmised that the rare T. velutina is only a 

 form of T. galii ; they being confessedly very similar, but there is a disci'epancy 

 between the desci-iptious of the species by Foerster and Flor, like those of T. galii 

 by these authors ; that is, that Flor mentions conspicuous white markings on the 

 abdomen, which are not noticed by Foerster, although he took the species himself. 

 Provided that the difference is not accounted for by shrinking in tlie pi-ocess of 

 drying, as hinted above, there may here be two species instead of one, but as the 

 food-plant is unknown, it is scarcely possible to get enough examples to settle this 

 question or that of the identity of velutina and galii. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort 

 Gardens, Lewisham ; August 9th, 1878. 



The Microjphone in Entomological research. — There can be little doubt but that 

 the microphone will reveal much that is novel and interesting as regards the voices 

 of insects. But I can scarcely agi*ee with Mr. S. D. Bairstow's suggestion {ante, p.- 

 43), that the spell by which male moths, such as Saturnia carpini, are attracted to 

 the female can be a sound. There are cases on record where male moths have come 

 eagerly to the empty cocoon or chrysalis from which a female had escaped, or even to 

 some object upon which she had recently settled. (See Zoological Journal, v, p. 142). 

 — J. W. Slater, 3, Bicester Road, Aylesbury : August 3rd, 1878. 



The Fauna of Scotland, with especial reference to Clydesdale and the "Western 

 District. Htmenopteea, Part i, by Peter Cameron, 8vo, pp. 52. Published by 

 the Natural History Society of Grlasgow, at their rooms in Anderson's College. 

 May, 1878. 



This is the first of a series of publications in which it is proposed to give Cata- 

 logues of the Scottish Fauna. A strong list of contributors in various branches is 

 given as proof of the desire exhibited by the Society to make the work as complete 

 as possible, and co-operation is earnestly invited from outsiders. This is evidently 

 needed, and in Entomology especially, for some of the larger Orders of Insects are 

 yet unallotted. 



Mr. Cameron, who has engaged to Catalogue all the Scottish Hymenoptera (and 

 some other more obscure groups), naturally commences with the Tenthredinidce, and 

 notices 209 species, as against 360 found in Sweden, and 268 in France ; but this 

 latter numerical comparison is based upon very incomplete information. 



Mr. Cameron evidently aims at making his portion of the work something more 

 than a mere Catalogue. There is a long Introduction, with numerous very sugges- 

 tive remarks upon distribution, nomenclature, &c., and most valuable notes on 

 particular species, with descriptions of a few that are considered to be new. The table 

 of comparative geographical distribution of the "Sub-tribes" is perhaps too extended, 

 and liable to mislead, being, for the most part, based more upon negative than positive 

 evidence, and there is one conspicuous omission, inasmuch as no comparison is made 



