240 



lia, though the third antennal joiut is less than twice the length of the 

 second; the antennal character here loses its generic value. Fig. 3 

 shows the markedly characteristic claws of Willistonia, and the ap- 

 proximation of the angle to the hind border; but the angle is markedly 

 rounded, a distinguishing character of Latreillia; evidently the 

 " stumpfwinkelig" angle has to be given up. Fig. 4 is that of a typical 

 female of AVillistonia. In Fig. 5 we get all the characters of a Willis- 

 tonia; there can be no doubt about this specimen, though the claws 

 are not as large as in the specimen from which Fig. 3 was taken. Fig. 

 must go in Latreillia, though the claws are enlarged and the third 

 Joint of the antennse is not "reichlich dreimal so lang als das zweite." 

 Figs. 7 and 8 show the third joint of the anteunai much elongated, the 

 claws of the male enlarged, the rounded angle of Latreillia, and tlie 

 marked approximation of the angle in 8Z>; here we must abandon tlie 

 claw-character. 



Do these characters need any comment? I trow not. 



Examining now the bristles of the sides of the face one will see that 

 they are as variable as the other characters. 



Again, the pollinose band on the third abdominal segment shows a 

 gradual variation from one covering the segment to an entire absence 

 in the specimens from which Figs. 7 and 8 were taken, and which are, 

 evidently, B. levco'pyga v. d. Wulp. 



It seems evident, from the foregoing, that most of the characters 

 used by Brauer r.nd Bergenstamm for this group are worthless, and it 

 gives me pleasure to relegate to oblivion both of their generic names. 

 The question remains: Are all these characters specific ! That I will 

 not attempt to answer; but, if so, instead of the three or four species 

 now placed in Belvosia, there must be at least a dozen. 



Seriously, is not the stock of Tachinid genera sufficiently large for 

 the present ? Would it not be advisable to study species more before 

 making every trivial character the basis of a new genus? 



I will add that Fig. 1 was drawn from a St. Dominican specimen ; 

 Fig. 2 from one from Minnesota; Fig. from one from Pennsylvania; 

 Fig, 9 from California, and the remainder from Brazilian specimens. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOIL WORM IN MISSISSIPPI. 



By S. B. Mullen, Harnsrille, Mis.<i. 



Kot long since I promised to give, somewhat in detail, the results of 

 my observations, in connection with work done on the Boll Worm in 

 Mississippi, during the seasons of 1890, 1891, and 1892. At the begin- 

 ning I either accepted some of the old theories or assumed one, with a 

 purpose of establishing the same, and will say that to you my methods 

 in many instances would appear very crude, but I hope that you will 



