86 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’o8 
so usual in species of Bombus, in this case was most apparent 
in the maculation; seven species, however, could be readily 
distinguished. 
To further illustrate the variability of this family, Dr. Za- 
briskie showed a fine series of Bombus pennusylvanicus, ranging 
from the large females to the small workers and males, taken 
some years ago at Albany, N. Y., from one colony which had 
built its nest in a bird-house intended for wrens. Sulphur 
applied on this occasion to the nest, while killing the adults, 
had no effect on the pupz, for these matured and hatched 
some days later. 
Gro. P. ENGELHARDT, Recording Secretary. 
A meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was held 
September 8th at the residence of Mr. Wm. H. Broadwell, 
the President in the chair, and twelve members present. Mr. 
Angelman remarked that he had secured eggs of Cerura mul- 
tiscripta, all of which were black when first laid, and that all 
published data relative to color described them as gray. Mr. 
Keller reported the capture of two pairs of Acronycta elizabeta 
Sm., recently described, at Elizabeth, N.J., in August, and a 
specimen of A. detule at Mountain View, also in August. 
Mr. Dickerson reported the capture of a specimen of the 
former species at Chester. 
Mr. Grossbeck remarked that he had taken at New Bruns- 
wick, on August 19th, a dozen specimens of the introduced 
Vespa crabro, which were attracted to a light in a room, and 
asked if any other Aculeates were known to be heliotropic. 
Prof. Smith said that it was a rare phenomenon, and usually 
occurred only when the nests of the insects were in some way 
damaged. ‘This, however, was not the case in this particular 
instance, as the insects continued to be attracted to light for 
some weeks afterward and later the nest was discovered 
unbroken. 
Mr. Angelman said that moths were not as common in the 
early mornings on gas lamp-posts, etc., as in former years, 
