258 



the plan if time and space would admit, for the subject would call for a great deal 

 of theorizing. The compressed cotton would serve almost like a solid body, as I 

 found a small feather cushion serve as a very efficient stethoscope and ear piece for 

 the telephone. I have an idea that the transmission of the vapor through the cot- 

 ton from a large bottle would give the best results. — [G. P. Hachenberg, M. D., to 

 Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Texas, August 3, 1892. 



On Irrigation and its Efifects on Insects. 



Was much interested in account of eifects of irrigation on insect life ; as at present 

 I am farming in an irrigated country, and can furnish a little evidence out of the 

 speculative stage. I am at work breaking 320 acres of new land on the west side of 

 Cole Slough. The soil is sedimentary, with clayey subsoil, and liable to crack; very 

 level, a foot levee being sufficient to flood a strip one-half mile wide. When I turned 

 the water on it tilled the cracks ahead of the main current, and drove out a perfect 

 horde of scorpions, centipedes, and pocket mice. The scorpions are not as large as 

 those on the east side of the slough, in the sand, which are from four to six inches 

 long, but are scarcely one-half inch long; while the centipedes may be found in all 

 sizes up to six inches in length. These hunt the highest land, and are iinally cov- 

 ered over, and as they can not swim, they die. 



So much for getting rid of dry soil species ; but water brings ten species to one it 

 kills, the mosquito leading the list. 



Nevertheless, if the wheat stubble be allowed to soak in it. there will be many 

 grain destroyers held in check, if not kept entirely at bay. — [Alvah A. Eaton, Cali- 

 fornia, February 2, 1893. 



A tropical Honey Bee. 



I inclose specimens of a local honey-giving bee. Have you it in the States, and 

 what is its name ? 



Its storehouse or hive is represented by section of trees, to which considerable at- 

 tention is given. A considerable industry might be locally developed in wax. AVhat 

 are the prospects in the United States? Pray give me any notes or suggestions 

 which may occur to you. Is there a prohibitive tax? — [Sir Alfred Moloney, British 

 Honduras, March 3, 1893. 



Reply. — * * * It is one of the stingless tropical bees of the genus Melipona, 

 and corresponds exactly with Frederick Smith's description of Alelipona fascicnlata^ 

 from Para, Brazil, and may without much doubt be identiiied with this species. It 

 is hopeless to attempt to colonize this bee in the States, as our temperature is too 

 low for it. It will not stand a lower temperature than 50 degrees and, so far as I 

 am informed, its honey is inferior to that of our common Ajy'is meUifica. There is, 

 however, no tariff upon wax or upon bees for breeding purposes. — [March 14, 1893,] 



A honey-producing Ant. 



Some very curious specimens of this pest, and its produce, have lately been sent 

 to the writer, from a little known district in Western Australia, 330 miles inland 

 from the Indian Ocean, and in latitude 27°. They inhabit cells or caves in the sand 

 of the scrub-covered lands of this district. Several large females, or queen ants 

 dwell together in seeming harmony, in each of these caves, never venturing from 

 home to collect the honey, but leaving that duty entirely to the working ants, which 

 bring in supplies from outside and hand them over to the queens, who store the 

 substance away in large oval-shaped bags, or pouches, of the size of from half an 

 inch to three-quarters. As yet no closer observations have been made, but the 

 gentleman who sent the specimens intends to devote some time to the work and re- 

 port progress. He states"that the honey is taken by the working ants from flowers. 



