Vol. xxiii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 433 



exercises on these subjects are arranged for, following which are two 

 chapters on Methods of collecting insects, and Methods of preserv- 

 ing and studying insects. For exercises 59-67 on classification, a com- 

 pact series of keys to the orders and many families of insects is pro- 

 vided (pp. 303-329)- 



A list of books for the reference library, pp. 360-361, is decidedly 

 one-sided, as no other order than the Lepidoptera is represented. As 

 indicated above, there are many figures; they are both old and new; 

 figure 53 would seem to be that of a wale, rather than of a female, 

 mosquito. — P. P. C. 



Doings of Societies. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB, LOS ANGELES, CAL. 



At an informal meeting and banquet held on Thursday even- 

 ing, May 2, 1912, at Christopher's Broadway Cafe, the follow- 

 ing thirteen men were present : A. Davidson, J. R. Haskin, H. 

 H. Newcomb, R. L. Beardsley. H. B. Dixon, C. O. Esterly, V. 

 W. Owen, John Comstock. C. A. Whiting, F. C. Qark, E. 

 Nichols, G. C. Davis and F. Grinnell, Jr. 



Prof. C. O. Esterly, of Occidental College, gave a talk, illus- 

 trated with living specimens, and drawings, of the Oil Fly. 

 Psilopa petrolei Coq.. the larvae of which live in srreat number'^ 

 in the pools of crude petroleum near Los Angeles. Dr. David- 

 son told of the first discovery of this insect about i8q5 : Co- 

 auillett described it in t8qo. but its full bioloev had not been 

 studied till this year. The larvae have a special interest for the 

 student of animal behavior, reactions to external stimuli, etc., 

 which were especially touched on by Prof. Esterly. 



Mr. H. H. Newcomb o-nve a short arcount of the problems 

 presented in the genus Llmenitis. of which he has made a soe- 

 cial studv : he exhibited enlarged photographs of the snecies. 



Mr. Grinnell exhibited a box of specimens of the interesting 

 Noctuid genus Tarache, which is extensivclv represented in 

 the Southwest. Also specimens of Ephydra tnrsnfa from 

 Owen's Lake, adults, larvse and pupae ; and Ephydra sp. from a 

 salt pool near Santa Monica, and specimens of species of 



