40 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Embryology of Hemipiera. — M. Mecznikow has published, 

 also in the ' Zeitschrilt,' a paper on the Embryology of 

 Hemiptera. 



Audilory Organ of Locusia. — M. Hensen has published, 

 also in the ' Zeitschrift,' a memoir on the auditory organ of 

 Locusta, in which he confirms the description given by Von 

 Siebold, He also endeavours to prove that there is an identity 

 of plan between this organ and the ear of Crustacea, com- 

 paring the auditory rods of the former with the hairs of the 

 latter. He admits that the rods have at their apex a large 

 cell, of which the hairs show no trace ; but he argues that 

 the rods of Locusta are primary structures, while the audilory 

 hairs of Crustacea have never been examined until alter 

 several changes of skin ; and he thinks that if the auditory 

 hairs were examined before the first moult, corresponding 

 cells might probably be found at their apex. In any case he 

 does not think that the mere presence of these cells is 

 sufficient to destroy the analogy. He concludes therefore 

 that these auditory rods, like the auditory hairs of Crustacea, 

 are thrown into vibration, when they are fitted, by their form 

 and elasticity, to vibrate in a period corresponding to the 

 exciting sound. 



Developmejit of Simuliay Miaster, Corixa and Aphis. — 

 M. E. Mecznikow, also in the ' Zeitschrift,' describes the 

 development of these four genera. 



Colour of Insects dependent on external condition. — Dr. 

 MoLLER has published a memoir on the influence exercised 

 upon insects by external conditions. One of the most inte- 

 resting parts is that in which he gives cases where the colour 

 of a species depends on that of its habitat. Thus, for instance, 

 Elaphrus riparius, he says, in sandy districts, is of a clear 

 brown colour ; in meadow lands, on the contrary, green. 

 Again, the larva of Amphidasys betularia is yellowish green 

 when it lives on the birch ; ashy gray when on the oak ; 

 yellowish brown when on the elm ; yellowish green clouded 

 with rust-colour when on willows or poplars. He also gives 

 a list of the species which he has observed in ants' nests. 



Sexual^ Organs in Lepidoptera. — Dr. E. Bessels has a 

 memoir, also in the ' Zeitschriit,' on the development of the 

 sexual organs in Lepidoptera. 



Parthenogencnis in Bees. — Dr. H. Landois, in a short 



