550 The American Naturalist. [June, 
Hemiptera of Japan exhibited at the Chicago Exposition and after- 
ward presented to the U. S. National Museum by Dr. K. Mitzukuri of 
the Imperial University of Tokio. Numerous new species are de- 
scribed. 
In a lecture before the Société Zoologique de France M. Charles 
Janet quoted with approval Biisgen’s views regarding the cornicles of 
Aphides. Büsgen believes that the cornicles are especially useful to 
the plant lice which do not excrete a sweet liquid, and which on this 
account are not protected from enemies by ants. The Aphides defend 
themselves against Ichneumon flies, Coccinellid larve, and Aphis 
lions (Chrysopa larve) by means of the cornicles which are movable 
and produce a secretion of a waxy nature which is smeared upon the 
head and antennz of enemies. 
Professor J. M. Stedman has discussed’ at length the wooly aphis of 
the apple (Schizoneura lanigera). The subterranean form is said to do 
great damage to the apple in Missouri and is best kept in check by the 
application of tobocco dust around the base of the tree at a cost of but 
two cents per tree per year. In extreme cases the insects may be 
killed by the use of carbon bisulphide, but this method is not recom- 
mended, as a little carelessness may prove fatal to the tree, and it is 
also necessary to treat the trees with tobacco dust in order to keep the 
insects away.— W. F. Fiske. 
Coleoptera.—Dr. John Hamilton records? observations on the 
habits of the blind beetle, Pinadytes hamiltoni Horn, from which “ it is 
evident that the species is gregarious and carnivorous, apparently occur- 
ring oftener in the winter than in summer, and in woody, hilly, uncul- 
tivated places. Conjecturally, from its pallid color, absence of eyes, 
and conditions under which found, it seems in habit either subterranean 
or semi-subterranean, its presence under bark being that of a scavenger. 
The larve are probably wholly subterranean, subsisting on the dead 
larve and pups of the numerous insects which live beneath the 
ground during immaturity, and when discovered will probably prove 
to be eyeless.” 
Wm. G. Dietz, M. D., has monographed’ the North American species 
of the tribe Ceutorhynchini of the family Curculionids. All the spe- 
cies are described and part of them figured. Many species and a few 
genera are new. 
5 Bull. Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta. No. 35. 
*Ent. News, VIII, 34. 
1 Transactions American Ent. Soc., Oct,—Dec., 1896. 
