1871. 963 
Dr. Siebold states that all the drones had been killed in August, in a hive he had 
under examination; Major Munn thinks there might have been a few still “ skulking” 
about. We are to believe, that, when so important an investigation was being 
conducted by Dr. Siebold, these swpposed siulkers were overlooked. We are told 
that no description is given by Dr. Siebold of the “ spermatozoa;” but, since they 
are repeatedly described by him as “active,” or ‘motional filaments,” that is, 
thread-like, we cannot accept the assertion, Major Munn claims to having dis- 
covered, by the aid of the microscope, that it is the lower end of the egg, that 
which is attached to the cell, which holds the “ spermatozoa.” Dr. Siebold dis- 
tinctly states, repeatedly, that in order to observe the “ spermatozoa,” he ruptured 
the “lower pole,’ so that the yelk gradually flowed out, leaving an empty space at 
the “wpper pole,’ and that “in the superior space of the egg, which had become 
empty,” he saw at one time “active,” and in other instances, “ motionless 
filaments” or “ spermatozoa.” Before we can give implicit credence to Major 
? 
Munn’s discovery as to the situation of the “spermatozoa,” we must learn that 
some more accurate observer has confirmed it ;—remembering plate L above 
referred to, in fig. A of which the number of joints is incorrectly given, not a 
single joint being like any in the bee, and joints 1, 2, 3, called the accumulating 
trumpets of sound, have no existence in any bee we have ever seen ;—and yet 
the whole is stated to be figured by the aid of the microscope ! 
From the following passage we are led to suppose that Major Munn regards 
all the species of aculeate honey-bees as mere varieties of A. mellifica: —“ wherever 
“the bees construct combs to raise their brood in, or receive the stores of honey, 
“with the bases of the cells in a vertical direction, and the cells themselves 
horizontal, there will be found the true species of Apis mellifica ;” so that we are 
to regard A. dorsata, A florea, and A. indica, as mere varieties. 
The first 167 pages of the book are entirely devoted to Major Munn’s own 
observations, and to extracts from other works. In these there will probably be 
found some useful hints for the bee-master; for it can scarcely be possible, con- 
sidering the number of years during which Major Munn has attended to bee 
culture, that some new phase in their economy has not presented itself to him: 
this portion of the work will no doubt be ful'y investigated by his brother 
apiarians, who will not fail to credit him with ail such discoveries as he has been 
fortunate enough to make. 
Entomonocican Society oF Lonpon, 20th February, 1871. A. R. Wattace, 
Hsq., F.Z.S., President, in the Chair. 
Mr. Bond exhibited a hybrid between g Bombyx Pernyi and 2 B. Yamamai, bred 
by Dr. Wallace, presenting the form of one parent with the colour of the other. 
Also a B. mori, still retaining the larval head. 
— Mr. McLachlan called attention to the first record of such a malformation, being 
‘knowper by O. F. Miiller in “ Der Naturforscher”’ for 1781. 
“Da Mr. Smith said that Prof. Owen had observed that the hieroglyphic inscriptions 
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