ZOOLOGY. 177 
formed larva, having no organs of respiration (traches), no com- 
pletely organized alimentary canal, nor any vascular system. When 
compared with the freshly hatched larva of the fly or bee, it rep- 
resents an early embryonic stage of the latter, and thus we feel 
warranted in supposing that in the bee, the difference between the 
sexes appears early in its embryonic life. 
In these cases we may observe that the external surroundings 
and food of the larva seem to be identical. 
In the larva of the humble bee when about half grown, if our 
memory is not at fault, we have observed the rudiments of the 
ovipositor of the female, and the corresponding external male 
organs. In the fully grown larva they are easily seen. 
In forming an opinion on this question, it should be borne in 
mind that the sex of the honey bee is decided at the time the egg 
is laid, as it is well known that the unfertilized eggs of the queen 
produce females (workers and queens), while the eggs destined to 
hatch drones are fertilized by the queen at her will, since she 
relaxes the muscles guarding the opening of*the spermatheca, al- 
lowing the spermatozoa to escape and impregnate the egg when 
she wishes to lay a drone egg. Thus from the researches of 
Dzierzon and von Siebold, it is a matter of fact that the sex of the 
honey bee is decided at the time the egg leaves the oviduct. 
How early sex is determined in other classes of the animal 
kingdom would be a most interesting subject of investigation. 
We believe that the subject has been the most thoroughly discussed 
by those who have studied the embryology of insects. In man 
the sexes can be distinguished towards the end of the second 
month of fetal life, according to Kélliker.* — A. S. 
A New Species or BUTTERFLY FROM FLORIDA. — Key West 
abounds in lepidopterous insects even in winter. The southern 
section of the island is covered with luxuriant vegetation, among 
- which spots have been cleared for plantations. Many of these 
ave been abandoned and allowed to grow up to weeds and 
shrubs which are generally covered with flowers. These old fields 
are, on this account, the favorite resort of many butterflies and I 
have caught several species there in a few moments. 
The shores are also open and many flowering plants may be 
found there. An immense number of butterflies are always 
* Entwicklungsgeschichte des Menschen und der hoheren Thiere. 1861. 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. VII. 2 : 
