OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 2/ 



with an account of an observation made upon a considerable 

 collection of these insects a few days previous. A large num- 

 ber of Termes, comprising workers, soldiers and nymphs, had 

 been taken from a single colony found beneath a stone in the 

 edge of woods near Derryfield Park. A box was partially filled 

 with earth, upon which the insects were placed. At first all 

 was confusion, but in a short time order was so far secured that 

 the workers, divided in three groups, began excavating as many' 

 vertical shafts, about three inches apart, while the soldiers stood 

 on guard around them. The nymphs continued in disorder, 

 hurrying about, or endeavoring to find shelter at the corners of 

 the box. When the workers had descended to the depth of 

 about two inches, they began to tunnel horizontally, connecting 

 the shafts. As this work progressed, the soldiers, one by one, 

 followed until a few only remained about the entrances. So soon 

 as the vertical shafts had been connected by the horizontal tun- 

 nel, several workers reappeared, and, running about in search 

 of the n^miphs, began conducting them below. In a few min- 

 utes all were in safety below ground, except one. She had 

 lound partial concealment behind, a lump of earth in a remote 

 corner. Presently two workers reascended and instituted a sys- 

 tematic search, finding the stray nymph and conducting her to 

 the new habitation. The last of the soldiers then retired, and 

 nothing above ground suggested the presence of the "white 

 ants." Thirty-five minutes elapsed between the placing of the 

 Termites in the box and the retirement of the last individual. 



Monday evening, April i6. Regular meeting; four members 

 present. The President in the chair. 



In the absence of the Secretary, Dr. Bullock was chosen Sec- 

 retary pro tem. Miss Richardson also being unable to be pres- 

 ent, her paper was postponed. The President gave an informal 

 talk on the relation existing betv/een ants and aphids. 



Monday evening, April 30. Regular meeting; seventeen 

 members present. The President in the chair. 



George B. Burnham gave an account of some successful ex- 

 periments made by himself while securing plaster casts of the 

 nests of Andrena vicina and the holes of lyycosa fatifera. 



