Makgcuw 1, 1912| 
E. P. Fett: Numerals as Aids in Classification. 
The habitual use of numbers in catalogues indi- 
cates utility. A modified system of decimal nota- 
tion is adapted to the needs of naturalists, while 
additions require little change. A general agree- 
ment upon the numbers for the major zoological 
division is suggested prior to the application of 
the system by cataloguers and other general 
workers. 
E. S. Tucker: Studies of Insects Bred and Col- 
lected from the American Mistletoe. Presented 
by Andrew Rutherford. 
By the name of ‘‘American mistletoe,’’ the 
species Phoradendron flavescens Nuttall and its 
several varieties is meant. Two snout-beetles be- 
longing to the same group as the cotton-boll weevil 
were bred from terminal enlargements of the stem. 
From the larve of one of these beetles five hymen- 
opterous parasites were bred, all of which attack 
the larve of the cotton boll-weevil. About sixty 
species in all were obtained. 
H. C. Severin: The Influence of Temperature on 
the Moulting of the Walking-stick, Diaphamera 
femorata. Read by title. 
R. MATHESON and C. R. CrossBy: Notes on Aquatic 
Hymenoptera. Illustrated. Presented by C. R. 
Crosby. 
Three species of aquatic hymenopterous egg 
parasites have been reared at Ithaca, N. Y.: (1) 
a trichogrammid from the eggs of a damsel fly 
(Ischnura sp.); (2) a proctotrupid from the eggs 
of a water strider (Gerris sp.); (8) a mymarid 
from the eggs of a back swimmer (Notonecta sp). 
All of these forms are able to swim actively under 
water by means of their wings. They are also able 
to use their wings for flight in the air. 
ANNA H. Morcan: Photographs Illustrating the 
Life Histories of May-flies. Illustrated. 
Photographs were shown which illustrated the 
life history and biology of about twenty-five May- 
flies. Both nymphs and adults were photographed 
alive; the nymphs in a solution of chloretone, the 
adults without anesthetic. Nymphs representing 
the main biological groups were shown and their 
habitat described. Imagoes and subimagoes of 
certain genera were shown and their structure and 
characteristic postures noted. 
H. Y. Tsou: The Chinese Was-scale, Hricerus 
pe-la. Illustrated. 
One of the most beneficial insects of the family 
Toecide has been domesticated by the ancients of 
the Chinese people for the wax which it produces. 
‘This paper consists of (a) correction of errors of 
SCIENCE 
351 
European translations from Chinese works; (b) 
additional statements on the life history of the 
insect; (¢) method of propagating this insect; 
(d) division of labor in carrying on this industry 
among the people of different localities, so that 
the eggs of the insect are produced in the northern 
district and the wax in the southern district; 
(€) importance of this industry; and (f) use of 
the wax. 
A. D. MAcGiLiIvray: The Lacinia in the Mazilla 
of the Hymenoptera. Illustrated. 
The Maxilla of Macroxyela, one of the most gen- 
eralized of Hymenoptera, has the lacinia well 
developed. The lacinia among the wasps is a well- 
marked, triangular lobe attached to the distal and 
mesal end of the stipes. The maxilla of the 
Apoidea is greatly elongated for sucking, the 
galea enlarged and the lacinia reduced. The 
lacinia is a rounded lobe fringed with sete and 
occupying the same position as it does in Vespa. 
It is not wanting or united with the galea in the 
honey-bee, as is usually stated in text-books and 
works upon apiculture. 
Lucy Wricut SmitH: Glycogen in Insects, espe- 
cially in the Nervous System and the Eyes. 
Illustrated. 
In a heterogeneous lot of insects, including rep- 
resentatives of seven orders, glycogen has been 
found: (1) in immature and adult stages (a) in 
the crystalline cells of compound eyes, (0) in the 
erystalline and retinal cells of simple eyes, (¢) in 
the neurilemma; (2) in immature stages only, 
(a) in the cells of ganglia in all parts of the body. 
No glycogen has been found in nerve fibers. 
J. A. NELSonN: Note on an Abnormal Queen. Bee. 
Illustrated. 
This queen was originally sent from Grand 
Bay, B. W. I. When received she was alive and 
quite active. It was planned to introduce her 
into a hive to test her fertility, but she died by 
accident before this was done. The dead queen 
appeared normal in structure with the exception 
of the abdomen, which was ovoid in shape, instead 
of conical as in the normal queen; it was also 
flexed strongly ventrad at the apex, which had con- 
sequently a blunt appearance, like that of the 
abdomen of the drone. The sternites of the 5th 
and 6th abdominal segments were unusually broad 
and somewhat asymmetrical, as was also the ster- 
nite of the 4th segment. The sternite of the 7th 
segment was the most modified of all, being greatly 
shortened in the longitudinal axis, and almost con- 
cealed by the sternite of the preceding segment. 
