310 



A study in Insect Embryology.* — Mr. Wheeler has in this paper given 

 us a most interesting review of a very interesting subject. It is a re- 

 sume of facts and theories up to the close of 1889 and gives, moreover, 

 an account of his own investigations of the embryonic appendages of 

 the first abdominal segment in Phyllodromia germanica, Periplaneta 

 orientalis, Mantis Carolina, Xiphidium ensiferum, Cicada septendecim^ 

 Zaitha fluminea, and Sialis infumata. Upon the question as to the origi- 

 nal functions of these pleuropodia, Mr. Wheeler summarizes the views 

 of investigators who have held that they may have been respiratory 

 organs, sense organs, or glands, and gives in full his reasons for main- 

 taining his previous conclusion, following Patten, that they originally 

 possessed a glandular function. He follows then with a consideration 

 of the odoriferous glands in insects and inclines to the supposition 

 that with primitive forms the pleuropodia were functional as odorifer- 

 ous organs. 



The relationship of Arthropods.!— In a recent paper with this title Dr. 

 H. T. Fernald has given us careful studies of the anatomy of AnuridOt 

 maritima, a degenerate CoUembolan, and Lepisnia saccharina of the 

 Oinura, together with a careful review of the existing views as to the 

 relationship of Arthropods and an ancestral tree embodying his con- 

 clusions. 



The study of the anatomy of the two forms mentioned is made on 

 account of its bearing upon the theory of Brauer and Lubbock that in- 

 sects are derived from a Carapodea-like ancestor. 



Changes in the Force of the Division of Entomology.— One of OUr assistants, 

 Mr. C. H. Tyler Townsend, has resigned his position to accept the post 

 of Entomologist of the State Experiment Station of New Mexico. The 

 insect fauna in this region is very interesting, and Mr. Townsend will 

 have an admirable opportunity for work in a comparatively new field. 



Prof. A. J. Cook, of Lansing, and Mr. J. H. Larrabee, of Vermont, 

 have been appointed special agents of the Division, with special refer- 

 ence to experiments in bee-culture. 



Some odd Lepidoptera. — We have recently received several interesting 

 Lepidopterological contributions from our esteemed friend, Mr. W. J. 



*0n the appendages of the first abdominal segment of embryo insects. By William 

 M. Wheeler. Extracted from the Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences. 

 Arts and Letters. Vol. viii, September 20, 1890. 



t The Kelationship of Arthropods, by H. T. Fernald, M. s. A thesis for the degree 

 of Doctor of Philosophy at the Johns Hopkins University. Reprinted from Studies 

 from the Biological Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Vol. iv, No. 7, Baltimore, 

 Md. 1890. 



