CXXiV 
interest, but there are one or two points which J cannot pass over 
altogether in silence. 
In opposition to the views generally held by entomologists (see, for 
instance, Westwood’s ‘ Modern Classification of Insects,’ vol. ii. p. 414), 
he denies that the needle-like organs contained in the labium of 
Homoptera represent the mandibles and maxille, though he admits 
that they do so in the Heteroptera. He describes the larva of Teleas, 
a minute species allied to Pteromalus, which oviposits in the eggs of 
Gerris, as much resembling, both in its first form and also in its 
remarkable changes, the extraordinary larva of Rhynchites, which was 
discovered by Dr. Filippi.* In the viviparous Cecidomyia he con- 
firms the interesting observation, first made by Zaddach in Mystacides, 
that the antenna of the larva is originally post-oval. Lastly, I may 
mention that Mecznikow declines to accept Weissmann’s division of 
metabolic insects into “ Discota” and “ Adiscota.” 
Dr. Moller has published a memoir on the influence exercised upon 
insects by external conditions. One of the most interesting 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.t 
The Ann. des Sci. Nat., 5th ser., t. vii., contains a paper by 
M. Claparéde (which has also been translated in the ‘Annals and 
Magazine of Natural History’ for May last) on the “ Reproduction of 
Aphides.” M. Claparéde pronounces decidedly against M. Balbiani’s 
theory of the hermaphroditism of Aphides, as to which I ventured 
to express my own doubts in my Address of last year. M. Claparéde 
appears to have overlooked the fact that M. Balbiani’s so-called 
“testis” had been already observed by Huxley. In reply to this 
criticism M. Balbiani (2b. cit. p. 30) promises shortly to publish his 
memoir ¢2 ealenso. 
* Ann. d. Sci. Nat. 1851. 
+ ‘Die Abhangigkeit der Insecten von Ihrer Umgebung,’ v. Dr. L, Moller. 
