128 BULLETIN BROOKLYN ENTOM. SOC. VOL. VII. January 1885. } 
meeting by Mr. Leng. A committee of five was appointed to secure the incor- 
poration of the Society. A further committee of five was appointed to try and 
arrange for an combination with ‘‘Papilio” to produce a monthly journal of 
general Entomology, to be published by the Society. Both committees to co- 
operate in a scheme for the establishment of a permanent fund to support such 
journal. 
Mr. Richard F. Pearsall of Brooklyn was proposed as a member of the 
Society by Mr. Weeks. 
Mr. Curley read a paper ‘‘On the differentiation into females, males and 
workers, of bees and other hording insects.” Mr. Curley starts from a primitive 
solitary bee with a developed hording instinct. He shows how severe labor in 
providing for offspring will injuriously affect the reproductive powers, and also 
that insufficient nurture in the larva state will result in the greater or less im- 
perfection of the same powers. He claims that these organs are the ones first 
affected by adverse circumstances, and last tobe developed. From these facts 
he supposes a season of want, or other inability ofthe parent adequately to pro- 
vide for all her offspring in the larval state. The severe labor of the mother and 
inadequate food of the larva would inevitably tend to produce imagines more or 
less imperfect, and the reproductive organs, as least essential to the life of the in- 
sect would be the first to suffer. In the QO the power of reproduction would be 
largely lost, yet, yet the hording instinct would be transmitted; and, unable 
themselves to found colonies, these imperfect females cling to their home, 
and labor for its common benefit. The result is, that the mother bee largely re- 
lieved of the care of providing food is better able to procerate her kind, and the 
larvee, better feed, are more fully developed. ‘lhese fully developed insects, of 
course themselves found colonies; but in competing with the worker community 
are at a disadvantage. Mr. Curley interestingly shows how by accumulation 
of experiences, and a transmission of instincts the present community of hive 
bees became established. The effect of food on the development of insects was 
discussed and the habits of the bees in creating queens from worker larve was 
detailed. 
Extended discussion followed this paper in referrence to thé effect of lack 
of food upon the colors and maculation of insects in general. Myr. Weeks gave 
account of a brood of antiopa, which though neglected in every possible way, 
still managed to reach the imago state, but were not only very small in size; but 
very aberrant in maculation. Especially the band of blue spots within the 
yellow marginal band was often absent, and often but faintly indicated, seldom 
entirely complete. Mr. Frank cited the effect of food plant upon the colors of 
Cecropia, and other members joined in the discussion. Informal discussion and 
exhibition of specimens followed until the Society adjourned. 
A. C. Wrxxs, Rec. Secy. 
Members are hereby notified that at the January 1885 meeting, a proposition 
to incorporate the Society will be acted upon. and that a plan to extend the scope 
and usefulness of the Society and making non residents eligible to membership 
will be discussed. Officers for the ensuing year will also be elected, and mem- 
bers are earnestly requested to attend. C. H. Roperts, Corr. Secy. 
