550 General Notes. x 
coast of New England (1873, pt. 1, p. 379) he mentions a Phryganid 
larva, probably a Molanna, found in Menemsha bay, Mass., in con- 
nection with Chironomus oceanicus Pack. The report of the 
Director of the (Illinois) State Laboratory of Natural History has 
just been received from Professor S. A. Forbes and exhibits a 
comprehensive plan of work, covering general natural history. 
The investigations into the food of fishes and of birds, and into 
the nature of parasitic plants and animals that are being prose- 
cuted in this laboratory, are of the most satisfactory and thorough 
character, and give the laboratory preéminence in these fields. 
In the entomological work Professor Forbes has been ably as- 
sisted by Mr. F. M. Webster and Mr. W. H. Garman.—In his 
first annual report of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Director Wm. R. Lazenby makes a satisfactory showing and de- 
votes considerable space to economic entomology. In almost 
every case the experience at the station with remedies for the 
more destructive insects accords with and corroborates that which 
we have placed on record. In the Proceedings of the Ameri- 
man Philosophical Society (vol. xx, June to December, 1882), re- 
cently issued, there are two important entomological papers. The 
one is Dr. S. W. Williston’s “ Contributions to a Monograph of 
the North American Syrphide.” As the genera and species of 
this family occurring in the United States have never before been 
tabulated, this careful paper is indispensable to the student of our 
Diptera. The second paper is the “ Revision of the Dermestide 
of the U. S.” by Dr. H. F. Jayne, accompanied by four plates, 
drawn and engraved by Dr. G. H. Horn. As Dr. LeContes 
synopsis of that family, written nearly thirty years ago, has be- 
come incomplete by virtue of subsequent discoveries, Dr. Jaynes 
paper is a most welcome contribution. Mr. F 
tributes in the American Journal of Science (XXV, P. 137-138) 4 
short illustrated paper on the antenna of Meloe, referrin ey 
well-known distortion of that organ in the male sex and exp 
ing its use during copulation. 
ZOOLOGY. 
marine animals have in past ages suddenly peris | or peti 
element and been entombed: 1. (fishes) By either unusua ehg; 
odical influx of fresh water from the land ; 2. By volcanic e 
3. By earthquake waves; 4. By storms; 5. (fishes) wee yrrow- 
tion, when massed together in frightened shoals, or when eet 
ing in sand-and mud and accidentally buried by other a net 
mud; 6. (fishes) By being driven ashore by fishes shallow 
(fishes and mollusks) By too much and too little hae , 
water; 8. (fishes and mollusks) By frost ; 9. (fishes) os aa 
parasites; 10, (fishes and mollusks) Miscellaneous © : 
