365 
cucurbitae,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  lot,  which  were  placed 
with  freshly  formed  puparia  of  Dacus  cucurbitae. 
In  all  cases  the  chalcids  lived  but  a few  days.  No  pairing  was 
observed  at  any  time  although  both  sexes  were  present ; neither 
was  any  oviposition  noticed.  In  due  course  of  time  the  Dacus 
maggots  pupated,  and  flies  emerged  therefrom  after  an  interval 
of  about  ten  to  twelve  days.  In  no  case  were  any  of  them  para- 
sitized. The  result  being  a complete  failure  to  breed  this  para- 
site on  Dacus  cucurbitae , although  it  was  given  the  best  of  op- 
portunity. 
Specimens  of  a Braconid  ( Apodesmia  sp.,  according  to  Dr.  Per- 
kins’ identification  of  dead  specimens  left  by  Mr.  Compere  last 
year)  bred  out  as  follows : 
July  2 
3 
“ 6 
“ 8 
Total 7 
Whenever  any  emerged  they  were  placed  in  a breeding  jar  with 
cucumbers  infested  with  maggots  of  Dacus  cucurbitae.  They 
only  lived  a few  days,  so  that  only  in  one  instance  were  there 
healthy  specimens  of  both  sexes  present  at  the  same  time  (one  or 
two  were  cripples).  No  pairing  was  noticed  nor  any  attempts 
at  oviposition. 
In  due  time  adult  Dacus  specimens  emerged  from  the  puparia 
which  had  been  formed.  None  of  the  puparia  were  parasitized. 
Yours  very  truly, 
(S.)  Otto  H.  Swezey, 
Assistant  Entomologist. 
i male 
i female 
2 males 
THE  TANTALUS  FOREST. 
The  beating  down  and  removal  of  the  lantana  undergrowth 
from  the  Tantalus  forests  has  rhade  a marked  beneficial  appearance 
of  this  delightful  resort.  Hitherto  it  has  been  impossible  to  leave 
the  beaten  trails,  which  have  been  shut  in  by  a impenetrable  tangle 
of  thorns,  which  have  obstructed  the  view^s  and  shut  out  the 
longed-for  breeze.  Now,  however,  these  hindrances  to  the  en- 
joyment of  our  accessible  forests  have  been  removed.  On  all 
sides  are  to  be  seen  delightful  vistas  through  the  tall  eucalyptus 
among  which  the  trades  have  welcome  play.  As  soon  as  the 
public  realizes  the  vast  improvement  which  has  taken  place  on  the 
slopes  of  Tantalus  the  forests  there  should  become  popular  with 
picnicers  and  lovers  of  nature. 
