ii6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, 



Entomological Society of Washington. — April 3, 1890. Mr.B. 

 E. Fernow was elected an active member of the Society. 



Mr. Fox read a paper on a small group of spiders forming the subgenus 

 Ceratinella of the genus Erigone. The subgenus includes about seven- 

 teen species distinguished by the presence of a shield on the abdomen. 

 All the specimens were collected east of the Alleghenies by Messrs. Marx 

 and Fox, and were found fully developed at all seasons of the year. The 

 paper was illustrated with drawings, and a collection of the spiders was 

 shown. Discussion followed by Messrs. Marx and Fox. 



Mr. Schwarz read a paper entitled "Labeling Specimens," in which he 

 described the systems of labeling employed in the case of entomological 

 collections, dealing particularly with the systematic collection of the spe- 

 cialist. The various labels employed were described, and examples of 

 some of them were shown. The paper called forth considerable discussion, 

 which was participated in by Messrs. Riley, Mann, Schwarz, Marx and 

 Fox. 



May I, 1890. — The committee having in charge the preparation for pub- 

 lication of a list of the insect fauna of the District of Columbia, made a 

 partial report, which was discussed at length. 



The name of Mr. Townsend was added to the sub-committee on Dip- 

 tera, and that of Mr. Marlatt to the sub-committee on Hymenoptera. 



A revision of the sub-committees will be made at the next meeting. 



Mr. Townsend read a list of eighty-seven species of Heteroptera col- 

 lected by him in southern Michigan, with some brief notes and dates of 

 occurrence. One species, CorimelcEna nitididoides Wolff, was taken in 

 a nest of Formica schaufussi Mayr. 



Mr. Townsend also presented a paper on "Some Insects affecting cer- 

 tain Forest Trees, mostly from Michigan," recording towards a hundred 

 Coleoptera and a few of other orders, affecting either the foliage or the 

 sound or decaying trunks of Oak, Hickory, Elm, Beech, Linden, Butter- 

 nut, Ironwood {Carpinus), Willow, Hazel, etc. 



These papers were discussed by Messrs. Schwarz and Riley. 



Mr. Dodge read a paper on Artificial Silk, describing the Count de 

 Chardonnet's method as exhibited at the late Paris Exposition of making 

 from cellulose a substance closely resembling silk. A detailed account 

 of the process of manufacture was given and illustrated with a figure of 

 the device for producing the thread, and a sample of the silk was ex- 

 hibited. 



Discussions followed by Messrs. Philip Walker, Riley, Anior\-, Austin 

 and others. 



Mr. Marx presented some " Arachnological notes," in which he discussed 

 the comparative anatomy of the spinning glands of spiders. The relation 

 of those to the external spinning organs or spinnerets, and the importance 

 of both in classification were explained. Careful drawings of the parts 

 discussed were shown. C. L. Marlatt, 



Recording Secretary. 



Entomological News for June was mai'.ed May 27, 1.S90. 



