760 The American Naturalist. [September, 
Flower-Haunting Diptera.—Mr. G. T. Scott Elliott has made 
numerous observations which go to show that flower-haunting Diptera 
are of much importance in pollination. He thinks that his evidence 
clearly proves the color-sense of the Diptera observed, and also that 
they “are, on the whole, more intelligent than the lower class Hymen- 
optera.” “It is to these Diptera,” he says, “that we probably owe all 
of the neatly made, small and bright colored forms of flowers.” The 
author gives tables showing the visits of about sixteen Diptera to 
various types of flowers, and compares these with the visits paid by 
Hymenoptera. He suggests that the Diptera map out the ground as 
vultures do, and keep flying up and down over a chosen area. At the 
beginning of his paper,’ there is an interesting note on the part which 
insects play in isolation. Thus if flowers of the same species occur 
partly inside a sheltered wood, and partly outside, probably not more 
than five per cent of those outside will be fertilized by pollen from 
those inside the wood and vice-versa. This means for reproduction 
almost perfect isolation—Journal Royal Micr. Society. 
Larval Habits in Panorpa.—Dr. E. P. Feldt contributes to the 
tenth report of the State Entomologist of New York an important 
paper on Beeeniv, fleas from which we quote the following relating to 
Panorpa rufesce 
“ Throughout ack different stages, the larve usually harmonize 
with their surroundings so closely that it is difficult to detect them. 
Frequently a slight motion of the earth is the first indication of their 
presence. They burrow in the earth and remain underground much 
of the time. Many burrows ran less than one inch below the surface, 
although a few extended to a depth of three or four inches. The 
larvee may be fed readily upon raw meat placed upon the surface of 
the ground. Some time after placing the meat in the cage, they may 
be found under it, frequently in a more or less cell-like depression. 
When in such a position they rarely try to escape, but trust to their 
protective resemblances, and remain motionless. Around the edge of 
the piece of meat and also under it, the mouths of burrows may be seen 
and in them the heads of larvæ; when in such positions they dodge 
back quickly at the least disturbance. Unless the meat is moved very 
cautiously the burrows will appear empty; but if quiet is maintained 
for a few moments, the heads will soon be seen. The burrows opening 
under the meat frequently come to the surface a little distance away, 
and it is quite easy to drive a larva out of its back door. Not infre- 
2 Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1896, pp. 117-118. 
