THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 1G 
‘blackish dots more numerous on some specimens than on others. The 
hind wings are sometimes paler than the fore wings, and at other times 
tinged with orange red, while in other specimens we have observed that 
the under surface of the fore wings assumed a dull rosy hue. The body 
is a little deeper and richer in colour than the wings, and the abdomen is 
ornamented with longitudinal rows of black dots; on the upper surface 
there is a row down the middle of the back, and one on each side, and 
on the under surface there are sometimes two additional rows of smailer 
dots. 
Although this insect is so common and well known in its larval con- 
dition, it is not often seen on the wing. It flies at night, and being seldom 
attracted by lights, it rarely finds its way into our houses. It is also pro- 
bably subject to the attacks of ichneumons, which destroy some of the 
caterpillars before they reach maturity. 
ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME GENERA : 
OF CANADIAN INSECTS. 
BY FRANCIS WALKER, LONDON, ENGLAND. 
Before leaving the Canadian Cha/cidie, in hope of returning to them 
when many more genera are discovered in Canada, I will mention A/egas- 
tigmus, which very probably occurs there ; it is a genus of Zorymide, and, 
in some respects, connects that family with the ÆZwryfomide, and is next to 
the latter in the interest with which it may be regarded in case there is a 
foundation for the report lately published concerning the seed-eating 
habits of the species which represent it in California. But this does not 
seem probable, as it is certainly carnivorous in Europe, where two species 
exceed the others in beauty and are especially conspicuous, the great J/ 
giganteus that maintains itself on the Cymzps of a one-chambered gall in 
the Mediterranean region, and JZ. dorsalis that, with various other species, 
lives on the substance of the Cynips of the many-chambered Oak Apple 
of North Europe. I have seen other species near London and in the 
Alpine vallies of Switzerland, and they are attractive on account of their 
comparative rarity, though their economy is but little known. The natural 
history of the Australian species may be unknown for some time to come, 
and I hope that its discovery will be preceded by attention to the 
Canadian galls and to their parasitic inhabitants. 
