40 



times the means by which insects are attracted, individuals 

 being drawn to objects which possess pecuhar odors similar to 

 those of their natural food, although these objects are hi no 

 way suited for such food. It would be interesting to ascertain 

 how far Silphidae scent their natural food, carrion. Insects 

 are often cheated. Lampyridae are attracted to a candle, al- 

 though it far outshines their mates. The antennse of male 

 mosquitoes vibrate on the sounding of certain notes, these notes 

 being the ones produced most often by the wings of the female; 

 thus the male can find his mate. Pectinated antennae seem 

 adapted especially to well-developed functions ; yet Hepialus, 

 which has not pectinated antennae, is conjectured to be sensitive 

 to the presence of its mate. Bombycidae and Tineidae are the 

 principal moths which assemble. (Jan. 9, 1874-') 



B. Pickman Mann. 



§ 21. A Card Catalogue of Illustrations. Mr. S. 

 H, ScuDDER exhibited a series of figures of Orthoptera, cut 

 from plates and books and mounted upon sheets of paper of a 

 uniform size, so that they could be arranged in the manner of a 

 card-catalogue. {Fehr. 13, 1874-} 



§ 22. Beetles which infest Elm-trees. Mr. H. G. 

 Hubbard exhibited specimens of some beetles which infest elm 

 trees, viz. : Magdalinus armicolUs, with four species of parasites ; 

 Saperda trilineata with one parasite ; SyncTiroa punctata, ex- 

 ceedingly abundant ; and Buprestis (^Anthaxia^ viridicornis. 

 Most of the Saperdas transformed in the wood ; all the Syn- 

 chroas in the bark. (March 13, 1874-^ 



§ 23. Attitudes in which some Wasps are supposed 

 TO sleep. Mr. S. H. Scudder exhibited a wasp (Ammophila 

 gryphus .^) which rests at night by seizing a blade of grass with 

 its jaws and holding itself extended either with or without the 

 use of its middle and hind feet.^ The usual position of the 

 wasp, under these circumstances, is such that the thorax is 

 held nearly vertical, the abdomen being more or less elevated 

 toward a horizontal position. Many specimens were seen at 

 different times acting in this manner. 



1 The specimen is preserved in Mr. B. P. Mann's collection as No. 3106, and is figured 

 in Morse's First Book of Zoology, p. 94, fig. 91. 



