4046 Entomological Society. 



in England, by Newman (' Zoologist,' 1850, p. 2684), who endeavours to prove that the 

 Strepsiptera are genuine Coleoptera. We find the grounds of his arguments stated 

 in extracts in the entomological ' Jahrsbericht ' of Wiegman's 'Archivs,' (1851, Bd. ii. 

 p. 200). Herr v. Siehold is not convinced by the reasons given, that the Strepsiptera 

 are beetles. The resemblance of the larva? of Strepsiptera to those of Meloe is refer- 

 red to, but that is only very superficial ; the latter have the parts of the mouth dis- 

 tinctly developed, in the former they are entirely wanting. In both sexes of beetles 

 the parts of the mouth are always developed into very perfect biting organs ; in the 

 male of the perfected Strepsiptera they are reduced to two rudimentary jaws, and in 

 the female they are entirely absent. The prothorax in all beetles is seen very strongly 

 developed, and the upper part forms a large surface, furnished with many characters 

 indicative of genera and species ; while, in the Strepsiptera, this upper side of the pro- 

 thorax has almost entirely vanished. The reduced and somewhat spirally twisted fore 

 wings of the Strepsiptera are very movable appendages, and occupy the position of 

 anterior halteres (Schwingkolben), corresponding to the hinder halteres of the Dipte- 

 ra ; in beetles, the fore wings are simply coverings for the hind wings, and in flight 

 are merely lifted up and held immovable, whether they are diminutive or not. All 

 the male Strepsiptera want the claws of the last joint of the tarsi, an apparatus so ne- 

 cessary for Coleoptera, which use their legs in running, climbing, and clinging, that 

 all species are provided therewith ; moreover, they live for months, and even years, af- 

 ter they have thrown off their pupa-covering, whereas the male Strepsiptera, from the 

 moment they emerge from the pupa, flutter incessantly, and do not live longer than a 

 day. Though Herr v. Siebold is now convinced that the Strepsiptera are not Coleo- 

 ptera, he still thinks that the attempt made by entomologists to place them in that 

 position, must be borne with, and even received with welcome, as it has very good 

 practical advantages, from which science may very shortly derive benefit. Hitherto, 

 the entire group of Strepsiptera has been neglected in an unprecedented manner by 

 German entomologists, but now, since Coleopterists find the Strepsiptera incorporated 

 into the Catalogue of Coleoptera, they will be induced to adorn their collections with 

 these pretty little creatures. They will now pay attention to these insects, will cap- 

 ture and pin them, and so must study the circumstances of their existence; they will 

 be compelled to observe them, and the insects in which they live, with the greatest 

 attention, for this is absolutely necessary, if they wish to possess winged Stylopidae. 

 In this way, observations and communications respecting these hitherto little known 

 creatures will be amassed, from which hereafter the scientific position of these insects 

 will stand out with greater certainty. As the lecturer has already been called upon 

 by several Coleopterologists to indicate some means by which these Strepsiptera may 

 be procured, he thinks it right to recommend the following method of rearing them, 

 which has even now proved to be very useful ; as it is only by breeding that one can 

 obtain possession of the winged males, for, on account of their smallness, tenderness, 

 and short, hidden life, they can only very rarely and casually be taken at large. In the 

 first place, a spacious, light, and airy cage or apartment (Zwinger) must be prepared, 

 in which flowering Umbelliferaa (which are eagerly sought by Hymenoptera) may be 

 placed, and kept fresh by water in glasses; then, nothing must be thought of the trou- 

 ble of catching the Apidae and Andrenida? which frequent the flowers of the sallows, and 

 examining whether they are Stylopized or not, and then carefully placing in the afore- 

 said cage those which are Stylopized, which may easily be distinguished from those 

 that are not Stylopized. One proceeds in the same manner with the Stylopized 



