— 54— 



phyUiim or Phymatoderma. The article is of great interest, presenting z.Wr 

 other difficulty to the student of fossil remains. 



Mr, L. O. Howard writes us that during the month of December 

 enormous numbers of the great water-bug — Behstoma grancHs — were at- 

 tracted to the electric lights in New Orleans. In the late evening the 

 pavements along Canal Street were seen almost swarming with disabled 

 specimens of this insect, and many thousands were destroyed by being 

 crushed under foot. He states that he was well aware of the readiness 

 with which this species is altr:ictcd by light, but was hardly prepared for 

 such a scene as this. The large water lieetle — Cybisler jiml'riolatiis — 

 was also attracted with the Beiostoma, but in smaller numbers. 



Dr. Hagen informs us that the Collection of Lepidoptera heretofore 

 at the Peabody Museum, Salem, Mass., is now in his charge at Cam- 

 bridge. The move is a good, and very necessary one. The collection 

 contams many of Dr. Packard's and some of Mr. Morrison's tspes, and 

 was slowly a:oin!r to dust and Anthremis when last we saw it. 



'J o^ 



Lt, Casey has also donated his collection to the ]\Iuseum at Cam- 

 bridge. Having been ordered to California on military duty he was un- 

 able to take the collection with him and thus disposed of it. With 

 Coleoptera, the Museum is now fairly well supplied. 



The American Entomological Society has appointed Mr. S. F. 

 Aaron its curator for the balance of the year, at a salary. This is a timely 

 action, for the collections of that Society are too valuable to be allowed 

 to go to ruin. It will be a comfort also for visitors and students to find 

 some one that knows which family of Lepidoptera is concealed in the 

 boxes marked Hynienoptera etc. 



* 

 We understand that Prof. Baird, Director of the U.S. National Mu- 

 seum has decided to appoint an assistant Curator of the Department of 

 Insects in that Museum, at a salary of $1500 per annum, and that 

 Prof. Riley the Honorary Curator, in view of the fact that this action 

 will secure the permanent care of collections, in case of his death or re- 

 moval from Washington, has decided to turn over to the Museum all-his 

 own collections, the larger part of which are already deposited in the 

 Museum. Also that increased attention will be given this Department 

 after July first. Prof. Riley is now looking for a competent man to take 

 the place and will be glad to receive applications. 



