^60 ENTOMOLOGICAL. NEWS. [NoV 



natural history that interests thena, while pw-haps th«3r are spe- 

 cially studying one branch. The outlook for the clxth i« b^hly en- 

 couraging, as the members are all enthusiastic, and others-, who are 

 equally interested, expect to join at the next meeting:. 



THE PSOCIDS OF AN OLD SNAKE-FENCE. 



By Nathan Banks. 



One evening in tlie later part of August^ wiiile engaged, in 

 the occupation of wheeling the baby, I notieetl on hier dress a 

 small black insect. The ever ready empty vial was brought 

 into service ; and, by the aid of a glass, I saw that the insect 

 was a black Psocid, quite new to me. Several black Psocids I 

 had taken, but all with a paler area in the wings ; in this one 

 there was no such pale space. In a few moments another speci- 

 men was taken in a similar position. By the road-side were 

 growing trees, cherry, wild cherry and maple, and I surmised 

 that on the trunk of one of these the Psocid would be found in 

 numbers. Early next evening I looked but saw none, so 

 began vigorously beating the shrubbery ; but no black Psocid. 

 While contemplating the situation I saw a specimen on thfr 

 sleeve of my outing shirt. Somewhere around here they are, 

 that's certain ; but trunk-gazing and bush-beating brought no. 

 reward. In a few days came a holiday, and at once I went to> 

 explore the region of the black Psocid. Near the row of tree» 

 commences an old snake or worm-fence, running back for 

 some distance. On this, I thought, might be a Psocid. Sure 

 enough ; but a pale- winged one ! Lots of them, eggs, nymphs 

 and adults. It seemed at first to be Psocus quietus ; but, on 

 examination, I saw it was different and agreed with specimens 

 of Psocus perplexus Walsh. After taking a few of these I saw 

 a few specimens plainly larger, much like P. striatus, but less 

 marked. These turned out to be Psocus purus Walsh. Both 

 of these I thought ''good finds," and I laid in a supply of 

 them ; but no sign of a black Psocid. In the afternoon I 

 started to explore the entire length of that fence. I had gone 

 but a short distance when I saw, on one of the lower rails, a 

 dead black Psocus, the one I was looking for. Examination of 

 all the rails above shoAved only the two pale species. The 



