120 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, 



Het(srius brunnipennis. — A recent addition to the collections at the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia is a hill of the mound- 

 building ant, Formica exsectoides, from the vicmity of Altoona, Pa., 

 containing a living colony of ants, measuring about three feet in diameter 

 at the base and about two feet high. It is remarkable, considering the 

 size, that over two hundred examples of Hetcerius brunnipennis have been 

 captured upon the exterior of the hill, seemingly creating a doubt as to 

 \vhether it is really a colony of ants, or one oi Hetierius. The first speci- 

 mens were observed by Mr. W. J. Fox, on March 30, 1891, and since then 

 the writer has taken small lots at intervals of three or four days, covering 

 a period of six weeks, the specimens gradually getting less abundant. 

 The lower half of one side of the mound, which is almost perpendicular, 

 is completely honey-combed by exposed galleries, and out of these occa- 

 sionally one or two Hetcerius would suddenly make their appearance and 

 roll to the bottom of the hill. Apparently the ants had carried these to 

 the open ends of the galleries and unceremoniously tumbled them out. 

 A great many times ants were observed emerging from the galleries with 

 Hetcerius in their jaws, which they would carry a short distance from the 

 mound and drop, the ants returning without giving them any further at- 

 tention. Nearly all the Hetcerius that were seen in motion, were intent 

 upon re-entering the hill, but were usually bottled before they could do 

 so. Sometimes the Hetcerius, when touched with a wisp of straw, would 

 double up their members ai\d drop, feigning death after the manner of 

 other members of the family. At other times when touched they would 

 display considerable activity, although awkward and unwieldy in appear- 

 ance could run along quite rapidly. An examination of small heaps of 

 dead ants in the extreme corners of the table upon which the mound has 

 been placed, failed to discover the presence of any Hetcerius. But one 

 other coleopter was taken, a species of Pselaphidse. A small dipter was 

 noticed in numbers running about, continually in motion, but rarely taking 

 wing. What the exact contents of the mound may be will remain in 

 doubt, as all observations were necessarily made from the exterior, it 

 being the intention to preserve the hill in its entirety. — Chas. Liebeck. 



Excursion ! — The entomologists of New York, Brooklyn, Newark, 

 Philadelphia and localities near these cities are invited to attend the second 

 annual field meeting to be held under the auspices of the entomological 

 societies of these cities at Jamesburgh, N. J., on July 4th next. James- 

 burgh is on the Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and may 

 be reached from New York, via. Monmouth Junction, 7.20 a.m.; Newark, 

 7.50 A.M.; Philadelphia, Broad Street, 6.50 a.m.; Camden, 7.00 a.m. Later 

 4^rains leave New York via. Rahway and Philadelphia on the Long Branch 

 division, but it is urged that the early train be used, as this will bring the 

 party into Jamesburgh at the same time. All those desiring or expecting 

 to attend will please notify one of the members of the committee, from 

 whom also all further information can be obtained. The notification is 

 important, in order that proper arrangements may be made at Jamesburgh. 



