— 57- 



ions and relaxations of the muscles, and are analogous to a phenomenon 

 which I have noticed in beetles, but of course on a much more extended 

 scale. On several occasions while examining minute Staphylinidae which 

 had been dead thirty hours or more, with ordinary [lowers of the mi- 

 croscope, 1 was surprised to find a feeble motion in the outer joints of 

 the antennae. This motion was a gentle and irregular waving to and 

 fro, the base of the organ being perfectly rigid, and reminding me of 

 similar twistings often to be observed in the tip of a cat's tail when the 

 base of that appendage is entirely motionless. These movements have 

 undoubtedly been noticed and recorded before, and the)- are simply men- 

 tioned here because it may be supposed that so small and slender an 

 insect, having been in alcohol for twelve hours and gummed for about 

 the same or longer period subsequently, would have become so dry and 

 rigid as to prevent any such movement. 



I was very careful to see that no draughts or other disturbing causes 

 could give rise to this singular action. T. L. (J. 



In our next number we shall commence a very interesting article on 

 •'Bees and other hording insects; their specialization into females, males 

 and workers". Foi the Lepidoptensts, who may perhaps think their in- 

 terests rather neglected thus far, we have a supply of literature, which 

 we shall present at an early date. 



Book Notices. 



Report of the Entomologist, Charles V. Riley, M. A., Ph. P., for the year 1884. 

 Washington, Govt. Printing Office, 1885. From the Report of the Dept. of Agri- 

 culture for 1884, pp. 285 — 418 and plates I to X. 



The public is accustomed to careful and valuable Reports from Prof. 

 Riley, and this is not behind the others. As usual, a number of new 

 species of economic interest are described and illustrated and the life 

 histories of quite a number are worked out. Cabbage insects are pro- 

 minently treated of and the life history of several Noctuid species is 

 given. Reports on special subjects studied by field agents during the 

 summer of 1884 occupy a portion of the Report and treat of pests that 

 for some reason have attracted unusual attention. Ten plates illustrate 

 the insects treated of and their life habits, and still further enhance the 

 value of the Report. 



"Descriptions of North American Chalcididae from the collections of the U.S. 

 Department of Agriculture, and of Dr. C. V. Riley, with Biological Notes. To- 

 gether with a list of the described North American Species of the family, by L. O. 

 Howard. M. Sc, Assistant, Bureau of Entomology. " 



ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA 9 



