431 



Maryland, and Virginia. All stages of the insect were described, and figures were 

 shown illustrating the larva, pupa, and adult, and the nature of the injury done to 

 young corn. Two Dipterous parasites were also referred to. Discussed by Messrs. 

 Schwarz, Riley, Kuehling, and others. 



Professor Riley then presented a paper entitled " The Mexican Jumping Bean— the 

 Determination of the Plant." In this paper the plant was accurately determined for 

 the first time. After referring to the literature on the subject, the various descrip- 

 tions of the plant and the names by which it is known to the Mexicans, he described 

 having recently received from Mons. P. Chretien, a member of the French Entomolog- 

 ical Society, an interesting communication relating to Carpocapsa saJfifans, in which 

 he referred to the plant ColUguaja odorifera Moline, of which Croton coUigiiaja Spren- 

 gel is a synonym. Shortly after this Mr. J. M. Rose, of the Botanical Division, 

 brought him specimens of the plant, together with capsules, which had been col- 

 lected by Dr. Edward Palmer. The plant turned out to be undescribed, and belongs 

 to the genus Sebastiania, and will be described by Mr. Rose as S. palmeri, thus indi- 

 cating the probable incorrectness of M. Chretien's reference. 



Professor Riley gave a description of the plant and some interesting notes on the 

 names applied to it in Mexico and South America under the popular jaame Colliguaja, 

 Two other closely allied species were also collected, and showed evidence of being 

 infested by Carpocapsa, and Professor Riley believed that the insect develops in the 

 capsules of different but closely allied species of the genus Sebastiania. Additional 

 matter was presented relating to the character and description of these plants. 



Professor Riley also called the attention of the Society to some interesting anoma- 

 lies in the case of certain insects, which he exhibited. These consisted of two Noc- 

 tuids, which showed a shortening of the wings on the left side. The deformity or 

 abberation was considered to be undoubtedly due to chance in the case of these speci- 

 mens. The other case was more interesting, and consisted in a bifurcation of the 

 terminal joint of the left antenna of Tragidion annatum. The bifurcation is from the 

 base of the joint, and the abnormal growth or branch is somewhat longer than the 

 joint itself. 



Mr. Schwarz presented a paper in which he reviewed the records of the food-hab- 

 its of the Xorth American Flea-beetles (Ralticini), in the light of Dr. Horn's recent 

 synopsis of this interesting group of Chrysomelid beetles. In connection with the 

 published record of the food-habits of these insects, he pointed out certain species 

 which were, in his opinion, either incorrectly named or of which the determinations 

 were not reliable, and advocated that such doubtful records should not be used in 

 future unless they were verified by additional observation or by an examination of 

 the typical specimens. Discussed by Messrs. Riley, Schwarz, and others. 



May 7, 1891. — The corresponding secretary reported having distributed 75 copies of 

 Ko 1, vol. II, of the proceedings. Mr. C. H. Roberts, of New York, was elected a 

 corresponding member, and Messrs. F. H. Chittenden and A. B. Cordley active mem- 

 bers of the society. Mr. Howard exhibited specimens of Bombus rirginicus which 

 had been attracted in great numbers to the blossoms of a large horse-chestnut near 

 liis house, and described the peculiar actions of these insects possibly resulting from 

 the toxic eft'ect of the nectar. The note was discussed by Messrs. Riley, Schwarz, 

 Marlatt, Ashmead, and Mann. Mr. Schwarz exhibited and briefly remarked upon the 

 following Coleoptera: Charistena lecontei, found at Fortress Monroe, Va. ; Bagoits 

 sellatus, found at the same place : SpJueriua politus, found in Michigan and Alabama; 

 Lutrochus luteus, from Michigan. 



Dr. Marx presented a paper entitled " The Character of the Circnm-polar Spider 

 Fauna," in which he reviewed the literature relating to the distribution and descrip- 

 tion of the spiders from the Arctic regions in both hemispheres, and gave some 

 interesting facts regarding the distribution and abundance of the different genera 

 represented. He presented also a list of the genera and of the number of species 

 belonging to each, and concluded with some remarks upon the spider fauna of 



