1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145 



it is not safe to be too dogmatic. It would seem most probable that 

 the wiuged forms are the more primitive, and the brachypterous 

 forms the derivatives, and while it is possible that prairie fires may 

 have had something to do in preventing the development of 

 brachypterous races in the west, I can hardly see how they could be 

 a primary factor sincd if appears to me more a matter of adaptation 

 to constant or inconstant food supply. 



His discussion of the experiments with fungous diseases of the 

 chinch-bug and their utility is very candid, and on the whole ap- 

 pearsjudicious. He might have cited numerous other experiments 

 indicating the effect of their use. none however, having the cer- 

 tainty of an experiment under absolute control.as such experiments 

 are practically out of the question in a case of this kind. With his 

 pre<5entation and conclusions the practical farmer ought not to be 

 too strongly encouraged to expect immediate and complete reilief 

 by this method nor will he feel that the method is entirely worth- 

 less. Herbert Osborn. 



German physiology is attacking the intelligence of the ant. Pro- 

 fessor Bethe, of Strasburg, thinks he lias found a purely material 

 reason for their recognizing each other. He cleansed the ants taken 

 from one hill in a solution of alcohol, dipped them in a decoction 

 made of ants from another hill, and placed them in the strange hill. 

 They were not attacked as strangers, even when of diffei*ent color 

 and conformation. On the other hand, ants treated in this manner 

 when put back in their own hills were not recognized by their 

 tribe, but at once attacked and killed. Professor Bethe infei"S from 

 this that ants must give out some liquid whose odor guides them 

 and that each colony must have its own peculiar smell. — San 

 Francisco Examiner. 



I NOTE (to my horror; that in the article on Calliphorinae in 

 March News, page 63, 1 omitted one of the most important char- 

 acters that defines the group. 



Lateral post hw^eral bristle situated laterad the presutural 



Garry de N. Hough . 



A TRAP FOR CoLEOPTERA. -As some requests have been made for 

 hints on collecting, Iseud the following note, not remembering to 

 have seen it in print, and it may be new to some. 



Many beetles of the family Staphylinidae seem to be very fond of 

 the sap of the birch, and may be taken in numbers by smeai-inar 

 leaves thickly with it, placing the.Ti in a sheltered place, preferably 

 beside the birch stump, from which the sap exudes and covering 

 with chips to keep out the rain. 



Look sharp when you uncover the hexp for Trichopterygidae of 

 which there will undoubtedly be some specimens, or better still 

 throw the mass on a sieve over white paper. Go over the whole 

 mass carefully and you will have your reward. 



