August 12, 1904.] 



SCIENCE. 



211 



credited in all works as being everywhere 

 scarce. It has been taken at Swan Lake 

 by the hundreds, a dozen being taken in 

 the net at a time. Anosia plexippus is 

 scarce in the western slope. The milkweed 

 has but lately been introduced along the 

 railroads, and its numbers are increasing 

 annually. But it is yet rare. Its mimic, 

 Basilarclda disippus, has been taken at 

 Gold Creek, on the Northern Pacific, where 

 the last spike was driven, about fifty miles 

 west from the summit of the range. It 

 has not been taken further west. There is 

 no doubt but that Argynnis Edwardsi and 

 Argynnis nevadensis are synonyms, as 

 shown by specimens from various localities, 

 and by specimens in the Wiley collection 

 and that of the writer, identified by Ed- 

 wards himself. At Missoula butterflies 

 were on the wing in 1903 as early as 

 February 19, when Vanessa californica 

 was taken. The cosmopolitan Pyrameis 

 cardui is to be taken everywhere, while 

 Pyrameis atalanta is very rare west of the 

 range. As the state contains portions of 

 four faunal areas, the Great Plains, the 

 Hudsonian or Canadian, the Great Basin, 

 and the Boreal, a diversified entomological 

 life is to be expected. There are certainly 

 many Pacific forms that have followed up 

 the Columbia River and its tributaries. 

 Indeed, it seems that the Pacific forms may 

 have more invertebrate representatives in 

 the western part of the state than those 

 from the great basin. At any rate, many 

 additional facts on distribiition are re- 

 corded. 



The dragon flies, numbering less than 

 sixty species, about one half as many as 

 are to be found in New York state, have 

 been determined, and are in manuscript. 

 One species, Calopteryx yakima, considered 

 by Calvert to be synonymous with G. 

 cequahilis from the eastern side, has been 

 found at Flathead Lake. Years ago Hagen 

 described the species from specimens taken 



at Lone Tree, near the Yakima River, 

 Washington. He believed that it crossed 

 the range from the east at some point 

 'above' (north of) Missoula. The finding 

 of the species proves the soundness of his 

 reasoning, and brings the species very close 

 to the main range. It also confirms Cal- 

 vert's view of the relationship between the, 

 eastern and western specimens. Further 

 reference to this insect will be found in 

 Bxdletin University of Montana, Biological 

 Series, No. 3. 



Among the various collections that have 

 been made at the station may be mentioned 

 the splendid series of photographs. These 

 have been taken at all altitudes from the 

 level of Flathead Lake to the 10,000-foot 

 summits. They show various geological 

 and physiographical studies and forma- 

 tions of the mountain ranges, and serve to 

 illustrate the changes that have taken place 

 during ancient and recent times. Nega- 

 tives have been made of the forests, trees 

 and flowers, of large animals, birds and in- 

 sects, illustrating phases of both animal 

 and vegetable life. Many of these nega- 

 tives are exceptionally good, and make re- 

 markably good slides. When colored they 

 show the views quite life-like. Altogether 

 more than a thousand negatives have been 

 secured. From these a book of photo- 

 graphs has been made. From these as sam- 

 ples it is possible to make selections, and 

 slides will be made for those who may be 

 able to make use of them. The book will" 

 be sent to responsible persons for examina- 

 tion with a view to selection of slides. 



Some of the studies here given show the 

 charm of a new field to those who have been 

 privileged to visit it. Numerous prob- 

 lems yet awaiting solution could easily be 

 proposed. With so many lakes close by, 

 and others not far away, the daily, monthly 

 and annual movements of entomostraca af- 

 ford ample opportunity for the linmo- 

 biologist. The alpine heights, the vast for- 



