Jan., '03] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 7 



Sarcophaga, sp. b. 



This species goes into the couplet with S. affims Zett. in Dr. Schiner's 

 key. The abdomen may be called tessellated. The male genitalia are 

 inconspicuous. From 6*. affinis it differs in having a small costal spine 

 on the wing ; the elongate black spots on the abdomen are arranged m 

 three rows, confluent on the hind margin of each segment. The tibiae 

 have but few bristles. Dorso-centrals 3.3 ; sterno-pleurals i.i. i. Vein 

 R4^5 has 3 or 4 bristles near the base. Male and female. Length 7 mm 



A Trip After Papilio Homerus.* 



By Captain Wirt Robinson, U. S. A. 



We sailed June 14 for Colombia, landed June 23d at Savan- 

 illa, and that day went on to Barranquilla. I caught in my 

 hat, from car window as we went along, a huge metallic bu- 

 prestid. On arriving at Barranquilla, to my di.sgust, I found 

 that we would not be allowed to use our guns, to leave limits 

 of town, to go out of doors after dark, our mail was opened, 

 we were followed by spies, and altogether so molested that I 

 made up my mind to clear out at once, and returned next day 

 to the wharf to catch our steamer. Found there another 

 steamer of same line bound back for Jamaica, and transferred 

 to her. On night of 24th caught on deck of our steamer a 

 small sphinx which I think is Aellopos tantalus. On morning 

 of 25th, before we sailed, got permission to leave wharf and go 

 ashore after insects. Caught a few insignificant things, and 

 found a bush covered with white caterpillars, rather flat than 

 thick, size of H. io caterpillars, but with long brownish red 

 hairs at base of which were clumps of small red spines ; a few 

 of these were already spinning cocoons, so we gathered them 

 in, over 100 in all. In so domg were frightftJly stung, the 

 pain increasing after we got aboard and enough to drive us 

 nearly distracted. The cocoons greyish and flat and plastered 

 to tree trunk, several in clumps. Inside a compact case with 

 flaps or valves at end. The chrysalid emerges, pierces outer 

 loose silk and after this fly emerges leaving chrysalid case pro- 

 truding like goat moths ! Our worms made ovei 100 cc coons, 

 and they began to hatch on way back north frDm Kirgston, 

 giving those moths which you identify as belong ng to Gasina 



* Extract from a letter to Prof. E. J. Smith, Jr. 



