120 [October, 187i. 



only accidents, few and far between, can ever elucidate a difflciilty of this description. 

 One of these accidents occurred to-day. I took, in very close juxtaposition, Cryptus 

 pygoleucus, Gr. ( ^ only known) and Agrothereutes Hopei, Gr. ( $ only known). Both 

 are not uncommon here. That they are the opposite sexes of the same species I am 

 strongly inclined to believe, though absolute demonstration is impossible. They 

 resemble each other, and also differ, exactly in those points which are noticeable in 

 the sexes of other species. The ^ is, as usual, darker, and has the thorax black. 

 The 9 , with imperfect wings, has the red thorax so often associated with that feeble- 

 ness of structure. The hind legs (with the femora tipped with black, and a white 

 ring at the base of the tibiae) are the same iu both, and this character, which is inde- 

 peiident of sexual differences, appears to hare much weight, taken in conjunction 

 with the fact of the insects being iu company, and having apparently some attraction 

 for each other. — T. A. Maeshall, St. Albans : August 29th, 1872. 



Formica Jusca : two $ in copulA with one $ . — This morning, at 8.50, during 

 bright sunsliine, what I at first took simply to be a united coviple of this ant, crossed 

 my road on the wing. But, as it struck me that there was something wrong, owing 

 to the drooping flight of the 9 > 'which seemed to be more than usually burdened, 

 I caught the travellers, when it appeared that the $ was in simultaneous copulation 

 with two (? aside of each other. I let the happy trio run over my hand, or, rather, 

 allowed the $ to drag her mates along with her, when, toppling over, she fell to the 

 ground, where she immediately parted with her wings, but continued to drag her 

 helpless winged partners along with her, right across a broad stony road. The (J <? 

 seemed utterly exhausted ; and made no attempt to use either wings or legs ; nor 

 did they fold the former or draw up the latter, but in the position in which they 

 dropped they were dragged away. The rest of my proceedings I shall keep to 

 myself ; suiSce it to state, that gentle pulling was not enough to sever the triple 

 alliance. — Albeet Mtillee, South Norwood, S.E. : August 18th, 1872. 



Proposed revision of the Trichopterous family Hydroptilidce. — I am engaged upon 

 a revision of the Hydroptilida, and solicit the loan of specimens fi-om all parts of the 

 world, so that I may gather information respecting the geographical distribution of 

 the genera and species. In return for the privilege of inspecting them, I will under- 

 take the arrangement of collections sent to me, and defray half the expense of trans- 

 mission. Even a few specimens in good condition would be gladly received. Boxes 

 by post should be sent to my address as imder ; those by rail may be addressed to 

 me, at the Entomological Society, 12, Bedford Row, London. Up to the present 

 time, I have determined nine British species, and five genera, in the place of the four 

 species and two genera hitherto recognised. Some of these occur also on the conti- 

 nent, where a sixth genus is represented. Specimens from the Ehine, Sweden, and 

 Canada, would be especially welcome on the chance of their comprising examples of 

 some described forms of which I have seen few or no representatives. As a rule, I 

 would prefer to leave new species uu-named, milcss they be represented by series 

 of specimens iu good condition, from which trustworthy figm-es of the anal appendages 

 could be obtained. Colour characters are at a discount in most of the species of this 

 family. — A. E. Eaton, Pottesgrovc Rectory, Woburn : Scpteniber, 1872. 



