1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 273 



geographical distribution of the North American Pselaphid^e 

 and SeydmcBnidce^ from our present knowledge, judging from 

 his experience in collecting these insects during the past 

 season, when species not before recorded from these regions 

 had been taken abundantly. Hitherto these insects had 

 not been collected in a careful way by coleopterists in 

 general, and for this reason theories as to their distribu- 

 tion are likely to be of little value at the present time. At 

 a future date he expects to exhibit his collections of these in- 

 sects to the members of the Social. He stated that the habits 

 of the same species differ considerably as to its place of abode, 

 being frequently found in ants' nests and in places where ants 

 were entirely absent. 



The great abundance of several species of Harpahis during 

 the past summer was discussed by several of the membei-s. 



William J. Fox, Secretary., 



A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of 

 Xatural Sciences was held September 28th, Mr. Philip 

 Laurent, Director, presiding. Fifteen persons present. 

 Mr. Fox reported that some co- types of Crabro had been 

 received from and presented by Prof. Trevor Kincaid. 

 Mr. W. H. Ashmead spoke of the phenomenal growth of 

 the collection of insects of the U. S. Department of Ag- 

 riculture, and said exotic species had been coming in 

 by the thousands. In reply to Mr. Laurent Mr. Ashmead 

 stated that he had estimated the number of specimens of 

 insects in the collection of the National Museum as 1,350,000. 

 The strength of the collections in the various orders was dwelt 

 on. Mr. Laurent exhibited a living specimen of iStagmomantis 

 Carolina, captured in this city on the river front. He had re- 

 ceived four specimens of Tenodera sinensis this year, taken in 

 Grermantown, Philadelphia. He had received the first speci- 

 men from Mr. Meehan in 1896. The method of the Chinese 

 in making Mantids fight in a bowl was mentioned. Mr. Ash- 

 mead spoke of the value of these insects in destroying noxious 

 species. Mr. Laurent stated that Ceratomia catdlpce was abun- 

 dant this season, and that Mr. Keif had found 180 pupae at 

 Moore Station, Pa. Mr. Eidings said that in walking along 



