1883.] Entomology. : 1171 
Bombus pennsylvanicus in a deserted wren's nest-—Professor 
Osborn called attention to the fact that he had noticed this spe- 
cies inhabiting a deserted wren’s nest situated under the roof of 
a porch and at least twelve feet from the ground, it being the first 
instance he was aware of where they nested away from the sur- 
face of the ground. 
Professor Westcott thought Xylocopa might have been mis- 
taken for Bombus. Mr. Riley saw no reason to doubt the facts 
mentioned by Professor Osborn or that Xylocopa with such 
different appearance and habits could be mistaken for the Bom- 
bus, which was well known to utilize mouse nests. 
Dr. Kellicott had noticed the occurrence of the same or some 
allied species of Bombus inhabiting a mouse’s nest in the brace 
ota barn. Miss Murtfeldt had seen them domesticated in a 
marten’s nest. 
Plusiodonta compressipalpis.—Dr. Hoy presented for inspection 
the larvæ, pupz and imagines of Plusiodonta compressipalpis. He 
had watched this moth through its transformations, and had 
noted that during its early larval stages its prevailing color was a 
pea-green varied with uniformly-placed black spots, which in- 
creased in number with each successive molt. Oniy during the 
last stage of its larval life was the insect usually noticeable by 
other than professional eyes, since then its color was reddish- 
brown ornamented with cream white. Menispermum canadense 
Was its food-plant. The cocoon was formed by first building two 
nearly parallel, elliptical walls and then uniting them at the top. 
me larvae which had been displaced after beginning to pupate, 
had apparently become exhausted, or their teeth loosened, antici- 
Ept, occupying only 30 days from the time the eggs were 
a, but was much interested in Dr. Hoy’s account of ~ 
5 on of the cocoon, as it undoubtedly explained the meth 
a prevailed in all species which simulated the surroundings by 
a the outside of the cocoon with particles of the object 
ment. 
k Professor Herrick made inquiry as to what are sometimes 
nown as frost flies. Dr. Kellicott called attention to a ga 
rapa by T. Rymer Jones and one by E. Ray Lankester, ti 
