l897-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2f9 



bers by digging down into the sand. The favorite place for this 

 species is the hard and moist sand around the margin of the 

 Pogonus flats. The presence of these insects is readily known 

 by small mounds of sand surrounding little round holes. When 

 found in colonies the burrowings of this species, to the depth of 

 over a foot, are remarkable. They seem to delight in making 

 new passage ways through the sand usually in a perpendicular 

 direction, but also diagonally and sometimes longitudinally. 



On my last visit to these flats a square block showing the work 

 of this species was dug up and carefully placed in a box with the 

 object of saturating it with shellac, but on my return home it had 

 dried and crumbled. Not having any further use for the sand 

 the small pieces which were still intact were also crumbled, and 

 two living specimens were found which were replaced after moist- 

 ening the material. They at once started to make new burrows 

 and kept on making new holes for over a week when they finally 

 died near one of the entrances. Of this species larva and pupa 

 were also taken. 



As these observations were made during a part of August only, 

 and but a few miles of meadow land covered in search of these 

 flats, probably at the end of next season by careful early collect- 

 ing in different localities a number of species will be added and 

 their habits recorded. 



How A Spider Disappears. — On the borders of the Everglades you 

 often see a large yellow spider. He swings a strong web from two pliant 

 twigs on each side of a path of clear space of ground and waits for his 

 prey. The web is in the shape of a hammock, and tapers at each end to 

 a fine point, though quite broad in the middle. The bright color of the 

 owner seems to mark him out for destruction — he is clearly defined against 

 the white sand or dead leaves, and you wonder what he would do for de- 

 fense in case of attack. Approach quietly and he watches you intently. 

 Now raise your hand suddenly and he will disappear. While you are 

 wondering what became of him you see first a blur where he had been, 

 then several spiders, then you catch sight again of the yellow ball you 

 noticed at first. Repeat the performance and the stage effect is renewed. 

 The disappearance is absolute — there can be no doubt about it, and the 

 little magician trusts to it entirely for his protection. How is it done ? As 

 soon as he is threatened he starts the vibrations of his airy hammock; 

 these become too rapid for the eye to follow, and he vanishes. As these 

 become slower you see a blur, and then several spiders as the eye catches 

 him at different points of his swing, until finally he rests before you. — The 

 Florida Citizen. 



