go NOTES AND COMMENTS [AUGUST 
says, “that since a stink-bug nauseates our stomach and irritates our 
tongue, it will produce a like effect on a crow.” There appears to be 
need of a little more avian psychology, as he quaintly phrases it. 
“Numerous species of bugs and beetles which, in addition to being 
protectively coloured, possess ill-smelling, bad-tasting, and irritating 
secretions, would naturally be supposed by some writers to be avoided 
generally by nearly all birds, but they are habitually eaten by many 
birds of the eastern United States.” 
The conclusion seems to be, as we have said before in these 
columns, that adaptations are by no means so perfect as is often 
supposed. Protective adaptations may lessen the chances of death, 
and thus be of much evolutionary importance without being in any 
wise perfect. But it is fairer to let the author sum up :—“ The alleged 
protective coloration is not the all-important factor in securing an 
insect from extermination, as some earlier naturalists have supposed ; 
there are other equally important factors that demand consideration.” 
An Entomological Exhibition. 
Proressor Bouvier, of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle of Paris, 
announces that a great entomological exhibition is being arranged for 
in the laboratory of his department, and asks for co-operation. The 
preliminary prospectus, given in La Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes, 
July 1899, is very attractive, and includes the following divisions :— 
Bees and apiculture; giant arthropods and giant nests; wasps’ nests ; 
classification and anatomy, with especial reference to flight and stridu- 
lation; reproduction and development; adaptations—defensive, such 
as mimicry and protective coloration—offensive, such as weapons— 
and in relation to change of habitat ; commensals and parasites ; social 
insects; bizarre forms; domestic forms; useful and injurious insects, 
and so on. It is a big undertaking, which well deserves the co-opera- 
tion asked for. To see such an exhibition will be an entomological 
education in itself. 
At Last ? 
A PAPER by Professor L. Errera, entitled “ Hérédité dun caractére 
acquis chez un champignon pluricellulaire” (Lull. Acad. Roy. Belgique, 
1899, pp. 81-102), cannot but arouse the interest of evolutionists. 
Has the long-sought-for instance been found at last ? Is there a 
modification in regard to which we can look the whole world in the 
face and say that it is transmitted? The story will be read with 
bated breath, as the advertisements of novels say. 
