229 



Mr. Srhwarz also cxhibittMl a species of the lainily Moiiominida' colleeted on Key 

 West and at Biscayne Bay, Florida, and stated that after a ean^liil study lie has come 

 to the conelusiou that it is identical with Axpathinus ovatns Champion, recently 

 described, from Central America, which adds a new genns to our fauna. Discussed 

 by Messrs. Marlatt, Howard, Mann, an<l S<'hwarz. 



The Secretary read a note by Mr. William D. Richardson, of Fredericksburg, Va., 

 correspond inj; member o f the society, on the life-history of Lcma na>ii. T\n- food-plant 

 of this species is Commvhjtia rinjiniva; the eggs are laid singly on the leav^es, and 

 the larvae usually bore in the Hower stalks, ejecting their fajces from the entrance 

 hole of the burrow. Discussed by Mr Schwarz. 



Dr. Marx exhibited two remarkable s])iders occurring in our fauna: (1) arepi'eseut- 

 ative of the South American genus Xopn, characterized by having but two eyes; (2) 

 a puzzling species, the affinities of which he pointed out. It resembles an Epeira, 

 hnt is altogether different in characters. 



Mr. Howard read a paper entitled "Unmotherly Aphids" recounting the conjoint 

 observations of Messrs. Howard, Chittenden and Marlatt of the curious fact of the 

 deposition of the winter eggs oi' Nectnrophora Uriodendri iu numbers on the pupal shells 

 of Cicada which were attached to the trunk of a tree near the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment buihling. Various interesting comments were made ou this incident and the 

 comnnmicatiou provoked considerable discussion. 



Mr. Schwarz read a pa])er ou the time of flight in Scarabaeiu beetles, in which he 

 related an observation made last June by Mr. H. G. Hubbard and himself concern- 

 ing an undescribed species of Lachnostenia which flies before sunset in the Alpine 

 regions of Utah. He added remarks on the flying habits of other species of Lachno- 

 sterna and of Scarabieid beetles iu general. It appears that in this tamily the unity 

 iu habit regarding the time of flight is generally maintaiued so far as genera are con- 

 cerned, and that there are comparatively few exceptions to this rule. 



Mr. Howard read a paper on the " Habits of Melittobia," suggested by Mr. Ash- 

 niead's communication at the preceding meeting. He gave a comprehensive review 

 of the literature, showing all of the hosts of this genus of parasites, proving that 

 it is both parasitic and hyperparasitic. He added an account of the rearing of 

 M. pelopa'l Ashm., from dipterous puparia found in Pelopaeus cells by Mr. A. N. Cau- 

 dell. Discussed by Mr. Ashmead. 



Mr. Banks read a paper entitled " A Xew Genus of Phalangiidfe from North 

 America," in which, under the name Caddo nov. gen. ufi'iUs u. sp., he described a 

 peculiar Phalangiid collected in woods near the seashore on Long Island. Figures 

 representing the peculiar features of the insect were exhibited. Discussed by 

 Messrs. Gill, Stiles, Fox and others. 



Dr. Marx gave some remarks on the geographical distribution of spiders, and 

 stated that the Drassidae, formerly supposed to be boreal in habitat, were now found 

 to occur in the tropics in abundance, and that, in fact, we have not a single family 

 that is entirely northern in range. In the Attidse, however, certain genera may 

 prove to be altogether boreal, but the family is not well worked up. 



December 3, 1891. — Under short notes Mr. Howard recorded the capturing ou the 

 window sill of his residence, November 16 of an active female of Mantin (iStaf/mo- 

 mantis) Carolina Burm., this giving a record of occurrence later than that previously 

 recorded by Mr. Lugger, viz., November 11. 



Dr. Marx read a paper entitled '' Life History of ThelyphniiKH giganieus Lucas," in 

 which, after dwelling on the importance of even fragmentary lecords of the his- 

 tory of little known or rare animals, he gave an account of his having kept in con- 

 flnement the young of this Arachnid for over a year. The specimen came from 

 Florida to Prof. Riley, and was, when received, in its first stage and newly hatched. 

 It fed readily on roaches but refused flies. A description was given of the first 

 stage, and also after the first skin had been cast, which did not occur for over 

 a vear. 



